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Overview | Everest Base Camp Trek | Island Peak | Chulu East
Mera Peak | Annapurna Sanctuary
We will trek to Everest along the same route the climbers use to get to the himalayan giant. The mountain scenery is unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. We will visit base camp during the prime climbing season so you will be there with the Everest Climbers.
From our high point at Everest Base Camp, we will have very close views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and Lohtse. This is surely one of the most scenic places in the world. This region is also home to the Sherpa culture. The many small villages that we travel through will give you a unique glimpse of the daily lives of the Sherpas. The religious icons of the people are often as spectacular as the mountains that surround them.
For those that have previous mountaineering experience, there will be the option to climb Island Peak after acclimatizing on the Everest Base Camp trek. Island peak is located in a side valley off the main trekking route and involves some snow and ice climbing. It is an excellent climb with great views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam. The climbing option will add five days to the trekking itinerary.
Our trek and climb will be supported by Sherpa support, porters and an experienced SWA trip leader. We will sleep in spacious tents and have meals cooked by our own staff to keep us fit, healthy and well rested. We will be hiking every day while in the mountains, however the itinerary leaves plenty of time and flexibility in order for everyone to fully acclimate and enjoy the scenery and village life.
It is important to make plans early as air reservations to Nepal sell out early!
Trekking Itinerary (21 days round trip U.S.):
- Day 1 - 2: Depart United States and cross the international date line and arrive in Bangkok Thailand then fly to Katmandu.
- Day 3: Arrive midday in Kathmandu. We are met at the airport and taken to the hotel in the Thamel district.
- Day 4: Kathmandu. Today we have the option to sight see at some of the many temples, prepare personal equipment, shop or just relax.
- Day 5: Lukla and Pakding. We will fly early to the village of Lukla at 9,200 feet. Here we hire porters and trek a short distance to Pakding on the Dudh Kosi river.
- Day 6: Pakding to Namche Bazaar(11,300 feet). We enter the park at Jorsale, cross the Bhote Kosi river and then climb steeply to Namche Bazaar. Namche is the main trading center for the Khumbu.
- Day 7: Khumjung (12,400 feet) and Khunde. To help with our acclimatization, we will spend a second night in Namche. During our second day here we will go to the Sagarmatha National park where we get our first views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. After lunch we hike up to Kumjung to see the famous "Yeti" skull and the gompa then to Khunde to see the Hillary Hospital.
- Day 8: Namche Bazaar to Thangboche (12,670 feet). An enjoyable walk down to the river at Phunki Thanhka to lunch next to water driven prayer wheels. A steep but short climb takes us to Tengboche Monastery through forests of blue pine, fir and black juniper.
- Day 7: Thangboche to Periche(13,780 feet). After an early breakfast, we tour the largest and most important monastery in the region, Thangboche. Following the Imja Khola we go through Pangboche and over a short hill to the small village of Periche.
- Day 10: Point 16,571 feet. Dingboche. we spend an an acclimatization day by climbing a spectacular point of rock above Dingboche. For most people, this will be the highest they have been up to this point. There are up close views of Taweche and Ama Dablam. In the distance one can see Island Peak and Makalu, one of the fourteen 8,000 meter peaks on earth of which Everest and Lhotse are members.
- Day 11: Periche to Lobuje (16,175 feet) After a short walk we'll climb the moraine of the mighty Khumbu Glacier.
- Day 12: Lobuje to Everest Base Camp (17,192 feet) We will get an early start for our trek to Base camp. after about two hours we reach Gorak Shep. Another hour or hiking will take us to base camp. From here the view is one of the most spectacular anywhere in the World. You will be surrounded by the highest mountains in the World. Mt. Pumori with its steep ice walls and hanging glaciers seem so close that you could touch them.
- Day 13: Lobuje to Pangboche. After a leisurely morning we will hike to Pangboche.
- Day 14: Pangboche to Namche. After viewing the gompa we will hike through Phortse to Namche.
- Day 15: Day hike to Thame
- Day 16: Namche to Pakdingma.
- Day 17: Pakdingma to Lukla. Last night of the trek in a bustling town and a celebration dinner.
- Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu. Early morning flight and one of the most interesting flights you'll ever experience.
- Day 19: Kathmandu. A day will be spent in Kathmandu for any last minute shopping or sight seeing.
- Day 20: Fly to Bangkok Afternoon flight
- Day 21: Arrive in the United States.
Climbing Trip Itinerary (26 days round trip U.S.):
The climb will add five days between days 13 and 14 in the itinerary above.
- Day 13: We trek from Lobuche to the village of Chukung (15,250').
- Day 14: Base camp (17,200'). A beautiful walk takes us to our base camp near the foot of Imja Tse.
- Day 15: High camp (18,400'). A short but steep hike takes us to the rocky ledges where we camp.
- Day 16: Summit day (20,305'). After an early start we climb up a steep rock ridge to the foot of the hanging glacier where we divide into rope teams. A short glacier walk brings us to a 50 degree headwall of snow and ice. Using fixed ropes to ascend the headwall we gain the narrow summit ridge and follow this classic line to the summit. The summit day is hard but fun and exciting with outrageous views.
- Day 17: Trek to Pangboche. The seemingly thick air of this classic, traditional village will be welcome after the remoteness of our past camps.
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Alaska
