Women's Adventures - 50th Anniversary Trek with Sherry Ott

You will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the Radisson hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 4:30- 5 p.m., during which arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag, and down/fiberfill jacket. Following the briefing, we will head out for dinner, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  Nil

We'll head off early to explore the city's two most important World Heritage listed spiritual sites: Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple and an important cremation site; and Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside of Tibet. Lunch at the Village Café by SABAH. The establishment aims to economically empower marginalized women home-based workers through their indigenous culinary skills, supported by traditionally grown small farm products. The afternoon is spent exploring more of the significant sites, such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the World Heritage listed plazas of Patan, Bhaktapur, or Durbar Square. Time permitting, we will stroll around the markets and shops of the busy Thamel precinct before returning to the hotel. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  B,L

Depending on flight schedules, you will either have a free day to explore Kathmandu's bustling streets and significant landmarks or embark on a bus ride to Ramechap. This small town operates flights to Lukla, the gateway to trekking in the Everest region. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or Exclusive eco-comfort camp *NB: Domestic flights to/from Lukla may operate from Manthali Airport, Ramechap during spring and autumn trekking seasons (March to May and October to December). This is determined by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and dates are subject to change. Your leader will brief you on flight arrangements locally.

Meals:  B

We transfer to the airport for the short flight to the STOL airstrip at Lukla. This was the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and his friends to service the Everest Region when he began his work of building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people. It is a memorable flight, with marvelous views of the Eastern Himalaya. At Lukla we are immediately impressed by the scale of the huge peaks that surround the village, but this is only a foretaste of what is to come. Our crew assemble and we head downhill towards the Dudh Kosi, named "Dudh" (milk) Kosi (river) because of its colour, a raging river that flows from the highest peaks. The broad and well-marked trail meanders around fields of potatoes and buck-wheat, passing through small villages and rows of dahlia trees to our first overnight campsite at Ghat. Overnight: Exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Sections of today's walk are through pine forest, and cleared areas reveal terraced fields and a variety of crops. We pass small groups of donkeys and dzopko carrying trading goods and trekking gear along the trail. A dzopko is a yak-cow crossbreed while a yak is a full-blood long haired male, more commonly found at higher altitudes. We pass through a variety of small hamlets as we slowly gain altitude. Spectacular mountain peaks unfold above us, and seem to hover above the tree-line as they rise above the deep river valley. Shortly after leaving camp we cross the Kusum Khola, a tributary stream to the Dudh Kosi, and the peak of Kusum Kangru (6369m/20896ft) can be seen to the East at the head of the valley. Further along the trail, across the valley to the North-West, Nupla (5885m/19308ft) and Kongde Ri (6093m/19990ft) rise above the forested ridges. At a turn of the trail, Thamserku (6808m/22336ft) rises majestically, seemingly from the river floor. We will see our first Mani walls today. These stone structures are a compilation of many stone tablets, each with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" which translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus", and is mantra (chant) venerated by Buddhists and Brahmans alike. Buddhists will walk to the left of these Mani Walls and chortens, but you may notice that people of the lowlands who have no knowledge of Buddhism do not follow this ceremony. Overnight: Exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we cross the green/aqua waters of the Dudh Kosi and pass through the gates of the Sagamartha National Park. The establishment of this national park is a significant attempt to stem the use of fire-wood in the area. Self-contained trek groups must use only kerosene fuels for cooking, a philosophy we follow everywhere in Nepal, whether we are in a national park or not. Tea-houses and lodges are encouraged to use kerosene, yak dung or electricity but unfortunately continue to use mostly fire-wood for cooking, heating and for hot water for trekker's showers. This practice continues to deplete the forests. We follow the river course to the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi and cross a spectacular high bridge before commencing our ascent to the village of Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa "capital" of Nepal. It is a tough climb as the trail passes through forest of pine to a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt Everest. The trail continues to climb and meander to Namche and the sight of this prosperous village spread within a horse-shoe shaped valley opposite the beautiful peak of Kongde Ri is worth every step. After lunch you may wish to peruse the Tibetan trader's stalls or the Sherpa shops in search of a bargain. Overnight: eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

On this day of acclimatation our out-and-back trek will start with an incline to Syangboche airstrip and along the ridgeline towards Everest View Hotel. This pleasant walk has magnificent views of the surrounding mountains including Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Khangtega, Ama Dablam and many more. After enjoying a quick tea and coffee break to the views, we will continue towards Khumjung village to visit Sir Edmond Hillary's famous "Schoolhouse in the clouds." This is the first school in the Khumbu region, built in 1961 with the help of Sir Edmund Hillary and The Himalayan Trust. The school originally opened with only two classrooms but has since expanded to cater for over 350 students of different ages. After visiting, we retrace back to Namche Bazaar where we'll spend the night. Overnight: eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

The walk to Thyangboche is one of the most spectacular trekking days in Nepal. The trail meanders easily around the ridges and Everest can be clearly seen on the horizon ahead before we descend through rhododendron forests for lunch. After lunch we cross the Dudh Kosi and begin the ascent to the top of a long ridge which flows from the summit of Kantega. Our trail takes us through pine and rhododendron forest into a devout Buddhist region where the wildlife is protected and unharmed. There is a possibility that we may see Himalayan Thar, Musked Deer or pheasants in the forest and around our campsite. As we approach the ridgeline we pass through a traditional gateway and around a chorten before cresting the ridge onto a wide grassy meadow at the monastery village of Thyangboche. The monastery was re-built with the assistance of Sir Edmund Hillary after it was destroyed by fire in 1989. Overnight: wilderness camping or eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

Today will be a full rest day where you can explore the serene village of Thyangboche, relax and enjoy the unobstructed 360 degree panoramic views. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse will be at the head of the valley, Tawache and Ama Dablam supporting its sides and with Khumbila and Kongde Ri completing a complete and perfect picture of snow capped Himalayan Mountains. You could also mingle with fellow World Expeditions trekkers who will all converge together, to celebrate World Expeditions’ 50th Anniversary with a black tie banquet dinner hosted by World Expeditions legends including Tim Macartney-Snape, Garry Weare and Soren Kruse Ledet. Overnight: wilderness camping or eco-lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

The early morning mountain views are outstanding. Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse are at the head of the valley, their line of sight flanked by Tawetse on one side and Ama Dablam on the other. From Thyangboche, considered the spiritual heart of the Khumbu Valley, it’s a pleasant walk to Kyangjuma. The trail gradually descends through pine forests and rhododendrons. If we are lucky, we may come across local wildlife, including the Himalayan Thar, Musked Deer and the vibrant Danphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. Soak in the incredible views of the soaring peaks from our wonderfully located campsite. Overnight: Exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Leaving Kyangjuma we descend through the forest towards the Dudh Kosi, and continue our return journey crossing and re-crossing the river. It will seem like a long time since we ascended through the villages on our first days of the trek, as we have witnessed many stunning views on our trek into the highest mountain range in the world. We continue on a long and pleasant walk down to Monjo as we pass through terraced fields that are home to the brightly colored Danphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. Overnight: Exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Retracing our steps along the valley, we pass through a variety of settlements and forests before a gentle climb to Lukla. We savour our final mountain sunsets of the trek as we complete this exhilarating journey. Our last evening of the trek is a perfect time to celebrate a successful journey and say thanks to the team, especially the porters who will return to their villages from here. Overnight: eco lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We start the day with a stunning morning flight over forests and villages to Kathmandu directly or to return via Ramechap. Upon arrival, you be will be transferred back to the Radisson Hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon free. There will be plenty of time to relax or do some last minute shopping/sightseeing. Overnight: Radisson Hotel or similar

Meals:  B

After breakfast arrangements cease unless further ones have been made. Those people departing by aircraft will be transferred to the airport and assisted with check-in procedures.

Meals:  B