Everest in Hillary’s Footsteps

Nepal

Everest in Hillary’s Footsteps

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This spectacular 22-day trek basically follows the classic route to Mt. Everest used by the 1953 expedition which successfully placed Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on the summit of the world’s highest mountain. The trek starts from Jiri, a village a few hundred kilometres east of Kathmandu. In the first seven days we cross several river valleys, passing rice paddies, farms and Rai villages of the Solu. Above Lukla we are into the Khumbu region, trekking through alpine forests, stopping in friendly Sherpa villages and visiting Buddhist monasteries.

The final leg takes us to the spectacular terrain far above the tree-line and to the base of the world’s highest mountains: Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Mt. Everest. This approach to Everest is especially interesting as it involves walking at altitudes between 6,000ft (1900m) and 18,000ft (5500m) where a great variety of culture, vegetation, natural habitats, and geography is observed. A challenging but very rewarding trip!

Detailed Itinerary

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Kathmandu Guest House. There will be a short arrival briefing to get you oriented and to take care of the necessary bureaucracy for the trek.

Free morning to discover the temples, back alleys, shops and people of Kathmandu on your own, followed by a major trek briefing. We can also assist you with the purchase or rental of trekking and/or climbing equipment if required.

A long but scenic drive by vehicle up the Sun Kosi river valley and through the hills to the village of Jiri (6348ft, 1935m), the trailhead for the Everest trek and our first camp. Travelling time from 9 – 10 hours.

The porters’ loads are organised in Jiri before our short first day’s trek to Shivalaya (5905ft, 1800m) on the banks of the Khimti Khola. (3 – 4 hours walking).

The trail climbs steeply at first and then steadily to the top of the first pass (Deorali – 8875ft, 2705m) before descending to our camp in the Sherpa village of Bhandar (7218ft, 2200m). (4 – 5 hours walking).

Descending into one of the many river valleys we will traverse, we pass through Kenja (the lowest point of the entire trek) before climbing again to our camp in Sete village (8448ft, 2575m). (5 – 6 hours walking).

We climb steeply through magnificent rhododendron forest to the second pass (Lamjura La – 11581ft, 3530m) before descending to our camp in the Sherpa village of Junbesi (8858ft, 2700m) (5 6 hours walking).

The trail climbs a spur between the Junbesi and Solu rivers which offers our first distant views of Everest. After a descent to another river, we climb to the third major pass on our approach route (Trakshindo La – 10075ft, 3071m). There is a monastery just below the pass which we can visit before continuing our descent to Nuntala (7710ft, 2350m), a Sherpa village with a few Rai inhabitants. (6 – 7 hours walking).

Another long and steep descent brings us to the valley of the Dudh Kosi (“Milk River”) which we will follow northwards for the next few days of the trek. Climbing past the villages of Jubing and Khari Khola, we eventually reach our camp in Bupsa (7710ft, 2350m) perched on the top of a ridge. (4.5 – 5.5 hours walking).

There are several climbs today as the trail winds in and out of side valleys and crosses ridges before eventually descending to our camp in Surke (7546ft, 2300m) below the airstrip at Lukla. (5 – 6 hours walking).

We climb again this morning before joining the main trail from Lukla at Chaplung. Shortly afterwards we will meet up with the rest of our Everest group who have flown in to Lukla, before heading north up the valley to our camp above the river at Phakding (8661ft, 2640m). (4 – 5 hours walking).

Today we enter the Sagarmatha National Park before beginning the long, steep climb up to the town of Namche Bazaar (11319ft, 3450m), the main administrative and trading centre for the Khumbu region. Magnificent forests of blue pine, fir, juniper and rhododendron as well as views of Everest help ease the climb. Our camp will be at the upper end of Namche to afford the best views. (4 – 5 hours walking).

Acclimatisation day in Namche. Although this day can be spent relaxing in camp or exploring the tiny shops in the bazaar, the best option for altitude acclimatisation is a hike up the valley of the Bhote Kosi (“River from Tibet”) to the west. This is a wonderful pastoral walk, and those who are very keen and well-acclimatised can continue to the village of Thame and its monastery. Camp in Namche Bazaar. (3.5.5 hours walking).

Morning visit to the colourful Saturday market, where local and Chinese goods (brought over the high passes from Tibet) can be seen and purchased. A short, stiff climb brings us to the small airstrip at Shyangboche before we detour to visit the Everest View Hotel with its spectacular views of the Khumbu Himal including Everest and Ama Dablam. We then descend briefly to our camp in the village of Khumjung (12434ft, 3790m). The afternoon is free to visit Khumjung Monastery with its famous “yeti scalp” and the Hillary School (1.5 – 2 hours walking).

Staying high above the main trail, we contour and climb to the Mong La with terrific views of Ama Dablam. Camp is in the very traditional Sherpa village of Phortse (12467ft, 3800m) where we may well see Himalayan tahr (mountain goats), danphe (impeyan pheasants) and musk deer. (3 – 3.5 hours walking).

There are stunning views of Tengboche and Ama Dablam during this morning’s ridge contour/climb up the Imja Khola Valley to the village of Upper Pangboche with its ancient monastery. We continue up the glacial valley after lunch, passing some of the Khumbu’s most beautifully carved mani (prayer) stones. Camp is at Dingboche (14271ft, 4350m) at the mouth of the Chukhung Valley. (4.5 – 5.25 hours walking).

This is the second of our important acclimatisation days. It can be spent relaxing in Dingboche enjoying the scenic views of Ama Dablam, but the best option is a morning hike up the valley to the lodges at Chukhung. This route passes below the massive Nuptse-Lhotse wall and offers marvelous views of the surrounding mountains. Afternoon free in Dingboche. (3 – 3.5 hours walking).

This morning’s hike is relatively short as we continue our acclimatisation process. The trail climbs gradually to our camp in the tiny settlement of Dughla (15092ft, 4600m) nestling below the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. (1.5 – 2 hours walking) There will be an optional side trip to a spectacular viewpoint that overlooks Tshola Tsho glacial lake below Cholatse and Taboche peaks to the south, and also offers an incredible view of the peaks at the head of the Khumbu Valley.

It is a short but steep climb to the lodges at Lobuche (16207ft, 4940m). We have a wild campsite north of Lobuche tonight with particularly impressive views of the sunset on Nuptse. (1.5 – 2 hours walking).

This is a demanding yet very rewarding day. We follow the ablation valley and then negotiate several glacial moraines to reach the lodges at Gorak Shep (16962ft, 5170m). Our goal today is the ascent of Kala Pattar (“Black Rock”), a small peak by Himalayan standards at 18200ft, 5545m. The climb is hard work, but offers the most magnificent mountain panorama possible: Everest (the highest point on the planet at 29028ft, 8848m) towers directly ahead, while Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse, Pumori and countless other giants loom on all sides. The descent to our camp at Gorak Shep is much easier. (4 – 4.5 hours walking).

Another tough day with great rewards, as we trek along the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (17600ft, 5380m). This is the closest that you can get to Everest without mountaineering equipment, and there are often several expeditions in Base Camp. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from here is spectacular. It’s then a long descent to the comparatively thick air of our camp in Dughla. (6 – 6.5 hours walking)

From Dughla, we take a slightly different route down to Lower Pangboche before crossing over the Imja Khola and climbing through lush pine and rhododendron forests to our camp at Tengboche (12664ft, 3860m). This is the site of the Khumbu’s most important Buddhist monastery, and we will have the opportunity to explore the monastery and to observe the monks at prayer and at work. (4 – 4.5 hours walking)

PLEASE NOTE: Those doing the Island Peak climb will trek from Dughla to Chukhung via Dingboche on this day.

After a spectacular sunrise, we descend steeply to the Dudh Kosi before climbing to join a ridge contour trail offering farewell views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants en route to Namche Bazaar. Another descent brings us back to the Dudh Kosi and our camp in Chumoa (9235ft, 2815m) just outside the National Park (4.5 -5 hours walking).

An easy day’s walk brings us to Lukla (9350ft, 2850m) for our final night in the Khumbu. Lukla actually seems quite modern compared to the isolated villages further up the valley. (4 –5 hours walking).

An early morning flight takes us back to Kathmandu, and gives us a last view of the mountains we have just spent three weeks exploring. Overnight at the Kathmandu Guest House.

Free in Kathmandu to continue exploring the valley and surrounding hill towns. We can organise an optional flight over Mount Everest or an optional biking trip around the Kathmandu Valley.

26-27

End of the Everest In Hillary’s Footsteps programme. Transfer to the airport for your return flight, or start optional trips in India, Tibet, Thailand or other exotic areas!

PLEASE NOTE: PLEASE NOTE: On adventure trips of this type, weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary, the leader will decide what is the best alternative taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.

Synopsis

Trip Grading:

Length: 28 days total, 22-day trek

Max. Altitude: 18,400 ft / 5600m.

Begins/Ends in Kathmandu.

Land Cost: $3550 Full-service tented trek (includes everything).
Standard "Tea-house" trek is 40% less

International Airfare: Apx. $1800 (Airfare to Kathmandu)

Sep 27 - Oct 24, '20
Oct 25 - Nov 21, '20
Nov 01 - Nov 28, '20
Nov 29 - Dec 26, '20
Feb 28 – Mar 27, '21
Mar 28 – Apr 24, '21

Apr 18 - May 15, '21
Apr 25 - May 22, '21
Sep 26 - Oct 23, '21
Oct 24 - Nov 20, '21
Nov 07 - Dec 04, '21
Nov 28 - Dec 25, '21

Note: Trips start two days earlier and end one day later from North America.

Included in land cost: Airfare Lukla-Kathmandu; 22 days trekking in the Everest region including all meals and major equipment; 5 nights accommodation in Kathmandu; airport transfers for group flights; services of an experienced trip leader, cook, porters, and local guides

Single supplement: $195

Note on air ticketing: We use major international scheduled carriers for our trips, including routes that go via Europe, the Gulf states, India, or Asian cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong. We can explain various price and routing options for different airlines when you book and help you choose the best itinerary to fit your budget and time. However, please note that many flights into Kathmandu are heavily booked months in advance during the high season. Reserve your flight as soon as possible even if you can't confirm the trip yet.

'Full-service camping' vs. 'Tea-house' treks: THIS IS A FULL-SERVICE CAMPING TREK, WITH PRIVATE KITCHEN, FOOD, AND STAFF, COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF "TEA HOUSES". IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS SAME TREK STAYING AND EATING IN "TEA-HOUSES", THE COST IS ABOUT 40% LESS THAN FULL-SERVICE, BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 4 PARTICIPANTS. PLEASE INQUIRE.

You can also contact Canadian Himalayan Expeditions directly for more information.