To the Sherpas of Nepal, the world's highest mountain is "Sagamatha" ("Head of the Oceans"); to the Tibetans it is "Chomolungma" (Mother Goddess of the Earth); whilst to us, Mount Everest takes its name from the British Surveyor General of India, George Everest, who was responsible to the Raj (colonial administration during the Cl9th) for mapping the subcontinent. Travel in Nepal at that time was difficult and it was not until 1950 that a modern-day survey was undertaken. In fact Base camps for the very early Everest expeditions were mounted from the northern side, in Tibet.

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 person 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.

Our "Everest Base Camp" takes you into the heart of what is now the Sagamatha National Park. Within its boundaries is the Solu Khumbu valley with its many Sherpa villages renowned in mountaineering lore, as well as the approach route to Everest, one of the world's most awe-inspiring scenic walks.

Grade

This  trek is graded  ‘Challenging’. Some days on this tour are quite tough. You will either reach Everest Base Camp OR climb Kala Pattar not both options. You will  have to decide this as a group, with your leader along the way, depending upon  group progress and response to altitude. The early stages though are less strenuous than its high points mid-trek, hopefully giving you time to acclimatize.  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. Time allowances have 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 well being of the group the Trek Leader’s decision on this will be final.

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 it is Nepal!

q        Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival and transferred to  a 4 * hotel.  Evening pre-trek briefing before your traditional Nepali evening meal.

q        Day 2:  Half-day sightseeing (private bus)  tour around Kathmandu with its many temples and pagodas.  In the afternoon your trek packs will be issued and other pre-trek matters are dealt with followed by rest of the day free.

q       Day 3:   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 (2827m) 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. Buy your lunch from any of the many lodges in Lukla. Commence walk to Phakdingma.  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. 3 hours, 2652m.

q       Day 4:  to Namche Bazaar.  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 trading centre for the locals. 6 hours, 3446m. 

q       Day 5:  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 6:  to Thyangboche. 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! 5 hours, 3872m.

q       Day 7: to Dingboche. 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 onto 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. 6 hours, 4343m.

q       Day 8: 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 9: to Lobuche.    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. 6 hours, 4930m.

q       Day 10:  A day excursion to ascend KalaPattar: 8 hrs. A day excursion will 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 7 hours, 5400m. Camp at Periche 3930m.

q       Day 11/13: 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.

Your last evening in this spectacular area is spent in this wonderful village and a party at the Paradise Lodge is not unknown! 2827m.

q       Day 14: 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 the 4* hotel. The rest of the day is free.

q       Days 15: 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 16: 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.