Luxury Everest Base Camp
10 Days from 7000 ex Kathmandu
Accommodation
3 nights luxury hotel
6 nights luxury lodge
Transportation
Mostly by foot
Transfers via vehicle
Included Meals
9 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
7 Dinners
Mallory, Norgay, and Hillary all walked these trails toward the third pole, our planet’s highest peak, Mt Everest. These mountains have changed little over the years and as such I share a view with these great explorers as well.
At first, it is the people who live along the trail and the lives they lead, that consume you. Small shops dot the trail. Tea houses welcome wary hikers with tea and warm meals. Birch, juniper, fir and blue pine obscure your view of the giants beyond, occasionally opening up for a panoramic beyond belief.
Giant rivers rumble through the valleys leading to Sagarmatha. Wire bridges span these valleys cutting off hours of trekking. It is not until we reach Namche Bazaar that we are above the tree line and we are exposed to what Nepal has become famous for; Mountains!
“But there are men for whom the unattainable has a special attraction. Usually, they are not experts: their ambitions and fantasies are strong enough to brush aside the doubts which more cautious men might have. Determination and faith are their strongest weapons. At best such men are regarded as eccentric; at worst, mad.” – Walt Unsworth
Our journey takes us to within kilometers of giant mountains such as Makalu, Nuptse and Everest; all over 8000 meters; and icons such as Ama Dablam. We will be immersed in a wonderland of rock, ice and snow. And enchanted by the colourful and ancient cultures of Tibet and Nepal.
We will travel through this beautiful landscape in style though. Each evening we will be guests of a local luxury lodge, famed for its hospitality, food, warm beds, and warm showers. Each morning we will start the day with a delicious breakfast, before heading out onto the trail, exploring both the world around us and our inner spirits.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we will be whisked away on a helicopter toward Everest itself, for unsurpassed views of the Khumbu glacier and the slopes of Chomolungma (Everest in Tibetan).
“We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to live. That is what life means and what life is for.” – Mallory
Although Mallory did say this, his expedition stores did consist of” champagne and tins of quail in aspic”.
The Journey
Stupas and temples dot Kathmandu’s sprawling low-rise cityscape, ancient as they are spiritual. The scent of burning dupa wafts through the bustling streets of hawkers selling everything from kashmir to silver. There is an excitement in the air, one of adventure and the exotic. Kathmandu has intoxicated intrepid travelers for decades, offering instant journeys into the mind and providing rooms and nourishment for those seeking adventure further afield.
Our home in Kathmandu is the Nepali Ghar a Newali style luxury hotel in the heart of Thamel. The Nepali Ghar will be our home away from home in Kathmandu. (D)
See some of Kathmandu’s most culturally significant sites up close with our friendly and knowledgeable tour hosts. We’ll lead you up the stairs to the white dome of Boudhanath Monastery and down to the banks of the Bagmati River where Hindu temples of Pashupatinath attract religious followers. Over dinner, we’ll review our itinerary for the days ahead and answer any questions about what to expect. Tonight you can explore Lazimpat, one of Kathmandu’s most upscale neighborhoods, as plenty of lounges and restaurants are within walking distance of your hotel. Be sure to get enough rest, however; our great adventure begins tomorrow! (B)
Today we take a drive to Ramechhap which is where all flights to Everest depart these days. It’s an early start but our flight toward the mighty Himalayas and the famed Sir Edmond Hillary airstrip, is breathtaking and the early morning will be soon forgotten. For years, hikers and climbers would have to walk for 7 days from Jiri just to start the Everest trek. Today, we fly into this spectacular airport to start our Everest trek.
From Lukla, we will meet our team, before heading off along the trail to Phakding. The journey meanders for most of today, taking us further up the valley toward Everest.
The small village of Phakding is home to several tea houses, a small stupa and a lovely luxury lodge, our home for the night. (B, L, D)
Namche Bazaar seems like the real gateway to Everest, spread out on terraces, surrounded by snow capped peaks, one feels in realm of giants.
To reach Namche we will need to gain several hundred meters in elevation. Long suspension bridges make our trekking easier, shortcutting long descents into a valley before heading back up. But there is one long ascent on a shallow gradient that will take us all the way to Namche. And seeing this beautiful town, perched on the side of a mountain, only brings a smile to every visitor. Awaiting you is a comfy bed, a lovely shower and delicious food. Oh, and incredible panoramic views.(B, L, D)
We will explore the area around Namche. Depending on how you are feeling we will head up for our first great view of Everest. For those needing a bit more time, we will also look at Everest from the Tenzing Norgay Museum and then wander around the edge of Namche before heading back into the village for a coffee and some lunch (or maybe a massage). (B,L,D)
Today we will hike to the “Valley inside the Clouds”, Khumjung, before arriving at the Everest View Hotel.
The trail continues up and around a large knoll just above Namche Bazaar. Views of Ama Dablam and Everest now become ever-present. We will visit Sagarmatha Next, a fantastic organisation helping to keep the region clean by collecting rubbish and recycling it. By the way they also serve great coffee and have a fascinating 3D interactive display where you can climb Everest in 3 minutes. We continue on to the Everest View Hotel, our home for the next 3 nights. Each room opens up to views of the highest mountains on the planet, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. (B, L, D)
Today we will head down to Khumjung the “Village in the Clouds”. There we will visit Sir Edmund Hillary’s School and the local Gompa which is home to a “Yeti” scalp. For those wishing for an easier day, you will taken for a short walk through the forest, maybe a cake in Khumjung and then onto traditional Sherpa potato pancakes or thukpa making in a local home; delicious. From there we will head back to the Hotel.
For those feeling more energetic, we will trek to Mong La with incredible views of Ama Dablam and then on to Phortse, a remote village at the intersection of the Everest Base Camp trek and the trail leading to Gokyo. Lunch will be taken there before heading back to the Everest View Hotel. (B, L, D).
For the early birds, sunrise over the Himalaya is a wonder to the eyes. The highest peaks ignite first, like burning torches in the dark, the light slowly engulfs the deep valleys and ravines exposing a winter wonderland.
After breakfast we will retrace our footsteps somewhat, heading back toward Khumjung and diverting off to Khunde. Here we will have lunch and then take on Khunde Peak, a 4200-meter “hill” that provides us with incredible views of glaciated valleys and frozen summits surrounding us. For those who want to take it a little easier we will stop at Hillary’s Lookout with incredible views of Everest and down toward Namche Bazaar.
Back to the Everest View Hotel for an afternoon nibble and aperitif. (B, L, D)
The day we have all been waiting for. This morning we will be picked up by helicopter at the hotel and flown over Everest Base Camp. We will land nearby at Kala Patthar at 5600 meters with better views of Everest than at Base Camp. To stay too long may cause some guests problems as the altitude is 5600 meters, a full 1800 meters higher than we have been sleeping.
We will see the full extent of the Khumbu glacier which spills from the Everest massif, and see the very summit of Everest itself. The magnitude of the vista is difficult to describe. Gigantic and all surrounding, white mountains, glaciers, skyrocketing stone cliffs dominate every perspective. You are among the giants now.
From base camp, we will fly back to Kathmandu, a journey of about 1.5 hours. There will be incredible views of the valley along which we trekked and then down into the farmland and ultimately the Kathmandu valley itself.
Our night will be spent again at the Nepali Ghar. (B, L, D)
Today we bid Nepal farewell for our flight back home OR maybe stay on for a few more days and head off for a wonderful Safari. (B)
Season
For views and fine weather Oct and November can not be beaten, though the temperatures do get cold. March and April are warmer though the air quality can be mixed as the atmosphere builds up for the monsoon.
NOTE: Children must be a minimum 10 years old
Includes
- 3 nights at the Nepali Ghar
- 6 nights Luxury Lodges
- Oxygen cylinders for the group (just in case)
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- One expert English-speaking trekking guide
- One Porter One Trekker policy
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary (Breakfast – B, Lunch – L and Dinner – D)
- No additional fee if you return to the hotel early
Excludes
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance (this is mandatory)
- Personal spending money
- Tips for General Guides
- Any meals not listed as included
Your Guides and Safety
A guide with local knowledge of the area and an eye for detail can turn a good trip into a great trip. You will have a guide available to you the entire time in Nepal, including Kathmandu and along the trail to the Everest View Hotel.
How Much Will I Be Carrying?
Our team will carry your main bag, which will have all your personal gear in it such as clothing and toiletries. You will just need to carry a small day pack which will have your water, some treats, and some bad weather gear in it. Usually, the total pack weight is about 4-5kgs.
We have a 1 trekker 1 porter policy so our team is not laden with too much weight. The maximum they can carry is 20kg, however, we doubt their packs will be any more than 15-16kgs.
What Is The Maximum Altitude I Will Reach?
The highest altitude you will reach is when we fly to Base Camp. The Helicopter will reach approximately 6000 meters above sea level. This will be only for approximately 3 or 4 minutes and then we will slowly descend, so you shouldn’t feel any effects of altitude.
The highest we will reach while trekking is Khunde Peak at 4200 meters. You will be fine at this altitude as you have,
1/ already acclimatised and,
2/ you are not staying at this altitude overnight.
“The trip of a lifetime! As a family of four, we don’t always want the same sort of holiday – This trip provided the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, so everybody was happy. The accommodation, the walking, the views, the food and of course our wonderful guide meant we all came home with enormous smiles on our faces. We loved every second and anyone who thinks that taking on a hike in the Himalayas to Mt Everest would be too much – you can do it, and you absolutely should. This trip that No Roads has put together is life-changing and means you get to do something special, whilst also walking away feeling like you have been on a holiday”. Sophie – Australia
How Cold Will It Be?
The temperature depends largely on what time of year you visit the Everest region. Between March and May (the main climbing season) the weather can be quite warm during the day with temperatures in the 20s. Hiking can be done in shorts and t-shirts. Night-time temperatures still drop down into single digits.
Between the end of September and late November, the temperatures are much milder with clearer skies. Daytime temperatures in September and October can be in the mid-teens and by November temperatures are around 10C or 50 F. Night-time temperatures are well below zero in the mountains.
In Kathmandu temperatures from March to May are in the 30s C and by October November they are low 20s and high teens.
Accommodation
You don’t always need to rough it to be out in nature. Our journey will take us among the giants of the Himalayas, while at the same time providing us with very comfortable accommodation along the way. Think electric blankets, hot showers, proper inner sprung mattresses, hot tea delivered to your room in the morning, delicious multi-course meals in the evening, and even afternoon drinks in the bar. Think lounge areas and warm viewing rooms.
In Kathmandu we are staying at the welcoming, warm and luxurious Nepali Ghar in the heart of Thamel. And on the trail, the lodges are all well appointed. The Everest View Hotel will provide us with views of Everest every morning, from your bed. Just roll over and take in the incredible landscape of the highest mountains in the world.
Extra Nights Accomodation
For those wishing to extend their stay either before or after the trek, we can arrange this at the Nepali Ghar in Kathmandu.
Trip Extension Anyone?
Of course Nepal has more to offer than mountain trails. We can organise a trip for you down to the Terrai, a jungle hinterland on the Indian Nepal border, which is home to elephants, rhinoceros and tigers. Once again, you don’t need to rough as we can organise luxury accommodation and guides for your journey.
“Everyone must know the feeling of triumph and pride which a grand view from a height communicates to the mind”.
Charles Darwin, 1836
