This classic walk through the Sherpa homeland of Solu-Khumbu is moderately-strenuous high altitude trek with a clear-cut goal - to see Everest. Much to their surprise, many people find the snout-like Everest out-ranked by peaks like Ama Dablam and the Lhotse wall. Khumbu is the best region in Nepal for close-up mountain views. This trip features 3 nights in Kathmandu and a 11-day lodge trek to the base of Everest. Gorak Shep is our highest camp from where we hike to Mount Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Pattar, the Black Rock (5 550 m) where we admire the huge South Col of Everest, the tongue of the Khumbu glacier and more than 15 spectacular Himalaya peaks. This is without doubt one of the best mountain viewpoints of the world!
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Oct 12 - Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Oct 13 - Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Day 03: Oct 14 - Flight to Lukla & Trek Phakding (2 600 m)
Day 04: Oct 15 - Trek Namche Bazaar (3 440 m)
Day 05: Oct 16 - Climb to Everest View Hotel (3860 m), Acclimatization trek
Day 06: Oct 17 - Trek Tengboche (3 860 m)
Day 07: Oct 18 - Trek Dingboche (4 410 m)
Day 08: Oct 19 - Rest day Dingboche (4 410 m) + Acclimatization trek
Day 09: Oct 20 - Trek Lobuche (4 930 m)
Day 10: Oct 21 - Trek Gorakshep (5 160 m) + Everest Base Camp
Day 11: Oct 22 - Trek Pheriche (4 215 m) + Kala Pathar
Day 12: Oct 23 - Trek Namche Bazaar (3 440 m)
Day 13: Oct 24 - Trek Lukla (2 850 m)
Day 14: Oct 25 - Fly to Kathmandu
Day 15: Oct 26 - Buffer Day
Day 16: Oct 27 - Fly out of Kathmandu.
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connect with Asif ; +91-9619182010 / asif@natureknights.net for guidance and registration.
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TOTAL CAMP FEE Budget: Indian Rupees 73,000/-.(Govt. Taxes Extra applicable).
(Prices subject to change if there would be a major Dollar / Rupee fluctuation.)
Registration amount Rs.20,000/-;
Balance to be paid 60 days before the start of trip date. (By August 12, 2016).
Custom Groups and with custom dates possible with - (Minimum group size of 2 to 4 persons possible) - note custom group trek would be led by local verified trek resource from Nepal.
Details for Internet Banking Transfers (RTGS / NEFT / IFSC):
Account Name: OFFBEAT MANDALA
Account No.: 50200006370273
Bank Name: HDFC Bank Limited
RTGS/NEFT/IFSC: HDFC0000019
Branch: THE AMALDAS CO-OP HSG. SOC. LTD.,
JUHU-VERSOVA LINK ROAD,
WARK-K, (WEST), ANDHERI (WEST), MUMBAI – 400053, MAHARASHTRA
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- Stay 3 Nights stay in Kathmandu
- Airport transfers.
- One local site seeing tour at Kathmandu.
- Full Board Lodge Trek EBC 11 Days with 3 Meals every day
- Accommodation and 3 times meals every day during trek (daily we discuss a few items for meal options with the group for next day's menu); quota per person is one menu item per person, bar bill not included). During the meals we provide coffee and tea. Organiser will provide water for purification after breakfast, lunch and dinner at the participants needs. Iodine is sold everywhere at cheap price in Thamel and Everest Region.
- Return Flight tickets (Kathmandu to Lukhla and Back)
- Guide for EBC Trek and their stay and food
- One Porter for every two persons
- Assistance staffs. Trekking guide, porters as well as their expenses (Porter Support for One Bag upto 12 Kgs per participant)
- Entry fee for the Sagarmatha National Park, TIMS Card (Trekking Information Management System),
- domestic airport tax (Lukhla)
- All ground transportation and governmental taxes
Exclusions
- Insurance for EBC Trek (Rs.9,500/-) per head. Highly recommended.
- Meals during stay at Kathmandu
- International Airport Tax at Kathmandu for Permits
- Tips at Hotels / to porters, local Shopping.
- Cost of Personal gear for the trek.
- Non Standard Menu items or meals that are not part of the plan.
- Any extra cost incurred due to bad weather; missed flights;
- Any cost incurred due to change in plan of the trip that is beyond the control of organizers.
- Rentals for Down Jackets; -15 Degree Sleeping Bags if rented out by customer.
- Anything that is not included is excluded.
Note: Un-utilized resources will not be refunded.
Cancellation Terms
Amount for Insurance Premium has to be paid 30 days before the trip; Once the premium is paid to the insurance company this amount is not refundable.
Cancellation amount or Percentage of the total Trek Fee (***) All amount in Indian Rupees.
| Cancellation Period |
Rs.5,000/- INR | if cancelled more than 60 days before the EBC trek, trip date.
|
Rs. 10,000/- | Between 60 days to 45 days before trek date.
|
Rs.20,000/- | 44 days to 20 days before trek date.
|
50% of the total trek fee. | 20 to 11 days before trek date |
100% of the total trek fee | if cancelled less than 10 days before the trek. |
Detail Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu (1350 m)
Pick-up at Tribhuvan International Airport, meeting with local expert / guide and transfer to the hotel. First impressions of Kathmandu (1 350 m) – walk to medieval Kathmandu Durbar Square and explore the beautiful complex of palaces, temples, shrines and courtyards built by the ancient Nepali kings between the 12th and 18th century. Evening visit Thamel - the vibrant tourist area with hotels, restaurants, bakeries and outdoor shops. We get to know each other over a welcome dinner, check formalities and equipment and discuss your itinerary.
Day 2 – Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Today we discover the highlights of Katmandu and the valley. We adapt the programm to your interests and desires and what you have seen before. Usually, we go to Pasupatinath on the bank of the Bagmati River, where the most important Hindu temples and burning ghats of Nepal are situated. In Bouddhanath we circumambulate together with Tibetan and Nepali Buddhist pilgrims the whitewashed stupa. Our sightseeing usually ends in Patan, the city of Beauty, an astonishing center of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture.
Day 3 – Flight to Lukla (2850m) and; Trek Phakding (2640 m)
We drive to Tribhuvan Domestic Airport to connect our fly to take our flight to Everest region. After breakfast in Lukla (2 850 m) we start trekking through beautiful settlements to join soon the main trail in Churi Kharka. We follow the east bank of the Dudh Koshi- the River of Milk- where you witness the typical Nepal terrace culture, slate roofed houses and views on Kusum Kangaru (5 579 m). We reach Phakding (2 640 m) after 3 - 4 h gentle walking.
Day 4 – Phakding (2640 m) to Trek Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Today we make a challenging hike to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m), situated at 6-7 hours walking from Phakding. We climb up along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi to the tiny village of Toktok. We get our first glimpse of Thamserku peak (6 608 m) and reach Benkar (2 710 m). The cliffs above the village are decorated with huge paintings of Buddhist deities. We cross the colorful suspension bridge and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo (2 840 m). After Jorsale we follow the river bank over gravel, climb through a pine forest and cross the Dudh Kosi by a big suspension bridge. Then we face a continuous zigzag ascent of 2 hours through dense pine forests. In the early evening we reach the vibrant center of Namche Bazar, on of the most attractive settlements of Solu-Khumbu district.
Day 5 – Day hike to Hotel Everest View Hotel (3700 m)
Today we climb to Hotel Everest View in Khumjung village situated at 3700 m where we visit Khundi Hospital, the first hospital build in Khumbu Region by Sir Edmund Hillary and Himalayan Trust in 1966.
Day 6 – Namche Bazaar (3440 m) to Tengboche Trek (3860 m)
Trek to Tengboche (3 860 m), 5-6 hour long hike from Namche Bazaar. The first part of trail is a winding smooth path which offers fantastic views on Mount Everest (8 848 m), Thamserku (6 618 m), Ama Dablam (6 814 m). After the trail goes down to the riverbank and then we make a strenuous 2 hour ascend to Tengboche. We walk through rhododendron forests where musk deer and Himalayan ‘tahr’ or mountain goat live. At the rest place you can enjoy the views towards Kantega mountain (6 783 m). Tengboche, is famed for the Buddhist Tengboche Monastery (where you can attend the daily puja), Cafe Tengboche and the view point.
Day 7 – Tengboche (3860 m) to Dingboche Trek (4410 m)
Trek to Dingboche (4 410 m), 6-7 hours walking from Tengboche. We descend through conifer and rhododendron forest to the beautiful settlement Deboche where you have a close view at Ama Dablam. We cross the suspension bridge and look over the surging white waters of Imja River. Soon after a snow white stupa with gorgeous all seeing eyes is mirroring the Ama Dablam, this is a marvelous place for a picture! Then the trail ascents gently to the village of Pangboche (3 860 m), where we climb above the treeline. After, the trail passes numerous farmer pastures with big yak populations before we reach Dingboche valley.
Day 8 – Rest day Dingboche (acclimatization climb upto 5550 m)
Optional acclimatization trek (5-6 hours) to the remote village of Chhukung (4 730 m) and Chhukung Ri (top) located at 5 550 m. We have magnificent sights at Island Peak (6 189 m), Amphulapche (5 663 m), Baruntse Base Camp (5 400m) and the white ice lake of Imja Tsho.
Day 09 – Dingboche (4410 m) to Lobuche Trek (4930 m)
After ascending 150 m up to the main road, we reach a viewpoint where we have outstanding sights at Tawachee (6 495 m) and Cholatse peak (6 440m). After our lunch camp in Dugla (4 620m) the trail goes directly up the gravely terminal moraine of the Khumbu glaciers for about one hour. The trail leads to a row of memorial monuments of lost climbers and sherpas. The trail then drops a little and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche. After four to five hours hiking we reach the small settlement of Lobuche which is situated at 4 930 m. We sleep in a lodge at Gorakskhep, a semi-permanent village at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall.
Day 10 Lobuche (4930 m) to Gorak Shep Trek (5160 m)
The ascent to Gorak Shep (5 160 m) becomes steeper and rougher as we cross several moraines. Soon we see the peak of Pumori (7 145m). We also have our first views at Nuptse (7 864 m), Kala Pathar (5 545 m) and Mount Everest. At the right side you look over the Khumbu Glacier, an enormous tongue of ice which marches down the slopes of Everest. We reach Gorak Shep by lunchtime and trek to Base Camp in the afternoon. In total we hike six-seven hours today.
Day 11 – Gorakshep (5160 m) to Kala Pattar (5545 m) to Pheriche (4215 m)
Early morning we climb to Kala Pattar – the Black Rock - located at 5 545 m and marked by a tangle of prayer flags. At this viewpoint - one of the most astonishing views on earth- you have a 360 degree panorama of Himalayan giants from Pumori and Lobuche West to Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. We return back to Gorak Shep via the view points of the ice lakes of Pumori and Everest.
After breakfast we return in 4 hours back to Pheriche located at 4 215 m.
Day 12 Pheriche (4215 m) to Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m). We descend approximately 5 hours.
Day 13 Namche Bazaar (3440 m) to Lukla (2850 m)
We start this 6 hours during trek with a strenuous descent from Namche Bazaar to the Dud Kosi (hard work for the knees), after the path climbs up to Monjo and then runs easily to Benkar, Phakding and Lukla.
Day 14 – Flight to Kathmandu (1350 m)
After breakfast we fly in about 40 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu. Arrive at Tribhuvan Airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 15 – Buffer day
Day 16 – Fly out Kathmandu
Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport.
Difficulty Trek and Trip Format
Nepal is like not home. It is exotic, it is wonderful, but it is also different. Great elevation changes, differences in customs and language, menu variations, lodge limitations, and the many other mysteries and wonders of travel in Nepal are all conditions you must be physically and mentally prepared for. The itinerary may change. You may meet unknown hardships as well as unexpected pleasures. Come with an open mind and positive spirit.
For those of you new to trekking, you have a wonderful experience in store. Trekking is walking, generally on good trails, usually up and down (sometimes 900 m a day), carrying only a day pack, through magnificent scenery. The day starts early, and often the bulk of the day's kilometers are covered in morning hours. The shorter afternoon hike brings you to the site of the lodge to be used that night.
This trip is designed so that an average hiker will require 5-6 hours of hiking per day to reach the evening’s camp. In general this is a moderate trek, but remember that trails are often steep in Nepal and at 3 000 m any hiking can seem strenuous. On some days altitude gains and looses of up to 900 m can be expected. Strengthen your knee muscles and prepare for several days of steep descents of anywhere up to 900 m. should anyone have altitude problems during this trek, it will be possible to drop down till Namche.
A program of cardiovascular conditioning such as running, swimming, biking or aerobics is essential, but try to supplement your exercise with hiking on steep hills or running up and down steps. The more you can condition by closely simulating the activities of trekking, the better off you will be. While the trip is rated as moderate overall, several days will be strenuous, and good conditioning is essential to your enjoyment of the trek.
Personal gear will be carried by porters. Porters can carry two members' duffel bags. Since their load is 25 kg, this means that your duffel cannot exceed twelve kilos. We stay in locally owned lodges and will receive an insight into family living. All the guest houses have toilets and cold showers. Some of the guesthouses have hot showers available and every lodge is equipped with solar power systems for lightning. The main common room has a heater, nice in the cold nights.
Remember that, the latitude of Nepal is between 26˚ and 30˚N so it will warm at the lower elevations (short and T-shirt) while nights will be cool. Day temperatures will be between 10˚C and 15˚C at the lower elevations and between 5˚C and 10˚C at our highest elevations during spring and fall trips (till to -15 ˚C in winter). Temperatures at night will be cool being mostly between 0˚ C and - 5 C except for winter trek where temperatures till - 20˚C may occur at night. In December though you will enjoy clear skies and less crowded hiking trails. If you dress warm it’s a wonderful time to come to Khumbu region. During fall trips the weather is generally sunny, although an occasional storm could occur. Spring sees more clouds in the afternoon and the possibility of occasional thunder storms.
This is not a tour where everything can be planned in advance to run like clockwork. You probably won't experience exactly what is written in the daily itinerary. Often adjustment must be made in the field. We want you to participate in the trip with the clear understanding that things can go wrong. Adventure travel does involve certain risks both emotional and physical. One has to be flexible when travelling in Nepal and have a cheerful attitude.
Other expenses that will be incurred during this trek that is not part of Camp Fee
- International Flight cost from home town to Kathmandu or any other taxes if applicable at International airport at time of trip.
- Cost of all meals at Kathmandu to be borne by participants. (avg cost per meal is approx (10$ to 15$ or 600 to 800 Nepali Rupees).
- Insurance covering EBC trek during 12 days of trek. Approximately Rs.9,500/-.
- Tips to porters/guides etc (Budget approximate 2500 Nepali Rupees for tips).
- Hot Water during treks (At high altitudes during trek a shower or a bucket hot water may cost 300 to 500 Nepali Rupees). Hot water shower at Kathmandu is part of the package.
- Mobile / Camera power for Charging. 200 to 400 Nepali Rupees per hour. Better to carry spare cells or a re-charger.
- In-between snack (You can carry chocolates / protein biscuits / dry fruits from India with you, local item are very expensive along the trek route).
- Travel and Rescue Insurance for a period of 12 Days during the trek (cost around $150+ approx per person, we can help you with this).
- Warm clothes (Dry fits thermals, fleece Jacket, Good Snow Gloves, inner woolen gloves, Woolen head gear, woolen socks, track pants).
- Good Backpack; (Small one 30 to 40 liters as day pack; and (60 to 70 liters as main bag to be given to porter.)
- Sleeping Bags and Down Jackets on rental for (-20 degrees) (approximate cost 100 Nepali Rupees per day per item, you may have to budget for 12 days).
- Good and proper trekking shoes are essential for this trek, if you do not have one and want to buy a Chinese make its available for approximately 3500 to 5000 Nepali Rupees and this is good enough to last 4 to 5 Himalayan treks. A Good branded trekking shoes will cost any with 10000 to 15000 Nepali Rupees). Better buy this shoe from India.
- Also refer to the checklist of requirements for the trek to make a note of items you may need to purchase in case you do not have them.
