It’s time for your long-awaited flight to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Here, you'll meet up with the rest of the RSPCA Team Animal and our Charity Challenge representative before saying goodbye to family and friends.
On landing in exotic Kathmandu, you’ll be welcomed by the local Charity Challenge representative, who will transfer you to your hotel for the first team dinner. After dinner, there will be time to rearrange your kit in preparation for the trek.
Accommodation: Hotel
An early rise and transfer to Kathmandu Airport for the exciting flight to Lukla. After arriving, there’s a chance to pick up any last minute kit and meet your Sherpa crew. After lunch, there’s a pleasant acclimatisation trek with a view of the Kusum-Kangru crossing at 6,369m.
Accommodation: Tea-house
NB. This flight is weather dependant and can be subject to delay or cancellation. There are a number of acclimatisation/rest days built in to counter potential delay for up to three days, allowing for completion of the challenge. If flights are unable to take off after three days, we will implement an alternative trek itinerary.
Cross the first suspension bridge of the trek as you leave Tok Tok, and follow the trail to Monjo, beneath the peak of Thermasarkhu (6,608m). From here, it’s a meandering path along the river until the last bridge, where the ascent starts towards Namche Bazaar, the colourful Sherpa capital.
Accommodation: Tea-house
With Everest now in sight, you'll have time to acclimatise by walking to the top of Namche Bazaar. There is an optional walk to the Everest View Hotel, with sweeping views over Mt. Everest, or to the Sherpa Culture museum to learn more about the region’s mountaineering history. Spend the night back in Namche Bazaar
Accommodation: Tea-house
The morning follows the winding trail from Namche Bazaar, with exceptional views of Everest; from Shanasa, descend into Phungitenga (3,250m) a pretty settlement in the midst of alpine woods before a tough ascent to Tyangboche (3,867m). Tyangboche, with its monastery and sweeping views, is arguably one of the most beautiful sites in the Himalayas. Continue along the trail to Deboche at 3,800m where and the group spends the night in the shadow of the Ama Dablam peak.
Accommodation: Tea-house
Leaving Dingboche, the follows the long prayer mani wall and up towards Shomare. The altitude may start to take its toll as you climb higher above the Imjatse River. However from here it’s a lovely descent into the Imjatse Valley and into the shadows of mountains Nuptse, Lohtse and Ama Dablam. The village of Dingboche, is where you rest your weary legs, overlooking a patchwork of fields.
Accommodation: Tea-house
Today is another acclimatisation day. Explore the monastery and admire the incredible vistas from the ridge over Dingboche and the Imja Khola tributary. Spend the afternoon drinking tea in a coffee shop, or resting up for the days ahead.
Accommodation: Tea-house
Heading north, the trek follows the path above the village of Pheriche towards Thukla for lunch. The colourful memorial ground of fluttering prayer flags and monuments are dedicated to climbers who have lost their lives whilst mountaineering. It also serves as reminder of how challenging the natural environment can be so take a moment to appreciate your achievement so far.
Accommodation: Tea-house
Set off on a rocky moraine path and climb above the glacial pond and icebergs of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes, a short downhill walk brings you to the town of Gorakshep, below Kalapatthar (5,545m) and Mt. Pumori (7,145m). Home for the night is Gorakshep, famous as Sir Edmund Hillary’sbase camp during his expedition to Mt. Everest in the 1950s.
Accommodation: Tea-house
Today is the day - the finale of your trek to Everest Base Camp. Follow the lead of your Sherpa guide through the Khumbu ice-fall, and the ever changing trail. The high altitude and difficult terrain makes the trekking a lot more strenuous but the lively commotion from Everest Base Camp will help to spur you on. Celebrate with friends old and new as you reach Everest Base Camp, before heading back to Gorakshep.
Accommdation: Tea-house
Although optional, the steep hike to Kalapatthar is worth it, with breath-taking views of Everest. . The descent back to Lukla starts, stopping for the evening in in Pheriche, at 4,245m.
Accommodation: Tea-house
The return journey will take you through the village of Pangboche, as you continue back along the Imja-Tse gorge and up to Tyangboche. The village of Kanguma is home for the night.
Accommodation: Tea-house
The morning climb from Kanguma is steep, pushing weary legs through pine forests and valleys towards Namche Bazaar. Enjoy lunch before continuing along the path towards Monjo.
Accommodation: Tea-house
The final day of walking is pleasant, following the Bhote Kushi River towards the village of Phakding, before embarking on the final leg of your journey. It’s one last final push to tackle the 45 minute uphill climb to Lukla. The night will be spent in a traditional teahouse here where you will enjoy a celebratory dinner with your new Team Animal friends.
Accommodation: Tea-house
Bid farewell to Lukla and the magic of the Himalayas. Touching down in Kathmandu, you'll have the entire afternoon to relax or go bargain hunting in the Thamel district.
Accommodation: Hotel
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 your last supper together.
Today you depart from Nepal, leaving with fond memories and a great sense of achievement. Touching down in the UK, it may be harder than you expected to say goodbye to all your team mates. Be sure to swap details before heading home to share stories with family and friends.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
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