Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar Trek

Nepal Trekking

Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar Trek

Grade 4 maximum altitude 5550m

The Solu Khumbu, fascinating and justifiably famous not only for its proximity to the worlds highest mountain, but also for its Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries. This slow paced exploration allows us the benefits of the grandeur of Khumbu peaks and time to mix with Sherpas.

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 overnight stops are at the discretion of the Group Leader and the itinerary below must be seen only as a guide.

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, 1330m
Day 2 Kathmandu

Day 3   Fly to Lukla, 2840m trek to Phakding, 2610m
Day 4   Namche Bazar ,3440m
Day 5   Rest in Namche Bazaar, 3440m
Day 6   Thyangboche, 3860m
Day 7   Dingboche, 4300m
Day 8   Rest, excursion in Dingboche
Day 9   Dugla, 4620m
Day 10 Lobuche, 4910m
Day 11 GorakShep, 5140 - Kala Patthar, 5550 - GS
Day 12 Gorak Shep- Base Camp, 5365m – Gorak
Day 13 Pheriche, 4270m
Day 14 Deboche, 3710m
Day 15 Khumjung, 3780m
Day 16 Phakding, 2610m
Day 17 Lukla, 2840m
Day 18 Fly to Kathmandu,1330m
Day 19 Kathmandu
Day 20 Kathmandu
Day 21 Depart Kathmandu.

THE TREK

The trail leads off the end of the Lukla airstrip and ascends to join the main trail to Namche Bazaar meandering in an out of many valleys as it climbs gradually up, following the Dudh Khosi to its junction with the Bhote Khosi and on up the steep ridge, our first glimpse of the world's highest peak - Everest, flanked by Lhotse and the Nuptse ridge, Himalayan giants in their own right, before we arrive at the Sherpa 'capital' of Namche Bazaar at 3440m. We have a rest day here for acclimatization and to allow you time to explore this very traditional Sherpa village. There are a number of side trips which can be done out of Nanche on this day and your Leader or Guide will arrange this if you are interested. A walk up to the Sagmartha NP Hq. is strongly recommended, as it offers well displayed information on the history and culture of the Everest region as well as spectacular views of the Everest massif. If you wish, you may simply relax and enjoy the 'luxuries' of Namche - cold beer, chocolates hot cinnamon rolls etc. You will probably want to stock up here for the next stage of the trek, as above Namche there is little to buy.

After Namche we head onto Thyangboche, a tiny village at 3860m. Which is the site of the famous monastery and Sherpa Cultural Center with the classic and gigantic Mt. Ama Dablam standing sentinel to the valley below. On the trail up to Thyangboche keep your eyes open, as you may be lucky enough to catch sight of a musk deer or the Himalayan pheasant, Nepal's national bird.

On from Thyangboche, by about half a day's walk is Pangboche, where on show in one of the local gompas is the so-called Yeti scalp. The local monk will probably ask for a donation before showing you the scalp but remember that this is one of their few opportunities to get much needed funds to maintain the monastery.

Here we are really in the heart of the high, vast terrain that surround Everest and the other peaks of the region. There is little agriculture and the lives of the Sherpa people are spartan by any standards. From Orsha we walk to Dingboche - a village of stone houses, just beneath the most difficult to climb north face of Ama Dablam. Temperatures drop dramatically in this area, in winter, daytime temperatures are around 15 degrees C and can drop to as low as -15 degrees or even lower at night. Although autumn and spring are somewhat warmer, one should be prepared and have adequate warm clothing, so make sure you carry your down jacket in your day pack. Even though much of the walking in this area has a comparatively gentle gradient, we are now into higher altitudes and walking days are relatively short to allow safe acclimatization.

From Dingboche 4300m we proceed, via Dughla, to Lobuche 4930m. This is just a couple of stone houses in an icy, yet spectacular wilderness. In winter, some of this day's walking will be beside and across a frozen river, the Khumbu Khola, which we follow up to Lobuche. From the top of a ridge behind Lobuche is a breathtaking view of the Khumbu Icefall, Pumore and many other peaks. From Lobuche we will attempt to reach the top of Kala Pathar, boasting astounding views - Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and countless lesser-known peaks, the Khumbu Icefall and to the north, Tibet!

It is important that if you show signs of altitude sickness you MUST inform your Sirdar or Guide immediately. Chances are that you will have no problems reaching 4000m but after that point walking will become increasingly difficult and if you show signs of acute mountain sickness it is essential that you descend immediately.

The last days of the trek involve a leisurely walk back down to Namche retracing our previous approach trail to Everest. Then it is back to Lukla and the spectacular flight back to Kathmandu. However, please bear in mind that it is not uncommon for flights to be delayed due to weather or unavailability of aircraft.

KATHMANDU VALLEY

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 artifacts. Singh Durbar, an imposing stucco palace built in neo classical style as residence of the erstwhile Rana prime ministers now actts as State secretariat.

Patan, 5 kilometers 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 kilometers 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 kilometers west of Kathmandu, situated on a hillock, this 2000 years old stupa is the world’s 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 kilometers 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 kilometers 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.