ULTIMATE EVEREST TREK

Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Supporting Child Haven International, Kathmandu

2010 Tour Dates

May 3-25 | Oct.17-Nov 8 Hosted by our Everest Base Camp & Himayalan Specia list

Trip Overview From ou r past e xpedition s

Best views of Everest from Kala Pattar peak What challenges in your every day life? Getting into your car to beat the traffic to work? Lose 10 pounds from your excess weight? Planning a getaway to the sunny beaches in the Caribbean? How about rewarding your life with the challenge of walking in the world’s greatest mountain region, the Himalayas for a close encounter with the mightiest of them all – the Mt Everest? Explorers, travelers and mountaineers of all ages have long been seduced by the majesty of Everest and the Khumbu region of Nepal, the home of the colourful Sherpa people. While the world's greatest peaks open up right before your eyes, this once-in-a-lifetime trek offers you the opportunity to explore finest mountain scenery you’ll ever see. Along the way you are showered with impressions of an ancient Buddhist culture as we visit and learn from our friends living in these inspiring monastic communities. You will walk with the world’s finest guides, the sherpa people themselves, who knows their region inside and out. This is a non-technical trek for the very fit hiking and trekking enthusiast of any age; a journey to the sacred Himalaya will offer a lifetime of impressions and reflections. Everyday is nothing short of breathtaking while we walk amidst the Himalayan giants to the sound of yak bells. Each turn reveals new vistas that transport our psyche further into the shadow of the daunting peaks. Our all-encompassing trek route offers an uncompromising experience that follows in the footsteps of Tensing and Hillary and other great mountaineers. We provide the combination of expertise from the finest mountaineering people, interaction with locals by spending most of our time in their homes as guests and share their traditions, cuisine, and the knowledge of mountains and above all appreciate their responsibility to the environment.

Breathtaking Himalayan mountain scenery

On the steep trail up to the Base Camp

Standing on the edge of infamous Khumbu Ice Fall

Group at the Tengboche Monastery

Comments from our past trekkers….. “A humbling experience, humans touching humans, living an impression….of love, laughter and living”

“A trip that showed us more will than skill….”

“You had better be prepared to ‘meet yourself’…

and there is time to think, to pray, to cry and meditate…”

“No would have’s, could have’s. should have’s. An

ultimate high, full-filling a life-long dream!”

Ask us about the movie clip on our highly successful Everest treks. Also available is a copy of the Outpost May/June ‘08 article on trekking to Everest Base Camp titled “The Agony and the Ecstasy” a story/photos by Dianne Whelan, a member of our trek in 2007. Whelan is an award-winning photographer, writer and a documentary film-maker.

Expedition Itinerary in brief May 3-25 | Oct.17 -Nov 8

May 3 or Oct 17 - Kathmandu (1527 metres) Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to Nirvana Garden hotel for 2nights.

Dinner/overnight.(D) May 4 or Oct 18– Kathmandu Morning sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. Visit the Durbar Square, Swayambunath - the Buddhist temple and Pashupatinath – a sacred Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Child Haven International Home, to immerse ourselves with children for an afternoon of compassion. Music and dance and a donation ceremony. Welcome dinner at Rum Doodle in the company of Everest summiters. (B,L,D) May 5 or Oct 19– Kathmandu – Lukla - Phakding (2656 m) After breakfast, transfer to airport for a spectacular mountain flight to Lukla. The flight takes you over the magnificent Himalayas to the north, forming the Khumbu region. Entering the Dudh Kosi valley see the airstrip at Lukla (2880m) below for an exciting landing. Here we meet our trekking sherpa guides/crew. After sorting out our gear and we begin the trek by descending via Dudh Kosi valley to Phakding. (3-4 hrs walking) (B,L,D) May 6 or Oct 20– Phakding–Monjo-Namche Bazaar(3450 m) Continue north following the Dudh Kosi river and on to the Sagarmatha National Park. Lunch at a sherpa home, followed by a steep climb to Namche Bazaar, the last outpost in the Khumbu. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa village and an important trading centre. Weather permitting we get our first views of Everest and Lhotse. (5 hrs walking). 2 nights at Camp De Base Lodge. (B,L,D) May 7 or Oct 21 - Namche Bazaar Our first of acclimatization days. Visit the Sherpa Cultural Centre and the National Park headquarters. Walk to the airstrip at Shyangboche and to the Everest View hotel. Tea party on the veranda overlooking the Everest. Back at the lodge. (B,L,D)

May 8 or Oct 22–Namche Bazaar-Kunde/Khumjung(3840m) A short day for acclimatization. From the ridge above Namche we follow the trail to a quiet hamlet of Kunde.. Visit the Himalayan Trust hospital and Sir Ed Hilary School. Meet with teachers and children. (3 hours walking). Overnight. (B,L,D) May 9 or Oct 23 – Khumjung - Dole(4000m) From Kunde/Khumjung the trail climbs up steep, it then continues more gradually to a ridge at 3978 metres. There are tremendous views from here to the village of Phortse and Tengboche monastery. Lunch in Phortse from here the trail climbs through rhododendron forest to Dole. (5 hrs walking). Overnight. (B,L,D) May 10 or Oct 24 Dole - Machermo (4410m) From Dole climb further higher up to Machermo taking in excellent views of Cho Oyu (8168m) and other Himalayan peaks. Another short day, essential for acclimatization. Lunch. Machermo is a very picturesque base and the afternoon is free to relax or explore. (3 hours walking). Overnight at the lodge. (B,L,D) May 11 or Oct 25– Machermo – Gokyo Lakes (4794m) Today we climb the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. It is a steep climb up to the first of three lakes where a sudden change of scenery is met. We arrive at Gokyo and stay 2 nights by the shores of the third lake. Afternoon leisure hike to the ridge for superb views of Cholatse, Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang. (4 hrs walking). (B,L,D)

May 12 or Oct 26– Gokyo Lakes area Beyond Gokyo a trail leads up the valley to two more lakes and this area offers incredible views of Everest. The wall between Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang is awesome and gives a clear view of Everest, the Geneva Spur, the South Col, the stunning Lhotse face. Also visible are the north ridge and the infamous first and second steps where Mallory & Irvine went missing in 1921. (B,L,D) May 13 or Oct 27– Gokyo Lakes - Na (4390m) Today we climb Gokyo Ri (5496m) for superb views of the entire mountain chain from the Nangpa La to Makalu including four of the Worlds highest peaks - Cho Oyu (8168m), Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8526m) and Makalu (8496m), Absorb the magnificent scenery. Descend to the small settlement of Na situated at the foot of the Ngozumpa Glacier. (5 hours walking). (B,L,D)

May 14 or Oct 28 – Na - Phortse (3542m) We descend to Phortse. Descend provides different views of the Khumbu peaks. This also allows our bodies to recover from the exertions at Gokyo. This will prove beneficial when we ascend to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar. (4 to 5 hours walking.)(B,L,D) May 15 or Oct 29 Phortse - Dingboche (4336m) From Phortse climb around the Imja Khola valley with excellent views of Ama Dablam, the Nuptse-Lhotse and Everest. Enter upper Pangboche and visit the monastery, the oldest in the Khumbu. From Pangboche walk through alpine meadows to Dingboche, the highest permanently inhabited village in Khumbu. We stay 2 nights in Dingboche. (5 hrs walking). (B,L,D) May 16 or Oct 30 - Dingboche A second day of rest at Dingboche for aiding acclimatization. You could walk up the valley towards Chhukung, a small summer settlement or ascend Nangkartshang Peak, which towers above Dingboche village. The views are magnificent with more peaks and passes visible. Overnight. (B,L,D) May 17 or Oct 31 – Dingboche - Lobuche (4939 metres) Climb the ridge and cross the flat plain above the Pheriche and pass the village of Duglha. Here we pass a row of stone monuments built in memory of climbers who have perished on various expeditions. Climb to Lobuche. (4 hrs walking). (B,L,D) May 18 / Nov 1–Lobuche-Kala Pattar-Gorak Shep (5600m) An early ascend to steep valley to Gorak Shep. It is quite rough walking before the descend to Gorak Shep. Throughout the day we have tremendous views of Nuptse and then Pumori, Lingtren and Khumbutse forming the border with Tibet. After a rest and some refreshments at Gorak Shep we climb Kala Pattar (5600m) for a classic view of Everest's southwest face. All around are the giants of the mountain world, Pumori (7145m), Changtse (7553m), Nuptse (7855m) and Lhotse (8516m). The views are incredible. The Khumbu Icefall and even the tents at Everest Base Camp can be seen. (6 hours walking in all). Overnight. (B,L,D) May 19 or Nov 2– Everest Base Camp (5400m) Today is our final goal, Everest Base Camp, 3 hrs away from Gorak Shep. A hard day but well worth the effort. An unforgettable experience to see the life at this desolate and yet much revered place by mountaineering world. A chance to meet Everest Climbing Expeditions. Camp at the Everest Base Camp. (B,L,D) May 20 or Nov 3 – EBC- Gorak Shep - Devoche (3770m) Early wake up to witness a ‘pooja’ ceremony at the base camp altar if scheduled. Descend to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has a trekker’s aid post. Chat with the doctors running the post. From Pheriche we follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche and on to Devoche for the night. The views up the valley to the Nuptse-Lhotse wall with Everest behind are fantastic.

(6 hours walking). Overnight. (B,L,D)

Pricing & Trip Inclusions

May 21/Nov 4 Devoche-Tengboche - Namche Bazaar (3450m) We climb through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche monastery. Visit the monastery before descending and contour to Sanasa and on to Namche Bazaar. A lovely days walk, the descent is easy and relaxed with the hard work behind us. Continue to Namche.(7 hrs walking). A night at Camp De Base lodge. (B,L,D) May 22 or Nov 5 – Namche Bazaar – Monjo - Lukla (2832m) Continue to descend and ascend gently and contour around the hillside to Lukla. (4- 6 hours walking). Overnight in Lukla. Dinner party at lodge with sherpa guides/porters. (B,L,D) May 23 or Nov 6 – Lukla - Kathmandu Bid farewell to our sherpa team & fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel for 2 nights and welcome hot showers! Dinner and overnight – Nirvana Garden or similar (B,D) May 24 or Nov 7 – Kathmandu – Free day Want another look at Everest and the peaks up close? Book an optional 1-hour Everest Flight seeing air tour aboard a light aircraft for a bird eye view of the stunning Himalayas only two nautical miles away! A celebratory farewell dinner and cultural show at

Kathmandu Kitchen restaurant. (B,D) May 25 or Nov 8 – Kathmandu Breakfast, Transfer to the airport for flight home. (B)

CA $3215/ US $2680 per person sharing (Based on minimum 8 trekkers per departure)

Price Includes:

� Domestic flights Kathmandu- Lukla- Kathmandu � Local transportation in Kathmandu by mini coach with

driver/assistant � Centrally located 3 star accommodation in Kathmandu on

double or twin sharing basis � Eco-Lodges &Tea house accommodation (Local sherpa

managed guest houses) on the Everest trail � Two person sharing tents at the Everest Base camp � Meals as indicated – B – breakfast; L – lunch- D – dinner

including some packed picnic lunches and high altitude cooked meals.

� Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park trekking permit � English speaking mountain guides ( 1 guide, 2 assistant

guides for minimum of 8 persons) � Yaks and porter services for group luggage transportation

throughout the expedition � Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu � Kathmandu sightseeing with local guide � Visit to Child Haven International home, tour of the

facility and entertainment. � The services of a Canadian expedition leader throughout

the trip. Not Included: International airfare to/from Nepal, mandatory medical/emergency/cancellation insurance; meals other than specified; Sleeping bag and your personal mountain equipment (boots/trekking poles/backpacks/personal clothing/nutritional food); Beverages, wine, mineral water at restaurants during meals; Personal expenses, tips for guides, porters, yak herders, drivers and hotel/restaurant staff and Nepal visa fee payable on arrival in USD cash ($40 with one photo) Deposit for bookings: C$500 per person Balance payment due: 45 Days prior to departure date Contact us for our general tour terms and conditions, special travel insurance package and the booking forms.

Expedition Itinerary (Continued)

Child Haven International Child Haven is a Canadian charity run by Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino, both recipients of the Order of Canada, who have dedicated their lives for the children in Asia for over 20 years. Everyday hundreds of children are abandoned in Nepal penniless, hungry and alone. Some sleep on the street, others suffer under wretched living conditions. The younger, are left destitute, abandoned by parents, or a single mother herself probably an orphan, too destitute to provide. These children are without basic needs - food, housing, education, health and medical care, without somewhere to belong and without grown-ups they can trust and rely on; deprived of love and hope. Currently 300+ kids grow up at the Child Haven Kathmandu home and successfully “graduate” to stand on their own and lead meaningful lives. Cappuccino’s dedicate their lives to Child Haven and personally oversee the homes, the progress and the well being of children. We donate $150 per person in the name of trip participants and this is a significant portion of Tourcan’s profits. The money will go directly towards meeting the needs of the Child Haven home. One of the highlights of your trip is that you will have a chance to visit the Kathmandu home and have a fun afternoon and learn how Child Haven’s work change the lives of these children.

To learn more visit www.childhaven.ca

Trekking In the Everest By Jamie McGuiness

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