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.
Top advices : Bring your own tea. Tea is very expensive on Everest and it is cheaper to buy hot water and use your own tea bags. Bring a variety of teas as well for more enjoyment.
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 info at Trekking in Nepal.
Top tips : Give Yaks and Sherpa’s the right of way at all times. When a yak train comes, move to the mountainside to get out of the way. You don’t want to be nudged off a cliff by a yak. Sherpa’s and porters work hard on Everest, they are constantly taking supplies up and down the mountain. Help make their life easier by staying out of their way.
Buy Gear in Kathmandu – Kathmandu has more trekking shops then you can count and intense competition means you can get great prices on gear you might not be able to afford at home. I bought my wife a great down jacket for around $50 that would have cost over $300 in the US. At first glance a lot of the gear looks similar but quality varies quite a bit and it’s not necessarily related to price (Here’s what to look for). If you like we can arrange for one of the team from Himalayanwonders to accompany you while you shop and help you find what you need.
Adventure Great Himalaya Treks & Expeditions is locally owned Nepalese trekking company based in Kathmandu Nepal. The company is well established for major delightful and memorable holidays in Nepal focusing the leisure tours to challenging adventure trips to the various Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. We are specialized on organizing private and group trekking, hiking, climbing and adventure tours in Nepal Himalayas specially the Everest Base camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek and many other trekking packages in Nepal. Extra info on https://www.adventuregreathimalaya.com/.