EVEREST BASE CAMP EXTENSION 2019 TRIP NOTES
2019 EVEREST BASE CAMP EXTENSION TRIP NOTES 2019 TREK DETAILS Dates: Available on demand as a trip add on Duration: 4 days Price: US$420 per person The trail to Base Camp winds alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Photo: Mark Ayre No visit to the Khumbu is complete without a visit to the iconic Everest Base Camp! Located at the base of the mighty Khumbu Icefall and surrounded by majestic peaks, not only is Everest Base Camp the home away from home each year to mountaineers seeking to climb the world s highest mountain, but it s an awe-inspiring trekking destination in itself. Extend your expedition by adding the Everest Base Camp Extension to your existing Adventure Consultants Three Peaks Nepal Expedition. You will have the opportunity to spend some time visiting Base Camp and to climb the nearby Kala Patar, for spectacular sunrise views of Everest and its surrounding peaks. OUTLINE OF THE TREK This adventure starts by waving goodbye to the rest of your teammates after departing Lobuche Base Camp and trekking through to the small village of Gorak Shep where we stay overnight. The following morning, we rise early and enjoy a hearty breakfast before making our day trip to Everest Base Camp! It is here that the climbers rest and recuperate when not actually up on the mountain and although the camp itself is quieter during the post-monsoon season, there is much to see and we have plenty of time to explore and absorb the magic of the place. We trek close to the base of the spectacular Khumbu Icefall, where loads of food, fuel, tents and oxygen cylinders are carried through to the camps high on the mountain. The icefall and surrounding mountains make perhaps our most extraordinary lunch stop of the expedition, and it s with some reluctance that we begin our descent to lower altitudes, returning to the relative comfort of Gorak Shep. Directly above Gorak Shep is the peak of Kala Patar, which is a highlight of the trek up the Khumbu. At sunrise, the views of Everest can be magical, and we ll rise early and make the climb in the hope of enjoying a photographic session from the summit! After our climb we retrace our steps back towards Lobuche, the small village that sits at the base of the Khumbu Glacier. From here we can begin Contents Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2018 3
Experience the unique atmosphere of Everest Base Camp. Photo: Caroline Ogle Explore the lower reaches of the infamous Khumbu Icefall. Photo: Anthea Fisher Teams occasionally attempt Everest in the post-monsoon season. Photo: Suze Kelly the optional Gokyo Extension that explores the nearby Gokyo Valley, or, our descent continues onto Pangboche, where we rejoin the trail and the initial expedition schedule. We spend another night in Namche Bazaar, which seems bustling after the relative quiet of the mountain villages and trails. The trek onwards from Namche Bazaar to Lukla is a long day before the early morning flight back out to Kathmandu the following day. We schedule a spare day in Lukla for potential weather delays. Departure flights from Kathmandu should be scheduled no earlier than the final day of the itinerary. ITINERARY Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4* Day 5 Lobuche Base Camp to Gorak Shep. Trek to Everest Base Camp, return to Gorak Shep. Climb Kala Patar, trek to Lobuche. Lobuche to Pangboche or begin Gokyo Extension. Pangboche to Namche Bazaar. Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Namche Bazaar to Lukla. Spare day for weather delays. Lukla to Kathmandu flight. Trip ends, depart from Kathmandu. * This day will see you return to your initial expedition schedule for the walk down the valley to Lukla or continue onwards on the optional Gokyo Extension. TEAM SIZE For the Everest Base Camp Extension, we will take a minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 12 people. THE ADVANTAGES OF TREKKING WITH ADVENTURE CONSULTANTS Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to their expeditions and treks. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and Contents Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2018 4
Dudh Khola N experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every trip to offer our trekkers the best possible experience. We employ strong and specialised trek leaders and Sherpa staff, who are some of the most preeminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, the best back up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable base camp facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up. Many of our expedition and trek members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions and treks safe and successful. THE EXPEDITION FEE The cost of the trek ex Lobuche Base Camp, Nepal is US$420. This is an inclusive cost and covers the following: All trek organisational requirements All trekking permits Accommodation in lodges ex Lobuche Base Camp for additional nights All group equipment for the trek All trek staff, including porter support Contents Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2018 5
Climb Kala Patar. Photo: Gabriel Mazur Discover ice formations in the lower Khumbu Icefall. Photo: Mark Austin Waiting for sunset photos on Kala Patar. Photo: Gabriel Mazur Transport of 15kg of personal equipment Breakfast, lunch and dinner after departing Lobuche and before arriving back in Kathmandu Backup medical services The trek fee does not include the following: Air travel to and from Nepal Hotel accommodation and meals in Kathmandu Purchases of bottled water, gifts or alcohol Personal expenses such as laundry, battery charging and showers at lodges Entry visas for Nepal (suggest getting 30-day tourist visa for Nepal on arrival into Kathmandu) Personal clothing and equipment including sleeping bag for Lodge and Base Camp use Personal travel/trip cancellation insurance Any rescue costs or costs of early departure from the expedition Excess baggage charges for the flights to/from Lukla Gratuities to guides and Sherpa staff PAYMENT DETAILS The balance of US$420 is payable upon application and sign up for this trip. All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account: Bank of New Zealand Offshore Branch 1 Willis Street Wellington New Zealand for the account of Adventure Consultants Limited Account Number: 1000-594771-0000 Account Type: US Dollars Swift Address: BKNZNZ22 NOTE: All bank transfer charges are for the remitter s account. We also accept your deposit and balance payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Amex) plus a 3% card charge. Contents Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2018 6
Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Icefall and Mount Everest. Photo: Suze Kelly CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY Once you have paid your balance your trip is confirmed. An expedition trek member may then cancel their participation on the following basis: Cancellations outside of 60 days reserve the right to retain 50% of the full fee. For cancellations within 59 days of the departure date a cancellation fee of 100% of the full fee applies. We strongly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent if you wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons. HOW TO JOIN THIS TREK If you would like to join the trek or you require more information please contact us at: Adventure Consultants Ltd PO Box 739 20 Brownston Street Wanaka 9343 New Zealand Phone: +64 3 443 8711 Freephone from North America: +1 866 757 8722 Email: info@adventure.co.nz Web: www.adventureconsultants.com Contents Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2018 7
Mount Everest from Kala Patar. Adventure Consultants is affiliated to the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA), New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) and a corporate member of the American Alpine Club (AAC). Adventure Consultants is a supporter of the dzi Foundation in Nepal for their Revitalise a Village programmes. Adventure Consultants perform to IFMGA/UIAGM standards and are world leaders in high altitude guiding. All material Copyright Adventure Consultants Ltd 2018