Ice seracs, North Face of Everest, Tibet

Mount Everest’s northern flanks are an other-wordly setting of towering ice pinnacles on the Roof of the World. Our adventurous trek brings us to a spectacular camp at 21,000 feet.

Photo by Tom Shima

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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: TBA  
Length: 38 days
Arrive: Kathmandu, Nepal
Depart: Kathmandu, Nepal
Lodging: 8 nights in hotels, 21 nights full-service camping
Meals: All meals included except 3 lunches and 2 dinners
Activity: Hiking / Trekking
Trip Level: Moderate to steep hikes, 5-8 hours a day, altitudes between 12,000-19,000 feet, optional hike to Camp II at 21,000 feet
7 explain

Highlights

  • Trek to Camp III (21,000'), the highest point non-climbers can get on Everest!
  • Our experienced Sherpa support staff from Nepal
  • Seven-day warm-up trek with fantastic exploration days at magnificent Shishapangma Base Camp
  • Holy City of Lhasa, ancient monasteries of the Lhasa Valley

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

Repertory Trip

This is one of our special Repertory Trips offered only every two to five years. It will be several years before this journey is offered again. Now is the time to go!

Above the ice-clad realm of Camp III on the North Face of Everest unfolds one of world’s most spectacular mountain panoramas: the huge rock palisades of Everest’s Northeast Ridge, the wind-blown snows of the North Col, and most compelling of all, the instantly recognizable rock summit of Everest, or Chomolungma in the Tibetan language. The top of the world appears very close from here—and it is, only a little more than 8,000 feet above the high point of our trek. The surreal world of Camp III at 21,100 feet is the destination of The World’s Highest Trek—the closest that non-climbers can get to the roof of the world.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-5
Kathmandu, Nepal / Nyelam, Tibet

After exploring Kathmandu’s colorful bazaars, we drive across the Himalayan crest into Tibet and acclimatize with two days of hikes to holy lakes and hermitage sites.

Days 6-12
Shishapangma Trek

A seven-day warm-up trek brings us through beautiful high country to the south base camp of Shishapangma (26,397'), the world’s 13th highest peak. Our pace allows time for day hikes into beautiful remote side valleys. Shishapangma, just 50 miles north of Kathmandu, was the last of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks to be climbed and is the only one entirely within Tibet.

Day 13
Rongphu Monastery

We drive to Rongphu Monastery (16,450'), spectacularly situated below the northern base of Mount Everest. Dza Rongphu is acclaimed as the highest monastery in the world; it may well have provided some of the inspiration for James Hilton’s classic novel, Lost Horizon.

Days 14-21
Everest Base Camp to Camp II

Following the main Rongphu Glacier and the East Rongphu Glacier, we trek to Camp I (18,050') on Mt. Everest. To assure proper acclimatization, we camp at least two nights at an interim camp (19,000') between Camp I and Camp II (19,900'), spectacularly located below the glaciers spilling off Everest’s North Peak. Conditions allowing, we hike to our highest camp, Camp III (21,100'), below the mighty rock palisades of Everest’s Northeast Ridge.

Days 22-24
Descend to Rongphu / Shigatse

Descend to Rongphu and drive across the wild Tibetan Plateau to Shigatse, Tibet’s second city.

Days 25-27
Lhasa, Tibet’s Holy City

Continue to Lhasa to visit the Potala Palace, explore the massive monasteries of the Lhasa Valley and mingle with Tibetan pilgrims in the Jokhang Temple.

Days 28-30
Return to Kathmandu

A beautiful overland drive brings us back to the warmth and greenery of Nepal, and we depart via Kathmandu on Day 30.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

 

Departures

This is one of our special Repertory Trips offered only every two to five years. This journey will not be offered again for several years. Now is the Time to Go!

May 29-Jun 27, 2012

Tour Costs

Prices will be announced closer to departure. Contact us to receive them at that time.

Tour Cost Includes:

  • expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • all accommodations
  • welcome and farewell dinners, all meals on trek, other meals as indicated in the Full Trip Brochure
  • camp staff including pack animals and cooks
  • group camping and cooking equipment including dining, sleeping and toilet tents, sleeping bags and pads
  • all land transportation in Nepal and Tibet, airport transfers for passengers on group flights

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare to/from Kathmandu, airport departure taxes, any meals not specified after each itinerary day, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, hotels en route to/from Kathmandu, any additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by international airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations, Nepal and Tibet visa fees, travel and evacuation insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $250
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.