EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
September 13 - October 3, 2022
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You love hiking, you love hiking up mountains, you love hiking up iconic mountains, so hiking to Everest Base Camp has been on your “bucket list” for years. It’s time to pull the trigger and do it with Adventure Sports Pastor Greg Weisman, and Bayside Campus Pastor, Andrew McCourt!
We will not only visit Everest Base Camp in Nepal, at 17,500’, but we will spend the night there at a time when no one else is on the mountain. Our guide and support team we have chosen to take us on this trek is Ian Taylor Trekking. Ian has climbed Mount Everest, climbed Kilimanjaro 37 times, lead 40+ Everest base camp treks, Climbed Island peak 17 times, Mera peak 6 times, 6 of the 7 summits and has led over 150 treks and climbs around the world for the past decade. But Ian’s personal history is not why we have chosen him and his team to guide us. We chose them because they are the best in the business. Below you will find links to information about this impressive team. Oh yeah, and there’s one other thing about Ian... he is Irish! As I (Greg Weisman) was praying about this trip and searching for the best guide to take my pastor, Irishman Andrew McCourt, to Everest Base Camp with our team, I broke out in laughter as I began reading about Irishman, Ian Taylor. You will enjoy his videos and his wealth of information that will prepare all of us for this trek of a lifetime. Price $3,600 Per Person (Double Occupancy) $500 Deposit required with registration The Cost Includes: -Internal flights -Professional guide services -Yaks / Porters (Carrying 15kg/33lb per person) -2 nights hotel in Kathmandu (double occupancy) -All mountain Lodge accommodation -4 Guides for every group of 10 trekkers -Tips for Porters/Guides (the recommended $200) -All permits and national park fee -All ground transfers from the beginning of the program to its end in Kathmandu. 4 in total -Using the communal basic medical kit -Camping equipment for night spent in Everest Base Camp -3 meals a day while in the mountain region -Preparation support from both the G1AT team and Ian Taylor's team The Cost Does Not Include: -Nepalese visa charges ($50, which can change at any time) -International flights (about $1,000 round trip from SFO) -Travel insurance (mandatory) -Personal equipment -Restaurant food and drinks while flying and in Kathmandu -Using Ian Taylor’s local mobile phone /Satellite phone Flights Though flights are not included in the cost, we will do the research and recommend options to the group so that, if possible, we can all fly together. If there is at least a $250 savings, we will fly out of SFO instead of SMF. Our experience is that the hassle of transportation and the exhaustion at the end of a trip of flying out of SFO is real and only worth enduring if there is sufficient savings. The reason we don’t have the flights included with the trip is that many people have points they can use or want to use their own credit cards to gain more points through the purchase. Flights will become available to book about one year out and we anticipate cost to be $1,000 to $1200 round trip. |
Important Information, resources, and training 1. Ian Taylor’s website has everything you need to know to do this trek: https://iantaylortrekking.com/trek-asia/the-everest- region/everest-base-camp-trek/ 2. Greg Weisman, with G1AT, will be organizing regular meetings and training hikes. Meetings will focus on building community, gear, training, prayer, and inspiration. Training Hikes will include single day and multi-day options. Itinerary
This trip is one of the highlights of any trekker’s career and is a truly amazing experience. The quickest route into the region is by air, leaving from Kathmandu on a forty-five-minute flight into the village of Lukla, which sits at 2,840m/9,317ft. The Everest Region, also known as the Solukhumbu Region, is characterized with sweeping glaciers, picturesque mountains and forests, and is inhabited by a wide range of animal and bird species as well as world famous monasteries. The Sherpa people dwell in this region, living along the trails, welcoming you to their villages as you move up the valley towards Mt. Everest. The trek to Everest Base Camp is a wonderful and challenging trek, which should not be taken lightly. When going to these levels of altitude, your body’s acclimatization to the lack of oxygen is the real key to success, and because of this, we have added an extra day to this trek at the critical point of the acclimatization process, which has given our guide company a 95% success rate. We will also cover the daily distances on the trail at a very slow and steady pace, in order to aid the acclimatization process. Even though we are giving you the best chance of success with our acclimatization schedule, you still need to play your part and come physically prepared for this adventure. Nepal and COVID Ian Taylor’s website has an ongoing blog with up to date information: https://iantaylortrekking.com/blog/corona-virus-and-its-effect-on-our-upcoming-season-in-nepal/ |
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: 13th Sept - Flying (approx 29 hour flight SFO - KTM)
Day 2: 14th Sept - Flying
Day 3: 15th Sept - Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 4: 16th Sept - Rest/tour Kathmandu/recuporate from flights
Day 5: 17th Sept - Fly to Lukla
Day 6: 18th Sept - Namche Bazaar
Day 7: 19th Sept - Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
Day 8: 20th Sept - Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
Day 9: 21st Sept - Tengboche
Day 10: 22nd Sept - Dingboche
Day 11: 23rd Sept - Dingboche (Acclimatization Day)
Day 12: 24th Sept - Lobuche
Day 13: 25th Sept - Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar
Day 14: 26th Sept - Everest Base Camp
Day 15: 27th Sept - Pheriche
Day 16: 28th Sept - Namche Bazaar
Day 17: 29th Sept - Lukla
Day 18: 30th Sept - Fly to Kathmandu
Day 19: 1st October – Mission day in Kathmandu and Transfer to airport
Day 20: 2nd October - Flying
Day 21: 3rd October - Home!
NOTHING EASY IS EVER WORTHWHILE. THIS IS NOT EASY!
This famous trek to Everest starts at 2,840m/9,317 feet walking up to 5,645m/ 18,520 feet. spread over 9
days to reach this height. The distances can be up to 15km (10miles) a day, however most days are less than
this. It is vitally important that you are used to walking these kinds of distances on a regular basis with added
weight in a backpack up and down hills to give better conditioning to your legs at lower levels of altitude.
The best way to condition the body is walking up and down hills with added weight. Building up slow from
carry 12lbs to 25lbs in a dedicated training plan with months of preparation. This type of training is critical for
safety and success of this trekking adventure.
DAILY TREKKING ITINERARY
Day 3: Arrive in Kathmandu, 1-2 hours walking around Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu International Airport. An Ian Taylor Trekking representative will greet us at the airport and transfer us to our hotel in Kathmandu. We’ll relax, go for a walk, eat well.
Day 4: 3-4 hours walking around Kathmandu
You will be able to do some sightseeing in Kathmandu and pick up any last-minute items as you recuperate from the flights. There will be team briefing at the hotel in the early evening.
Day 5: 3 or 5 hours Trekking
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. We will make an early morning start for the Twin Otter flight to Lukla (2,840m/9,317ft), the gateway to the Khumbu Region. This is an exciting flight, which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet the rest of our trek staff and porters and set off straight away for our first night’s stop at Phakding or Monjo. Depending on what time we arrive in Lukla, we may decide to go all the way to Monjo, and we would then have lunch in Phakding before continuing on. Both villages are situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi, which drains the whole of the Khumbu Region, this small hamlet is on the main trade route through the area and there are a number of clean, well-built lodges where we can spend the night.
Day 6: 5/6 hours Trekking
Trek to Namche Bazaar. We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo where we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up ‘Namche Hill’ to reach Namche Bazaar (3,450m/11,155ft). This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares here, and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.
Day 7: 3/4 hours Trekking
We will spend the day acclimatizing to the low oxygen levels and resting in Namche Bazaar. During this critical acclimatization phase, we will spend time resting and trekking to higher altitudes to aid in the process. This will allow our bodies to become acclimatized to the altitude of 3,450m (11,300ft). On the first morning, there is the option of walking up to the Shangbouche Hill (3,900m/12,795ft) for beautiful vistas of the whole
verest Region, before returning to Namche for lunch. The afternoon can be spent sampling the delights of the Namche bakery!
Day 8: 1/2 hours Trekking
This is where we are different. Instead of heading up to 3,900m (12,795 ft) and sleeping in Tengbouche, we stay in Namche another night giving you the best possible acclimatization program, we will either walk to the Sherpa Museum 3,600m (11,811 ft) for stunning views of Mt. Everest and surrounding mountains. The key is to rest, relax and acclimatize at this height and will make all the difference as we go higher and extreme altitude.
Day 9: 6 hours Trekking
Trek to Tengbouche (3,900m / 12,795 feet. From Namche, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi. As we follow the path, we will get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Tengbouche, home of an impressive and recently rebuilt monastery. We have plenty of time to look around Tengbouche (and have cake at the bakery!)
Day 10: 5 hours Trekking
Trek to Dingboche. Shaded by rhododendron trees, the trail crosses an airy suspension bridge just beyond Deboche. An hour’s walking from here will bring us to Pangboche, an excellent viewpoint for Ama Dablam (‘Mother’s Charm Box’) and home for the Sherpas who work on this imposing mountain each post-monsoon season. Contouring up the valley side, we will re-cross the river and turn up the Imja Valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingbouche at 4,350m (14,271ft) above sea level.
Day 11: 3 hours Trekking
Today is spent as another acclimatization day. This is a great stop at 4,350m (14,271ft) prior to our ascent up the upper section of the Khumbu Valley. While in Dingbouche, will ascent to 4,900m (16,076 ft) for stunning views of the massive peaks around you. This is Ian’s favorite day of the trip! Getting up to this height gives your body the chance it needs to acclimatize to the low levels of oxygen. We will head back to Dingbouche and relax in one of the local bakeries before the last few days up!
Day 12: 5/6 hours Trekking
Trek to Lobuche. We will continue along the trail up on a platform above the valley bottom towards Dugla. Ahead of us is the trekking peak of Lobuje East (6,119m/20,075ft), and to our left is the formidable north face of Taweche, the scene of many cutting-edge Himalayan ascents of the 1980s and 1990s. After three hours we reach the small collection of lodges at Thukla (4,620m/15,153ft). After lunch we continue the walk up for approximately one hour to the Everest memorials, there are outstanding views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse and Taweche. From Thukla, the trail starts steeply to climb up beside the glacier moraine. After a few hours the track eventually leads to a small cluster of tea houses pleasantly situated at Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft).
Day 13: 7/8 hours Trekking
We will be up early to start our trek to Gorak Shep. About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach Gorak Shep (5,180m/17,126ft), the site of the 1953 Everest Expedition’s base camp. We will have lunch here and rest in our room before making our attempt on Kala Patthar, at 5,645m/18,520ft. We will aim to arrive at the summit of Kala Patthar in time to watch the sunset on Mount Everest. The hike up to the summit takes at least 2 hours and can be hard work, but the effort is rewarded by the classic view of Mount Everest and the Khumbu Icefall, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori immediately above. The team will hike back down to Gorak Shep for dinner.
Day 14: 3 hours Trekking
Today we will trek to Everest Base camp and get up close and personal with the base camp of the highest mountain on Earth! Once we arrive to Base Camp, we will walk around the Camp, go to the edge of the Icefall and see the start of the climbing route up Mt. Everest and Lhotse. We will then set up camp and have the unique experience of sleeping at Everest Base Camp. Dinner will be served in tents and we will enjoy the unique experience of staying at Everest Base Camp.
Day 15: 6 hours Trekking
It is time to soak up the Everest Base Camp experience, and then we will then retrace our steps back to Gorak Shep for a full breakfast. After breakfast we will continue hiking to Lobuche and onto Pheriche 13,780 feet for the night.
Day 16: 7/8 hours Trekking
Trek from Pheriche all the way back to Namche Bazaar, this is long walk passing the Tengbouche monastery on the way back along the trail to Namche. Once we arrive in Namche, we will eat dinner and then you will have a chance to spend some time enjoying the local nightlife in Namche Bazaar!
Day 17: 7/8 Hours Trekking
Today we will make the long trek back to Lukla. We will aim to leave Namche by 8am for a long seven or eight hour trek back to Lukla, where we stay the night as flights only leave early in the morning.
Day 18: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning and spend the rest of the day at Leisure in Kathmandu or fly back to your home destination. For those eager to see as much of Kathmandu as possible, an early start is worthwhile to visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath and districts of Bhaktapur and Patan. Durbar Square is also on the essential list, as is the shopping area of Thamel or get a treatment at the Kathmandu spa.
Day 19: In Kathmandu
At leisure in Kathmandu and transfer to the airport and homeward bound. There is an option to book an additional night’s hotel and easily arranged.
Day 20: Flying
About a 30 hour flight with 1 or 2 stops
Day 21: Arriving Home
Day 1: 13th Sept - Flying (approx 29 hour flight SFO - KTM)
Day 2: 14th Sept - Flying
Day 3: 15th Sept - Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 4: 16th Sept - Rest/tour Kathmandu/recuporate from flights
Day 5: 17th Sept - Fly to Lukla
Day 6: 18th Sept - Namche Bazaar
Day 7: 19th Sept - Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
Day 8: 20th Sept - Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
Day 9: 21st Sept - Tengboche
Day 10: 22nd Sept - Dingboche
Day 11: 23rd Sept - Dingboche (Acclimatization Day)
Day 12: 24th Sept - Lobuche
Day 13: 25th Sept - Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar
Day 14: 26th Sept - Everest Base Camp
Day 15: 27th Sept - Pheriche
Day 16: 28th Sept - Namche Bazaar
Day 17: 29th Sept - Lukla
Day 18: 30th Sept - Fly to Kathmandu
Day 19: 1st October – Mission day in Kathmandu and Transfer to airport
Day 20: 2nd October - Flying
Day 21: 3rd October - Home!
NOTHING EASY IS EVER WORTHWHILE. THIS IS NOT EASY!
This famous trek to Everest starts at 2,840m/9,317 feet walking up to 5,645m/ 18,520 feet. spread over 9
days to reach this height. The distances can be up to 15km (10miles) a day, however most days are less than
this. It is vitally important that you are used to walking these kinds of distances on a regular basis with added
weight in a backpack up and down hills to give better conditioning to your legs at lower levels of altitude.
The best way to condition the body is walking up and down hills with added weight. Building up slow from
carry 12lbs to 25lbs in a dedicated training plan with months of preparation. This type of training is critical for
safety and success of this trekking adventure.
DAILY TREKKING ITINERARY
Day 3: Arrive in Kathmandu, 1-2 hours walking around Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu International Airport. An Ian Taylor Trekking representative will greet us at the airport and transfer us to our hotel in Kathmandu. We’ll relax, go for a walk, eat well.
Day 4: 3-4 hours walking around Kathmandu
You will be able to do some sightseeing in Kathmandu and pick up any last-minute items as you recuperate from the flights. There will be team briefing at the hotel in the early evening.
Day 5: 3 or 5 hours Trekking
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. We will make an early morning start for the Twin Otter flight to Lukla (2,840m/9,317ft), the gateway to the Khumbu Region. This is an exciting flight, which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet the rest of our trek staff and porters and set off straight away for our first night’s stop at Phakding or Monjo. Depending on what time we arrive in Lukla, we may decide to go all the way to Monjo, and we would then have lunch in Phakding before continuing on. Both villages are situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi, which drains the whole of the Khumbu Region, this small hamlet is on the main trade route through the area and there are a number of clean, well-built lodges where we can spend the night.
Day 6: 5/6 hours Trekking
Trek to Namche Bazaar. We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo where we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up ‘Namche Hill’ to reach Namche Bazaar (3,450m/11,155ft). This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares here, and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.
Day 7: 3/4 hours Trekking
We will spend the day acclimatizing to the low oxygen levels and resting in Namche Bazaar. During this critical acclimatization phase, we will spend time resting and trekking to higher altitudes to aid in the process. This will allow our bodies to become acclimatized to the altitude of 3,450m (11,300ft). On the first morning, there is the option of walking up to the Shangbouche Hill (3,900m/12,795ft) for beautiful vistas of the whole
verest Region, before returning to Namche for lunch. The afternoon can be spent sampling the delights of the Namche bakery!
Day 8: 1/2 hours Trekking
This is where we are different. Instead of heading up to 3,900m (12,795 ft) and sleeping in Tengbouche, we stay in Namche another night giving you the best possible acclimatization program, we will either walk to the Sherpa Museum 3,600m (11,811 ft) for stunning views of Mt. Everest and surrounding mountains. The key is to rest, relax and acclimatize at this height and will make all the difference as we go higher and extreme altitude.
Day 9: 6 hours Trekking
Trek to Tengbouche (3,900m / 12,795 feet. From Namche, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi. As we follow the path, we will get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Tengbouche, home of an impressive and recently rebuilt monastery. We have plenty of time to look around Tengbouche (and have cake at the bakery!)
Day 10: 5 hours Trekking
Trek to Dingboche. Shaded by rhododendron trees, the trail crosses an airy suspension bridge just beyond Deboche. An hour’s walking from here will bring us to Pangboche, an excellent viewpoint for Ama Dablam (‘Mother’s Charm Box’) and home for the Sherpas who work on this imposing mountain each post-monsoon season. Contouring up the valley side, we will re-cross the river and turn up the Imja Valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingbouche at 4,350m (14,271ft) above sea level.
Day 11: 3 hours Trekking
Today is spent as another acclimatization day. This is a great stop at 4,350m (14,271ft) prior to our ascent up the upper section of the Khumbu Valley. While in Dingbouche, will ascent to 4,900m (16,076 ft) for stunning views of the massive peaks around you. This is Ian’s favorite day of the trip! Getting up to this height gives your body the chance it needs to acclimatize to the low levels of oxygen. We will head back to Dingbouche and relax in one of the local bakeries before the last few days up!
Day 12: 5/6 hours Trekking
Trek to Lobuche. We will continue along the trail up on a platform above the valley bottom towards Dugla. Ahead of us is the trekking peak of Lobuje East (6,119m/20,075ft), and to our left is the formidable north face of Taweche, the scene of many cutting-edge Himalayan ascents of the 1980s and 1990s. After three hours we reach the small collection of lodges at Thukla (4,620m/15,153ft). After lunch we continue the walk up for approximately one hour to the Everest memorials, there are outstanding views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse and Taweche. From Thukla, the trail starts steeply to climb up beside the glacier moraine. After a few hours the track eventually leads to a small cluster of tea houses pleasantly situated at Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft).
Day 13: 7/8 hours Trekking
We will be up early to start our trek to Gorak Shep. About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach Gorak Shep (5,180m/17,126ft), the site of the 1953 Everest Expedition’s base camp. We will have lunch here and rest in our room before making our attempt on Kala Patthar, at 5,645m/18,520ft. We will aim to arrive at the summit of Kala Patthar in time to watch the sunset on Mount Everest. The hike up to the summit takes at least 2 hours and can be hard work, but the effort is rewarded by the classic view of Mount Everest and the Khumbu Icefall, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori immediately above. The team will hike back down to Gorak Shep for dinner.
Day 14: 3 hours Trekking
Today we will trek to Everest Base camp and get up close and personal with the base camp of the highest mountain on Earth! Once we arrive to Base Camp, we will walk around the Camp, go to the edge of the Icefall and see the start of the climbing route up Mt. Everest and Lhotse. We will then set up camp and have the unique experience of sleeping at Everest Base Camp. Dinner will be served in tents and we will enjoy the unique experience of staying at Everest Base Camp.
Day 15: 6 hours Trekking
It is time to soak up the Everest Base Camp experience, and then we will then retrace our steps back to Gorak Shep for a full breakfast. After breakfast we will continue hiking to Lobuche and onto Pheriche 13,780 feet for the night.
Day 16: 7/8 hours Trekking
Trek from Pheriche all the way back to Namche Bazaar, this is long walk passing the Tengbouche monastery on the way back along the trail to Namche. Once we arrive in Namche, we will eat dinner and then you will have a chance to spend some time enjoying the local nightlife in Namche Bazaar!
Day 17: 7/8 Hours Trekking
Today we will make the long trek back to Lukla. We will aim to leave Namche by 8am for a long seven or eight hour trek back to Lukla, where we stay the night as flights only leave early in the morning.
Day 18: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning and spend the rest of the day at Leisure in Kathmandu or fly back to your home destination. For those eager to see as much of Kathmandu as possible, an early start is worthwhile to visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath and districts of Bhaktapur and Patan. Durbar Square is also on the essential list, as is the shopping area of Thamel or get a treatment at the Kathmandu spa.
Day 19: In Kathmandu
At leisure in Kathmandu and transfer to the airport and homeward bound. There is an option to book an additional night’s hotel and easily arranged.
Day 20: Flying
About a 30 hour flight with 1 or 2 stops
Day 21: Arriving Home
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