Ultimate Everest


Everest as seen from Gokyo Ri (Photo: Werner Kurz)

Ultimate Everest Trek – Kalapathar, Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri, (23 days, 22 nights)

More than fifty years after the first ascent of Mt. Everest, trekkers continue to embark on this journey to the base camp of Everest via the classic route. As you trek through the villages of the famous Sherpa people, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains that rise above the clouds.

After visiting the Everest Base Camp, climb Kalapathar (18,195 ft) for an up-close view of the south face of Everest. Then you will cross a near 18,000 ft. pass (Cho La) to Gokyo village via the Ngozumpa glacier. At Gokyo, hike to the summit of Gokyo Ri from where you can view four mountains over 8,000 meters: Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu. From Gokyo, cross another near 18,000 ft pass, Renjo La, to reach Thame. Descend to Lukla, where the trek ends, via Khumjung.

This is the comprehensive trek for the Everest region and allows you to see more of everything: spectacular mountain vistas, Sherpa culture and remote rustic valleys. Again, did we mention AWESOME mountain views?

Before you choose a trekking company, make sure you know what is included and what is not. Read suggested questions you should ask our competitors at the bottom of this page.

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel Tibet. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu


Pashupati temple (Photo: Jenny Gurung)

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house city guide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar (palace) Square.

Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast and Lunch)

 

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Phakding (2,600m/8,700 ft.)

Early morning flight to Lukla. The duration of the flight is around 25 minutes. At Lukla, you will meet up with your porters and other trek staff. After a quick breakfast, begin trekking. Today’s three to four hour trek to Phakding is on fairly level trail. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 04 - Phakding to Namche (3,420m/11,270 ft.)

Today you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monju. After lunch, past Jorsalle, begins the grueling climb to the largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu region - Namche. Weather permitting, today, you will get your first view of Mt. Everest at the beginning of the ascent to Namche. Namche is shaped like an ampitheater and has numerous lodges, bars and bakeries. Tibetan traders who cross the near 20,000 ft pass - Nangpa la - sell their wares here. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 05 - Namche (3,420m/11,270 ft.)

Today is an acclimatization day. You are free to visit the National Park Museum or wander around Namche town. The early morning mountain view, looking north from the park head-quarters, of Amadablam, Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse is amazing. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 06 - Namche to Tengboche (3,870m/12,900 ft.)

From Namche, walk on level trail for a while enjoying mountain views. Past Sanasa, descend to Phunki Tenga. After lunch, it is again a grueling three to four hours of uphill to Tengboche monastery. After settling into your rooms at the lodge, you have the option to join the prayer ceremony at the Tengboche monastery. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 07 - Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m/13,950 ft.)

Anapurna
Feriche Valley (Photo: Jenny Gurung)

Descend to Debuche where there is a nunnery. From today, you will start to notice the change in the landscape. Forests give way to arid landscape with shrubs. Ascend gradually to Pangboche and then to Dingboche in the Imja valley. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 08 - Dingboche (4,360m/13,950 ft.)

Rest day for acclimatization. Free to go for a day hike or to just relax. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 09 - Dingboche to Dughla (4,620m/15,100 ft.)

Climb gradually to the top of a hill overlooking the Feriche valley. Cross a few pastures and make a short but steep ascent to Dughla where you will reach for lunch. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 10 - Dughla to Lobuche (4,930m/16,200 ft.)

The trail is steep at first till the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier where this is an area with monuments dedicated to climbers who have perished on Khumbu's mountains. Past this point it is a gradual ascent to Lobuche where, again, you will arrive before lunch. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 11 - Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,160m/17,100 ft.)

Ascend gently through meadows and then cross several steep moraines to Gorakshep which is situated on a sandy and flat section that served as base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. From Gorakshep, you may opt to continue to the Everest Base Camp walking through jumbles of small rocks and boulders but you must return to Gorakshep for the night. The round-trip hike from Gorakshep to Base Camp can take around four to five hours. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 12 - Gorakshep to Dzongla (15,900 ft.)

Hike up Kalapathar (5,545m/18,195 ft.) for views of Everest. This 1,100 ft. steep ascent is challenging. Previous clients' times for this climb have ranged from two to five hours - one way. But, there is no doubt that, weather permitting, the summit of Kalapathar serves as one of the best face-to-face view-point for the southern massif of Mt. Everest.

Enjoy a well deserved lunch either at Gorakshep or Lobuche and continue to Dzongla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 13 - Dzongla to Thagnag


Salam Singh and Werner on Cho La pass

Start early from Dzongla walking through a pasture before beginning a steep ascent to the Cho La pass (5,420m). Some scrambling on all fours might be necessary as you navigate through the rocky trail. You will then reach a glacier from where it is a gradual ascent to the pass. The trail on the descent from the pass is steep and can be icy. After crossing this section, you will, again, hike on a moraine until you reach Thagnag. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 14 - Thagnag to Gokyo (4,750m/15,500 ft.)

From Thagnag, climb to the Ngozumpa glacier. You will cross the muddy glacier and then ascend gradually passing a few lakes until you reach Gokyo. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 15 - Gokyo (4,750m/15,500 ft.)

The hike to Gokyo Ri (17,400 ft.) is similar to the hike up Kala Pathar - a little shorter and easier. From here, you are able to view Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu - all rising above 8,000 meters. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 16 - Gokyo to Lungden (4,375m/14,350 ft.)

Another early start day - climb steeply to Renjo La (5,390m/17,700 ft) from where, again, awe-inspiring views are possible. From the pass, descend steeply to reach Lungden a village that has still not been much influenced by Nepal's tourism. The hike today can take over eight hours. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 17 - Lungden to Thame (3,800m/12,500 ft.)


The hike to Thame is a short descent. At Thame, visit the monastery. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 18 - Thame to Khumjung (12,200 ft.)

Trek on fairly level trail today. Approaching Namche, we will take a diversion and climb, past the Syangboche air-strip, towards Khumjung. This is the site of the famous Hillary school. And above Khumjung is the Khunde hospital which you may opt to visit. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 19 - Khumjung to Monjo (9,100 ft.)

Descend steeply to Lukla and then to Jorsalle. Climb a short section until Monjo. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 20 - Monjo to Lukla (9,100 ft.)

Anapurna
Lukla airport (Photo: Claudine)

Last day of trekking as you re-trace the trail to Lukla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 21 - Lukla to Kathmandu

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Day free in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast)

Day 22 - Kathmandu

Sightseeing in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (All meals)

Day 23 - Depart for home

Final departure. (Breakfast)

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of GBP/EURO/AUS$ 300 per person through bank transfer. Wire details will be provided. The balance must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks, cash or by credit card (VISA card only). If you plan to pay by credit card, the payable amount will be converted to US$ and a 3% surcharge will be added.

Download reservation form (Word)»

Cancellation policy:

- Cancel 30 days prior to the beginning of the trip, deposit valid for any trip undertaken within a year with us in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.
- Cancel anytime prior to the beginning of the trip, forfeit trip deposit.
- No refunds once trek begins.

Currency of payment:

Prices are guaranteed for 2011. You may choose to pay in US$ or your country's currency. If you pay by credit card, you will be charged in US$.

North American clients:

Please book this trip with our US based sister company - Grand Asian Journeys. (Separate booking and cancellation policy applies.)

Grand Asian Journeys
PO Box 608
Indianola, WA 98342
Toll Free: 1-888-586-7750
Email: info@grandasianjourneys.com

Altitude sickness

This trek does involve sleeping and hiking at high altitude. We will, as we do for all high-altitude treks, provide a A Gamow Bag for this trip.  A GAMOW bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that looks like an inflatable extra-large sleeping bag. The effective altitude inside the inflated GAMOW bag is about 5000 feet lower than the altitude you are at; it has been very effective in the past in relieving headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain Treks organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers every year. Our previous trekking clients have included travellers from the USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany and Russia. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us. We may be able to get you in touch with a previous client from your native country.

TREK RATING:

This trek is rated Challenging and involves trekking at high altitude (5 on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being easy and 5 being challenging). Highest altitude reached on this trek is 5,545m/18,192 ft. at the summit of Kalapathar. Highest overnight elevation is 5,160m/17,100 ft. at Gorakshep. The entire trip involves a lot of up and down. Physical conditioning is required. Nothing prepares you for hiking like hiking. So besides hitting the tread-mill or the stair-master at the gym, do include hiking in your training regimen which should begin at least two months prior to the trek if not earlier.

No technical climbing experience is required for participation on this trip.

WHY BOOK WITH CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN?:

There are over 500 and counting trekking companies in Nepal plus numerous adventure companies based outside of Nepal selling treks in Nepal. We are aware that you have lots of options. But, we believe there are reasons we stand out from our competitors. Our most compelling argument is that we provide the BEST VALUE. When you book with us, cost of all your meals on your trek are included. And you may choose anything or any amount from the menu. A lot of trekking companies have hidden costs - cost of meals while on the trek are not included. Prices at lodges in the Everest region are highly inflated and each meal can cost upto GBP 5 per person meaning an additional GBP 200 per person on the Ultimate Everest Trek. Also, we provide boiled water for your water bottles at breakfast, lunch and dinner. With other companies, this would be extra. All these costs add up very quickly. We've listed more reasons why we are different here...

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK OUR COMPETITORS:

- Is boiled water for drinking provided? Is it included in the trek cost?
- Can I order as much water as I need or is the per day quantity limited?
- Are all my meals on the trek included?
- Can I order as many items from the menu? Or am I only limited to certain items?
- What if I am still hungry because the potions are small? And I need the extra fuel at altitude.
- Is a Gamow Bag (high altitude pressurized chamber) provided?
- Are the porters provided meals? Or do they have to buy their own meals?
- What kind of gear do you provide the porters?
- Are the porters provided with good hiking boots? Or do you only provide canvas or army shoes?
- Are the staff insured?
- If required will you pay for staff helicopter evacuation which I understand Nepali insurance companies don't cover?

While these issues may sound trivial on paper, these are all very important once you are on the ground and trekking. Ask our previous clients what they think about these issues and what we deliver. Upon request, we are glad to provide references from the UK, Australia, Germany, USA and Canada.

Other Treks to the Everest region:

FLYING TO NEPAL:

Flying from the UK:
Most economical options are either flying through Abi Dhabi (Etihad Airlines) or through Delhi (Jet Airways and Air India). Other options include flying through Bahrain on Gulf Air and through Doha on Qatar Airlines.

Flying from Australia:
Your best options are either flying through Bangkok (Thai Airways), through Singapore (Singapore Airlines), or through Delhi (Jet Airways).

Check out the following sites to compare prices for flights to Nepal:

www.kayak.com
www.sidestep.com
www.cheapoair.com

NEPAL TREK PREPARATION:

Click on the link for useful information that should help you better plan/prepare for your trekking journey in Nepal. This page will be continually updated based on client feedback/experience: NEPAL TREK PREPARATION

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813

Mobile phone: + 977 98410-00724

Or feel free to provide us your Skype address/telephone number and a time convenient for you and we would be glad to call you from Kathmandu to answer your questions.