The Everest Base Camp Trek
The EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK – 16 DAYS…As we hike through high country above the tree-lines into
birch & pine forests, visiting quiet monasteries on the way; we then cut
through high passes at the foothills of the mother of all peaks…Mt. Everest…
‘The Everest Base camp trekking
is one of my popular adventure journeys for your holidays of a lifetime in the
Nepal Himalayas. The Everest trekking region is one of the most outstanding
destinations for adventure trekking and it offers the best opportunity to gain
the true Himalayan experience. This Everest base camp trek is designed to
fulfill the dream of many trekkers of experiencing the historic route to the
base of the world's highest mountain. Our expert adventure guide provides a
fine opportunity to visit both Everest Base Camp and give you outstanding viewpoints
of Kalapathar (5,545m) for endless views of Mt Everest along the surrounding
Everest Himalayan region. The trek goes through lush green meadows & bird
chirping pine forests typical of this region. Peaking at Kalapathar is just
such an ecstatic experience that will live in your memories for generations to
come. I have hiked this trail on numerous occasions & should you do this
trek with me; I will take you through some of the most stunning spots on this
trail not noticed before & will bring you in contact with the village folks
on the way so that you can interact with the local people living on this rugged
& harsh but beautiful mountains & you will find it most interesting to
learn of their lifestyles & culture on this rough terrain; & this will
enlighten your trek even more…do this trip with me & discover your self in
a new avatar…SUBINDRA’’…
Trip Factors:
Trip duration: 16 Days
Trip grade: moderate to fairly challenging but thrilling to the
core…nature is yours down here…
Activity: Sightseeing & Trekking
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Trek type: TH (Tea House / Lodge)
Accommodation: Hotel, lodge (tea house)
Transportation: Flight and car
Maximum altitude: 5357m at Everest BC
Best Time for Trek: – except during monsoon [July &
August]
Your Itinerary in brief:
Day 01 - Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02 - Kathmandu
Sightseeing
Day 03 - Flight to Lukla & trek to Phakding
Day 04 - Trek to Namche (3450m)
Day 05 - Rest day in Namche
Day 06 - Trek to Thyangboche [3864m]
Day 07 - Trek to Pheriche [4252m]
Day 08 - Rest day in Pheriche
Day 09 - Trek to Lobuche [4930m]
Day 10 - Trek to Gorak Shep [5184m]
Day 11 - Trek to Everest
BC [5357], back to Gorak Shep
Day 12 - Trek to Pangboche [3985m]
Day 13 - Trek to Namche [3450m]
Day 14 - Trek to Lukla [2900m]
Day 15 - Flight to Kathmandu
Day 16 - Depart Kathmandu
Your Itinerary in Detail:
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu
on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below
you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that
stay with you for a long, long time. And as your plane hits the tarmac, our
waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to
your hotel. Welcome drinks will be served and over night at your hotel.
Day 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for
tourists ever since Nepal
opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism,
Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its
two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious
significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest
Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath,
the 15th century palace of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath. At eventide, you will
be briefed about your trip.
Day 3 Flight to Lukla
- Trek to Phakding [2656m]
A flight to Lukla and a landing on a steep mountain runway
brings us to the start of our trek at the village of Lukla
[2850m]. After meeting the crew, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and then
stay overnight in Phakding.
Day 4 Trek to Namche
[3450m]
From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high
suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park
which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain
environment. We then take a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, we
get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the
Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market - a meeting place for the Hindu traders
from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Day 5 Rest day in
Namche
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant
peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir
shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude
before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, you visit Khunde Hospital
set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a one hour walk up to the Everest View
Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse
and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum
just above the town.
Day 6 Trek to
Tengboche [3867m]
From Namche, the trail contours on to the side of the valley,
high above the Dudh Kosi. We get our
first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several
villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river
at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch. Here we can rest
before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although the hike up the zigzag
path is tiring, it presents us with many beautiful sights of rhododendron
bushes with beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous
for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. A spectacular panorama
of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam rising in
the horizon can be seen from the campsite.
Day 07 Trek to
Pheriche [4252m]
We descend downhill through a forest, cross the Imja Khola
and climb steadily to the village
of Pangboche. This
village is directly opposite Ama Dablam [6,856 m], and has exceptional views of
the mountain, with the gompa, Mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground.
A further two hours walk brings us to Pheriche.
Day 08 at Pheriche
This is a day for rest and acclimatization. We also get to
wander up the valley to look at a lake, the Tshola Tsho and the perpendicular
walls of Cholatse and Tawache. We can climb up onto the ridge overlooking
Dingboche for the view of the Imja
Valley and the incredible
south face of Mt.Lhotse.
Day 09 Trek to
Lobuche [4930m]
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks
of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and take a steep climb
towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha is a good spot
to have lunch. The trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier's
terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials
to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then
climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at
Lobuche.
Day 10 Trek to Gorak
Shep [5184m]
To reach our next stop, Kala Pattar, we follow the Khumbu
Glacier. The trail offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially
where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for
lunch at our camping place: Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon, we make our way
to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar
[5554m]. As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our camp at Gorak Shep
and have an early night in preparation for our trek to Everest Base Camp the
following day.
Day 11 Trek to
Everest Base Camp [5357m]
A very early start is required to reach the Everest Base
Camp. It takes several hours as the trail weaves its way through ice pinnacles
and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a
higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to
the South Col. We return to either Gorak Shep or Lobuche.
Day 12 Trek to
Pangboche [3985m]
Today’s trek is mostly downhill. As we retrace our steps to
Duglha and descend to Pheriche, we arrive at The Himalayan Rescue Association,
a trekker’s aid post and worth a visit. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola
on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche.
Day 13 Trek to Namche
[3450m]
We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it,
climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde,
Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam,
Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From
Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi. At Phunki Tenga, we get
to see the water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche for
the night.
Day 14 Trek to Lukla [2800m] our last night in the outback
Our final day's trekking follows the Dudh
Kosi down to Lukla. This last evening calls for a celebration because this is
our last day on these fantastic mountains that were home to us all of these
days. We have a party with our Sherpa guides and porters who've got close to us
over the weeks & are now good friends. We sample some 'chang' (locally
brewed mountain beer) and try out some Sherpa dance steps. Altogether, this is
an end to a merry trip on a merry note. After supper, we relax under the starry
skies on a moonlit night & reflect on the emotional experiences we had
while hiking through these massive mountains that have probably helped us
re-discover ourselves in ways least expected. We then slumber into blissful
sleep.
Day 15 Fly to Kathmandu
We pack up early and head for the airstrip to hop a flight
back to Kathmandu
On touchdown, the rest of your day is free to do your own
things. You could do some last minute shopping and packing, or send a few post
cards home or even go down for a stroll to Thamel, an internationally known hub
for tourists in Asia.
Day 16 Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for
your flight home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at
National parks, do some wild-water rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking,
etc - please don't hesitate to let us know). We would be glad to help you.
Thank you for doing this venture with ME & it's been wonderful knowing you over the
weeks. Please do stay in touch in the months ahead. Bon Voyage & take
care!!!
