2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Everest Lodge to Lodge EXPLORING SHERPA VILLAGES AND HIMALAYAN PEAKS Trek into the cloud-perched villages of the Sherpa mountain realm below mighty Everest. Our beautifully designed journey is the ideal Himalayan experience, with WT features that set it apart, including incredible Trek Leaders who welcome you into the heart of Sherpa life. We’ll explore the lively trading town of Namche Bazaar, remote Phortse, well off the main trekking route, and soak up the atmosphere of the venerated Tengboche Monastery (12,650'), where

Everest’s summit is in view. We also visit Pangboche, with its legends of the “yeti,” and have the option to hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp! You’ve come for the mountains, but the Sherpa people will capture your heart. Our Sherpa-owned lodges provide a convivial place to stay (no camping!). Days 1-5 Kathmandu / Lukla / Namche After exploring Kathmandu, we fly up to Lukla—“the airstrip in the air” at 9,350 feet. Hiking from here up to Namche Bazaar, we have vital time to acclimatize in this charming Sherpa trading center. Namche is headquarters of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, the first national park in the

SCOTT ABBOTT

“This was an absolutely outstanding adventure travel experience! The trekking, scenery, and cultural experiences were phenomenal!”

Helane L. Salt Lake City UT

Our extraordinary Trip Leaders bring you into the heart of the world’s highest peaks. PHOTO: DMITRI ALEXANDER

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike spectacular trails below the 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, 9 nights mountain lodges • All meals included except 3 lunches and 3 dinners

DATES Nov 8-22, 2019* Dec 2-15 Dec 22, 2019-Jan 4, 2020 Feb 18-Mar 2, 2020 Mar 3-16 Mar 17-30 Apr 1-14 Oct 6-19 Oct 27-Nov 10* Nov 19-Dec 2 Dec 7-20 Feb 16-Mar 1, 2021 Mar 2-15 Mar 16-29 Mar 30-Apr 12 * Mani Rimdu Festival, 15-day itinerary

TRIP COST $4195 (4-12 members) Single supplement: $1225 Internal airfare: $415 (subject to change) Mani Rimdu Festival surcharge: $200 Scenic Everest Flight: from $275 Tharu Lodge Extension: from $835 Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Extension: from $850

ON OURWEBSITE DOLPO: EXPEDITION TO CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN Adventurous 19-day trek in the high realm of Dolpo, a remote and legendary region of Nepal with ancient Tibetan culture and accessible only on foot. Sep 15-Oct 9, 2020. From $6795. Days 8-14 Phortse / Namche / Lukla / Kathmandu We traverse down a high trail along the Imja Khola Valley, enjoying views of Tengboche and Ama Dablam as we make our way to tranquil Phortse, set off the main Everest route. We take in our last sight of Everest’s distant summit, then fly from Lukla to Kathmandu on Day 12. Depart on Day 14, or extend for a spectacular Everest overflight, game viewing at Tharu Lodge near Chitwan National Park, or a stay at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge for Annapurna views. Himalaya. Glorious mountain vistas surround us as we take a day to hike up to the picturesque Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde. Days 6-7 Tengboche / Pangboche Trails past mani (prayer) walls bring us to Tengboche Monastery, festooned with prayer flags and always alive with activity. Tengboche is surrounded by spectacular mountains, including Kangtega and Thamserku. From Pangboche, site of the oldest monastery in the region, our optional day hike up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,400') gives us phenomenal panoramas of stunning Ama Dablam.

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6

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 feet)

MENNO BOERMANS

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR ASIA TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/ASIA 93