walkingliguria : Ethical Trekking in the Himalayas

Himalayas

	Himalayan Trekking: Thame / Gokyo / Cho La Pass / Kala Patthar Mt. Everest, standing mightily at 8848m is the World's highest peak and the ultimate Himalayan dream for many trekkers. Everest trek (with more time for acclimatization) enables you not only to witness Mount Everest but also the 4th & 5th highest peaks - Lhotse at 8516m, Makalu 8467m - as well as numerous other giant peaks. This region is truly the roof of the World. The trek goes through the heartland of the Sherpa - mountain people of Tibetan origin - and passes numerous charming villages, many with picturesque gompas that are spectacularly set amidst its mountainous surroundings. Before reaching Everest Base camp, the trail follows the Khumbu Glacier with huge ice pinnacles soaring to unbelievable heights. We fly to Lukla and follow the Dhuda Koshi valley through beautiful pine and rhododendron trees. The jagged, icy & snow capped peaks of Thamseku (6623m) & Kushum Kanguru (6369m), tower above the trail. A steep climb then leads us to Namche Bazaar (3345m) were we take our first acclimatization stop. On the trail to Tengboche, those with a keen eye will be rewarded with sightings of musk deer, thar (mountain goat), impeyan pheasant. Tengboche monastery is set in a beautiful location with chortens adorned with player flags and mani walls being a constant reminder of the local Buddhist culture. The trail follows to the Khumbu glacier & Kala Pathar (5554m), where the best view of Mt. Everest & a 360 degree panorama of the World's highest peaks are laid out before us. Our return route takes us via Tengboche, Namche Bazaar, Lukla for a traditional farewell.

Grade: Challenging Dates of availability: November 2008 Cost: 1295 Euros per person 1350 Euros per person including Everest Base Camp extension Prices include everything in Nepal Minimum 4 persons Included: Internal flights Kathmandu-Lukla (approx 35 minutes) All other transfers Hotel ** in Kathmandu double room bed and breakfast Meals in Kathmandu Sagarmatha national Park entry fee Accommodation in Tea Lodges during trekking period (double or triple room) with half board Porters during trekking (1 per person) Fluent Italian and English speaking guide Not included:** International fight to Kathmandu Travel and trekking Insurance Nepal Visa (obtainable on arrival) Local flight taxes Entrance fee to Museums and Temples Drinks, tips and other extras All other items not mentioned in "what is included"	Itinerary
	Day 1:	Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
	Day 2:	Kathmandu sightseeing guided tour
	Day 3:	Flight Lukla 2800m, trek to Phakding, - 4 hours - Tea Lodge
	Day 4:	Trek to Namche 3440m - 5 hours approx. - Tea Lodge
	Day 5:	Namche - Rest day - Tea Lodge
	Day 6:	Trek to Thame 3800m - 4.5 hours approx. - Tea Lodge
	Day 7:	Thame - acclimatization - Tea Lodge
	Day 8:	Trek to Marulung 4150m, 5 hours approx - Tea Lodge
	Day 9:	Trek to Renjo Pass 5345m - Gokyo 5740m - 6 hours Tea Lodge
	Day 10:	Gokyo day hiking - Tea Lodge
	Day 11:	Trek to Gokyo-Dragnag 4700m - 5 hours approx. - Tea Lodge
	Day 12:	Trek to Chola Pass 5368m - Dzonglha 4830m - Tea Lodge
	Day 13:	Trek to Dzonglha-Tengboche 3860m - 6 hours approx. - Tea Lodge
	Day 14:	Trek to Tengboche-Jorsalle 2800m - 5 hours approx. - Tea Lodge
	Day 15:	Trek Jorsalle-Lukla - Tea Lodge
	Day 16:	Flight Lukla-Kathmandu; transfer to Hotel
	Day 17:	Free day in Kathmandu
	Day 18:	Return flight
	Optional Everest extension:
	Day 13:	Trek Dzonghla-Lobuche 4900m - 5 hours
	Day 14:	Trek Lobuche-Kala Patthar 5545m
	Day 15:	Trek Lobuche-Dingboche 4400m
	Day 16:	Trek Dingboche-Tengboche 3860m
		...then continues as above
	Important Notes:	You must have a good overall cardiovascular fitness for this climb. We do not recommend gym preparation alone - you must get out on the fields and trails irrespective of weather conditions, months before in your area and do some long distance treks and runs; fell running is particularly good for this. You will definitely reap the benefits from this when you get to the Himalayas. Altitude sickness (Ams) is always a concern. There is no magic cure for this when coming from the lowlands, however, we try and give you the best acclimatizing possible on our programme, but if you feel you would like some extra time for this, we will happily customize your trip to guarantee you the best success. For more information relating to altitude mountain sickness please go to: www.basecampmd.com - you can read about Diamox which many people commonly take. A detailed gear list will be forwarded upon your enrolment to the trip. We welcome small groups, who know each other, and for these we provide a discount as we find they work together well as a team. The guiding ratio is 2-3 clients to one Guide. Maximum group size: 4 people.
	Booking and Payment Terms:	Please book through our form and read the conditions. Contact Payment of your deposit via UK debit or credit card is now possible via a secure connection to PayPal (this method attracts a 5% surcharge). Personal cheques are also perfectly acceptable, or bank transfers can be arranged at no charge - contact us for details. After you have signed and returned the booking form with your cheque or credit card authorisation in respect of the 20% deposit, you undertake to pay the remaining balance within 4 weeks of departure date. As soon as we have your booking we will forward to you our confirmation invoice with full details of the holiday that has been booked. If you are resident outside the EEC countries, we reserve the right to add a reasonable administrative charge to cover expenses incurred for overseas communications or correspondence (ie: visas or couriers).