Everest Base Camp trek
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Dates : 15 - 31 October 2011 11 - 27 November 2011 12 - 28 May 2012 Or, book a private departure Price : 1890 € Group : 5-12 persons Meeting : Kathmandu, Nepal. More details upon booking Difficulty :  |
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The trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the most famous in the world. It takes you into the heart of the Nepalese Himalaya, with awe-inspiring views of many of the world's highest and most beautiful mountains.
This trek takes you through lush valleys with abundant flora and fauna, past friendly Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries. The Everest base camp trek is not only famous for its proximity to Mt. Everest, but also for its friendly Sherpa people, picturesque villages, and great variety of cultures and traditions.
We employ local leaders and staff to help sustain the local communities we work with. We ensure all our porters are well treated, well paid, and we provide the level of shelter, clothing and footwear that these harsh environments demand. An experienced YokmoK mountain guide accompanies the group during this trip.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu
Flying to Kathmandu on a clear day is in itself an exciting experience. The panoramic view of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below is a beautiful sight. Greeting at Kathmandu International Airport, and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 : Kathmandu - Lukla (40 min flight) - Phakding [2656 m]
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. After meeting the crew, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley and stay overnight in Phakding. Walking time: 3h30
Day 3 : Phakding - Namche Bazaar [3450 m]
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. Walking time: 6h30
Day 4 : Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, we can visit the 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.
Day 5 : Namche Bazaar - Tengboche [3867 m]
From Namche, the trail contours on to the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Passing by several villages, 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. 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. Walking time: 6h30
Day 6 : Tengboche - Pheriche [4252 m]
We descend 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-hour walk brings us to Pheriche. Walking time: 6h00
Day 7 : Acclimatisation day in Pheriche
This is our second acclimatisation day. Hiking around or a day hike to Dingbuche (4350m).
Day 8 : Pheriche - Duglha [4500 m]
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache. We then take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha. If the weather cooperates and we feel good, we could walk towards the Chola pass and back. Walking time: 2h00 + extra
Day 9 : Duglha - Lobuche [4930 m]
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. Walking time: 3h00
Day 10 : Lobuche - Kala Pattar [5545 m] - Gorak Shep [5000 m]
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 climbs 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 view points in the Everest region, Kala Pattar (5545 m). As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our camp at Gorak Shep. Walking time: 8h00
Day 11 : Gorak Shep - Everest Base Camp [5357 m] - Gorak Shep - Lobuche
For the trek to Everest Base Camp, a very early start is required. It takes several hours to cross the Khumbu Glacier. At Base Camp, there will hopefully be an expedition 'in residence' and there are great views up into the Khumbu Icefall where there is often some climbing activity. 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 then return to Gorak Shep, and then descend to Lobuche. Walking time: 7h00
Day 12 : Lobuche - Pangboche
It is downhill most of the way, past Lobuche to Duglha and Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has trekkers’ aid post here which is interesting to visit. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche. Walking time: 6h00
Day 13 : Pangboche - Namche Bazaar
We follow the river and, after crossing it, climb up through birch and rhododendron forest to Thyangboche and its famous monastery. From Thyangboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way to Namche. Walking time: 6h00
Day 14 : Namche Bazaar - Lukla
Our last trekking day follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back at a memorable trekking experience. Walking time: 7h00
Day 15 : Fly to Kathmandu
After an early morning flight back to Kathmandu, we'll head to our hotel.
Day 16 : Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal. The city presents a wonderful mixture of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence. We'll enjoy a guided sightseeing day in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.
Day 17 : Departure
Transfer to the airport where we bid farewell until our next adventure together.
Recommend this trip to a friend
Acclimatization
This trek takes us very high. The maximum altitude of this trek is 5545 meters above sea level, and that is considered very high mountain terrain.
Our Everest base camp trek itinerary is planned with a high degree of minimization of awareness of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Going up too fast causes a medical condition serious enough to kill. The higher the altitude the less oxygen there is in the air. On the summit of Kala Pattar (5545 m), and Everest Base Camp (5357 m) for example, there is 50% less oxygen than at sea level. Your body needs many days to adapt to this. So, for a safe trek it is absolutely essential to allow for sufficient time for acclimatization.
Sensible planning is therefore required to minimize the risk of AMS. Our itinerary is designed to give all team members the opportunity to reach base camp, preferably without a headache. That is why we spend 13 days doing this trek, 9 of them climbing up. Unlike most trekking companies, we do practice a safe daily rate of ascent at altitude, strictly following the recommendations made by the Himalayan Rescue Association of Nepal.
The price includes:
• Meeting/assisting at Kathmandu international airport
• Airport transfer from and to Kathmandu
• 3 nights in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu, breakfast included
• 13 nights in mountain lodges
• Full board during the trek
• Domestic flights Kathmandu - Lukla, and Lukla - Kathmandu
• YokmoK mountain guide for the entire trek
• English-speaking Nepalese guide during the trek
• One porter for every two people (carries a maximum weight of 20 kg)
• All necessary paperwork and permits
• Guided visit of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur
• Travel and medical insurance
• Insurance, salary, equipment, food and lodging for Nepalese staffs
The price does not include:
• Airfare to and from Kathmandu (for recommendations, click here)
• Visa fees
• Beverages
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
• Tips
• Anything not specified in 'The price includes>'