Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 Depart London. The group flight is an overnight flight departing London this evening. Day 2 Arrive Kathmandu. The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu. The group flights arrive into Kathmandu in the afternoon and those travelling on them will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. There will be a full trek briefing this evening. Royal Singi Hotel (or similar) Day 3 Drive to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport; short but spectacular flight to Lukla (2800m); trek to Phakding We will need to depart the hotel at around 2-3 am to drive to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport to catch our flight to Lukla. At this time of day when there is usually light traffic, the drive should take about 4 hours. Roads in Nepal are not of the same standard as in the west, there may be potholed areas and the last section is unsurfaced. (Occasionally flights may run directly from Kathmandu to Lukla, in which case we will use these instead if possible.) We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'milk river'). We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,652m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Follow the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Namche Bazaar, with time to explore the Sherpa villages. Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridges as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent we may get our first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 300m of climbing brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but the town bustle all day every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Acclimatisation walk to Kunde and Khumjung; descend to Kyanjuma. We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche, to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 3,880m. Built by the Japanese this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Descending through forest we come to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After lunch we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk we have great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg, to the monastery. Sadly it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the repairs) we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma We climb steeply out of Namche to the Everest View Hotel. Built by the Japanese this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Continuing, we trek to the villages of Kunde and Khumjung set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. In Kunde we can visit the Edmund Hillary hospital, and there should also be time to visit the monastery in Khumjumg, where for a small donation we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Trek through the Sherpa heartland to the monastery at Thyangboche for superb mountain views. This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche at 3,867m. We will be here by lunchtime and in the afternoon we will visit the famous monastery. The sunset and sunrise on the fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us are not to be missed - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out for Himalayan Tahr in the forest surrounding the monastery. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,867m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Continue up the Khumbu Valley and then the Imja Valley to Dingboche. We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily the trail enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley, we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas. A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Spend the day at Dingboche for acclimatisation. We spend a day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Continue the ascent to Lobuje. The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten and ascends the valley gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here we have a short, steep climb up to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, yet poignant place where there is a line of memorials in tribute to the climbers who have died on Everest and from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuje, a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,930m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Follow the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep. We leave early and follow the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (5,184m). The trail undulates up and down the moraine with some short steep sections. The trail is rocky in places as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It will take us 3-4 hours to reach Gorak Shep where we will have a rest and something to eat. In the afternoon we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar, 'Black Rock', at 5,545m from where we can look down over the base camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and above all a close-up view of the world's highest mountain. We return to Gorak Shep for the night. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 5,184m) (Trek Profile: 3.5-4 hrs walking Lobuje to Gorak Shep and 4 hrs up and down Kala Pattar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Continue along the lateral moraine to Everest Base Camp. Camp overnight. A short but tough walk to Everest Base Camp. We start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, which in spring is full of expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. We walk past the base camp rock (5300m), which is covered in prayer flags and where the normal trekking groups go to, and continue through the rocky moraine into the actual base camp. We will get to our camp by lunchtime and the afternoon is free to gaze in awe at our surroundings. We will be right below the Khumbu Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate a route through the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. Full-service camping (sleeping altitude 5,400m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 12 Explore the area around Everest Base Camp. Camp overnight. We spend the whole day at Everest Base Camp with time to absorb the way of life on expeditions. After a relaxed breakfast we have a walk round Base Camp and through some of the ice seracs. We will meet climbing Sherpas preparing to climb and may well be able to watch climbers as they ascend the Khumbu ice Fall. We have lunch in camp and can visit the Everest ER medical tent if it is there and if they are quiet. Full-service camping (sleeping altitude 5,400m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 13 Long descent to Pheriche. Today is a long day as we leave Everest Base Camp after breakfast and retrace our steps to Gorak Shep and further down to Lobuje, where we have lunch. We continue on down to Dugla from where we take the right-hand trail and descend into the Pheriche Valley. Once we reach the valley bottom it is an easy walk along into the village of Pheriche. Teahouse (Sleeping altitude 4,243m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Retrace our steps to Kyanjuma. Descending through Pheriche, we cross a small bridge and have a short climb before descending to join the main Imja Khola Valley. We follow the valley down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape. We drop down to the rushing river then walk through the peaceful rhododendron forests to the village of Devoche from where we climb back up to Thyangboche on the ridge for lunch. We descend off the ridge to Phunki Tenga and walk back to Kyanjuma, where we spend the night. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 Descend through Namche to Monzo. The walk to Namche Bazaar takes us along a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi. We have some time in Namche and after lunch we descend through Namche Bazaar and pick up our outward trail again to Monzo, where we stay tonight. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,850m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 Continue to Lukla. We retrace our steps to Chaunrikhara where we start the last climb to the airstrip at Lukla. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,800m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 17 Fly to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to Kathmandu We fly back to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to our hotel in Kathmandu. At this time of day there can be heavy traffic, especially coming into Kathmandu itself, and the drive is likely to take 5 hours or more. (Occasionally flights may run directly from Lukla to Kathmandu, in which case we will use these instead if possible.) Royal Singi Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 18 Free day in Kathmandu to explore the city. Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to or from Lukla). You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section of the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu. Royal Singi Hotel (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 19 Fly to London. The tour ends in after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in time for the daytime flight back to London. Meals included: Breakfast
Nepal Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry (at present, the Immigration Department of Nepal have suspended 'visas on arrival' for certain nationalities - please check if this applies to you). All Nepal tourist visas are multiple entry. We recommend that you apply in advance as queues on arrival can be very long – applications can be made directly through the Nepal Embassy (by post or in person) or through our recommended visa agency, Travcour. The current cost for a visa in advance is GB£20 for a 15-day visa and GB£35 for a 30-day visa for UK passport holders (plus processing and postage fees if applying through Travcour). The current cost for a visa on arrival is US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, or US$125 for 90 days for UK passport holders. The fee can be paid for in any major currency at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. On arrival in the immigration hall there are 3 queues (if you have obtained a visa in advance go straight to (3) - immigration): (Step 1) Fill in a 'Tourist Visa' form: either online before travel (recommended) via the Department of Immigration website - print the submission receipt with barcode (valid for 15 days) and bring it with you, or use the electronic kiosk machines on arrival at the airport. If using the kiosks, after inserting your passport the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport you can complete the details manually using the touch screen. We recommend taking 1 passport photo with you just in case. (Step 2) Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (we advise to take some cash) – make sure to keep the receipt. (Step 3) Lastly, go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15, 30 or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration. Non-UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Nepal There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. There is low to no risk of malaria throughout Nepal and antimalarial tablets are not usually advised although may be considered for certain higher risk groups; you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. The risk is highest in the low lying southern ‘terai’ districts bordering India. A yellow fever certificate is only required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of transmission. Dengue fever is a known risk in Nepal. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. As of August 2019, there has been a recent outbreak of Dengue fever in southeast Nepal and we therefore recommend you take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites (such as wearing full length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day as well as at dawn and dusk). Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further advice on AMS.
Hotels & Lodges This tour spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, twelve nights in lodges (teahouses) and two nights full-service camping at Everest Base Camp. In Kathmandu we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, located within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a restaurant, a bar and an outdoor courtyard. There is complimentary Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby and Wi-Fi codes are available from reception for the rooms. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel lobby and an Exodus representative will usually be available daily in the mornings and evenings. The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approx. Rs150-350 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have Wi-Fi these days – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental. We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag. Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are located outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian ’squat’ style; although many lodges have now installed ‘western style’ seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or ask the lodge to. Some lodges now have hot 'showers' (charged at approx. Rs250-500 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head. Standards of cleanliness vary especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitizer gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and meal times. As a general rule, the higher altitude you go to, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become. For the two nights camping, mattresses are provided, and you will sleep in tents pitched on the glacial moraine. There will be a dining tent with chairs, toilet tents and full camp staff. All food and hot drinks, snacks and water are provided whilst camping. Most lodges in the Everest region offer Wi-Fi. - below Kyanjuma you have to pay for it in each lodge (approx. NPR500 per stay). Above Kyanjuma you can buy an Everest link data card for about NPR2000 that should work in all the lodges above Kyanjuma. Sometimes the Wi-Fi may not work because of the poor network coverage or power cuts. Extra Accommodation If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your Sales Consultant. Single Accommodation If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the tea-houses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed but if a single room is available that night, you can pay locally on a day by day basis.
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Reviewed May 2019 Laura Grealish Trip: Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures An extraordinary trip to Everest Base Camp This is a fantastic trek to Everest Base Camp, made even more extraordinary by the two nights spent in EBC, taking in the unique atmosphere as climbing season gets underway. Valerie and the rest of the Exodus team were fantastic, and looked after us so well, ensuring an unforgettable adventure. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many amazing moments. The first view of Everest and the other Himalayan giants at sunrise was certainly very special. Our acclimatisation walks where we reached altitudes of 5100m and 5545m left me with a real sense of achievement, and confidence ahead of going to stay in Base Camp. It was also very interesting to meet some of the different mountaineering groups along the way who were aiming for the summit of Everest. What did you think of your group leader? Valerie's knowledge and experience of the Himalayas is second to none, and it was fantastic to hear of her adventures and to learn about trekking and mountaineering in the area from her. Her leadership ensured that everybody achieved our objective of safely reaching EBC and back. I would definitely travel on one of her trips again in the future. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you want to trek to Everest Base Camp, do this trip, it is so special to spend time in the camp itself, while it is a privilege to travel with such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team. Bring an open mind, drink lots of water on trek and embrace the adventure.
Reviewed April 2019 STEPHANIE SWAIN Trip: Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures Awesome trip to Everest Base Camp Great trek with fantastic leaders & an amazing group of people What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? All reaching Everest Base camp & staying 2 night. The whole trip was amazing What did you think of your group leader? Leader was great & we all felt very safe re altitude trekking Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just keep putting 1 foot in front of the other 😊
Reviewed April 2019 Paul Dent Trip: Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures Best Experience Every ... Brilliant, just brilliant experience and led by professional and competent people. I do admire Val, her experience, communication and leadership of the team and ourselves was impeccable. You will experience much more than you expect, in terms of terrain, views, people and accommodation too. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sunrise over Everest was thrilling and not to be missed. The Khumbu glacier was inspirational too, especiLly from its base point. What did you think of your group leader? As above, you will struggle to find a better leader for this. She knows what to do and also is brilliant if required for non- standard situations. In addition to her Leadership skills, It should be added that Val is also a very very nice person indeed and will always have your best interests in mind and she misses little. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a moped mind with you and do enjoy the journey, as well as the destination, as Virginia would say. Is there anything else you would like to add? Val has some very competent guides and future leaders in her group. Do watch and listen to these guys ... they’re also very humorous people too.
Reviewed May 2018 Claire Harrison Trip: Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures Excellent Trip This was an amazing trip and my personal opinion much better than just going to the Rock. It is well paced and you arrive in to base camp at lunch time. Walking in through all the different camps was a real highlight. You then get time to spend walking on the Khumbu Glacier, a free day the next day to catch your breath before the descent and walk back to Lukla. I would highly recommend Exodus over other companies as you will notice the small differences. Better tea houses, etc etc.... A great trip lead by a great leader and very experiences guide and sherpas. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching base camp and camping on the rocks with climbers that are going to try to summit Everest. What did you think of your group leader? Our leader made this trip, Valerie Parkinson is a legend and now I know why. She is very well informed, gave us lots of advise and kept us all healthy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Definitely use a Steripen you won't be disappointed.
Reviewed April 2018 Faith Morgan Trip: Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures Everest Expedition I'd dreamed of seeing Everest for as long as I can remember, but somehow managed to arrive in my 40's having never quite got there. As soon as I saw this Exodus trip which encompassed two nights camping AT ACTUAL BASE CAMP I knew this was the trip for me and pressed 'book now' there and then! I wasn't disappointed and the whole trip was organised faultlessly from the moment I pressed the enter key on the laptop, to the moment I landed back in the UK. If you've read the books and watched the films and dreamed of walking in the footsteps of legends this is the trip for you. It hasn't only achieved a dream for me - it's inspired me to do more! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Getting to spend two nights camping at Everest Base Camp amid the buzz of teams setting up their camps in preparation for summit attempts. Waking up under a frosty yellow canvas, pitched impossibly on boulders and unzipping the tent to reveal spectacular mountain views in every direction,. Watching the final rays of sun go down behind Everest! Getting to walk on the Khumbu Icefall was also something I never dreamed possible! What did you think of your group leader? Valerie Parkinson is a vastly experienced and inspirational leader. What she doesn't know about the Himalayas isn't worth knowing, and she kept the group engaged with her in depth knowledge of the area, and enthralling stories of her incredible achievements. Nothing was too much trouble for her or the local guides, and she ensured the whole trip ran smoothly from the moment we arrived. I would book a trip with Valerie as leader again without hesitation! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you've got Everest Base Camp on your bucket list this is the trip for you. Don't just visit the rock -spend 2 nights there.......Book now! Is there anything else you would like to add? It was the first I'd travelled with Exodus, but definitely won't be my last......Can't wait to book my next adventure with you! Thanks for a great experience.
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