EVEREST: THE CONQUEST

+ HOW TOUGH IS THIS ADVENTURE?

Trail running in Everest, doesn't it sound like paradise? That's because it is!

As you would expect though travelling to one of the highest places on earth brings challenges that you need to be prepared for.

We've purposefully designed this adventure to be accessible to most people. We don't run fast, you'll find we travel as a great group, and we've staged each day to be as manageable as possible.

But you will need to have a good base level of fitness, and be prepared for back-back-back days of being on your feet (remember this is 12 days on the trail). It's not all out running, you'll find it's jogging on the flats, walking all the uphills, and with plenty of stops to soak up the views.

Our groups naturally attract like-minded individuals who want to enjoy stress-free trails, travel at their own pace and spend time with a great group of people in jaw-dropping landscapes.

+ WHAT DO I DO ABOUT FLIGHTS?

You'll need to arrange your flights arriving and departing from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).

A whole range of airlines connect this route from all over the world. The usual suspects are Qatar Airlines, Emirates, Turkish, Oman Air and Air India.

You can arrive and depart at any time you need as private transfers are included within the cost of this trip.

+ VISAS?

All travellers to Nepal must hold a valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your expected departure from Nepal.

An entry visa for Nepal is also required. It can be obtained either online or at the airport upon arrival in Nepal. If you plan to obtain it in Nepal, be sure to bring the current visa fee in cash. You will also need to bring passport photographs with you which are necessary for your visa and trekking/climbing permits.

+ WHAT IS THE TRAIL RUNNING LIKE?

Not only are the mountains spectacular, but the trail runs through a great variety of terrain every step of the way – it is a wonder. Forests and canyons characterize the entry valleys where we will spend our time traversing wide dusty trails at altitudes of 1200 -1800m.

The terrain slowly becomes more mountainous the higher we go, picking our way through large boulder fields and dry plains where gigantic mountains – seemingly in touching distance – surround us. All the while the trail is very obvious as we pass through one charming village after the next.

Bear in mind this is Nepal, there is a lot of uphill travel involved and our journey has been staged carefully to allow us to acclimatise and trail run as we go.

It's important to note that we will spend quite a bit of time hiking, alongside trail running to complement the ever-changing terrain and route as we head deeper into the mountains.

+ WHAT TEMPERATURES CAN I EXPECT?

Temperatures by day can be very warm, particularly due to the strong and direct sunlight at higher altitudes. It can get very cold overnight, early mornings and after dusk.

We've purposefully chosen to go to Everest in April as it represents the best time of year to be in the region. Climatic conditions in the mountains are at their most stable at this time of year, with the highest chance for clear mountain views, particularly in the early morning and evening, and with great underfoot conditions throughout.

That being said, this is Everest and to manage expectations guests should be prepared for all four seasons on this trip. Yes, it can rain, yes it may snow, yes it may be cloudy. As we head higher up the valleys we'll get above the clouds for, hopefully, some incredible views throughout.

+ WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE?

Altitude and the potential sickness that can come about from it need to be taken seriously. Altitude sickness can develop when you are physically active at high altitudes without having become acclimatised to the lower pressures experience there.

Tolerance ranges widely from person to person. People who are more fit tend to have less trouble with AMS, but that said even very fit people are vulnerable if they ascend too high in a short time frame, without proper acclimatisation.

AMS can affect people at altitudes as low as 2,400m, but serious symptoms are very rare below 3,700m. At 5,000m the amount of oxygen available with each breath is only 55% of that at sea level.

As a matter of course, we have managed this experience carefully to ensure that appropriate levels of daily acclimatisation are included to maximise individual’s adjustment levels.

All of our guides and local staff are trained to recognise the signs of early-onset altitude sickness. Each day you will be given a health check, which includes the use of an oximeter to check your oxygen saturation levels, as well as checking your pulse.

Our guides are highly experienced in working at altitude and know how to look after our team members.

It is vitally important that you share information about your health and any symptoms you may experience on this adventure. Failure to do so not only puts yourself at risk but your fellow team members as well.

+ A TYPICAL DAY

A typical day on the experience will see our porters leaving our teahouse each morning around 05:00, transporting your soft luggage to our destination for that day.

By the porters taking our luggage means we can set out with our light running packs, carrying everything we need and to make the experience more enjoyable. It's also worth stressing we salary each of our porters giving them a proper income.

On average we will ‘run’ between 2-6 hours a day covering mileage ranging between 10-25km. I use the term running loosely, the experience is not a race and we want everybody to get maximum enjoyment from the experience. Run as fast or as slow as you feel, jog or walk it is entirely up to you. We have a good ratio of guides to runners that allow everybody to travel without pressure.

We will leave our teahouse after breakfast to depart at 08:00. Leaving in the morning is the best time as the weather is almost always clear and the temperatures are lower. This is when the day is at its most comfortable and the morning light is perfect for photos.

We will make stops for drinks and use the local facilities as and when we need to, with a scheduled stop for lunch around noon. Our lunch stops will be a sit down to eat a hot meal and we will provide provisions of Tail Wind and energy snacks for you to top up as you see fit.

We will reach our daily destination around 14:00-15:00. Checking into our tea house with time to relax and freshen up. Explore local villages, have a briefing over dinner and be tucked up in our beds usually by 20:00, as is the way in the mountains, for us to get some well-deserved rest before our departure the following morning.

+ WHAT ABOUT DIETARY?

Kathmandu has a wide variety of restaurants, everything from Italian, Indian, American and everything in between. There is something here to suit all taste buds and dietary requirements.

Dhal Bhat is the national dish of Nepal which local people eat twice a day. Dhal Bhat is a wholesome and tasty meal, served thali style with rice, dhal lentils, fried local vegetables, and local chilli with a poppadum or cracker. Dhal Bhat is served almost as much as you can eat and you will continually be asked if you would like more of anything once your plate is empty.

In the mountains, Dhal will feature heavily. The good news is to save you from monotony local menus can be quite varied and you will find dishes like macaroni, noodle soups and even pizzas being offered in even the remotest of places.

For vegetarians, the mountains of Nepal are a wonder. Fresh vegetables grow everywhere, and meat is rarely offered given the importance placed on local poultry, cows and yaks.

Gluten and lactose intolerances can be catered for. Please do let us know so that we can plan appropriately for you in advance.