Everest North Col (7,010m) Expedition – 26 Days

After you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will have to go through custom formalities. You will be greeted by our representative who will be anxiously waiting for you with a placard displaying your name in his hand. You will be transferred to the 3-Star category hotel in a private vehicle. Once you get refreshed, you will get briefing regarding the itinerary and you will also be introduced with your crewmembers and other trekkers who are going to join you on the trip. At the same time we collect Passport from every one and process for the Chinese Visa. Enjoy welcome dinner in the evening where you can taste authentic Nepali dinner. Stay overnight in a hotel.

In the morning after breakfast, we will organize half day sightseeing tour during which you will be taken on memorable UNESCO Heritage Tour. Tour begins with visit to Nepal’s holiest Pashupatinath Temple Complex and takes us through Nepal’s largest Bouddhanath Stupa and 2500 years old Swoyambhunath Stupa. We will return to hotel in the afternoon and time for shopping of any missing items, equipment checking and getting ready for the trip.

You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport. Remember to carry your Tibet Permit and Visit Visa papers. Almost 70 minutes of flight over Everest and other mountains will take you to Lhasa Gonggar Airport. You will take a ride in 4WD vehicle to cover 60km distance along Friendship Highway to Lhasa City. Stay overnight in a hotel in Lhasa.

Lhasa is located on the northern edge of Kyi Chu River. Lhasa is the spiritual centre of Tibet. We will visit Potala Palace, Ramoche Monastery andNorbulingka Palace. Potala Palace is the home of Dalai Lama which was built in 637 AD. Norbulinkha is the summer palace of Dalai Lama which has been identified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sera Monastery andJokhang Monastery are other places of interest in Lhasa.

Leaving Lhasa, we will cross Kamba La (4794m) and Karo La (5010m) Pass. The path is scenic and allows view of beautiful Yamadroke-Tso Lake while nreath-taking views of surrounding mountains can be viewed to the south. We will reach Gynatse. Khumbum Stupa and Palkor Monastery are places of interest in Gyantse. We will continue to drive to Shigatse (Xigatse) and reach there in about two hours from Gyantse. We will visit Panchen Lamas’ Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatselies in the base of Dolmari. This monastery was built in 1477 by Gendun Drukpa and the monastery holds the Maitreya Chapel which holds the largest Brass statue of Buddha. We will drive for 4 hours to reach Shegar. Shegar is close to Everest Base Camp. We will stay overnight at Shegar

Take a day of rest at Shegar. It will help us in proper acclimatization to the increasing altitude. We can explore Shegar town on this day. Local Monastery and a fort is attraction in Shegar. Stay overnight at Shegar.

After an early breakfast, we will leave Shegar and head towards Base Camp. We will cross the Pang La pass. Reaching to the top of Pang La is an exciting activity. We will enjoy the view of vast Tibetan plateau and Everest Mountain from the summit before continuing our journey to Base Camp where we will stay overnight.

Acclimatization is necessary at this altitude to avoid altitude sickness. We will explore around base camp. We will practice using climbing gears and scout the route towards half way to Camp intermediate camp. We do acclimatization hiking around the base camp as much as possible to adjust with the higher altitudes. This is the time period that Sherpas team set up the intermediate camp (5800m) as well as the Advance Base Camp (6400m). Once these camps will be set up then we move toward the higher camps. More over the expedition blessing ceremony will be also happened at base camp during this time period.

After fully acclimatized at Base Camp, now we move toward Intermediate Camp (5800m), it will take us about 6/7 hours to reach at Intermediate Camp on our 1st trip.  we will follow the trail that continues along Rongbuk Glacier. After some time, the trail escalates up through the eastern edge of the glacier and we will follow the gradually climbing trail with mostly the rocky terrain.

We will leave Intermediate Camp and move towards Advanced Base Camp which is located at 6,400 m. We can get close-up view of Everest and Lhakpa Ri Mountain from the Advance Base Camp. The trail continues through ice seracs. This requires a bit technical climbing skill.

We will prepare ourselves to climb Lhakpa Ri Mountain. We will practice using climbing gears and scout the route towards Lhakpa Ri. We can return to lower altitude for acclimatization. The Guide will share Lhakpa Ri climbing strategy with team. He will also provide you with necessary instructions and teach you what to do and how should you call for help if in case of emergency.

The North Col Camp is a 2,200m climb from Adavnced Base Camp. Leaving the Camp, we will move towards East Rongbuk Glacier. We need to use crampons and fixed ropes on this day. Climb from Advanced Base Camp to North Col constantly gains altitude. We will cross the steep section of 60 degrees with help of fixed rope and ascender. Ladders will be used to cross deep crevasses. We will reach close to North Col in almost 7hours.

We need to climb almost 2200m elevation to reach to the North Col camp. Leaving our Camp, we will follow the East Rongbuk Glacier.We will cross the steep section of 60 degrees slope with help of fixed rope and ascender. Ladders will be used to cross deep crevasses. We will reach North Col. The views from the top of North Colis simply exhilarating.

We will follow the returning trail all the way to Base Camp.

Leaving Base Camp, we take long drive to Keyrong via Tingri and stay at the Guest House.

From Keyrong or Subru, we drive to KTM (8 hrs) and check hotel etc.

Spend the day as you like. You can go for shopping in Thamel where you can buy souvenir items. We can also arrange for guided sightseeing tour. Alternatively, you can arrange your photo albums and jot down memories in your journal.

You will be transferred to the Airport as per your schedule flight for international departure. Safe journey. We hope to see you soon.