Everest Basecamp Trek

Technical Difficulty (Class):

Mountain Skill Rating:

Physical Condition:

Client/Guide Ratio: 4:1

Includes:
Airport pickup and return in Kathmandu, 3 nights hotel, sight seeing tour in Kathmandu, roundtrip flight to/from Lukla, trekking permit, all nights in Trekking Lodges and all meals during trek.

Does not include:
Roundtrip flight to/from Kathmandu, travel insurance, Visa, meals in Kathmandu, extra drinks during trek.

Guides:
Ang Fula Sherpa (1-4 clients)
with Mimi Vadasz (5-8 clients)

Khumbu To Everest Basecamp 18 Day

Join us on the incomparable Mt. Everest Basecamp Trek of the famous Khumbu Region of Nepal. Our past trips to Everest, since 1984, provides the most spirited trip to this enchanted area of the Himalaya. It is presented in a very special way, experiencing the inside beauties of the Khumbu through the lives of the local Sherpa people.

We start our trip with a full day tour of Kathmandu's famous Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas. After exploring Kathmandu, you'll fly in to the remote mountain town of Lukla and begin your trek, following an ancient Sherpa trade route to the area's famous Namche Bazaar. Beyond it, you will find traditional villages, terraced fields, and summer pastures for yak grazing before moving into the stark landscape of glaciers and ice.

Our route will enable you to visit monasteries in the heart of Sherpa country, where you can observe the monks in their daily prayers. You'll also hike onto the Khumbu Glacier to visit the iconic Everest Basecamp to Kala Pattar for the most beautiful view of Everest.

We will use the extra time to divert from the main trail for a stunning hike to an off-the-beaten-path village on an ancient trade route.

$2375
$795 Island Peak Climb Option

Dates:

Oct 26 - Nov 12, 2012
Kathmandu to Kathmandu

Day 1: Travel and arrive KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
Travel from your homeport to Kathmandu. All flights cross the date line and consequently a day is lost. Arrive in Kathmandu on Day 2-3, where we will meet you. We stay at nice 4 star hotel with breakfast. Great food from all over the world, fabulous shopping, and Durbar Square with its numerous temples and markets are nearby. We stay at nice 3-4 star hotel with breakfast. Expect to be tired and jet lagged this day.

Day 2: KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
While we wrap up last minute paperwork with the Nepal government, we arrange for you to enjoy a city tour visiting the palaces, Durbar Square, Hindu temples and shrines, Buddhist stupas - or you can just relax at the hotel. A favorite destination is the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or you can join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal and the most famous Shiva temple in Asia.

Day 3: Early morning flight to Lukla, Hike /Overnight PHAKDING - 8,700 feet
We fly on a twin-engine Otter to the Himalayan foothills where we begin our trek into the Khumbu region. The sights from the plane are amazing, providing dramatic views of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing in the village of Lukla (9,350 feet), we meet the rest of our staff and porters and trek for about two and a half hours to Phakding. Hiking Time: 3 hours

Day 4: NAMCHE BAZAAR - 11,300 feet
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu region. Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Day 5: NAMCHE BAZAAR - 11,300 feet
Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colorful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam.

Day 6: THYANGBOCHE - 12,887 feet
The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We spend the night next to the Thyangboche monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. With luck, our group will see the Lama perform a ceremony and hear the mystical chanting and music. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Day 7: DINGBOCHE - 14,250 feet
From Thyangboche, the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche among thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche with its exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Day 8: DINGBOCHE - 14,250 feet
Today we take another rest and acclimatization day. There is the option of taking a light hike up the valley for a wider variety of photos of the valley and mountains of the Khumbu region.

Day 9: LOBUCHE - 16,175 feet
Today's trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits.

Day 10: GORAK SHEP - 17,000 feet
After an early morning start, we ascend Kala Pattar (18,450 feet) and enjoy famous views of the Himalayas, and Everest! That evening we camp beneath Kala Pattar at Gorak Shep.

Day 11: EVEREST BASE CAMP/ GORAK SHEP - 17,575 feet
In the event of bad weather, we have the opportunity for a second chance to climb Kala Pattar. Today we will also continue our trek to Everest Basecamp, located at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. We'll spend the day at Everest Basecamp before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.

Day 12: PHERICHE - 14,600 feet
Pheriche Hospital is one of only two aid posts owned and run by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) of Nepal. Pheriche is situated at a critical location just two days from Mt Everest's Base Camp and on a popular trekking route where illness at altitude begins to bite. The hospital was built in 1974 by the Japanese as both a hospital and a research centre.

Day 13: PHORTSE- 13,000 feet
This remote village is off the beaten path and where many of the climbing Sherpas are from.

Day 14: THAME VILLAGE
Side trip the the Village of the Thame school and Lodge of Apa Sherpa. Our 2003 Everest expedition sponsored this school. We could always use these day earlier in the trek as well.

Day 15: NAMCHE BAZAAR - 11,300 feet
Today we trek back along the Dudh Kosi River. Shortly before reaching Namche, the trek takes us through a pine forest, where musk deer often graze in the early morning. Arriving in town, we may see lowland porters, highland Sherpas, and Tibetan people trading food and supplies during Namche's market time. We stay at a Hotel with hot showers and a comfortable bed.

Day 16: LUKLA - 9,350 feet
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla where we spend the night in a Lodge. Hot showers are available.

Day 17: KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
Early morning flight from Lukla.

Day 18-19: DEPART
Depart Kathmandu and fly home.

Important note on itinerary: Although we do our best to follow the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other factors beyond our control. We are planning to be flexible and get as much hiking and exploring as possible.

Be prepared to be awed, amazed, fatigued and fustrated, all as part of a fantastic adventure!

Questions about this trek?

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Equipment List

Logistics

Island Peak Option

Trip Insurance

Leave No Trace

Physician Certificate

Traveler Form

Trip Checklist

ASI's 11th trip to the Himalaya
Previous trips included Annapurna Basecamp, Rakshi Peak, Tent Peak, Gokyo, Cho La, Kala Pattar, Kyajo Ri, Everest Basecamp, Makalu, Ama Dablam and the summit of Mt. Everest!

Remember, no matter who you are, you'll be a different person when you return from the Everest Region.
- Namaste

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