SECRET EVEREST - SHERPA HOMELAND

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1 A trek into the Sherpa homeland with panoramic mountain views Views of Mount Everest from the top of PK Peak Hike up to the pilgrimage site of Dudh Kund A fantastic trekking holiday in Nepal`s Solu Khumbu Kathmandu Airport transfers and all meals included HOLIDAY CODE SSK Nepal, Walking and Trekking, 14 Days 1 night luxury lodge, 9 nights lodge, 3 nights hotel with swimming pool, 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners, max group size: 16, 10 days trekking, max altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction South of the high valleys leading to Mount Everest, the Solu Khumbu district is the traditional homeland of the Sherpa People. Situated at elevations of between 2000 and 4000 metres, with rugged ridge and valley scenery, this is a beautiful part of Nepal and this trekking holiday makes the most of it. Flying in to Phaplu, from Kathmandu gives us speedy access to a surprisingly remote area, which sees relatively few trekking groups. Our circuit trek takes us through timeless Sherpa villages and up to the amazing viewpoint known as PK Peak (4065m), where the incredible panorama includes the relatively nearby peaks of Numbur (6958m) and Karyolung, as well as a slightly more distant perspective on Mount Everest and Makalu. It is even possible to see the Annapurnas, way off towards the west. Continuing our trek by way of Thupten Choling Monastery, we head north through pine, oak and rhododendron forest to the holy lake of Dudh Kund, which is tucked right up under the flanks of Karyolung. At just over 4500 metres, this is an impressive and inspiring place, visited by few people other than Hindu pilgrims, who believe that to take a dip in the frigid waters will take away the sins of a lifetime. Flying back to Kathmandu, we have included a day to enjoy the Nepalese capital. A perfect trekking holiday for those looking for a first taste, or those wishing to explore quieter areas, of this most charming of Himalayan kingdoms. FREE equipment hire on all Nepal holidays! Already booked on this holiday? Or looking to book on one of our departures in 2018? ALL travellers will benefit from free hire of a sleeping bag and down jacket worth 90 - when reserved up to 4 weeks before your departure date. Book NOW, save money and help support a country we love. View offer details Is this holiday for you? Starting out at Phaplu, at around 2400 metres, this trekking holiday gains height gradually, hiking for an average of around 6 hours each day. This is a camping trek, as the lodges in this region are few and far between. The itinerary has been arranged to allow everyone to acclimatise easily, although you will find walking at these elevations to be a little tougher than at sea-level. For the first part of the trek, we are following good tracks and trails between the many Sherpa villages. On the approach to Dudh Kund, we will encounter narrower forest tracks, but nowhere are the conditions underfoot difficult. The nature of the landscape in this area means that there is a fair amount of ascent and descent. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. Depending on your arrival time there may be the opportunity to take an exploratory wlk through the area known as Thamel which abounds with cafes and shops selling traditional arts and crafts and books about the Himalaya. KE Land Only package services begin with a briefing on the week ahead foillowed by the evening meal which will be taken either in the hotel or at one of the city's many excellent restaurants. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL MEALS D Day 2: Fly to the newly resurfaced airstrip at Phaplu (2469m). After lunch trek to Salleri (2390m).

3 PAGE 3 We make an early start for the dramatic flight through the mountains to Phaplu (2469m). Mornings in the Himalaya are usually clear and we should be treated to spectacular views of the big mountains. Landing at the small airstrip at Phaplu we are met by our trek crew who have walked here over several days with our equipment. After lunch we have a short trek to our first night's halt at the campsite near the bazaar town of Salleri (2390m). Day 3: Trek into to the valley of the Khoriya Khola and via viewpoints and villages to Dandakharka (2560m). We begin our trekking today by travelling south to the village of Dorpu. Below the village we cross a bridge over the Khoriya Khola (khola = river) and climb gradually through forest and the terraced fields of small settlements to reach the Sherpa village of Ghatte Khola. After lunch we continue to a viewpoint at 2546m from which we can see the peaks of the Dudh Kosi and Hinku valleys such as Mera Peak, Numbur, Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru. From the viewpoint an undulating trail then takes us to our camp at Dandakharka (2560m). Day 4: Trek to the Sisa Khola and continue to Jhape (2820m) with distant views of Everest and Kanchenjunga. During today's walk, we can see several of the world's highest peaks. For the very keen an optional early morning ascent of a nearby ridge provides a first view of Everest, but don t worry if you prefer a lie-in as there are more sensational views to come. Leaving Dandakharka we have a steep descent to a bridge across the Sisa Khola and a steady climb up to Jhape (2820m) where we camp with views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku, Makalu and Kanchenjunga! Day 5: An excellent day of trekking, through forest and along a fine ridge to the base (3785m) of PK Peak. A beautiful day of trekking along a forested ridge passing through yak pasture and with sensational views of the mountains which include Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and the distant Kanchenjunga, four of the world s five highest peaks! All this and to have the place to ourselves too! Trekking doesn t get better than this! We make our camp not far from a lone tea-house at the foot of PK Peak (3785m). LUXURY Day 6: Morning trek to the top of PK Peak (4065m). Descend via Jhase Bhanjyang to the foot of the Lamjura La. Setting off in the early morning, we make a relatively steep ascent for a couple of hours to reach the summit of PK Peak (4065m). This is an exceptional viewpoint for the Himalayan chain. The mountain panorama stretches from Kanchenjunga in the east to as far west as the Annapurnas and on a clear day we can see 6 of the world s fourteen 8000 metre peaks in one sweep!. We descend to Jhase Bhanjyang for lunch and then continue down to our camp at the foot of the Lamjura La.

4 PAGE 4 Day 7: Trek via Junbesi into the Mopung Valley. Afternoon free to visit the monastery of Thupten Choling. An easy morning of walking brings us to the large town of Junbesi on the trail used by the early Everest climbers coming from Jiri. From Junbesi the Everest trail heads eastwards towards Ringmo and across the Tragsindo La to access the Dudh Kosi Valley. We now turn north and have a short to reach our camp in the Mopung Valley. The afternoon is free to rest visit the nearby Buddhist monastery of Thupten Choling. Day 8: Trek northwards across the beautiful Pare Danda to the yak pastures below Dudh Kund. After a rest and a good breakfast we continue northwards through rhododendron forest and across the beautiful Pare Danda towards the peaks of Numbur and Karyleung. At the base of these peaks lies the holy lake of Dudh Kund. The walking today is excellent along a high ridge with superb vistas. We make our camp tonight in yak pastures on the ridge. Here we camp for two nights. Day 9: An day for exploration. Trek up to the sacred lake of Dudh Kund (4561m) and return to the same camp. We have a day for rest or exploration in this beautiful and remote area. Most will want.to reach the holy lake a full day s excursion. Dudh Kund (4561m) is an important site of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. During the full moon of July/August many Hindus make the long trek to bathe in the lake while the Sherpas come to build cones of tsampa (a porridge like mix of barley flour and butter) in honour of local deities. At this time the lake is very busy but at the time of our arrival we are likely to be the only people present. For those that wish to have an easier day there are several options for shorter walks. After our explorations we return to camp at the yak pastures. Day 10: Trek out through the Sherpa village of Timba to Ringmu (2720m), situated on the Jiri to Lukla trail. Leaving the high pastures we now turn south. Passing through the Sherpa village of Timba we descend to Ringmo on the main trail from Jiri to Everest. Ringmo is renown for its apple orchards and here you can buy all manner of apple-based products from cider to apple pie. We set up our camp in this small village. Day 11: Following the Dudh Kund Khola, trek back through Beni to Phaplu (2469m). We leave the Everest trail and have a relatively short final day of trekking following an easy trail beside the Dudh Kund Khola down to Phaplu where we make our last camp. We will no doubt have a celebration tonight and we will want to thank our trek crew as we say goodbye to them here. Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing or relaxing.

5 PAGE 5 We take the flight to Kathmandu, where we check in to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing or shopping in the bazaar. This evening we will have a celebration dinner in one of Kathmandu s popular restaurants. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 13: In Kathmandu. Half-day sightseeing tour included. Rest of the day at leisure. This is an important contingency day in case of delays to the flights from Phaplu. If we have experienced no delays this is an opportunity to explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. There is an optional complimentary half-day guided tour of some of the city s most important sites. The afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing or shopping in the colourful bazaars. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 14: Departure day. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. There are lots of extensions that can easily be added to your holiday in Nepal. Why not pre-book a simple day-tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to one of the important wildlife reserves at Chitwan or Bardia. Extension packages are also available to include a visit to neighbouring Tibet or Bhutan. Contact our office for details. MEALS B Extend Your Holiday Extensions When booking your holiday, you will be able to 'add an extension option'. Once we have received your booking we will contact you to discuss additional services required for the extension and to take any additional deposit. Chitwan Jungle Extension The jungles of southern Nepal are an interesting counterpoint to trekking in the foothills or the high Himalaya. Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge provides a relaxing and comfortable base for a wildlife safari and cultural village experience. During two days of wildlife viewing in the Chitwan National Park 'buffer zone' - the interface area between visitors and the animals that live at Chitwan you will be accompanied by expert guides on safaris by jeep by boat and on

6 PAGE 6 foot. Chitwan Jungle Extension 3 days From 995 per person Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot And Bhaktapur The Kathmandu Valley contains the cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu itself, all of which were once independent kingdoms. An exploration of the valley s historic and cultural sights is an excellent way to begin or end your adventure in Nepal. Highlights of this tour includes a very early drive up to Nagarkot on the Kathmandu Valley rim, the perfect place to watch a Himalayan sunrise. This is followed by a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur, renowned for its temples and traditional buildings. Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur 1 day From 120 per person Holiday Information What's Included An experienced English-speaking KE leader Kathmandu Airport transfers Internal flights and all land transport involved in the itinerary All accommodation as described in the trip dossier All meals Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Full trekking service including all equipment (excluding personal equipment) What's Not Included Travel insurance Nepalese Visa Tips for porters and other trek staff Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

7 PAGE 7 Meal Plan All meals included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 14 Food The food served during the trek is a mixture of local and Western, mostly purchased in Nepal and cooked for us by highly trained trek cooks. The emphasis is on providing a high-carbohydrate and largely vegetarian diet, which we have found to be easily digestible at high altitude. In the Khumbu Valley, there is ample opportunity to purchase additional snacks and drinks from teahouses and shops. In Kathmandu we take our meals in the hotel and local restaurants. All meals are included in the trip price. Joining Arrangements & Transfers All clients travelling to Kathmandu will be met at the airport by a KE representative who will arrange the transfer to the group hotel. Clients MUST provide the KE office with full details of their flights and should let us know if Kathmandu Airport transfers are not required. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 3 nights in Kathmandu at a centrally-located tourist-class hotel. Whilst on trek there are 10 nights camping. All accommodation is on a twin sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. It is possible to hire a single tent while on trek for an additional cost. Please note single tent hire does not include single rooms in hotels. For the 3 hotel nights, single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Additional hotel nights in Kathmandu are also available. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary. Internal Flights Internal Flights Access to the high and remote areas of the Himalaya where our treks start is often only possible using internal flights. The changeable nature of mountain weather makes flying conditions complex. In addition the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of western nations and all airlines in Nepal appear on the European Commission s list of airlines that are banned from flying into EU member states. Flying in Nepal is an acknowledged risk, and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice provides further details which you can read on their website at: KE is mindful of its duty of care to clients travelling with us in Nepal and we were stakeholders in a recent independent air audit of Nepal airlines undertaken by UK tour operators during KE uses only three airlines in Nepal which were approved by this audit as safe carriers. These airlines are: Yeti Airlines, Tara Air and Buddha Air. We continue to cooperate with other tour operators to monitor aviation safety in Nepal and will ensure we remain a stakeholder in any further air safety audits. While we have taken appropriate action to try to minimise the risks of flying in Nepal, you should be aware that flying in mountainous terrain is not without any risk. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking KE leader throughout the trip. Whilst on trek there will also be a full trek crew, including several Sherpas, a cook team and porters.

8 PAGE 8 Altitude This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies. Spending Money Approximately 200 (or equivalent in US dollars, Euros etc.) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including those itemised below. You should allow approximately (in equivalent Nepali rupees) for porter and trek crew tips. It is not necessary to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash, since you will exchange the majority of this on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs in Kathmandu using your debit or credit card. During the trek it is possible to buy snacks, chocolate, soft drinks and beer on several days. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up by porters or animals, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you for good service. Tips do not form part of the wages of your porters and trek crew but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the trip. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around 50 or equivalent (in rupees) to these tips. At the end of a trek many people also like to donate various items of their equipment to the porters and trek staff who work so hard to make the trip a success. Boots, gloves, hats, scarves and even socks (clean of course) are always warmly received by the porters. Technical clothing and equipment such as head-torches and trekking poles are highly prized by the Sherpas and camp crews. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. Baggage Allowance Your baggage on trek will be carried by porters or pack animals. The packed weight of your trek bag whilst trekking should be no more than 15kg (33 pounds). For all flights to and from STOL airstrips in Nepal, the maximum allowance for hold baggage AND hand baggage combined, is 15kg. It is essential you keep the total weight of your baggage within this limit. This weight allowance is normally strictly enforced and excess baggage will be charged. Please be aware that you will have to pay for this at check-in. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel. Group Size & Holiday Status

9 PAGE 9 For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Transit Via India If you are travelling via India (Delhi or Calcutta) to your destination you may also require a visa for India. This may apply even if you are not leaving the airport unless your baggage has been checked all the way through to your destination. Generally, if you use the same carrier for both legs of your journey, you will not need an India Visa. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF India. Visa Nepal All nationalities require a visa and this can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport.The visa process is automated and this includes having your photograph taken. The visa fee is $25 for 15 days, $40 for 30 days, $100 for 90 days. The visa is FREE for children under 10 years. Payment must be made in cash and USD, GBP or Euros are accepted. Whilst these are not now needed for the visa process, we recommend that you travel with at least 2 spare passport photographs. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. You should attend your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. Your doctor will have access to the most up to date information on the required vaccinations for the country you are visiting. In general we recommend vaccinations against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis 'A'. Malarial prophylaxis may be recommended for trips where you sleep below 1200 metres. A very good online resource is fit for travel: fitfortravel.nhs.uk Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

10 PAGE 10 Currency The unit of currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Regular hiking in hill country is the best training but jogging, squash and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate Late September through to early May outside of the Summer monsoon is the season for trekking in Nepal. For treks in the foothills the most agreeable climate is usually found between November and March when daytime temperatures at lower elevations are not too hot. For the rhododendron blooms, March to early May is the best time for a trek in the foothills. At the timings of this holiday you will encounter daytime highs of around 25ºC / 77ºF (a few degrees higher in early October and late April/May trips) and around 14ºC / 57ºF at higher elevations. At night temperatures will drop close to or below freezing. Extended periods of rain or snow are very unlikely outside of the monsoon period but short lived storms can and do occur. Books Lonely Planet Guide to Nepal. Lonely Planet Rough Guide to Nepal. Rough Guides Trekking and Climbing in Nepal. Steve Razzetti Into Thin Air. Jon Krakauer The Ascent of Everest. John Hunt & Edmund Hillary

11 PAGE 11 Field Guide to Birds of the Himalayas. Bikram Grewal Portraits of People:Nepal Himalayas. Eric Valli Nepal: Lonely Planet Pictorial. Richard I'Anson The High Himalaya. Art Wolfe Sherpas & Himalayan Mountaineering. Sherry B. Ortner A History of Nepal. John Whelpton Maps Khumbu Adventure Map. 1: 125,000 This map which is a collaboration between National Geographic and the long established Nepal publisher, Nepa Maps, is probably the best for this trek showing the trekking route in its entirety from Phaplu to Dudh Kund. It has relief shading and a 100m. contour interval. Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Kathmandu. Outbound flights will usually depart from the UK in the evening, arriving mid afternoon the following day (day 1 of the itinerary). Return flights will depart Kathmandu usually in the morning of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK later the same day. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The dates above are for the LAND ONLY itinerary, joining in Kathmandu on the dates shown above. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Kathmandu Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to the 'Joining arrangements & transfers', and 'Flights' sections in the trip dossier for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and this trip is showing the 'Guaranteed to Run or Limited' symbol. If your trip is still showing 'Spaces', we will contact you as soon as it has reached the guaranteed status.

12 PAGE 12 Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 34 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too!

13 PAGE 13 Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

14 PAGE 14 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag and daypack combined should be no more than 15 kgs. For all flights to STOL airstrips in Nepal, the maximum allowance for hold baggage AND hand baggage combined, is 15 kg. It is essential you keep the total weight of your baggage within this limit. Paying for transportation of excess baggage is not normally an option on these flights. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel. You Must Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots Socks Trekking trousers Waterproof overtrousers Underwear Baselayer shirts Casual shirt and/or T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Waterproof jacket Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Thermal gloves Warm and waterproof gloves or mittens Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre x2 Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Small towel Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry) Small padlock (to lock trek bag) Daypack 30 litres Sleeping bag (comfort rated -15 C)* Thermarest or similar sleeping mat*

15 PAGE 15 Warm jacket (down)* Basic First Aid Kit including:- antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.?the Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles Trainers or similar for camp use Spare laces Shorts Thermal baselayer - leggings Gaiters (you may encounter snow) Sleeping bag liner Scarf or buff Swimwear (for the hotel pool in Kathmandu) Travel clothes Camera Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Notes *Available for hire/rental through KE Adventure Travel. Please make all requests at least 6 weeks prior to the trip departure date. Please note all hire / rental equipment is issued in Kathmandu. Please remember to allow room in your trek bag for these items. The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Therefore to avoid embarrassment on both sides we recommend that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach to or just above the knee and be modest and for women it is preferable to wear trousers or a long skirt. Please note: This document was downloaded on 1 May 2018, and the trip is subject to change.