EVEREST BASE CAMP MONTREAL CHILDREN S HOSPITAL November 2-19, 2013
A TREKKERS MECCA The Himalayan Paradise of Nepal is a Trekker s Mecca. Surrounded by the stark beauty of the world s tallest and most dramatic peaks, one is constantly amazed by the warmth and gentleness of its friendly people. From the bustling streets of Kathmandu and its historical architecture to the magical monasteries perched atop mountain plateaus, this pilgrimage to Everest Base Camp is an epic adventure in a faraway land. Our journey takes us along ancient Sherpa trade routes past traditional villages through the most exciting landscape on the planet where prayer flags hang from every corner of the land. Our final destination is Everest Base Camp, where mountain climbers prepare for their summit attempts of Mount Everest. We stay in teahouses and lodges along the ancient trails, and our crew prepares sumptuous meals in our own hygienic kitchen tents -- just like we do on Kilimanjaro.
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EVEREST BASE CAMP NEPAL 18-Days/17-Nights NOV 2-3: KATHMANDU 4,390-ft/1,388-m Hiking distance roundtrip Lukla to Base Camp 57m/92km After arriving at the airport you meet your Tusker Trail guide, who takes you to the well-known Shangri-La Hotel, one of the nicest hotels in the Kathmandu, a city renowned for its fantastic shopping, excellent food, cultural wonders and fascinating markets. Your two days in Kathmandu are spent wandering the narrow streets of Thamel, the bustling center of town, and on a tour of old Kathmandu City, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Stupa, known as the monkey temple. This is one of Kathmandu s oldest and most important Buddhist shrines, which scholars believe dates back to the 1 st century. NOV 4: FLY TO LUKLA/HIKE TO PHAKDING 8,702-ft/2,652-m 5 hours hiking After a short flight through the Himalayan Mountains, we land at Lukla. Here we meet our full crew of cooks and porters, and, after a cup of Nepalese tea, start our hike to Phakding, on the chalky Dudh Kosi River. Just before we arrive at our lodge, we cross one of the famous hanging bridges across the river. After this first day downhill, many a trekker has been fooled into thinking that the famed Everest Base Camp trek is a simple walk in the park. We spend two nights at Phakding getting ready for our climb to Naamche at 11, 306-ft/3,446-m.
NOV 5-6: NAAMCHE BAZAAR 11,306-ft/3,446-m 7.5 hours hiking Nestled in a protected corner of the Himalayas, Naamche is a centuries-old trading center between Tibet and Nepal. As we arrive on the outskirts we get our first view of Mt. Everest. Quaint with cobblestone streets, and little shops, it is the last town on the trek before reaching base camp. Naamche teems with Sherpa life, while yaks roam the streets, the sounds of their bells making beautiful yak music. Naamche is abuzz with excitement as people from all over the globe pass through, on their way to and from base camp. We spend two nights acclimatizing here at the Khumbu lodge, owned by our friend, Pemba Sherpa. Views of Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Lhotse are spectacular as we hike to the top of the hillside town. NOV 7: KHUM JUNG 12,300-ft/3,750-m 3 hours hiking Commonly called the green valley, the short trek to Khum Jung is one of the most interesting hikes of the trek. You will revel in fantastic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Kangtega, Thamserku and Ama Dablam. We visit the Khumjung Gompa (monastery), Which displays a skull that supposedly comes from a yeti. NOV 8: TENGBOCHE 12,687-ft/3,867-m 4 hours hiking Tengboche Monastery sits on a hill at the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Imja Khola rivers, with a clear view of Everest. It s a tough hike up to the hilltop to one of the most important spiritual centers for the Sherpas, with 35 monks residing in the monastery. With a little trekkers luck, we will witness the Lama (high priest) perform a riveting ceremony accompanied by monks chanting their magical hypnotic songs. We spend the night at a teahouse across from the monastery.
NOV 9-10: PHERICHE 14,200-ft/4,328-m 6.5 hours hiking Pheriche is situated at a critical location just a few days from Everest Base Camp and at an altitude where mountain sickness begins to bite. That s why we spend 2 days here acclimatizing. Our two-day stops are designed to allow our trekkers to adjust to the thinning air and have proven very successful in helping Tusker bodies adjust to the altitude. NOV 11: LOBUCHE 16,126-ft/4,915-m 6 hours hiking After a good rest and breakfast, we head out on the trail and up the broad valley of Pheriche. At Dhukla you notice the big hills of rough rock piles, which are really the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Further along the track we spend a quiet moment at the site of the stone memorials for fallen Everest climbers, called chortens in Tibetan. NOV 12-13: EVEREST BASE CAMP / GORAK SHEP / KALA PATTAR Gorak Shep: 16,942-ft / 4,915-m 3.5 hours hiking Base Camp: 17,585-ft / 5,360-m 2.5 hours hiking Gorak Shep: 16,942-ft / 4,915-m 2 hours hiking Kala Pattar: 18,513-ft/5,643-m 4 hours hiking On this exciting day up to Everest Base Camp, we stop at Gorak Shep to freshen up and have lunch. We hike along the Khumbu Glacier moraine to our goal Everest Base Camp. After celebrating our success, we trek back down to Gorak Shep for the night. Back in 1952 Gorak Shep was used as the base camp for the Swiss Expedition up Everest. Early in the following morning we take a 4-hour climb up Kala Pattar, at 18,513-ft/5,643-m. This climb gives us extraordinary views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. We may only spend one night at Gorak Shep, depending on how strong the group is. In this case we will spend an extra night on our descent, to be determined by our guide. NOV 14: DINGBOCHE 14,114-ft/4,302 -m 5.5 hours hiking We start our descent through the Khumbu Valley.
NOV 15: PANGBOCHE 13,078-ft/3,986 -m 3 hours hiking We spend the night to break up the long downhill trek to Namche. NOV 16: NAAMCHE BAZAAR 11,306-ft/3,446-m 6.5 hours hiking It s a full day hike, but you ll appreciate the oxygen. Our extra day gives you plenty of chance to relax amongst the yaks; browse the maze of streets, picking your way through the local shops for Nepali handicrafts. NOV 17: LUKLA 9,384-ft/2,860-m 8 hours hiking Our last day hike finds us back at Lukla for the night, as we fly back to Kathmandu the following morning. NOV 18: KATHMANDU 4,390-ft/1,388-m After arrival in Kathmandu, we travel to the Shangri-La hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or wander around town. NOV 19: FLY HOME Transfer to Kathmandu airport. 2013 LAND COST PER PERSON - US$ Double Occupancy (4-16 Members): 18 Days/17 Nights $4,150 climb cost, $240 Airfare* Total Cost $4,390 Single Supplement $455 (Subject to Availability) *Airfare and park fees subject to change