35 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com Approaching the summit of Island Peak Photo: David Barraclough This is an exciting, scenically stunning mountain, that provides a superb challenge for the very fit, keen hill walker. Mera is technically straightforward, but as Nepal’s highest trekking peak, at 6,476m/21,246ft, it is very demanding. The walk in, initially through the virgin forest of the Hinku Valley, is incredibly beautiful and provides excellent acclimatisation for the peak itself. Further on, walking along the glacier with glorious panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nupste, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu and other 7–8,000m giants, is an unforgettable experience. We provide an unrivalled service on this trek. Our topquality equipment, food, trekking staff and an experienced western leader all maximise your chance of achieving the summit. £2,395 £1,895 Dates: Sat 12 Apr – Sat 03 May*, Sat 19 Apr – Sat 10 May †, Sat 04 Oct – Sat 25 Oct**, Sat 11 Oct – Sat 01 Nov †† land only Grade: Strenuous (Exp Gr) On Trek: 17 days European Leader: Corey Jones*, David Bathgate † Roope Roine**, Stef Economides†† Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 3 Camping: 16 Tea House: 1 Optional: Single Room £60 Single Tent £60 Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 22 days 1–2 Fly to Kathmandu –3 Fly to Lukla 4–13 Walk in to Mera High Camp –14 Summit day – Mera Peak 6,476m/21,246ft 15–19 Walk out to Lukla 20–22 Fly to Lukla and Kathmandu, at leisure, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of6clients Mera Peak 6,476m/21,246ft Island Peak (Imja Tse) 6,189m/20,305ft Island Peak is an inspiring and interesting mountaineering challenge. At 6,189m/20,306ft, it is not the highest trekking peak, but it provides more technical interest than its near neighbour, Mera. Island Peak is situated the Khumbu. Both the peak and our acclimatisation trek lie in the heart of the Everest region. We are treated to a varied feast of rock scrambling, roped glacier travel, a steep snow/ice wall on fixed ropes, and exposed summit ridge for an exciting finale. The two week walk-in is not only a world class trek in its own right, but also provides optimum acclimatisation for the peak. We up the scenically stunning Gokyo Valley, ascend Gokyo and cross the classic high passes of the Khumbu: the Cho and Kongma La passes. At every twist and turn on this trip are rewarded with unforgettable views of 7,000 and 8,000m Himalayan giants. Island Peak is graded Alpine PD, and should have suitable mountaineering experience for this trip. £2,595 £1,995 Dates: Fri 04 Apr – Sun 27 Apr*, Fri 03 Oct – Sun 26 Oct † land only Grade: Strenuous (Exp Gr) On Trek: 19 days European Leader: Dave Pickford*, “Winky” O’Neale † Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 3 Camping: 3 Tea Houses: 16 Optional: Single Room £60 Single Tent £125 Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 24 days 1–2 Fly to Kathmandu –3 Fly to Lukla 4–16 Walk in to Island Peak High Camp –17 Summit day – Island Peak, 6,189 m 18–21 Walk out to Lukla 22–24 Fly Lukla and Kathmandu, at leisure, fly London New for 2008 Guaranteed to run for a minimum of6clients Trekking Peaks Why choose Himalayan Kingdoms? • Experienced European mountaineer Trek Leaders • Top Sherpa guides who have previously summited Mera Peak and Island Peak • Top-quality equipment, including sleeping bag • Full camping service • 4-star hotel in Kathmandu See also pages 2 and 3 for more information • Best acclimatisation programme possible • Ground handling by the oldest trekking company in Nepal • No load carrying – trek to the summit with just a day sack • Different return route to Lukla Other trekking peaks – see pages 45, 57 & 69 Mera and Island Peaks Sirdar Dawa Photo: David Barraclough

Mount Kailash & Lake Manasarovar via Simikot Tibetans believe that many of their mountain tops are places where their early kings alighted after descending from heaven, but Mount Kailash has vastly more significance even than this. It is believed to be the hub of the universe and from its locality spring four of Asia’s most important rivers; the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), a tributary of the Ganges and the Sutlej. It is curious that Mount Kailash is the result of a special upthrust when the Himalaya was young (30 million years ago) and that two of the world’s mightiest rivers go east and west, each to eventually swing round either end of the Greater Himalaya. Strange also that this incredible peak, so perfectly shaped, stands on its own and that in the centre of one face is a gully, with regular rock steps, resembling a ladder descending from the summit. Tibetan pilgrims travel vast distances to set eyes upon Mount Kailash, and many circle the mountain by prostrating themselves head to toe, all the way round. We will take four days to cover the same ground – walking! The trek follows an ancient trail via Simikot in Western Nepal, to cross the border at Sian. This avoids the lengthy and uncertain road journey from Lhasa, which was the only way of reaching Kailash until very recently. This year we are again offering the chance to trek along the northern shore of the holiest lake in Asia, Lake Manasarovar, which lies close to the foot of Kailash. The remoteness and expense has meant that Mount Kailash has been rarely visited by Westerners, but for those interested in the Himalaya it is the ultimate goal. The first departure is timed to attend the famous Saga Dawa festival at the foot of Kailash. 36 Download detailed itineraries from www.himalayankingdoms.com e: info@himalayankingdoms.com On the banks of Lake Manasarovar Photo: Steve Berry Tibet £2,895 £2,360 Dates: Thu 05 Jun – Mon 30 Jun*, Thu 11 Sep – Mon 6 Oct † land only Grade: Strenuous On Trek: 18 days European Leader: Steve Harbert* “Beetle” Seymour-Williams † Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 5 Camping: 19 Optional: Single Room £150 Single Tent £70 Insurance: £156 (Insurance Plus) Days Itinerary Duration: 26 days 1–3 Fly to Kathmandu, At leisure 4–5 Fly to Nepalganj, fly to Simikot, begin trek 6–11 Trek to Tibetan border, drive to Taklakot & Manasarovar –12 Trek northern shore of Lake Manasarovar, drive to Mount Kailash 13–17 Trek the Kailash Kora (1st departure attends Saga Dawa Festival) drive to border 18–23 Trek to Simikot 24–26 Fly to Kathmandu, rest, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of clients Trekking in from Western Nepal 5 Lying in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalaya, Tibet is a barren, high-altitude plateau of brown rolling hills, pierced occasionally by enormous peaks, and covering an area the size of Western Europe. It has always been a difficult country to enter. When Tibet enjoyed self rule they preferred isolation and shunned contact with the outside world. Reaching Lhasa was one of the last great problems during the era of exploration in Empire days. It is a country that personifies all that is mysterious, and its red and yellow hat sects of Tibetan Buddhism are growing in strength again after the shock of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The exiled Dalai Lama encourages Westerners to visit his country and we also believe a journey to ‘the Roof of the World’ to be a worthy and fascinating goal. Capital City Town Airport Major peak International Border Road Railway Pass ] [