DETAILS
Date: April 18th 2011
Starts/Ends: Kathmandu Nepal
Aim: Procceeds from the trek go to help raise US$50,000 for our “Water for the Villages” project.
JOIN THE TREK
Trek Cost: AUD$ 1590 per person
Price Includes: Trekking guide & Porters, return flight to Lukla, Breakfast, lunch & dinner while trekking, accommodation in teahouses while trekking, accomodation in hotels in Kathmandu, trekking permits, airport transfers and we would really love to give you a t-shirt to say you trekked to help raise money for "Water for the Villages" but we would rather give the money that would cost to the project!
Bookings close: 31st March 2011
TREK ITINERARY
18th April: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Transfer from the airport to the Hotel. Most people will be arriving on the 12:05 flight from Singapore. Other arrivals will also be accommodated anytime on this day. In the evening we will have a group meeting to go over the details of the trek. We will go out for a traditional dinner and dance program to Nepalie Chhulo. Over night at Hotel
Included: Dinner
19th April: Kathmandu Shopping and Sightseeing Day
We take a sunrise walk through the streets of Kathmandu to the famous Swyambunath, or ‘Monkey Temple’ as we like to call it. Great views of the city are afforded from here and there are loads of monkeys in the surrounding jungle to keep your camera clicking. Return back to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day is free for shopping and getting those last minute things you may have forgotten for the trek.
20th April: Lukla to Kathmandu by Flight - Trek to Phadking (2652m) Trekking Time: 2 ½ to 3 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: -280 meters
A 30 to 40 minute flight takes us into the heart of the Khumbu, Lukla. Situated at 2860meters, the name Lukla means "Place with many Goats and Sheep" a lingering tribute to the past. Nowadays Lukla is a hub of activity with the airstrip, hotels and lodges dominating the small town clinging to the hillside. After having breakfast and gearing up, head north out of town past a large Chorten with its colorful prayer flags. 40 minutes of walking sees you to Choplung; a collection of lodges at the junction of the main Khumbu trail from Jiri. Cross the Thulo Khola on a suspension bridge, admiring the view of Kumsum Kangure Peak in the background. A total trekking time of two and a half hours will bring you to Phadking, the perfect rest stop and acclimatization place.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
21st April: Phadking to Namche Bazaar (3446m) Trekking Time: 5 -6 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: +794 meters
The trail leaves Phadking behind and heads through a forest of Blue Pine and Rhododendrons to a small village called Tok Tok. The village gets its name from the sound the metal workers that live there make with their hammers. After about an hour, you enter a steep walled canyon, pass a waterfall and cross to the other bank. You then climb upwards through the vegetable farms at Chumowa. Cross another river and climb steeply through a cleft in the canyon wall. The trail then flattens and enters Sagarmatha National Park. After entering the park, the trail descends a little and crosses the Dhud Koshi on a suspension bridge. From here the trail follows up the river, at times criss crossing it until its conflux with the Bhote Koshi. Next you enter a forest of Blue Pine and climb upwards to Namche. Just before Namche, you should get your first view of Everest tucked behind the Lhotse – Nuptse ridge. Namche was once a trading centre where grain form the south was traded with salt from Tibet. Now it's a bustling center for the entire Khumbu region.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
22nd April: Acclimatization in Namche (3446m)
There is plenty to do and see in this bustling hub. Take the day to rest and adjust to the altitude. If you want to shop you can buy just about anything related to trekking here. You can also visit the National Park Museum. If you want to do a short trek, you can
head up to the crest of the ridge above Shyangboche and visit the villages of Khumjung and Kunde
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
23rd April: Namche to Tengboche (3867m) Trekking Time: 5-6 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: +447 meters
From Namche Bazaar the trail climbs eastwards to the saddle at Choi Gang. Trek high above the Dhud Koshi and through a few villages and collections of tea huts before entering a magnificent forest of Black Jupiter, Rhododendron and Pine. You have a steep descent to Phunki Thanga before the long slow climb upwards towards Tengboche. Across the valley you can see a silver Birch Forest and you may also see many Blood and Impeyan Pheasants around the area. Tengboche Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Nepal.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
24th April: Tengboche to Dingboche (4350m) Trekking Time: 5 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: +483 meters
From Tengboche descend for a visit to the Nunnery (Ani Gompa – Ani in Sherpa tongue means Auntie or Sister!). Take the lower tail from Pangboche where the Birch Trees are incased in green moss. After crossing the Imja Khola, you will see the spectacular peak of Ama Dablang looming up in front of you. Enroute, the Pangboche Gompa, the oldest of its kind in the Khumbu is worth a visit. Climb up again along the river and over bridges. Before long you are high above the summer Yak Pastures. When the trail forks, head right towards Dingboche crossing the Khumbu Khola on the way. Pheriche and Dingboche are the windiest places in the Khumbu area; here you will find a Health post and the Himalayan Rescue Association's Trekker's Aid Centre.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
25th April: Acclimatization day - Again, an acclimatization day is highly recommended here. If you are up to it, take a short hike to Chhukung valley (4730m) which is surrounded by mountains. This valley is the launching place for attempts to climb the trekking peaks Imjtse (Island Peak) and Chhukung Ri. Return back to Dingboche for an afternoon of rest.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
26th April: Dingboche to Lobuche (4930m) Trekking Time: 3 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: +580 meters
Head northwards out of Dingboche through the temporary Yaks Pasture (Yersi) to the Moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, traverse along the grassy lateral moraine towards a village called Dughla, this is about one and a half hours from Dingboche. Pass to the right of some stone memorials built in remembrance to lost climbers. The trail curves to the west and enters the simpler village of Lobuche. Though a short day, it's advisable to stay here. In the afternoon you can climb the ridge for excellent sunset views.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
27th April: Lobuche to Gorak Shep(5160m) & Everest Base Camp (5400m) Trekking Time: 6 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: +530 meters
The trail from Lobuche progresses gradually upwards alongside the Khumbu Glacier, along route you will see the black mound of Kalapattar with its frozen lake in front of Mount Pumori. Drop down to the sandy shores of this lake and progress around its north shore to Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is the starting place of the famous Everest Marathon, a foot race to Namche (for the extremist!!!). Around the area you may also see the splendid Tibetan Snow Cocks, which you can approach quite closely. After lunch, follow the trail for another two to three hours until you reach base camp. You will cross the rocky surface of the Khumbu Glacier on the way. If you are up to it, it is also possible to go to the foot of the Khumbu Ice fall, the place that marks the ascent of Everest. There are no views of Everest from the actual base camp, that's why the ascent of Kalapatter the next morning is highly recommended. It would be a shame to go all that way and not see the mountain! Return in the afternoon to Gorak Shep.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
28th April: Side trip to Kalapattar (5623m) and trek to Pheriche (4200m) Trekking Time: 6-8 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: -1200 meters
Kala (black) Pattar (rock) is a one to two hour steep climb directly upwards from Gorak Shep. The views form the top of Everest's South Face and Col are out of this world and very much worth the rocky climb. The earlier in the morning, the better….pause here
to savor the moment. After breakfast at Gorak Shep, we trek down Tuk La pass and into the river valley to Pheriche where we will stay for the night.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
29th April: Pheriche to Namche (3446m)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: -1246 meters
A long trek back down the Dhud Khunda Valley, we can stop at the bakery in Pangboche along the way for tea and cakes. Take lunch around Tengboche before the long descent to the river. A short steep climb takes us back up to the trail to Namche, where we will rest for the night. It’s almost time to let down our hair!
30th April: Namche to Lukla (2300m)
Trekking Time: 7 hours Total Altitude gain/loss: -1146 meters
It’s a long drop from Namche down to Phadking where we will have lunch. From Phadkin a steady climb takes us back to Lukla where we will arrive well in time for a hot shower and last night in the Khumbu bash with our guides and porters.
01st May: Lukla to Kathmandu
Say farewell to the Khumbu and board the small plane for an 'uplifting' take off for the 35 min flight back to Kathmandu. On landing we transfer you to the Hotel and you have the afternoon free. In the evening we will have a farewell party in Rum Doodle 44 ½ ,000 feet bar favored by summiteers of Everest.
Included: Breakfast
02nd May: End Trip |
