Mt.
Everest in Nepal is known by its Nepali
name Sagarmatha - 'Sky's Head'. Among
Sherpa and the Drokpa Tibetans dwelling
around its periphery - Mt. Everest is
affectionately known by its local name
Chomolungma - 'Goddess of the Wind'.
After half a dozen futile attempts from
the Tibet side, it was only in 29 May
1953, the world's highest peak was 'conquered'
by Tenzing Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary
following a route on the SE ridge of
the mountain from the Nepal side. Following
this historic ascent for many years
until the Chinese opened Tibet for climbing
and tourism in 1980s, all ascents to
Mt. Everest were done from the Nepal
side only. This popularly known as the
South-Col route is the route we will
follow in our climb of Mt. Everest from
the Nepal side.
Approach to the Base Camp
and the climb:
To begin our expedition with
a 35 minute flight to Lukla. From
Lukla, we trek at a leisurely pace
to arrive at the base camp in 10 days.
We get the first view of Mt. Everest
just before arriving in Namche Bazar.
On our
way to the base camp, we visit the
monasteries in Tengboche and Pangboche
to receive blessing and read special
prayers for the safety and success
of the expedition from the head lamas.
We also make sure climbers are well
acclimatized before they will arrive
at the base camp.
Arriving at the Mt. Everest base
camp at 5360m/17580ft., we set up
our communication center, kitchen,
dining tent and an altar with flagstaff
which will be adorned with Windhorse
prayer flags and national flag of
climbers in the team. At the altar
before we enter into the Khumbu icefall
to begin our climbing, on an auspicious
day we make a special puja ceremony
to appease Miyalungsama the goddess
of the Mt. Everest and protectorate
of the Sherpa peole of Khumbu region.
After the Puja, we are ready to climb
the world's highest mountain by its
normal route and soon set-up an Advance
Base Camp at 6,600m/ 21,648ft. over-coming
the hazards of Khumbu Ice Fall. A
temporary camp at 6,000m / 19,680ft.
is also placed for climbers to help get acclimatized before moving
to the ABC - just at the head of the
Khumbu Ice Fall. Climbers who are
now acclimatized to stay at the ABC
- will take their turn to climb to
the Camp III set on the Lhotse Face
at an elevation of 7,400m / 24,272ft
and return to ABC camp for sleep.
Following this acclimatization pattern,
climbers will sleep at the Camp III
before they will arrive at the South-Col
for their summit bid. On the South-Col
camp, climbers are encouraged to use
supplementary oxygen for sleep in
order to maintain their best form
for the summit push. Ample supply
of oxygen and Sherpa help are provided
on the summit day. Depending on the
weather condition, the climb for the
summit is started before midnight
in order to best utilize the day light
condition for return from the summit.
Most of the climbing Sherpa supporting
you climb will have summitted Everest
on one or several occasion. Their
role will include to assist in route
preparation, camp preparation, transfer
of food, oxygen and other equipment
to camps above base camp.
Included in the Expedition
Service Cost:
Airport - Hotel - Airport transfer;
Hotel in Kathmandu 3 star standard
for 3 nights in twin sharing bed and
breakfast basis, Customs clearance;
Sherpa support (1 Sherpa per climber),
cook, kitchen boy, porters and yaks,
food for trek, BC and climb; Group
equipment for the climb, Camping Service
including tents for BC and climb,
kitchen/dinning tent, toilet tent,
chair/tables; Flights Kathmandu -
Lukla - Kathmandu, HF radio sets;.
Oxygen - 7 cylinders per climber and
3 cylinder per Sherpa with complete
mask & regulator set, all permit
fees, wages / allowances, personal
insurance coverage for the liaison
officer, climbing Sherpas, kitchen
staff and porters.
Not Included in the Expedition
Service Cost:
Main meals in Kathamndu,
personal equipment, personal insurance
including emergency evacuation, Nepal
visa fee (single entry US$30 &
double entry US$ 50.00 - not required
to pay for stay less than 2 nights
), and airport tax while departing
from Kathmandu airport (US$ 23.00)
and other services other than those
mentioned in the service inclusion.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Climbers arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02: Meet Sherpas, group dinner
etc
Day 03: Fly Lukla and begin trek to
Phakding
Day 04: Trek to Namche
Day 05: Excursion around Namche for
acclimatization
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche
Day 08: Acclimatization around Dingboche
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche
Day 10: Acclimatization around Lobuche
Day
11: Kalapathar ~Gorakshep
Day 12: Trek to the Base Camp
Day 13/14: Free at the base camp
Day 15 - 59: Climbing
Day 60/61: Clean ABC / BC
Day 62~64: Return trek to Lukla,
Day 65: Fly to Kathmandu and party
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