Full Brochure - STA Travel Hub

EVEREST ADVENTUREKathmandu KathmanduFR$1,59915 DAYSINDIAN SUB-CONTINENTHighlights• Trek to Everest Base Camp• Conquer high passes and deep valleys• Walk around glaciers and ice walls• Witness your first Himalayan sunset• Stay in high-altitude teahouses• Hike through remote Sherpa villages• Admire stunning views of Mt. Everest• Relax in Kathmandu’s chilled-out cafésDepartures 2015Jan-FebMar & MayAprJun-AugSepOct-NovDecInclusionsKathmanduEvery SundayEvery Sunday & selected FridaysEvery Friday & SundaySelected Sundays (no departures in Jul)Every Sunday and most Fridays & SaturdaysEvery Friday, Saturday & Sunday and selectedMondaysEvery Saturday & SundayTrip Style: Active Service Level: BasicPhysical Grading: 5 Age Group: Any ageAccommodation: Hotels/guesthouses (2 nts),teahouse lodges (12 nts) Transport: Plane,bus Meals: None Budget: Allow USD $420-550 for meals not included Group Leader:Chief Experience Officer (CEO), trekkingsupport staff Group Size: Max 14, Avg 10Tour Code: GAANEAEverestBase CampLuklaCHINAMt EverestNEP ALYou’ve seen mountains and climbed some pretty impressive peaks in your time, right?Wrong. When the world was put together, the majority of its ridiculously massive mountainswere perfectly placed in one spot - the Himalayas. This fantastic trip will take you all theway to Everest Base Camp. Along the way, you’ll have every single emotion tested as youclimb amongst the planet’s most awesome scenery. From gargantuan glaciers and mysticalmonasteries to lonely Sherpa villages and fields of flowers, this 15-day adventure promiseseverything and delivers so much more.DAY0102-040506-0708-1011-1314-15ITINERARYKathmanduArrive at any time and go exploring. Kathmandu has been attracting travellers since the 1960s,but the early hippie pioneers have largely been replaced by backpackers and well-equipped hikersintent on conquering some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. First impressions can often deliversomething of a culture shock, it’s an exhilarating place full of sights, sounds and crazy traffic! Headover to Durbar Square to see its amazing architectural heritage, or just hang out in the travellers’district of Thamel, where there are plenty of shops, bars and other distractions.Pakding / Namche BazaarThe mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular and the landing an exciting start to the trek – oneend of the runway is 60m higher than the other! Heading through pine and cedar woods along theDudh Kosi, you’ll encounter your first yak caravans carrying equipment and supplies. Spend a dayacclimatising on an excursion to Thame where intricately-carved stones mark the path to the valley.TengbocheLeaving Namche, the route is unbelievably beautiful. The Dudh Kosi is far below and Thamserku,Kantega, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest rise in front of you. Hike through Sherpa villages, forestsof fir and rhododendron and across meandering streams to reach Tengboche Monastery. The morningview from Tengboche is considered one of the most magnificent in the world.DingbocheStone steps lead down through birches and conifers. At the bottom lies the small village of Dingbocheand its convent. Rising above the tree line, the trail enters meadows of scrub juniper and in summerthere’ll be a profusion of wildflowers. The mountain views are outstanding. An acclimatisation dayhere can be used to hike up the Imja Khola to Chhukung - a small summer settlement from where theviews of Island Peak, Lhotse and the fluted ice walls are an absolute highlight.Lobuche / Everest Base CampWalk through alpine meadows and summer pasture toward the end of the Khumbu Glacier wherethere is a steep, tough climb. From Lobuche the view is straight towards Nuptse and sunset is trulymagnificent. On Day 9, deal with dizzying altitude as you climb onto the Changri Glacier, before youhead off in the afternoon for Everest Base Camp. The route to base camp follows the Khumbu Glacierwith its intriguing 15-metre high seracs of ice; a feature unique to Himalayan glaciers. Colourfulexpedition tents give a bizarre appearance to this desolate place surrounded by walls of rock, snowand ice. Early on Day 10, you’ll make a side trip up Kala Pattar for sunrise where you can see thebest views of Everest before the scenic descent back to Pheriche.Tengboche / Monjo / LuklaDescend the Imja Khola past Pangboche, the highest permanent settlement in the valley. Its gompa isbuilt over the religious retreat of Khumbu’s Saint Lama Sanga Dorje. The juniper trees here are said tohave sprung from hair cut from his head. Continue through Namche Bazaar and Phakding to Lukla.KathmanduYou made it! Fly back to Kathmandu where you can rest, shop, go sightseeing or just enjoy your lastday with your fellow trekkers in one of Kathmandu’s many rooftop cafés. Step away from the bustlingmodern city centre and head into the backstreets to discover hidden temples. Your adventure comesto an end at any time on Day 15 - but the memories will last a lifetime!186 VISIT WWW.STATRAVEL.COM