Climb a Mountain

  • 18 days
  • N/A
  • Year-round

The main draw for adventure travelers to the Himalayas is trekking — hiking in the glorious mountains with a minimum kit: good boots, a sleeping bag, and perhaps a a trekking pole or two. But there are 28 mountains ranging from 5800 m / 19,000 feet to 6600 m. / 21,500 feet open for low-cost mountaineering too.

These mountains are called trekking peaks, but climbing them is real mountaineering, for a few days at least. You will need appropriate mountain clothing and some equipment - a harness, a jumar or two, some carabiners, an ice axe, and personal rope. But the lower peaks are appropriate first mountaineering experiences as long as you are fit and motivated.

We supply highly experienced and licensed mountain guides, a camp and crew for days on the mountain (and, for some peaks, for the entire trek into and out from the mountain), and group equipment such as snow stakes, ice screws, and fixed ropes. All staff are fully insured.

 

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR IMJA-TSE (ISLAND PEAK)

Day 1

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, the high-mountain airstrip that serves the Everest region. Trek north (but down) to Phakding at 2600 m. for altitude acclimatization.

Day 2

Trek north along the Dudh Kosi, the "Milk River," named for its many rapids, and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After lunch there's a steep climb of a couple of hours to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa "capital," set in a horseshoe valley at 3340 m.

Day 3

Trek to Khumjung, an old and attractive Sherpa town at 3780 m. for altitude acclimatization and return to Namche for a second night.

Day 4

Trek to fabled Thayangboche monastery (3860 m.), set in a high "saddle" ridge with views of Mount Everest and a great power place.

Day 5

Sit in on morning worship with the lamas and take an audience with the reincarnate abbot if he is in residence and receiving visitors. Then trek to Dingboche (arguably) the highest permanent agricultural settlement in the world

Day 6

Proceed to Chukkung, in the valley leading to Imja-Tse.

Day 7

Set Base Camp for the climb.

Day 8

Ascent Day

Day 9

Reserve a second day on the mountain for weather delays or a second attempt.

Day 10

Return to Dingboche.

Day 11

Trek up along the Khumbu glacier to Lobuje

Day 12

Follow the glacier north and climb Kala Pattar, a 17,500-foot "hill" with spectacular views of Everest. Overnight at the base of Kala Pattar.

Day 13

Trek up the glacier to Base Camp, then back to Lobuje.

Day 14

Trek back down to Pangboche. The monastery here holds a "yeti scalp" in great reverence.

Day 15

Trek out to Khumjung, an old Sherpa village above Namche

Day 16

Trek down past Namche and back to Monjo, at the park entrance.

Day 17

Trek back to Lukla.

Day 18

Fly to Kathmandu in the morning.