Everest Base Camp

Its day one of our challenge and time for our long-awaited flight to Kathmandu, Nepal’s characterful capital. Here we meet the rest of the team and our Charity Challenge representative before saying goodbye to family and friends.

Today we board a small aircraft for the flight to Lukla. After arriving, there’s a chance to pick up any last minute kit and meet our Sherpa crew and Ghopkyos (a mix breed of yak and cow). After lunch, there’s a pleasant acclimatisation trek with a view of the Kusum-Kangru crossing at 6,369m. Once in Tok-Tok village, we set up camp for the night.

Please note that this flight can be subject to delay or cancellation due to weather conditions. The itinerary is put together with a number of acclimatisation/rest days so that if our flight is delayed for up to three days, we should still be able to complete the challenge. If flights are unable to take off after three days, we would implement an alternative Himalayan trekking itinerary.

With Everest now in sight, it’s time to acclimatise by walking to the headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park at the top of Namche Bazaar. There is also the option to wander up to the Everest View Hotel which lives up to its name or wander around the museum to learn more about the region’s mountaineering history. The night will be spent in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving Dingboche, the path takes us past the long prayer mani wall and up towards Shomare. The high altitude takes its toll as we climb above the Imjatse River. From here it’s a lovely descent into the Imjatse Valley, in the shadows of mountains Nuptse, Lohtse and Ama Dablam. Dingboche, our campsite for tonight, is an endless patchwork quilt of fields enclosed by stonewalls.

Heading north, we walk above the village of Pheriche from where we catch glimpses of the north Pokalde at 5,741m. We stop at Thukla for lunch, before a steep hill to the top. Prepare to be overwhelmed by a colourful memorial ground of fluttering prayer flags and monuments, dedicated to climbers who have lost their lives tackling these majestic mountains. Take a moment to appreciate our achievement.

It is important to do what the Sherpa guide says us on our way to the Khumbu Ice-fall, as the trail changes due to glacier movements. Walking is made all the more strenuous by the high altitude, difficult terrain and thinning air, but the lively commotion from Everest Base Camp will help spur us on. After much celebration at the top, we retrace our steps to Gorakshep.

Our downward journey takes us through Pangboche, as we continue back along the Imja-Tse gorge and up to Tyangboche. From here we descend back down to the settlement of Phungitenga, where we camp beside the raging torrent of the Dudh Koshi River.

Our final day walking is pleasant as we tackle a few uphill climbs before our descent towards the Bhote Kushi River. En-route we’ll stop in Phakding, before taking on the final leg of our journey. It’s a final push to tackle the 45 minute uphill climb to our final destination: the busy village of Lukla.  The night will be spent in a campsite here.

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of the magical city of Kathmandu and its many temples and monasteries. Mingle with the monkeys at Swayambhunath Temple, or go for a stroll through the Garden of Dreams and pick up some prayer flags before our last supper together.