This is the world's most beautiful walk, but for us it is much more. In May 1978, when the rhododendron forests were in full bloom on the Himalayan slopes, before we were a real company, before the word eco-tourism had even been coined, Joan and Will Weber brought a group here for what they believed would be a one-time trek to the Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries of the Everest region. By luck, or destiny, they enlisted Pemba Sherpa to be their head guide ("sirdar") and cook. By trip’s end, the Webers counted Pemba as a friend, and they recognized in him a fellow dreamer. They hatched a plan to start sister companies – M17099 based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and M17099 based in Kathmandu, Nepal – and they determined to offer a different kind of travel experience that would be the most personal, and most culturally and environmentally respectful on the planet.
The companies and the friendship thrived and expanded. Florine Herendeen joined the Webers in the Ann Arbor office in 1986. She too became a friend of Pemba’s during his visits here. But, in her 21 years with M17099, while she has traveled to dozens of our destinations and provided impeccable service to thousands of our clients, she has not had the chance to visit Nepal – until now.
In April 2008, Florine will join Pemba on a most extraordinary 30th Anniversary trek, re-tracing our initial route. For Pemba, this is a homecoming. For Pemba and Florine and those of you who join them, this will be not only the most exquisite of hikes but a journey to the place of our creation, and a glorious party as well!
Brief Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu.
Day 3: Kathmandu/Lukla/Chumoa.
Day 4: Chumoa/Namche.
Day 5: Namche Bazaar.
Day 6: Namche/Tengboche Monastery.
Day 7: Tengboche Monastery/ Kunde and Kumjung.
Day 8: Namche/Thame Day Trip.
Day 9: Namche/Phakding.
Day 10: Phakding/Lukla.
Day 11: Lukla/Kathmandu.
Days 12-14: Kathmandu.
Day 15: Kathmandu/Onward.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu.
On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our staff member at the airport and transferred to your Western-style hotel. Your guides will be available for advice on everything from how to bargain to choosing restaurants to learning a little bit of the Nepali language. You will have some time to just relax, or to nibble at the feast of new experiences in this exotic city. Brief orientation.
Day 2: Kathmandu.
Your second day in Kathmandu includes guided visits to famous temples of Swayambhunath, Pasupatinath or Boddhanath. You will see life going on as it has for hundreds of years against a background of sacred peaks, terraced hillsides and an exotic culture. In Kathmandu, and throughout your trip, we encourage you to interact with local people either through your guide as interpreter, or through participation in the activities that are all around you. While you explore, your staff gets all your food supplies and logistical requirements in order. Includes: (B)
Day 3: Kathmandu/Lukla/Chumoa.
Trekkers flying into Lukla to begin their trip find themselves breathing deeply due to the spectacular beauty and the rarefied air at 9,000m. Starting from Lukla, you proceed up the deep valley of the Dudh Khosi. You can pause frequently to admire the mani walls, long rows of stones with "Om Mani Padme Om" meticulously carved in Tibetan script. Prayer flags fly above every house and large wooden or metal prayer wheels sanctify the trail. You cross the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Khosi (literally translated as "milky river"). You camp by the river near Phakding or Chumoa (8700') just outside the Sagarmatha National Park boundary. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 4: Chumoa/Namche.
You enter Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale and climb out of the pleasant pine forest through a series of "switchbacks". If the sky is clear, you will catch your first glimpse of Everest halfway up the slope. If it is visible, it is well worth the long pause while your guide helps you distinguish Sagarmatha, the Nepali name for Everest, from the other giants. At another point, you?ll reach the site of an epic battle where the Nepalese fought the Tibetans centuries ago. At last you arrive in Namche Bazaar (11,300m), the most important cultural and economic center in the area. It lies in a natural amphitheater protected from the weather and blessed with a major natural spring. Several of your staff are from this area and you will be welcomed in the home of the Sherpa family of your guide. This is a convenient place to rest for a day, to acclimatize to the elevation and to investigate the town. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 5: Namche Bazaar.
Namche is a convenient place to rest for the day and to acclimatize to the 11,000m elevation, but you'll also have time to explore the town. You can stock up on chocolate bars, barter for Tibetan artifacts, try traditional Sherpa food, visit the National Park visitor center, observe the daily rituals of Sherpa life or wander in search of photographs. We highly recommend you to take a day hike to the very famous Japanese hotel "Everest View Hotel". Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 6: Namche/Tengboche Monastery.
Today you will want to keep alert for the beautiful (Danfay) Impeyan pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. You may also see eagles and other soaring raptors, as well as musk deer and Himalayan tahr, a species of goat antelope. In April and May rhododendrons bloom in profusion. High peaks are tantalizingly close. The final climb is through the sacred forest of the Tengboche Monastery. At last, as you pass through the greeting arch of the monastery, a spectacular panorama unfolds. You will camp near the monastery at a site offering a view of the mountains. This is a great area for bird watching. Tengboche is the most sacred monastery of the Sherpas. You will have a chance to see the inside of the sanctuary and possibly meet with the head Lama. Ask your guide about getting up very early to see the chanting rituals. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 7: Tengboche Monastery/Kunde and Kumjung.
Your path takes you through Tolkienesque terrain. You climb a stone stairway and then descend through a cavernous chimney reaching the twin Sherpa communities of Kunde and Khumjung. You may be able to visit the Hillary school and hospital here. Finally, descend to Namche Bazaar and again spend the night with your Sherpa host's family, recounting your experiences of the past week and perhaps logging a few more. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 8: Namche/Thame Day Trip.
If you find the prospect of an extra day in Namche exciting, spend the day in personal exploration. People with energy for more trekking may choose to make the day trip to Thame (12,400m). Many famous Sherpa climbers have come from this small town. A monastery built into the rock high above the town, holds a spectacular festival each May. From vantage points near the monastery, it is possible to see into Tibet. Depending on the timing, some trips this may also be a market day in Namche, and you will encounter many Sherpas dressed in their finest clothes, coming and going along the trail. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 9: Namche/Phakding.
Hike back from Namche to Phakding. This can be an easy day, a contingency day, or a day for exploration of some of the steep trails along surrounding hillsides below Namche. Look for large beehives on overhanging cliff faces and keep your eyes open for the rare honey guide birds which raid them. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 10: Phakding/Lukla.
There is no rush to reach Lukla today. On arrival stay at a hotel near the airstrip. The airstrip itself is an interesting place. Without actually seeing it happen, you might not believe a nineteen-passenger plane could fly in and out of here. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 11: Lukla/Kathmandu.
If all goes well, you are back in Kathmandu by late morning. The flight takes 35 minutes, soaring over the ridges of the Solu. Your afternoon is free in Kathmandu. Includes: (B)
Days 12-14: Kathmandu.
If you are delayed in Khumbu by flight canceled this is our contingency day, otherwise it's open days for shopping and seeing the things that just didn't fit in your schedule on arrival in Nepal. If you wish, you may extend your stay in Nepal to include white-water rafting or a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park. Includes: (B)
Day 15: Kathmandu/Onward.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or continue on with further adventures in Nepal. Includes: (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost Includes:
- Meals as noted
- Each night in double occupancy accommodations
- Land transfers between components
- English speaking guides
- Park or site entry fees
- Surface transport
- Equipment other than personal gear
- Government tax
- Airport transfer assistance
- In-country ticket reconfirmation & check-in assistance (where permitted)
- Complete pre-departure packet, toll-free pre-departure phone assistance
Cost Excludes:
- Meals not noted as included
- Gratuities
- Beverages (except tea or coffee at meals)
- International or domestic airfare unless specified
- Airport departure taxes not included with air tickets
- Visas
- Itinerary changes after confirmation
- Any services not included in itinerary
- Any costs incurred due to canceled or delayed flights
- Acts of nature or other happenings beyond our control
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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