everest base camp,

This outstanding trek to the base camp of the extra day before Day 1 to acclimatize. Flight centre world’s highest mountain will take you through can help book this for you. the lush valleys of , with time to explore its villages and Day 1: Arrive , Nepal monasteries. Eight of the world’s fourteen You will need to book your flight to arrive at peaks that exceed 26,246ft in height are Kathmandu airport between the hours of 6:00am situated in the Nepalese . The highest and 4:00pm. Once you have confirmed your flight of them all, standing at 29,029ft, is Mt. Everest. details to us, we can confirm the arrangements to transfer you to the joining hotel. You have the rest Your trekking adventure begins at Lukla, where of the day to relax, meet the rest of your group and you will trek to the Sherpa capital of Namche have briefings for the challenge ahead. Overnight Bazaar. You will have plenty of time to and dinner in hotel (you can leave spare clothing acclimatize to the altitude, following the trail here while you trek). across numerous rivers. Your trek leads uphill from Thyangboche, where you reach your goal of Everest Base Camp with is glacial floor and sunlit valley. If you have any energy reserves you can aim for the high point of Kalapathar (18,526ft) with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers including Mt. Everest. Having completed the challenge, you will have the chance to explore the city of Kathmandu and its many temples and bazaars.

Please note that we have graded this challenge “extreme” due to the number of days you will spend trekking at high altitude. A very high level of training and fitness is required. Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla & Trek to International Flights Phakding (8,700ft) – 8-10 kms Flights are not included as part of the challenge After an early morning breakfast you will be costs. You will need to organise your own transferred (20-30 minutes) from the hotel to the international flights to arrive in Kathmandu on the domestic airport, and board a small aircraft for the morning of Day 1 (see below). Please contact us sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla (45mins). at [email protected] BEFORE you Please note this flight can be subject to delay commit and pay for your flights. We can help you or cancellation due to weather conditions. The organize your flights, and put you in touch with our itinerary is put together with a number of partners at Flight Centre. acclimatization/rest days so that if your flight were delayed for up to three days, you should still be able to complete the challenge. If flights If you think you will suffer from jetlag or will arrive are unable to take off after three days, we late on the first day please consider having an would implement an alternative Himalayan trekking itinerary. Once in Lukla you will have time to wander around & pick up any last minute houses situated in an amphitheatre shaped bowl. equipment or rest after your journey & acclimatize, Overnight camping at Namche Bazaar. while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the camping equipment and baggage onto the Ghopkyo (mix Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar breed of Yak & normal cow, as the Yak cannot Suggested activities include a short walk uphill to survive below 9,842ft). After lunch you will begin the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, a your 3-4hr trek along a pleasant trail most, with a magnificent spot perched on top of Namche few steep climbs from Tarhe Khola, where you Bazaar with spectacular views of the surrounding have a superb view of the Kusum-Kangru snow-capped giants and the valleys way down (20,895ft) crossing. After a short climb, you reach below. There is also an interesting museum with all Ghat village, and after another 1½hrs of trekking kinds of information regarding the history of the you arrive at Phakding village for the overnight Himalayas, its geography, culture, mountaineering camp near the bank of the Dudh-Kosi River. history and information on flora and fauna of this region. You can then continue walking up to the Everest View Hotel, where stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and present a spectacular vista. You can then enjoy the afternoon at leisure and stay again at the camp at Namche Bazaar.

Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar (11,286ft) – 12- 13kms Today’s 5-6hr trek continues on from Phakding. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi River, the walk is pleasant with a few short uphill climbs and then downhill, with magnificent views of Thermasarkhu (21,679ft). Day 5: Trek to Thyangboche (12,687ft) – approx From the village of Benkar, you will cross the long 10kms suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River Today your 5hr trek takes the trail leading along a once more, and then continue on this trail of winding path with great views of Mt. Everest, trekkers, Ghopkyo and porters, before finally Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and a close-up view arriving at the small village of Monjo. Monjo is of Tharmserkhu. You will come to a busy place situated below the magnificent peak of called Shanasa, in this area there is a much higher Thermasharkhu and near to the entrance of chance of seeing the beautifully coloured Danphe Sagarmatha National Park. After a few minutes’ pheasant (Impeyan pheasant) the national bird of walk from Monjo, you will reach the entrance of Nepal, the elusive musk deer, and sometimes even Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking a herd of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). From permit is checked. From here there is a short Shanasa, the trail descends to the Imjatse River at descent to Jorsalle village, the last village and the Phungitenga (10,662ft), a small settlement with a only place to shop at until Namche Bazaar. You couple of teahouses in the midst of the alpine will continue to trek by the river until the last bridge woods of mostly silver fir blue pines, rhododendron over the Imjatse River is reached. From here the and some magnolia and birch trees. At walk is along a winding uphill path all the way to Phungitenga there are a number of beautiful prayer Namche Bazaar, with views of Kwangde peak and wheels propelled by water, from the nearby its other sister peaks to the east, with Kusum streams. The walk from here is strenuous for an Kangru behind you as you climb higher. There are hour on a winding trail through shaded woods until also views of the Mt. Everest - Nuptse wall, Lhotse a small religious monument of prayer stones and a closer view of Taweche peak, which can be covered with rhododendron leaves and junipers is seen all the way up to Thop Danda, where there's reached. From here the walk is uphill for another a resting stonewall for the porters and trekkers. hour, with views of Thermasarkhu and Kangtenga. There is still another 1-2 hour walk, which brings Tyangboche is one of the most beautiful places in you to the famed Namche Bazaar, with its colourful the Himalayas, and the first thing that you will see is a big Ghompa (monastery), before a large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the peak of Ama Dablam with Everest looming above, and the Nuptse wall to the north with Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar to the north east and many more peaks all around you. From Tyangboche you take the trail & descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron and comes out at a lovely spot at Deboche (11,975ft) with further views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Overnight camping.

Day 6: Trek to (14,297ft) – approx 12kms Today you have 5-6hrs of trekking today takes the Day 8: Trek to Loboche (16,167ft) – approx trail & descends through a forest of birch, fir, 8kms juniper and rhododendron and comes out at a Today’s 4-5hr onward journey leads north for about lovely spot at Deboche (11,975ft) with further views 40-50mins until you come to a mani prayer stupa. of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Nuptse and The trail is gentle looking down to Pheriche village Lhotse. From Deboche you will walk past the long below. Today's walk offers views of the prayer mani wall, the path is gradual until you Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north reach a small bridge over the narrow gorge of the (18,835ft), Kongma-tse (19,094ft) and the Imjatse River. The walk continues gradually uphill great wall of Nuptse. After a walk of 1½-2hrs the most of the way, as you come to a large mani wall trail from Pheriche joins another near Dugla gate. A little further from here the route diverts (15,075ft) before a small wooden bridge over the going to the upper Pangboche village, where an river of glacier. You will stop at Thukla, for old monastery is located. After a gradual walk lunch, before continuing for an hour up a steep hill downhill which brings you back to the main trail, to the top. As you summit the hill you enter a you continue with a short climb to Shomare a small memorial ground of prayer flags and monuments settlement with fantastic close-up view of Ama- dedicated to climbers who have lost their lives Dablam for lunch. Following a pleasant break here attempting to reach the lofty pinnacles of these your journey continues eastwards, after an hour majestic mountains. From here you have unrivalled walk, before a small wooden bridge the road splits views of Mt. and other peaks west of two ways again; the north going to Pheriche and Everest. This is a good spot for a short break. the second leading east beneath the towering There is another 1½-2hrs of trekking up to north face of Ama Dablam. The trail climbs slowly, Loboche, hidden and sheltered from the wind. winding above the Imjatse River, until you come to Overnight camping. a big mani stupa. From here onwards the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley Day 9: Trek to Gorakshep (17,349ft) – approx beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse 5kms and Lhotse with views of the eastern snow capped Following a rocky moraine path, you will climb mountains. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of above the glacial pond and icebergs of Khumbu fields enclosed by stonewalls protecting the crops glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes, a short of barley and potatoes from the cold winds and downhill walk brings you to Gorakshep on the flat grazing animals. Overnight camping. field below Kalapatthar (18,526ft) and Mt.Pumori (23,441ft). Gorakshep has two teahouses, and used Day 7: Acclimatization day in Dingboche to be a base camp in the early 50's when Edmund Today is a very important acclimatization day. For Hilary led his expedition to Mt. Everest. those that wish, you can take a walk up onto the ridge above Dingboche where you will have some Day 10: Trek to Everest Base Camp (17,576ft) spectacular views across the valley and the Imja and back to Gorakshep – approx 4.5kms Khola. The day can be spent visiting a monastery Today you will reach Everest Base Camp. You will in Dingboche exploring the Imja Khola. There are continue towards the Khumbu Ice-fall. The path some breathtaking views of the north face of Ama from here can be misleading; follow the lead Sherpa Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge as as every year the trail changes due to the you explore this beautiful valley that leads up to movements of the glacier. The walk is strenuous, Island Peak. The days walk is usually short with a due to the high altitude and thin air, and passes good chance to relax in the afternoon and laze in over rocky dunes, moraine and streams, eventually the sun. Overnight camping. reaching base camp. Everest Base Camp is lively with commotion during the high expedition season. A great view of the Khumbu icefall awaits you. After Pangboche continuing your journey back along the a celebration here you will retrace the journey back Imjer-Tse gorge and up to Tyangboche. From here to Gorakshep for your overnight camp. Today’s you descend back down to the settlement of journey will take you some 6 hours. Phungitenga, where you camp beside the raging torrent of the Dudh Koshi River.

Day 13: Phungitenga to Chumoa – 11 kms From Phungitenga you have a steep climb away from the river as you make your way back towards Namche. The walk takes you along winding tracks, through a landscape of pine forests and steep valleys. The views are magnificent as you follow a relatively easy path towards the Sherpa capital. Stopping in Namche for lunch there will be time for some last minute shopping before you continue down, taking the long path back down to the river. Retracing your steps you cross the river once more and head through Jorsalle, towards the park entrance at Monjo. From here you have a short Day 11: Ascent of Kalapatthar (18,526ft) & trek walk to your campsite for the evening, at the small back to Pherice – approx 14 kms settlement of Chumoa before your return to Lukla. This morning you have the option to ascend to the summit of Kalapatthar. A few minutes of easy walking on the sandy fields brings you to the base of the peak, 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 and from here another steep climb to the top for another 30 minutes. At the top of Kalapatthar is a small rocky peak on the south-west ridge of Mt.Pumori, the view from here is beyond imagination as Everest looks within a stone’s throw distance. Between the summit of Nuptse, Lho-la and Lhotse on the back, the panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish, and you feel it’s worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world. All of the higher snow capped Day 14: Trek back to Lukla giants that dominate will be all around you. To the Your final day’s walking is a pleasant 5 hour walk, south Khumbu glacier sweeps below you, and you with a few short uphill climbs before descending can also see Everest Base Camp down below on back down to the Bhote-Koshi River, crossing it the moraine of Khumbu glacier, when the three times. Stopping in Phakding en-route, you expedition season is active. After a great moment then cross the river and begin your final leg of an with the panoramic view you descend and continue epic journey. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will towards your overnight camp in Pheriche (4,245m). bring you to the busy village of Lukla (9,200ft), where you spend the night at a campsite.

Day 15: Lukla to Kathmandu This morning you will fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. You will have the afternoon to relax and do some souvenir shopping in Kathmandu. This evening you will enjoy a celebratory meal with your team.

Day 16: Kathmandu Today you are free to relax and enjoy Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Depart Kathmandu A leisurely breakfast before you are transported to Kathmandu airport in the early afternoon for your Day 12: Trek to Phungitenga – 15 kms flight back to Canada. Your journey back down today takes you through N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary; however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final say.

Should you suffer from vertigo, it is worth considering that on most mountain treks there will be occasional exposure to sheer drops. Please contact our team if you would like further advice.

Optional Extension:

Chitwan National Park, elephant ride and Canoe Safari. (4 days, 3 nights)

 Fly to Chitwan National Park.  Enjoy jungle activities: elephant ride through the jungle, bird watching tour and a nature walk.  Rest at the lodge and watch elephants bathing from a dugout canoe.  Enjoy 2 nights staying in a lodge in or near the park

To find out more information, visit the Everest Base camp challenge page on our website or click on “extensions” in your member’s area.