Everest Hike

The political situation in Nepal is a topic of frequent conversation. On 21 April 2006, following weeks of nationwide violent street demonstrations by the political parties and the Maoists, the King handed over power to the political parties. The Parliament convened on 28 August 2006 and a new Prime Minister, G P Koirala was sworn in to office on 30 April 2006. The 18th of May 2006 was the historic day when the House of Representatives declared the people as sovereign and the sole source of state authority forever. History has been changed. Nepal is no longer a Hindu Kingdom but a secular state, with the fate of the monarchy in the hands of the people. The Cabinet appointed the army chief and the Royal Nepalese Army is now the Nepal Army. The Government of Nepal and the Maoists signed a peace agreement on 21 November 2006, thereby officially ending 11 years of conflict in the country. Both sides have agreed to a UN monitored permanent ceasefire. The situation in Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal has improved. However, it is too early to say how the peace agreement will affect the security situation in the country. Mostly peaceful demonstrations continue to occur, but you should be aware that some demonstrations have suddenly turned violent. You are therefore strongly advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and remain vigilant at all times. We recommend that you research the situation further. Up to date information is available at Nepalnews.com

Our trip to The Base Camp of Mount Everest offers many unique opportunities that commercialized treks do not offer.

Firstly, our partner travel organization, First Environmental Trekking Ltd, has organized many hikes to The Base Camp of Mount Everest. This travel company is comprised of local Nepalese who are intimately familiar with Nepal and The Mount Everest Base Camp route. Participating in our hike relieves you of the anxiety of searching for a reliable and established travel organization.

Secondly, this trip gives you the chance to meet other people who feel passionate about helping the global community. The participants of this trip will automatically have a unique bond because everyone involved will be working together to achieve two goals, reach Mount Everest Base Camp and help Nepali children.

Thirdly, you will be able to see who your money will help. Not only will you be able to see one of the most beautiful parts of Nepal as you climb Mount Everest, but you will also have the opportunity to visit programs your funds will benefit in Kathmandu.

Finally, and most importantly, your adventure will provide children of Nepal a chance for a better life. While participating in "the opportunity of a lifetime" you are also offering children "the opportunity for a better life."

Once we have received your application and application fee we will send you a fundraising information pack that will help you to fundraise for your adventure in Nepal.

There are many ways of achieving and surpassing your financial goals. Ideas and examples of how to raise money for your adventure include:

Friends, family, your work place, clubs, raffles, quizzes, fun-runs, and parties.  To get started you can find more information on our Fundraising page at http://www.volunteer.org.nz/fundraising/

Travel Insurance is a requirement for GVN's Fundraising Everest Base Camp Trek. You will need to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance packages which covers Emergency Evacuations. While trekking to Everest Base Camp, because of the altitude, it is very important that your insurance will cover for Emergency Evacuations. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a ’loss of deposits’ cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc (up to US$8,000). If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. This giant sits on the crest of the Himalayan Range between Tibet and Nepal.

Mount Everest has many names. In Tibetan the name "Chomolongma" means "Mother Goddess of the World," in Nepalese the name "Sagarmatha" means "The Forehead of the Sky." Its English name, though not nearly as descriptive, connotes similar feelings of awe. At 8850m/29,035ft Mount Everest sits literally at the top of the world, nestled in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal.

Mount Everest is on the border between Tibet and Nepal. This mountain offers the trekker the prestige of climbing to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world, while not requiring that the trekker have extensive climbing experience. Yet this climb is not to be taken lightly, it is a tough hike to Base Camp and only very physically fit people with a degree of mental preparedness will reach their goal.

Yet those who do succeed will find that standing at the base of the "Mother Goddess of the World" will be a sight not easily forgotten.

You will need to be very physically fit to attempt this hike.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth and even though you will not ascend to the summit, a trek to Base Camp is still a very demanding climb. The Mount Everest Base Camp trek is not going to be an "easy" walk but instead one of the toughest physical and mental challenges you will ever face.

You should be confident in your physical fitness before attempting this trek. You should be able to walk for several hours without too much of a problem. Aerobic activity, such as cycling or running, is a fantastic way to get and stay in shape. Hiking before this hike is the best means of preparing yourself for this adventure. Not only does hiking prepare you for the particular difficulties you'll face on this trek but it will also further assist you in your efforts to become physically fit.

The main concern on a trek of this nature is the altitude. The failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to the reduced level of oxygen in the air, as one reaches higher altitude, is the reason a person experiences altitude sickness. Most people who hike at altitude will have some form of altitude sickness. Mild symptoms include headaches, light-headedness, nausea, loss of appetite, tingling in the fingers and toes and mild swelling of the face/ankles/fingers. Altitude sickness seems to affect people indiscriminately, regardless of age or fitness level, yet becoming physically fit before your hike will increase your chances of having an overall enjoyable trip.

We recommend beginning a strict training regime 3 months prior to the trek, achieving max physical fitness 2 weeks before the actual trek to Mount Everest Base Camp.

After you have been accepted to our Mount Everest Base Camp Climb Team you will receive a link to our information packet. This packet describes altitude sickness and necessary physical fitness preparations.

Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully transferable to a later date or different program if you decide not to take part in the program, subject to the terms of service). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.