Trekking in Nepal
May 1-22, 2008 (tentative dates)
through the awesome beauty of the world’s highest mountains
Experience the exhilaration and grandeur of the Himalayas and the culture of the Sherpa peoples of Nepal. On this unforgettable trek you will be hiking on trails beside stupendous river gorges, enormous glaciers, high peaks, through rhododendron forests, alpine tundra, remote villages, with views of some of the highest peaks and most beautiful mountains in the world. We will be staying in Sherpa lodges each evening with meals provided and only need to carry a daypack. This is a hike of a lifetime!
Your leader is Tom Masterson, is a certified mountain guide who has been leading treks and climbs for more than 20 years. He has trekked and climbed in the Himalayas every year since 2003.
Requirements: Spirit of adventure & excellent physical condition. Mountaineering skills are not required (except for optional climb of Island Peak). Elevations start at 4500’ in Kathmandu, range from 8000’ (Lukla) to 17000’ (high passes), and up to 19000’ on the (optional) hiking peaks. All hiking peaks are non-technical and can be done in light hiking boots. [The optional climb of Island Peak (20,000’) requires crampon & ice-axe experience.] Each day involves 4-8 hours of hiking through some of the world’s most gorgeous scenery.
This photo
essay gives some details of this incredible trip:
Day 1,2 Arrival in Kathmandu. You will stay in a first-class Nepali hotel. Sightseeing (monkey temple, stupas, Durbar square, King's forest...),
Day 3 flight to Lukla – one of the world’s
most spectacular airports- with a runway that angles up at 20°,
then trekking
up a gorgeous river valley over suspension bridges, past spectacular water falls
to Namche Bazar,
Day 4 hike up to the Sir Edmund Hillary
school in Kumjung and the clinic in Khunde,
then up the
spectacular Bhote Koshi Valley
Day 5 to Thame monastery
Day 6 Continue up Bhote to beautiful & remote village of Lundgren,
home of some of the world’s most renowned Sherpas,
Day 7 On up a seldom traveled trail past gorgeous lakes to Renjo
Pass (~5350m), (last time I was on this trail I
saw no one for
the entire day!)
Then down to Gokyo Lake (4800m), perhaps the most
beautiful place I have seen on this planet
Day 8 Day trips to the sacred lakes around
Gokyo, including majestic views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and
an optional
climb
of Gokyo Ri (5366m)
Day 9 Across Ngozumpa glacier (perhaps the
largest glaciers in the world),
over Cho La Pass (~5300m), to Dzongla
Day 10 Up Solokhumbu Valley through Loboche
to Gorak Shep,
Day
11 Optional climb of Kalapatar Peak (~5500m) with incredible views
of Pumori & Everest, and
Trek into Everest base camp at the base of the incredible Khumbu icefall, then
back to Gorakshep.
Day 12 Back to Lobouche, over to Dukla,
across the soul-searching moraine to Dingboche, the town with the
stone walls,
Day 13,14 up to Chhukung optional climbs of
Chhukung Ri Peak (5500m) & Chhukung Peak (5800m),
or Day 13,14
{optional climb of Island Peak 6118m(20,072ft)- this is the only peak on this
tour that
requires any snow/glacier experience; all others can be done in light hiking
boots!},|
Day 15 down to the Tangboche monastery, one
of the most famous in the world.
It also has spectacular views of Everest, Pumori, and
Ama Dablam
Day 16 then through the Rhododendron forest
back to Namche with its Sherpa museum,
busy market and bustling tourist shops.
Day 17 Trek out to Lukla,
Day 18,19 (reserved for rest +/or bad weather days)
Day 20 early morning flight to Kathmandu, shopping, sightseeing +
great food in Kathmandu
Day 21 shopping, sightseeing + great food in
Kathmandu
Day 22 depart for home
Meals & lodging during trek will be in Sherpa Lodges.
Minimal gear needed (daypacks) and there will be a porter for every 2
people to carry up to 10 kg per person extra.
Cost ~$1890 + flight to Kathmandu. [~ 3 weeks in Nepal].
This is one incredible trip!
Contact Tom Masterson, 303 499-6363 Back Country Tours, tom.masterson@colorado.edu