By HILLS AND TRAILS. Everest Base Camp Trek

Transcription

1 Everest Base Camp Trek By HILLS AND TRAILS 2017 It is not important whether or not George Mallory coined the immortal phrase: Because it s there when asked in 1923 why anyone would want to climb Mt. Everest! Since those days this name has caught on people s imagination. In everybody s mind there is a hidden urge to have a glimpse of this killer but still legendary mountain. HILLS AND TRAILS 3 / 8, Chandrashekhar Society, Swami Nityanand Marg, Andheri (E), Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. PH: / / / / / / hillsandtrails@gmail.com Website: In 1856 it was found that a mountain designated as Peak XV standing on the border of Nepal and Tibet was actually the highest mountain in the world. Till 1865 this highest mountain was still called as the Peak XV. In 1865 it was named after Sir George Everest, (8,848 m. / 29,028 ft.), who oversaw the initial great survey of India. The Chinese call it by the name Qumolangma or Chomolungma, meaning Mother Goddess of the World. Nepalese know this peak by the name of Sagarmatha.

2 ABOUT THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: It is not important whether or not George Mallory coined the immortal phrase: Because it s there when asked in 1923 why anyone would want to climb Mt. Everest! Since those days this name has caught on people s imagination. In everybody s mind there is a hidden urge to have a glimpse of this killer but still legendary mountain. After the survey for Indiann subcontinent was started by British in 1808 lot of astonishing facts came to light. The whole survey was conducted for almost 60 years. In 1856 it was found that a mountain designateded as Peak XV standing on the borderr of Nepal and Tibet was actually the highest mountain in the world. Till 1865 this highest mountain was still called as the Peak XV. In 1865 it was named after Sir George Everest, (8,848 m. / 29,028 ft.), who oversaw the initial great survey of India. The Chinese call it by the name Qumolangma or Chomolungma,, meaning Mother Goddess of the World. Nepalese know this peak by the name of Sagarmatha. This year we at Hills and Trails have created an opportunity for all fit people to have a glimpse of these spectacular mountain ranges. You would love to have magnificent views of the Everest, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Khumbu Icefall and Western Cwm. This trek to the base camp of the highest peak in the world is very famous and is the most frequented trekking route in the world. After checking into Hotel Shangri-La or similar hotel in Kathmandu; we would complete all our remaining formalities for the trek. Then we would proceed to Lukla by flight, a very interesting experience. Lukla is from where we would actually hit the trail. We would walk along the rivers of Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi into the Khumbu region of Everest. The whole trek route takes us through very busy Sherpa towns, very long, twisting paths, and rickety but still strong suspension bridges. On the way we would have glimpsess of many high and mighty peaks of the great Himalayan range. After reaching Gorak Shep, we would see many memorial stones of the great mountaineers and Sherpas who led down their lives in their quest to climb the highest mountain in the world. After visiting the historic place of Base camp we climb the small hillock of Kala Pattar from where one would get magnificent views of the whole Everest region, Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu glacier area.

3 ITINERARY: DAY 01: MUMBAI - KATHMANDU (1,300 M. / 4,290 FT.) (BY DIRECT FLIGHT FROM MUMBAI) shopping hub of Kathmandu. From Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai we would reach Kathmandu, Nepal by a flight. We would reach Kathmandu by afternoon. From the airport we would be transported to Hotel Shangri-La or a similar hotel. In the afternoon we would have a meeting which would give us the detailedd information about the trek. The evening would be free for everybody to spend time in the by lanes of Thamel, the Overnight in Hotel Shangri-La or a similar hotel. (L, D ) DAY 02: FLIGHT TO LUKLA (2,850 M. / 9,350 FT.) ABOUT 40 TO 50 MINUTES AND THEN TREK TO PHAKDING (2,640 M. / 8,661 FT.) AROUND 4 HOURS. After an early breakfast we would board a small beach craft aircraft for a thrilling flight to Lukla. This would normally take 40 to 45 minutes. The landing at Lukla would be a thrilling experience, even to a frequent flier! Lukla is a typical small Nepali hill town with an airport. Here we would be meeting our porters and the loads would be handed over to them.

4 We would leave Lukla in northwest direction and descend down to an elegant bridge on Kusum Khola. The next settlement on the route would be Ghat, which means bridge in Nepali. We would not cross the Dudh Kosi River here but would continue on the true left bank of it. We would continue along this small path with many climbs and descents on the true left bank of Dudh Kosi to Phakding. Overnight in Guest House. We would cross Dudh Kosi River just after the village. We would climb the terraced hill besides the Dudh Kosi, to arrive at Bemkar. We would continue along the path with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and would pass the tiny village of Monjo. A few minutes later we would reach the guarded entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. After leaving the check post the path would steeply descend to a long suspension bridge across Dudh Kosi to arrive at Jorsale. After Jorsale, we would enter a forested mountainside. We would follow a short route along the riverbed of this V-shaped valley and would reach a very high suspension bridge. Here the river forks - the right is the Dudh Kosi and the left is the Bhote Kosi that leads to Nampa La. After short distance along the Bhote Kosi, begins the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. This steep climb would take 4 ½ to 5 hours from Jorsale. Namche Bazaar is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges and opens out only where it faces the Bhote Kosi. Mt. Thamserku (6,648 m. / 21,810 ft..) and Mt. Kwangde Ri (6,624 m. / 21,740 ft.) are seen on the east and the sacred mountain Mt. DAY 03: TREK FROM PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3,450 M. / 11,319 FT.) AROUND 7 HOURS.

5 Khumbila (5,707 m. /18,725 ft.) stands on west of the village. Overnight in Guest House. DAY 04: ACCLIMATISATION REST AT NAMCHE BAZAAR / EXCURSION TO SYANGBOCHE (3,900 M. / 12,795 FT.) Kangguru are really worth the effort of climb. This would be a rest day to get acclimatised to the rarified atmosphere. Directly above Namche but out of view lies the prosperous village of Syangboche. Here, from Everest View Hotel, the views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum DAY 05: TREK FROM NAMCHE BAZAAR TO DEBOCHE (3,710 M. / 12,171 FT.) AROUND 7 HOURS. We would leave the village of Namche and would climb to the top of a ridge and a level mountain path that would offer an excellent panorama of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kusum Kangrib. To the right there would be a steep drop down to the Dudh Kosi, faintly visible on the valley floor below. After goingg around a branch ridge, Ama Dablam (6,812 m.), Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Tawoche (6,501 m.) would suddenly appear on the horizon. We would descend to the river and would arrive at Phunki Tenga (3,250 m. / 10,663 ft.). It would be a long climb to Tengboche from here; the first half would be

6 especially steep. We would continue climbing the mountainside diagonally until we would come to the stone gate built by lamas which would mark our entry into Tengboche. Tengbochee Monastery, is one of the most important and ancient monasteries in the Khumbu Region. We would leave Tengboche and would descend to the village of Deboche (3,770 m. / 12,369 ft.) which would arrive in around 25 minutes. DAY 06: TREK FROM DEBOCHE TO PHERICHE (4,270 M. / 14,009 FT.) AROUND 6 ½ HOURS. We would leave the village of Deboche and continue to Minlinggo and then would leave the mountain path to cross over a bridge to the true right bank of the Imja Khola. We would climb the mountain path while looking up at Ama Dablam and Kantega (6,779m.) as they would appear on the opposite bank. Then we would ascend the chorten-lined route and would come to a fork. The upper path passes to upper Pangboche and a monastery. We would take the lower path to lower Pangboche (4,000 m. / 12,123 ft.). The trail would climb slowly, winding above the Imjatse River, to a big Mani Stupa. From here, the walk would be fairly moderate as we would enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with views of the eastern snow capped mountains includingng the Island Peak or Imjatse (6,189 m.) ). Pheriche is a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.

7 DAY 07: ACCLIMATISATION REST AT PHERICHE / EXCURSION TO A HIGH POINT By now we would have reached to very high altitudes and would require one more day for acclimatisation. To help this process of acclimatisation we would do some excursions in the valleys around the village of Pheriche. We could climb to a high point from where one would get the best views on the trek. From here we could have magnificent views of Nubur, Chukhung and Ama Dablam. DAY 08: TREK FROM PHERICHE TO LOBUCHE (4,940 M. / 16,207 FT.) AROUND 6 HOURS. We would leave Pheriche and would initially walk on grassy fields equivalent to almost 20 football grounds!! And then we would climb a steep path leading to Tuglha (4,600 m. / 15,092 ft.). This would take around 3½ hours. After Tuglha, the hill would be very tough and after a steep climb we would reach the crest where there would be lots of memorials for Sherpas and Mountaineers, who breathed their last on this beast of the mountains. This point is called Tuglha Pass. From here the climb would be gentle and in an hour s time we would reach Lobuche. This windswept camp site would give fantastic views of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Tawatse (6,501 m.) and Mt. Nuptse (7,8555 m.). DAY 09: TREK FROM LOBUCHE TO GORAK SHEP (5,170 M. / 16,962 FT.) AROUND 2 ½ HOURS. THEN TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP OR EBC (5,360 M. / 17,585 FT.) AND BACK. AROUND 4 HOURS

8 As we would leave Lobuche, the path would be clear and pleasant at first, gently climbing up the ablation valley. By the end of one and half hours we would see the Khumbu glacier. Slightly downhill path would lead us to Gorak Shep, which was the original location of base camp for all Everest expeditions in the past. Gorak Shep also has a small lake, which is usually frozen and so this was also known as Frozen Lake Camp. After resting here for some time we leave for Everest Base Camp or EBC. Though it would be symbolically a great visit, it might not offer very spectacular views as Everest would not be visible from the base camp. The trail would wind through rocky path and the moraine of Khumbu glacier. One normally would get good views of Nuptse, Lho La, Khumbutse, Lobuche, Cholatese, Mt. Pumori and Tabuche from the base camp. DAY 10: TREK FROM GORAK SHEP TO KALA PATTAR (5,554 M. / 18,222 FT.) AND BACK TO LOBUCHE (4,940 M. / 16,207 FT.) AROUND 8 HOURS. On this day we would need to toil hard. As the name Kala Pattar would suggest, this particular Black Rocky peak would be the most popular view point for viewing the Everest and Khumbu glacier area. The visit to Kala Pattar would be more rewarding than visit to the base camp. We would be starting very early in the morning from Gorak Shep with only important items with us. From top of Kala Pattar we would have breathtaking and panoramic view of Mt. Everest and many other mountain peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more. After spending some time at this very windy place, we would retrace our steps back to Gorak Shep. After lunch we would pick up our luggage and start the return journey and head towards Lobuche. DAY 11: TREK FROM LOBUCHE TO TENGBOCHE. AROUND 8 ½ TO 9 HOURS.

9 We would start very early in the morning and start walking back towards Pheriche first and then towards Tengboche. The initial path is all the descent and we would cover it very fast. After Pheriche we would walk in the Alpine valley along the Imja Khola. This path would be very familiar to us, as we would already walk on it a few days back. DAY 12: TREK FROM TENGBOCHE TO NAMCHE BAZAAR. AROUND 6 ½ TO 7 HOURS This walk back to Lukla would be on the familiar grounds, as we would have gone on the same track few days back. This would be a long day, as we would be covering two night halts in one day. But after the acclimatisation at higher altitudes this would become possible for everybody. DAY 13: TREK FROM NAMCHE BAZAAR TO PHAKDING; AROUND 6 HOURS. AND THEN WALK UP TO LUKLA ANOTHER 3 HOURS. This would be a very easy day. After reaching Lukla, we would stay in the same guesthouse in which we would have had our coffee on arrival. The evening would be reserved for a grand party to celebrate the successful completion of trek.

10 DAY 14: LUKLA TO KATHMANDU BY FLIGHT. Early in the morning we would walk to Lukla airport to catch the flight for Kathmandu. At the domestic terminal of the Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu; we would be met by our local agent and would get transferred to our hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day would be a free time for all! Overnight in Hotel Shangri-La or a similar hotel. DAY 15: FINAL DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU. This would be the last day of our trek. We would leave our hotel after breakfast and would get transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The direct flight from here would take us to Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. (B ) TOUR STARTING DATE: (Ex Kathmandu) 29 th April and 13 th May COST INCLUDES: 1. Accommodation: Kathmandu: In Hotel Shangri- La or similar, for 2 nights. The cost would include 1 night stay before the trek and 1 night stay after trek. But this could change if the itinerary would need to change due to reasons beyond our control. Extra payment would have to be made, in case we would incur any extra expenditure. Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Deboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep, Pheriche and Lukla: On trek we would be staying in tea houses or guest

11 2. Travel: houses. We would try to get twin sharing accommodation at all places. But in some tea houses twin sharing might not be possible and more than two persons could be put in one room. (Especially at high camps) Some of the guest houses would have only basic infrastructure. Most of the guest houses would have common toilets, situated outside. Airport transfers in Kathmandu in non A / C coach. (Two Times) Airfare from Kathmandu to Lukla and from Lukla to Kathmandu by best airlines in Nepal with SAARC fare. Airport tax at Tribhuvan International Airport at domestic terminal and at Lukla Airport. 3. Food: As per itinerary. (B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner) Only vegetarian food would be served on very high camps. The menu would be fixed, as the food would be prepared in the tea houses. 4. Other facilities: Certificate of completion of trek. One duffel bag, 1 One-day backpack, cap and hip pouch. A down feather jacket and sleeping bag on returnable basis during the yatra. A guide along with necessary number of porters. (One porter would be carrying two person s load, maximum up to 30 Kgs.) Entry permits for Sagarmatha National Park with necessary documentation. Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) from Trekking agent association (TAAN) with necessary documentation. Insurance and equipment for Nepali staff including guide and daily wages for porter and guide along with meals and accommodation. COST EXCLUDES: 1. Flight Fares from home to Kathmandu and back to home. 2. Any expenditure of personal nature like drinks, hot water for drinking, mineral water, beverages, hot shower, phone charges, any tips to drivers, hotel staff, laundry, porters, sherpas etc. 3. Porter charges, if hired for personal use. (Normally the charges would be in the range of `. 800 to `. 900/- per day per porter.)

12 4. Entrance fees to monasteries. 5. In the event of any delays due to flights, weather condition the cost of extra days would be required to pay by the participant directly on the spot for accommodation and food. insurance, such as accident, theft, medical, evacuation etc. 8. Items not specified in the above in Cost Includes. 9. Govt. service tax applicable at prevailing rates. (At present 9%) 6. Any additional expense caused due to any reason beyond control of HILLS AND TRAILS and its associates; like change in itinerary due to flight delays, road blockage, landslides, bridge breakage and any other natural calamity or incidence like strike, curfew etc. on which HILLS AND TRAILS and its associates do not have any control. 7. Any kind of SPECIAL NOTES: 1. The vehicles in Kathmandu are not at disposal. 2. On this arduous trek delays and detours would be expected on account of landslides and blocks due to weather conditions. Our effort would be to continue with the trek as per the schedule & make sure that you would be comfortable. But in such rare situations we might have to compromise on the campsite / hotels & adjust to these situations then & there. No compensation of any sort would be provided in such an event. 3. The itinerary described above is the planned one; but very rarely due to reasons beyond our control some on the spot changes would have to be done. The decision of the tour guide would be final in such a case. No compensation of any sort would be provided in such a case. 4. The distances & altitude mentioned in the above itinerary are to the best of our knowledge & information. Some minor variations would be expected. 5. All the guest houses would have battery (any battery e.g. mobile camera, handy cam, I pod etc.) charging facility but it would be available after paying extra money. CANCELLATION: All the bookings such as hotel accommodations / ground transportation are pre booked well in advance. We are liable to pay penalties to all our suppliers / vendors if these services are released after booking, within the mentioned time frame. If the passengers want to cancel the tour due to any

13 reason, they have to make an application in writing to that effect, along with the original receipt issued by HILLS AND TRAILS. Such cancellation will attract the cancellation charges given below. TOUR CANCELLATION CHARGES ARE APPLICABLE ON ACTUAL FULL TOUR PRICE ( WITHOUT DISCOUNT) Before 60 days 30% of the tour cost. Between days 50% of the tour cost. Between days 60% of the tour cost. Between days 75% of the tour cost. Between days 90% of the tour cost. Day of tour departure of the tour 100% PAYMENT: First Installment : ` 25,000/- at the time of booking Second Installment : 50% of the balance amount in Indian ` Third Installment departure date GENERAL INFORMATION: : Total balance amount Indian ` to be paid at least 20 days before Our effort would be to give a clear idea about various aspects of the trek to avoid any misunderstanding during the tour. We request you to please read all the information given herewith carefully. The information provided would be mostly common for all the trips i.e. treks and overland tours unless specified. DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THE TRIP: Severe This trek would be on paths which ascend and descend many thousands feet in a day. It would be advisable that the guest should have some previous experience of walking in hills. On the trek we would be reaching the highest point of 5,554 m. / 18,222 ft. So a fair amount of fitness would be needed to complete the trek without difficulty.

14 ACCOMMODATION: There would be no bathing facility during the trek. Hot shower facility would be available at some places after paying extra money to guesthouse owner. (Might cost you `. 300/- per bath!) TRAVEL (Air, Rail, Land) All other travel charges than mentioned in the itinerary would be excluded from the cost. BEST SEASON AND AVERAGE TEMPERATURE April & May October & November: The temperatures would differ from season to season. The details of the temperature would be provided as per the travel time once the tour would be confirmed. TOUR LEADER / LOCAL GUIDES Tour Leader: Normally HILLS AND TRAILS would provide a trek leader on the trek. But if the group size is too small then we may not send a tour leader from Mumbai. The tour leader who would accompany the group would have lot of experience in leading groups. He or she would mainly act as coordinator for the entire tour. He or she would work in tandem with local guides. The tour leaders, though not qualified medically, are all competent to give first aid if and when required. It would be advisable to speak to your group leader in case of health problems that you may face on the tour. Local Guides: Local guides carry a good experience in leading treks and other trips. They would mainly act as route guides. Most of these guides would be good at communicating in very basic English or Hindi. They would be rarely trained in first aid or in any technical skills. In case of critical situations or problems, that the group might face, it would be expected that the group members make the decisions for themselves. The local guide would just give his or her opinion, but the final decision would have to be made by the group members. MEDICAL & FIRST AID: This trek would take us to great heights which could create some problems for our health. As we would reach Lukla by flight we could face some health related problems. Due to this we might experience some symptoms of high altitude sickness like headache, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness, loss of sleep. Slowly everybody would get acclimatised to the high altitude. This might

15 take a day or two depending on individual. If not properly acclimatised then, there would be a chance that some serious complications like AMS (Acute mountain sickness), HACE (High altitude cerebral edema) OR HAPE (High altitude pulmonary edema) could develop. This trek would be in the remote district of Khumbu, which would be accessible easily only by helicopter. To carry out rescue for any medical emergency for any member, if helicopter would have to be used, that guest would have to pay for it in USD in advance. Any expenditure incurred by us, for a particular guest due to any medical reason or for any emergency evacuation, would have to be borne by that particular guest. INSURANCE: No insurance of any kind on luggage, accident, medical, evacuation, life or other allied matters would be provided by HILLS AND TRAILS. Members would have to make their own arrangements for the same. It would also be very important that every member confirms that the insurance covers the evacuation if needed. Also make it sure that the insurance policy would be valid in Nepal and for such a trek. For more details contact us at: HILLS AND TRAILS 3 / 8, Chandrashekhar Society, Swami Nityanand Marg, Andheri (E) E), Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. PH: / / / / / / hillsandtrails@gmail.com Website: