To the Base of the World’s Highest Mountain
Very few have stood on Everest’s daunting summit, yet trekking to its flanks is still an adventure of the highest sort. After a plunge into the exotic bazaars of Kathmandu, take a mountain flight to Lukla at 9,200 feet, trek through lively Sherpa villages, and take an optional hike to the 18,000-foot summit of Kala Patar. No place is more strongly associated with MTS than Nepal, since it is here that we laid the cornerstone of our passion for adventure in the late 1960s by organizing the first commercial treks in the country.
Activities
14 days strenuous hiking at high elevation (max. 18,192')
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Trek to the foot of Everest, the highest mountain in the world–an indescribable thrill and, for many, the realization of a lifetime dream
- Feast your eyes on a panoply of awesome Himalayan peaks
- Challenging hikes to Kala Patar and Everest Base Camps
- Explore Sherpa villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries
- Sleep in new, comfortable lodges more than half of the nights on trek
2010 Prices
$3,895 (8-12 members)
$4,195 (4-7 members)
$240 internal airfare
Duration: 19 days Start Location: Kathmandu End Location: Kathmandu Best time to go: April - May, October - November
Itinerary
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Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Day 2 : Tour nearby Bhaktapur, including Durbar Square, wit...
Tour nearby Bhaktapur, including Durbar Square, with its many temples, ancient palace remains, and intricate Sun Dhoka ("Golden Gate").
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Day 3 : Fly to Lukla (9,200'), meet the Sherpa porters and ...
Fly to Lukla (9,200'), meet the Sherpa porters and camp crew, and trek to Phakding (8,875').
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Day 4 : Trek up the steep "Namche Hill" to the Sherpa marke...
Trek up the steep "Namche Hill" to the Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar (11,270'), the unofficial capital of the Khumbu.
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Day 5 : Rest Day in Namche Bazaar
We take a rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization.
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Days 6 - 7 : Visit the beautiful monastery at Thame and Khumjung... / Khumjung
Visit the beautiful monastery at Thame and Khumjung village. We'll stay in Sherpa-owned lodges the next few nights.
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Day 8 : Trek to Tengboche Monastery (12,680') with its spec...
Trek to Tengboche Monastery (12,680') with its spectacular views of Ama Dablam and Everest.
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Days 9 - 10 : Optional hike to Nangkartsang Peak (16,672'), takin... / Dingboche
Optional hike to Nangkartsang Peak (16,672'), taking it slow and steady, with stunning views of Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu (3 of the 6 highest peaks in the world!). Continue to Dingboche.
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Day 11 : Trek to Gorak Shep (17,000'), from where you can hi...
Trek to Gorak Shep (17,000'), from where you can hike up Kala Patar (18,192') for views of Everest and, weather permitting, to Everest Base Camp, with its views of the notorious Khumbu Icefall and its 50-foot-tall seracs.
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Days 12 - 13 : Gorak Shep / Everest Base Camp – Lobuje
Everest up close and personal.
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Days 14 - 16 : Return trek to Lukla via Pangboche. / Namche Bazaar / Return to Lukla
Return trek to Lukla via Pangboche.
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Day 17 : Fly to Kathmandu.
Fly to Kathmandu.
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Day 18 : Morning tour of Kathmandu. Afternoon free to relax ...
Morning tour of Kathmandu. Afternoon free to relax or shop for souvenirs.
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Day 19 : Fly Home
Transfer to airport. Leave Kathmandu on homeward-bound flights.
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Yak & Yeti Hotel
Kathmandu, NepalA 5-star deluxe oasis in the heart of Kathmandu, the Yak & Yeti is the perfect blend of contemporary international standards and time-honored Nepali tradition. Guests will find refuge among antique fountains, gilded temples and emerald gardens, while enjoying a state-of-the-art gymnasium, spa, shopping arcade, atrium, tennis courts and swimming pools.
Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
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Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa was born in Namche Bazaar to a mountaineering family. (His father was a climbing Sherpa and went to the South Col on several expeditions, including the 1963 American Everest expedition.) After completing his education, Lhakpa tried mountaineering on Kanchenjunga (the world’s third highest peak), but decided that he prefers trekking and now limits his climbing to trekking peaks like Mount Mera. Lhakpa has a deep interest in environmental issues and has been associated with Mountain Travel Sobek since 1983, first as sirdar and now as a trekking guide. He speaks Nepali, Sherpa, and Tibetan as well as English.
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Sergio Fitch-Watkins A native of Mexico is Mountain Travel Sobek's senior climbing guide, with over 20 years of experience (his climbing resume is eight pages long—the short version, that is). Besides leading our climbing expeditions in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina’s Aconcagua, he also loves to lead some of our more challenging treks in Nepal and Peru. Having led more than 100 trips for Mountain Travel Sobek, Sergio has acquired a considerable, loyal following!
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Pranoy Rai Pranoy Rai was born in Nepal, studied in Darjeeling, India, and is a travel enthusiast who has always been keen on adventure. Working as a trekking leader since 1999, he has an enormous experience in the field, having led numerous treks and tours to Nepal, Tibet and India. Pranoy successfully completed his basic mountaineering course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling with grade 'A' certificate. He has been trained in wilderness medicine by Dr. Jim Duff, an expert in wilderness first aid and co-author of “First Aid and Survival in Mountain and Remote Areas.” In addition to being fluent in English, Nepali, and Hindi, he speaks basic Tibetan and Chinese. Pranoy is very keen on birds, plants, and flowers, and has acquired a very good knowledge in them that he looks forward to sharing with you on trek.
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Sanjeev Chhetri Sanjeev Chhetri is a graduate of Delhi University, India, and has been leading treks in Nepal, Tibet, India and the Alps since 1990. He is an avid bird-watcher and very well traveled, with time spent in India, Tibet, China, England, Ireland, France, Thailand, USA and Switzerland. He lives with wife and son in Kathmandu. Sanjeev is very knowledgeable of the cultures, religions, and traditions of the countries he leads trek for and enjoys sharing his experiences with you.
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