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Everest Expedition 2024


Itinerary

Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal. Upon completing the visa formalities and collecting your luggages in the airport, kindly proceed to the exit of the arrival hall. Your trip leader will await you just outside the arrival hall and will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Please look out for a placard of Highland Expeditions at the exit of arrival hall. Welcome drinks will be served and after you’ve refreshed, your leader will brief you about your trip in the lobby of your hotel in the evening. Get familiar with your surroundings by taking a walk down the street

Day 02 - In Kathmandu for official formalities and last minute preparation [1,350m/4,430ft]

These two days have been kept in Kathmandu for final preparation of Climb. Meet other team members, complete official and government formalities, final gear check and load. Upon your interest, an optional Kathmandu sightseeing can be arranged on these days. We will have a trip orientation and your trip leader will give you a brief about your climb before we head to our journey.

Day 03 - Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding [2,600m/8,531ft]

After an early morning b/fast, we take the mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla on STOL aircraft. Flight time is about 30 minutes to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. We begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, just above Chaurikharka at 2713m. The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat at 2550m, it’s a short walk to Phakding where we’ll stay overnight.

Day 04 - Trek to Namche Bazar [3,450m/11,319ft]

We will continue our journey along Dudhkoshi River which will take us through pine forest. After crossing suspension bridges at several points and passing through small settlements of Zapute, Toktok, Benkar and Chumoa, we will reach Monjo. This is known as the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park. After completing all the necessary national park formalities, we will enter Sagarmatha National Park. Lowering down from the park, we will arrive at river. Crossing another suspension bridge, we will proceed towards high Hillary Bridge located at the foot of the hill. Crossing this bridge, we will climb uphill to the Namche Bazaar. We can get view of Thamserku Mountain. If weather is clear, we can also have first view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Kusum Khangru mountains.

Day 05 - Rest and Acclimatization day [3,450m/11,319ft]

Namche Bazaar is regarded as gateway to the high Himalayas. It is also the main trading center and a capital of Sherpa land. Rest is recommended in Namche for acclimatization purpose. Short hike will be arranged to the ancient Sherpa village of Thame to observe the rich Sherpa culture or we can also visit nearby Khumjung, Khunde or Khongde villages. Shopping in marketplace of Namche is another fine idea. National Park Head office, Museum and monasteries are other places of interest. The area is clustered with cafes, shops, bakeries and restaurants. The place supports facilities of post office, hospital, government health post. Internet access is also available at Namche so that you can contact your near ones.

Day 06 - Trek to Deboche [3720 m/12,205ft]

We will walk along the glacial water of Dudh Koshi River. The route offers views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and, Thamserku and Ama Dablam Mountains. Our journey continues through the colorful forest of blooming rhododendron to Sanasa. The region is rich in wildlife including musk deer and colorful pheasants. In Sanasa lies the junction point. One of the paths leads us to the Gokyo valley while the other branches off to Everest Base Camp. We will take sharp climb to Tengboche monastery which is the largest in the Khumbu region. The journey rewards us with close-up views of many surrounding mountains. We will visit the monastery and walk through forest of birch and rhododendron to Deboche where we will stay overnight.

Day 07 - Trek to Dingboche [4,412m/14,475ft]

We will descend to Imja River. The trail takes us uphill to Pangboche (3860m) through the lush forest. We will visit Pangboche Monastery. The village is also decorated with Chorten and Mani walls. The trail allows us an access to Imja Valley. We will take steep climb to Pheriche and continue further to Lobuche River. The final steepest climb of the day will take us to Dingboche. Agriculture is the chief occupation of locals in Dingboche. We can see fields enclosed by stonewall in Dingboche. Buckwheat, potatoes and barley are the major crops. We will stay overnight in Dingboche.

Day 08 - Rest and Acclimatization day [4,412m/14,475ft]

This is a day to haul up and rest without being idle. We can stroll around the village and get pally with the local folks with some interesting conversations. This will give us deep insights into the lifestyles and cultures of the local folks in this region. At the same time, we can also relish the landscapes that surround us and we can also catch up on some reading. Our acclimatizing gets a further boost with our hike to Nagartsang peak (5067m). As we top it with gasping breath we soon realize the gritty climb was worth the go; the rewards are as lovely as it comes with the natural beauty that greets us for our efforts.

Day 09 - Trek to Lobuche [4,910m/16,109ft]

We will begin a moderate walk to Dugla. Walking through the steep moraine of Khumbu glacier, we will head towards Chupki Lhara which is festooned with prayer flags. It is also known as the memorial site for the deceased Everest climbers. The trail stretches through the Khumbu glacier moraine to Lobuche. On the way, we can rejoice in the close-up views of Pumori, Khumbutse and other peaks and mountains. Stay overnight in Lobuche.

Day 10 - Trek to Gorekshep [5,140m/16,864ft]

The day starts with a trek past a fine crevasse between the lateral moraine of a glacier and a mountain. Then a gradual climb will take to Changri Nup Glacier. The undulating terrain takes you on a whirlwind of a walk. Descending slightly in the final stretch, you land in a barren setting with a sandy moraine and a cluster of lodges amidst the jagged rocky terrain surrounded by mammoth mountains. This is Gorakshep where you’ll spend the night.

Day 11 - Trek to Everest Base Camp [5,364m/17,559ft]

Start on the climb along the Khumbu glacier to Everest Base Camp. Finally, arrive at the foot of the highest peak in the world. The views of numerous mountains, the Khumbu Icefall, and the Glacier make it even more glorious. Overnight with some of the highest peaks in the world at Everest Base Camp.

Day 12-13 - Get organized, Puja Ceremony and Climbing Clinics

Get organized and comfortable with your home for the next 4 weeks. Looking at an auspicious date as per the Tibetan calendar, a puja ceremony will be held asking for safe passage. We will also do training at the base camp, in ice seracs of the lower Khumbu Glacier to check climbers’ equipment and review climbing and rescue techniques.

Day 14 - 16 - Climb Lobuche East (6119m/20,070ft)

Our first phase of acclimatization begins with a climb to Lobuche East. Climbing Lobuche east provides better acclimatization and the perfect training base for Everest. Lobuche East Climb Plan: Day 01: Trek to Lobuche Day 02: Move to Lobuche high camp Day 03: Summit Lobuche East and down to Lobuche or high camp

Day 17 - Trek to Everest Base Camp [5,364m/17,559ft]

Couple of hours of walk through Gorak Shep and walking further through rocky dunes and moraine, will lead us to Everest Base Camp. We will meet rest of our team at Base Camp.

Day 18-20 - Climbing Training, Rest and Prepare for 2nd Rotation

The next few days we stay at base camp for more training, rest, get organized and prepare for 2nd acclimatization rotation which will take us to 7000m.

Day 21-27 - 2nd Acclimatization Rotation Period

After our first acclimatization rotation on Lobuche Peak completed, we will now leave base camp for higher camps on Everest for our second acclimatization rotation for about a week. Tentative Schedule for second rotation: – Climb to Camp 1 (5,900m/19,500ft) – Climb to Camp 2 (6,400m/21,000ft) – Rest at Camp 2 (6,400m/21,000ft) – Touch Camp 3 (7,300m/23,700ft) and sleep at Camp 2 (6,400m/21,000ft) – Descent to base camp (5,364m/17,559ft) For the acclimatization, please note that the acclimatization program may differ during the expedition period as each climber adapts differently with an altitude. Your expedition leader will suggest you the best as per your conditions. In general, our acclimatization program includes overnight at Camp 2 and tag the Lhotse Face/Camp 3. When this is done, we rest and recover at the base camp while waiting for the weather window for the summit attempt.

Day 28-31 - Rest days for final summit push

After our second acclimatization rotation completed, we will descent to base camp and rest and prepare for the final summit push. Depending on the weather window available for summit, the rest days could be few days or even a week too. Optional: Trek/Fly down to lower villages such as Namche for better rest

Day 32-44 - Final Summit Push

Summit push begins! Depending on the weather window available we will move up for our final summit push. Each client will be paired with one sherpa guide who will assist you on the summit push. Tentative plan for summit push: – Climb to Camp 2 (6,400m/21,000ft) - Rest at Camp 2 (6,400m/21,000ft) – Climb to Camp 3 with the use of oxygen (7,300m/23,700ft) – Climb to Camp 4 South Col with the use of oxygen (7,900m/25,912ft) and at that same night we begin our summit push to summit. – Summit push with the use of oxygen (8,848.86m/29,029ft) from Camp 4 and descent to Camp 4 or Camp 2 – Descent to Camp 2 (6,400m/21,000ft) – Descent to Base Camp (5,364m/17,559ft) Oxygen cylinders will be used from Camp 3 for an easy ascent. We provide 8 bottles of oxygen to each climber for a maximum flow. 8 bottles is the highest number of oxygen provided as most operators only provide 6 bottles. From Camp 4, following the south-east ridge, we will make it to the South summit from where we will advance towards Hillary step before climbing to the summit.

Day 45-49 - Contingency days for any delays

Contingency days for any delays due to unforeseen circumstances

Day 50-52 - Trek to Lukla [2,800m/9187ft]

After our successful climb we retrace to Lukla for a flight back to Kathmandu via Pheriche, Namche and finally to Lukla. On our last night, we celebrate our successful completion of expedition with our Sherpa guides and porters who we’ve got to know so well & are now good friends

Day 53 - Fly back to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

Take an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. We will be transferred to hotel in a private vehicle in Kathmandu. Take leisure and soothe your aching limbs from long and tiring climb.

Day 54 - In Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

Enjoy a leisure day. You are on your own. Participating in a day tour in Kathmandu is a pleasant plan. You can also go for shopping in Thamel, a tourist hub where you can buy souvenir items like handicrafts and arts to your family. At eventide on day, we will relish a farewell dinner to celebrate our successful climb. While enjoying our supper, we will also be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.

Day 55 - International departure

Finally, the undeniable day of departure arrives. Thank you for joining us on this climb and it has been a pleasure being a part of your expedition. Our representative will take you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours before your scheduled flight. Keep in touch and hope to hear from you soon. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home.

Trip Includes

  • Everest expedition royalty fees (USD 11,000)
  • Route fixing (SPCC and EOA) fees
  • Garbage deposit and management fees 
  • Expedition Liaison Officer wages and fees 
  • Nepalese UIAGM/IFMGA Expedition leader for a group of 4 climbers and above
  • 1:1 Sherpa guide (Everest Summiter) to climber ratio
  • Service of the Expedition manager at Everest base camp
  • 11 bottles of oxygen (8 for you and 3 for your sherpa) with the use of the latest mask and regulator. 
  • Skill training clinic at the Everest base camp
  • The ascent of Lobuche Peak for acclimatization with a 1:3 guide to client ratio
  • Freshly prepared meals (B,L,D) by our chef at the Everest base camp
  • A wide variety of nutritious high-altitude mountain foods for higher camps 
  • Individual box tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent and other logistics 
  • Heater, Generator, Shower and more for your comfort at the base camp
  • High altitude tent (North Face VE25 or similar) for higher camps above base camp
  • 4 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu. 
  • All Meals (B,L,D) and accommodation during the trekking period
  • Satellite communication system at base camp but nominal charge for use
  • Radio set for communication between camps
  • Internal domestic airfare with 60kg baggage cargo
  • Staffs wages, allowances with their helicopter and medical insurance
  • Common climbing equipment (rope, Ice Screws, Snow bars etc)
  • Weather report during the entire expedition period
  • Emergency medical supplies with 24/7 on-call doctor during the entire expedition period. 
  • Porterage of 60kg baggage for each member (Lukla-Base camp-Lukla) 
  • 2 waterproof duffel bags
  • Everest Summit certificate from the Department of Tourism, Nepal

Trip Excludes

  • International airfare
  • Meals in Kathmandu
  • Custom for bringing any expedition goods
  • Nepal visa fees
  • Personal clothing and climbing equipment
  • Insurance (Mandatory)
  • Summit bonus (USD 1500) 
  • Gratuities for base camp and trekking staff
  • Personal expenses 
  • Extra oxygen aside from provided 11 bottles