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Day 01: Arrival day
at Kathmandu
A Spirit representative will welcome you at
Tribhuvan Airport and transport you to your
Kathmandu hotel. They will later join you for a
welcome drink and cover off any questions you may
have and give you helpful tips for your time in
Katmandu. Later that afternoon we gather for a pre
trek briefing and introductions to your trek leader
and Spirit team, and make arrangements for your back
pack The evening is free but the guide usually
organizes dinner at a local restaurant in the heart
of Katmandu.
Day 02: Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu
First take a relaxing breakfast in Katmandu before
joining a guided tour of the amazing city sights and
scenes of Katmandu. You will visit Durbar Square,
Swayambhunath Temple, the famous Hindu temple
Pashupatinath and the largest Stupa in Nepal
Boudhanath Stupa.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla (2840m)
Take an early morning flight to Lukla, and get your
first real peak of the Himalayas on the flight,
arriving at the Lukla airstrip deep in the Khumbu
region. The remainder of the day is spent preparing
for the expedition and becoming acclimatized to this
altitude.
Day 04: Lukla - Chutok (2780m)
Experience your first of many breakfasts in the
mountains whilst the Spirit team organizes the
porters to carry the luggage and gear and then we
commence our adventure. A 5-6 hour trek takes you
through Surke where local legend says that this area
was once a lake; hence the soil is really fertile.
You then reach your next destination of Chutok.
Day 05: Chutok to Pangkongma (2850m)
It only takes a half-day to reach our destination,
Pangkongma. On the way we cross over Chutok La
(2945m) and take a steep decent of 300m to reach our
campsite.
Day 06/07/08: Pangkongma, Khure and Tuli Kharka
(4290m)
Today we trek north along the ridge of the river
Hinku Khola. It takes the whole day but you are
rewarded with fantastic views of 6500m peaks, Sanu
Himal, Mojang Himal and Mera Himal. An early start
is required for us to reach our campsite at Tuli
Kharka where we camp at the edge of the snow line.
Day 09/10: Tuli Kharka, Tashing Ongma and Tangnag
(4350m)
Comparatively an easy 5-hour trek today is in order
today where we remain between 4300m and 4500m in
elevation. The following day is another short day as
you trek in the shadow of Mera Himal along the ridge
of the Hinku Khola. Tangnag is a summer grazing area
with the simplest of lodges and shops starting to
develop.
Day 11: Acclimatization Day at Tangnag
An acclimatization day is essential here; it is in a
superb setting surrounded by stunning peaks. There
is a huge moraine in the north of Tangnag where a
beautiful glacial lake, Sabal Tsho is dammed which
is definitely worth a visit. A cairn (5270m) on the
flanks of Kusum Kangguru can also be rewarding and
beneficial for acclimatisation.
Day 12: Tangnag and Khare (5025m)
We follow the lateral moraine of Dig Glacier to Dig
Kharka, which offers spectacular views of Charpate
Himal. The trail climbs through moraines and to the
snout of the Hinku Nup and Shar Glaciers and then
climbs more steeply to our camping spot, Khare.
Day 13: Khare - Mera Base Camp (5350m)
A very short trek allowing for as much
acclimatization time and/or a day walk as we make
our way to Mera Base Camp. Reaching the pass Mera La
(5,415m) allows us to see spectacular views; we then
descend 100m towards the Hongu side and set up base
camp in the moraine below the ice.
Day 14: Base Camp to High Camp (5750m)
Making our way to Mera High Camp can be hazardous if
it has recently snowed, as there are a number of
crevasses here. We make our way to the top of the
rock band, which is marked by a large cairn. We
establish a high camp and from here the views are
outstanding, with Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu and more
piercing the skyline.
Day 15: Summit of Mera Peak and back Mera Base
Camp
We commence our summit day in the early light and
end up with a 100m ascent with rope and ice climbing
to reach the summit. The magnificent views of Pumori
(7161m), Lhotse (8516m) Makalu (8463m), Lobuche
(6145m), Cho Oyu (8201m) are spectacular from the
summit. We then retrace our steps to Mera Base Camp.
Day 16: Descend into the Hongu valley
From the Mera La we descend into the Hongu valley.
After about 3 hours we stop for lunch by a lake and
then continue to the Hinku river, which we follow
for another 3 hours to yet another spectacular
campsite by the 'White Lake'/Lampokhari (5,000m)
near Chamlang.
Day 17/18: Trek up the Hongu valley
We venture further up this spectacular high-altitude
valley, following the bank of the Hongu River.
Directly ahead, is the Amphu Labtsa, with Lhotse and
the Everest group beyond and Ama Dablam just to the
left from our campsite we have an excellent view of
the Amphu Labtsa and are completely encircled by
beautiful mountains. Altitude: 5,300m.
Day 19: Rest day below the Amphu Labtsa
A rest day for exploration and to prepare the route
over the Amphu Labtsa.
Day 20: The Amphu Labtsa (5,780m)
The approach to the pass is over glacier and around
stunning ice flutings and formations and presents no
real difficulty at first. Steeper sections (40ยบ)
lead up to the top of the ridge where incredible
views across to Island Peak and Lhotse can be
enjoyed. The interesting part is the descent down
the opposite side into the Imja Valley. A steep
descent (with one short abseil) on snow and ice will
be safeguarded by approximately 250 meters of fixed
ropes, until easier ground is reached. A loose path
is followed into the valley below. Looking behind,
you won't believe where you have come from! A
pleasant path now descends a moraine ridge curving
leftwards by the side of the Imja Glacier. We camp
by a stream near the snout of the Imja Glacier at
5,000m.
Day 21: Chhukung to Tengboche: 5-6 hours
The trail makes a gradual descent through scrub
junipers and around Mani stones as it follows the
hillside. The trail passes many Mani walls in deep
rhododendron forests where crossing after the Imja
khola, the trail climbs many carved Mani stones to
Pangboche. Pangboche Gompa is the oldest in Khumbu;
a visit will be well worth. Walk down to the valley
from where the trail is shallower through alpine
meadows. Followed by climb gradually up to Tengboche
(3,870m/12,697ft) where the biggest monastery lies
in the whole of Khumbu.
Day 22: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar: 4-5 hours
Walk down from the rear of monastery and continue
down until you reach Phunki Tenga. Climb up
gradually through a forest. Once you are out of the
forest, you will be walking along a ridge from where
you can see down on your left some of the deepest
gorges of Nepal. In spring, the rhododendrons will
look superb making the valley even more beautiful.
Reach Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft), for
overnight.
Day 23: Namche Bazaar to Lukla: 6-7 hours
Trek back to Lukla along the same trail, although it
always looks different coming from the opposite
direction on arrival in Lukla you will have time to
relax and celebrate the completion of your trek. You
can have a good time with two local alcoholic
beverages 'Chang' or 'Rakshi.' Feel free to dance
with your crewmembers in the Sherpa way.
Day 24: Lukla- Kathmandu
Early morning fly to Kathmandu .Transfer to your
hotel; the day at leisure to rest, perhaps catch up
on some last minute shopping or explore any sights
you missed during your first day in Kathmandu and
evening celebration dinner together. Overnight in
Kathmandu.
Day 25: Explore day in Kathmandu-1,350/4,428ft
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure
and either relax at hotel or explore the Thamel and
overnight at hotel. This one extra day we use as a
reserve day just in case if you need one extra day
on trip or some time flight to/from Lukla can be
cancelled or delay so always good to have this one
reserve day after your trip.
Day 26: Extend your holiday or back to home
After this amazing trekking and climbing if you are
more interest for other activities like safari,
rafting, cycling or more trekking in other areas; HG
Trekking can organize as your desire. If you decide
to leave Nepal we will transfer to airport for your
onward destination. |
