Mt. Everest ~ Treks to the Foot of the Highest Mountain on Earth

Thame Monastery

It is much more than the nostalgia of those early tweed jacketed, hob-nail booted explorers of the world's highest mountain that keep drawing people to this area. Certainly the mountain itself attracts - the highest point on earth will always do that as long as it remains accessible. It also involves a combination of outstanding mountain scenery, natural history and the unique attraction of the Sherpa people - these hardy Buddhist traders, farmers and, now climbers who with patience, understanding and humour also manage our treks. A trek into the Khumbu provides a great opportunity to learn something of their culture and how they have adapted to living inside the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park and also how the Park has adjusted to the inhabitants!

Five Days to Everest ~ 5 Days

A very special trek designed exclusively for people who "must see" Everest but who can afford to take only a week or so of holiday to do so. Our trek follows the traditional route from the airstrip at Lukla to the Sherpa's village of Namche and then on up to Tengboche monastery for fabulous views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. This trek uses private helicopters to fly into Lukla and out from Tengboche. It cuts no corners on safe acclimatization and provides single tents - no sharing - for those who prefer. There is no dispute about the mountain - the highest in the world. Join our Sherpas on the most famous trek in the Himalaya.

Gokyo Lakes and Everest ~ 18 days

Filled with glaciers, turquoise lakes and savage mountain scenery, the Gokyo Valley north of Khumjung offers an exciting alternative to the traditional Everest Base Camp approach. The huge massifs of Cho Oyu (8153m) and Gyachung Kang (7922m) dominate the head of this rugged canyon. Countless other summits loom to either side. This trek is perfect for the committed trekker who wants to see every aspect of the Khumbu region. In addition to an ascent of the 5400m peak "Gokyo Ri", we take in the Cho La pass which links Gokyo to the main Everest trek at Loboje. Then on to the summit of Kalar Pattar for close up views of Everest's South-West Face, before traversing around to the pretty Imja Tse valley and the imposing wall of the Lhotse Face. Finally, we return down to Lukla via the famous Buddhist monastery at Tengboche.

Everest Base Camp ~ 15 days

Every year climbers from nations all around the world rendezvous at the Nepalese Base Camp of Mount Everest, just beneath the infamous Icefall, to plot a route up the mountain and to dare to dream. Our trek to the straightforward peak just beside Base Camp, the point known as "Kala Pattar", follows in the footsteps of these mountaineers up the Khumbu valley, home to the most famous people in the Himalayas, the Sherpas. Traditionally traders, the Sherpas have been associated with Everest ever since the first attempts on the North (Tibetan) side of the mountain in the 1920s. Nowadays, few expeditions attempt the summit without a cohort of Sherpas in support - and often out in front. Join us on this trek to the world's most famous mountain.

Mani Rimdu Festival ~ 19 days

The main purpose of Mani Rimdu is the prayers which worship "Pawa Cherenzig", the god of compassion. His blessing brings peace and good fortune to everyone. The festive days of Mani Rimdu celebrate the completion of ten days of prayers for the benefit of all beings. On the 16th day, the monks worship Pawa Cherenzig by dancing. There are 16 masked dances and they relate to the pujahs that have already been done. The 17th day concludes with "Jinsak", a fire pujah. We attend the final two spectacular days of the festival at Tengboche Monastery in the Khumbu. The trek includes a visit to the Goyko Lakes and the original Everest trek down from the high point at Kala Pattar.

Lohtse from the Summit of Kalar Pattar

Sherpa Villages ~ 9 days

A great short trek into the heart of the Solu Khumbu that allows us to visit some of the most written and talked about places; the trading post of Namche Bazaar, Tenzing Norgay's home village of Thame, and the important Buddhist monastery at Tengboche. There are rhododendron forests to wander through, exciting bridges over boiling rivers to cross, and the legendary Sherpa hospitality to enjoy. After the wet seasons end and the Himalayas lose their continual summer cloud cover, the harvest time begins. Barley and buckwheat are grown in the higher elevations of the Khumbu; corn, wheat and rice are grown in the (lower) Solu region. Tsampa is the Nepalese word for the flour made from local grains. This flour is mixed with tea to form a gruel, or baked into rotis, an unleavened pan bread; both are staples of the Nepalese diet. Butter-tea (tea mixed with slightly rancid Yak butter) and chan.

To choose from our list of destinations, please contact us.