www.audleytravel.com/nepal ?01993 838 315 ?Nepal109Trekking in the Everest regionNepal's Everest region is an area of highmountains, Sherpa villages, steep trails andfantastic scenery. Roads in this area are non-existent, with the road east from Kathmandustopping at the small town of Jiri, the startingpoint for many Everest expeditions before theairstrip at Lukla was built in 1964. Some trekkers,keen to follow in the original footsteps ofMallory, Hillary and Norgay, still trek into theregion from Jiri, a nine-day walk to Lukla which issituated at 2,800 metres. Lukla, however, is nowthe main entry point for visitors to the region:the original airstrip is now a proper (albeit small)airport, and from here the trail goes up toNamche Bazaar, Tengboche and on towardsEverest Base Camp. Walking in the region canbe challenging. The trails are often steep and thehigh altitude demands some effort, and issomething that must be carefully considered, butthe rewards include wonderful scenery, Buddhistmonasteries and the hospitality of the localpeople, who are always ready with a smile.LUXURYLODGESINTHEEVERESTREGIONThe trekking in this region can be demanding, so there is nothing better than knowing you willbe luxuriating under a warm shower and sleepingin comfort at the end of a hard day's walk. Thereare ten luxury lodges in the Everest region, whichhave en suite bathrooms, comfy beds, filling anddelicious three course meals and attentive staff.The lodges are decorated in a traditional stylewith Tibetan features, are well located with greatviews, and are a welcome place to relax.LOCALTEAHOUSESFor a more simple experience, all villages on the popular trekking routes in Nepal will have at least one local inn, often known as tea houselodges. The fact that these local lodges arewidespread means that if you choose to trek inthis manner, you have countless route options,and your money goes straight into the localcommunity. The lodges are basic; the rooms aregenerally small with no mod-cons, may be badlyinsulated, and bathrooms are shared and oftenoutside. These lodges are very sociable and youwill generally be sharing the common area(usually warmed by a traditional cow-dungburning stove) with other like-minded trekkers.Our specialists can recommend routes whichcombine the luxury lodges with local tea houses - a great way of experiencing the bestof both worlds.Annapurna and Everest regions combinedFor those who are keen on trekking and arelikely to visit Nepal only once, the country's two most popular areas can comfortably becombined. Starting in the Annapurna region thewalking is at a lower altitude and overall a bitless strenuous than higher up into themountains. This is a great opportunity toacclimatise and get used to trekking in Nepal,before flying back to Kathmandu and furthereast to Lukla to start a trek deep into the highmountains towards Mount Everest, through anarea where the trekking is more demanding butthe scenery very different and more dramatic.TengbocheTrekking near Lukla, Everest regionEverest Summit Lodge, TashingaTrekker and guide

110Everest by helicopterA more intimate experience, and one of the mostexclusive activities in Nepal, is a helicopter flightto Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu. You willbe accompanied on the flight by an Everestsummiteer, who will share their intimateknowledge of the region with you. You will fly upbetween the mountains, over Everest Base Campwith views of the Khumbu icefall, then cross theCho La Pass which is situated at an altitude of5,595 metres and pass over the famed and sacredGokyo Lake before landing at Kongde, situated atan altitude of 4,250 metres. Here you will enjoy abreakfast against a backdrop of magnificentmountain views. You then return to Lukla to takeon fuel before flying back to Kathmandu.Chitwan and Bardia National ParksSituated in the southern Terai region of Nepal,Chitwan is the oldest of the country's nationalparks and is easily reached from Kathmandu orPokhara. Bardia lies far to the west of Chitwanand is harder to reach, though it does have anenviable lack of visitors. The river plains andsteaming jungle of both parks host the rare Bengaltiger, along with the one-horned rhino, wildelephant, leopard, crocodiles and prolific birdlife.The wildlife is best viewed on elephant-backsafaris, jungle walks or on river boat trips. The fastflowing Karnali River, which borders BardiaNational Park, is good for white water rafting,while Chitwan's rivers are navigable on localdugout canoes. The wildlife camps we use offergood food and knowledgeable guides, and it ispossible for the more adventurous to spend timeunder canvas at permanent tented camps deep in the jungle.Scenic Everest flightNepal is home to some of the highest peaks inthe world including the highest, Everest. For thosewho may not have the time or inclination to traceSir Edmund Hillary's footsteps to enjoy themagnificent beauty of the world's highestmountain, there is now the option to get up closefrom the comfort of an aircraft seat. Departingvery early in the morning when the skies are clearand the air still, small aircraft with up to 16 seatsoffer scenic flights out of Kathmandu allowingtheir passengers to appreciate the sheer beauty ofthe magnificent Himalaya, with the climax of thisone hour flight being spectacular views of Everest.Nepali women at workHelicopter flying near EverestOne-horned rhino in Chitwan National ParkElephant bathing with mahout, Chitwan National Park