Nepal - Salpa Arun Trek

As part of our programme to reduce the negative impacts of tourism in general, we are offering two special treks into the Makalu-Barun area of Nepal. The treks give the opportunity to visit community conservation sites as well as the opportunity to help support local conservation efforts. The treks feature: environmentally sound camp practices; provide expert leadership knowledgeable about ecotourism and conservation efforts; visits to communities and projects that are working to protect their rich natural environment.

The Salpa-Arun to the Everest area route is one of the three main trekking routes in Makalu-Barun, connecting the Arun River Valley to the Khumbu region. Some 600-800 trekkers follow the lower section of this route each year (1% of total trekkers in Nepal).

This trek traverses a wide variety of ecosystems as well as cultural landscapes as it climbs gradually from the mighty Arun River (435m) to Tengboche Monastery (3,800m). From the vantage point beneath picturesque Ama Dablam peak there is a perfectly framed view of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse, three of the highest mountains in the world.

Outline Itinerary Travel Advice

Day 03 Kathmandu to Tumlingtar We take an internal flight to Tumlingtar and prepare for tomorrow.

Day 04 Tumlingtar (487m) to Gothebazaar. We follow the Arun River northwards through the sub tropical hardwood forest around Baluwabesi, dotted with Brahmin and Rai villages.

Day 05 Gothebazaar to Tala / Upper Phedi. Along the way we see lokta production. We camp near a Sherpa settlement.

Day 06 Tala / Upper Phedi to Guranse / Salpa Pokhari. We visit the holy lakes and meet with the local management committee.

Day 07 Guranse / Salpa Pokhari to Tue / Sonam. We cross the Salpa La and continue on in a forest of fir and rhododendron.

Day 08 Tue / Sonam to Cheskam. We visit the local Rai (the community from which most Gurkha soldiers are chosen) museum and find out about ethnobotany and the locally managed forests.

Day 09 Cheskam to Bung / Kiraule. We meet with the local tourism management committee and maybe move on to camp near the lovely Kiraule monastery.

Day 11 Najing to Pangom. We visit the school set up by Hilary and also the hydroelectric facility (MT is involved in a new H.E. project in Phortse).

Day 12 Pangom to Chaurikharka. We join the popular Lukla to Everest trekking route and stop along the way to visit a WWF forestry project.

Day 14 Namche Bazaar. We spend a second night in Namche to help acclimatise to the altitude.

Day 15 Namche Bazaar to Kunde / Khumjung. We visit monasteries, another Hilary school and a hospital.

Day 16 Kunde / Khumjung to Tengboche. We will visit the famous monastery and along the way maybe see musk deer.

Days 17 Tengboche to Tengboche. We take the upper trail to this alpine valley.

Day 18 Tengboche to Pheriche (4280m). Today we trek through Pangboche village where what is claimed to be a Yeti scalp is kept in the monastery. Continue on to the highest permanent settlement of the area - Pheriche. Here you will find a medical post and if you arrive in time, go along to the talk held each day at about 15.00 on altitude sickness.

Day 19 Pheriche to Lobuche: (4930m). First efforts today are to climb a small ridge and you will find it a real struggle as you continue to further acclimatise. Then contour towards Dugla (4600m) before trekking over the moraine and then alongside the Khumbu Glacier towards Lobuche.

Day 20 Lobuche to Kala Pattar (5545m) return to Lobuche (4930m). A day trek with a light load only to Gorak Shep and up Kala Pattar. This is the day you will stand on a hill top adjacent to Everest. WOW !!!

Day 21 Lobuche to Dingboche (4350m) and explore the Imja Khola, an intersting valley near to Ama Dablam.

Day 22 Dingboche to Tengboche.

Day 23 Tengboche to Namche.

Day 24 Namche to Lukla. Fly to Kathmandu or for those who wish to carry on walking now they have super lungs, continue on to Jiri (6 days). The area between Lukla and Jiri is very quiet now and is well worth a visit (optional extra).

if 11 � 12 in the group - GBP910 - GBP1000 / USD1805

Dates
These trips are run on a number of occasions during the year, let us know when you would like to go and we will check availability.   Favored period - Mid October - Mid December (clearest skies). Book early if you want this period and also the next most popular period of March and April.

What is included
Tented Camping - fully supported with food and camping equipment by a Sherpa crew and a First Aider. All tented camping is on a shared basis. You can book as an individual, but we need a minimum of 4 for the Tented Camping to proceed at these prices.

Teahouse Style - we provide a properly equipped and experienced guide / porter. With the help of the guide you arrange accommodation and food as you go (about �12 per day). This is for individuals or up to 4 in a group, each with a guide / porter.

All clients.   Kathmandu hotels with breakfast only. A high altitude porter / guide for each trekker.

Kathmandu Hotels
On both options we have included 3 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, 2 nights before the trek and 1 night after, on set dates. Should you return early to Kathmandu our staff can help you arrange accommodation, but the cost is an extra. The hotels chosen are clean and comfortable with modern conveniences. No single room supplement on the standard room provided.

The price allows for joining in Kathmandu and does not include international airfare and departure taxes. The guide is not paid to carry your pack (porters are available, at extra cost). Trekking Permits and National Park / Protected area fees / local taxes. Lunch and evening meals while in Kathmandu or Pokhara and for tea house trekkers - no food or accommodation whilst trekking. Personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all drinks.

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. (UK clients only) We recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk We are unable to advise anyone who lives outside of the UK about insurance matters