EBC trek in Nov - Dec

[Trixie]

Hi there,

My partner and I have confirmed a Nepal trip from Nov to Dec, a total of 22 days, embarking on EBC trek and some sightseeing. Both of us are new to trekking. We have contacted a local Nepali agent and he has drawn up an itinerary for us.
Few questions (thank you :) ):
Does the itinerary look okay to you? Would we cover much of places to see and EBC? Any places we should note? Acclimatization days enough?
What is the temperature / weather like in Nov - Dec? What are the chance of snow and encountering falling snow?
What would be the attire / equipment gear to wear / bring?
Can we wear contact lenses over there since the weather, I believe, will be dry and cold?
We intend to get a sherpa. How much load can a sherpa carry?
Any suggestions to prepare ourselves in terms of fitness conditioning?

Day:
1 Kathmandu arrival, transfer to hotel
2 Flight Kathmandu / Lukla over night at Phakdingma 2652m
3 Phakding / Namche Bazar 3446m
4 Acclimatisation day
5 Namche bazar 3440m / Khumjung 3790m visit Hospital / High School and monasteries at Kunde made by Sir Edmund Hillary
6 Khumjung / Machharma 4465m
7 Machharma / Gokyo 4791m
8 Gokyo -Gokyo Peak 5360m - Chhuyangma BC
9 Chhuyangma BC - Chola Pass 5420m - Zhongla BC 4593m
10 Zhongla BC Lobuche 4930m
11 Lobuche - Kalapathar 5545m - Lobuche 4930m
12 Lobuche EBC 5350m Lobuche ou Gorekshep 5100m
13 Lobuche / Dengboche 4343m
14 Dengboche / Chhukung 4734m
15 Chukung - Chukung- Ri 5300M retour à Tyangboche ,3867m
16 Tyangboche Namche /
17 Namche Lukla 2835m
18 Return flight Lukla / Kathmandu . Transfer to l'hôtel
19 Kathmandu sightseeing
20 Chitwan
21 Chitwan
22 Depart

[Escher]

Does the itinerary look okay to you?

>> I've made a couple of changes for better acclimatisation (see below).

Would we cover much of places to see and EBC?

>> Yes you will.

Any places we should note?

>> Gokyo is great. Spend at least one extra day there. If it is cloudy then wait for the weather to clear to see the views.

Acclimatization days enough?

>> See my schedule below.

What is the temperature / weather like in Nov - Dec?

>> Gets quite cold in December. Not unusual for -10 at night but plan for colder.

What are the chance of snow and encountering falling snow?

>> There are normally long periods of stable weather but snow can fall at any time. Quite hard to predict.

What would be the attire / equipment gear to wear / bring?

>> Have a look at the FAQ at top of this forum. Many of your questions are answered there.

Can we wear contact lenses over there since the weather, I believe, will be dry and cold?

>> Yes.

We intend to get a sherpa. How much load can a sherpa carry?

>> It is a porter that you want. Sherpas are native to the Everest region (note the capitlisation of the S for Sherpa), Namche Bazaar is their capital and they are reknowned the world over for their high altitude climbing skills. sherpa with a small 's' for porter is a term used years ago but it is really not correct.

>> 30 kgs maximum. But I think 15-20kgs is much better.

Any suggestions to prepare ourselves in terms of fitness conditioning?

>> Walk up some hills!

Day:
1 Kathmandu arrival, transfer to hotel
2 Flight Kathmandu / Lukla over night at Phakdingma 2652m
3 Phakding / Namche Bazar 3446m
4 Acclimatisation day >> visit Khumjung
5 Namche bazar 3440m to Mong 3900m
6 Mong to Dole 4100m
7 Dole to Machhermo or Phang 4450m
8 Gokyo
9 Gokyo Ri and/or fifth lake then Chhuyangma BC
10 Chola Pass 5420m - Zhongla BC 4593m
10 Zhongla BC Lobuche 4930m
11 Lobuche - Kalapathar 5545m - Lobuche 4930m
12 Lobuche EBC 5350m Lobuche ou Gorekshep 5100m
13 Lobuche / Dengboche 4343m
14 Dengboche / Chhukung 4734m
15 Chukung - Chukung- Ri 5300M retour à Tyangboche ,3867m
16 Tyangboche Namche /
17 Namche Lukla 2835m
18 Return flight Lukla / Kathmandu . Transfer to l'hôtel
19 Kathmandu sightseeing
20 Chitwan
21 Chitwan
22 Depart

That is quite a tough trek. Consider not going to Chitwan or coming straight down from Dingboche (rather than going to Chukkung) if you are tired and want to stop trekking.

Good luck.

[ash87]

Hi, My friend and i r also going to EBC in late october november, we are spending a month in nepal. Just for an idea how much is your guide costing for the 22 days you are treking?

[timbo75]

Im going in October but for about 24 days so got similar thoughts on EBC and somewhere else.

Can EBC done in fewer days than 15?

Might try and get to Pokhara for the rest of my visit.

Cheers

Tim

[Trixie]

Hi Escher, thanks for the invaluable advices! I will write to my agent if he can adjust our itinerary abit.

Hi Ash, I'm paying a total of USD1400 inclusive of EBC trek, Chitwan and KTM sightseeing but I do not know how much is a guide. My package has a guide and porter and covers their insurance etc.