Everest Trekking & Ascent of Lhakpa Ri

30 days of high adventure expedition - Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa - guided tour over 2 days. Trekking to Camp III on Everest's north route - Optional easy climb to the summit of Lhakpa Ri (7045m.)

First climbed by Tilman during the 1936 Everest Reconnaissance Expedition, this is an easy 7000+ peak. 

We fly to Tibet from Nepal and spend several days in Lhasa and then our overland journey involves high passes which all helps our initial acclimatisation. We further acclimatise from our base at Everest Base Camp in the Rongbuk Valley and at each camp until we reach our advanced camp, sited beneath the North Col. 

The optional ascent of Lhakpa Ri, over easy snow slopes, is well worth the effort with views that include Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Lhotse and of course Everest.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1520m)

Days 2 - 3 Kathmandu - Free time in Kathmandu while we finalise the Tibet visa.

Day 4 Kathmandu - Lhasa (3660m) Morning transfer to the airport for the hour long flight to Tibet. This spectacular flight takes us right over the Himalaya and provides us with magnificent views. After landing at Gongkar and meeting our Tibetan guide, it is a further 2 hour drive by Landcruiser to Lhasa where we will check in to the Hotel Kyichu (Tibetan owned). It's advisable to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day due to Lhasa's altitude. B.

Day 5 Lhasa  Today will be spent visiting several of Lhasa's many monasteries in the company of a guide and interpreter. One of these is the Sera monastery, one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet. Within it's white-washed walls and golden roofs, several hundred monks live and study. After lunch we'll visit the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, as well as the Jokhang Temple. This temple is possibly the most sacred shrine in Tibet and there is always a procession of devout Tibetans through the complex. Surrounding the Jokhang is the Barkhor - a maze of narrow cobbled streets which is the central market of Lhasa. B.

Day 6 Lhasa  This morning we will visit the Potala Palace which dominates the city of Lhasa. A spectacular building, it contains the rooms that were once the private quarters of the Dalai Lama as well as numerous grand state rooms and many important chapels. There has been a palace on this site since the 5th or 6th century, but the present palace was constructed in the 17th century.

A visit to the Drepung monastery this afternoon will complete a truly awesome day. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. These days that figure is down to several hundred, but there is still much here of interest as it was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution. B.

Day 7 Gyantse We travel westwards over the Khari La (5045m) where we are treated to the spectacular sight of a huge glacier tumbling down to within a few hundred metres of the road. After passing through beautiful valleys and colourful Tibetan villages we arrive in the town of Gyantse.  We visit the Gyantse Dzong and Gyantse Kumbum. The Dzong is a fort dating from the 14th century from which there are amazing views of both Gyantse itself and the surrounding Nyang Chu Valley. The Kumbum is a large golden stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Overnight at the Gyantse Hotel. B.

Day 8 Gyantse - Shigatse We continue on to Shigatse, a short drive of only 90kms, arriving in time for lunch. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet and after exploring the local market we will make a detailed visit to the Tashilhunpo Monastery. This monastery is one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet and there is much to explore within its high surrounding walls. Our overnight accommodation will be at Shigatse Hotel. B.

Day 9 Shelkar / Pedruk  Along this section of the highway we cross Gyatso La pass and have great views from the 5252m height.  We camp overnight at Pedruk.

Day 10 Everest North Base Camp (5150m).  The last leg of the drive towards our objective.  We organise our tents etc. at Everest North Base Camp.

Days11 - 14 We sleep at Base Camp on these nights. From our sheltered camp at the foot of the morraine we acclimatize by taking day hikes.

Day 15 Camp I (5460m)
Day 16 Camp II (6088m)
Day 17 Camp III (6368m)
Days 18 - 23 Further acclimatization & Ascents of Lhakpa Ri (7045m.)
Day 24 Camp II
Day 25 Base Camp
Day 26 Tingri
Days 27- 29 Kathmandu
Day 30 Depart for home.

 

Dates:  01st - 29th May 2009      Email for availability

Price Indication per person:
2 people minimum - USD9600 
3 - 7 people in the group - USD8800
8 - 12 people in the group - USD7200

Single Supplement: USD280 Only applies if you request a tent to yourself.

What is Included
Transportation by Land cruisers, support truck, 1 Sherpa climbing guide, 1 Base Camp Cook & 1 kitchen hand, Liaison officer, Permit for Lhakba Ri and ABC. Yaks and Yak drivers. A mid priced hotel in Lhasa, hotel in Shigatse, Shegar, Tingri and Zhangmu, Tibet visa, permit & visa for staff, sightseeing tour in Lhasa, Kathmandu / Lhasa flight, border transfers, airport transfers.

What is Not Included
A western guide (available at extra cost). Meals during periods in a hotel, airport tax, personal climbing equipment, any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation due any reason, any cost incurred due to road blockages. Travel insurance.

Kathmandu Hotels
We can arrange additional nights accommodation at discounted prices. Prices per person per night from as little as GBP4, with two star quality at GBP8 and three star (such as the Excelsior) circa GBP11 per person per night. Luxury options up to GBP350 per night per room are available. All subject to the extra cost being paid by you 40 days prior to the start date.

Visas: Tibet - The Tibet visa is arranged for the group by Muir's Tours at no extra cost, subject to you providing the personal details needed before the 60th day prior to the start date.

Visa: Nepal - A double entry visa is required for Nepal if you plan to visit Tibet and return via Nepal and this will cost about USD100.  We will send the form to you on receipt of your booking.  We can arrange the Nepali visa for you should you wish for a small additional fee. 

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.