ROLWALING and KHUMBU via Trashi Labsta (18.887 ft)

© Dirk Deckx (1994)

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Period :
Oct 11,'94 - Nov 11,'94

Itinerary :
a) ROLWALING VALLEY : Kathmandu, Barabise, Simigaon, Beding, Na, Trashi Labsta
b) KHUMBU VALLEY : Trashi Labsta, Thengpo, Tengpoche, Namche-Bazaar, Syangboche, Kathmandu (Helicopter)

What :
Very tough and exhausting trekking (21-days) with possible risks (altitude sickness,...), stay in tents in desolate area's (no tourism) with countless breathtaking landscapes.


Flight :
Brussels/Paris/Delhi/Kathmandu and back with AIR INDIA.

Trekking :
-21 days by tent with guide, kitchen crew and porters (trekking permit necessary)
-Ascent PARCHAMO PEAK (20.265 ft) is possible with an optional climbing-permit (eventually the weather condition will determine what's possible and what's not)
-Back to Kathmandu per helicopter from Syangboche.
-The entire trekking was organized by ASIAN TREKKING and costed 1.470 $, everything incl.


Visa :
(For Belgians only). Arranged by the General Consulate of Nepal, Lamorinierestraat 149 in 2018 Antwerpen (tel. 03/230.88.00 - Mrs. Ballegeer). Price : 1.200 Bfr for 30 days (price fluctuates!)
It's easy to obtain a visa at the airport in Kathmandu at the immigration-desk.

Currency :
1 $ = 56.77 Rs (Rupee) on Nov 15, '96, but changes very often.
Exchange offices charge expensive commissions, hotels may be cheaper. The cheapest rates however can be found at the omnipresent black market. They change Dollars and Traveler's Cheques without any problems (profitable rates).

Literature :
-'Culture Shock Nepal' : lifestyles and traditions
-'Rough Guide Nepal' : Was used by my friend Wim.
-'Lonely Planet's Nepal' : Of course !!
-'Medicine for Mountaineering' : Health in the mountains (VERY complete)(published by 'The Mountaineers')
-'Trekking in Nepal, a traveler's guide' by Stephen Bezruchka. The best thing ever published on trekking in Nepal... extremely practical and indispensable help before and during the trip!

REMARK !
October and November are the ideal months for fine trekking. The air is clear, views are magnificent but it also means that thousands of tourists will find their way to Nepal. A comfortable flight to Kathmandu, with Lufthansa or Royal Nepal Airlines for example, should be booked almost one year in advance.
Alternatives are Air India or Biman (Air Bangladesh). Our flight with Air India was one big disaster and full of problems : an emergency landing (one motor broke down!), unforeseen detours, technical problems, a lot of delays, loss of connect-flights and specially the nerve-shaking and chronic lack of information, service and helpfulness. None of our questions and cries for help were answered thoroughly.