Everest Unveiled (11 Days)

Peregrine has been operating adventure holidays since 1977. Today we can help you discover all four corners of the globe, from the Polar regions, to Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. We offer high-quality, excellent-value, small-group adventures to interesting areas of the world, in harmony with the local people and the environment.

Local tour leader, local guides, airport arrival transfer, transport, porterage on trek, sightseeing and entrance fees.

International flights, airport departure taxes, airport departure transfer, visas, insurance, meals not listed, any optional tours and activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, showers on trek (if available), tips or gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask us or your travel agent.

Walking times: This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the program and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Be aware that all times stated are approximate and may vary with individual and group fitness, weather and track conditions.

Tipping and Tipping Kitty
Although the culture of tipping may not be part of your own culture, it is nonetheless part of the culture in this area of the world and it is often the way some people supplement their earnings. Tipping has also become an accepted part of the tourism culture in the region. On our trips your tour leader can advise you on this matter; however, as a guideline we would recommend a tip of 5-10% in restaurants and US$1 to US$2 per person, per day for a local guide. The bellboys at hotels will appreciate a small tip for carrying your bags. Taxi and rickshaw drivers do not expect a tip. If you are unhappy with a service, of course, you are under no obligation to leave a tip. However, if the service has been satisfactory, a tip is always appreciated....with a smile! To protect you from the sometimes seemingly endless soliciting of tips, we suggest you discuss with your tour leader about setting up a tipping kitty whereby everybody contributes an equal amount (this amount can vary from trip to trip, but a good approximate is US$4 per person per day). Your tour leader can then distributes tips along the way (except restaurant tips) to local guides and hotel porters, etc. and keeps a record of all moneys spent. Please note that this kitty is not designed to provide a tip for your tour leader.

Tipping Your Tour Leader
It is also customary to tip your tour leader at the end of the trip, if you are happy with his/her service. A minimum tip of US$3 per day from each member of the group is the standard amount expected.

Nepal: Australians, Americans, British, Canadians currently require a visa for Nepal. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.

You may prefer to apply for your visa prior to arrival in Nepal (there are consulates in many countries), however you can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport for $US40 for a Single Entry, and $US45 for a Double Entry. You must have US Dollars cash to the exact amount and one passport photo. Expect some delays in processing the visa application at the airport. Passengers then travelling to Tibet or Sikkim (these trips start and finish in Nepal) should obtain a Double Entry Nepal visa.

Vaccinations may be required for this trip. Please consult your doctor or a travel health specialist. The choice of vaccinations can depend on a range of issues including the specific destination, the duration of the trip, your personal health and of course what vaccines you have had before.

Compulsory vaccines: These days the only compulsory vaccine is for yellow fever, which is required for many countries in Africa and South America. It should be done at least 10 days before travel and must be recorded in an official certificate book. Please note that very often you may not need to show this certificate book when entering these countries, but you will need to produce it to immigration/customs on returning to your home country.

Routine Background Vaccines: We strongly endorse current public health recommendations that all travellers should be up-to-date with their routine vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles/mumps/rubella, polio and influenza, and paediatric vaccinations for children.

Travel Vaccinations: While the food and water-borne diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid will apply to most of our travellers, other travel vaccines such as hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis and cholera may apply to select travellers, especially long-term travel. Travel health experts can advise on what is required and also what is not required!

Malaria: There is no vaccination against malaria, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and is a risk in many less-developed tropical areas, particularly in Central, East and West Africa, Melanesia (especially Papua New Guinea) and the Amazon region. In Asia (particularly India) and Central America it may be a problem in rural areas. Protection against mosquito bites is essential and where the risk is considered high, anti-malarial medications are recommended. Anti-malarial medications should be discussed with experts as there are different medications available and not all medications suit all people or all destinations. We prefer that trekkers to altitude try to avoid the use of mefloquine (Lariam) if possible.

For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, we strongly recommend Travel Doctor-TMVC clinics to obtain the most up-to-date advice on health risks and vaccinations (see www.traveldoctor.com.au for locations and detailed vaccine information or phone 1300 658 844 for an appointment in Australia). Some vaccines require more than one dose, so arrange for your visit at least 4-6 weeks before you travel. Travellers living outside Australia and New Zealand will need to consult a similar organisation in their own country (please ask your travel agent for recommendations), but can still access the following link for information:
www.traveldoctor.com.au/travelreport.asp?UnqID=0.4630191&PageID=10&nav=personal-traveller

Acclimatisation to high altitudes (generally for trips over 3500 metres)
We take this very seriously, which is why we have one of the best safety records in the Himalaya. We have 30 years' experience in the region and our success rates on high altitude treks are very high. Our itineraries allow for a safe approach to high altitudes, following the guidelines set out by the Himalayan Rescue Association. We even carry Portable Altitude Chambers (PAC bags) for your safety and peace of mind on all treks proceeding above 4000 metres.

Our leaders are highly experienced mountain guides. Please follow their instructions very carefully as you ascend to high altitudes: walking slowly rather than hurrying, wearing sunglasses during the day, maintaining a high level of (non-alcoholic!) fluid consumption, not sleeping during the day, wearing adequate warm clothing are all factors of importance. Your leader will brief you fully on these considerations prior to the start of your trek.

In addition, if you are taking any medications with you which may have been suggested as an aid to acclimatisation - Diamox is quite commonly suggested - it is vital that you advise your leader in Kathmandu before you leave for the start of the trek. He will then discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of taking this medication, and in particular when you should consider starting it and the duration for which it should be taken. Be aware that many trekkers have no need for such medication.

Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require that you have a return air ticket, or have sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.

On all our holidays you must have comprehensive travel insurance which we recommend you take at the time of paying your deposit. We can help recommend a suitable policy for your tour or you may choose to take other cover. Participants without adequate insurance cover will be asked to arrange cover immediately before commencing their holiday - this can be very difficult and expensive to arrange locally.

For trekking trips your policy MUST cover evacuation by helicopter and repatriation. In the event of emergency evacuation, you are liable to the helicopter operating company and to us for both the helicopter operating company’s direct costs - which can amount to thousands of U.S. dollars - and also to us for an additional amount of 10 per cent, to cover our costs for organising the evacuation. Passengers requiring emergency evacuation will be billed for the cost and required to pay prior to departing Kathmandu or the relevant point of exit.
We will supply all necessary supporting documentation to enable you to make an insurance claim but the primary obligation for payment rests with the passenger.

In particular, your policy should cover you for medical and evacuation expenses, lost luggage and cancellation fees. Please check your policy carefully before leaving home and familiarize yourself with the procedures that you may need to follow in the unlikely event that you need to make a claim.

IMPORTANT NOTE - Those on some “Challenging or “Mountaineering” expeditions should be aware that standard travel insurance policies do not cover general mountaineering requiring the use of ropes, etc. You will need to take out additional higher risk cover for this. Please consult us or your travel agent for further details.

If you are covered by a policy arranged through your credit card company you will be asked to provide evidence of this cover, as well as a 24-hour emergency contact number. Many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, the tour leader will need to record your credit card number, as this is required to activate any request for emergency assistance. You should also bring along the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card company. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.

We care about the places and people that we meet on our journeys, and we try to ensure that we give something back, as well as taking away so many incredible memories. For more information on our commitment to responsible tourism, visit www.peregrineadventures.com/rt

Peregrine Community Trust
The Peregrine Community Trust, a division of Peregrine Adventures, provides funds for local community projects and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations in which we operate. First and foremost, but not exclusively, the Trust supports projects and initiatives that advance education and employment within the tourism and hospitality industry. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, with funds donated by us, our staff and our travellers, with every cent going to the nominated projects.

By donating to one on the projects supported by The Peregrine Community Trust you will help promote responsible and sustainable tourism and make a positive difference for communities and travellers right now, and for the future. For online donations go to: www.peregrineadventures.com/trust

About once a month, we send out an electronic newsletter with news, specials and interesting articles. Subscribing is easy, and you can unsubscribe just as easily at any time.

Visit http://www.peregrineadventures.com/subscribe to subscribe to our enews and for your chance to win a great adventure!

It is important that you should read these notes in conjunction with the detailed trip specific Pre Departure Information. This information is supplied to you at the time of booking and contains extensive information about subjects such as climate, clothing and gear, medical and visa matters, currencies, and other information about the countries visited.

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

3 June 2009