Join Yoga for the Peaceful’s Christie Hicks and Alpine Adventure International’s Pemba Gyaljen Sherpa for three full weeks of guided trekking from the streets of Kathmandu to the base camp of Mt. Everest. Travel to over 18,000 ft as we explore Pemba’s Nepal and the famous peaks surrounding Everest. Pemba and Christie have combined forces to bring you a transformative and adventurous trek from the streets of Kathmandu to the base camp of Mt Everest and back again. Along the way we will have time to explore local villages, markets, ancient temples and bazaars. We will experience daily yoga sadhana and create a seva (service) project for Pemba’s native home.
All transportation in Nepal, lodging, meals and daily yoga included in this once in a lifetime adventure. $3500 until 12/31- No yoga experience necessary. General level of fitness required for trekking.
Contact christie@yogaforthepeaceful.org to reserve your spot and sign up today!
ITINERARY:
This camp-based trek follows the legendary ‘Everest Trail’ from the airstrip at Lukla, alongside the Dudh Kosi and them Imja Khola, to Namche Bazaar and the monastery village of Thyangboche, stunningly located beneath the imposing peak of Ama Dablam. It takes around 2 weeks to reach the highest lodges at Gorak Shep and from here we set out to visit both Everst Basecamp and the accessible summit of Kala Patar, with its superb view of the world’s highest mountain. Using a good standard of camp accommodation throughout, this is an alternative way to explore the Khumbu.
Day 1: April 11, 2012: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. Alpine Adventure Land Only package services begin with the overnight hotel accomodation in Kathmandu. We will have a simple opening ceremony and dinner to celebrate our journey’s beginning.
Day 2: April 12, 2012: We will visit and explore the Kathmandu valley, visiting Buddhist monasteries, stupas and Hindu temples. We will have the opportunity to practice yoga at the temple of Pashupatinath!
Day 3: April 13, 2012: An early start for the dramatic flight through the mountains to Lukla. From the airstrip we have a short trek to our first night’s halt at Phakding (2610m / 8563ft). Yoga in the evening. Overnight in a camp.
Day 4: April 14, 2012: Following the Dudh Kosi valley upstream we cross and re-cross the river before making a final steep climb to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar (3400m / 11,155ft). We check into our comfortable camp site and the rest of the day is free for relaxing or to explore the bazaar. Yoga will be outside or in our giant tent!
Day 5: April 15, 2012: A rest day at Namche for acclimatization. Yoga class in the morning. There is the option of a day hike to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Camp.
Day 6: April 16, 2012: Our trail now follows the Imja Khola (river) to reach Thyangboche (3860m / 12,665ft), located on the ridge below the impressive north ridge of Kang Taiga. We check into our camp close to the Monastery, one of the most important in Nepal. Yoga will be held in the evening.
Day 7: April 17, 2012: We trek via Pangboche, the highest of the original permanent habitations in the valley and reach the seasonal settlement of Dingboche (4410m / 14,470ft) at the entrance to the Khumbu Valley. Evening yoga and overnight in camp.
Day 8: April 18, 2012: Yoga in the morning. We have an option for a day hike into the upper Imja Valley, to Chukkung (4730m / 15,518ft) below the tremendous 3,000 meter south face of Lhotse. In the afternoon having gained valuable acclimatization and feasted on the impressive ice flutings and ridges which surround us, we retrace our steps to Dingboche. We will spend a second night at the Dingboche camp.
Day 9: April 19, 2012: Continuing on the main trail we trek via Dugla and the beside the Kumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche (4910m / 16,110ft). Camp and yoga in the evening.
Day 10: April 20, 2012: We walk beside the Khumbu glacier and cross a tributary dry glacier to reach the Yak pastures at Gorak Shep (5140m / 16865ft) at the pase of the viewpoint hill known as Kala Pattar. Camp.
Day 11: April 21, 2012: A big day as we trek to Everst Basecamp following the first moraine then the Khumbu Glacier itself. During the spring season the basecamp will be buzzing with activity as climbers and sherpas from multi national expeditions plan and prepare for the climb. After spending time at basecamp we then retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Overnight at the camp.
Day 12: April 22, 2012: Our lodge is at the foot of Kala Patar and we make an early morning ascent of this classic Everest viewpoint to around 5500m / 18,000ft. Afterwards we make the long descent through Lobuche to Pheriche (4270m / 14,000ft). Camp.
Day 13: April 23, 2012: We follow the main base camp trail as far as the Pangboche. Where we climb to visit the monastery and then do a little yoga. Camp.
Day 14: April 24, 2012: We drop steeply down to cross the river at 3600m before climbing to the Tengboche. We then descend to Fung gi and climb up to Kyanguma. Camp.
Day 15: April 25, 2012: Today we head to Namche Bazaar, stop for couple hours and then descend down to Monjo. Camp.
Day 16: April 26, 2012: Yoga in morning. In the day, trek to Gumela. Camp.
Day 17: April 27, 2012: Introduction to Sherpa’s lifestyle and culture. Stop and the famous residential, Ghat. Camp. Yoga.
Day 18: April 28, 2012: Mostly downhill today following the fall of the Dudh Kosi river, but there’s a sting in the tail as we make the final short climb to Lukla Lodge.
Day 19: April 29, 2012: Flights out of Lukla are usually in the morning and we should arrive in Kathmandu with plenty of time for further sightseeing or shopping. We check into our comfortable hotel and the rest of the day is free. Time for yoga in the afternoon and/or evening.
Day 20: April 30, 2012: Yoga in the morning at the famous Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. At the day sightseeing to the world heritage town of Bhatapur Hotel.
Day 21: May 1, 2012: Alpine Adventure Land Only package services end after breakfast and complimentary airport transfers are provided.
Pemba:
For the last 20 years, Pemba has been guiding everything from Mt. Everest to the legendary Annapurna mountains. An experienced leader, guide and sherpa, he brings a wealth of local and environmental knowledge to our journey. He now runs Alpine Adventures International from his home in Crested Butte, CO. AAI is a company dedicated to helping ordinary fit people achieve their climbing and adventure dreams. Pemba and Christie have identified and perfected a small number of unique challenges that will let you to see the visually spectacular Himalayan mountains, experience firsthand the legendary culture of the Sherpa people, and accomplish something that you can be proud of your whole life. In April, 2012 Pemba will lead our group from the streets of Kathmandu to the base camp of Mt. Everest and beyond. All accommodations, airfare within Nepal, food and yoga are included in his itinerary.
Christie:
With over 10 years of teaching and guiding experience and a Masters Degree in Environmental Education, Christie brings her enthusiasm, exuberance and passion for all things outdoors to our adventure. She has been a student of yoga for over 13 years, having the fortune of working with and learning from the some of the world’s greatest teachers, included Shiva Rea, Saul David Raye and Max Strom. After spending the last decade exploring and working on rivers from glacial Alaska to the deserts of Idaho and Utah, she currently teaches yoga at her home studio, Yoga for the Peaceful in Crested Butte, CO while developing adventure yoga retreats world wide.
Alpine Adventure International 