1

EBC is a great trek and late Sept/Oct is good weather (it's when high season starts though).
I've never heard of EBC trek including yoga. There are monasteries where you can book a homestay with meditation (and yoga), so you could try and look at those two as separate activities.

As you are a new poster, make a search on this board using the search function (right upper corner), typing in "EBC trek". You'll find lots of info from earlier threads.

2

Hi

First of all, you have suffered from the 'fixed departure date' problem (albeit with a possibly genuine reason). This happens a lot for standard. yoga-less treks and at least they have told you in advance (some people are told when they turn up in KTM).

For a standard trek it will be easy enough to pitch up and find a group (not that this is necessarily the best way to do it) but I think this will be more difficult. I don't have a recommendation for for a yoga trek but others might; contact the recommendations by email to see what they have to offer; dates, itinerary, yoga style, cost (for example) and draw up a short list (it might be very short) to visit in KTM to finally decide.

Given your experience, I would very wary about sending a deposit and treat unsolicited private messages with due suspicion (perhaps read post 152 on the FAQ branch).

As I understand it, usually each flight time is local but there should be something in the FAQs or explanation at the bottom of the page. Look out for 'plus 1' or '+1' which indicates the following day.

For general trekking to EBC questions maybe do a search or scroll through Nepal posts, have a good read to inform your questions and comeback with more specific enquiries.

You have had an early taste of Nepal; things will happen, perhaps not exactly how or when, but they will happen. Keep going.

scoodly

3

There will be thousands and thousands of people on the same trek as you at the same time....too many people will be the problem, not too few...you do not need a group to do this...you will easily be able to meet/hook up with people on the trail or even on the bus to the road head (or plane). This can be for short tem or longer term...you will see lots of people coming and going from whom you can ask advice and discuss routing, plans etc. The will be lots of independent trekkers along the route. I suggest not getting locked into a group or fix dept thing, go yourself, be flexible, you will see LOTS (too many) people in lodges and on the trail.

You do NOTneed to be dependent on planning prior to arrival. Enjoying this trek is most assuradly NOT dependent on arranging a planned group trek either in UK, or whatever, or even in KTM. (Or even being in a group.)

Do lots of reading of trek books. Monitor LP, use search function.
It is not an expedition, it is just a standard trek that tens and tens of thousands of people do on a reg basis....no planning from afar or group stuff required...you trip is not in jeopordy, just go and do not worry about it...

I don't know what airline ticket search engine you use, I like Kayak....times are local, that is arrival etc. layovers and listed as in total time...it is pretty straight forward...just relax and it will all work out...

Good luck...

4

As long as you have time, then don’t tie yourself into anything before you arrive in Nepal, Apart from it always being a good idea to meet your trekking staff before you hand over your money to ensure that you are 100% happy wit them, you will always get a better deal when dealing face to face with your chosen trekking agent.
Most of the regular visitors to Nepal will be happy to give you details of the agents / guides that they regularly use if you send them a PM (At the moment I can no longer offer to do this) – Then just email a few of these so as to come up with a short list, then go and visit them once you arrive.

The only thing that I would consider pre-booking is your 1st nights accommodation in Kathmandu, Especially if it is your 1st visits to Nepal or if your flight is landing in the late evening as most hotels in Kathmandu the reception staff finish around 9pm and then a night porter comes on duty, the night porter will only speak limited English and doest have access to guest rooms
Some hotels offer a free airport pick-up, This Can be really handy especially If this is your first visit to Nepal as Tribuvan Airport can be a bit overwhelming with all the touts trying to drag you off in different directions to their chosen hotel.

If you wish to browse the tips sections and travelogues on the link in my signature where I have written up a lot of my personal experiences Including landing at Kathmandu, how to get through customs and immigration Quickly, some ideas on Trekking, where to stay, eat, things to see and do + some tips on transport
I think that you might find them useful

Happy Travels
Rob

5

Thanks for all the help everyone. As this is my first major trip doing a trek like this I am tempted to make sure I have at least some plans in place before I arrive as I have a real worry that I will turn up and not know what to do and end up spending loads of money just on a hotel in KTM.... but i also have some other questions: i went into a camping shop and asked about walking boots (I used to have some with goretex but then left them on a train to scotland...oops.) anyway the guys looked at me and said that I could never do EBC in those kind of general walking boots and I would have to spend hundreds of pounds on proper ones from Blacks. is this right? the ones i used to have were pretty solid and very waterproof - i think they were berghaus and they definitely cost under £100. If I really do have to get "proper" ones - is there any good website or shop I can get second hand gear?
Thanks!

6

Just one of many sites, use choices indicated at left to narrow down....also try REI or any of many outdoor shops, just google hiking boots or shoes too.

http://www.zappos.com/boots/CK_XARCz1wE6Av0K.zso#!/asolo-men-boots/CK_XARCz1wE6Av0KWgK8BMABAuICBQECBxgL.zso

Although a few people here will say/recommend just rugged off trail style tennis shoes or running shoes and have trekked up to EBC with those you do limit yourself wx wise and possible terrain wise and if you have any ankle probs. I prefer boots especially carrying gear, and for longer duration treks--for support, comfort, protection, durability etc. Each to there own...I bought some Asolo TPS 535V (non gortex, my pref) and am very happy with them, almost no break time, no problems, 6 mos almost daily use and going back again....but any good trek/hiking boot will do...others will have other valid recommendations.....

Don't know exactly what the store guy was recommending but you do not need expedition boots/plastic boots etc. I hiked for yrs over there in hi top insultated construction boots and they were just fine too....

Roger

7

First of all Blacks went Bust – I would have questions about them selling “Proper” boots in any case !!
But having trekked up to EBC twice, once form Jiri and once via The Arun Valley from Tumlingtar, I can confirm that your old Berghaus boots would have done nicely.
I have trekked in Hi-Techs costing less than £50 and had no problems !!
Fit is the key, make sure that anything you buy is a good fit, wear the same socks as you intend to trek in, walk around d the shop for a while to make as sure as you can that they feel comfortable and try and do a few days walks in them before you head to Nepal – Then you will be Fine
Good Luck and Happy Trekking
Rob

8

Hi

A quick post to confirm you don't need full on expedition boots - Blacks are talking bull. You would be better of taking advice at a local independent or even Go Outdoors. Decathlon have some good value boots that willdo the job.

As said, fit is everything but an example of a more than adequate boot (sole stiffness, ankle protection, weight) is the Comet. Possible to use a cheaper less technical boot though.

Good luck.

scoodly

9

Thanks again - very helpful info! now, I gather October is the best time to do the trek but are there any other ideal opportunities if this October turns out to be too soon for me? (still have a bit of money to raise...)

10

Who said October is the best time to do the trek....it will certainly be the most crowded/jammed packed with tourists/trekkers. And very liable to flight delays should you use a plane to or from Lukla....anytime after late Nov will be far less crowded and based on the last few yrs wet wx extending into portions of Oct I would not choose to do this in OCT.

11

Agree with Roger – My own favourite month for trekking in Nepal is March – OK the weather might not be quite as settled as it should be in the more popular autumn season, but you do tend to get warm sunny mornings with a bit of cloud building around the high peaks about mid-day and dropping into the valleys as the afternoon goes on with a chance of rain in the late afternoon / early evening (Snow showers at altitude)
But the rewords are no huge crowds and no huge queues for meals in the lodges
Good Luck and Happy Trekking
Rob
PS – Most of these pics were taken in March ;-)

12

Hi

More agreement with Roger and Rob:

October is still the busiest month on the trails despite unsettled weather lasting well into the month and causing lengthy flight delays at Lukla in the last couple of years. From the numbers of trekkers and weather November might be the best month. However, it might be too cold for yoga.

March has similar temeratures to November.

scoodly

13

uhhhhhh.........hmmmmm.........Ommmmmmmm........

14

Thanks all,
I am now thinking that maybe yes march would be a better time to go. Do any of you know a way to get to Nepal that is cheaper/more interesting than flying? I was thinking of doing interrail through Europe to turkey but then I don't know how to get from there through the middle east to Nepal. Any ideas?