Set on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is the second most important shrine in the Kathmandu Valley after Boudhanath. Due to the resident monkeys that inhabit parts of the temple, it is more affectionately known as the Monkey Temple. The Swayambhu Stupa, painted with the eyes of the omnipresent god, forms the centerpiece of the temple complex. It was originally a prehistoric cult site, but the temple complex dates to the 5th century. Swayambhu plays a major part in the lives of the Vajrayana Buddhists of Northern Nepal and Tibet, but especially of the Newari Buddhists of the Kathmandu Valley.
Advices : Bring chocolate and any treats that you want. This is our very important tip for you! Pringles and chocolate are expensive and having your own little stash for treats is nice. Sometimes when the altitude gets to us, the only thing that feels good going down is chocolate. It is a good idea to have some with you and you can buy it in Kathmandu.
Train and prepare: The trek to Everest Base Camp is a stunning walk through the world famous trail to Mount Everest. It is not a technical climb; you do not need to have any previous technical climbing experience or even any altitude experience to complete the trek. However, you do need to be physically fit and have excellent strength, conditioning and endurance to be able to complete the trek and to fully enjoy the journey. If you have not trained your body to withstand the pressures of constant strain at high altitude, you will find it a very difficult task to complete the trek, risking your and other people’s safety. I would recommend that you spend at least four days a week doing some sort of intense physical exercise for approximately six to eight months prior to your starting date of your trek. Personally, I would have spent at least four days a week either walking up hill on a treadmill or walking on a stair-master (stair master is best) for one hour to two hours building up to 10 kilos (22lbs) in a backpack on my back. I have always been lucky and lived in a place where I had access to hills to train on the weekends, and I found that this was the greatest training I could get for trekking. I would spend at least one day a week out in the hills or mountains for at least a 4 hour walk and up to 7 hours in a row. More details on Sightseeing tour in Nepal.
We recommend : Hire your porter or guide in either Kathmandu or better yet when you arrive in Lukla on the plane. Prices are expensive when you book from your own country and if you book your guides in Nepal, you can be sure that more money is going directly to them as opposed to large corporations. There are many porters and guides that will meet you at the plane when your flight comes in to Lukla that are very experienced and capable. Plus, You have the added bonus of being able to interview them and see if you get on and you save money by not having to pay for their flight from Kathmandu. We climbed with our good friend Dipendra in Nepal, a guide with over a decade of experience.
Make Sure to Eat Enough – We provide three meals a day on the trek and a hot drink with each meal. If you’re hungry Dal Bhatt will be your best option as it is served as an all you can eat dish. This is the traditional Nepali dish that consists of rice, dal, a vegetable and a papad (fry bread) and pickle. We recommend the vegetarian options since the meat on the mountain is not very hygienic. It’s okay to eat the Yak cheese and eggs but take it easy on the cheese. Here is a good video showing the typical food and menu options.
Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions is registered by the Nepalese government to ensure the best possible experience. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our staff and clients. We hire only the best trekking and tour guides who are familiar with travelling in Nepal. All our staff members go through a thorough vetting process and are fully trained and insured. We take special precautions to make sure that all of our team members are well-equipped to handle any situation. Our expert guides are well-trained and familiar with the culture, history, flora and fauna, and first aid help. So you can rest assured that you will be properly taken care of during your trip. Extra details on https://www.adventuregreathimalaya.com/.