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TREKKING EVEREST BASE CAMP and ISLAND PEAK

Trekking in the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas and arriving at Everest Base Camp is one of the most desirable and charming treks in the world. It was accomplished by famous alpinists during the golden age of Himalayan expeditions to scale and conquer peaks of 8000m.

From 1950 (when Nepal opened its borders to western tourism) to today, the number of tourists has grown significantly and the tracks are way better. This trekking remains a trip inside a place so far from our world, where our legs are the most common way to travel after yaks.

Lukla, the starting point, is a little village reached by micro light planes from Kathmandu. In the first part of the trek, we will go up through the Dudh Kosi Valley (literally “milk river”) that we cross many times by suspension bridges, all the way to Namche Bazaar; “the capital city of sherpas”.

This is where the Tibetans arrive, after crossing the Nangpa La, in order to sell their goods, giving life to the characteristic market, the aforementioned bazaar.

After a few relaxing days, which are necessary to get acclimated properly, we continue onto the wonderful Tengboche with its famous Buddhist monastery, the biggest and more active one in the Khumbu Valley.

We will continue through Pheriche and Dingboche villages to the Gorak Shep lodge. From here, the last run leads us to the top of Kala Pattar (5.545 m.), the best viewpoint on Everest’s south face.

The ideal achievement is climbing Island Peak, one of the “trekking peaks”. However we don’t have to underestimate it as a trekking! The normal route is a high mountain itinerary that will lead us over 6.000 m. (1.000 m. more than Mt. Blanc!) and requires good technique with crampons and ice axe.

You have to be well trained to climb it but our hard work will pay off with dreamy scenery among the world’s highest peaks.

PERIOD: April – May

DURATION: 21 days

DIFFICULTY: easy/medium difficulty trekking, high mountain PD for Island Peak