Everest Expedition Itinerary

Itinerary (subject to change)  (Please see Everest Trek itinerary for further detail)
Day 1: March 26: Depart Home Country
Day 2: March 27: Transit via Bangkok
Day 3: March 28: Arrive KTM
Day 4 March 29: Tour of KTM
Day 5: March 30: Fly to Lukla
Trek to Base Camp with Family and Friends:

Approach to Base Camp: Our expedition begins with a flight from the USA to Kathmandu, Nepal. We spend a few days in Kathmandu checking gear, meeting the Sherpa and preparing for our flight to Lukla (9,000ft), which is at the base of the Khumbu Himal. From here we begin our trek to Everest Base Camp. The trek takes approximately 10 days and travels from the Dudh Kosi valley up through the Imja Drangka and finally onto the Khumbu Glacier. Along the way we visit the villages of Namche, Tengboche, Pheriche and Lobuche, most of which are fascinating and richly cultured villages that provide spectacular views of the Himalayas. The trek in also gives us the chance to explore the many different regions and take the time to visit local monasteries and visit with Nepali friends.

Day 6: March 31: Phakding
Day 7 April 1: Namche
Day 8: April 2: Thame
Day 9: April 3: Khunde
Day 10: April 4: Tengboche
Day 11: April 5: Dingboche
Day 12: April 6: Dingboche
Day 13: April 7 : Lobuje –
Day 14: April 8: Lobuje –
Day 15: April 9: Gorak Shep, Kala Pattar
Day 16 April 10: Base Camp
Days 17 – 56: April 11 – May 23: General Climbing Schedule (Schedule on the mountain is approximate and subject to current conditions. Delays/Early departures can occur).

Base Camp: Years of experience have helped us to establish the finest Base Camp on the mountain. With the highest quality tent structures and imported foods, we strive to ensure the time at Base Camp is restful and revitalizing. By providing these accommodations, we make every effort to keep climbers healthy and rested.

Climbing Route: By the time we reach base camp, our climbing leaders and Sherpa will be well on the way to having the lower part of the mountain (the Khumbu Ice Fall) already fixed with ropes and ladders. We establish four camps on the mountain. The first, Camp I at 19,500ft, is situated at the top of the ice fall. This camp functions as an intermediate camp until Camp II (advanced base camp) is established at 21,000ft in the Western Cwm. Camp II will consist of large tents for cooking and dining and several smaller tents for sleeping. Camp II will be our base during the placements of Camp III and Camp IV (23,500ft and 26,300ft respectively). Camp III, which stands at the head of the cirque on the Lhotse face will consist of three and four man tents. This intermediate camp helps us to reach Camp IV (high camp) on the South Col. Most of our Sherpa are able to carry directly from Camp II to Camp IV, so large amounts of gear are not needed at Camp III to establish Camp IV. Oxygen will be used above Camp III to help aid climbers in reaching high camp before attempting the summit. From Camp IV, we travel along the South East Ridge to the South Summit. From here we traverse for a few hundred meters before reaching the Hillary Step and then onto the main summit.

Summit Attempts: After Camps III and IV are established and all our supplies are in place, we return to Base Camp ( and lower villages) for a rest. At Base Camp we organize our summit teams and prepare ourselves for summit attempts. Once we are ready, we return to Advanced Base. If good weather prevails we move the summit team to Camp III. On the 2nd day, the summit team moves up to Camp IV. Day 3 will be summit day. They start very early that morning and attempt to reach the summit before midday. After the summit, they retreat back to the South Col and next day they descend to Camp II. Guides and Sherpa will accompany all summit attempts and oxygen will be used.

Departure: (These are approximate dates)
Day 57: May 24: Pheriche
Day 58: May 25: Namche
Day 59: May 26: Namche
Day 60: May 27: Lukla
Day 61: May 28: Fly to KTM
Day 62: May 29: Extra day delayed flights
Day 63: May 30: Depart KTM
Day 64: May 31: Arrive Home Country
(actual end date cannot be determined until the expedition is completed)