1B

Everest Advanced Base Camp Trek, takes one up the North Face of Everest, to camp III. Heading out over the Tibetan Plateau, with an average altitude in excess of 3500m, Tibet is often described as the roof of the world.

On this trip, we will follow the Friendship Highway through some of the most beautiful and picturesque landscapes on Earth.

We'll pass small Tibetan settlements, nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. Equally as fascinating is the wealth of cultural interest and we will have plenty of opportunity to explore this side of Tibet, both in Lhasa and the other towns we pass through on our journey to Kathmandu.

We spend 3 nights in Lhasa, staying right in the centre of the old city. This will allow both plenty of time for acclimatisation and easy access to the city's main attractions - the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple. Leaving Lhasa in our Toyota Land Cruiser 4 wheel drive, we'll travel through this amazing country. In the towns of Gyantse and Shigatse we explore monasteries and fully immerse ourselves in the Buddhist culture. Without doubt, a highlight of this trip is the visit to Everest Base Camp, and the trek to camp 3 at 6340m., where the sheer grandeur of Everest's north face has to be seen to be believed.

This trek takes you as close to the summit of Everest as any non-mountain climber can go, all the way to Camp 3 and the base of the North Col via the East Rongbuk Glacier.

Day 1: Departure from your country

Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu (1400m) and transfer to Hotel

Day 3: Explore the Kathmandu Valley and visit some of the world heritage sites.

Day 4. Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660m) Transfer to the airport for the hour-long flight across the main Himalayan range. Afternoon at rest to acclimatise to Lhasa's high altitude

Day 5: In Lhasa

We will visit Lhasa's many monasteries and sites, such as the Sera Monastery, and the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

Day 6: In Lhasa

Today we will visit the famous Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery founded in the 14th century, and once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks.

The afternoon, is a time to relax or further explore the area.

Day 7: Drive Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m)

Travelling by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) and continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5045m) with incredible glacial views. We spend the night in a Hotel at Gyantse. [261km]

Day 8: Drive Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m)

After an early morning tour of some of the Gyantse Dzong (14th Century fort) and the Kumbum, a large stupa, we head off on a short 90km drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. In the afternoon we will explore the area, local monasteries and market. Overnight at the Hotel. [90km]

Day 9: Shigatse to Shegar/New Tingri (4050m)

We continue along the Friendship Highway, marvelling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the small town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to the plains, passing lonely monasteries and the camps of nomadic herders, en route to Shegar and our overnight accommodation at Hotel Quomolongma.[244km]

Day 10: Shegar to Rongbuk (5000m)

Today on our travels, we are rewarded with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma, with clear views of Everest as we turn into the Rongbuk Valley. Overnight at a Guest House. (68km)

Day 11: Rongbuk to Everest Base Camp

We spend a night at Base camp to acclimatise after the 8km trek to Base Camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 12: Everest Base Camp (EBC)

We will explore the surroundings of the Rongbuk Everest base camp, and spend a day acclimatising. Overnight in tents.

Day 13: Trek Everest Base Camp to Camp 1 (5460m)

We trek alongside the Rongbuk Glacier, an impressive frozen ocean of ice waves. Camp 1 [5460m] is set amongst barren moraine hills and we spend the afternoon acclimatising further and exploring the area.

Day 14: Trek to Everest Intermediate Camp (5760m)

We stay on the west rim of the glacier as we head to intermediate camp at 5760m. We will also look at the nearby ice seracs which rise like white sails from a debris-laden glacier surface.

Day 15: Rest at Intermediate Camp on Everest North Face

We spend a day acclimatising.

Day 16: Trek to Camp 2 (5970m)

We trek towards the confluence with the Changtse glacier, above which we will find Camp 2 at 5970, set amidst glaciers in the appropriately named Serac Highway.

Day 17: Trek to Everest Advanced Base Camp (6340m) and return to camp 2

Camp 3 is the advanced base camp for the North Col route up Mount Everest. The top of Everest appears phenomenally close now and is as little as some 2400 meter higher than camp 3. Return to Camp 2.

Day 18: Return to Everest Base Camp

The return to Base Camp is obviously a longer down hill journey from Camp 3, than Camp 2, but either way is completed in a day. The decision taken on Day 17 will determine the distance to be covered.

Day 19: Drive Rongbuk (5000m) to Nyalam

After arriving back at Rongbuk, we begin our drive towards Tingri, cross another two high passes, and begin our descent from the Tibetan Plateau to Nyalam just 30 km before the Nepalese border. [215km]

Day 20: Drive Nyalam to Kathmandu (1400m)

Today we arrive at the Chinese - Nepalese border, say goodbye to our Tibetan team, pass through customs and join up with our Nepalese staff. We then head back into Kathmandu, a trip which takes about 5 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. [153km]

Day 21: Kathmandu at leisure.

Day 22: Final Departure after your incredible trip to Everest Advanced Base Camp

End of services

Very long days with steep paths, boulders , rock and ice. Glaciers and snow will be encountered at high altitude. Increased presence of rocky glacial moraines and ice ridges. Climb entails some technical sections where ropes, crampons and ice picks may be needed. No prior Technical experience is helpful but not required. Snow gullies and ridges of around 45 degrees. Altitudes up to 6000m. High risk of altitude sickness.

Good cardio vascular fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots of hill walking. Backpacks will weight about 4-5kg and contain water, camera and essentials. Trek weight loss in the region of 4kg.

Fully Portered

When entering Tibet from Nepal, Chinese Visas cannot be used. As such, the visa for Tibet must be obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. As visa's are only issued on Mondays, Wednesday's and Thursdays (except if they fall on a Chinese Holiday), tours need to be arranged to suit these visa issue dates, i.e. any one going on a tour departing for Tibet from Nepal, needs to arrive in Kathmandu at least three days before entering Tibet.

When you confirm your trip with us, we will organize your Travel Permit for Tibet, Visa Approval Documents and apply to the Chinese embassy to obtain your visa. We will thus require your full passport details, 3 weeks prior to your arrival at Kathmandu. The final documentation will be done on arrival in Nepal.

Please note that visa for Tibet obtained elsewhere has still got to be endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.

Your current Passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of travel. The passport must also have more than two blank visa pages. We will require two full front passport photos taken against a clear background, in either colour or black and white. Photo's cannot be scanned and if digital, must be printed on gloss photo paper.