The Everest and Elephant Expedition I peeked out from my tent one morning to see a beautiful eagle soaring in the sky. I felt so good that it was a few moments before I realized that I was looking down at the bird... Stanley P. Gold Friends in High Places guest Find yourself in the wilderness of Nepal 22 Days: 14 days Trekking, 3 days Jungle Safari From only $1,499 per person fully inclusive Trek-only from $1,199 Full Service Tented trekking from only $1,899 Everest - Home to Sherpas, Yetis, reincarnate Lamas, Gods, Goddesses, and a forgotten way of life. Your trip starts with two days in the Kathmandu Valley, seeing Nepal's exquisite cultural heritage, getting over jet lag, and preparing for the trek. You fly to Lukla and trek North to Everest, through the heart of the Sherpa homeland. Rest and altitude acclimatization days are scheduled and you ascend slowly to a high point above 18,000 feet for unparalleled views of the great mountains. Visit Namche Bazaar on market day with your new Nepalese friends and have an interview with a "rinpoche" (reincarnate Lama) at Thayangboche Monastery. Rushing water, forests, glaciers, religious images, and yak trains are all around you as you go. Then fly to the lowland jungle on Nepal's southern border with India. Stay in a jungle camp in the national park and ride elephants in search of big game. Professional guides and naturalists explain and interpret. Walk through a nearby local village and talk with the Tharu people as they go about their ancient way of life And finally return home, full of the accomplishment and with memories to last a lifetime. Trip Highlights Include... Mount Everest, up close and personal, plus a host of other spectacular mountains. Beautiful rivers, lovely ancient towns, and the smiling Sherpa people living in their traditional way. The dazzling treasures of the Kathmandu valley - Temples and palaces, beautiful arts and crafts, God-Kings and a living Goddess, and two thousand years of high culture. Accommodations in good tourist hotels in Kathmandu, luxury tents on Trek, and a comfortable lodge on Safari. Wildlife safari by elephant and aboard dugout canoes to spot rhinos, deer, monkeys, and maybe even a tiger. All transportation, permits, fees & taxes. Unforgettable Memories One of our previous guests has written up her experiences on this route and an Annapurna trek. You might enjoy her journal. Itinerary Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, airport pickup, hotel check-in. Day 2 Morning guided sightseeing in Kathmandu, afternoon free. Evening trek briefing. Day 3 Morning pre-trek preparation or shopping. Afternoon guided sight- seeing to Bhaktapur. Day 4 Morning flight to Lukla. Assemble the crew and trek to Phakding for the first camp. Days 5 and 6 Trek to the fabled Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar (12,500'). Spend two nights there for altitude acclimatization. Day 7 Head to Thayangboche Monastery, in view of Everest. Meet the Rinpoche (reincarnate Lama). Days 8 and 9 Ascend higher, to Dingboche (14,000 feet). Spend a second night here too for altitude acclimatization. Climb the "hill" behind town for a day trek. Day 10 Climb north again towards the Khumbu glacier's terminal moraine and the high village of Lobuje. Day 11 Cross the moraine and carry on to Gorak Shep, a seasonal collection of herders' shelters at the foot of Kala Pattar. It's a short day for altitude. Day 12 Ascend Kala Pattar (18,100') for awesome views of Everest. Return to Lobuje. Day 13 South to Pangboche, home of the revered "Yeti scalp". Day 14 An easy days walk to the interesting old Sherpa town of Khumjung Day 15 Head south past Namche, and overnight in Monjo, by the river. Day 16 Return to Lukla. Overnight in a teahouse. Day 17 Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. Day 18 Morning to sleep late and relax. Afternoon guided sightseeing. Days 19 and 20 Fly to the Chitwan National Park on Nepal's southern border, for three days relaxation and wildlife viewing, Elephant rides, nature walks and more. Rustic, comfortable accommodations following the local style. Visit a village of the Tharu people. Day 21 Return to Kathmandu mid-day. Shopping or sightseeing on your own in the afternoon. Day 22 Transfer to the airport and depart. Baggage and check-in assistance, of course! A Day on Trek... Rap, rap, rap comes the knock on your tent pole, and the flap is thrust aside. "Bed tea - Good Morning," says the smiling Sherpa as he sets down your steaming cup. A few minutes later a basin of hot water comes: Wash up in the bath tent. A hearty breakfast of many choices later, you're off to walk for about three hours through forests and farming villages. A hot meal and a break of an hour or more await you at your lunch stop, chosen for pleasant surroundings. Trek in the afternoon for two or three hours to your camp. Explore the area or relax until dinner is served at the dining tent, complete with table, chairs, and excellent food. In the evening read or chat among yourselves or with your crew. You can probably get them to sing and show you their traditional dances. "Penny ante" card games are popular in Nepal, and the crew would love to teach you their 3 card poker-like game, among others. Finally, retire to your large two-person tent and foam mattress for a well deserved night's rest. Extend Your Trip India: 5 Days from only $575 Visit the Taj Mahal, ride camels in the desert, stay in a palace, and wander ancient bazaars. Tibet: 8 Days from only $900 Journey overland to Lhasa thru high Tibet. 3 days sightseeing in Lhasa, and fly back to Kathmandu. Both Programs include hotels, transportation, sightseeing with English-speaking guide, all permits and entrance fees. Program Summary 22 Days: Kathmandu, Everest, Jungle Safari 5 days Kathmandu, 14 day trek, 3 days Chitwan National Park