• Trekking through the Khumbu, world famous both for its sheer beauty and the friendliness of the Sherpa people who live there
• Learning about Sherpa village life and culture as we visit Khumjung, Namche Bazaar, and Tengboche, home of the well-known monastery
• Staying in tea house lodges and talking with the people who own them
• Gazing at the mountains you've only read about: Everest, Lobuche, Ama Dablam
  
• Chatting with the international trekking community
• Having your gear transported by zopkios so you only need carry a daypack

Himalaya- just the name invokes images of ice and snow-clad peaks soaring miles into the heavens, as well as the high mountain villages en route. On this three-week trek we combine strenuous and invigorating hiking in one of the most beautiful places in the world with a chance to learn about Sherpa culture. While challenging, our trek through the Himalaya to the Everest region is guaranteed to be the trip of a lifetime!

women in very good physical condition who have some hiking experience. Any basically healthy woman can acquire the physical fitness necessary to enjoy this trip, and being in good shape is essential. Previous high altitude experience is not necessary. Even more essential is a positive attitude, an open mind, and a sense of adventure. Women who do not have substantial previous hiking experience and/or have trouble adjusting to the altitude may find it difficult to both trek to the actual Everest Basecamp and climb Kala Pattar, a nearby trekking peak with excellent views of Everest.

• four nights at a Kathmandu hotel
• lodges along the trail. The lodges are very simple, mostly two-person rooms with a bathroom down the hall.  The toilets can be either indoor or outdoor and are sometimes pit toilets. While the sleeping rooms are usually unheated, we generally congregate in the dining rooms until bedtime.  Most dining rooms are large airy windowed rooms with benches, tables, and Tibetan-carpet-covered seats around central heaters. Staying in lodges is definitely much warmer than camping, especially at the higher elevations.
  

• nineteen nights lodging
• all meals except for lunches in Kathmandu
• transportation during the trip except for the flight between Kathmandu and Lukla (which we'll arrange)
  
• Adventures in Good Company guide, Nepali sirdar and staff
• luggage transport by zopkios (a cross between yaks and cows)

Not included: the cost of your visa, transportation to Kathmandu, the flight between Kathmandu and Lukla, alcohol, bottled water and soda beverages, entrances to temples or museums, tips for our guides and luggage transporters, travel and evacuation insurance, or any personal or medical expenses you incur.

Arrive in Kathmandu on April 18 (you will need to leave the US April 16)

You can leave anytime May 7

will be posted later

The following itinerary is meant to be illustrative, rather than definitive. By its very nature, trekking in Nepal requires flexibility. We have designed our itinerary to allow ample time for acclimatization, for flight uncertainty, as well as the opportunity for optional hikes. Most of our trekking days require around 4-8 hours of hiking with significant elevation gains and losses, and some days can be longer. Because individual response to altitude and the possibility of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness varies and is not predictable, it is possible that even women who are very fit will not complete the trek to Everest Basecamp.

April 18  We will meet you at the Kathmandu airport and then transport you to our hotel for orientation and introductions. Welcome dinner together at a Nepalese restaurant. Overnight Kathmandu, 4500 ft elevation

April 19 As we start adjusting to the huge time difference and being in a very different country, we take some time for exploring some of the many temples, neighborhoods, and markets of the city. We'll make sure there is time for last minute shopping for our trek and for repacking. Overnight Kathmandu, 4500 ft elevation

April 20 Lukla  We leave early for the airport and fly to Lukla, about a one-hour flight. The flight to Lukla is an adventure in itself as it travels over and through high mountains, and lands on an airstrip built into the mountainside. We'll spend the night here at the North Face Lodge, giving us time to visit the local Thangka painting school, stretch our legs, watch planes take off and land, and drink in the beauty of the area. Overnight Lukla, 9350 ft elevation
 
April 21 Monjo  We start our trek today along the main trail from Lukla to Namche. This section of the trail has ups and downs but there are no sustained ascents and no net elevation gain today. There are no roads or vehicles in the Khumbu so you can expect to see numerous other people on this  "highway". We will also experience two 'firsts' today: going across one of the many suspension bridges that were built by the Swiss to help preserve the area; and our first sighting of a 6,000 meter mountain: Thamserku, which stands at 6808m. This is the most densely populated area in the Khumbu and as we walk through numerous small villages, we'll see women planting their crops, kids playing, and the other activities of village life. Most groups do not stay here so you can expect it to be quieter than other villages. Overnight Monjo, 9,235 ft elevation

April 22 Namche Bazaar Today we continue up the beautiful Dudh Kosi (Milky River). Crossing it on a variety of amazing bridges, we climb to the main Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. Since this is the day before Market Day, we can expect to see lots of people on the trail carrying a variety of items to sell or trade. If the weather permits we will also get our first distant view of Everest this morning. And today we officially enter Sagarmatha National Park. Although the distance we travel today is short, we gain 2000 feet in elevation. However Namche is an interesting town and a great place to spend the extra day that our acclimatization schedule demands.

Originally a small village, the decision by a British official to start a regular Saturday market there first propelled it into prominence. It further grew when trekking started to become a popular activity and today it offers treats such as internet connections, flush toilets, a Tibetan market,  and bakeries that serve espresso. Some Sherpa think it has become a bit over-commercialized but many trekkers find the town, with its numerous bright blue roofs,  a pleasant place to stay. We'll have time to shop and explore the town after settling into our lodge. Overnight Namche Bazaar, 11,300ft

April 23 Namche Bazaar  Ah, the delight of not packing up!! Our rest day in Namche can be spent visiting the Saturday bazaar (which is not conducted for tourists although they are welcome), shopping, photographing, hiking to the nearby village of Thamo or other viewpoints (which is good for acclimatization but does get in the way of resting), visiting the Tibetan traders, or actually resting! We'll also have a chance to visit the Sagarmatha National Park visitor's center with informative displays on local life and geology, and the Sherpa Cultural Museum. Overnight Namche Bazaar, 11,300 ft elevation

April 24 Khumjung  This morning we climb to the village of Khumjung at the base of beautiful Khumbila, a sacred mountain that no one is allowed to climb. Khumjung is the home village of our sirdar and we are always warmly welcomed here. On our trek into town we pass the Hillary school, one of many schools started by Sir Edmund Hillary. Hillary and the sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to summit Everest, and he was revered in Nepal for his continuing commitment to improve the lives of the Sherpa.  After lunch there's a possibility of visiting the Hilary TRust Hospital in the neighboring village of Khunde. Unlike the clinic in Pheriche that was established to provide trekkers and climbers with medical aid, this clinic focusses on helping the local population. Overnight Khumjung 12,400 ft elevation

April 25 Tengboche 12,670 ft. Our trail today starts with a 1200 foot descent to the "Milky River", and our first sighting of water-powered prayer wheels. After a stop for tea and possibly lunch, we then climb steadily for 2 to 3 hours to the village of Tengboche. The Tengboche monastery is the largest gompa in the region and home of the Rimpoche (lama reincarnate). It originally became known to outsiders through mountaineering books, as many climbing groups stop here to receive the Rimpoche's blessing. It burned down in 1989 and was quickly rebuilt with foreign assistance.

In the afternoon we can choose to attend the daily 3 PM prayer service and tour the small Visitor Center. This is a cultural and religious center for the people of the Khumbu region, and for the trekker, it is also the place to see one of the best mountain panoramas in the world. Kwangde, Tawoche, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtega, and Ama Dablam all loom high above. Overnight Tengboche 12,670 ft elevation

April 26 Pheriche  Descending from Tengboche through rhododendren forests, we reach the Pema Choling Buddhist nun's convent, also known as the Deboche Convent, built in 1928.  In contrast to the comparatively wealthy Tengboche Monastery we have just visited, Deboche has had little or no maintenance and many of the buildings are falling down. However, a charity-funded restoration project began recently and we'll have a chance to see how that is progressing. It is in an incredibly peaceful setting and worth visiting, although there are no permanent residents.

After leaving Deboche, we cross the Imja Khola, a tributary of the Dudh Kosi which is fed by glacial melt from Lhotse and Nuptse, and continue northeast along the river. Beyond Pangboche, all the villages we encounter were nothing more than herders' outposts until trekking became popular and entrepreneurial Sherpas started building lodges for trekkers who prefer not to camp. After a lunch break in Shomare, we reach Pheriche, location of the Himalayan Rescue Association. Staffed during the spring and fall climbing seasons, the HRA offers afternoon lectures at 3pm on preventing altitude illnesses. Some of us will be feeling the altitude by now, and attending the lecture is always a useful activity.  Overnight Pheriche, 13,900 ft elevation

April 27 Pheriche  Another acclimatization and rest day. If you're feeling energetic, you might want to scramble up Nangkartshang Peak (with views of Ama Dablam, Makalu, and Chukhung) or visit the nearby village of Dingboche. Reading, napping, and chatting with other trekkers (and possibly Everest climbers) are pleasant ways to spend the day.  Overnight Pheriche, 13,900 ft elevation

April 28 Duglha  The Pheriche valley is wide and wild, and feels like the end of civilization. Indeed, no one lives here year-round. We'll see grazing yaks (including calves) and enjoy views of Pokalde and Lobuche peaks on our morning hike. Some trekkers have lunch at Duglha and continue on, but we'll spend the night here to minimize the risk of altitude-related illness. Overnight Duglha, 15,100 ft elevation

April 29 Lobuche  On the ridge above Duglha are many stone memorials built to honor fallen climbers, including those lost in the May 1996 Everest storm. There is an eerie and reverential quality to the area, particularly when it is shrouded in the fog that often descends here in the morning. After stopping to look at some of the memorials, we continue on another hour or so to Lobuche, a village of stone-built houses set in an icy wilderness of great beauty. The actual trek is quite short today and those who still have energy might choose to scramble up nearby ridgetops for views of the Khumbu Icefall, Pumori, and many smaller peaks. Overnight Lobuche, 16,200 ft elevation

April 30 Gorak Shep  Early this morning, depending on conditions, we continue up, over, and around glacial moraines to the town of Gorak Shep, the last "settlement" before Everest base camp. At 17,000 feet the air is both cold and thin, and having a cup of tea and snack provides a welcome rest. For those who have acclimatized well, a steep and rather breathless two hour climb up the 18,450 ft. peak of Kala Patthar provides an excellent view of Everest - which you can't actually see from basecamp.  The climb is well worth the stunning views of Everest, Pumori, the Khumbu Icefall, and surrounding areas. For those who are feeling the altitude, there is also a good view of Everest part way up.  Afternoon clouds sometimes obscure the views so getting an early start is important. Overnight Gorak Shep, 17,000 ft elevation.

May 1 Lobuche What you do today will really depend on your acclimatization. If you are not feeling well and/or not able to eat, the best choice is to descend, possibly as far as Pheriche where the air has a lot more oxygen. If you are feeling acclimatized, then this is the day to go to the Everest base camp area at the toe of the Khumbu Icefall. It will be a very long day, as the trail to basecamp is rugged and challenging (although not steep).  There are magnificent views along the way - we may even see an avalanche! Because we will be there during the Spring climbing season, we will likely see numerous Everest expedition camps. (Note: by common courtesy, trekkers do not wander through base camp unless they are visiting a particular climber. Often we have opportunities to talk to climbers when they are resting at lower elevation lodges). We'll take a break for hot drinks and snacks at the EBC Bakery (great photo op!) before returning to Gorak Shep and back down to Lobuche. Overnight Lobuche, 16,200 ft elevation 

May 2 Pangboche  Because we are no longer worried about acclimatization, the way down is much faster than the way up. Today the air feels richer than it has in days and that, plus our well-tuned hiking muscles, means we can handle some longer trekking days. Continuing the descent from Lobuche, we reach the village of Pangboche, the barley-growing center of the Khumbu area. Situated on a wide, comfortable and sunny bench above the Imja Khola, Pangboche is home to many lodges, a monastery, and a nunnery. Overnight Pangboche, 13,100 ft. elevation

May 3 Namche   We continue our descent past Tengboche and over the Dudh Kosi. Rather than going through Khumjung again on our way to Namche, this time we follow the trail around the side of the mountain.  Our stay in Namche will fford us another opportunity to use the internet (and share our wonderful stories with friends and family) or do some souvenir shopping. Overnight Namche, 11,300ft elevation

May 4 Lukla 9,300 ft.  After one last stop for fresh cinnamon rolls at the bakery, we will retrace our steps down the Namche hill, along the Dudh Kosi and out of Sagarmatha National Park. At Lukla we'll celebrate with dinner and a night at the warm, comfortable and friendly North Face Resort. This is the last evening we'll spend with our sherpa companions and saying goodbye to them has a tinge of sadness. Overnight Lukla, 9,300 ft elevation

May 5 Kathmandu 4,500 ft. Because we can never know exactly when our plane will be able to leave, this morning we prepare to fly out early. Back in Kathmandu by early afternoon, there's time for hot showers, shopping in Thamel, and relaxing at our hotel. Overnight Kathmandu, 4500 ft elevation

May 6 Kathmandu 4,500 ft. Today is our last chance to immerse ourselves in the culture and history of this unique country. One possibility is to chip in to hire a driver and guide for a "temple tour", including Pashupathinath, one of the most revered Hindu temples, and Bodhnath, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world. While we know that many people are ready to get home at this point, having this extra contingency day is essential given the unpredictability of weather, flights, and trekking in general.  That evening we will share a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

May 7 Home, or Your Next Adventure! We will assist you getting safely to the airport and on your way.