Trekking in Nepal - November 2007

Everest Base Camp Trek, staying in local Lodges.

Max altitude c. 5545m

We invite you to join us for a superb trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal, through the Sagarmatha National Park, all in the shadow of Everest itself.

The Plan

After our stirring arrival in Kathmandu, the journey continues with a fist-clenching flight into Lukla, arguably one of the most exciting journeys in the world, before heading up the valley to the bustling community of Namche Bazar - the Sherpa capital of Nepal.

Here we allow ourselves time to adjust to the Nepalese way of life. We acclimatise further by trekking up to Gorak Shep (5184m), where we trek to the summit of Kala Pattar (5545m), the high point of the trek. From here we have tremendous views of Everest, the Khumbu icefall, and the Western Cwm.

On then to visit the world-famous Everest base camp (5357m).

On our way back to Lukla, we will visit the delightful village of Khumjung (3780m), home of the Sherpa, and made famous (and financially assisted) by Sir Edmund Hillary. Flying out of Lukla is an exciting finale to our expedition and, returning to Kathmandu, time is set aside for resting, sightseeing and sampling of the great nightlife, food and drink that Kathmandu has to offer, before flying home.

The trek is fully supported by friendly and reliable local porters who carry your baggage each day to your overnight accommodation in comfortable local Tea Houses (lodges). All you'll carry is a light rucsac containing things you'll need on the trail. The trek is taken at an easy pace to allow you to take in the sites and sounds of this beautiful region and to acclimatise gradually to the altitude.

The trek is personally led and organised by Smiler who has a wealth of experience of trekking and climbing in Nepal. You will experience the real Nepal and meet many of the naturally friendly and welcoming Nepali people, as well as trek to the most famous base camp in the world. Group numbers are genuinely small allowing a truly flexible approach to trekking.

The places we will trek into and pass…

Sagarmatha National Park

Created on the 19th July 1976 and dedicated as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1979. Sagarmatha means "goddess of the sky" - it's the Nepalese name for Mount Everest.

Lukla

Less than two hours in the air from Kathmandu and our gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. The new runway has removed some excitement from the way in and out of this airport at 10,000feet, but it is still the most exciting plane journey in the world! The 20-seater planes bank over and at nearly 2Gs, head for a break in the clouds and suddenly, the 1 in 6 runway rises up to greet you – These local pilots feel and act like Viet. Con. vets and are as good.

Phakding

The first stage of our trek, a short 2 hour walk below Lukla, on the Dudh Kosi river

Namche Bazar

Namche Bazar is the gateway to the Solu Khumbu and the trading centre for goods coming over the high mountain passes from Tibet – lots of mountaineering goods bought and sold from expeditions here - just a great place to visit.

Thyangboche

The famous monastery built in the dark ages, burned down in the eighties, was restored and re-painted with the help of British scouts

Pheriche

The medical centre of the Solu Khumbu, with lectures and advice on acclimatisation and altitude sickness (AMS) for free

Lobuche

A brooding village just before the Everest region. Surrounded by peaks such as Lobuche East,  Lobuche West, Pokalde (and many others)

Gorak Shep

The last staging post on the trek before reaching our goal - sitting under Kala Patar  (5700metre), from here it’s under two hours to Everest Base Camp and the start of the Khumbu icefall. An early morning ascent of Kala Patar (one to one and a half hours easy walking) gives fantastic views into the Khumbu icefall and the Western Cwm, all under the gigantic South West face of Everest itself, Nuptse, Lhotse and the Lho La on the Chinese border.

The highest point in the world seems so close it could be touched!

Kathmandu

A city built in four sections (once separate cities), Bhaktaphur, Patan, Kirtipur and Kathmandu itself.

Before 1767 when a Gurka army subdued and united them, these four were considered cities in their own right and were the centres of the four Malla Kingdoms.

Bhaktaphur – The wooden city – elaborate temples and structures made out of wood
Patan (Latipur) – The metal city – buildings and structures made from metal, aluminium and tin

Kirtipur – A more peaceful outlier, famous for its temples and rich in Nepalese history

Kathmandu – The tourist Capital and renowned for being the business and financial centre of this city...

Highlights

• The airline gateway to Nepal
• Tourist city – famous for stalls and street (equipment) shops
• Durbar Square - Palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city that are essentially intact, as they have been for centuries
• The Monkey Temple - Sitting on a hill above Kathmandu, the central Stupa has Buddha eyes that look in four directions
• Alice’s Restaurant - the famous old hangout of the boys from the flower-power era  (Dillon, Guthrie, Donovan and many more)
• Tom and Jerry’s - a famous bar where every season,  the big (and small) climbing expeditions meet up to prepare for their trip, and return complete with tales from the big peaks, for their last couple of nights in Kathmandu.
• Rum Doodles, the bar at 40,000½ feet
• And much more…

Sample Itinerary for departures in November *

Days 1/2. London - Kathmandu **

Day 3. Kathmandu

Day 4. Depart Kathmandu - Lukla. Descend to Phakding (2652m)

Day 5. Phakding to Namche Bazar (3446m)

Day 6. Namche Bazar

Day 7. Namche Bazar to Tengboche (3857m)

Day 8. Tengboche to Pheriche (4252m)

Day 9. Pheriche to Lobuche (4930m)

Day 10. Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5184m)

Day 11. Early morning ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m), on to Everest base camp (5357m) and return to Gorak Shep. Descend to Lobuche

Day 12. Lobuche to Pheriche

Day 13. Pheriche to Dingboche (4343m)

Day 14. Dingboche to Tengboche (3857m)

Day 15. Tengboche to Namche Bazar (via Khumjung 3780m)

Day 16. Namche Bazar to Phakding

Day 17. Phakding to Lukla

Day 18. Depart Lukla - Kathmandu

Day 19. Kathmandu ***

Day 20. Kathmandu ***

Day 21. Depart Kathmandu - London **

* Bad weather/unforeseen delays outwith our control may result in changes to this itinerary. We hope to minimise such changes as much as possible.

** Actual departure and return dates to be determined by airline timetables.

*** Adding days on to the end of the trip allows us to be flexible in our itinerary. If everything goes to plan then these days can be spent sightseeing in Kathmandu or exploring other options that may be available at the time.