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Tour
code: NBC
The
first 8,000m/26,000ft summit ever climbed was "Annapurna 1"
on June 3, 1950 by the French mountaineers Hertzog and Lachenal.
On May 29, l953, the huge bulk of Everest finally succumbed
after a period of intense exploration and dramatic attempts.
Led by Sir John Hunt, this expedition, establishing the now
famous Base Camp on the south side, finally put on the summit both
Edmund Hilary of New Zealand, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay of the Khumbu,
a mountain guide of iron determination. Since
the first attempt in 1921 by British mountaineers, thousands of
climbers and Sherpas have laboured to reach its remote heights - many
having died in the struggle and many having stood for a short period
as the highest persons on Earth.
Everest
remains a mountain of mystique and challenge which over the years has
attracted numerous other ascents of international standing, such as
Bonnington's finally successful South West Face Expeditions, and
Messner and Haebler's impressive first oxygen-free ascent.
And although the highest mountain in the world has been soloed,
skied down, traversed, ballooned over and paraponted from, it still
has a savage, unyielding reputation - a place where men and women go
to challenge themselves. Grade This
trek is graded B/C. Some days on this tour are quite tough. You will either do
Everest Base Camp OR Kala Pattar not both options. You will decide as
a group along with the group progress and the leaders decision will be
final. The
early stages though are less strenuous than its high points
mid-trek, hopefully giving us time to climatise.
As with all High Mountain walks physical fitness is essential
and previous walking experience is very important.
Whilst it can be quite warm during the day, it can also be very
cold at night - subzero temperatures at higher altitudes are normal.
Allowance has been made for altitude conditioning but, also as
on any high mountain trek, there is no guarantee you will acclimatise
according to plan. Should you experience serious effects of altitude
you will have to descend to a lower elevation until recovery.
In the interests of your safety and the wellbeing of the group
the Trek Leader’s decision on this will be final. Climate The
weather can never be totally predictable in the mountains, but we
expect clear and settled conditions during the months of our treks.
Temperatures at night and in the early morning may be below freezing
point, but typical daytime trekking temperatures are pleasant. Outline
Itinerary The
following itinerary is intended as a working guide only and is subject
to variation as a result of local conditions, weather and government
restrictions. We reserve the right to
alter (lengthen or shorten) the trek at any time if necessary. 1000m
= 3281ft. 1km = .62 miles This
trek involves internal air travel within Nepal.
You should be aware that delays can occur on these flights
because of bad weather, and because, well, it is Nepal! q
Day
1: Depart London. q
Day
2: Arrive Kathmandu 1330m.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. q
Day
3:
Half-day sight seeing (private bus) sightseeing tour around
Kathmandu with its many temples and pagodas q
Day
4:Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakdingma, 3hours 2652m. Early
in the morning we transfer to the Domestic Airport to board our
flight. This sometimes involves a period of waiting around, so
remember to pack a book in your daypack! Once up and away, our
destination on this breathtaking flight is the Sherpa village of Lukla,
perched above the Dudh Kosi (River of Milk, so named because of its
pale colour from glacier melt). Years ago, Lukla was a herding pasture
(its name means “Place for Sheep”), but it is now the gateway to
the Everest region and hundreds of trekkers pass through this
prosperous village. Commence to Phakdingma (3 hrs, 2652m). You
will immediately notice the difference between the Nepalis of
Kathmandu and the local Sherpa people who migrated from Tibet 500
years ago. Their dress is very similar to that of the Tibetans and
their language is closely related, although not easily understood by
modern-day true Tibetans. You will notice Mani walls on the trail,
made up of hundreds of carved stone tablets and giant carved boulders,
brilliantly decorated with brightly coloured paints. Buddhists hold
these sacred and always seek to gain merit in their next life by
praying as they go past. As a sign of respect for local beliefs,
please always pass these clockwise.. q
Day 5:
To Namche Bazaar . 6 hours, 3446m.
After your first night’s lodge at Phakdingma, the trail
follows the river through stands of pine and oak as far as Jorsale,
where it starts to rise and rhododendron, magnolia and giant fir trees
predominate. Here we start up the famous Namche Hill, your first big
climb where a slow, steady pace is essential.
This is an excellent place to learn from the masters - the
porters. Their ability to climb such hills with enormous loads is done
through technique, and following them allows you to learn the rhythm
that makes such hills seem almost effortless. At
the top is Namche Bazaar, stone built houses in terraces up the
hillside. A delightful
village for the visitor, it is also an important workaday trading
centre for the locals. q
Day 6:
In Namche Bazaar:
A rest and acclimatisation day is spent here allowing time for
sightseeing, side tours or just relaxing in the sun! q
Day
7: Trek to Thyangboche
4 hours, 3867m.
Leaving Namche, and gaining height along the valley above it, the
mountain views start to open out and get even better as we approach
the holy ground of Thyangboche and its world famous Gompa (Monastery)
where the Rimpoche resides. (Lama reincarnate)
Traditionally expeditions to the high mountains receive their
blessing from the High Lama, but from a trekkers' point of view,
Thyangboche is the place where one of the best mountain panoramas can
be found: Kwangde, Tawoche, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtega, AmaDablam and
Everest loom above. The walk up the ridge behind the Gompa is
definitely worth the small effort required!. q
Day
8: Trek to Dingboche 5 hours 4343m.
Carrying on from Thyangboche, we pass through Pangboche and
then there is Chumjung where the Gompa holds the famous Yeti scalp,
viewable for a small donation (which happily goes to the upkeep of the
Gompa). From here on we leave the tree line for high altitude country
where agriculture is only barely possible and the lives of the local
Sherpas are spartan by any standard.From Orsho we walk on to Dingboche,
a picturesque village just under AmaDablam.
Much of the walking in this area is comparatively gentle
gradients, although we proceed at a leisurely pace due to the
altitude. The temperatures drops dramatically and winter daytime
temperatures can be around 15C so warm clothing becomes essential in
your daypack. q
Day
9: At Dingboche:
we have an acclimatisation day here either to recuperate or, for the
more energetic, an excursion to the rocky peaks just above the village
for again magnificent views - Makalu, Island Peak (goal of many
amateur mountaineers and Alpinists) and Lhotse, whilst AmaDablam,
being nearer, seemingly towers above them all. q
Day
10: In Dingboche.
Continued acclimatization. q
Day
11: Trek to Lobuche 4
hours, 4930m.
After Dhugla comes Lobuche, often reached after walking past
frozen rivers where stone houses sit in an icy wilderness of stunning
beauty with views of the Khumbu icefall, Pumori and many small peaks
being visible from ridge tops on the track. q
Day
12: A day excursion to
either Everest Base 5400m Camp or ascend KalaPattar 5545m:
7-9 hrs. you will either venture out to Kala Pattar, which, at
5,545m/18,192ft gives stunning views of Everest and the surrounding
area and is perhaps the high point of your spectacular journey
in every sense of the word. OR depending on group decision going to
Everest Base Camp. q
Day
13: to Pangboche 6 hrs,
3901m. q
Days
14/16: Finally,
the next three days are spent retracing our steps to Lukla.
The continually descending terrain and loss of altitude enables
us to do this surprisingly quickly. q
Day
14: To Khumjung 6hrs,
3796m. q
Day
15: To Monzo 6hrs, 2835m. q
Day
16: To Lukla 6
hours, 2837m. Your last evening in this spectacular area is
spent in this wonderful village and a party at the Paradise Lodge is
not unknown!. q
Day
17: Early
morning sees you taking off from the short and steep Lukla airstrip
and having the pleasure of the spectacular mountain flight back to
Kathmandu where we will be met at the Domestic Airport terminal and
transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. q
Days
18: Free in
Kathmandu to shop, try out the restaurants in Thamel, and continue
your explorations of this fascinating city. Also surely an absolute
"must" are the outlying towns of the Kathmandu valley,
Baktapor and Patan, with their exotic temples, streets and squares. q
Day
19: Departure
day: You will be transferred to the International Airport for your
flight home Each
day may vary from this schedule as walking times differ with every
group, some taking longer and others takes less, plus trails and lodge
conditions need to be taken into account. The guide in charge of your
trek will alter the schedule if necessary. Equipment
& Clothing A
detailed list of recommended clothing and equipment will be sent with
confirmation of booking. Included *
Flights from the UK are
included in the full package price and their prices depend upon
the date and the carrier. We may use return flights London
Heathrow/Kathmandu using the scheduled services of Qatar. *
Accommodation at a good standard of hotel in Kathmandu on twin
share B&B or the
nights listed in the itinerary. *
All internal transport by
private bus, flight to and from Lukla. *
Entrance fees into any Monasteries.
*
Use of trek pack (duvet jacket, poncho, sleeping bag and mat, and a
duffle bag). *
All meals on trek stying in Lodges. *
All airport transfers. *
Group leader, Tour Escort with a comprehensive medical kit including
portable oxygen supply.
The
Trekking Day Health
Matters A
full medical kit accompanies the trek, but we recommend that people
carry their own small personal first aid kit. A suggested list of
contents will be included in the pre-departure information, as well as
more general information on health matters. Documents A
visa is required for Nepal, and you must have a full, valid passport
valid for
at least six months from
the date of your departure from
Nepal. Visas for Nepal if applying directly
with the Nepal Embassy will cost £20 for a single entry. For those
who wish to use our visa service where our courier company will handle
your passports personally, the cost will be £45 (which includes the
£20 visa cost). Trekking
permits are required, but these are organised by us in Kathmandu. Single
Supplement Is
not available on trek. However we can organise a single room while in
Kathmandu. Books
& Maps For
information on the sights of the Kathmandu valley, its history and
culture, we suggest Kathmandu
and the Kingdom of Nepal pub. Lonely Planet travel guides.
A good general guidebook (although without so many hints) is
the Insight Guides series Nepal.
There are many books on Trekking
in Nepal. Perhaps the most well known are those by Stephen
Bezruchka, or Stan Armitage. A
usefully realistic account of what happens on trek is found in Mike
Harding's Footloose in the
Himalayas and up to date l997 is Andrew Stevenson's Annapurna
Circuit: A Himalayan Journey. There
are accounts of the most important great expeditions such as John Hunt
The Ascent of Everest. Reinhold
Messner The Crystal Horizon.
A
trekking map is issued to you at your trek briefing in Kathmandu. A
Bit about your Lodges We
will use family-run lodges, so clients have a unique opportunity to
mix with local people. It will be dormitory style of 4,3,2 bed rooms.
The toilets are normally outside. The lodges are comfortable and warm
- so it makes good sense to use their facilities. Dates Fri
17th Sept – Tues 05th Oct 2004 Nepal: Everest
Base Camp 
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