Itinerary for the Mount Everest Base Camp Challenge
8 October, 2005- 27 October, 2005
Day 1: 8 October
Participants will depart from their city of origin and plan to arrive to Tribhuwan International
Airport in Kathmandu, on the 8th of October 2005. From the airport a private bus will pick you
up and transport you to the four star hotel we have chosen for this adventure.
After resting in the hotel you will meet your fellow teammates for dinner and have your first
taste of authentic Nepalese food at the traditional Nepali restaurant ‘Bhanchha Ghar.’
Day 2: 9 October
Today you and your teammates will enjoy some of the many sights of Kathmandu. You will
have the opportunity to visit the Swyambhunath Stupa or the Monkey Temple. This Hindu and
Buddhist shrine attracts hundreds of pilgrims each day, who come to spin the prayer wheel at its
base while they pray to their respective deities. The Bouddhanath Stupa is yet another temple
rich in cultural heritage. At the heart of ‘Little Tibet’ The Bouddhanath Stuppa allows the visitor
to step out of Nepali culture for a moment and gain a sense of Tibetan culture.
You may visit Durbar Square. Nestled in the heart of the old city this square contains temples,
palaces, shrines and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th century by the kings of Nepal.
These are just a few of the many sites of Kathmandu you will have an opportunity to visit.
That evening you will have dinner with your team, and a representative from our climbing
partner will brief you on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek. Our trek representative will answer
itinerary questions, general questions and concerns at this time.
Day 3: 10 October
After an early breakfast all participants will catch a flight to Lukla, 2,800m/9,800ft. After
meeting your guide, and the Sherpa staff accompanying you on this trek, you will begin your
journey up the tallest mountain on Earth. Over the next 3-4 hours you will slowly make your way
up to Phakding. This portion of the trek is an easy walk through the lush landscape of the
Himalayan lowlands. Porters will construct your camp as you explore Phakding, a village located
on the Dudh Kosi River
Day 4: 11 October
After an early breakfast you will continue your ascent to Namche Bazar, 3,440m/11,286ft. This
day’s trek will be a gradual ascent, spanning 5-6 hours. Along the way you will have the
opportunity to visit Buddhist Monasteries. The Buddhist Monasteries of the Himalayas are
colourful and culturally rich artifacts of an ancient religion still deeply important to the Sherpa
people.
Upon reaching Namche Bazar you will find a village steeped in Sherpa culture. Namche Bazar is
a historic trading village where Nepalese and Tibetans exchange a myriad of goods. Once you
have reached this village you will have the opportunity to explore the local markets and mingle
with the people.
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Day 5: 12 October
Today you will rest in Namche Bazar in order to allow your body to acclimatise to the elevation.
Namche Bazar is known as the gateway of Everest. You will meet other climbers, some
continuing on to the summit of Everest, others journeying to Base Camp. During your stay in
Namche you will have the opportunity to visit with the Sherpa people, buy gifts in their
marketplace and explore the valley. If you feel up to it your guide will lead you to Shyangboche,
3800m/12,467ft. Here you will have your first clear view of Mount Everest.
Day 6: 13 October
After an early breakfast you will cross the Bhote Koshi River at Phungi Thanga. Phungi Thanga
lies between Namche and Tyangboche. From Phungi Thanga the trek becomes steep as you
ascend to Tyangboche, 3867m/12,687ft. After 4-5 hours you will reach Tyangboche and enjoy a
much-deserved dinner in the dining tent and a restful night in one of the many teahouses (lodges)
you will stay in along this trek.
Day 7: 14 October
You will stay in Tyangboche today in order to further acclimatise your body to the change in
elevation. This is a spectacular place to spend the day not only due to the amazing view but also
due to the world renowned Tyangboche Monastery. This monastery is the highest monastery in
the world and is also home to the revered Rinpoche, a Buddhist Monk. Your guide will arrange
for the team to watch a Buddhist Prayer Ceremony performed by the local monks.
Tyangboche has amazing views of a myriad of impressive mountains including, Mount Everest
8,845m/29,021ft, Mount Kwangde 8,928m/20,293ft, Mount Nuptse 7,876m/25,843ft, Mount
Ama Dablam 6,854m/22,487ft, Mount Kantega 6,777m/22,235ft, Mount Thamserku
6,911m/21,674ft, Mount Tawachee 6,540m/21,457ft, and Mount Lhotse 8,498m/27,883ft.
Day 8: 15 October
After breakfast you will begin your ascent to Dingboche, 4530m/14,862ft. The trek to Dingboche
will be a gradual climb over 2-3 hours. With Makula peak in the distance you will enjoy a
leisurely dinner.
Day 9: 16 October
Today will be another acclimatisation day as you rest in Dingboche. Today you may join your
guide on a side trek to Chukkung, 4,730m/15,518ft. On the way to this mountain you will have a
spectacular view of Mount Lotse Shar 8,383m/27,503ft. Once you have reached Chukkung you
will have a full view of Island Peak, 6,189m/20,305. If the weather is clear you may also walk to
Khambala Peak, 5,400m/17,716ft.
Day 10: 17 October
While trekking to Lobuche for 4-5 hours today you will have the opportunity to see some of the
most famous mountains on Earth and an impressive Sherpa memorial. During your journey you
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will see Mount Nuptse 7,896m/25,905ft, Mount Tawoche 6,542m/21,463ft, Mount Ama Dablam
6,856m/22,493ft, Mount Pumori 7,145m/23,441ft and many more.
Day 11: 18 October
Today you will trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep, 5,288m/17,349ft. After your 2-hour trek you
will have lunch, take a rest and if you feel you are able you may join your guide and climb to
Klapatthar, 5,545m/18,192ft, to watch the sunset. On this mountain you will be able to see many
of the world-renowned Himalayan Mountains, including Mount Everest.
The Sherpa name for Mount Everest is ‘Chomolungma’ or ‘Mother Goddess of the World.’
Tomorrow you will make your final ascent to the Mount Everest Base Camp.
Day 12: 19 October
Today you will spend one full day trekking to Base Camp and then back to Gorakshep. The team
will navigate the Khumba glacier as you make your way to The Base Camp of Mount Everest.
After reaching Base Camp you will meet climbers preparing for their final ascent and watch as
groups navigate the treacherous glacier walls leading to the summit of Mount Everest. You will
be standing at the base of the tallest mountain on Earth and shall see the infamous Khumba
icefall. After you have soaked in the city of tents you will descend back to Gorakshep for the
night.
Day 13: 20 October
Today you will begin your descent and immediately find it easier to breathe as your lungs
process more oxygen per breath. After a 4-5 hour descent to Periche, 4,243m/13,902ft you may
make phone calls to your loved ones and tell them of your amazing experience. Periche has
phone booths with connections to almost every corner of the globe. You will visit the famed
mountain yaks of The Himalayas in Periche and relive your ascent to Mount Everest Base Camp
over dinner.
Day 14: 21 October
Today you will continue your descent and return to Tyangboche after 4-5 hours of hiking.
Tonight you will breathe easy in the comfort of lower altitudes.
Day 15: 22 October
After 4-5 hours of descent you will reach Khumjung, 3,790m/12,434ft. Upon arrival you will be
able to visit the famed hospital of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person ever to summit Everest.
Here you will find a thriving Sherpa village, the highest in the world.
Day 16: 23 October
From Khumjung you will make a gradual 4-5 hour descent to Monjo, 2835m/9297ft.
Day 17: 24 October
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From Monjo you will return to Lukla, 2,800m/9,800ft. Here you will spend your final night on
the trek. After a celebration dinner and continuous replays of the last 17 days you will fall asleep
with the knowledge that you have completed a strenuous but extremely worthwhile trek.
Day 18: 25 October
After an early breakfast the team will be transported to the airport where you will fly back to
Kathmandu. After checking in at the hotel you are free to sightsee and enjoy dinner with your
new friends
Day 19: 26 October
The Global Volunteer Network representatives will organise visits to various programs and
projects throughout Kathmandu. Today you will visit these projects. All of these projects have
been created in order to help Nepali children. The projects you might visit include orphanages,
schools, street children night shelters and day care facilities. By the end of the trip you will have
gained what most donators never receive, a chance to see the faces of the children your funds are
going to help.
Tonight will be your last night together. Participants will gather for one final team dinner.
Day 20: 27 October
Today you say your final goodbyes to your fellow trekkers, and Nepal. A private bus will
transport all participants to Kathmandu Airport to catch your flight home.
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