everest base camp trek
trip facts
Elevation:
5550m
Trip Dates:
1st April - 19th April 2018
Various start dates available on request between March-May & September-October 2017 - Minimum 2 persons / Maximum 12 persons per group
Trip Price:
$3995 AUD per person
Trip Start:
Kathmandu
Trip End:
Kathmandu
Trip Route:
Everest Base Camp Trek via Phortse and Kala Pattar
The trek to Everest base camp is a comprehensive and colourful journey through Nepal’s most famous valley, the Khumbu, the home of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8501m). The trail offers glimpses of Everest and Lhotse as well as other 8000m giants, Cho Oyu (8201m), Makalu (8463m) and Shisapangma (8013m). During Spring, the valley is awash with flowering rhondodendron trees of various colours and large white magnolia trees. The rolling landscape varies from lush low alpine vegetation to dry high altitude scrub land. Inhabiting this harsh land are the Sherpa people, an ethnic group famous for their hardiness, spirit and mountaineering prowess. This trek journeys into the heartland of the Sherpa people providing an insight into their rich Buddhist culture and traditional way of life. Sir Edmund Hillary grew a passion for Sherpas from his early mountaineering years and following Everest, spent his remaining years dedicated to fundraising and bringing development to the region.
Spring also brings climbers from around the globe with Everest ambitions. You’ll share the trail with yaks and porters carrying supplies to Everest base camp. During this season, Himalayan Ascent can offer you accommodation at an Everest Expedition camp. This unique opportunity gives a chance to mix with excited and anxious climbers, and gives close up views of the infamous Khumbu ice fall. Alternatively in autumn, you can visit Ama dablam base camp or rest an extra day soaking in the views.
Our Route begins from the gateway airport town of Lukla at 2840m. Following the Dudh kosi river on the valley floor, the trail first passes through farming villages of mixed Tamang, Rai and Sherpa communities. We then make a sharp ascent up to Namche, the capital of the Khumbu and the traditional trading centre of Sherpa people. We take a less traveled road to Phortse, a typical Sherpa farming village and the site of the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation’s Khumbu Climbing School. Many Sherpa climbers come from Phortse and have been trained at the Khumbu Climbing School. From here it’s a short trek to Pangboche, the highest permanent Sherpa settlement. We acclimatise in Dingboche first before trekking the last few kilometres of a high altitude trail to Everest base camp. The view of Everest and Lhotse from Kala Pattar, our highest point, is a magnificent reward! The return route passes through Tengboche and the Tengboche monastery. This is the largest monastery in the region and is open to visitors to share prayer time with monks.
Technical grading
This is a trek only and requires no prior trekking experience. Good fitness is required as most days will involve 4-6 hours of trekking carrying a 5kg day pack. The trail is non-technical but will reach a maximum altitude of 5550m.
Highlights
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Stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam
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Colourful Buddhist culture
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Spirited Sherpa people
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Alex Lowe Foundation Khumbu Climbing School
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Tengboche Monastery
the itinerary
19 days
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 2 In Kathmandu
Day 3 Fly to Lukla, trek to Monjo
Day 4 Trek Monjo to Namche
Day 5 Acclimatisation in Namche
Day 6 Trek Namche to Phortse
Day 7 Trek Phortse to Pangboche
Day 8 Trek Pangboche to Dingboche
Day 9 Acclimatisation in Dingboche
Day 10 Trek Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 11 Trek Lobuche to Everest Base Camp
Day 12 In Everest Base Camp
Day 13 Trek Everest Base Camp to Pheriche
Day 14 Trek Pheriche to Tengboche
Day 15 Trek Tengboche to Monjo
Day 16 Trek Monjo to Lukla
Day 17 Fly to Kathmandu
Day 18 In Kathmandu
Day 19 Depart Kathmandu