Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Everest Base Camp Treks - Cost

Here is the indicative pricing for the 16 days of Everest Base Camp ("EBC") trek in next October 2009: As informed by Cheban, the Trek and Tour agent in Nepal, the fee will be USD 1,047 per person.

Taking exchange rate of 3.2 that will translate into RM 3,350.
Plus return flight of about RM 1,800... That will be around RM 5,150
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When the petrol price was RM 1.92 in Malaysia last year, it was double in Nepal. With the fierce protest in Kathmandu for the same fate (I saw in the TV that the protestors actually turned violent); with that kind of fire, it probably cost more than RM 0.80 equivalent increases ... :-)

Please take note that when you invite your friends to trek EBC, other than good fitness, a trekker must have experienced high altitude adaptation of at least 4,000 meters or higher (eg. Mount Kinabalu, ABC, etc). Otherwise, the chance of getting high mountain sickness could be high... :-) The confirmed EBC trekkers must work as a team with only one mission – to scale to EBC and return safely !!

BTW, AB Tan and another trekker are confirmed to trek Mera Peak (6,500 m) this October 2008. Here is wishing them a successful climb.
Click here

Happy Trekking and Training... KC
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Everest Kalapathar Trekking Trip on 29 September 2006

By Francis Toh, Tammy, Teresa Goh, Tsu, etc.


Click here for Part one of photo album;

Click here for Part two of photo album.

Written by AB Tan:

Based on my little experience and also reference to some write up on the grading of trekking, I present below the comparative demand on the physical preparation for those who intend to trek to EBC.

EBC is generally regards as a Grade-4 trek, or strenuous grade.

Grade 1 or leisure is for 2 to 3 days trek; sleep below 3500m, trek up to 4000m. Example: Mount Kinabalu.

Grade 2 or moderate is for 4 to 8 days trek; sleep below 4000m, trek up to 4500m. Example: trek to Tangboche just above Namche Bazar, or Annapurna Base Camp.

Grade 3 or moderate plus is for 9 to 12 days trek; sleep below 4500m to 4700m , trek up to 5000m. Example: Mt Killimanjaro (5900m), only 6 days trek but very high attitude.

Grade 4 or strenuous is for 10 to 18 days trek; sleep below 5000m to 5200m, trek up to 5500m. Example: EBC, or Gokyo lake with Gokyo Ri and Cho La pass. (KC has done that… click here)

Grade 5 or strenuous plus more than 15 days trek; sleep below 5500m to 5800m, trek above 6000m, such as Island Peak, Mera Peak.

It is very uncomfortable to sleep above 5000m, to do both KalaPattar and Everest Base Camp, we have to sleep at Gorashep for at least one night, it would be better for two nights. This is because the trek to see blue Khumbu Icefall at end of EBC is a long strenuous 5 to 6 hours trek. It is just not possible for average people to do both KalaPattar and EBC within a day. Sleeping at Gorashep at the first night is difficult: very cold , bone chilling, very thin air, headache and no appetite. Just like the 35km wall of the marathon, painful but memorable!

I talked to many trekkers who do not make it to Killimanjaro summit or EBC, I found that those who have not at least climb some mountains before they attempt have very little chance to succeed.

I fully agreed with your recommendation that to summit EBC, one must try to summit Mt Kinabalu and at least run 20km races. This is to build up the heart and lung capacity. Which comes in handy, when at 5000m, the air has only 50% oxygen.

BTW, please ensure no heart problem or high blood pressure to attempt this trek. Our heart beat and blood pressure keep going up with elevation above 4000m, even at rest.

The other good training is to climb stairs with some load; I find Batu Cave is particularly good. Every 10 ups representing 400m climb in elevation. I suggest 30ups within one morning work-out with no load, or 20 ups with 6 to 10 kgs load. Average speed for 10 ups with no load is around 55 min to 65 mins, same like 10km run.

From
Ay Bing

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