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| | | How difficult is the challenge?
Every challenge is graded from easy to very hard, with moderate and hard in between. This challenge is graded hard. How fit do I have to be?
Fairly fit, you need to be doing any form of physical activity at least 3 times a week (football, squash, swimming etc are fine) When will it take place?
We leave the UK on the 4th December 2009 and will be back in the UK by the 20th December 2009 insh'allah. How much will it cost?
You'll have to pay an initial 350GBP deposit and then commit yourself to raising 3,250 GBP | Water, The Source of Life Water is the basic liquid of life. However, over one billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water, and almost half the world's population lack adequate sanitation. This affects their health, their environment, their basic dignity and their children's future. For some countries the problem is scarcity of water, while in others water may be plentiful but of poor quality. Around 80% of all sickness and disease in the world is caused by inadequate water or sanitation, according to the World Health Organisation. Water-related diseases account for 2.2 million deaths each year, mostly among children under the age of five. Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene not only cause sickness and death, but also increase health costs, reduce people's ability to earn a living, and reduce school enrolment rates, especially for girls. Shortages in water can lead to harvest failures and even famine. All these factors combine together to contribute to the continuing cycle of poverty in developing countries. Water is the basic liquid of life. However, over one billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water, and almost half the world's population lack adequate sanitation. This affects their health, their environment, their basic dignity and their children's future. For some countries the problem is scarcity of water, while in others water may be plentiful but of poor quality. Around 80% of all sickness and disease in the world is caused by inadequate water or sanitation, according to the World Health Organisation. Water-related diseases account for 2.2 million deaths each year, mostly among children under the age of five. Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene not only cause sickness and death, but also increase health costs, reduce people's ability to earn a living, and reduce school enrolment rates, especially for girls. Shortages in water can lead to harvest failures and even famine. All these factors combine together to contribute to the continuing cycle of poverty in developing countries. | What You'll do
A challenging Himalayan trek with incredible rewards Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar
After exploring Kathmandu you fly to Lukla, from where your trek to Everest commences. The trail follows the course of the Dudh Kosi, the ‘River of Milk’, gradually climbing through forests of rhododendron and magnolia. There are rest days at Namche Bazaar (the delightful Sherpa capital) and at Dingboche village to help adjust to the altitude.
Base Camp & Kalar Patar By the time you reach Lobuche the temperature has dropped and you’ll be walking among frozen rivers in an icy wilderness. From here you make the trek to Base Camp itself – at the foot of the world’s highest peak. The next day it’s on to the final highlight – Kalar Patar (5,545m) with stunning views of Everest and the Khumbu Glacier cascading below.
The ‘Chai Bhati’ Established to provide lodging for local Nepalis on journeys to move goods and produce across the mountain passes, the ‘chai bhati’ (or tea house) has become one of the most popular ways to explore the mountains in Nepal. This trip is a ‘tea house trek’ - you’ll enjoy the rustic facilities and, through interaction with local people, gain a real insight into daily life in the Himalayas The Everest base camp trek is one of the most popular treks in the world and this is for a good reason! We have designed our Everest base camp trek with plenty of time for the necessary acclimatisation; the route takes you to some of the prettiest Sherpa villages and to Namche bazaar which is the colourful and vibrant heart of Sherpa country. The mountain scenery is stunning with a range of the classic peaks visible along the trail including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Kang Tega, Thamserku and Pumori. The high points of our itinerary is the climb to Kala Patar for the classic views of Everest and the hike from Gorakshep up the Khumbu glacier to Everest base camp.
Detailed itinerary
It is our intention to keep to the day by day itinerary detailed below, although
there might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control. Day 1. Arrive Kathmandu, collection from airport and transfer to hotel.
A driver will be sent to collect you on arrival at Kathmandu airport and to bring you back to the hotel. Please provide travel plans on booking and we will arrange the pick up and transfer. Day 2. Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Today we explore Kathmandu with a good local guide, the day is flexible depending on what you would like to see. Day 3. Fly to Lukla (2,840m), trek to Phakding (2,610m)- 4 to 5 hours walking.
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for the early morning flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla. This is a truly spectacular beginning to the trek as you fly over the rolling foothills of Nepal with the huge Himalayan peaks visible to the north. On arrival we meet our Sherpa guides and then begin the trek following the Dudh Khosi valley to the village of Phakding. Overnight lodge. Day 4. Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,445m)- 5 to 6 hours walking.
Today there is a long and steep climb up to the trading town of Namche Bazaar. Halfway up the hill we are rewarded with our first views of Everest and Lhotse. Namche is the largest town in the Khumbu and has superb views of Thamserku (6,648m), Kwangde (6,220m) and Khumbila (5,700m). Overnight at the Zamling Guest House lodge or Camp de Base. Day 5. Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar
Today we take a rest day to allow us to adapt to the gain in altitude. There is plenty to do in and around Namche, we can take a short walk above the town to get a view of Everest. There is also an interesting Sherpa Culture Museum which is well worth a visit.
We will return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon you can either relax or visit the Bazaar. Overnight at the Zamling Guest House lodge or Camp de Base.
Day 6. Trek to Thame (3,801m)- 6 hours walking.
Today we follow a trail high above the Bhote Khosi river through rhododendron forests and then open pasture to the village of Thame. Thame is a pretty village overlooked by a famous monastery with views of Teng Kangpoche (6,500m) and Kwangde (6,500m). To the north of the village lies the important trading pass of the Nangpa La leading to Tibet.Overnight lodge. Day 7. Trek to Khunde/Khumjung (3,791m)- 5 to 6 hours walking.
Today we walk back down the valley towards Namche and then take a high trail to reach the Sherpa village of Khumjung. Day 8. Trek to Tengboche (3,867m)- 5 hours walking.
The trail descends from Khumjung through rhododendron forest with superb
views of Ama Dablam, Kangtaiga and Everest. After crossing the Dudh Khosi
at Phunki Tanga we start the climb through forest to Tengboche. The main monastery of the Khumbu is located here and is well worth visiting in the afternoon. Day 9. Trek to Dingboche (4,350m)- 5 to 6 hours walking.
After a descent to the Imja Khola, we cross the river and climb gradually to the village of Pangboche. We spend two nights at Dingboche to help with the acclimatisation process. This village is in a sheltered location above the Imja
Khola and is warmer and less windy than the neighbouring village of Pheriche. Day 10. Acclimatisation day walk to Chukhung and back to Dingboche
Today we recommend you walk to Chukhung towards Island Peak. This greatly helps your acclimatisation by following the golden rule of “climbing high and sleeping low”. The views from this valley are superb with Ama Dablam and the massive wall of Nuptse and south face of Lhotse Day 11. Trek to Lobuche (4,931m)- 5 hours walking.
From Dingboche the trail contours above Pheriche and on towards the
moraine of the Khumbu glacier and then across to Dughla. From Dughla the trail goes directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier before turning left just past the climber and sherpa memorial. From here the route descends a little and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche. Tawache and Nuptse are particularly spectacular from Lobuche, towering almost two kilometres directly above you! Day 12. Trek to Everest base camp and back to Gorakshep (5,160m)- 8 to
9 hours walking.
After an early start we follow the trail along the western side of the broad Khumbu valley. The conical peak of Pumori comes into view further along, it is on a lower ridge of this mountain that we will be going tomorrow for the
Everest view point of Kala Pattar. The trail makes a short descent onto the sandy area at Gorakshep. It should take between 2 to 3 hours walking to get to Gorakshep from Lobuche. After a light lunch those in the group we would like to walk to Everest base camp will head off for the 6 hour return trek. The trail is mainly on rocky moraine before crossing over on to the glacier. There is a dramatic view of the infamous Khumbu icefall from the basecamp. Day 13. Ascend Kala Patar (5,545m) and return to Lobuche
We have another early morning start to climb Kala Patar in order to get the clear morning views. There is a steep climb for a couple of hours to Kala Patar summit. It is definitely worth it for the great views of Everest (you can not see Everest from base camp) along with the other Himalayan giants of Pumori, Changtse, Nuptse, Lhotse and many others! After the climb to Kala Patar we return to Gorakshep for lunch. We then start our descent and return to the thicker air of Lobuche in the afternoon.
Day 14. Return to Namche Bazaar.
Day 15. Fly to Kathmandu.
Day 16. At leisure in Kathmandu.
Day 17. Fly back home.
Transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight back home. End of trip. | What is a typical day?
While on trek we rise early and set off after breakfast normally walking for between 5 to 8 hours. There is plenty of time to rest and appreciate the superb views along the way and we will also stop for lunch en route and by mid afternoon we would have arrived at our stop for the night and you will have the rest of the day to relax or explore the area. How will the altitude affect me?
Altitude sickness is caused by reduced levels of oxygen in the blood due to the lower atmospheric pressure at altitude-the effects can be felt from around 2,500m.
Some trekkers will experience symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) which may include headache, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nausea and general lassitude. We bring a comprehensive medical kit including altitude drugs and oxygen saturation meter in case it is required. How fit do I need to be?
A reasonable level of fitness is required due to the nature of this trek although anyone who leads a fairly active and moderately healthy lifestyle should be fine as long as they train regularly over a period of at least three months leading up to the expedition. While on the trek you will be exercising constantly for a number of days at extreme altitudes, but remember that being fit has no impact on the rate of acclimatisation. What kind of weather are we likely to experience?
The daytime weather can vary from hot and clear where temperatures could reach 20C or 25C to cold and damp with temperatures near 0C. The nights will be very cold with temperatures well below zero and will get colder as one approaches Base Camp due to the higher altitude. What happens if I can’t keep up or fall ill?
It is normal to have a discrepancy in walking ability within a group so we are prepared for this. The event is not a race and we encourage everyone to pace themselves and go at their own speed- there is always a member of staff sweeping behind the group so support will never be far away. Do I need specialist kit?
A clothes and equipment checklist will be provided to you to- you will need to pack carefully as the weight allowance is only 20kg.
What is the terrain and scenery like?
We will be following established paths of stone and mud which are used regularly by the locals. The scenery is spectacular as we trek through wide valleys above the foothills to the highest mountain range in the world. Not only do we have superb mountain views each day, but we also pass villages, tea houses and forest areas, so there is plenty to see! What will we eat and drink?
Breakfast will consist of bread, jam, eggs, porridge etc. Lunch is a fairly substantial meal with rice, potatoes, vegetables, sandwiches and chapattis. Dinner will be a hot meal with soup to start. Meals are substantial but it is also still a good idea to bring a few energy bars and snacks. What do I carry during the day?
You will carry just a daypack with basic supplies including rainwear, water, camera, sun cream and a fleece- as we trek higher you will also need to pack a hat and gloves. What’s the average age?
We get people of all ages on the Islamic Relief trips, although most will generally be between 20 and 55. |
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