2010 Everest Basecamp Serac Adventure Film School Itinerary

April 16 Depart home

April 17 Lost to dateline

April 18 Arrive Kathmandu
We will be met at Kathmandu airport by our friendly Sherpa staff. Our baggage will be loaded into our bus and we will be driven to our hotel. These first moments in Kathmandu are often the most memorable. Once we are situated in our hotel we will have a short team meeting and orientation. Overnight at Viashali Hotel.

April 19 Full day in Kathmandu
Gear check, sightseeing, relaxing. We will have staff take us to the ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) probably at sunrise. This is optional but highly recommended. We also offer an optional half day tour of Kathmandu or Baktapur. ($50 per person) The rest of the day is yours to explore, shop, relax and do final gear checks. There will be a team welcome dinner on us at a local restaurant.

April 20 Lukla to Monzo
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: approx 800ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 10,000 ft
Weather permitting we will have a short but spectacular (25 min) flight to Lukla (9,200ft) for an unforgettable landing. Once all our gear has arrived and has been strapped to yaks or picked up by porters we will really start our trek. After about 4 hours we will arrive at the village of Monzo. Overnight in lodge.

April 21 Monzo to Namche Bazaar
Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: 1,200ft
Estimated distance: 4 miles
Camp at 11,250 ft
Today we will officially enter Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) National Park. We will ascend ‘Namche Hill’ to the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar (11,270ft) and unofficial capital of the Khumbu. You will get your first view of Mt Everest about half way up the hill. Overnight in lodge.

April 22 Rest Day in Namche Bazaar
As we need to acclimatize, this is a great day to re-group, rest and sightsee this beautiful village. This is a perfect opportunity to pick up souvenirs for friends and family back home. You can make the short, but steep hike to the Everest View Hotel where weather permitting you will get a great view of Mt Everest. Overnight in lodge.

April 23 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche Monastery
Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: 1,500ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 12,700 ft
Today we go to Tengboche Monastery (12,700ft). This Monastery is the spiritual center of the Khumbu and a training center for new monks. With luck we will be able to watch the monks worship and receive a blessing from the high lama. Overnight in lodge.

April 24 Tengboche Monastery to Dingboche
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: 1,300ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 14,000 ft
We hike to Dingboche (14,000ft). During this spectacular day we will cross the famous suspension bridge from which there is the classic view of the mountain, Ama Dablam. Overnight in lodge.

April 25 Rest Day in Dingboche
Rest day in Dingboche. There are several beautiful day hikes from the village. Depending on how well the team is acclimatizing we will probably hike up a ridge and get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Alternatively we will simply rest and take in the views of surrounding peaks. Overnight in lodge.

April 26 Dingboche to Lobuche
Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: 2,100ft
Estimated distance: 4 miles
Camp at 16,170 ft
We will trek to the small village of Lobuche (16,170ft). En route to Lobuche we will pass by a number of stone memorials to honor climbers lost on nearby peaks, mostly Mt Everest. Overnight in lodge.

April 27 Lobuche to Gorak Shep with optional trek up Kalipatar
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: 100 ft
Estimated distance: 2.5 miles
Camp at 16,200 ft
This is a big day – have your cameras ready. The views are unbelievable. We will trek to Gorak Shep where we will have lunch. Then we will walk to the summit of Kala Pattar (18,190ft) where you will get the best view of Mt Everest without climbing it. Overnight in lodge.

April 28 Gorak Shep to Everest Basecamp, back to Gorak Shep
Hike time: 8 hours roundtrip
Elevation change: +1,000 ft -1,000 ft
Estimated distance: 2.5 miles
Camp at 16,200 ft
This is the final uphill push to Mt Everest basecamp. There may be some climbing teams already set up. Depending on time We will hike up to the start of the notorious Khumbu icefall. We will return to Gorak Shep. Overnight in lodge.

April 29 Gorak Shep to Pangboche
Hike time: 7 hours
Elevation change: -2,200 ft
Estimated distance: 6 miles
Camp at 14,000 ft
We descend to the village of Pangboche via the high altitude clinic at Pheriche. This clinic is staffed by volunteer Doctors and nurses, often from the US to help climbers who are suffering from high altitude sickness. Overnight in lodge.

April 30 Pangboche to Phortse
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -1,300 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 12,700 ft
We continue or descent to the village of
Phortse, the site of the Khumbu Climbing School. Overnight in lodge.

May 1 Phortse to Monzo
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -2,000 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 10,000 ft
Overnight in lodge.

May 2 Monzo to Lukla
Hike time: 3 hours
Elevation change: -1,000 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 9,000 ft
Even though we are going down the valley the trek has a final sting for us. We must hike up a hill to get to Lukla. Overnight in lodge.

May 3 Kathmandu
Weather permitting we will fly from Lukla to Katmandu (25mins) and transfer to our hotel for a well deserved shower. Rest of day in Kathmandu for shopping. Team farewell dinner at Vaishali Hotel.

May 4 Depart for home
Late morning transfer from hotel to Kathmandu International Airport. Fly to the US.

May 5 Arrive home

*Students will receive a detailed schedule of all events upon acceptance.