everest base camp, nepal 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 Sagarmatha National Park, with time to explore its villages and Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu, 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 Himalayas. 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 Ama Dablam 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 Dingboche (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 Pokalde (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 Khumbu 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.