Deboche Project and Everest Base Camp Trek – Nepal

Our full-service expedition includes:

• British, European, or American leader
• Expert Sherpa
• Transport to base camp to/from Kathmandu
• Transport of all equipment to and from basecamp
• Three meals each day
• Group emergency equipment and satellite phone
• All permit fees and liaison officers
• Use of group gear and supplies
• Shared accommodations in tea houses (private rooms available for an additional fee)
• Two nights stay in a Kathmandu hotel on arrival and two nights prior to departure in a double room. Private rooms are available for a small additional fee.
• Airport transfers

What is not included?

• International flights to/from Kathmandu
• Mountain climbing rescue and travel insurance
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing
• Gratuities for staff
• Nepalese visa

1) Arrive in Kathmandu.
2) Orientation and tour of Kathmandu
3) Fly to Lukla 2,840 meters/9,317 feet. Trek to Phakding, 2650 meters/8,694 feet. Stay at Tea house.
4) Walk to Namche Bazaar 3,440 meter/11,286 feet.
5) Rest, acclimate, and relax in Namche Bazaar.
6)Trek to Deboche, 3,900 meters/12,795 feet.
7) In Deboche - help dig new waterline, restoration work on buildings, visit with nuns, etcetera.
8) In Deboche - help dig new waterline, restoration work on buildings, visit with nuns, etcetera.
9) In Deboche - help dig new waterline, restoration work on buildings, visit with nuns, etcetera.
10) In Deboche - help dig new waterline, restoration work on buildings, visit with nuns, etcetera.
11) Walk to Pheriche, 4,250 meters/13,944 feet.
12) Walk to Dughla at 4,620 meters/15,157 feet.
13) Walk to Lobuche, 4,930 meters/16,175 feet.
14) Walk to GorakShep, 5,160 meters/16,929 feet.
15) Walk to Everest basecamp, at 5,300 meters/17,388 feet. Return to GorakShep.
16) Trek to Kala Patthar (5,545 meters/18,192 feet), then descend to Pheriche at 4,250 meters/13,944 feet.
17) Walk to Tengboche.
18) Walk back Namche Bazaar.
19) Walk to Lukla.
20) Return flight to Kathmandu.
21) Extra day of rest and celebration in Kathmandu.
22) Flight Home.

TREK LEADER – Marcia Macdonald: a 12 year veteran of trekking/expedition adventures into Nepal’s Himalaya is also the Project Leader of the Deboche Project.

Sherpas: We hire Sherpas and porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Everest more than 7 times and led treks to rural Nepal on our Service Trek, Everest Basecamp & up Island Peak countless times. One of our female Sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of AmaDablam, Pumori, and Cho Oyu. Many of our Sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya.

Upper Body:

• 1 cotton t-shirt
• 1 cotton long sleeved shirt
• 1 polypropylene warm but light thermal long shirt
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 wind/waterproof jacket with hood
• Umbrella (optional)

Hands:

• 1 pair warm poly thermal gloves, with waterproof wind shell (the latter is optional)

Head:

• 1 cotton sun hat
• 1 scarf (optional)
• 1 fleece balaclava or warm hat
• 1 head torch/headlamp with extra batteries

Lower Body:

• 2 pair underwear
• 1 pair walking shorts
• 1 pair long trousers
• 1 pair warm but light thermal leggings
• 1 pair fleece/pile pants
• 1 pair wind/waterproof pants

Feet:

• 2 pair socks
• 1 pair sandals for use in hotel
• 2 pair medium weight wool socks
• 1 pairof sturdy, leather trekking boots ("broken-in" please)
• 1 pair trainers/lightweight running shoes for trekking on flat, easy trails

Sleeping:

• Sleeping bag (good to -10 degrees C or 10 degrees F)
• Closed cell foam kari-mat/sleeping pad (optional).

Rucksack and Travel Bags:

• Medium backpack (40-60 liters)
• Waterproof rucksack cover (optional)
• 1 large kit-travel bag with lock (80-120 liters)

Personal Hygiene:

• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Bar of soap and small towel
• Female or male hygiene supplies
• Earplugs
• Face Mask
• Hand sanitiser
• Disposable gloves
• Disinfectant wipes

Medical: Medications are inexpensive and readily available in Kathmandu without a prescription.

• Small personal first-aid kit: blister repair, first-aid tape, plasters/ Band-Aids, personal medications, etc. The leader will have an extensive first-aid kit.
• 10 anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium, Loperamide)
• 10 anti-headache pills (Paracetamol, Tylenol)
• 10 anti-inflammatory pills (Ibuprofen)
• 20 cough lozenges, cough sweets, Strepsils, Halls
• 1 small bottle anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox, Acetylzolamide
• 10 stomach antibiotic pills: (Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin)
• 6 broad spectrum antibiotic pills: (Azithromycin)
• Do not bring sleeping pills. They are a respiratory depressant
• Steripen, bottle of water purification tablets, or water filter
• Small bottle of hand-sanitizer
• Sunscreen for skin and lips. At least 30SPF

Personal Food:

• We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food. 2 kilos/4 pounds is a good amount.

Practical:

• Bathing suit
• Trekking poles
• Glacier glasses
• 1 liter water bottle
• 1 small roll of repair tape
• Small multi-purpose knife
• Battery powered alarm clock/watch
• Camera, extra batteries, charging cords
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks
• passport, 2 extra passport photos, flight ticket, flight itinerary
• separate photocopies of passport and relevant visa pages, proof of insurance
• Dollars, Pounds or Euros cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
• Credit cards (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc
• Contact lens supplies and an extra set of prescription glasses

Extensive experience is not required for trekking to Everest Base Camp. The most important thing is for members to be in adequate walking fitness. You may attempt this trek as a novice and we will teach you what you need to know. No further experience is required.

To participate in this expedition you must be a fit and active winter walker/climber and be in good health. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.

Please fill out an application and return it to us with your refundable ten-percent deposit to hold your place on the team.

• Application for US Team Members : PDF Form or MS Word Doc
• Application for all other Team Members :  PDF Form or MS Word Doc

In addition to your application, we will need the following at least two months before the trip begins:  

• Completed Payment
• Oxygen order (if any)
• Sherpa order (if any)
• Trip Registration form
• 1 Passport sized photo
• A scan of your passport identification pages
• Complete flight itinerary
• Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance. We strongly recommend Global Rescue, with at least $50,000 worth of helicopter rescue insurance.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is recommended

Please contact us with any questions you may have.