Please click one of the links below to view that section of our introductory information or just scroll down. (photo below right shows trek leader Ulyana Horodyskyj ).

Climate Change Trek Nepal Programme Description:

View of one of the holy lakes of Goyko, after trekking down GokyoRi. Carrying the boat to a lake put-in point on Ngozumpa glacier.Boat put-in point at a glacial lake, Ngozumpa glacier.  (Ulyana Horodyskyj )

Standing next to an ice block from an ice calving event on a glacial lake,Ngozumpa glacier. (AngPhula Sherpa), Exploring one of many glacial lakes on Ngozumpa glacier.View of the terminus end of Ngozumpa glacier from the top of GokyoRi.(Ulyana Horodyskyj)

• Introduction: On this trek, while walking the beautiful Gokyo Valley, walking to Everest basecamp and up the amazing 'Kala Pattar view Ridge' you will have the opportunity join glacier researcher Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj and participate in research to understand the rate at which Mount Everest's glaciers are melting. You will help to set up and maintain glacier cameras in action. You will walk (Autumn trek) or paddle an inflatable boat (Spring trek) around glacial lakes, to see, close-up, the collapsing ice walls, as well as collect data first hand. This data helps scientist to understand and forecast the glacier's future. Himalayan glaciers pose an enigma to scientists:  they are covered in rocks and dirt, which should insulate (protect) them, yet they are still melting and "down-wasting". University researchers have been focusing on the Ngozumpa glacier, which flows through Gokyo, and originates on Mount Cho Oyu, the 6th highest peak in the world. This glacier is riddled with supraglacial (surface) lakes.  It turns out that the formation of lakes expose bare glacier ice walls, where sunlight can focus its power, leading to enhanced melting and ponding of water. Through time-lapse photography, we have been tracking major inputs and outputs at these lakes (things like rainfall, ice wall collapse, and drain events). Our goal is to determine the life cycles of these lakes and how they contribute to the bigger picture of the (diminishing) life cycle of the glacier. Your participation in this trek will help us to gain an understanding of what is happening to Mount Everest's glaciers.

• Mt. Everest was first climbed in 1953 by Hillary and Tenzing. Their base camp was at Gorak Shep which we will visit along our adventure. Our trek to the base of the highest mountain in the world allows you to enjoy the incredible beauty of Nepal and walk to a very high altitude on good snow-free paths, providing spectacular views of Everest and the surrounding Himalaya Giants.

• We trek to base camp on snow-free paths through green terraced villages, rushing rivers, suspension bridges, lush forests, stay in civilized 'teahouses' and camp in verdant meadows beneath towering peaks. There is ample time to experience the friendly and exotic culture of the Khumbu Valley, as we walk through some of the most spectacular natural settings and mountain scenery in the world, while staying in comfortable lodgings.
• These treks are in the spring and fall, the main climbing seasons for Everest and Ama Dablam. You will have a chance to sample expedition life and check out the basecamps of teams from around the world (photo right by Liz Stevens: Our past Everest basecamp trek leader, Elselien, receiving a blessing from the local Buddhist Lama in Pangboche).
• You travel at a very careful pace without having to carry a heavy rucksack, while enjoying freshly prepared meals and lots of hot drinks, all important for acclimatization. The logistics are all taken care of, so just relax and enjoy the pure and pristine environment of the high Himalaya.
• This easy, peaceful and interesting trek to Everest maximizes many years of accumulated wisdom in the Himalaya, a long and proven record of safe and fun trekking through Tibet, Nepal, China, Africa, and many other fascinating mountain destinations around the world. back to top

• Leader and staff:Ulyana is a PhD candidate at CIRES. She has climbed over a dozen peaks over 14,000 ft. in Colorado, Washington, Mexico, Tanzania and Nepal. Our friendly guides and trip leaders are experts at leading interesting groups of men and women throughout Nepal. In addition, they have an intimate knowledge of the Sherpa people and customs and temples and shrines in each picturesque village you stroll through. We must also give credit to our polite and highly experienced, hard-working trekking sherpas, cooking, and office staff (photo right by Tunc Findik: Namche Bazaar at 3,440 metre/11,300 feet, the capital of the Sherpa people. See this unique village on our trek to and from basecamp).
• On trek: Our guide, together with friendly and helpful sherpas, cooks and local people leading yak caravans carry all of your personal equipment, group equipment, and set up camp each day, prepare and serve delicious meals, so you can relax and enjoy the trek. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the trek.
• Sherpas: Our excellent sherpas have an intimate knowledge of the beautiful trek to Everest and the comfortable villages we will visit because this is their home region. They live in this land, grew up on farms here, have family and friends in the fun areas we will pass through, making our visit less of the usual tourist experience and more involved with the unique and genuine culture of the Khumbu Valley. They go out of their way to help make your visit remarkable and create lasting ties with the majestic landscapes and the inhabitants who reside there. This is a very enjoyable trek with friendly people. back to top

• Everest National Park: The park covers an area of 1148 square kilometres in the Khumbu region of Nepal. This includes Mt. Everest and several other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Pumori, Island Peak , and Ama Dablam. Mt. Everest and the surrounding area is a 'world biosphere reserve'. Since 1976 the park has served to safeguard unique cultural, physical and scientific values through sound conservation principles. Vegetation in the park varies from oak, pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes to fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods at mid-elevations. Scrub and alpine plant communities with bare rock and glacier are found above the tree line. 22 species of rhododendron bloom during the spring (April and May) and much of the flora is colourful throughout the year. Wild animals most likely to be seen in the park are Himalayan tahr, goral, serow, musk deer, and well over 100 different bird species (photo right by http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/420.htm: The Himalayan Tahr can grow to a metre high and weigh upwards of 100 kg).

Our Everest Nepal Basecamp trek is one of the most beautiful trips in the world (Bruce Manning). One of the many terraced hillsides on the trek to Everest basecamp (Elselien te Hennepe). Everest base camp. (Ulyana Horodyskyj)

• Trek to basecamp: This is one of the most beautiful treks in the world with ancient snow-free paths winding past green terraced villages, rushing streams crossed on swinging bridges and each night a comfortable 'teahouse' or a good tent pitched in a quiet pasture beneath the highest peaks in the world. Throughout the trek we eat delicious meals prepared by our skillful cooks. The trek will be moderately paced, allowing plenty of time for acclimatization, rest and site-seeing. Together we retrace the classic "Everest Approach March" made by Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. The trek winds through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on earth, where you can relax in exotic, friendly Sherpa villages. Our trusty yaks and porters carry all of your baggage, so you don't have to carry a heavy rucksack. back to top

• Kala Patar: Just above Gorak Shep is the small hill-ridge of Kala Patar (5,545 metres/18,200 feet). It is a windy path up grassy, rocky slopes to reach the top. It was from here that Eric Shipton helped to choose the first ascent route on Mt Everest, which Tenzing and Hillary climbed in 1953. The mountain behind Kala Patar has an interesting story: Mallory wanted to name a peak after his young daughter. In the Sherpa and Tibetan languages, "Pumo" means girl, and "Ri" means mountain. So Mallory chose to name it Pumori. According to David Padwa, the peak was named during the first Everest reconnaissance (photo right by Fabrice Imparato: Everest basecamp on a misty morning). back to top

• Who is this trip for?
• We encourage men and women from around the world, of all ages to join us as an individual team member or with your own group, whether that is your spouse, partner, friends, sibling, clients, colleagues, etc. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy trekking, climbing, and traveling together (photo right by Dan Mazur: Our trek team is having fun on the way to Namche Bazaar. What a great group!).
• Previous camping experience is beneficial to enjoying the trip, although not required.
• It would be nice if you have some experience with foreign travel, although we are happy to advise and help you if this is your first time out of the country and, for many of our members, it is. back to top
• All of the work is done for you, such as cooking, carrying group equipment, setting up tents, etc. Yaks and sherpas will carry all of your personal items so you do not have to carry a heavy rucksack.
• It is not necessary to be in extremely good shape to enjoy this trek. If you can have fun walking for 3-6 hours up and down hills with a few 20 minute breaks mixed in, then you can accomplish this trek.