It’s a dream realized for many, a path that winds through the hearts of the Himalayas that sanded the floor of an alley created by the highest mountain on the planet. Previously, trekkers have been allowed to trek independently; however, new rules announced mean that foreign visitors must now be accompanied by a registered guide trekking in this trekking kingdom. The $15 is subtracted, and it is the security measure that affects the estimate of your overall EBC Trek Cost and ultimately leads to an increase in the quality of your hike as well as the local community. It is now a must-do for hiring a guide for your Everest Base Camp Tour, And How to find the right one for that is a key part of planning! Why you MUST hire a guide for your Everest Base Camp Trek?
The rule: Do You Need A Guide for the EBC Trek?
Competitiveness The “One Trekker One Porter” policy was launched by the Government of Nepal, together with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). This rule was enforced in the interests of the safety of trekkers, and worked a treat in a place as remote as the Everest region. A trekker without a guide is going to be lost if he doesn’t speak Nepalese; he’s going to be at risk of a medical emergency (altitude sickness, say) without medical help; he is going to encounter the unplanned. The new rule is that a professional first responder should always be nearby, but just one finger tap away from responding, applying first aid, and calling in a rescue if necessary. This, by default, makes the Everest Base Camp Hike a lot safer for everyone.
Find a good trekking agency in Kathmandu / How to!
The very best and advocated way to arrange a manual for the hike is through a certified trekking agency. Courses may be discovered at the trekking hub of Thamel in Kathmandu, but you ought to do some research to make sure you are going with a good outfit. Choose companies that can be government-registered in Nepal and individuals of key industry oodies like TAAN. Those memberships are typically an amazing indication that they’re truthful and practice good protection and moral tactics. A trustworthy company will have a detailed and clear-cut Everest Base Camp Trek package that covers licensed trekking guides, permits, and sometimes even cutting down domestic flights and accommodations. That gets you an all-in-one plan, with all of your trains and experiences arranged at once.
Pros of hiring a local guide from the Khumbu region
Depending on how you arrange your trip, you may also have the option of a Kathmandu vs the Everest region guide. And while guides from Kathmandu can be experienced, there’s a special aspect to hiring a nearby manual, especially a Sherpa. Sherpas are a tribe of mountain men within the Himalayas famous for his or her hiking and trekking prowess, and nobody is aware of the Khumbu like they do. A local guide knows the ins and outs of the trail, the teahouses where you can sleep the best, and has established years of strong relationships with the local communities. They can take you to the genuine Sherpa Culture, tradition, and the history of mountaineering of the region that will be more than a physical challenge during your Mount Everest Base Camp Tour.
Understanding Guide and Porter Cost
The price of the Everest Base Camp with a guide is significant. It costs about a professional guide/professional guide/day in a non-Western country is ~ $100 US- 150 per day. This meets the requirement for being a “licensed” guide – they are nominally legal residents for the ice season, have access & food, and are on wages, the withholding/compensation structures of glacier guides in Nepal, and the insurance calculations. You would also have to absorb this cost. And at some, trekkers can also choose to have a porter carry their main bag – though this generally incurs an additional fee, somewhere between $20 and $30 a day over and above the cost of the trekking pass alone. Hiring a porter is a responsible, ethical, and even fun option; that way, you support the local community and still be the one walking with just a small daypack. The main thing to keep in mind is whether the agency has an ethical porter policy – that is, not exploiting or under equipping its porters, and paying them reasonable wages for what is very hard work.
Your Guide Interviewed: What to Ask Him (or Her)
Actually, you may consider asking a few essential questions to your trekking agent regarding your would-be guide before confirming a date. 1. Whether they are licensed by the Nepal government, and they have a good history. Ask them approximately their experience with the Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary, as personal treks from Lukla to Everest Base Camp require a guide to have first useful resource and mountain protection qualifications. An attentive guide can have a great deal with the caution symptoms and signs and symptoms of altitude illness and what actions to take in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the manual’s English has to be fluent. It’s all about verbal exchange; you’re going to need to invite questions and recognize what’s going on throughout your ride.
Solo hiking vs. institution tours
Solo hiking, now not with a guide, is not possible under the brand new regulations. You can still go on a private trek, just you and your guide, or take in groups that gather at the beginning of the trekking routes. The freedom to set your own pace nd tailor your Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary is a service offered by the private trek. Group Tour: On the other hand, a group trek is a much more social experience and usually has a lower per-person cost as it’s less private (for lack of a better word) and you split the guide and other fees. Each path is unique, but whichever way you go, the path still needs direction.
Booking from Abroad and in Nepal
You have two choices. You can arrange your Sherpa trek and guide before you leave home with an international travel company or wait until you arrive in Kathmandu. It’s nice to have a pre-booking with an international company, because it creates some level of safety and also because it helps a little bit to organize the trip.” But this convenience can also cost you. Booking with a local Nepali agency in Kathmandu, Most trekkers arrange for their trip when they get to Kathmandu. That includes personal connections, the chance to bargain, and the opportunity to plow money directly into the local economy. It is one of the great ways to reduce the Total Cost to climb EBC.
Tipping Your Guide and Porter
Tipping is both customary and some people depend on it to supplement their very low wages when they return to the city. You don’t have to, but a nice thing to do is let them know you appreciate their hard work for you! You tip whatever amount you feel, but a general rule of thumb would be to expect to tip the staff about 10-15% of the trip amount. It is an excellent way to express your gratitude to your guide & porter who were great during your Everest Base Camp Hiking trip.
Conclusion to Travelling with a Guide
The thing is, deciding whether or not to book a guide isn’t an issue of following a rule, but rather it’s about your own safety, your enriching experience of trekking to EBC, and your contribution to the local people who can make the EBC trek possible. Your lifeline is a great mentor, friend, and is what causes the real magic of the Himalayas to unfold. But in doing so, by doing your homework, asking the right questions, and hiring a dependable professional, then you are on your way to an unequal and secure adventure to the mythical base camp of Everest.