Everest High Route

A great traverse, not so frequented, to discover the Sherpa country by crossing all of the Khumbu valleys. Passes of altitude, lakes nestling against the moraine (accumulation of sand and rocks left by a glacier) of an immense glacier, exceptional panoramas on these myth-like Himalayan peaks: Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Island Peak...
A trek accessible to any person in excellent physical condition, accustomed to climbing in altitude.

This original program will make you discover the entire Sherpa country, by traversing all of the Khumbu valleys. From the capital Namche Bazaar, we leave Everests' traditional trekking route to take a pathway leading to Tibet, in direction of the very high Nangpa La, at the foot of Cho Oyu. A first pass, Renjo pass (17,519 feet), allows us to join a second important valley, the Gokyo, with its lakes nestling against the moraine of an immense glacier. We continue by the glacial pass of Cho La (17,782 feet) to go down, facing Ama Dablam, in the heart of the high summits of the Everest valley. We will contemplate the giant of the world from Kala Pattar (18,209 feeet), before climbing the third pass, Kongma La (18,159 feet), very close to the immense southern faces of Nuptse and Lothse. We arrive in the last valley that of Chukung, the famous trekking summit of Island Peak.  
A circuit which allows us to approach the diversity of these very famous mountain regions, all while distancing ourselves from the crowds, as we use paths that are not so frequented.

Day 1/  Arrival Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu. Settle in at the Yak and Yeti 5 stars. Hotel for two nights. Some time available for a short visit of the city.

Day 2/  Kathmandu - Lukla (9,350 feet) - Phakding (8,530 feet)
Beginning of the morning, take off from Kathmandu for Lukla, splendid view on the Himalayas (this flight can be carried out only in good weather conditions). Organization of the loads with the carriers and the Sherpas. Beginning of the trek, in descent! Short and easy stage. Lodge.
3 H walk.

Day 3/  Phakding - Namche Bazar (11,286 feet)
Right and left bank of Dudh Kosi, the pathway is cut out in the rock, bordered by different cultures, it goes up abruptly to Namche Bazar, capital of the Sherpa country. Many small shops, Tibetan souvenirs, Saturday markets. Lodge.
6 H walk.

Day 4/  Namche Bazar - Thame (12,533 feet)
Leaving Namche, the path crosses some pine and rhododendron forests and passes many small villages. Fauna, deer, pheasant... Lunch at Thamo, dominated by a convent. After crossing the Bhote Koshi torrent, deep and gushing, the path consistently climbs up to Thame village. Lodge.
4 H walk - Ascent = 1,500 feet - Descent = 260 feet.

Day 5/  Thame - Marulung (13,615 feet)
A consistent ascent on the left bank of Bhote Khosi, in mountain pastures punctuated by small villages occupied during spring and summer. Taranga village is legendarily known to be the village of the Yeti! Lodge at Marulung.
3 H walk - Ascent = 1150 feet - Descent = 65 feet.

Day 6/  Marulung - Approching Nangpa La (14,140 feet) - Khusum/Arye (13,750 feet)
Above Marulung the vegetation and the housing become rarities. We leave in the  direction of Nangpa La (18,753 feet), too far to be reached in the course of the day. The pass is open to the caravans of yaks led by Tibetan merchants coming to trade in Khumbu. Prestigious panorama on Cho Oyu (26,906 feet), and of many summits between 19,500 and 23,000 feet. Lodge at Khusum/Arye.
6 H walk.

Day 7/ Chhulung Marsnak valley, Langden (14,436 feet)
Discovery and acclimatization day in the Chhulung Marsnak valley, very remote and wild area!. Lodge in the Renjo high valley, Langden, last settlement below the pass.
5 to 7 H walk

Day 8/  Renjo pass (17,602 feet) - Gokyo (15,715 feet)
Well acclimatized to the altitude, we can start this long and beautiful day. From the pass, the fantastic view takes on, in alignment, the highest tops of the world which extend towards the East (the Everest, Makalu, Pumori...) is fantastic.
The southern wall of Cho Oyu is very close. Descent on the Gokyo glacier which is necessary to cross before joining the banks of the lake of the same name. Night in lodge.
4 H walk - Ascent = 1,591 feet - Descent = 1,968 feet.

Day 9/  Gokyo - Dragnag (15,420 feet)
Short stage. We follow the path that leads to the foot of Cho La. Crossing over the final tongue of the Ngozumpa glacier.
Lodge at the Dragnag hamlet at the foot of Cho La which we cross the next morning.
2. 30 H walk - Ascent = 164 feet - Descent = 459 feet.

Day 10/  Dragnag - Cho La (17,782 feet) - Dzongla (15,89 feet)
A steep slope with a path leading to the pass (5 H of ascent). A new valley opens in front of us, a splendid reward for our effort. Easy descent (short passage on a glacier without danger) to the Dzongla hamlet. Lodge.
6. 30 H walk - Ascent = 2,625 feet - Descent = 2,165 feet.
Note: the passage of Cho La can be undertaken only in good weather and without the fall of fresh snow. The guide is the only judge of the conditions.

Day 11/  Dzongla - Lobuche (16,109 feet)
Hiking on  the mountain side. Splendid views on the northern faces of Jobo Lhaptshan, of Nuptse, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam...
Settle in at Lobuche Lodge.
3 H walk - Ascent = 558 feet - Descent = 328 feet

Day 12/  Kala Pattar (18,209 feet) - Gorak Shep (16,929 feet)
The pathway skirts some valleys of ablation (refers to all processes by which snow, ice, water are lost from a glacier) and crosses the glacier moraines ending at the houses of Gorak Shep, at the bottom of Kala Pattar. Regular ascent to this sumptuous view-point leaning against Pumori. Unforgettable view on the Southern pass, key passage in the ascent of Everest and on almost the entire ascent route to the Roof of the World. Settle in at Gorak Shep Lodge.
8 H walk - Ascent = 2,133 feet - D = 1,280 feet.

Day 13/ Everest base camp (17,717 feet) - Lobuche (16,109 feet)
Chaotic advance in the moraines (mass of rocks, sand left by a glacier), to the real Everest base camp. Uncomfortable, but the candidates to the summit live for two months here! And contrary to general belief, the base camp is perfectly clean today! You are at the foot of the frightening Ice Fall. The seracs (pieces of ice) fall... Amazing atmosphere and fantastic landscape!
Settle in at Lobuche (lodge).
8 H walk - Ascent = 800 feet - D = 1,600 feet.

Day 14/  Lobuche - Kongma La (18,159 feet) - Chukung (15,518 feet)
To join the slopes of Kongma La we cross the glacier of Khumbu. Sustained ascent up to the pass, at the foot of Nuptse, view from above onto the river of ice and onto the Everest valley. Descent to Chukung; the pathway passes under the enormous southern face of Lhotse, one of the highest on the planet (more than 9,800 feet high). Lodge in Chukung for two nights.
7 H walk - Ascent = 2,050 feet - D = 2,650 feet.

Day 15/  Chukung Ri (18,209 feet)
The day's plan takes form around your physical capabilities. Our first panoramic view point at 16, 545 feet allows us to get a global view of the surrounding summits (Everest, Lothse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam.....). The most courageous can climb the  slopes up to the 18,045 feet summit. Return to Chukung lodge.
Hiking time to reach the summit at 18,209 feet: 5 H 30. Ascent: 2,690 feet. Descent: 2,690 feet.
Hiking time to reach the summit at 16,545 feet: 2 H 30. Ascent: 1,050 feet. Descent: 1,050 feet.

Day 16/ Chukung - Dingpoche - Pangboche (13,058 feet) - Tengboche (12,664 feet)
Beautiful descent into the Khumbu valley, which seems enveloped in the faces of Ama Dablam.
Snack stop in front of the monastery of Pangboche. After crossing a footbridge over the torrent, we traverse, for approximately 1 hour, a very beautiful forest maintained by the monastery monks. Lodge close to the monastery.
5. 30 H walk - Ascent = 591 feet - Descent = 3,445 feet.

Day 17/  Tengboche - Namche Bazar
Fast descent into a beautiful forest. Footbridge at Phunki before a slow re-ascent on a balcony path leading to Namche Bazaar Lodge.
4. 30 H walk

Day 18/ Namche - Phakding - Lukla
We know the path already, as we "borrowed" it for our ascent. Last Lodge. Generally, we celebrate the success of the trek with our Sherpa friends.
7 H walk.

Day 19/  Lukla - Kathmandu
Flight for Kathmandu. Settling in at the deluxe 5* hotel, the Yak and Yeti, for two nights. Spare afternoon.

Day 20/  Kathmandu
Free or potential spare day to spend in Kathmandu. Hotel.

Day 21/  Depart from Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport from flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

Each participant walks with a light backpack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc).
The other part of the equipment is transported by the porters to the lodge. We are asking that every one have only one bag (trekking bag); the maximum weight of this bag should not exceed 27 pounds. At your arrival, we will provide you a bag cover in order to protect your bag during the trek.

The guides:
- an English-speaking professional Nepalese Mountain World Travel guide
- a guide specialized in the Kathmandu valley

The local team:
- a Sirdar, head of the porter organization, generally English-speaking
- porter (Sherpas) staff;
- a cook and, if necessary, their assistants
- one or more Sherpas according to the circuits, those aspiring Sirdars will insure your comfort by closing the circuit and double-checking that no one is left behind.

What to know about carrying:
in Nepal, carrying is part of every-day life. It begins its' practice with the very young. Provisions to feed the villages, building materials, harvests, are carried on men's backs. For their personal needs, outside of trekking season, the Nepalese often carry between 130 and 170 pounds. The carriers often come from the lower valleys. Sherpas come from the Khumbu region, at the foot of Mount Everest. We ask the Sirdars to ensure that the weight-load does not exceed 67 pounds per carrier (no including personal material). The wages that the porters earn during the trekking season benefit the entire family even throughout the long months of tourist inactivity.

Most Domestic flights on Yeti Airlines
Ground transportation is organized by private tourism bus vehicles.

Top level Nepalese lodging in Kathmandu!
- Kathmandu: Yak and Yeti, 5 star deluxe Hotel, based on double room occupancy.
- Throughout the trek: accommodation in lodges. Often comfortable lodging meeting strict standards of construction, established by a charter: double rooms, separate beds, toilets outside. Some lodges are equipped with showers (water is often tepid) and with electricity, thanks to solar panels. However, the higher in altitude the lodges are, the more basic their comfort becomes.
To note
because of the lack of insulation and lack of fuel, the rooms of the lodges are generally not heated. For your comfort, it is essential to have a good, warm sleeping bag.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Meals
Downtown and during the transfers: restaurant.
During the trekking:
on the paths from one village to another, lunch in restaurant along the way,
a energy food complement is provided,
lunches and dinners are served in the lodges.

Drinks
- during trek, mineral water, tea and coffee included
- Kathmandu, mineral water included

To note: In Nepal, Hindus and Buddhists are mainly vegetarians. Little meat or fish is thus eaten there. The dishes are containing pastes, rice, potatoes, lentils, etc.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Kathmandu:

• Star Alliance (United) in cooperation with Thaï Airlines operates daily flights to Kathmandu from anywhere in the States through Bangkok.
• Qatar Airways operates daily flights to Katmandu from Washington DC through Doha (and 4 times a week from New York) - Qatar is a member of Star Alliance.
• Oneworld, in cooperation with Cathay Pacific, operates four flights a week to Kathmandu from anywhere in the States through Honk-Kong.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your journey; a visa is required.
Please visit    http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/visa.php?page=tourist_visa_requirement
The visa can be obtained directly upon your arrival at the airport in Nepal. 

Please bring 2 photo ID's with you:  one is for obtaining the entrance Visa to Nepal and the second is to enable us to obtain a Trekking Permit.

For US citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements.
For other nationalities, please contact the Nepalese embassy of your country.

Vaccines
Certain vaccines are highly recommended, but none are obligatory.
We advise you to be up to date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, B and a vaccination protecting you from rabies is highly recommended for all.
Note: yellow fever vaccine is not necessary (no yellow fever in Asia) but required for any person coming from Africa or Tropical America.

Malaria
A preventative treatment against Malaria is not necessary for this trip.
For more information, visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationNepal.aspx

Dentist and doctor
A check up before your departure is recommended

Acclimatization and preventive treatment against altitude sickness
We conceive our routes by first taking into consideration the best means for "altitude acclimatization". However, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness(Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, (short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- Gaiters
- Head lamp
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (that will keep you warm from a temperature of 23° F to 32° F).

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- Duct tape.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.
 
Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).