Often dubbed  "The  Highest Trek in the World", this is no doubt a most spectacular, high-altitude trek to Camp 3 (Advanced Base Camp) on the north side of Everest at an altitude of 6340m!  At the base of the North Col via the East Rongbuk Glacier, this is the highest one can go without mountaineering and the closest a trekker can get to Everest. Suprisingly enough no crampons, ice axes or mountaineering skills are needed, making it ideal for adventurous trekkers who do not wish to climb.

The context of this trip is an overland trip, typically from Lhasa to Kathmandu which may include a few days in both cities for some sightseeing. Typically one would fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and drive along the Friendship Highway back to Nepal. This typically includes stop overs in towns such as Gyantse, Shigatse, Tingri and Nyalam, and crossing of spectacular passes such as the Karo La (at Yamdruk Lake), the Pang La and the Thang La. Everest Base Camp is near Rongbuk which lies off the Friendship Highway. It is also possible to do this trip in the opposite direction, from Kathmandu to Lhasa overland, though this is less favourable in terms of the acclimatisation schedule and this would place the climax of the trip more at the beggining rather than after a build-up towards the end.

Alternatively one may drive from Kathmandu, through Nyalam directly to Rongbuk and returning to Kathmandu along the same way. The counterpart would be to drive from Lhasa through Shingatse and Gyantse and return along a similar route.

This schedule details the route from Rongbuk and should be examined in the context of other schedules such as the Kathmandu-Lhasa Overland Trip. Acclimatisation is an extremely important part of this trip as considerable time is spent sleeping at high altitudes. Though the acclimatisation process may at times be long and boring for the goal oriented, do not be tempted to climb faster and risk ruining your trip, not to mention your own health and possibly your own life.

Day 01 Arrive at Rongbuk 

Arriving from either Tingri or Shekar (New Tingri), this is the last place of relative comfort before sleeping in tents. Accomodation is provided by the government hotel or one of the local lodges near the monastry.

Day 02 Acclimatisation day at Rongbuk

Don't be tempted to push on too soon, you had a major gain in altitude yesterday! Visit the monastry and take a walk to Everest Base Camp and back. 

Day 03: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5200m)

Though a relatively short walk, and though you may have done it the day before, you need to excesize to help you acclimatise. 

Day 04: Acclimatisation day at Everest Base Camp (5200m)

Day 05: Trek to Camp 1 (5460m)

The Rongbuk Glacier is an impressive frozen ocean of ice waves.  From here the views of the glacier and the Himalayan peaks are some of the most dramatic in Tibet. Along the east side of the glacier is the trail that expeditions use to begin their climbs of Everest and this is the trail to take.  Camp 1 [5460m] is set in a barren world of moraine hills under beautifully sculpted yellow-orange granite cliffs.  The next camp is too far to reach in a single day, so to help acclimatisation spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the gravely snout of the east Rongbuk Glacier.

Day 06: Trek to Intermediate Camp (5760m)

The trail to the Interim Camp climbs and descents over the gravel hills, always staying above the west edge of the ice. Intermediate camp is a good place to spend a night acclimatising before advancing to Camp 2.  Nearby, the first ice seracs (ice pinnacles) rise like white sails from the dark debris-laden surface of the glacier; go and take a good look at these.

Day 07: Acclimatisation day at Intermediate Camp (5760m)

Spend a day at Intermediate Camp for further acclimatisation.  Continue to explore the surroundings on small excursions.

Day 08: Trek to Camp 2 (5970m)

About two hours beyond Intermediate Camp, the central ridgeline leads into a confusion of ice formations at the confluence with the Changtse glacier.  Camp 2 (only ten minutes from here) is set in a beautiful location; glaciers large and small spill into the valley from every direction and the appropriately named Serac Highway continues to extend its unusual gravel arm through the centre of the ice pinnacles.

Day 09: Trek to Advanced Base Camp - Camp 3 (6340m)  - possibly return to Camp 2 (5970m)

Camp 3, the Advanced Base Camp for the North Col route up Mount Everest, is situated within a group of flattened gravel mounds beside the glacier.  The pinnacles, the frightening group of rock palisades that kept the Northeast Ridge unclimbed for so long, are just another 1.5km further up from Camp 3.  Most amazing of all is the ridge extending above the Pinnacles to the southwest; the striated rock summit of Everest. The top of this mountain appears phenomenally close; it is little more than 2400 meter higher than Camp 3.  This is the closest non-climbers can get the top of Everest!

If you have the luxury of time it is worth spending a night up at Camp 3, otherwise it can also be visited on a day drip from Camp 2. Another consideration would be how acclimatised the group is, since spending a night above 6000m can be uncomfortable for those already struggling with the altitude. It is a long walk from ABC (Camp 3) to Base Camp, anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, if you are considering doing it in a day. Visiting Camp 3 for the day and returning to Camp 2 would make the descent easier.

Day 10: Trek to Base Camp (5200m)

The return to Base Camp is a long down hill journey, but can be completed from Camp 3 in a day.

An extra 2 days would be needed from this point on to drive back to Kathmandu via Nyalam.

Interested in trekking to the Advanced Base Camp? The organisation of such a trip needs to be well planned through an agency, it is not possible to this trip as an independant trekker. Vertical Endeavour can taylor make a full pckage for you as needed!