EVEREST AND ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK

Your adventure begins at Kathmandu. On arrival, a staff member from the Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Our representative will give you a briefing on what to expect on the trek. You will stay here overnight at a hotel in Thamel – the tourist hub of Kathmandu.

Today you will be picked up from your hotel by our guide and taken to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes about 35 minutes, giving you time to view the spectacular Himalayan peaks. Your trek begins with an easy trek passing a Kani (ceremonial gatehouse) and then descends before heading above Kyangma village. We then head to Cheplung village where the trail passes through a forest close to the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing the suspension bridge you climb over the ridge to Ghat Village and then pass some Mani walls, Chortens, and prayer wheels. A short time later we reach Phakding.

Today we cross a number of suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River before heading through Tok-Tok, Benkar, and Monjo and then we arrive at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park you will be requested to buy a permit. After following the river bed for several hours, and after the last Hillary suspension bridge, there is a steep uphill climb to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar has a good selection of restaurants, an internet café, pubs, post office, ATM and banks.

This is the perfect place set for "acclimatization". Health Specialists suggest we stay active during the rest day. We have set aside two days for acclimatization that is necessary before ascending to higher altitudes. We have several options open to us and can trek to Thame or visit Khunde. Alternatively we can explore Namche Bazaar and check out the weekly market that takes place on Friday evening and on Saturday morning. Your guide can also take you to the Tourist Visitor Center close to the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park that has a fascinating display of equipment and relics of the first Everest climbers. You can also learn a little about the flora and fauna of the region.

Today we follow the wild glacier waters of the Dudh Kosi River as it cascades down from the mountains. The trail also offers some striking mountain views as we gradually ascend to 3860m at Tengboche Village, well known for its decorative wall hangings and 6 meter Buddha, Tibetan musical instruments and vivid Lama Robes. A highlight of visiting Tengboche will be the evening prayer at the monastery that is both peaceful and calming to your soul.

Today we have an easy trek to Dingboche – except for the final leg where we have to climb a steep hill, which also reminds us that we are at higher altitudes making it more tiring. We will first pass through the villages of Somare (4010m) and Orsho. We will then come to a fork in the trail and take the left trail that heads to Pheriche Village, then cross a bridge before that steep huffing and puffing climb to Dingboche Village (4410m) where we will stay overnight.

Today is the second day set aside to acclimatize before heading to higher altitudes. In order to stay active we will climb 400m to Nangkartshang Gompa located on a ridge just to the north of Dingboche Village. From here we have some awesome views of Mt. Makalu (8,463m), the world’s fifth highest mountain, as well as Mt. Ama Dablam. If you have the energy then we can head to the summit at Nangkartshang (5090m).

We will first head to Dughla Village and then cross the steep moraine at the base of the Khumbu Glacier and across boulder-strewn slopes. We will continue to ascend to Chupki Lhara that has an assortment of stones with prayer flags placed around them as a memorial to climbers Scott Fischer (American) and ten-time Everest summiteer Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese guide) who died while attempting to climb Everest. As we head to the Khumbu Glacier moraine a number of huge peaks are directly in front of us: Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal. This scene will leave you stunned! We will stay in a lodge tonight.

We are slowly heading to higher elevations passing along the way Gorak Shep Lake and then come to a memorial that honors Indian mountaineers who have died on Mt. Everest. Walking now is more physically demanding as a result of the thinner air at this higher altitude. The trail has rocks, moraine and streams to cross before reaching EBC. The first thing we notice on arrival at EBC is the contrasting display of colorful tents of mountaineers anxiously waiting for the right conditions before attempting a climb to the summit. From EBC we can plainly see Nuptse, Khumbutse and Pumori and the snow glistening on their peaks. After a rest and explore of EBC we return to Gorak Shep for the night.

We head out in pre-dawn darkness with sub-zero temperatures and head to Kala Patthar. There is also the likelihood of strong winds that will add the chill factor. In the east are the peaks of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. Everest also starts to make an appearance. Once at the summit of Kala Patthar we will be overjoyed as we take in the 360-degree views and the massive and looming Mt. Everest that appears right before your eyes. Now is the time to have your camera out and to take some great photos of Everest that you can look back on later in life. We will then head back to Pangboche for the night.

Today we head back to Imja Khola and then ascend through the forest to Tengboche. We can also visit to the Tengboche Monastery – home to Buddhist nuns. This is also an excellent place for a lunch break before crossing a hillside dotted with juniper and rhododendron trees. Next we cross a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and then down a steep descent through the gorge and pine trees to Sansa Village. In this section of the trail you may see various animals, such as mountain goats, snow leopards (elusive) and the vivid colored pheasants – Nepal’s national emblem. Just before reaching Namche Bazaar we pass a chorten and then the army camp before arriving at Namche Bazaar.

This is our final day on this leg of the adventure as we head back Phakding. We should arrive at Lukla with time to spare where you can explore the village and surrounding hillsides. In the evening you may decide to party a little and have a few celebratory drinks!

Today we catch our flight back to Kathmandu – this time having a new perspective and appreciation of the mountains below. You have had a first-hand taste of the vast and beautiful Himalayas. In the afternoon you can unwind by wandering through Thamel and maybe head for a café before the next leg of your adventure.

Today we head out on the second leg of our adventure and have 6-7 hour drive toward the Pokhara Valley and its beautiful Phewa Tal (lake). We will then assist you in checking in to your hotel close to Phewa Tal. There is plenty to see and do along Lakeside with its many shops, bars and restaurants to choose from.

Today we head travel by jeep to Nayapul and then begin the trek following along the banks of the Modi Khola (river) until we reach Birethanti Village (1,015m). We will then follow the north bank of the Burundi Khola before climbing up through the valley to Hille (1,495m). We will soon arrive at Tikhedhunga (1,570m) where we will stay overnight. The day’s trek is not too strenuous and is relatively easy.

A steep ascent and we arrive at the Magar village of Ulleri (2,070m). From here we again head higher through rhododendron and oak forests until we reach Banthanti (2,250m) and then continue to Nangethanti (2,460m). An hour later and we come to Ghorepani (2,840m) where we will stay overnight at a guesthouse.

To truly appreciate and get the best views from Poon Hill, we have to get up before sunrise. It will take an hour to reach Poon Hill (3,210m) where the views are totally awesome. The mountains are glistening in the perfect light of the morning, reflecting various colors off the pure white peaks. After madly snapping photos we will head back down to Ghorepani (2960m) for breakfast. From Ghorepani we ascend across mountain ridges and through rhododendron and pine forests before reaching Deurali (2,960m). We then come to a cross-road at Banthanti and head to Tadapani. We will stay overnight a guesthouse.

The trail today descends down a steep hill through rhododendron forests before reaching a mainly Gurung village, not far from Chomrong Village (2,140m) where we will stay overnight at a guesthouse. We will stay overnight at a guesthouse.

Today the trail descends to Chomrong Khola (river) and then up to Khuldighar at 2,380m where there used to be an ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area) checks point. We head down to the bottom of the gorge keeping to the west side of the river. We walk through bamboo and then climb up the steep staircase to Dovan. We will stay here overnight at a guesthouse.

Today we head higher through the rhododendron forest alongside the Modi Khola (river) to Himalaya Hotel (2,920m). We will pass Hinku Cave which used to be a landmark for the earlier Annapurna I expeditions where it was used as a camp and a supply depot. We then head up through the jungle trail to reach Deurali (3,200 m). We will stay here overnight at a guesthouse.

Today we ascend to ABC and pass along the way Hinko Cave, Deurali, and Machapuchare Base Camp before reaching Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) (4,130m). At this altitude you will have stunning clear and unobstructed views over the surrounding peaks. This is certainly another opportunity to get your camera out! We will stay here at a guesthouse overnight.

We head back down following the same route we took getting to ABC, descending an incredible 1,700m to the bank of the Modi Khola (river) and on to Bamboo (2,345m) where we will stay at a guesthouse for the night.

We will follow the trail back to Chomrong passing Khuldighar and then on through rhododendron and bamboo forests. There is a very steep descent to Chomrong and to Jhinu Danda where we can sit back and relax in the hot springs. We will stay here overnight at a guesthouse.

From Jhinu Danda we trek along the banks of the Modi Khola for around 4.5 hours until we reach Birethanti. The trek today is considered to be the most enjoyable of the entire trek. It is more like a gentle walk than what we have previously been used to. Once we reach Nayapul we drive back to Pokhara. After we have checked in at the hotel we plan to take a boat trip to Barahi Temple, located on a small island in the middle of Phewa Tal (lake). We will stay here overnight at a hotel.

The next morning we head back along the highway to Kathmandu. Along the way you will have time to look back on your trek to Annapurna Base Camp, while making a wish list of places to visit next in Nepal. There is of course, a Chitwan jungle safari tour, plunging down the rapids on a rafting adventure, mountain biking, or a guided shopping tour of Kathmandu. We will take you to your hotel after our arrival in Kathmandu.

Today is the day to say goodbye to the beautiful Himalayas and Nepal. A representative from Sherpa Expedition & Trekking will take you to the airport with plenty of time prior to your departure. On your way home you will maybe start thinking about your next adventure within the beautiful Himalayan Mountains of Nepal.