Everest climb via North (Tibetan) side is the least expensive way to climb it. The trip begins in the ancient and colorful city of Kathmandu. On the Friendship Bridge, border Crossing between Nepal and Tibet. Upon entering Tibet, the clocks immediately go forward by 2 hours. Our secondary government liaison officer will meet us in Zhangmu. After clearing Tibetan customs and immigration, a Chinese bus takes us up the windy road through the rolling hills to Nyalam town at 3,750 meters, and a basic "hotel". The smaller towns in Tibet are generally simple and rustic places, and this one is no exception. The topography here is quite interesting in that we are perched in the transitional zone where the Tibetan plateau rams into the Himalaya, then drops into the forested valleys and jungles of Nepal, and finally out into the Gangetic plain of the Terai and India. We stay over one extra night in Nyalam, to help adjust to the altitude, and during our "rest-day" in Nyalam, we take advantage of the interesting surroundings to walk to the top of local hills and savor the first glimpses of the Himalayan Giants.
When we compare both sides of the Everest - the North Ridge via Tibet and to the South Col route via Nepal. We run an expedition to the South Col because this remains the most popular choice for first-time "Everest climber," as it gives the most assured means of reaching the top. Simply, the time spent at over 8,000 meters on the South side is less, as the summit is attempted from the South Col (just under 8,000 meters) in one push. On the North Ridge, the top camp is located at 8,400 meters, which means you will be exposed to the extremes of altitude for appreciably longer, spending at least one night there during the summit attempt. The south side has a good record of success, not least because a lot of people go that way, but also because of the momentum that these people generate, especially once the route to the top is opened by each year's first ascentionists.
However, the North Ridge has become more accessible in recent years, and for those able to cope with the tougher physical demands imposed by the route, it gives a more cost-effective means of getting to the top. It also avoids the Hilary Step, which can become an insurmountable obstacle purely because of the number of people trying to negotiate it on summit day. However, technical interest is similar, if not more sustained on the North Ridge, as longer passages are on rock, with a series of "Steps" to be negotiated on the way to the summit.
ITINERARY:
Day 01- Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1345meters). Overnight at hotel.
Day 02- Pre-trip Meeting and Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03- Official formalities and Preparation day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04- Final Preparation day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05- Drive Kathmandu (1300 m) - Zhangmu (2300 m) - Nyalam (3750 m). 156km. Overnight at the Guest House.
Day 06- Drive Nyalam - Tingri (4350 m) - Lhatse (4050 m).244 km. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07- Travel Lhatse - Shigatse (3900 m). 244 km. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08- Drive Shigatse - Gyantse (3950 m). 90 km. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09- Drive Gyantse - Lhasa (3650 m). 261 km. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10- Sightseeing in Lhasa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11- Second day of sightseeing in Lhasa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12- Drive to Gyantse (3950meters) - 261 k.m. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13- Drive to Shigatse (3900meter) - 90 k.m. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14- Drive to Shegar (New Tingri) (4050meters) - 244 k.m. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15- Drive to Ronguk (5000meters) and hike to Everest Base Camp (5150meters). Overnight at tented camp.
Day 16 to 20- Acclimatization and local exploration. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 21- Trek to First Interim Camp (5,680m). Overnight at tented camp.
Day 22- Trek to Second Interim Camp (6,088m). Overnight at tented camp.
Day 23- Trek to Advance Base Camp (6,440m). Overnight at tented camp.
Day 24 to day 62- Climbing period of Everest 8848 meters from North Ridge. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 63- Packing personal equipment at base camp. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 64- Depart base camp and drive to Zangmu. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 65- Drive Kathmandu from Zangmu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 66- Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 67- Transfer to international airport for your final flight departure.
