Everest Team Trek

Altitude 5,544m/18,188ft » Duration 23 Days » Grade T1

Trek to Everest Base Camp with the Jagged Globe Climbing Team

Introduction

We run one Everest Team Trek each year for those who wish to make the famous journey to Everest Base Camp, alongside our team of climbers, who will be attempting to reach the summit from the middle of May. This is a great opportunity, but places are limited, so we recommend that you book early.

After arriving in Kathmandu a day behind the main climbing team, we fly in a Twin Otter aircraft to the mountain airstrip at Lukla and begin the trek up the Khumbu Valley. We pass through many Sherpa villages, including the famous trading town of Namche Bazaar, as well as visiting the monastery at Thyangboche. We stay in the village of Dingboche (4,410m) for five nights, as this is traditionally where Everest teams base themselves for the first part of their acclimatisation programme.The trekking is mainly on good trails, apart from the last day up to base camp, which is on moraine (rocky ground). You can expect to trek for 4 to 5 hours each day, but some days will feel harder than others, depending on the altitude gain. This trek is therefore suitable for reasonably fit walkers. We stay in lodges for the whole route and have two nights in base camp itseld, before wishing our climbing team the very best of luck and returning back to Lukla and on to Kathmandu.

Jagged Globe in Nepal

Our aim is to provide you with a safe, enjoyable and successful trek in Nepal. This remarkable Himalayan country is the centrepiece of our worldwide activities and we provide all of our trekkers and climbers with a smooth and efficient service to maximise both your enjoyment and your chances of a successful trip, whether it be to Everest Base Camp or a climb to the summit. The benefits of joining Jagged Globe on our Everest Base Camp Treks are:

Well-planned itineraries and acclimatisation designed to give all team members the opportunity to reach base camp (preferably without a headache!)
In the spring, you can visit Jagged Globe's climbing team and get a sense of what an Everest expedition is like.
All of our treks stay in lodges throughout and are led by highly experienced Jagged Globe leaders, supported by a Nepalese Sirdar, plus Sherpas and porters.
Our treks are outfitted by Kit Spencer, a former British Gurkha officer based in Kathmandu who fully understands Western needs.
We take special care of our porters who are probably the best equipped and clothed in Nepal, with items specially purchased in the UK.
We use a great hotel in Kathmandu which people really appreciate, particularly after the trek. The Summit Hotel is a welcome oasis, situated ten minutes away from the noise and bustle of downtown Kathmandu.

Additional benefits include:

A fully staffed office here in the UK, which includes people with first hand knowledge of the region and its mountains. As a company, we have been organising trips to Nepal since 1988.
You have the opportunity of joining a Pre-trip training weekend, to brief you on the trip, meet other members, have a day out 'on the hill' and to purchase equipment from a leading retailer at a 15% discount.
You can take advantage of our comprehensive Equipment Hire Service to ensure you are well equipped for the trip without having to make expensive purchases.

We are here to make your trek a great and memorable experience, so why not join us for your Himalayan adventure!

Trek Itinerary

Day 1:	Outbound flight departures.
Day 2:	Arrive Kathmandu. We are met at the airport and taken to the Summit Hotel. This is an excellent hotel positioned well away from the bustle of the city centre and its friendly people do their best to make us feel at home. It has extensive gardens and a swimming pool.
Day 3:	Fly 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. This is an exciting flight, which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet our trek staff and porters and set off straightaway for our first night's stop at Monjo. 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 4:	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 Khumbu 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 (3,400m/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 and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artefacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.
Day 5:	At leisure in Namche Bazaar. We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatised to the altitude of 3,450m (11,300ft). In the morning, there is the option of walking up to the Everest View Hotel (3,900m/12792ft), returning to Namche for lunch.
Day 6:	Trek to Deboche. 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 Thyangboche, home of an impressive and recently rebuilt monastery. We have plenty of time to look around Thyangboche (and have a cake at the bakery!), but at the height of the season it is a busy place, so we will drop down to the river and the village of Deboche (3,700m/12,135ft) a little further along the trail, where we will stay in a relaxing lodge.
Day 7:	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 Dingboche (4,410m/14,465ft).
Day 8-11:	Acclimatisation. This is an important phase of the expedition for the Everest team. We will be based in Dingboche, which is a good location for acclimatisation. The expedition leader will organise daily outings to the adjacent hills with the aim of providing a gradual and beneficial programme of acclimatisation. We will go out with the aim of walking some of the nearby hills in order to slowly increase our exposure to altitude. However, the aim will not be on strenuous exercise and you will be encouraged to follow the regime that you have previously found most suitable, in order to give you maximum acclimatisation before arrive in base camp. While in Dingboche, we can attend a seminar about high altitude acclimatisation at the hospital in nearby Pheriche, run by the Himalayan Rescue Association. The walk over to Pheriche and back will also serve as good acclimatisation training and so make the walk doubly worthwhile.
Day 12:	Trek to Lobuje. We will retrace our steps back to Pheriche before continuing up the trail towards base camp. We will eventually reach Dugla situated below the snout of the Khumbu Glacier, which will be a convenient place for lunch. After lunch, the trail starts steeply to climb up beside the glacier moraine. After a couple of hours the track eventually leads to a small cluster of tea houses pleasantly situated at Lobuje.
Day 13:	Trek to Gorak Shep. About three hours beyond Lobuje we reach Gorak Shep (5,220m/17,126ft), the site of the 1953 expedition's base camp. It consists of a few small tea houses which, undoubtedly, will become a welcome 'bolt hole' during the expedition (they normally keep a plentiful supply of San Miguel!).
Day 14:	Trek to Everest base camp. Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. This will be our home for the next two nights and for the Everest Team, the next six weeks!
Day 15:	Everest base camp. We spend a whole day in Everest Base Camp. The climbers will spend their first day here getting used to their immediate surroundings and organising their personal gear. The trekkers will want to explore base camp, which covers an area roughly 1Km in diameter at the base of the Khumbu Icefall. There will be other teams to visit and say 'hello' to, and you can expect a lot of activity at the start of the season, with climbers and Sherpas beginning to carry their first loads up through the icefall to camp 1. The 'Icefall Doctors' will be at work in the icefall, making the most secure route through the jumble of serac cliffs and crevasses. We will enjoy another evening meal with the team, before saying our farewells and descending back down the Khumbu Valley tomorrow.
Day 16:	Trek to Pheriche We retrace our steps to Lobuje, and return down the Khumbu Valley, stopping for a break in Dugla. With views of the stunning peak of Ama Dablam ahead of us, we continue along the flat valley to Pheriche.
Day 17:	Trek to Kyangjuma Following the main Everest trail down the beautifully scenic valley, we pass through Pangboche and re-cross the river before climbing to the monastery at Thyangboche. A steep descent of around 1500ft/500m leads through bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Kosi River. From here we will continue to Kyangjuma (3,550m/11,545ft) to spend the night.
Day 18:	Trek to Monjo Crossing on yet another suspension bridge, we climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the contouring path leading back through Namche Bazaar. We should have enough time in Namche to shop and relax in the bakery with a coffee and a cake, or even to check the Internet. A steep descent for 600m/2,000ft down Namche Hill leads to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi river and the small village of Monjo (2,835m/9,300ft). Not only is Monjo a quieter place to stay than Namche, it also means our porters have a less strenuous walk back to Lukla tomorrow.
Day 19:	Trek to Lukla The trail now flattens out and we cross the river twice more before a rising traverse up the hill-side, past numerous tea-houses to Lukla. Our last day of steady trekking will be a real joy as at lower altitudes, with two and a half weeks behind us, and nothing left to prove, we can soak up the atmosphere in each of the villages we amble through. All excess energy is guaranteed at our party this evening with our Nepalese crew.
Day 20:	Fly Lukla to Kathmandu An early morning flight. We will be met at the domestic airport in Kathmandu and taken to the Summit Hotel. The afternoon can be spent exploring the city and visiting some of the temples, or simply browsing bookshops and shopping in the Thamel area. The team may choose to eat at the Summit Hotel tonight or in town at one of the many excellent restaurants.
Day 21:	At Leisure in Kathmandu 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. Our flight back to the UK departs in the late evening, so we can have our final meal together in the early evening.
Day 22:	Arrive London We arrive back at London Heathrow mid-morning.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, availability of porters and the health of team members can all contribute to changes. The guides and their Sherpa assistants will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

Team Composition

The trek will be led by an experienced Jagged Globe British trek leader. In selecting suitable leaders, we not only look to ensure that they have the relevant qualifications but we also ensure that they have a good track record of trekking at high altitudes. Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our leaders have the right temperament to lead an trek group comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations. The leader is a vital contributor to the enjoyment and well-being of the trekking members and he or she will be there to deal with any unexpected problems. To that end, we aim to provide a leader who will make the trek both successful and enjoyable throughout.

Our leaders hold current mountain first aid certificates and have experience of dealing with mountain related medical conditions.

The leader will be supported by one of our excellent Sherpa guides, who know the region very well. Our team of local porters will carry your personal gear.

We will take a maximum of 16 people on the trek.

Experience Required

Everest Team Trek is graded T1.

The 22-day Everest Team Trek is suitable for keen walkers who are able to walk for 4 - 5 hours in a day, with a light rucksack. Some of the days are quite long, and the walking feels more strenuous at altitude. Generally the trail is a good track, but occasionally it will be uneven and rocky, especially on the final section up to Everest Base Camp.

You are welcome to contact members of the Jagged Globe office staff, who have recent experience of trekking to Everest Base Camp, if you would like to discuss the trek in more detail.

Environmental Practice

The trekking routes to popular base camps such as Everest are under considerable environmental pressure. We therefore do our best to minimise the impact of our expeditions by adhering to a responsible and workable environmental policy. This includes the following measures:

General Garbage - Items which are easily combustible may be burnt without offending local sensibilities. Non-burnables and the remains of burnt items will be taken back to an appropriate collection point. Special consideration is given to the safe disposal of used batteries, which are re-exported back to the UK.

Toilet Facilities - On trek, toilet facilities are available at Tea Houses. At Everest base camp we share the expedition toilet facilities, which are transported to a suitable disposable point after the expedition.

Jagged Globe supports the work of the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and trekkers are asked to adhere to its guidelines, which we provide.

Porter Protection

Any trek or expedition to Nepal relies on the hard work of local porters. It is their carrying of our supplies and baggage that makes a journey into the mountains possible. Jagged Globe is therefore careful to ensure that they are well treated, not exploited and have good protection from the elements. We work closely with our Nepal based partner, Kit Spencer to provide shelter, clothing and footwear that match the severity of the environment. Porters who become sick are treated with the same care and attention as team members, and we have used helicopters, at our expense, to rescue porters from hazardous situations.

Jagged Globe supports the work of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), and provides help and advice to those organisations to improve the working conditions of the porters on whom we depend. All trekkers are asked to provide feedback on porters' working conditions in post-trip questionnaires.

Pre-Trip Meeting

Prior to all our expeditions and treks, we host a Pre-Trip Weekend in North Wales. The primary purpose of the weekend is to provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the forthcoming trek and to introduce them to other team members. The weekend covers topics as diverse as personal equipment and acclimatisation and usually involves a hike. To find out more about our Pre-Trip Weekends [click here].

Here is some recent feedback from our weekends:
"The weekend was fantastic. It was great to meet the other team members and to go on a practice climb with everyone."
"Excellent weekend. I learned a lot about kit/my concerns and it was great team building."
"Excellent, informative, reassuring and fun. Great weather!"

Equipment

Find out about our comprehensive Equipment Hire Service.

Trekkers need to provide their own personal clothing and equipment. Some items of equipment are available for hire from us but we strongly recommend that you purchase your own personal equipment and test it before departure.

A complete kit list is contained in the Trek Dossier, which is sent to you on receipt of your booking deposit.

What the price includes

Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
UK airline taxes.
All internal flights and hotel/airport transfers.
Accommodation at our base in Kathmandu, the relaxing Summit Hotel.
All road transport by private vehicles.
Accommodation in lodges/tea houses and all meals during the trek.
All porterage costs.
All costs for a Jagged Globe accredited leader and Sherpa staff.
Jagged Globe kitbag or Fleece.

What the price does not include

Visa fees.
Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
Bar bills and laundry.
Travel insurance.
Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
Tips.

Insurance

Special travel insurance is available from us which provides a wide range of cover. The premium for this trek is detailed in the Prices & Booking section. A full explanation of the Jagged Globe Insurance Scheme is available on the website and in our brochure.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please contact us by telephone:

+44 (0) 845 345 8848

Alternatively, you can contact us by email via the Contact Page on the website.

Booking

If you would like to book a place on this trek, you can do so on our secure on-line booking facility, on our website. The £300 deposit for this trek will secure you a place on your chosen departure. You will receive an automatic email confirmation, followed by a written confirmation of booking, experience questionnaire and Trek Dossier. Alternatively, you can book over the telephone or by sending in a booking form by post.

Trekking Expeditions