 |
 |
|
|
|
|||
|
Itinerary for the Mount Everest Base Camp Challenge
Day 1: 30 September Participants will depart from their city of origin and plan to arrive to Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, on the 29th of September 2005. From the airport a private bus will pick you up and transport you to the four star hotel we have chosen for this adventure. After resting in the hotel you will meet your fellow teammates for dinner and have your first taste of authentic Nepalese food at the traditional Nepali restaurant �Bhanchha Ghar.� Day 2: 1 October After an early breakfast a representative from our climbing partner will brief you on the Mount Everest Base Camp Hike. Our hike representative will answer itinerary questions, general questions and concerns at this time. After this briefing you will have an opportunity to gather last minute hiking items. After all of the last minute questions have been answered, and those who needed to get last minute items have done so, you and your teammates will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the many sights of Kathmandu. Some of the sights you might visit include the Swyambhunath Stupa or The Monkey Temple. This Hindu and Buddhist shrine attracts hundreds of pilgrims each day, who come to spin the prayer wheel at its base while they pray to their respective deities. The Bouddhanath Stupa is yet another temple rich in cultural heritage. At the heart of �Little Tibet�. The Bouddhanath Stuppa allows the visitor to step out of Nepali culture for a moment and gain a sense of Tibetan culture. You may visit Durbar Square. Nestled in the heart of the old city this square contains temples, palaces, shrines and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th century by the kings of Nepal. These are just a few of the many sites you might visit. Day 3: 2 October After an early breakfast all participants will catch a flight to Lukla, 2,800m/9,800ft. After meeting your guide, and the Sherpa staff accompanying you on this hike, you will begin your journey up the tallest mountain on Earth. Over the next 3-4 hours you will slowly make your way up to Phakding. This portion of the hike is an easy walk through the lush landscape of the Himalayan lowlands. Porters will construct your camp as you explore Phakding, a village located on the Dudh Kosi River Day 4: 3 October After an early breakfast you will continue your ascent to Namche Bazar, 3,440m/11,286ft. This day�s trek will be a gradual ascent, spanning 5-6 hours. Along the way you will have the opportunity to visit Buddhist Monasteries. The Buddhist Monasteries of the Himalayas are colorful and culturally rich artifacts of an ancient religion still deeply important to the Sherpa people. Upon reaching Namche Bazar you will find a village steeped in Sherpa culture. Namche Bazar is a historic trading village where Nepalese and Tibetans exchange a myriad of goods. Once you have reached this village you will have the opportunity to explore the local markets and mingle with the people. Day 5: 4 October Today you will rest in Namche Bazar in order to allow your body to acclimate to the elevation. Namche Bazar is known as the gateway of Everest. You will meet other climbers, some continuing on to the summit of Everest, others journeying to Base Camp. During your stay in Namche you will have the opportunity to visit with the Sherpa people, buy gifts in their marketplace and explore the valley. If you feel up to it your guide will lead you to Shyangboche, 3800m/12,467ft. Here you will have your first clear view of Mount Everest. Day 6: 5 October After an early breakfast you will cross the Bhote Koshi River at Phungi Thanga. Phungi Thanga lies between Namche and Tyangboche. From Phungi Thanga the trek becomes steep as you ascend to Tyangboche, 3867m/12,687ft. After 4-5 hours you will reach Tyangboche and enjoy a much-deserved dinner in the dining tent and a restful night in one of the many teahouses (lodges) you will stay in along this hike. Day 7: 6 October You will stay in Tyangboche today in order to further acclimatize your body to the change in elevation. This is a spectacular place to spend the day not only due to the amazing view but also due to the world renowned Tyangboche Monastery. This monastery is the highest monastery in the world and is also home to the revered Rinpoche, a Buddhist Monk. Your guide will arrange for the team to watch a Buddhist Prayer Ceremony performed by the local monks. Tyangboche has amazing views of a myriad of impressive mountains including, Mount Everest 8,845m/29,021ft, Mount Kwangde 8,928m/20,293ft, Mount Nuptse 7,876m/25,843ft, Mount Ama Dablam 6,854m/22,487ft, Mount Kantega 6,777m/22,235ft, Mount Thamserku 6,911m/21,674ft, Mount Tawachee 6,540m/21,457ft, and Mount Lhotse 8,498m/27,883ft. Day 8: 7 October After breakfast you will begin your ascent to Dingboche, 4530m/14,862ft. The trek to Dingboche will be a gradual climb over 2-3 hours. With Makula peak in the distance you shall enjoy a leisurely dinner. Day 9: 8 October Today will be another acclimatization day as you rest in Dingboche. Today you may join your guide on a side hike to Chukkung, 4,730m/15,518ft. On the way to this mountain you will have a spectacular view of Mount Lotse Shar 8,383m/27,503ft. Once you have reached Chukkung you will have a full view of Island Peak, 6,189m/20,305. If the weather is clear you may also walk to Khambala Peak, 5,400m/17,716ft. Day 10: 9 October While trekking to Lobuche for 4-5 hours today you will have the opportunity to see some of the most famous mountains on Earth and an impressive Sherpa memorial. During your journey you will see Mount Nuptse 7,896m/25,905ft, Mount Tawoche 6,542m/21,463ft, Mount Ama Dablam 6,856m/22,493ft, Mount Pumori 7,145m/23,441ft and many more. Day 11: 10 October Today you will trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep, 5,288m/17,349ft. After your 2-hour trek you will have lunch, take a rest and if you feel you are able you may join your guide and climb to Klapatthar, 5,545m/18,192ft, to watch the sunset. On this mountain you will be able to see many of the world-renowned Himalayan Mountains, including Mount Everest. The Sherpa name for Mount Everest is �Chomolungma� or �Mother Goddess of the World.� Tomorrow you will make your final ascent to the Mount Everest Base Camp. Day 12: 11 October Today you will spend one full day trekking to Base Camp and then back to Gorakshep. The team will navigate the Khumba glacier as you make your way to The Base Camp of Mount Everest. After reaching Base Camp you will meet climbers preparing for their final ascent and watch as groups navigate the treacherous glacier walls leading to the summit of Mount Everest. You will be standing at the base of the tallest mountain on Earth and shall see the infamous Khumba icefall. After you have soaked in the city of tents you will descend back to Gorakshep for the night. Day 13: 12 October Today you will begin your descent and immediately find it easier to breath as your lungs process more oxygen per breath. After a 4-5 hour descent to Periche, 4,243m/13,902ft you may make phone calls to your loved ones and tell them of your amazing experience. Periche has phone booths with connections to almost every corner of the globe. You will visit the famed mountain yaks of The Himalayas in Periche and relive your ascent to Mount Everest Base Camp over dinner. Day 14: 13 October Today you will continue your descent and return to Tyangboche after 4-5 hours of hiking. Tonight you will breath easy in the comfort of lower altitudes. Day 15: 14 October After 4-5 hours of descent you will reach Khumjung, 3,790m/12,434ft. Upon arrival you will be able to visit the famed Hospital of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to ever summit Everest. Here you will find a thriving Sherpa village, the highest in the world. Day 16: 15 October From Khumjung you will make a gradual 4-5 hour descent to Monjo, 2835m/9297ft. Day 17: 16 October From Monjo you will return to Lukla, 2,800m/9,800ft. Here you will spend your final night on the hike. After a celebration dinner and continuous replays of the last 17 days you will fall asleep with the knowledge that you have completed a strenuous but extremely worthwhile hike. Day 18: 17 October After an early breakfast the team will be transported to the airport where you will fly back to Kathmandu. After checking in at the hotel you are free to sightsee and enjoy dinner with your new friends Day 19: 18 October The Global Volunteer Network representatives will organize visits to various programs and projects throughout Kathmandu. Today you will visit these projects. All of these projects have been created in order to help Nepali children. The projects you might visit include orphanages, schools, street children night shelters and day care facilities. By the end of the trip you will have gained what most donators never receive, a chance to see the faces of the children your funds are going to help. Tonight will be your last night together. Participants will gather for one final team dinner. Day 20: 19 October Today you say your final goodbyes to your fellow teammates, and Nepal. A private bus will transport all participants to Kathmandu Airport to catch your flight home. |
||
Climb Everest In October 2006 you have the opportunity to raise money for the Nepali Children's Fund. We're climbing the Base Camp of Mount Everest and you have the opportunity to join us.