Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

Imagine trekking amid the most famous peaks of the Himalaya by day and staying in a cozy lodge each night—it’s the perfect WT way to experience the Himalaya! Our hikes lead to traditional Sherpa villages set below the highest mountains on earth. We’ll enjoy the atmosphere around the venerated Tengboche Monastery (12,500'), surrounded by ancient mani stones inscribed with the mantra om mane padme hum, hike up to Pangboche, with its famous yeti hand, then circle down to Everest Lodge to Lodge EXPLORING SHERPA VILLAGES AND HIMALAYAN PEAKS

the traditional, cloud-perched village of Phortse. Our days among the unforgettable Sherpa people of the Everest region, our option for a hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp, and our welcoming lodges make this an unforgettable adventure. Days 1-5 Kathmandu / Lukla / Namche / Khumjung After exploring Kathmandu, we fly to the mountain airstrip at Lukla and hike up to the bustling town of Namche Bazaar. We acclimatize in this charming Sherpa “capital” and enjoy the stupendous views as we take day hikes up to the picturesque villages of Khumjung and Khunde, home to thriving Sherpa communities. Namche holds the headquarters of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, established in 1976 as the first national park in the Himalaya. Overnights on trek are in guestrooms in Sherpa lodges, most with private facilities. Days 6-7 Tengboche / Pangboche Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery, we are in the spiritual heart of the Khumbu and gloriously surrounded by spectacular mountains. We’ll find this Tibetan Buddhist center alive with activity and festooned with prayer flags in the five colors representing the five Buddhist elements:

earth, wind, fire, water, and space. Our trails lead farther to Pangboche, site of the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. Pangboche is known for its views of Ama Dablam, a stunning, ice-coated pyramid known as the Matterhorn of the Himalaya. We have the option of an invigorating day’s hike up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,400'), with its 360-degree panoramas. Days 8-14 Phortse / Syangboche / Lukla / Kathmandu We circle down a high trail along the Imja Khola Valley, enjoying views of Tengboche and Ama Dablam as we make our way to tranquil Phortse, a culturally well-preserved village off the main Everest trail. At Syangboche (12,730'), we take in our last views of Everest’s summit, then fly to Kathmandu on Day 12. Depart on Day 14, or extend your journey with game viewing at Tharu Lodge near Chitwan National Park, a spectacular Everest over-flight, or a stay at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge for incredible Annapurna views.

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike the spectacular mountain trails below the most majestic giants of the Himalaya • Enjoy a warm welcome into the Tibetan Buddhist culture of the Sherpa people • Overnights in the Khumbu’s best lodges— no camping! DETAILS • 14-day trip begins and ends in Kathmandu • 4 nights first-class hotel, 7 nights luxury lodges, 2 nights family-owned Sherpa lodges • All meals included except 3 lunches and 4 dinners DATES Nov 19-Dec 2, 2017 Oct 6-19 Dec 4-17 Oct 20-Nov 3* Dec 20,’17-Jan 2,2018 Nov 20-Dec 3 Feb 12-25, 2018 Dec 4-17 Mar 5-18 Dec 19,’18-Jan1,2019 TRIP COST $3995 (4-12 members) Single supplement: $1225 Internal airfare: $375 (subject to change) Mani Rimdu Festival surcharge: $200 Tharu Lodge extension: from $795 Scenic Everest Flight: from $275 Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge extension: from $795 TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9-day trek on moderate to steep trails, 3-6 hours a day, altitudes between 9,000-13,035 feet (optional hike to 15,400') Mar 27-Apr 9 Mar 11-24, 2019 Apr 15-28 Apr 15-28 * Mani Rimdu Festival

Our trek has the option of a day hike to the base camp below the sacred peak of Ama Dablam. PHOTO: KARSTEN WROBEL

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL ASIA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 87