Day 01 Arrive in Kathmandu 1330m

The walking hours mentioned are only a guide and vary a great deal with each individual. It depends entirely on your own pace and of course, on how often you decide to stop for photographs etc. The route and campsites are at the discretion of the Group Leader or Guide and the itinerary below must be seen only as a guide.

THE TREK

The Everest trek takes you up to the land of the Sherpas and gives you the best possible introduction to the lives of these Nepalese mountain people. From Namche Bazaar you will be able to see some of the world’s highest mountains and experience the joy of high altitude trekking. The first 8000m peak ever climbed was Annapurna I on June 3, 1950 by Herzog and Lachenal. Everest was soon to follow in 1953 when it was successfully scaled by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. To date, over 200 men and women have climbed to the summit, and possibly half that number have died since the early 1900’s while attempting to reach the summit.

Recently, it was claimed that the K2 in Pakistan was higher than Everest, but subsequent measurements have shown that this is not the case. In fact, Everest is higher than previously thought. This makes the summit 8875m and definitely the highest point on the surface of the earth.

Everest takes its name from the British surveyor - General George Everest who lived in India in the last century and was responsible for mapping the sub-continent for the Raj. At that time, only a very few foreigners could travel in Nepal, and a closer survey was not possible. Climbing expeditions were permitted to enter Nepal after 1950 (early expeditions attempted Everest from Tibet in the north). Tibetans call the peak Chomolungma - Mother Goddess of Earth - while the Nepalese have christened it Sagarmatha - Head of the Oceans. Sagarmatha is the name given to the National Park which encompasses most of the region you will be visiting during this trek.

Early on Day 3 we head out to the domestic airport for our flight to Lukla. Flights do not depart unless conditions are perfect, so fog in the Kathmandu valley or cloud cover over Lukla may delay our flight until later in the morning. Once up and away, the views are breathtaking, and we will be able to see many of the world’s highest peaks. Our destination is the small Sherpa village of Lukla (2800m), perched high on a mountainside above the Dudh Khosi river. Literally translated, Dudh Khosi means ‘river of milk’. The landing field is quite small and slopes down at an angle of about 12 degrees and being dirt makes for quite a rough landing. However, the pilots are experts and extremely well trained and the planes are very well maintained. After deplaning and collecting all our gear, the staff manager (Sirdar), will organise porters. You will have time to take a look around, but be sure to inform the Group Leader of your whereabouts so that you can be found when it is time to leave.

The trail out of Lukla descends to the Dudh Khosi river and you will immediately notice that many of the people are different from those in Kathmandu. These are the Sherpa people, who originally migrated from Tibet about 500 years ago. They still dress much the same as Tibetans, practice Buddhism and speak a dialect very similar to the old Tibetan. Trekking down to the river and the village of Phakdingma (2600m), you will pass stone walls in the middle of the trail inscribed in Tibetan. These are called Mani walls and you should always keep to the left when passing them. For Buddhists they are sacred and on passing they will utter a prayer by which they gain merit in their next life.

From Phakdingma the trail follows the river below stands of pine and oak. After Jorsale (2850m) it climbs up through rhododendron, magnolia and giant fir forests. As we approach Namche Bazaar you will be able to see Everest in the distance and further on, a magnificent amphitheatre of snowy peaks will appear. Namche Bazaar (3440m) is the local centre for trading and supplies where locals barter their wares or hunt for a bargain. The majority of the items on sale will be flood stuff and cloth, but there are beautiful local handicrafts on sale to temp trekkers. Here we will spend a rest day for acclimatisation, sightseeing and, for the energetic, a side trip to villages such as Thami or the Sagarmatha NP HQ. And Museum.

Leaving Namche, the trail climbs up high above the Dudh Khosi. The first hour of the morning’s walk is dominated by spectacular mountain views. In this area the crops are potato and the fields are sometimes left fallow for the winter. Keep an eye out of yaks grazing on the steep hillsides. We descend to the river for lunch, after which the trail climbs up through a fir forest to the Thyangboche Gompa (Monastery). The spiritual and cultural centre of the area’s Sherpas, the Gompa was built in 1912 as an isolated meditation retreat; today it has become a premiere trekking destination. The main temple was destroyed by fire in 1987 and has been rebuilt. The Sherpa Cultural Centre here gives many insights into the region’s people. Here you will be able to see the splendid peak of Ama Dablam and the great massif of Mount Everest, which with peaks such as Kwangde, Tawache, Nuptse and Kantega, forms one of the most inspiring panoramas in the world.

The Rimpoche (or reincarnated lama) of Thyangboche Monastery resides in this area; it is considered holy and nothing may be hunted or killed. Expeditions to the highest peaks in the world have traditionally stopped here to receive the blessing of the high Lama. Above Thyangboche you can walk up the ridge above the Monastery for excellent views back to Namche and onto Everest. Note that at this height you will begin to feel the effects of altitude and in rare cases you may not be able to remain at this height. It has been very rare, but should you experience difficulty with acclimatisation we would take you back down to Namche Bazaar until the group returns to join you.

We are sure that the beauty of Thyangboche will cast its spell on you, and reluctantly we must turn south for our trek back to Lukla via Khumjung where you will be able to visit a hospital and school built by the Himalaya Trust - an organisation established by Sir Edmund Hillary, who is presently New Zealand’s Ambassador to India. The trust collects money from around the world and allocates it for improvements in the Khumbu region. From here we follow the same trail back to Lukla and hopefully on the following day back to Kathmandu. However, please bear in mind that it is not uncommon for flights to be delayed due to weather.

Once back in Kathmandu, you will have two full days to take in the sights, so some shopping or just explore this wonderful city. (If the flight has been delayed the number of free days may alter). On your departure day be sure that you have collected all your valuable from the safe and that you have checked with the Client Liaison staff at the hotel to confirm the time of departure for the airport.

Kathmandu stands at 1350 meters and the valley is surrounded by hills at an altitude of around 2400 meters. There are three important cities in the valley, the most significant being Kathmandu itself. Patan is the most Buddhist of the three and is across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu, but so close as to be almost an extension of the capital. Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, is the most "mediaeval" and is situated in the eastern part of the valley. While Kathmandu and Patan have undergone great changes in the two decades since Nepal ended its long isolation, Bhaktapur has changed very little and is still much as it was three decades ago.

Kathmandu, Machendra Nath Temple, a pagoda of high artistic beauty. Hanuman Dhoka, historic seat of Royalty with old temples and palaces. Temple of the Living Goddess (Kumari) with profusely carved wooden balconies and window screens. Kasthamandap, an edifice constructed from wood of a single tree. The National Museum houses a splendid collection of ancient artefacts. Singh Durbar, an imposing stucco palace built in neo classical style as residence of the erstwhile Rana prime ministers now acts as State secretariat.

Patan, 5 kilometres Southwest of Kathmandu, Patan is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples. It is also known as the city of artists. Visit Durbar Square, residential palace of Malla Kings. See Krishna Mandir with stone carvings from Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabarata, statue of bird God Garuda, Big Bell Royal baths, Ashoke Stupa, Taleju Temple, Temples of Maha Buddha and Jagat Narian. Visit the Tibetan refugee centre to watch the spinning, dyeing and weaving of hand made carpets of intricate designs.

Bhadgoan, 13 kilometres west of Kathmandu, Bhadgoan was built in 889 A.D. and is home of medieval art and architecture. See Durbar square with the Lion gate, Palace of 55 windows, Bell of barking dogs, Nayatapola, Bhairava and Dattaraya Temples and monastery with carved Peacock windows.

Swayambu Nath, 6.5 kilometres west of Kathmandu, situated on a hillock, this 2000 years old stupa is the worlds most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.

Boudhnath, 8 kilometres east of Kathmandu, this colossal Buddhist stupa is built on a octagonal base, inset with prayer wheels and is surrounded by houses of Buddhist priests and Lama monks. It is 1500 years old and is the largest Lamaist shrine in the world.

Pashupati Nath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometres Northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.

Cost Includes

• All land and domestic air transfer as per itinerary

• Arrival and departure transfers and Internal flights as per itinerary

• Twin share accommodation in Kathmandu and b'fast as per itinerary 1/2 day sightseeing in Kathmandu

• All accommodation and 3 meals while on the trek in Tea Houses

• Fully escorted trek with English speaking guide and 1 porter between each 2 person

• Trekking permit and National Park Fees Wages, equipment, insurance and other facilities to staffs

Not Included

• International Airfare

• Visas US$30

• Airport Departure taxes/Excess baggage charges

• Other meals not stated (Lunch/Dinner in Cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara) allow $20 per day

• Items of personal nature ie. Soft/hard drinks, tips etc.

• Travel Insurance (this is a mandatory condition of booking)

• Medical evacuation in case of emergency

• Personal spending money

All itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.