“Amidst the world’s highest peak, valleys & villages”

Highlights:                          rich Buddhist culture, warm-friendly locals, traditional village, land of worlds heritage, high alpine
                                              valleys in the shade of the mighty ‘Mt.Everest’.

Introduction:
The trek to the Everest Base Camp has been dubbed as one of the best holidays of the world. We begin our trek in Lukla that serves as a gateway to this region and make our way across suspension bridges along the high ridges of the Khumbu region to Namche Bazar, a vibrant settlement set on ridge shaped like an amphitheatre. From here you have extraordinary views of the snow covered peaks. As you make your way higher up and make your way to the top of the ridge that looms over Namche you are blessed with great views of the highest peaks in the world. We continue towards Tengboche the religious heartland of this region. The beautiful Tengboche Monastery set against the backdrop of Thamserku and Amadablam is a sight that will haunt you forever.

We march further to the heart of the Everest region towards Everet Base Camp and Kala Patthar. The viewpoint of Kalapatter at 5545m offer astounding views of Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse and a host of other peaks. We retrace our way back along the Dudh Kosi to Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu.1,300m via respective airlines.O/N Hotel
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and will escort you to the Hotel, where one of our leader or a Sherpa guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trek/Camping, do’s and don’t and other related information that you might require while in Nepal. Our Tour Officer will ask for your Interantional flight ticket and your passport for safe keeping and for reconfiramtion of your out bound flight from Kathmandu to your next port of arrival. Do not hesitate to do this, this is one of our routine service and it will be in the safe hand while you are on the trek, and after the trek you will get it back.


Day 02: A day in Kathmandu. O/N Hotel
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. Sometime, depending upon your flight arrival if its late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of morning to give you a nice sleep and rest before you venture out of the Hotel for our interesting tour.


Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla & trek to Phakding. O/N Camp
Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from the Hotel to domestic Airport a short drive of 20-30 minutes, after the necessary security formalities (keep your pen-knife-lighter-matches and other sharp cutting items including scissors and other knife in the bigger baggage not in hand bags) board in the smaller twin otter or similar plane for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla, on arrival you will be received by our trekking guides. In Lukla you will have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the load baggage on the Ghopkyo (mix breed of Yak & normal cow, as the Yak cannot survive below 3000m) some loads are carried by porters. The walk from Lukla is gradual and most of the way, with few ups from Tarhe khola, where you can have a superb view of Kusum-Kangru 6,369m crossing a short suspension bridge, from here after a short  climb brings us to the Ghat village, another 11/2hr of gradual walk brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop near the bank of the Dudh-Kosi river.


Day 04: Namche Bazaar 3,440m. Approx. 5-6 hrs. O/N Camp
From Phakding after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill and recrossing the same river again, with magnificient view of Thermasarkhu 6,608m,from the village of Benkar, cross the long suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river, after the bridge on this busy trail of trekkers and Ghopkyo and porters, finally we arrive at a small village of Monjo after the last 20minutes climb from the stream, where you can see interesting water-mill grinding roasted corns and barley for Tsampa, one of  the staple food of the Sherpas, Tibetans and other mountain people. Monjo is situated below the magnificient peak of Thermasharkhu and near the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. After few minutes walk from Monjo, comes to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking permit especially the park ticket is checked and keeps the record of all trekkers going to and from this place including the local trekking staff as well, if you have a video camera please let them check, for a normal home video camera is free to carry and shoot inside the park, but for bigger commercial camera a fee of US$1000 is charged. From here a short descend and a gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river, after the bridge Jorsalle village is reached, the last village and the only place to shop till Namche Bazaar is reached, after a short walk, a second bridge is reached over the same river, the walk is pleasant on the river bed till the last bridge over the Imjatse river is reached, from here the walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak and it other sister peaks towards east, with Kusum kangru on the back as you climb higher, view of Mt.Everest- Nuptse wall, Lhotse and the closer view of Taweche peak can be seen all the way up to Thop Danda, where there’s a resting stone wall for the porters and trekkers few years ago a teahouse existed here, from here another 1-2 hour walk up brings us to the famed most talked about place Namche Bazaar, the colourful houses are situated in an amphitheatre U shaped bowl.


Day 05: Rest Day at Namche Bazaar. O/N Camp
Suggested activities a short walk uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter, a magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with breathtaking view of the surrounding snow capped giants and the valleys way down, with an interesting museum with all kinds of information regarding the history of the Himalayas, geographic, culture, mountaineering history and existing information on flora and fauna of this region. Afternoon at leisure.


Day 06: Trek to Thyangboche 3,867m.Approx 5 hours. O/N Camp
The walk is fairly easy for the first half, after a 20 minutes climb to the top ridge of  Namche Bazaar. Once at the top near the park muesuem the walk follows on the gradual trail with few short up and downs overlooking magnificient view of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thermasharkhu and Kwangde-ri peak after a pleasant walk of two hours  coming to a small place at Shanasa, on this area there is more chances of seeing the beautiful colourful Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant) national bird of Nepal and the elusive musk deer, and sometime even herd of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat like large antelope) from Shanasa with short up and downhill, the trial descend to Imjatse river at Phungitenga 3,250m, a small settlement with couple of teahouses and a small Royal Nepalese Army barrack serving as park wardens in the midst of the alpine woods of mostly silver fir blue pines, rhododendron and some few magnolia and birch trees. At Phungitenga there’s an interesting prayer wheels propelled by water, from the nearby streams, the walk from here is strenuous for an hour on the winding trail through the shade of woods till a small religious monument of prayer stones covered with rhododendron leaves and junipers is reached. From here the walk is gradual uphill for another hour, with great view of the close peaks of Thermasarkhu and Kantenga, Kantenga from this angle looks more like an icy Sphinx or a big cat on a sitting position, just before the great spot of Thyangboche you will be assured by a religious Buddhist entrance gate, that the walk is over for the day as you approach and admire this great religious symbol with relief. Thyangboche one of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery or Ghompa, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam with Everest looming above the Nuptse wall in the north with Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards north east and more peaks all around you.


Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,358m.Approx. 5-6 hour. O/N Camp
After a wonderful time at Thyangboche, the trail descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron and coming to lovely spot at Deboche 3,650 m with magnificent view of Mt.Ama Dablam, Mt.Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse, from Deboche walking past the long prayer mani wall, the path is gradual till you reach a small bridge over the narrow gorge of Imja-Tse river. From here the walk is gradual uphill most of the way, as you come to a large mani wall gate, a little farther from here the route diverts into two ways, the upper one going to the upper Pangboche village, where the old Monastery is located, the gradual low route is the straight forward main trail to Dingboche Pheriche and beyond. It will be better to go the upper trail, for more view and to visit the upper Pangboche village 3,900m and its Monastery, which had a Yeti scalp, and a skeleton believed to be Yeti’s hand, it was stolen in the early ‘90’s, and has never recovered back again, like the monastery in Khumjung this Monastery is belived to be older, after the visit to the Monastery a gradual walk downhill brings you back to the main trail, with a short climb to Shomare for lunch a small settlement with fantastic close-up view of Ama-Dablam, from here Kantenga peak looks different from its northern face. After a pleasant break here our journey continues gradually towards east, after an hour walk, before a small wooden bridge the road splits into two ways, the north going to Pheriche and our trail leading towards east beneath towering north face of Ama Dablam, from here onwards AmaDablam looks completely different, from the bridge the trails climbs slowly winding above the Imjatse river, till we come to a big mani Stupa, from here onwards the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of AmaDablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with view of the eastern snow capped mountains including the Island peak or Imjatse 6,189m, which is a popular peak amongst all the trekking peaks in Nepal. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of field enclosed by stone  walls, protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Dingboche has about more than ten teahouses and it is also the gateway to Chukung and farther beyond for the most challenging traverses towards Makalu area and Hinko Valley via Sherpani col 6,100m and Amphu Labtsa 5,780m.


Day 08: Rest Day at Dingboche. O/ N Camp
An optional day for a hike, at Dingboche there are places where one go for a short walk. Trek to Chukung 4,730m.is worth while which takes approx. 3-4 hours from Dingboche, towards east within the Imjatse Valley, although the trek is gradual, however you can feel the thin air as the altitude gains slowly coming towards Chukung. At Chukung, there are about five teahouses overlooking superb view of the snow capped peaks and glaciers of Lhotse, Ama-Dablam and Imja glacier, Chukung the last settlement in eastern Khumbu.


Day 09: Trek to Loboche 4,928m via Dugla 4,595m. Approx. 5 hours. O/N Camp
From Dingboche the trail diverts towards  north, the path is gradual up for about 40 -50 minutes as you come to a mani-prayer Stupa, from here the trail is gentle on the hard meadow looking down below Pheriche village, today’s walk offers beautiful view of the Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north Pokalde 5,741m, Kongma-tse 5,820m and the great wall of Nuptse. After a pleasant walk of 1 1/2 to 2 hours the trail from Pheriche joins near Thugla, before a small wooden bridge over the torrent river of Khumbu glacier. Thugla, the only place with teahouses before Loboche. From Thugla, an hour steep up brings you to the top, where you can view Mt.Pumori and other peaks west of Everest, the spot here is good place for a few minutes break after the strenuous climb, close to this spot you can also see a number of memorial of the unfortunate climbers, who died in expeditions around the mountain of this region, From here another 1 1/2 to 2 hours of gradual ascend brings you to Loboche, Loboche comes as a surprise, as its situated in the corner well hidden and sheltered from the wind. Loboche has about 5-6 Teahouses.


Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep 5,288m & Kalapathar 5,545m. O/N Camp
Today is the day for your final destination of  this adventurous journey at the foot of number one, the first hour walk is gradual up the valley at the end of the grassy field, a short 20 minutes climb, the walk from here follows the rocky moraine path, as you walk you can see the icy-glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes a short downhill walk bring you to Gorakshep on the flat field below Kalapatthar 5,545m and Mt.Pumori 7,145m. Gorakshep has two teahouses, and it used to be a base camp in the early 50’s expedition to Mt.Everest. After a break here at Gorakshep continue towards Kalapatthar, a few minutes of easy walk on the sandy field, then a steep climb for 45 minutes brings you to the near level field, the walk from here is gradual till you reach the rocky spot after an hour, from here another steep climb to the top for another 1/2 hour. After reaching the top, you will feel glad as you achieve the moment that you been dreaming, since the beginning of the journey. Top of Kalapatthar is a small rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Mt.Pumori, the view from here is beyond imagination as the Everest looks within a stone throw distance, between the summit of Nuptse and Lho-la and Lhotse on the back, the panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish, and you feel its worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world, with all the higher snow capped giants that dominates all around, it is truly a magnificent spot to be here on a clear sunny day to view an array of mountains up to the far horizon, to the south Khumbu glacier sweeps below you, and you can also see the Everest Base camp down below on the moraine of Khumbu glacier, when the expedition season is active. Afternoon can be very windy here, after a great moment with the panoramic view we descend for the overnight at Gorakshep.


Day 11: Trek to Everest Base Camp 5,357m. Approx. 5-6 hrs. O/N Camp
The final day of this great adventure, continues towards Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Ice-fall, the path from here can be misleading, follow the lead Sherpa, every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier, the walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. Everest Base Camp is lively with commotion during the high expedition season. On reaching at the foot of numero uno, a great view of the Khumbu icefall awaits you. After a grand time here retrace the journey back to Loboche for the overnight.


Day 12: Trek to Pangboche 3,900m. Approx. 5 hrs. O/N Camp
The walk today will be easy heading downhill to a lower elevation, from Loboche the walk is same all the way to Thugla. After the bridge our route descends following the stream towards Pheriche valley, after 40 minutes of downhill the walk gets better as reach the valley floor, an hour of easy good walk brings you at Pheriche 4,243m. After a break here, a short walk brings you to the bridge from the bridge it is nearly downhill all the way with few ups in between to Pangboche.


Day 13: Trek to Khumjung 3,800m. Approx. 6 hrs. O/N Camp
Retrace the journey back to Shanasha, from Shanasha where the trail from Khumjung, Gokyo and to Namche meets. From here our route follows away from the main busy path, the walk winds up all the way to Khumjung-Khunde Valley. Khumjung unlike Namche is a sleepy farm village with the only monastery belived to be scalp from the yeti.


Day 14: Trek to Monjo. Approx. 4-5 hours walk. O/N Camp
An easy day downhill walk today, from Khumjung half an hour walk brings you to its sister village at Khunde, where you can visit the only hospital in the whole of Khumbu area, built by Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. After a visit at the Khunde hospital the trail leads south passing thorough the Sherpa’s house and farm fields and coming to the long mani prayer wall. A short uphill climb from here brings to the top ridge of Syangboche air strip. From this spot its a big descend to the Dudh Koshi river bed. As the walk progress on this steep downhill bit from Syangboche onwards, an aerial view of Namche Bazaar is seen from this downhill slope walk, on reaching Namche Bazaar retrace the journey all the way to Monjo for the overnight camp Monjo located, just near after the Sagarmatha National Park entrance and exit.


Day 15: Trek to Lukla. 5 hrs walk. O/N Camp
Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walk to Lukla, you can walk at at your own best pace, leisurely and enjoying the lush green scenary around. Apart from few short uphill the only long climb will be just before Lukla which will take approximatley 45 minutes from a place called Choplung or from the old big oak tree. On reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members.


Day 16: Fly Lukla-Kathmandu. O/N Hotel
The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. As we get hold of the boarding pass depending upon our flight time we make our way to the terminal for security check, this scenic flight from Lukla takes about 45 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from window of the plane. Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, one of our Tour Officer will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel.


Day 17: Free day at leisure. O/N Camp
A free day in Kathmandu, please let our staff or tour officer know if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight or hot air ballooning.


Day 18: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our Tour Officer will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.

PRACTICALITIES
Your Trekking Day
We will walk about 4 to 7 hours every day, depending on trails and altitude with some rest and acclimatization periods. The daily routine begins at around 6 a.m. with bed tea and washing water brought to your tent. Please get packed promptly so that the Sherpas can start taking down the tents while we are having breakfast. Take your day pack with you to breakfast. The morning walk will be about 3 hours and there is no need to hurry. The lunch stop lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and is a good time to do your laundry and write your diary etc. Then walk for another 2 to 3 hours to our evening camp. Tea and biscuits await you and a few hours later dinner and evening reading, cards, drinking, etc.

Health Consideration
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. The area you are traveling through is safe and is not affected by any kind of health hazard. There are no statutory requirements unless you are arriving from an area designated as infected by cholera or yellow fever. We recommend vaccinations against polio, typhoid, tetanus, and hepatitis A. Please consult your doctor or vaccination centre for upto-date information.
Though malaria is not endemic in the Kathmandu valley and mountain and hilly region, it is advisable to take malaria prophylaxis if you are passing though India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. A combination of Paludrine (Proguanil) and Chloroquine are recommended for this part of South Asia.  Sleeping tablets are very dangerous at high altitude as it depresses your respiratory system.

Visa Requirement
Visa can be obtained from Royal Nepalese Embassy and Consulates abroad as well as at Tribhuvan International Airport on arrival. But Chinese nationals have to obtain visa prior leaving their country. Visa Fee for single entry is US$ 30 which is valid for 60 days. Multiple visa can be obtained paying US$ 80 which is valid for 180 days in a year. Visa is free for the nationals of SAARC nations and those tourists who come to Nepal second time in same year.

Tipping & Tax
Tipping though not compulsory is widely prevalent in Nepal. 10 percent VAT and 2.2 percent Tourist Service Fee are usually included in your bill. Waiters, Bell boys and room maids would be happy to receive tips. Don’t give tips to Taxi drivers.

Money Requirements for the Trek
Take about Rs. 10000 to Rs. 15,000 or more if you intend to buy lot souvenirs or drink beer. The money you take on trek needs to be in fairly small denominations because many of the village shops will not have large amounts of change. You should take one, two, five, ten, twenty, twenty five, fifty and one hundred rupees notes. Give Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 for tips at the end of the trek to trek leaders to divide equally among them.

Photography
Photographing mountain landscapes is one thing, photographing people quite another, especially if those people are foreign and poor. Don’t click the shutter right away, ask their permission first for photographs. If you could send them back the copies of photographs you have taken, do it but don’t make false promises as it will disappoint them.

Airport Tax
Foreign nationals departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs.1356.00 if going to SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and Rs. 1695.00 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs.170.00 for all nationals.

Flight Information
Royal Nepal Airlines, Thai Airways, Indian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Gulf Airways and Druk Air, Biman Bangladesh, Air China, China Southern Airline, Jet Airways, Sahara Sir, Eithad Air, GMG Airlines, Air Arabia, Orient Thai, Dragon Air, Silk Air are major airlines that operate in Nepal sector. These airlines have direct connection with many major cities of Europe and Asia. Classic Nepal Travels- a sister concern of Nepal can book your tickets from Kathmandu itself you wish so.

Accommodation
It all depends on the client’s requirement. However, we patronize Shankar Hotel, Hotel Marshyangdi and Kathmandu Guest House in Kathmandu for our clients as these hotels are conveniently located at the centre of the popular Thamel and Lazimpat district.  Outside Kathmandu, clients are made to stay in hotels, teahouse and camp.

Insurance
Before you taking up a vacation you must insure your trip. Your policy should mention that trekking is involved & the Insurance Scheme designed specifically with the needs of the adventure traveler in mind.  In addition to the normal provisions within any travel insurance policy, your scheme should include reference to covering trekking or biking etc involved in this trip and also include cover for helicopter rescue and repatriation. An additional cover may include ‘special outbound missed departure extension’ cover, providing valuable cover for internal flight departures missed due to international flight delays or vice versa.

Group Size and client: guide ratio
We will take a maximum of 16 clients on the trip. There will be a local sirdar(guide) and a team of Sherpas to cater for the group’s needs.

Baggage Allowances
You should aim to keep the combined weight of your check-in and cabin baggage to around 20 kgs.

Equipment
We use state of the art equipment that has been carefully selected to not only protect you from the weather but also to accommodate you in comfort. Sherpas and porters are all provided with the necessary gear that they need to stay warm and dry when at high altitude. Camping equipment on a regular trek would include high quality two men member tents, mattresses, kitchen tent, toilet tent, mess tent, tables, shower tents, shower pumps, folding toilet seats,  chairs with backrest, all kitchen equipment and all trips that go above over 3500 mts are equipped with Gamow bags (pressurized altitude chambers). Everything is provided for except a sleeping bag which the clients would have to bring on their own.

Support staff
We recognize that the staff is our most important asset. We take immense pride in our excellent support crew who form the backbone of all our trips. All our staffs are experts in their field and the best in the business. They are well trained and experienced to handle clients' individual needs. Their knowledge on local culture and customs makes your trip an extra exciting. We never consider cutting corners in order to look only "cheap and competitive". It is a matter of pride and the reflection of the company’s policies that our Sherpa Guides have remained almost unchanged throughout the history of the company, and their experience and expertise have been highly appreciated by all. All our Tour Leaders have undergone leadership training and have had intensive courses on mountain medicine, first aid and are capable of handling emergency situations. They are deep understanding and knowledge of the mountain culture and are familiar with high altitude survival skills. The preservation of the fragile Eco system is of utmost importance to us and our support staff is made well aware of the significance of preserving the environment. We conduct regular orientation programs to educate our support crew.

Food
All our cooks are well trained and very experienced at preparing Chinese, Indian, Nepalese and Continental fare. Periodical training helps them hone their culinary skills. We take pride in the standard of food that is served in our trips. Our past clients have been amazed at the standard and variety of food served by our staff. We give the highest priority to health and hygiene. The last thing that we want is an upset stomach spoiling your holiday.

Note: The above itinerary should be taken only as a guideline. It could be changed due to weather, unavailability of clean water and unsafe campsite, trail or any other unforeseen conditions.  Even though we update our itineraries from time to time taking account of such things as changes to trekking routes and changes in the routing or availability of local transport, it is not possible to guarantee that your trek will run exactly according to the proposed itinerary. In case of trek Itinerary alteration or if it needs to be re-routed to other area your Group Leader or Sherpa Guide will make change, as it is deemed necessary.