This tour covers all of the following:

• Return airfares from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne into Kathmandu with Thai International, one of the world's great airlines.  

• Fully guided and portered 11 day moderate trek in the beautiful Everest Region, including all meals and teahouse accommodation. 

• Internal flights from Kathmandu to Lukla return. 

• Four nights accommodation in Kathmandu. 

• A three night stopover in Thailand. 

• All transfers and breakfast and experienced guides and if there are 12 or more tour participants there will be an Australian tour leader. 

For anyone requiring a single room in Kathmandu and Thailand, there will be a single supplement of $255.

Autumn in Nepal is a wonderful time to trek as the days are clear, sunny and mostly dry - excellent for viewing the magnificent scenery. You will need to be physically fit and able to walk for up to seven hours a day (at your own pace) with some steep grades and rugged trails.
All food, accommodation, guides, porters, park fees and permits are included while on the trek. Baggage for the actual trek is limited to 15kg, excess can be left at the Kathmandu Hotel.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

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	Itinerary for Everest Region Trek - October 2009
	Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
14.10.09	Depart Sydney at 10.10pm & Brisbane at 11.59pm on TG 992, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am the next morning.
15.10.09	Depart Melbourne at 12.30am on TG 980, arriving in Bangkok at 6.00am. All passengers depart Bangkok at 10.35am on TG 319, arriving in Kathmandu at 12.45pm. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Kathmandu Hotel.
16.10.09 (B)	Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu is a fascinating town to explore - full of life, character, ancient sites and inexpensive shopping. Take the opportunity to explore the many sites of Kathmandu and Patan. There are various UNESCO World Heritage sites, including major Hindu and Buddhist temples. The Swayambhu Stupa usually boasts monkeys and snake charmers and a lovely view over the town. In the evening we will have a Trek briefing in the hotel. All the trek packs must be ready and excess baggage stored at the hotel.
17.10.09 (B/L/D)	Kathmandu - Lukla/Phakding After an early breakfast you fly to Lukla, the starting point of the trek. Commence trekking along the hillside ridges, down to Dudh Khola River and then onto Phakding, a lovely little riverside village for the night.
18.10.09 (B/L/D)	Phakding - Namche Bazaar Continue along picturesque riverside paths to Jursale and then a steep climb to Chautara where you should get your first views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Then you cross a magnificent suspension bridge high over the river and continue ascending to the famous village, Namche Bazaar, capital of Sherpa land.
19.10.09 (B/L/D)	Namche Bazaar Explore this interesting village. There is good shopping, a real Tibetan market, a Sherpa museum, and even a nightclub. If the group is full of energy and well acclimatised, you can also trek on to the next village, Khumjung, or trek further up the mountain to take in the good view. The towering peaks close to Namche are Konde (6187m) on the southern side and Kusum Kangguru (6569m) and Thamserku (6808m) on the eastern side.
20.10.09 (B/L/D)	Namche - Phortse This portion of the trail is very beautiful, traversing along a cliff side trail, which allows magnificent views of many peaks, principally Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7896m), Amadablam (6856m), Thamserku (6808m), and Kusum Kangguru (6569m). It is an upward trek to Mongla, our lunch stop, which provides more lovely views. After lunch you continue across and up to Phortse.
21.10.09 (B/L/D)	Phortse - Pangboche From Phortse you trek to Pangboche (6860m), the highest year round settlement in the valley. Across the deep valley you can view the monastery village of Thangboche and the magnificent peak of Amadablam further on.
22.10.09 (B/L/D)	Pangboche - Pheriche From Pangboche the route enters alpine meadows above the tree line. Most of the vegetation is scrub juniper, tundra and wild flowers including edelweiss. You pass several yak herder's goths and huts and then descend to Khumbu Khola River crossing the bridge into Pheriche (4240m). Amadablam is now very close. If you are up to it and well acclimatised, consider climbing the steep hill to the left of the village up to the snow line with one of the Sherpa guides (approximately 2-3 hours return). From this vantage point the peak is very very close and truly awesome. in front of and hiding, Everest is the jagged Lhotse wall and then Nuptse Peak. A trekker's post is at Pheriche, which has American volunteer doctors who specialise in altitude sickness and also give lectures every afternoon.
23.10.09 (B/L/D)	Pheriche - Dingboche Cross over to the next valley to the high alpine village of Dingboche (4580m), which is the highest altitude for this trek, excepting if you climb the adjacent hills, which would take you up to approximately 4800-5000m. Time to explore this lovely village and to relax in the very comfortable teahouse. The mountainside above Dingboche offers excellent views across the valley towards the Tibetan Chinese border; an alpine wilderness of mountains and glaciers. The mountain directly in front is called Island Peak (6189m), and indeed it does look like an island jutting up from the centre of the valley. This peak is one of the easiest and safest to climb in the region and hence we organise climbing expeditions there. Behind Island Peak and directly on the border is the towering Maklu Peak (8463m). Also located on this mountainside are three Buddhist retreats, humble little stone dwellings nestled in the rocky cliffs where monks can retreat for a time of isolated mediation. You have ample time to explore these and the added views are well worth it. Myths and legends abound here, regarding Buddhist mysticism and the Yetis!
24.10.09 (B/L/D)	Dingboche - Thyanboche (3870m) Head down the trail, meeting up with the main trail going to Pangboche. After Pangboche you cross a suspension bridge over a spectacular rushing river to reach the other bank. Then we ascend a steep trail through a beautiful forest of rhododendron, pine and deer until we reach the lovely peak where Thyangboche Monastery and village are situated. Enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the peaks, particularly Everest. This is deemed to be one of the most magnificent viewpoints in the world!! Take the chance to visit the beautiful and elaborate monastery.
25.10.09 (B/L/D)	Thyangboche - Namche Bazaar Head down the mountain using a different, but still beautiful trail. You pass through the villages of Phungi Thangga and Sanasa, a settlement inhabited by Tibetans who will tempt you with their display of souvenirs and metalwork. Continue on down to Namche, stopping for lunch along the way at a cliff side tearoom where you can relax for a while in the sunshine and soak up the views.
26.10.09 (B/L/D)	Namche - Phakding Return down the steep mountain path and across the gorge at Dudh Koshi. Lunch again at Monjo and than onto Phakding for the night.
27.10.09 (B/L/D)	Phakding - Lukla The trail from Phakding to Lukla follows the route as far as Choblung and then turns off above the village of Chaurikharka towards Lukla. There will be a special farewell dinner tonight to commemorate the trek, the mountains, and your new friends (Both Aussie and Sherpa). Please put on your dancing shoes and singing vocals so that we can entertain each other and have a good time! The Sherpas normally show us a bit of their culture too. Say goodbye to the Sherpa crew and please show your appreciation to them by tipping generously.
28.10.09 (B)	Lukla - Kathmandu After a leisurely breakfast you take the flight to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is at leisure.
29.10.09 (B/D)	Kathmandu Day at leisure in Kathmandu for shopping and final packing followed by a farewell dinner.
30.10.09 (B)	Kathmandu - Bangkok NB:  Remember to keep aside 1700 rupees for the departure tax, which must be paid at the money exchange booth in the departure hall prior to ticket check-in. Depart Kathmandu at 1.50pm on TG 320, arriving in Bangkok at 6.25pm. Transfer to the Manhattan Hotel in central Bangkok.
31.10.09 (B)	Bangkok Optional full day tour to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, including a long tail boat trip through rural klongs. Next visit a Thai handicraft centre then onto the Rose Garden for their internationally famous culture show followed by a short elephant show. A superb international buffet lunch in included. Price: $62.00
01.11.09 (B/D)	Bangkok Morning optional tour to see Bangkok's beautiful flower market, followed by a boat tour of Bangkok's klongs (canals and the busy Chao Phya River. See the Royal Barges and the spectacular Temple of Dawn. This is followed by a visit to a jewellery manufacturer. Price:  $35.00 This evening there will be an included farewell dinner. Brisbane passengers will have a late check out from the hotel before transferring to the airport.  Depart Bangkok at 11.59pm on TG 476, arriving in Brisbane at 12.05pm. (02.11.09)
02.11.09 (B)	Bangkok - Australia Early transfer to Bangkok airport. Sydney passengers depart at 7.25am on TG 451, arriving in Sydney at 8.35pm. Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 8.10am on TG 461, arriving in Melbourne at 9.20pm.
NOTE:	As the Brisbane passengers have one night less in Bangkok they will receive a discount of $25.00 per person twin share of $35.00 single room.

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure. 
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired.
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia.
Visas are required for Australian passport holders to Nepal. Visa fee for Nepal is $85.00 and we charge $30.00 for processing.
Not  Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), etc.
Also travel insurance and airport taxes. These taxes must now be paid with your ticket, and comes to $480 at present.
****Please note that these taxes are subject to change.****
Health and Fitness
You will need to be physically fit and able to walk for up to seven hours a day (at your own pace) with some steep grades and rugged trails.   Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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