Everything between your front door and the trailhead.

Direct Dubai (DXB) → Kathmandu (KTM) takes about 4h 15m. Daily services on Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia (from Sharjah). Book a return with at least 2–3 buffer days in Kathmandu before your international flight home — Himalayan weather frequently grounds onward connections.

• Visa-on-arrival at KTM: USD cash, one passport photo.
• Window seat on the right (DXB→KTM) for Himalayan views.
• Keep boots, down jacket and meds in carry-on.

Kathmandu ↔ Lukla (Everest region) — 30 min STOL flight. In peak season (Oct–Nov, Apr–May) this routes via Ramechhap (Manthali), a 4–5 hr pre-dawn jeep transfer from Kathmandu.

Pokhara is the gateway for Annapurna, Mardi Himal and Poon Hill — 25 min flight or a 6–7 hr tourist bus from Kathmandu.

Private 4×4 jeeps are used for Jomsom, Manang, and the Manaslu/Tsum trailheads. Expect rough roads — 6–10 hours depending on route and season.

Bring anything that needs to fit you perfectly — there are no refunds at 4,000 m for blistered feet.

• Broken-in trekking boots (B1, waterproof) — minimum 80 km on them before departure.
• Merino base layers (2 tops, 2 bottoms).
• Trekking socks ×4 pairs + liner socks.
• Hardshell jacket and trousers (Gore-Tex or equivalent).
• Sunglasses Cat. 4 (glacier) + spare pair.
• Headtorch + spare batteries.
• 1 L wide-mouth bottle + insulated bottle for above 4,000 m.
• Personal first-aid kit and blister care.

Thamel (Kathmandu) and Lakeside (Pokhara) are full of gear shops — both reputable brands and good local copies. Rent the bulky items, buy the cheap consumables.

• Rent: −20 °C down jacket, −15 °C sleeping bag, trekking poles, duffel bag (porter-friendly).
• Buy: beanie, buff, gloves liner + insulated, gaiters, dry-bags, water purification tablets, snacks.
• Budget roughly USD 2–3 / day per rented item; refundable deposit required.

See your GP at least 8 weeks before departure for a full check-up: cardiovascular fitness, vaccinations (Hep A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus, optional Rabies and JE), and a discussion of prescription medication.

• Acetazolamide (Diamox) 125–250 mg twice daily — standard AMS prophylaxis from ~3,000 m.
• Dexamethasone — emergency use for HACE; carried by guide.
• Nifedipine — emergency use for HAPE; carried by guide.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotic (e.g. Azithromycin) for traveller's diarrhoea.
• Ibuprofen / paracetamol, anti-nausea, ORS sachets.

Prescription medication must be carried in original packaging with a doctor's letter.

Start a structured 3 to 4 month programme before departure. Treks are 5–9 hours of walking per day on consecutive days at altitude — cardiovascular endurance and load-bearing legs are non-negotiable.

• Zone-2 cardio 3–4× / week (45–90 min).
• One long hike per weekend with a 6–8 kg pack.
• Strength: squats, lunges, step-ups, core 2× / week.
• Stair climbing or incline treadmill is the closest sim.
• Taper the final 10 days; arrive rested.

Every trekker must arrive with travel insurance that explicitly covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation. Confirm this in writing with your provider before paying your balance.

• International medical cover valid in Nepal, minimum USD 100,000.
• Trekking altitude cover up to 6,000 m (the ceiling on most standard policies — and exactly what's needed for Everest BC, Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu, Mardi Himal, etc.).
• Helicopter evacuation included — a single rescue flight from above 4,000 m typically costs USD 5,000–8,000 and must be paid before take-off without cover.
• Trip cancellation and baggage cover are recommended given Lukla weather delays.

UAE residents: most domestic health policies do not cover trekking or evac in Nepal. Buy a dedicated adventure travel policy (e.g. World Nomads, Global Rescue, IHI Bupa with adventure rider).

Below 6,000 m commercial helicopters (typically Airbus AS350 B3) can land at most trekking villages. Above that altitude, evac becomes a long-line or non-option.

• Operators: Simrik Air, Air Dynasty, Fishtail Air, Manang Air — all based in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• Daylight + flyable weather required. Pre-dawn calls give the best window.
• Your guide carries a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach) and a pulse oximeter; the call is made on medical criteria, not preference.
• Evac flies to CIWEC or Norvic hospital in Kathmandu — both are used to altitude cases.
• Bring a credit card with a USD 10,000 available limit; insurance reimburses afterwards.