EVEREST

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 - Depart London Heathrow.

Our 12 hour flight will be via Doha will be with Qatar Airways

DAY 2 - Arrive in Kathmandu. (1330m).

You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the hotel for a pre-trek briefing. Arrangements are made today for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down jacket. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

You have time to explore Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley, on foot, or by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, novelty shops and handicraft shops contrasts with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. Sightseeing with a guide can be arranged on request.

DAY 3 - Fly to Lukla (2800m). Trek to Phakding (2600 m). Walk approx 3 hour.

We transfer to the airport for the 45 minute flight to the STOL airstrip at Lukla. This was the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and his friends to service the Everest Region when he began his work of building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people. It is a memorable flight, with marvellous views of the Eastern Himalaya. At Lukla we are immediately impressed by the scale of the huge peaks that surround the village but this is only a taster of what is to come. Our crew assemble and we head downhill towards the Dudh Kosi, a raging river that flows from the highest peaks. The broad and well-marked trail meanders around fields of potatoes and buck-wheat and passes through small villages, as we pass rows of tree dahlia to make our way to our first overnight stop in the village of Phakding.

DAY 4 - To Monjo (2850m). Walk approx 4-5 hours.

Today we cross and re-cross the thundering glacial river, named "Dudh" (milk) Kosi (river) because of its colour. Sections of today's walk are through pine forest and cleared areas reveal terraced fields and a variety of crops. We pass small groups of donkeys and yaks carrying trading goods and trek-gear along the trail. Our own gear will be carried by yak, or more correctly dzopko, a yak-cow crossbreed, A yak is a full-blood long-haired male, more commonly found at higher altitudes. We pass through a variety of small hamlets as we slowly gain altitude. Spectacular mountain peaks unfold above us and seem to hover above the tree-line as they rise above the deep river valley. Shortly after leaving camp we cross the Kusum Khola, a tributary stream to the Dudh Kosi, and the peak of Kusum Kangru (6369 m) can be seen to the East, at the head of the valley. Further along the trail, across the valley to the North-West, Nupla (5885 m) and Kongde Ri (6093 m) rise above the forested ridges. At a turn of the trail, Thamserku (6808 m) rises majestically, seemingly from the river floor.

We will see our first Mani walls today. These stone structures are a compilation of many stone tablets, each with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" which translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus", and is mantra (chant) venerated by Buddhists and Brahmans alike.

Buddhists will walk to the left of these Mani Walls and chortens, but you may notice that people of the lowlands who have no knowledge of Buddhism do not follow this practice.

The allure of the mountains is hard to resist, but we must be patient, as it is very important to acclimatise slowly and thereby fully appreciate our time at higher altitude. Today's walk is not a long one, and you will be eager to press on. Slow down, and enjoy every step of the way. It is the journey, not the final destination that is important.

DAY 5 - To Namche Bazaar (3440m). Walk approx 4 hours.

This morning we cross the green/aqua waters of the Dudh Kosi and pass through the gates of the Sagarmartha National Park. The establishment of this national park is a significant attempt to stem the use of fire-wood in the area and the few local people who have a permit to cut wood must gain approval from the authorities on the basis of it being primarily for their personal use. When we are in lodges, only kerosene will be used for cooking and heating washing water, and lodge owners will be well paid for allowing us to utilise their facilities. This puts money into the local economy and by carrying a majority of our supplies, we do not tax local resources further.
We follow the river course to the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi, and cross a spectacular high bridge before commencing our ascent to the village of Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa "capital" of Nepal. It is a tough climb as the trail passes through forest of pine to a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt Everest. The trail continues to climb and meander to Namche, and the sight of this prosperous village spread within a horse-shoe shaped valley opposite the beautiful peak of Kongde Ri is worth every step. After lunch you may wish to peruse the Tibetan trader's stalls or the Sherpa shops in search of a bargain. Our accommodation will be in a centrally located lodge owned by one of our many Sherpa friends.

DAY 6 - Rest Day in Namche.

This rest day in Namche Bazaar is very important for safe acclimatisation. Sagarmartha National Park Headquarters on the hill above the village offers a very interesting display of photographs, memorabilia and information on the park, and is a wonderful vantage point for the spectacular view up the Imja Khola Valley towards Everest. The change from the narrow lowland valleys to the broad glacial ones is immediately obvious. The steep-sided glacial valley before us gradually winds towards the base of Everest, broken only by the moraines left by retreating glaciers. Its more gradual rate of climb is a blessing for those trekking higher. Towering to over 4000 metres above the valley floor, spectacular peaks seem to engulf us. Around us are Tawetse (6542 m), Thamserku (6808 m), Kantega (6685 m), Ama Dablam (6856 m), Nuptse (7896 m) and Lhotse (8511 m). The greatest of all, Mt Everest (8848 m), rises at the head of the valley. The Sherpa Cultural Centre has an interesting collection of mountaineering items and photographs.

DAY 7 - To Thyangboche (3870m). Walk approx 6-7 hours.

The walk to Thyangboche is one of the most pleasant in Nepal. The trail meanders easily between the ridges and Everest can be clearly seen on the horizon ahead before we descend through splendid rhododendron forest for lunch. After lunch we cross the Dudh Kosi and begin the ascent to the top of a long ridge that flows from the summit of Kantega. Our trail takes us through pine and rhododendron forest and as this is a devout Buddhist region, the wildlife is unharmed and not too shy. As a result there is a possibility that we may see Hog Deer and other animals in the forest and around our campsite.

As we approach the top of the ridge we pass through a traditional gateway and pass around a chorten before cresting the ridge onto a wide grassy meadow at the monastery village of Thyangboche.

The monastery was recently re-built with the assistance of Sir Edmund Hillary after it was destroyed by fire. Your leader will arrange for you to be shown around the monastery and will explain the relevance of the many ceremonies that take place and discuss the life of the monks in residence. The views of the Everest massif, as well as all the other major peaks of the area are astounding and if we are lucky, we will see the glowing colour of the sunset and perhaps even the moonlight on the mountains around us. Our lodge will be situated near the gompa giving us flexibility in how we wish to spend our spare time in the afternoon. There is a limited number of lodges in this area and it may be necessary to be in multi-share accommodation ie rooms with more than two beds.

DAY 8 - To Dingboche (4360m).

From Thyangboche we head down to cross the Imja Khola before an easy climb along a wide, open trail to the small village of Pangboche (3901m). We may take a slight detour to visit the Pangboche Gompa - the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, said to be over 300 years old. The views today of Ama Dablam, one of the Himalaya's most stunning peaks, are spectacular. Continuing on, we cross the river again and trek up to Dingboche, situated just beneath the impressive Ama Dablam.

DAY 9 - Rest day in Dingboche.

An important acclimatisation day with the option of hiking high up to the ridge overlooking the village to around 4700m, or perhaps up to Chhukung Village. You spend the day exploring or relaxing and taking in the mountain scenery. Excellent views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Chhukung Peak and Imja Tse (6189 m) are had from both in the valley or from the ridge above the camp. Massive glaciers drape beneath cliffs that soar up to 3,500 metres in this dramatic valley.

DAY 10 - To Lobuche (4930m). Walk approx 6 hours.

We are gaining altitude and it is important that we move at a slow, steady pace. The slopes are quite barren now as we have moved above the treeline. Views of different peaks, such as Cholatse and Lobuche, unfold before us in this contrasting and spectacular landscape. We move up the Dhugla Ridge and onto moraine towards Khumbu Glacier. Rock cairns can be seen, many of which are dedicated to the memory of climbers attempting the high mountains of the area, including Everest. The temperatures drop here as we are more exposed with our camp situated amongst this glacial moraine. We enjoy spectacular views all day today of Pumori and Nuptse. The hill above the town affords fine sunset views of Nuptse.

DAY 11 - To Gorak Shep (5288 m). Walk approx 2-3 hours.

Onward to Everest Base Camp at 5360m (2 – 3 hours each way) Total walking from 8-9.5 hours.

We trek alongside the Khumbu Glacier as the path winds over the rocky moraine towards the settlement of Gorak Shep. We are high, among the glaciers of the world's highest peaks. At the junction of two large glaciers and nestled in an amphitheatre of peaks, this campsite is spectacular. Pumori (7145 m), Lingtren (6697 m), Nuptse (7745 m) and of course Everest (8848 m) surround our camp.

We continue our trip to Everest Base Camp at approximately 5360m. The route weaves its way across the Khumbu Glacier to a site where Base Camp is located. Base camp is not a specific site but a part of the Khumbu Glacier near the entrance to the Khumbu icefall. Each expedition makes their own decision as to where to set up ‘their’ base camp. Whilst base camp is a very interesting side trip, the views are not as spectacular as you might expect. Being so close to Everest you cannot actually see the summit! For many the climb up Kala Pattar on the next day is the highlight of this trek.
The air is clear and the sun is strong at this altitude, but as the sun sets it becomes very cold. Sunsets here can be stunning.

DAY 12 - To Kala Pattar (5545 m) and to Lobuche (4930 m). Walk approx 7-8 hours.

By camping at Gorak Shep we can get an early start for our ascent of Kala Pattar so we can be there for the clearest views. The extra days for acclimatisation will now prove invaluable today on the ascent of Kala Pattar, our highest point on this trek. Although it has undoubtedly been a cold night we have time to comfortably ascend to the viewing point and enjoy it to the fullest. It is feasible for the very fit to ascend Kala Pattar in 2 hours. Kala Pattar is not a Nepali name but a Hindi name and translates to "black rock". From these black rocks atop the hill at 5545m the views are spectacular. Most eyes are locked on the mass of Everest, its rocky buttresses immediately before us. Many of the famous ascent routes are quite clear. Below us the Khumbu Glacier snakes towards the icefall and Western Cwm. We can see the area where modern Everest expeditions set their base camp but the original site was at Lake Camp, now known as Gorak Shep. Take a look in every direction and soak it in. The view south and our route out is particularly beautiful. We descend to Gorak Shep for lunch. Snow Cocks gather around for scraps as we pack for the walk downhill to Lobuche.

DAY 13 - Helicopter flight Lobuche to Lukla and onward flight to Kathmandu.

DAY 14 - Day of leisure in Kathmandu.

Today is also a contingency day, should bad weather prevent flights between Lobuche, Lukla and Kathmandu.

DAY 15 - Trip concludes Kathmandu. Return flight to UK. Arrive London.

The itinerary is a guide to the trek and may be varied. There is sufficient time for a comfortable pace for people of good fitness to acclimatise adequately, and to vary the days in accordance with specific needs. Please note that this itinerary is not set in stone and may change, depending upon your trek leaders decisions.