Fixed Departure: October 06 & November 28, 2008
The Everest Trek through the
Solu, Khumbu and Gokyo regions follows the path of the mediaval
trans-Himalayan trade route established by the Sherpas. From Jiri to Namche and Everest
Base Camp, the 175 kilometre, 24 day Everest Trek passes through
the some of the most magnificent mountain scenery on earth.
The view of Mount Everest from Tengboche Monastery is without
equal. Higher up the Khumbu Valley there is a awesome close
up view of Mount Everest from the summit of Kalla Pattar, a
hill within reach of most trekkers. The Khumbu Glacier Icefall
provides an impressive mystery for, by a trick of the light,
the ice seems to spring from the head of the Khumbu valley.
From Kalla Pattar one can see
Everest Base Camp, which during May and October is a hive of
activity with commercial mountaineering expeditions using Sherpa
guides to get their clients to the summit of Mount Everest.
Everyone, clients, guides, Sherpas and trekkers alike all use
the Everest Trek to reach Everest Base Camp.
The cultural quality of the
area rests on its intimate connection with Tibetan Nyingma Pa
Buddhism. Many famous Buddhist saints lived in the area and
their legends live on. Lama Sange Dorje was born at Mong La
on the Everest Trek and was the first to live at the site of
Tengboche Monastery. Everest is known to the Sherpas and Tibetans
as Chomolungma or 'goddess mother of the unniverse'.
The environment of the Everest
Trek was protected historically by its Buddhist inhabitants,
and nowadays by the Sagarmatha National Park. Today you can
still see the strange musk deer, the impeyan pheasant and many
more native species protected by the park.
Itinerary:
October 04 & November 26 Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1330m
October 05 & November 27 Day 02: Day at leisure in Kathmandu.
October 06 & November 28 Day 03: Fly Lukla and
trek Phakding.
We will fly early to the village of Lukla at 9,200 feet. Here
we hire porters and trek a short distance to Pakding on the
Dudh Kosi river.
October 07 & November 29 Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,300
feet).
We enter the park at Jorsale, cross the Bhote Kosi river and
then climb steeply to Namche Bazaar. Namche is the main trading
center for the Khumbu.
October 08 & November 30 Day 05: Acclimatize Day in Namche
To help with our acclimatization, we will spend a second night
in Namche. During our second day here we will go to the Sagarmatha
National park where we get our first views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse
and Ama Dablam. After lunch we hike up to Kumjung to see the
famous "Yeti" skull and the gompa then to Khunde to
see the Hillary Hospital.
October 09 & December 01 Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Thangboche
(12,670 feet).
An enjoyable walk down to the river at Phunki Thanhka to lunch
next to water driven prayer wheels. A steep but short climb
takes us to Tengboche Monastery through forests of blue pine,
fir and black juniper.
October 10 & December 02 Day 07: Thangboche to Dingboche (16,571
feet).
After an early breakfast, we tour the largest and most important
monastery in the region, Thangboche. Following the Imja Khola
we go through Pangboche and over a short hill to the small village
of Periche.
October 11 & December 03 Day 08: Dingboche (16,571 feet.)
we spend an an acclimatization day by climbing a spectacular
point of rock above Dingboche. For most people, this will be
the highest they have been up to this point. There are up close
views of Taweche and Ama Dablam. In the distance one can see
Island Peak and Makalu, one of the fourteen 8,000 meter peaks
on earth of which Everest and Lhotse are members.
October 12 & December 04 Day 09: Dingboche to Lobuche (16,175 feet)
After a short walk we'll climb the moraine of the mighty Khumbu
Glacier.
October 13 - 14 & December 05 -06 Day 10 - 11:
Lobuche to Everest BC to Lobuche
(17,192 feet)
We will get an early start for our trek to Base camp. after
about two hours we reach Gorak Shep. Another hour or hiking
will take us to base camp. From here the view is one of the
most spectacular anywhere in the World. You will be surrounded
by the highest mountains in the World. Mt. Pumori with its steep
ice walls and hanging glaciers seem so close that you could
touch them.
October 15 & December 07 Day 12: Lobuche - Tengboche
After our tiring ascent to Kala patar, today is an easier walk to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back to the terminal moraines at Dughla, we then take a different return trail. We follow the wide alpine valley covered in scrub juniper through the temporary settlement of Phulung Karpo (4343m), then on to Pheriche. A small settlement, Pheriche has a number of welcome tea house that often have "left overs" for sale from various climbing expeditions. It may be possible to find imported chocolate, tinned prawns or smoked oysters: even vegemite! The town consists of several low stone buildings and is considered a "years" - summer settlement.
October 16 & December 08 Day 13: Tengboche to Monjo
Follow a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga, you continue on to cross the Dudh Kosi for a steep descent to Trashinga. After lunch at Shanasa you make you way back to Namche Bazar. Following a steep descent passing the Bhote Kosil, crossing the river, follow the bank to Jorsale, then to Monjo for overnight.
October 17 & December 09 Day 14: Monjo - Lukla
This morning you will depart Monjo and continue your descent along the Dudh Kosi, before making a final ascent to reach the Lukla plateau by mid afternoon. On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of your trek.
October 18 & December 10 Day 15: Pakdingma to Lukla.
Last night of the trek in a bustling town and a celebration
dinner.
October 19 & December 11 Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu.
Early morning flight and one of the most interesting flights
you'll ever experience.
October 20 & December 12 Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu. farewell dinner.
October 21 & December 13 Day 18: Departure transfer to your onward
flight.
The cost:
USD 910.00 per person.
Cost Includes:
