Himalayan Trekking: Thame / Gokyo / Kala Patthar

 

Mt. Everest, standing mightily at 8848m is the World's highest peak and the ultimate Himalayan dream for many trekkers. Everest trek (with more time for acclimatization) enables you not only to witness Mount Everest but also the 4th & 5th highest peaks - Lhotse at 8516m, Makalu 8467m - as well as numerous other giant peaks. This region is truly the roof of the World. The trek goes through the heartland of the Sherpa - mountain people of Tibetan origin - and passes numerous charming villages, many with picturesque gompas that are spectacularly set amidst its mountainous surroundings. Before reaching Everest Base camp, the trail follows the Khumbu Glacier with huge ice pinnacles soaring to unbelievable heights. We fly to Lukla and follow the Dhuda Koshi valley through beautiful pine and rhododendron trees. The jagged, icy & snow capped peaks of Thamseku (6623m) & Kushum Kanguru (6369m), tower above the trail. A steep climb then leads us to Namche Bazaar (3345m) were we take our first acclimatization stop. On the trail to Tengboche, those with a keen eye will be rewarded with sightings of musk deer, thar (mountain goat), impeyan pheasant.

Tengboche monastery is set in a beautiful location with chortens adorned with player flags and many walls being a constant reminder of the local Buddhist culture. The trail follows to the Khumbu glacier & Kala Pathar (5554m), where the best view of Mt. Everest & a 360-degree panorama of the World's highest peaks are laid out before us. Our return route takes us via Tengboche, Namche Bazaar, Lukla for a traditional farewell.

Itinerary / Kala Patthar - 19 days

Day 1:Arrival Kathmandu, transfer to hotelDay 2:Kathmandu sightseeing guided tourDay 3:Flight Lukla 2800m - trek to Phakding - 4 hours - Tea LodgeDay 4:Trek to Namche 3440m - 5 hours approx - Tea LodgeDay 5:Namche - Rest day - Tea LodgeDay 6:Trek to Thame 3800m - 4. hours approx - Tea LodgeDay 7:Thame - acclimatization and visit to environmental trail - Tea LodgeDay 8:Trek to Khumjung - Namche - 5 hours Tea LodgeDay 9:Trek to Phortse 3810 m - Tea LodgeDay 10:Trek to Pheriche 4240 m _ Tea LodgeDay 11:Trek to Lobuche 4910 m - 5 hours approx - Tea LodgeDay 12:Acclimatization - Tea LodgeDay 13:Trek to Kala Patthar 5560 m - Lobuche - Dingboche 6-7 hours approx - Tea LodgeDay 14:Trek to Tengboche -8860m - 4 hours approx - Tea LodgeDay 15:Trek Tengboche - Namche - 3 hours - Tea LodgeDay 16:Trek Namche- Lukla 5-6 hoursDay 17:Flight Lukla - Kathmandu - transfer to hotelDay 18:Free day in KathmanduDay 19:Return flight Optional Extension to Gokyo Lakes - 21/22 daysDay 10:Trek Phortse - Gokyo 4800m - 6 hours approxDay 11:: Trek Gokyo Ri 5357m - Dragnag 4 hoursDay 12:Trek Dragnag - Phortse 4 hours approx ...then continues as from day 10 above

Important Notes:You must have a good overall cardiovascular fitness for this climb. We do not recommend gym preparation alone - you must get out on the fields and trails irrespective of weather conditions, months before in your area and do some long distance treks and runs; fell running is particularly good for this. You will definitely reap the benefits from this when you get to the Himalayas.

Altitude mountain sickness (AMS) is always a concern. There is no magic cure for this when coming from the lowlands, however, we try and give you the best acclimatizing possible on our programme, but if you feel you would like some extra time for this, we will happily customize your trip to guarantee you the best success. For more information relating to altitude mountain sickness please visit: http://www.basecampmd.com/ - you can read about Diamox which many people commonly take. A detailed gear list will be forwarded upon your enrolment to the trip. We welcome small groups, who know each other, and for these we provide a discount as we find they work together well as a team. Minimum group size: 4 people.Booking and Payment Terms:Please book through our formand read the conditions. Contact

Payment of your deposit via UK debit or credit card is now possible via a secure connection to PayPal (this method attracts a 5% surcharge).


Personal cheques are also perfectly acceptable, or bank transfers can be arranged at no charge - contact us for details.

After you have signed and returned the booking form with your cheque or credit card authorisation in respect of the 20% deposit, you undertake to pay the remaining balance within 4 weeks of departure date. As soon as we have your booking we will forward to you our confirmation invoice with full details of the holiday that has been booked.

If you are resident outside the EEC countries, we reserve the right to add a reasonable administrative charge to cover expenses incurred for overseas communications or correspondence (ie: visas or couriers).

Himalayan Journeys: An Ethical Approach

Lorenzo Gariano is proud to offer a new range of ethical and responsible guided trekking holidays in the Himalayas.

Trekking in the Himalayas with a responsible and ethical approach to the landscape and its culture. We encourage this type of tourism where an ethical approach towards the local population is as important as appreciating the beautiful views of the landscape. We will show you on our scheduled hikes, areas where we have made a small contribution to improve the quality of life of the local people and their schools. A number of small Stupa buildings have also been created with local Sherpa assistance in the Valley of Thame; each one holds a board explaining the trails, custom, culture and wildlife-botany of the specific area in question. They will bring the visitor closer to understanding the interrelation that exists between the population and its Himalayan surroundings. We are very proud to be associated with a veritable Italian Charity by name of: "Travel for Others Onlus" led by the eminent Outdoor magazine: Montagnard. This charity has been leading projects with an Environmental and humanitarian consciousness in mind, and has successfully materialized some important objectives in the fight against "aggressive" tourism in Nepal.

Small and considerate changes in attitudes can help stabilise and improve the frail ecosystem of the area and we encourage some of the following:

• Try not to buy plastic bottled water on the trails, there is no recycling of these products and it is back braking work for porters just to satisfy western tourists
• Have water boiled in lodges, it is a great way to utilize it twice, place it hot in your sleeping bag and it will provide untold comfort, plus a clean drink when cooled down.
• When ordering it is easier if you can order as much of the same dish at once, it saves on a lot of different cooking procedures and wastes less of the precious fuel in Lodges.
• We try and stay in lodges that are a little bit "off the beaten track" this avoids the masses and also helps the other Lodge owners earn some living, this does not affect the quality of your stay in any form
• We go trekking a little out of Season and this again helps the local Economy, and you receive a more relaxed service anyway.
• Pack only essential gear for your trekking trip in the mountains, spare a thought for your very hardworking porters, they are the backbone of the Country and its trekking industry, but must be looked after.
• Try to adapt as best as you can to what is available food wise en route. The food is of excellent quality and not processed, but can be repetitive to some people. We will do our best to give variety but please be aware you will be in some places in areas where little else is available, apart from what is carried.
• Respect the local stupas and Chortens (religious monuments) by always stepping on the left hand side of the features on your travels, as the locals do in sign of respect.
• Be humble and respectful of Buddhist practices whether in Monasteries or other places.

By observing some of these very simple suggestions we believe you can make a real difference in improving the quality of life of the local Sherpa people and its resources.

Namaste` & Tashi Delek

There is enough to go round for everyone,
but not for each one's greed
Mahatma Gandhi