Day 1 - Day 2: Flight to Chongqing
Scheduled flight to Chongqing or, if available, to Chengdu
We arrive in Chongqing in the early morning hours. With a
population of approx. 19 million each, Chongqing and Chengdu are
two of China’s largest cities and important centres in west and
southwest China. Hotel accommodation.
Day 3: Chongqing - Lhasa (3,600 m)
Short domestic flight to Lhasa. Arrival at Gonggar airport,
about one hour’s drive from Lhasa.
After we have checked into a comfortable hotel in Lhasa, we have
some time to relax.
It is incredibly important to take it easy at the beginning of
an expedition - after all, we have to give our bodies time to
acclimatise to the higher altitudes. Hotel accommodation.
Day 4: Lhasa (3,600 m)
We have plenty of time to properly explore this legendary city
which lies in the valley of the Kyi Chu, a tributary of the Tsangpo
river (Brahmaputra). The city lies on the river and extends for
about 10 km towards the west. The history of Lhasa, which means the
“Land of Gods” goes back to the seventh century. During that time,
the Jokhang temple, which is still the religious centre of the
city’s historic centre where many Tibetans gather, and the first
Potala Palace were built. During the 15th century, the Buddhist
Gelug school had three monasteries built in the area around Lhasa.
During the 17th century, the Potala Palace was rebuilt on the “Red
Hill” under the supervision of Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, the fifth
Dalai Lama. The Jokhang temple was also extended during this time.
Hotel accommodation.
Day 5: Lhasa - Gyantse (3,950 m)
Today’s drive takes us over two passes, the Kampala La (4,990 m)
and Karo La (5,010 m). The Kampala La offers a wonderful view of
the turquoise lakes of Yamdrok Tso and Ninchin Kangsa. From the
Karo La, we drive down to the town of Gyantse (3,950 m).
We have plenty of time to stop and take photographs of the
magnificent scenery which seems somewhat unreal. Gyantse also has a
lot to offer, such as its unique Stupa as well as the fortress that
encircles the monastery. The town is located on one of the most
important trade routes between Sikkim in India and Tibet. In 1921,
George Mallory used this trade route for his first exploration trip
to Everest. Hotel accommodation.
Day 6: Gyantse - Xigatse (3,977 m)
Our journey takes us to Xigatse, the second most important city
in Tibet. We visit the Thashilumpo Temple as well as the residence
of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important authorities of
Tibetan Buddhism. Originally, the Panchen Lama resided in the
Samzhuzê fortress, which was built in 1363 and is now the oldest
building in Xigatse. The fortress was destroyed in 1950. After its
reconstruction, it was converted into a museum for the antique
culture of the city. The Zhaxilhünbo monastery, the most important
monastery of the Gelug Tradition in western Tibet, has been the
residence of the Panchen Lamas since 1446.
With a population of 60,000, the administrative region of
Xigatse in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of
China has a surface area of 3,859 km2. Xigatse lies at an altitude
of 3,977 m above sea level on the “Friendship Highway”, which links
Kathmandu in Nepal with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Hotel
accommodation.
Day 7: Xigatse (3,977 m) - Xegar (4,300 m)
Another day’s drive through the incredibly varied landscape of
Tibet, which changes from lush agricultural land to desert. We
cross the 5,520m high Lhakpa La from where we get our first amazing
view of Everest. We arrive in Xegar in the afternoon. Simple hotel
accommodation.
Day 8: Xegar - Everest Base Camp (5,000 m)
Today, we leave the main Lhasa - Kathmandu highway. For a short
while, we follow the Arun River until we reach the village of
Rongbuk with its famous monastery. The view from here is
breathtakingly beautiful and will get us even more excited about
our upcoming climb of Mount Everest. From here, it’s another hour’s
drive to the Chinese Base Camp of Everest.
Day 9 - Day 45: Base Camp - Advanced Base Camp (ABC; 6,400 m) -
Ascent of Mount Everest (8,850 m)
Once at base camp, we start the most important part of our climb
- the acclimatisation! Our experience has shown that ascending to
the higher camps is incredibly important for summit success. As we
would run out of space to explain the ascent in detail, Kobler &
Partner offers its members the opportunity to discuss the procedure
and challenges of the expedition during a pre-expedition briefing
in Bern. This briefing also gives us the chance to meet you in
person and find out more about what you expect from this expedition
and accommodate any individual wishes, if possible.
Base Camp (5,050 m) - Advanced Base Camp (6,400 m)
This two-day walk takes us along the Rongbuk and East Rongbuk
Glaciers that cut through the impressive mountain scenery of Tibet.
The trek to ABC, which sits at the foot of the Chang La, is
certainly one of the most spectacular walks in Tibet. Even though
our loads are light as our gear is carried up by yaks, this
25km-walk should not be underestimated. For this reason, we stay an
extra night in the intermediate camp which has a fixed
kitchen.
Ascent of Mount Everest:
After we have finished our acclimatisation, we are finally ready
to head for the summit in the coming weeks. Our Sherpas will have
set up three high camps are at 7,000 m, 7,800 m, and 8,300 m in the
previous weeks. The camps are equipped with tents, stoves, gas,
sleeping mats and food. Oxygen* is available from Camp I at 7,000m
or upon request already from ABC at 6,400 m. Meals and drinks are
prepared by the Sherpas at all high camps.
*For the Express team, oxygen will be available from ABC.
The Route:
The climb starts on a moderately steep flank leading to the
North Col, from where we continue via the very long and extremely
windswept, but safe, northeast ridge to Camp II at 7,800 m. After
we have negotiated this first crux on the mountain, we cross the
northwest flank. This part of the expedition is moderately
difficult. In case of heavy snowfall, there is a possibility of
some avalanche risk in the central part of this route. Reaching the
northeast ridge is the next challenge on our way to the summit.
Once we have gained the summit ridge, we soon reach the First Step,
which is short, easy and can easily be secured with a short rope.
The Second Step is secured with fixed ropes and a ladder. Even
though it can be easily negotiated, it takes some strength to
overcome this 30-metre-high wall at approximately 8,300 metres.
Once you have managed to reach this point, you should be able to
tackle the Third Step as well as the summit ridge with no
problems.
Please note: An Everest expedition requires you to climb up to
the high camps several times as this is an important part of your
acclimatisation.
Day 46: Advanced Base Camp - Base Camp
Our Yaks will accompany us on our way back to BC. Lunch at
intermediate camp.
Day 47 - Day 48: Base Camp - Kathmandu
Our drive takes us via the Kirong La. After the devastating
earthquake in Nepal in April 2015, the Tibetan - Nepalese border
crossing was moved from Zhangmu to a place farther west. After
having crossed this new border, we drive past Dunche and Trisuli to
Kathmandu. The old border crossing at Zhangmu/Kodari is likely to
be closed until 2020, and properly beyond.
Day 49: Kathmandu
During our free day in Kathmandu, we plenty of time to visit the
colourful markets and mystic temples. Those who have acquired some
facial hair during the expedition should not miss the opportunity
to visit a traditional Nepali barber shop. It’s often comes with a
good head massage and is well worth the experience!
Day 50: Flight Back Home
