Itinerary

Summary

In the middle of October 2003 the team to fly from London to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. On arrival the team will make contact with organisations that assist on a day-to-day basis with providing support to the disabled community of Kathmandu.

After a number of days in the city the team will fly to Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, and link up with our Sherpa colleagues before making our up and onto the Tibetan plateau and onto the Rongbuk monastery and Everest Base Camp. This journey will be undertaken in a number of 4WD vehicles.

After several days of acclimatisation at Everest Base Camp, the team will move up towards the site of the old British Camp II (now known as Base Camp) at the foot of the North Col, an altitude of approximately 5500m (18,000ft).

The expedition will involve the services of Tourist Services of Tibet (TST), they have promised to provide 3 additional team members - a highland guide, an assistant guide and a cook all of which come from the Sherpa region of Nepal.

The Route

Note that since the expedition has been delayed all dates are subject to alteration. Click here for details about the delay.

DAY 1, 14 Oct
Depart London at approx 8pm. Flights via Bangkok with Thai Airways.

DAY 2, 15 Oct
Arrive Kathmandu at approx 3pm. Transfer to hotel for the trip briefing.

DAYS 3-4, 16-17 Oct
Explore Kathmandu. Organise visas to Tibet.

DAY 5, 18 Oct
Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa (Saturday)

On arrival at Lhasa Airport we will be transferred to the city – a drive that takes around three hours.

DAYS 6-8, 19-21 Oct
Lhasa Altitude Adjustment

Three days are scheduled to appreciate the rich cultural history of Lhasa. We include visits to the Jokhang, the Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama), and the famous Potala Palace. We also include visits to the nearby monasteries of Drepung and Sera. This will provide an excellent opportunity to acclimatise.

DAY 9, 22 Oct
Drive to Gyantse – 7–8 hours

From Lhasa drive down the Kyichu Valley to the Yarlong Tsampo (Brahmaputra) before ascending to the Khamba La (Khamba Pass) at 4900m. The views are outstanding – in the foreground is the vast freshwater Yamdrok Tso or Turquoise Lake, while to the south the snow-capped ranges merge with the main Himalayan range. We drive around the lake before crossing the Karo La (5200m) to reach Gyantse.

DAY 10, 23 Oct
In Gyantse and drive to Shigatse – 3 hours

DAY 11, 24 Oct
In Shigatse

DAY 12, 25 Oct
Drive to Shegar – 5–6 hours

The drive to Shegar can be completed in half a day, which allows time in the afternoon to visit the Shegar Fort and Monastery.

DAY 13, 26 Oct
Drive to Rongphu Monastery – 8–10 hours

The drive over the Pang La (5150m) affords our first views of the north face of Everest (8848m). From the pass we descend to the village of Phadhruchi, before driving up the Rongphu Valley to Rongphu Monastery and unrivalled views of the mountain’s north face.

At Rongphu we will either camp or stay in the small lodge attached to the monastery, which has recently been reconstructed following the excesses of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. Nowadays there are about twenty monks in attendance.

DAY 14-20, 27 Oct-2 Nov
At Rongphu Monastery and Base Camp

It is a further 15km from Rongphu to the famous 1922 Base Camp, where interwar British expeditions camped before making their attempts to climb Everest. We have 7 days set aside to make various day trips and reccee trips up to and around BC. We will plan to spend the 30th Oct at either Rongbuk or BC.

DAY 21, 3 Nov
Drive to Zhangmu – 9–hours

An early start is necessary to complete the drive back to the highway and the Chinese/Nepal border at Zhangmu. After rejoining the highway, we drive across the rolling plains of the Tibetan Plateau to reach the Lalong La (5042m). From here we head down the spectacular Sun Kosi Gorge to the border town at Zhangmu, where we spend the night.

DAY 22, 4 Nov
Drive to Kathmandu 5–6 hours

After completing Chinese immigration and customs formalities we transfer our gear by truck down the eight-kilometre stretch that leads to the Friendship Bridge and Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.

DAY 23, 5 Nov
Trip concludes in Kathmandu then home.

Once home we plan to build upon and cultivate the relationships forged during our time in Nepal and Tibet to ensure that, with care and planning, the Himalayans are accessible to all.