Kongma-La (5535m), Cho-La (5368m), Renjo-La (5360m) are three mythical names that you will keep in your memory, but you will still have to add to them by climbing Chukung-Ri (5550m), Kala Patthar (5550m), and the Gokyo-Ri (5357m) from where you will be able to panoramas that are difficult to surpass in other places.

The entire northern part of the Solu-Khumbu Valley is included in the Sagarmatha National Park, and is known for hosting the summit of Everest, whose Nepali name is Sagarmatha, something like “the head of the sky-heaven”. We could say that it has four legs, Thame, Gokyo, Everest and Chukhung (although it is not exactly like that) and this trek joins the valleys by crossing the passes between them, by paths much less frequented than the classic Everest Base Camp, although it shares a small part, and with the advantage of enjoying accommodation in “lodges”, which allows a good rest after each stage.

Even though it passes around 5500m high, this trek does not present great technical difficulties, that is to say, it does not normally imply the use of ropes or other technical material and does not require any section of climbing or grimacing, although there are sections with steep slopes. In this sense, any person with mountain experience and a good physical condition can do it, but always considering that we are in the high mountains, very high indeed, and the weather conditions can change the situation of the itinerary quickly, and you have to be prepared for that. It is a demanding trek on a physical level and it takes two and a half weeks to cover the mountains at a not insignificant altitude, so apart from a good physical condition it is also necessary to have good acclimatization along the whole ascent, that is why we have chosen to do it from east to west to climb more gradually.

Do not hesitate, this is a five-star trek, where you will enjoy the proximity of very high emblematic peaks within reach, and you will have the real feeling of being on the roof of the world.

And for those who want to climb Island Peak, this is a small sample of what it means to climb a Himalayan peak above 6000 meters of altitude. This involves crossing fields of snow and ice with cracks and steep slopes. A small affordable wonder for people accustomed to high mountain ascents in snowy environments.

* Deadline for arrival in Nepal October 22 noon.

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Welcome on arrival at the airport

·       Kathmandu Airport International Terminal Transfers upon arrival and departure by private vehicle

·       Shuttle to Ramechhap airport for Lukla flights

·       Flight Ramechhap – Lukla – Ramechhap

·       2 nights with breakfast in Kathmandu (to be adjusted according to each component of the group)

·       Accommodation in lodges and three daily meals during the trek according to the detailed plan

·       Local English-speaking Mountain guide throughout the trek

·       Guide assistant for groups of more than 8 people

·       1 porter for every 2 components

·       TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) trek permit card

·       Entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park

·       Pasang Lhamu Permit

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

Climbing Island Peak

·       Imja Tse (Island Peak) climbing permit

·       Camping material and meals

·       Fixed ropes, camping equipment.

·       Personal climbing equipment: crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness and “8”

·       Climbing guide and porters salary

·       Additional climbing insurance for the guide

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal

·       Entry Nepal VISA

·       Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)

·       Tips to staff

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       During the trek hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.

·       In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

·       No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

Climbing Island Peak

·       personal clothing material

SPECIFIC NOTES ON OPEN GROUP TRIP

This does not include the international flight from your point of origin to Kathmandu, which you will have to arrange yourselves. However, we can help you with this if you need it.

The dates given in the programme are the latest date by which you must be in Kathmandu (noon at the latest) and the recommended date of return. You can, of course, arrive earlier and extend your trip and leave later. If you extend your stay, we will arrange the hotel nights to be added and the services you need, but you can also go on your own if you wish. We will talk about it.

The overnights in Kathmandu are spent in a good, comfortable hotel with garden, restaurant, bar and rooms with private bathrooms. The cost of the trip is calculated for a double room, but you can ask for a single room with the corresponding supplement.

Keep in mind that, if flights are canceled due to weather conditions, unforeseen expenses may occur and are not included. Plan Himalaya will issue the relevant certificates for personal travel insurance claims.

A SPECIAL NOTE: In a mountain group there are different people with different rhythms. The people who move through the mountains are supposed to be “good people”, have empathy for others and help each other. But that’s not always the case, is it? In an open group you meet unknown people, but you are a group. As a group you should maintain a certain cohesion and understanding among all of you. Stronger ones need to adapt to weaker ones.

In case of problems of poor acclimatization, health or whatever arise, we have our strategies to solve them. We try that affect the group as little as possible.

NOTES ABOUT THIS ITINERARY

Flights to Lukla now operate from Kathmandu (normally low season) or Ramechhap (high season). Ramechhap airport is 4/5 hours from Kathmandu and you must take a shuttle that leaves at 1:00 in the morning from Thamel. Then all that remains is to rest and hang out, even if it is in the hotel lobby, until the shuttle leaves.

The Sagarmatha 3 Passes Trek is demanding. The days when you cross the hills above 5000 meters are long and are always very subject to weather conditions that can vary the stages from a long but peaceful walk to a hard day on snow in bad weather. If the weather conditions become really bad, it may be advisable not to cross a pass. In the case of the Kongma-La, it would not represent too much problem since it is possible to go around Dingboche, but in the case of the Cho-La and the Renjo-La, the thing already complicates a little and would force to change the plans. It does not usually happen (in fact, it has never happened to us) but we must be aware of this possible eventuality.

It is not necessary to take any specific material for this trek, although it is quite likely that you will have to hike on snow, and the conditions in which each one faces it are very different. While some have enough wearing trail-running shoes, others need boots and gaiters. Adapt this perspective to your own way of doing. Poles can give you confidence if you have to walk on snow, but they are not essential.

As a general rule, neither an ice axe nor crampons are considered necessary, although if the conditions have been extreme and out of the ordinary, we may find ourselves with some steps that are a little more compromised. Normally the guides carry an ice axe or crampons in case they are needed at some point, but in general they stay at the bottom of the backpack.

For the climb to Island Peak you need experience of winter ascents in the high mountains. Knowing how to use crampons, an ice axe, etc and evolve with them. It is not a peak of high technical difficulty, but this does not mean it is without risks. In addition, we are at 6,000 meters and oxygen lack punishes our energy.

Regarding those of you who climb to Island Peak, it is true that you need some more equipment (not much more) and some cramponable boots. We typically set a porter’s load limit to 10Kg per person, and the rest must be carried by each one. There is always the option of taking an extra porter (with corresponding cost) if you intend to carry more than 10Kg.