Spirit of Everest Trek

Spirit of Everest Trek Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Kathmandu. After clearing immigration and customs, you are greeted by our outstanding Sherpa staff. We transfer to the hotel and the afternoon is left open to rest and explore. Today, you may choose to enjoy an optional walking tour with your guide and explore the bustling streets of Kathmandu. Meals are on your own.

• Day 2

  Today we tour the ancient cities of Kathmandu and Patan including Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) and the Patan Craft Center, renowned for the fineness of its unique hand-made Nepalese artwork, jewelry, carpets and handicrafts. The remainder of the day is on your own. There will be an orientation meeting this evening. Breakfast included.

• Day 3

  Early this morning (~6:30 a.m.) we transfer to the airport. We board a Twin Otter plane or helicopter flight to Lukla (9,200'). While having lunch, gear and supplies for the next 9 days will be loaded onto yaks. The trek begins with a three-hour hike down to the riverside village of Phakding and our first camp. All meals included on trek days 3-11.

• Day 4

  As you continue trekking today, expect the air to be cool, the sky is bright, and enjoy a couple of hours of trekking before the sun reaches the bottom of the Dudh Kosi River Valley. The trail occasionally wanders past farmhouses as it approaches the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. Long needle pine trees and tantalizing glimpses of peaks accompany you while on the trail. An early lunch today prepares us for a steep 1,300' ascent to the village of Namche Bazaar (11,300'), a good day's workout of five hours or more. Namche is the largest Sherpa village and the jumping-off point for many Everest expeditions. REI has many friends here, and though you may tent out, the option to stay in a Sherpa house is likely. Trekking 5 hours or more.

• Day 5

  Awaken to temple horns, yak bells and a sunrise illuminating the 21,000'+ snowy mountains that surround you! Your 'neighbors' include Kwangde (21,741'), Thamserku (21,679'), and Kangtega (22,240'). Though this is a layover day, excitement is in the air. A slow-ascent day hike to the Everest View Hotel (12,400') will help you acclimatize and commonly provides much anticipated and breath-taking views of Mt. Everest and other legendary Himalayan peaks, including Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Trekking 5-6 hours.

• Day 6

  Hiking out of Namche Bazaar, you traverse the lower slopes of Khumbi Yulha, a 19,230' foot collection of spires and massive boulders. Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery at 12,700' in elevation provides a setting so spectacular that we remain here for two nights. Watch for Impeyan pheasants, the national bird of Nepal, as you approach Tengboche Monastery. With 26 different colors, it's easily one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Trekking 5 hours.

• Day 7

  Today is a layover day. You may choose to remain at Tengboche or join a day hike to Pangboche Monastery, a mountainside nunnery with impressive views. Pangboche is also home to a High Lama, Lama Geshi. During the morning hours keep an eye out for musk deer. Trekking 4 - 5 hours.

• Day 8

  Khumjung village is this evening's rest stop, after a relatively easy day's walk. Our trek retraces part of the route followed earlier, before turning to the west. It is near Khumjung that we again hope for the rare treat to glimpse the Impeyen pheasant. Trekking 4 hours.

• Day 9

  Travel west under the rock spires of 19,230' Mt. Khumbi Yulha until you ultimately reach the village of Thame (13,100'). Thame has one of the oldest monasteries in the region and it seems to grow out of the mountain behind it. This day is a gentle uphill grade with the last hour being rather steep. Jahrl or Tahr mountain goats are frequently spotted on the mountain slopes above this trail to Thame. We may again have the opportunity to stay in a Sherpa home. Trekking 6 hours.

• Day 10

  Today we explore Thame and its very old cliff side monastery before trekking back down to Monjo for the night, stopping on the way for lunch in Namche or Jorsale. Trekking 4-5 hours.

• Day 11

  After our final hike today from Monjo to Lukla, celebrate and bid farewell to your Sherpa staff tonight before turning in for an early flight out in the morning. Trekking 4 hours.

• Day 12

  Very early this morning, prepare for your return flight to Kathmandu. Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, we are met by our ground staff and transferred to our hotel for hot showers and a bed with sheets. The balance of the day is free and Kathmandu offers many more opportunities for exploration. Breakfast is included.
  
  Note about flights: Most treks run during the best weather conditions of the year and there is an extra day at the end of the trek to allow for poor weather, sightseeing and shopping. Flights to and from Lukla are not always dependable; weather conditions may cause flight cancellations. Delays are possible any time of year but are more typical on the summer departures. Costs of any evacuation are in addition to any previously paid air/land costs and are billed to trip members upon return to the States; thus we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

• Day 13

  Free day for sightseeing. We can provide lots of hints about what to see and do based on your personal interests. Breakfast included.

• Day 14

  This morning we transfer to the airport for departures back to the US. Breakfast included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

National Park fees, 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu, meals as noted on the itinerary, Sherpa guides and porters, cooks and commissary crew, tents, foam sleeping pads, community cooking gear, baggage portage, and airport transfers.

Air transportation to/from Nepal, Bangkok hotel costs (if routing requires an overnight), flights within Nepal (mandatory $250 internal flight – cost subject to change), one breakfast, four lunches, four dinners, visas, any necessary emergency evacuation flight, optional tips to guides and staff, airport taxes, cost of obtaining a passport or medical immunizations, insurance, and items of a personal nature such as liquor or laundry fees.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus (3-4).  Trekking in Nepal is for active people in good health who enjoy hiking. Nepal has an "up and down" topography, there is very little level walking. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you should be comfortable hiking between 5-8 hours on most days over uneven, rocky and occasionally steep terrain with cumulative daily elevation gains/losses of 1,000-3,000 feet.  We expect participants to be fit, experienced hikers in good physical condition.  Gear and supplies will be carried by porters or yaks, leaving members free to carry only a daypack containing food, water, fleece jacket/raingear and camera (if desired).  No technical climbing or other special abilities are required.  However, each person should be equipped with a "spirit of adventure" and have prior experience with backcountry camping, sleeping in a tent and be familiar with the physical demands of trekking and camping.  This trek spends considerable time at altitudes between 11,000' and 13,000'.  The trails themselves are only moderate, but at these altitudes hiking will feel more strenuous.  A good physical conditioning program should begin prior to departure.

There are two ideal "weather windows" for Nepal. From the latter half of March until the first part of May temperatures are relatively warm, 10° to 15° warmer than in the fall. Mornings are bright and clear with the air slowly becoming hazier as the day progresses. The rhododendron forests in springtime are spectacular, with color displays that are "Himalayan" in beauty. May is more likely to include rain showers, hazy skies, wet and muddy trail conditions and possible flight delays. Afternoon rain showers do occur in May and mountain views can be sporadic or interspersed with clouds. The fall season, the latter half of October through December, is an ideal time for the best mountain views. The days are typically sunny and clear with moderate temperatures and the evenings are usually quite cold. Trekking at altitude(often above 11,000 feet on this trip) can include freezing temperatures at night and a chance of some snow anytime at the 13,000 foot level. Since your body is taking in less than its normal supply of oxygen, temperatures may feel colder than you may be accustomed to at home.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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