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High Passes to Everest Base Camp

Resort:High Passes to Everest Base Camp
Operator: Exodus
Destination: Asia, Nepal
Price From: £2999.00

Overview


Cross 3 passes and summit 5 peaks to complete one of Nepal’s top treks

This is the ultimate trek of the Everest region. Starting from the famous
Khumbu Valley, home of the Sherpas, we acclimatise before following the trail
taken by many of the great Everest climbers and tackle some of the most
incredible passes and summits one can trek in the Himalayas. During this
circular trek we are constantly rewarded by amazing views of the highest
mountains in the world, glacial lakes and quiet valleys. With most of the
walking above 3600m this is not for the novice, but will appeal to those who
are fit and have previously trekked at altitude.

Highlights

* The ultimate circuit of the Everest Region including Everest Base Camp
* Cross three passes: the Kongma La, Cho La and Renzo La with amazing views
of Everest and other Himalayan giants
* Climb five summits: Nangkartshang, Chhukung Ri, Kala Pattar, Gokyo Ri and
Awi Peak
* Enjoy trekking in the quiet Gokyo and Thame Valleys

Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London.

The group flight is an overnight flight departing London this evening.

Day 2
Arrive Kathmandu.

The group flights arrive into Kathmandu this afternoon. Those on the group
flights will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel.There will be
a full briefing this evening.

*Hotel Ambassador*(or similar)

Day 3
Drive to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport; short but spectacular flight to Lukla
(2800m); trek to Phakding.

We will need to depart the hotel at around 2-3am to drive to Manthali
(Ramechhap) airport to catch our flight to Lukla. At this time of day when
there is usually light traffic, the drive should take about 4 hours. Roads in
Nepal are not of the same standard as in the west, there may be potholed
areas and the last section is unsurfaced.

We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and head northwards up the
valley of the Dudh Kosi (or ‘milk river’). We descend from the small plateau,
down into the forested valley. The trail crosses several tributary streams
and we have some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of
Phakding (2,650m), where we will spend our first night.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,652m)*

Day 4
Follow the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Namche Bazaar.

Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day’s walk
takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We
cross the river several times by bridges as we pass through the villages of
Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep
climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent we may get our first glimpse,
cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the
great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 300m of climbing brings us to Namche
Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a
prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly
market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but the town bustle all day
every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds
of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m)*

Day 5
Acclimatisation walk to Kunde and Khumjung; descend to Kyanjuma.

We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche, to the
Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 3,880m. Built by the Japanese
this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama
Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Descending through forest we come
to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School.
After lunch, we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The
twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are set below Khumbila, the rocky peak
sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk, we have great views of Ama
Dablam and other Himalayan giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg, to the
monastery. Sadly it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired.
Inside is a small box and after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the
repairs) we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the
main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma (3,600m).

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m)*

Day 6
Trek through the Sherpa heartland to the monastery at Thyangboche (3,870m)

This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of
Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to
Thyangboche at 3,867m. We will be here by lunchtime and in the afternoon, we
will visit the famous monastery. The sunset and sunrise on the fantastic
panorama of mountains surrounding us are not to be missed – Everest, Nuptse,
Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out
for Himalayan Tahr in the forest surrounding the monastery.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,867m)*

Day 7
Trek through the Sherpa heartland and Thyangboche Monastery to Dingboche.

The trail from Thyangboche leads downhill through a forest of conifers, birch
and rhododendrons. The trail passes the nunnery at Deboche to cross a bridge
over the Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. The trail then enters
Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. We are
above the tree line now. A short climb brings us to Shomore, where we have
lunch. After lunch we continue climbing to Dingboche, at 4,530m. Dingboche is
a summer settlement and here the great peaks of Ama Dablam, the ridge of
Nuptse-Lhotse, Tawoche and Chalotse surround us.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m)*

Day 8
Ascend Nangkartshang Peak (5100m) for views of Makalu.

We spend this day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those who are
adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m. From
this hill the views are even more spectacular – Chalotse and Tawoche tower
above us, Ama Dablam rears up across the valley and in the distance, we can
see Makalu.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m)*

Day 9
Trek to Chukkung and ascend Chukkung Ri (5546m).

The trail ascends the valley gently towards Island Peak and Chhukung, a small
settlement at 4,730m. From Chhukung we will ascend Chhukung Ri (5,546m) and
from here we can look directly across the valley to the fantastic snow and
ice formations on Ama Dablam and the Amphu Labsa.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,730m)*

Trek Profile: 5.5km/3hrs to Chhukung, + 4km/3.5 hrs Chhukung Ri

Day 10
Cross the Kongma La (5535m) to Lobuje.

An early start for a tough and very long day as we cross our first pass. We
turn away from the main valley and head up a side valley towards the Kongma
La. As we ascend the scenery becomes increasingly spectacular as the ridge of
Nuptse appears above us. We can see the glaciers of Kongmatse ahead and the
rocky peak of Pokalde is to our left. Finally, we reach a small lake before
the last steep scramble to the top of the pass. From the top (5,535m), we are
surrounded by peaks and glaciers in all directions. The descent is long and
steep and finally brings us to the Khumbu Glacier, a real sting in the tail
as we must cross it at the end of the day to reach Lobuje (4,930m) a tiny yak
pasture with a few teahouses in the summer. The sunset on Nuptse towering
above us is not to be missed.

*Teahouse (sleeping**altitude 4,930m)*

Day 11
Trek to Everest Base Camp (5364m); return to Gorak Shep.

Another long day so we start very early, following the Khumbu Glacier
northwards to Gorak Shep (5,180m). The trail undulates by the side of the
Khumbu Glacier on the rocky moraine. It will take us approx. 3hrs to reach
Gorak Shep, where we have a rest and something to eat. We stock up on snacks
and water as there are no tea houses from here to Base Camp. Leaving Gorak
Shep we trek across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral
moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for
a couple of hours before descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself.
The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known
as Everest Base Camp (5,364m), where in spring, we may see some of the
expedition teams as they prepare to summit the mountain. From the Base Camp
we get fantastic close-up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Nuptse towers above
us and Pumori rears up behind us. We retrace our steps to Gorak Shep.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 5,180m)*

Day 12
Ascend Kala Pattar (5545m) for classic views of Everest; return to Lobuche.

This morning we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala
Pattar, ‘Black Rock’, at 5,545m, from where we can look down over the camps
of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a most magnificent
view of the Khumbu Glacier and above all a close-up view of the world’s
highest mountain. We return to Gorak Shep and retrace our steps to Lobuje.
(Please note that due to bad weather we may change the order in which we do
the walks to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar).

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,930m)*

Day 13
Trek to Dzongla; optional trek up Awi Peak (5245m).

Following the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier we head down the valley
before turning off above the Chola Tso Lake towards our next pass, the Cho
La. Above us are the twin peaks of Tawoche and Chalotse. We stay tonight in
the small basic tea house at Dzongla (4,840m). For the energetic there will
be a chance en route to ascend Awi Peak (5,245m), a little-known viewpoint
but well worth the effort for the views across to Everest Base Camp.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,840m)*

Walk profile: 6km/4 hrs to Dzongla, + optional 4km/3-4 hrs Awi Peak

Day 14
Cross the Cho La (5,420m) into the Gokyo Valley.

The ascent of the Cho La is very steep and not easy, especially in heavy snow
conditions. At the top of the pass (5,420m) we cross the icy sloping surface
of the glacier – a true mountain experience – as snow peaks and glaciers now
surround us. Initially the descent is very steep and can be icy as it zig
zags down the moraine. The trail then becomes easier as we finally reach the
lodges at Dragnag, where we stay tonight.
*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,700m)*

Day 15
A short walk across the Ngozumpo glacier to Gokyo Lake.

An easy day today after the exertions of the last few days, as we climb onto
the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier, which is the largest in the
Nepal Himalaya. A magnificent, but quite tough walk, across the glacier
brings us to the walled meadows and lodge set next to the azure blue lake at
Gokyo (4,750m). There is time this afternoon to rest and take in the views or
the energetic may want to explore further up the Gokyo Valley.

*Teahouse sleeping altitude 4,750m)*

Day 16
Ascend Gokyo Peak (5360m).

A day to explore the magnificent scenery at Gokyo. There is a chance to
ascend Gokyo Ri (5,360m.) which is set above the lake and enjoys probably the
most magnificent mountain panorama in the Khumbu. Mountains surround us and
include four of the seven highest peaks in the Nepal Himalaya: Cho Oyu,
Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. In the afternoon it is also possible to visit the
fourth glacial lake.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,750m)*

Day 17
Cross the Renzo La (5,345m) to Lungden.

Leaving this wonderful desolate mountain arena we climb up the steep barren
rocky path to our last pass, the Renzo La (5,345m). From the top the views
are truly magnificent. We can still see Everest in all its glory surrounded
by Nupste, Lhotse and Makalu. Gokyo Lake is a tiny pinprick way below us and,
looking over the pass are the peaks of Rolwaling. We pass Rermo Lake and
continue on down to Lungden for the night.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m)*

Day 18
Descend through Thame to Namche.

We descend to meet the trail from the Nangpa La, which leads into Tibet, and
we may well meet Tibetan traders, with their caravans of yaks laden with
carpets, salt and hides. Following the Bhote Kosi Valley we head south to
Thame with its spectacular monastery. From Thame we follow the valley down to
Namche.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m)*

Day 19
A long day back to Lukla

Quite a long day today but mostly downhill. We descend from Namche and
retrace our steps down through Jorsale, Monzo and Benkar to Phakding.
Crossing the river the trail undulates through Ghat and Tadakosi and then we
have a final climb to Lukla.

*Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,800m)*

Day 20
.. Fly to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to Kathmandu

We fly back to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to our hotel in
Kathmandu. At this time of day there can be heavy traffic, especially coming
into Kathmandu itself, and the drive is likely to take 5 hours or more.

The rest of the day can be spent at leisure.

*Hotel Ambassador* (or similar)

Day 21
Free day in Kathmandu.

Today is free in Kathmandu for last minute sightseeing or shopping.

*Hotel Ambassador*(or similar)

Day 22 Fly to London.

Those travelling on the group flights will be transferred to the airport this
morning to catch your daytime flight to London.
**