Footsteps of Hillary
Visiting: NepalCode: GIEB
Tour price from USD 1059.00 for 16 days - Land Only
The Tour Price displayed here is for the tour only and does not include international flights. Our flight prices are very competitive, please ask for a quote when making your booking
Plus a local payment of pp payable locallyThis is a payment for your trip that must be paid locally to your tour leader on the 1st day of the trip, in the specified currency.
Visiting: Nepal
Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first ones to summit Everest in 1953.
Footsteps of Hillary
Even though you won't be climbing the great mountain you'll still feel the rush of being up there where it all began.(Was Everest Base Camp)
Day
Kathmandu
Surely one of the highlights of any trek is the forced carb loading? Break out the stretchy pants and tuck into some guilt-free pizza, pasta, cheese spaghetti and momo dumplings.Pre-departure meeting at the hotel and an optional group dinner in the eveningDay
Phakding
Fly to Lukla then head off on foot from the airstrip. Towering above our route to Phakding are the icy peaks of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru.Fly parallel to the Himalayan giants en route to LuklaLand on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid 1960sExplore the village of LuklaBegin the trek and descend to the Dudh Kosi River, heading to a lodge in Phakding(Walking time: approx 3 hours)Day
Namche Bazaar
Yes, that's right. You're looking at Everest. Spend a bit of time acclimatising in Namche, which means "no strenuous activity". See if you can find the yak parking area above the market and gorge yourself at the bakeries (you're still carb loading, remember). Day 3Set off on an 8 hour trek, acclimatising slowly to ensure peak physical formWalk through tracts of blue pine and rhododendron forest - both spectacular in the springAwesome views of Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku peaksCross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River The peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche come into view for the first timeStay in a village lodge in Namche Haggle for Tibetan artifacts in local shops - if you've got the energy(Walking time: approx 8 hours)Day 4Stay at Namche to allow for acclimatisation Perhaps view the sunset and sunrise, and fantastic panoramas of Everest from the national park headquarters above the villageOptional walk up the Bhote Khola River Valley to ThamiSee displays of Sherpa lifestyle and cultureDay
Khumjung
You'll come to appreciate the tern "short walking day". Stop by the National Park Museum, Everest View Hotel and a hospital built by Sir Edmund Hilary on our way to Khumjung. Continue the ascent alongside EverestPanoramas of towering Himalayan snow peaks Perhaps visit the nearby small hospital run by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust View a yeti skull at the Khumjung Monastery (if you're lucky!)Stay in a lodge in Khumjung(Walking time: approx 2 hours)Day
Thyangboche
As far as monasteries go, this one takes the cake. If you don't feel a sense of calm sitting at 3867m in Nepal's spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism while looking at Mt Everest, then you might be a robot. Perhaps stop off for a hard-earned coffee and cake from the Khumjung bakeryRejoin the trail to Everest, keeping eyes peeled for Danphe Pheasant and Himalayan TharEnjoy views of Kantega, Ama Dablam and EverestStay overnight at Thyangboche (Walking time: approx 6 hours)Day
Dingboche
Everest is so close you could touch it. We know you're excited but pace yourself because altitude sickness can sneak up when you least expect it. Day 7Visit the Thyangboche MonasteryIndulge in lunch at village of Pangboche, with the peak of Ama Dablam in the backgroundClimb through alpine hillside to a lodge in Dingboche(Walking time: approx 5 hours)Day 8A day off from hiking to rest and acclimatiseExplore the beautiful Imja Khola Valley and view the surrounding peaksDay
Kala Patar - Base Camp
Yes folks, it's the one you've all been waiting for - Everest Base Camp. Look out for expedition groups on their way to the summit. They're the rock stars of the climbing world (without all the groupies). Day 9Tough hike to LobucheView the peaks of Taweche and Cholatse from the chorten atop the Pheriche ValleyEat lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of Khumbu GlacierVisit a line of memorial cairns, built in memory of Sherpas and other climbers who have died on various Everest expeditionsSpectacular views of Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, and, across the border in Tibet, Changtse (Walking time: approx 6 hours)Day 10 Follow the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu GlacierAscend gradually to the moraines of Changri Nup GlacierExperience the sensational sunset views from the amazing vantage point of Kala Patar Gains views of Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest(Walking time: approx 3 hours)Day 11Wake early for the trek along the glacier to Everest Base CampIf trekking between March and May, you'll almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditionsSee the notorious Everest ice fall(Walking time: approx 7 hours)Day
Thyangboche - Lukla
Say goodbye to our Sherpa crew at Lukla, where they'll entertain us with a bit of a traditional song and dance. Get together with the rest of your group and pool your tips.Day 12Head downhill to Dughla and enjoy a long tea break in PhericheVisit a trekkers' aid post Great views of Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and KantegaRe-trace your steps to Debuche and on to Thyangboche(Walking time: approx 6 hours)Day 13Descend from Thyangboche to the suspension bridge at Phunkitenga Cross the Dudh Kosi river and ascend to TrashingaGrab lunch in Namche Bazaar and enjoy a final opportunity to visit the shops(Walking time: approx 8 hours)Day 14Set off on the last, steady 5 hours of the trekArrive back in Lukla and celebrate (or sleep off) what you've just achieved (Walking time: approx 5 hours)Day
Kathmandu
Time to celebrate with a tongba (hot millet beer) and a plate of ziva (pastry fingers filled with cheese), while you relax your weary but incredibly toned legs. You've earned it. Day 15Wake early in Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu - hopefully not too hungoverSpend the final night in the Thamel district of KathmanduDay 16The trip ends this morning, but Kathmandu has a lot more to offer those who wish to prolong their stayWhile the information presented here details our planned itinerary, including routes taken, activities included, accommodation and meeting times, please accept that unforseen changes may occur. We are constantly on the lookout to improve our program and further enhance your experience. Naturally, we will keep you up to date with any last minute amendments to your tour.
Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
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