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Itinerary/Days 1-2: Kathmandu, Nepal 3-5: Lukla/Namche Bazaar 6: Khumjung/Khunde 7-8: Phortse/Pangboche 9: Tengboche 10-14: Return Trek/Kathmandu/Depart Details 14-day trip begins and ends in Kathmandu 4 nights first-class hotels, 3 nights trekkers lodges, 6 nights full-service camping All meals included, except 3 lunches and 2 dinners 10 hiking days (includes 1 rest day with optional hikes), 4-6 hours a day, moderate to steep trails, altitudes of 9,000-12,600 Ft.

Chomolungma, "Mother Goddess of the Snows," dwarfs other mountains in many ways, from its legacy as mountaineering's ultimate prize to the spiritual esteem in which the Sherpa people hold it. We set out into the Khumbu-the spectacular glacial valley below Everest-on a 10-day trek that makes a magnificent loop through a series of ancient Sherpa villages cradled among the giants of the Himalayas. The Khumbu is filled with amazing mountains, including the isolated and magnificently chiseled Ama Dablam and double-summited Kangtega, whose great ice wall rears above famous Tengboche Monastery, spiritual center of the Khumbu. At this thriving monastery, Everest's triangular summit is unmistakable amid a cirque of breathtaking peaks. Our trekking loop also takes us to lesser-visited places like Phortse, at the mouth of the incredible Gokyo Valley. Mighty Everest may be the main attraction, but much of the joy of our Everest Adventure is getting to know the engaging Sherpa people, visiting active monasteries and trailside tea houses, sipping home-made chang (beer made from barley) with new-found friends, and learning how Tibetan Buddhism influences every aspect of Sherpa life.

Departure Dates 1: Mar 14 - 27 2003 2: Apr 13 - 26, 3: Oct 3 - 16 4: Oct 10 - 23 5: Oct 24 - Nov 6 6: Nov 7 - 20 7: Nov 16 - 29 8: Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2004 1-2 Kathmandu, Nepal We explore the durbars (palace squares) of medieval Patan and Bhaktapur, where Buddhist and Hindu inconography mix in fantastic ways. 3-5 Lukla/Namche Bazaar We fly to Lukla (8,900') and trek to Namche Bazaar (11,270'), an important Sherpa trading village built in a dramatic U-shaped amphitheater. We spend an extra day here for hiking and acclimatization. 6 Khumjung/Khunde Buddhism's influence is evident in the intricately carved mani (prayer) stones that decorate every trail and the prayer flags that flutter atop every pass. At the classic twin villages of Khumjung (12,400') and Khunde, we can visit beautiful gompa and a school built by Sir Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust. 7-8 Phortse/Pangboche We head across scenic trails to the tranquil village of Phortse at the mouth of the Gokyo Valley. The next day we continue up to Pangboche (12,600'), the Khumbu's highest year-round settlement, which houses the Khumbu's oldest monastery. 9 Tengboche Trekking down the valley, we visit famous Tengboche Monastery (12,500'), spiritual center for Sherpas, where about 40 Tibetan Buddhist monks are in residence. The view of Everest's summit is particulary striking here in the late afternoon alpenglow. 10-14 Return Trek/Kathmandu/Depart Hike back to Lukla for a lodge overnight, fly to Kathmandu on Day 12. Explore Kathmandu, depart on Day 14

COST Land Cost / per person dbl occ Cost 4-10 members 11-15 members   $2795 $2495 Single supplement: $350 Forced single: $200