28 Download holiday itineraries from www. mountainkingdoms. com e: info@ mountainkingdoms. com The Everest Region The Himalaya A fter time spent exploring Kathmandu from our base in the heritage hotel, Dwarika's, we fly into Lukla and trek up to the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar. From here we ascend steadily through a series of pretty Sherpa villages, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy our grand surroundings. This trek will be operated in the same indulgent style as our highly popular Luxury Lodges trek in the Annapurna foothills ( page 24). It is however a more demanding trek and is at slightly higher altitude, though nothing very excessive in Himalayan terms. The lodges themselves far surpass anything else that exists in the Everest region. The scenery is sensational, as we find ourselves surrounded by many of the Himalayan giants, including, of course, fabulous close up views of Everest and the ever elegant Ama Dablam. S taying in the stylish Dwarika's hotel, we have time to enjoy the busy Kathmandu valley before the dramatic flight up to Lukla. The trek itself has been designed to take in some of the prettiest Sherpa villages within easy walking distance of the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar, with the ultimate objective of standing at the foot of the region's most beautiful mountain, Ama Dablam. Ama Dablam means ' mother and necklace' - the perennial hanging glacier resembles a ' dablam', which is a piece of traditional jewellery worn by Sherpa women. There are two nights in tea houses, but the remainder are spent in five lovely luxury lodges, which far surpass anything else that exists in the Everest region. A magnificent trek which takes us into the very heart of these mighty mountains. The Luxury Lodges of Everest A thorough exploration of the Khumbu region staying in super comfortable lodges. Everest Trails to Ama Dablam Slightly more demanding than our Luxury Lodges of Everest trek, but using the same comfortable accommodation. Ama Dablam from Thyangboche Monastery, Ken Fry Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients £ 1,695 £ 1,895 £ 1,695 £ 2,495 £ 2,695 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Wed 31 Mar - Sun 18 Apr Sat 16 Oct - Wed 03 Nov Fri 05 Nov - Tue 23 Nov Wed 06 Apr 11 - Sun 24 Apr 11 On Trek: 12 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 4 Luxury Lodges: 11 Tea Houses: 2 Optional: Single Room £ 120 Kathmandu Single Room £ 275 On Trek Insurance: £ 99 1- 3 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure 4- 5 Fly Lukla, trek Monjo 6- 8 Trek Pangboche, via Namche Bazaar and Tashinga 9- 10 Day walks including Ama Dablam Base Camp 11- 14 Trek Phortse, Mong La, Mende and Thame 15- 16 Trek Lukla 17- 19 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure, fly London Trek | Duration: 19 Days Festival 16 Oct & 05 Nov departures only. Festival date provisional. Grade: Vigorous On Trek: 10 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 4 Lodges: 10 Optional: Single Room £ 120 Kathmandu Single Room £ 215 Lodges Insurance: £ 95 1- 3 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure 4- 13 Fly Lukla, trekking in Everest region staying in luxury lodges 14- 16 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure, fly London Trek | Duration: 16 Days Other Christmas trips - see pages 12, 14, 24, 29, 40, 41, 48, 49 & 68 £ 1,495 £ 1,725 £ 1,775 £ 1,495 £ 2,275 £ 2,495 £ 2,675 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Sat 06 Mar - Sun 21 Mar Sat 02 Oct - Sun 17 Oct Sat 27 Mar - Sun 11 Apr Sat 16 Oct - Sun 31 Oct Sat 20 Mar - Sun 04 Apr Sat 09 Oct - Sun 24 Oct Sat 03 Apr - Sun 18 Apr Sat 23 Oct - Sun 07 Nov Sat 06 Nov - Sun 21 Nov Sun 19 Dec - Mon 03 Jan 11 Sat 26 Mar 11 - Sun 10 Apr 11 Sat 09 Apr 11 - Sun 24 Apr 11 Sat 02 Apr 11 - Sun 17 Apr 11 Sat 16 Apr 11 - Sun 01 May 11 Festival 16 Oct & 06 Nov departures only. Festival date provisional. Grade: Moderate/ Vigorous Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients Flowers and flags - luxury Lodge trail, Alan Fox Featured on ITV

29 Sat 25 Sep - Thu 14 Oct Sat 09 Oct - Thu 28 Oct Sat 02 Oct - Thu 21 Oct Sat 16 Oct - Thu 04 Nov Sat 23 Oct - Thu 11 Nov Sat 30 Oct - Thu 18 Nov telephone: 0845 330 8579 ( local call rate, UK only) international telephone: + 44 1453 844 400 www. mountainkingdoms. com The Himalaya The Everest Region O ur trek starts with a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, from where we take an unusual route through the heart of Sherpa country. This creates a much more interesting trek to the highest mountain in the world, provides excellent acclimatisation and allows time to take in the beauty of the Khmubu region. The long, challenging trek culminates with either an early morning ascent of Kala Pattar or a visit to Base Camp itself. We recommend ascending Kala Pattar ( 5,545m/ 18,188ft), which overlooks the Base Camp and offers superb views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Makalu. There is also plenty of time at the start and end of the trek to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. T wo days after landing at the mountain airstrip at Lukla we arrive at the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar. Here we rest and acclimatise before trekking to Thyangboche Monastery. Two of our autumn departures will attend the lively Mani Rimdu festival held here. Now the serious trekking begins and from Lobuche we will ascend the rocky outcrop of Kala Pattar, ( 5,545m/ 18,188ft) to look down on the base camp of the world's highest peak and into the famous Western Cwm. Next comes the exciting crossing of the Cho La, ( 5,400m/ 17,700ft), that leads over to Gokyo from Everest. A scramble ascent of nearby Gokyo Ri, ( 5,483m/ 17,984ft) gives more spectacular views of Everest and the beautiful turquoise Gokyo lakes. Please note that the trekking route varies by departure. The Everest Base Camp Trek Experience the magic of Everest and hike up the best known trail in the Himalaya. Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes A longer variant of the classic trek which includes an ascent of Gokyo Ri. On Trek: 14 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 4 Tea Houses: 14 Optional: Single Room £ 100 Kathmandu Insurance: £ 99 1- 3 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure 4 Fly Lukla, begin trek 5- 17 Trek Kala Pattar or Everest Base Camp, including acclimatisation days 18- 20 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure, fly London Trek | Duration: 20 Days Other Christmas trips - see pages 12, 14, 24, 40, 41, 48, 49 & 68 £ 1,375 £ 1,395 £ 1,450 £ 1,450 £ 2,175 £ 2,325 £ 2,225 £ tbc Land Only Land Only Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Flight Included Sat 13 Mar - Thu 01 Apr Sat 27 Mar - Thu 15 Apr Sat 20 Mar - Thu 08 Apr Sat 18 Dec - Thu 06 Jan 11 Sat 12 Mar 11 - Thu 31 Mar 11 Sat 09 Apr 11 - Thu 28 Apr 11 Sat 19 Mar 11 - Thu 07 Apr 11 Festival 16 Oct departure only. Festival date provisional. Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients Grade: Strenuous Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients £ 1,495 £ 1,565 £ 2,295 £ 2,365 Land Only Land Only Flight Included Flight Included Sat 27 Mar - Sat 17 Apr Sat 09 Oct - Sat 30 Oct Mon 18 Oct - Mon 08 Nov Thu 07 Oct - Thu 28 Oct Sat 26 Mar 11 - Sat 16 Apr 11 On Trek: 17 days Local Leader Accommodation: Hotels: 3 Tea Houses: 17 Optional: Single Room £ 75 Kathmandu Insurance: £ 99 Typical Itinerary ( 9 Oct) 1- 2 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure 3- 10 Fly Lukla, trek via Namche to Lobuche 11 Trek Kala Pattar or Everest Base Camp 12- 19 Cross the Cho La Pass, trek Gokyo Ri, return Lukla 20- 22 Fly Kathmandu, at leisure, fly London Other departures follow the above itinerary in reverse: visiting Kala Patar or EBC after crossing the Cho La Trek | Duration: 22 Days Festival 7 & 18 Oct departures only. Festival date provisional. Grade: Strenuous Mani Rimdu Festival, Gordon McGeorge On the Everest trail, Gordon McGeorge DVD available