Everest Base Camp
The ultimate challenge for many trekkers is to hike to the very foot of Everest following the renowned expedition route. Flying from Kathmandu to Lukla, we trek high above the treeline for an ascent of Kala Pattar where we look across to the South Col and the summit of Mount Everest.
THE TRAIL FROM LUKLA
After flying into Lukla we trek along the banks of the Dudh Kosi river through pine and rhododendron forest, to Namche Bazaar. This is the main trading post of the Sherpa people and we hope to visit the National Park headquarters. Along the way we'll see the colourful fluttering prayer flags and Buddhist monasteries of traditional Sherpa villages and have a good chance of spotting the Himalayan Tahr, a type of goat/antelope.
KALA PATTAR & EVEREST VIEWS
We visit Thame Monastery - Tenzing Norgay was born nearby - and ascend to Thyangboche, for superb vistas of Ama Dablam (6856m), Lhotse (8512m), and Everest (8848m). Continuing up to higher altitude, we make our ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m) overlooking Base Camp, for unobstructed close-up views of Everest that would not be possible from base camp itself.
|
|
|
|
|
Details |
| |
Price Includes |
(HK-3621-P) |
| |
 |
International connections from London |
|
Accommodation |
|
16 breakfasts |
|
12 lunches |
|
12 dinners |
|
| |
Price Excludes |
|
| |
Local Payment ffrom 270 USD |
|
| |
Suitability / Level |
Strenous |
| |
Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
| |
|
| |
Itinerary
& Highlights |
| |
Among the many highlights featured on this trip, we mention:
KATHMANDU
Half-day walking tour of old quarter; half day guided tour to Temple of Pashupatinath and Bodnath Stupa.
KALAR PATTAR
Everest Views.
LOOK DOWN AT EVEREST BASE CAMP
and up at Everest peak.
DAY 1. SATURDAY. JOIN TOUR KATHMANDU
Transfer to hotel and check-in.
DAY 2. IN KATHMANDU
In the morning we have arranged a walking tour visiting the bazaars and temples of old Kathmandu, accompanied by a local Nepali guide. After lunch a pre-trek briefing will be given in the hotel where your tour leader will check that everybody is properly equipped for the trek and give you an idea of what to expect on a day to day basis while on the trek.
DAY 3. FLY KATHMANDU TO LUKLA; WALK TO PHAKDING
Early morning departure from Kathmandu for a 40 minute flight to Lukla. (Adverse weather conditions and other local factors can cause delays and cancellations. Although seats are booked and confirmed well in advance, it may be necessary to adjust the itinerary to ensure the best use of your time).
Spectacular mountain views all the way taking in Gauri Shankar (7415m), Melungtse (7181m) and Numbur (6955m). We arrive in Lukla and meet our Sherpa crew before descending to the village of Choplung (2697m) to head north along the east bank of the Dudh Kosi to Ghat (2545m). We cross the river at Phakding (2650m) and camp nearby. About 3 hours walk.
DAY 4. PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
Continuing along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi through pine and rhododendron forest, we recross the river to the east bank and ascend to Chomoa. Later we cross the Dudh Kosi once more to its west bank before starting the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. During the ascent, we should have views of Everest and Lhotse.
We continue through pine forest to reach the horseshoe-shaped bowl containing the village of Namche (3440m). Camp near Namche. About 8 hours walk with many ascents and descents.
DAY 5. IN NAMCHE
Spend the morning in Namche taking in the local bazaar which sells everything from toothpicks to ice axes, and perhaps visiting the Sherpa museum in the National Park Headquarters.The afternoon is free for you to make an excursion up the valley beyond Namche towards the village of Thamo (3505m) or you can relax in the village.
DAY 6. NAMCHE TO THYANGBOCHE / DEBOCHE
We ascend out of the village and follow a high, fairly level path above the Dudh Kosi enjoying spectacular mountain views of Everest, Nupse and Lhotse as we go. We pass the various ‘shops’ set up by Tibetans selling trinkets and then descend through forest of blue pine to cross the Dudh Kosi again at Phunki (3250m).
We make another ascent on a switch-back trail, sometimes made quite dusty by yak trains, to reach the spectacularly sited Thyangboche Monastery (3867m) from where there are brilliant views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse Ama Dablam.and Taboche to the north and northeast, Thamserku and Kantega to the southeast and Kwangde to the southwest.
Thyangboche Monastery was seriously damaged by fire in 1989 but has since been rebuilt and there will be time to visit both the monastery and the museum. We camp below the monastery. 6 hours walk.
DAY 7. THYANGBOCHE TO DINGBOCHE
We descend through meadows and rhododendron forest, past the Buddhist nunnery at Deboche, to the Imja Khola. Then up along the north bank of the river, with spectacular views of Ama Dablam, to a teahouse at Orsho. Crossing the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas we continue to Dingboche (4298m). 7 hours walk.
DAY 8. AT DINGBOCHE
A day for acclimatisation and exploring: you can do a day’s walk up the Imja Khola valley through Bibre at 4570m to the yak huts at Chukhung. Here are good views of the east face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse wall. Or you can walk north, up along the valley side to the ruined Nangkartshang Gompa, or continue up to nearby Nangkartshang peak with its fantastic views. 5 hours walk.
DAY 9. DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE
We are now well above the treeline and our walking today brings us to Dusa from where we descend to a stream at 4580m. Immediately above we reach the teahouse of Dughla and continue to a ridge, which has several memorials to Sherpas killed on expeditions to Everest. Continue along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, with views of Kalar Pattar and Pumori to reach Lobuche at 4930m. About 6 hours walk.
DAY 10. TO KALAR PATTAR; EVEREST VIEWS
It’s worthwhile making an early start to have the best chance of good views. At first the trail is fairly level but then starts to ascend and descend across moraine to reach Gorak Shep at 5182m. From Gorak Shep it’s a steep uphill climb, sometimes over rock slabs, to the top of Kalar Pattar at 5545m.
The views from the summit are outstanding, with Everest standing directly to the east, together with Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and Taboche all in close range. We return by the same route – a long, but very rewarding walk. 9 hours walk.
DAY 11. LOBUCHE TO PANGBOCHE
We return to Dughla and recross the Khumba Khola to descend to the yak grazing valley of Pheriche (4250m). We cross a small pass and follow the Imja Khola valley for a short distance, then ascend to the old village of Pangboche (3985m) where we camp not far from the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. Surrounded by juniper trees it is reputedly 300 years old. 6 hours walk.
DAY 12 . PANGBOCHE TO KHUMJUNG
We make several ascents and descents to bring us to Sanasa. Here we leave the main trail and ascend to the right. Look for brightly coloured Impeyan pheasants, Nepal’s national bird, in the fields alongside the trail. We camp near Khumjung 3790m. Opportunity to visit the Hillary school and the ‘world’s highest bakery’. 6 hours walk.
DAY 13 . KHUMJUNG MONZO
We continue to Khunde, perhaps making a short visit to see the Khunde Hospital, built by the Himalayan Trust – a charity established by Sir Edmund Hillary to assist the Sherpa people. From Khunde we climb for a short while to a small pass, enjoying fine views of Thamserku, Kangtega and Ama Dablam.
On our descent we will pass the Government yak breeding farm and continue to the (now unused) small airstrip at Shyangboche at 3720m. From the airport we then make a steep descent into Namche Bazaar.r We then descend to Jorsale and leave the Sagarmatha National Park to camp near Chomoa (2835m). 6 hours walk.
DAY 14. CHOMOA TO LUKLA
Retracing our steps along the east bank of the Dudh Kosi, we reach Lukla by mid afternoon. About 6 hours walk.
DAY 15 . FLY LUKLA TO KATHMANDU
Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (weather permitting). Afternoon free to relax or optional excursion to Swayambunath- the ‘monkey temple’ atop a hill west of Kathmandu. Its high position provides great views over the city.
DAY 16. IN KATHMANDU
Extra days are specifically included in the itinerary should there be a delay with flights from Lukla due to bad weather conditions. If we return to Kathmandu on time we will arrange a sightseeing tour visiting the Temple of Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal; and Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and destination of Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal. There will also be the opportunity for an optional visit to Bhaktapur, a city retaining much medieval character and some notable 17th century art.
DAY 17. MONDAY TOUR ENDS KATHMANDU
This morning there is the opportunity for an optional visit to Patan, a beautiful town, once capital of the valley, and with a fine selection of palaces and temples. |
| |
|
Accommodation
& Centre Details |
| |
4 nights hotel
12 nights camping |
| |
|
|
| |
Holidays
Extras |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Included
