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Widely considered the tallest mountain on earth, Mt. Everest has been the ultimate destination for mountain-climbing enthusiasts and armchair mountaineers who dream of one day scaling the 29,000-foot peak.
Basecamp preparations before an epic journey up THE mountain. Photo courtesy Sistak on Flickr
So if you’re headed to central Asia on a study, volunteer, or teach abroad trip, consider an excursion to Everest. You may not get the chance to climb to the top, but you would own bragging rights to being one of the relatively few people on earth to actually see and experience Mt. Everest, up close and personal.
Lots of experiential programs abroad in Tibet or Nepal will combine an Everest excursion into your trip. One especially good study-abroad program that offers this experience is Pacific Discovery's Nepal and Tibet Program, which brings students to the Mt. Everest Base Camp.
'Tis the Season. The best time to climb or trek Mt. Everest is between April and June. Early September to late October is fine, as long as you keep a close eye on changing weather conditions.
Monasteries and Villages Abound. Travel the scenic route to the Mt. Everest Base Camp. The route through the Himalayas, between Lhasa in Tibet and Kathmandu in Nepal, is full of Buddhist monasteries in Sherpa villages. Make the most of your trip by learning from the locals.
Burn, Baby, Burn. Sunblock for a cold place? Yes, definitely. Harmful ultraviolet radiation is stronger at higher altitudes, and the snow and ice reflects most of the light and radiation, doubling the sun's burning effect. So pack some high-SPF sunscreen and don your best protective sunglasses before facing Everest.
So Dry. Dehydration is also an issue at higher altitudes. Of course the sun contributes to this, but not as much as the dry environment. Have lip balm with SPF handy at all times, and bring even more water than you think you’ll need.
Humpty Dumpty Go Away. Don’t pack eggs in your mess kit when preparing for Everest. When eggs freeze, the shells can crack and allow air into the egg. Eating bad eggs can lead to food poisoning, and the wilds of Everest is no place for a debilitating (and preventable) illness like that.
Altitude Sickness. Acute Mountain Sickness can strike even the fittest, healthiest people. Gradually acclimate yourself to the altitude for a few days before fully exerting yourself on the mountain. Become familiar with the symptoms of altitude sickness and how to deal with it, should you succumb.
You Don't Need That. Trekking or climbing Everest is not a leisure trip. Leave non-essentials in a secure location — ask your hotel, hostel, or guest house if you can rent a locker or storage space while you’re on your trek. One non-essential that keeps appearing in the packs of Everest visitors is a laptop or computer tablet like an iPad. Altitude and extreme cold can wreak havoc on your devices, so store them before you go. There is also no room for makeup or other grooming tools or products. These will only weigh you down.
Visiting Mt. Everest is an ultimate bucket-list feat for any adventurer, and a little bit of preparation can make the difference between a cautionary tale and an amazing adventure story.
Author - Joel Tan began his professional life as a reporter for a major Asian newspaper. It was during his stint as the paper's technology editor that he won an award for best science and technology reporting for his series on biotechnology and its effects on human health and development. Joel has traveled throughout Asia. When he isn't busy with technology projects, Joel dabbles in blogging about travel and technology, and tweaking Wordpress themes.
A country of rare diversity and beauty, ancient Nepal is home to the world famous Mount Everest. The Himalayas run through the centre of the country and their breath-taking scenery and multitude of trekking trails make Nepal a very popular tourist destination.
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Frontier
Explore remote and spectacular landscapes, work with deprived and deserving communities, or campaign for wildlife care and conservation on a travel adventure you’ll never forget.
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Gapforce
We are specialists in school and university gap year and overseas volunteering, filling the gap between your education and experience.
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TRU Experience Travel
The Bhaba Pass experience can only be booked as an add-on to any of the placement projects in India. Project Overview The Himalayas is a haven for trekkers and nature lovers and the Bhapa Pass in northern India is one of the highlights. Offering some of the most stunning scenery in the foothills of this famous mountain range, you will be in awe of the scenery and after three days trekking w...
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Where There Be Dragons
Dragons combines rugged travel, volunteering, language study, trekking, homestays, internships and the study of culture and philosophy to provide participants with an AUTHENTIC experience of the developing world through summer and semester programs. Embrace your courage and adventure in global citizenship with Where There Be Dragons. Where do you want to go?
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CrossContinental
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Volunteer Medical Trek Nepal
Volunteer in Nepal – Join us for Medical Trek Nepal. If you are a medical professional or medical student, we need your help. In Nepal, healthcare can be nonexistent for those living in rural villages. In Nepal, people often go years suffering from illnesses or discomforts that are easily cured with basic medical care. The problem is, they have no way to get to hospitals or clinics in the l...
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World Endeavors
Every year in Nepal, hundreds of children leave their poor villages and travel to cities in search of work. Volunteers' active participation in programs such as health education, games, drawing and painting is encouraged. With such a variety, the orphanage encourages volunteers to explore a meaningful approach to service.
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Volunteers For Peace
This unique approach to international volunteering provides intercultural education in a service learning environment. The sharing of everyday life, both with the local community and among the international volunteers, is an integral part of the learning and serving experience.
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Volunteer in Nepal with GVI and join fully supported volunteer programs in this amazing and diverse country. Our volunteer placements ensure your trip is meaningful, safe and full of unique experiences unavailable to the normal traveler.
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Volunteering and Internship in Nepal - Chhahari Group Nepal
Chhahari Group Nepal is volunteer organization established in 2001 and registered with social welfare council of Nepal . It is a non–governmental and extremely non-profitable organization established with the objective of changing and promoting the status of the country. The members of this group are committed towards our goal. The members of this group have collected enough experiences in volu...
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Travellers Worldwide
We offer projects that are unusual, exciting, fun and beneficial at the same time! We also have lots of exciting Extras and Specials you can do while on your Project - different ways to add extra experience and extreme fun to your traveling adventure.
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Pacific Discovery
Visit the roof of the world in the Himalayas and experience Nepal through Pacific Discovery Nepal and Tibet Semester program. Spend nine to twelve weeks in various villages and regions of Nepal, including the capital of Kathmandu. Participants spend a week at a monastery in Kathmandu Lhasa learning about Tibetan Buddhism and meditation, journey for five days between Lhasa to Nepal to visit the ...
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