Trekking Expeditions

Connecting Continents Project Everest

Days: 21 March 28 - April 17, 2009

Skill Level Prerequisites:  All Levels

Cost of Trip:  USD$2,950.  Trip begins in Kathmandu, Nepal

Trip Description:

In March of 2009, Mountain Professionals will be organizing and leading a multi-cultural service oriented trek to Everest Basecamp in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. The ‘Connecting Continents Project’ was inspired by various mountain communities and cultures from around the world and of course adventure travel! The over-riding goal of the ‘Connecting Continents Project’ is to bring together multiple mountain communities, cultures and to introduce a sense of service for our trekking members. This exciting trip will include an amazing journey from the capital city of Kathmandu, into the Khumbu mountains and the heart of the Sherpa community.

The foundation for this experience will be our sponsored schools around the world. Mountain Professionals will be working with schools from the United States, Argentina, Norway, Cambodia, Pakistan and Nepal to encourage an exchange of cultural information in the various classrooms. The ‘Connecting Continents’ students will have the opportunity to participate through a ‘Connecting Continents’ Blog, which will be updated with voice and written blogs along the trek. Students can also follow along with the Mountain Professionals Everest Expedition to learn about the world of climbing. Students will participate in communicating directly with each other through the Internet, exchanging questions and sharing about themselves, their classrooms and communities. Participating teachers or sponsors can return from the trek to their respective schools and share their experience in Nepal. The educational objectives are open to the imagination of our team members, the teachers, and the students themselves.

While our students are following along and participating in classroom projects and exchanges with each other, our trekkers will be in Nepal participating in a service oriented trek. We will begin with spending two days with the Herald International School in Kathmandu. Trekkers will be in the classrooms sharing who they are and where they come from with students. We will also deliver much needed supplies and books to the students. Part of the proceeds of this trek will go directly to the Herald International School as well as helping to fund selected projects and schools in the Sherpa mountain communities.

We will then begin our journey into the remote mountains of the Khumbu Valley and experience the beauty and grandeur of the Khumbu Valley. While trekking, we will be participating in service projects, which may include building schools, teaching, working with local families, sharing supplies and helping the Sherpa communities with large scale community based projects.

The trek to reach Everest Base Camp itself will take approximately 9 days and the service-based days will vary depending on specific identified projects. Along the way the entire expedition will be dispatched via satellite phone with photos, voice blogs, and descriptions of the projects, people and mountains all over the world into the ‘Connecting Continents’ classrooms that are following the journey.

The dispatches from our trekking team will provide the teachers with ample creative ideas for inspiring learning. Subjects such as geography, foreign cultures, languages, and customs can be easily integrated into daily lesson plans. The ‘Connecting Continents’ goal is to inspire foreign travel, adventure, physical fitness, and provide a clearer understanding and awareness of geography, communities, and people who live in an environment different than that of the student.

Many of us have had opportunities to travel and explore the world, taking with us incredible experiences from each of the places and people we interact with. Sharing these experiences and bringing awareness and service to multiple countries is our goal. If you are interested in traveling and exploring one of the most magical places on earth, giving back to the community that provides this and sharing with others from around the world, we would love to have you join us.

Projected Itinerary:

March 28 - Arrive Kathmandu, picked up at airport and
transfered to hotel

March 29 - Kathmandu, Working with the Herald International School - City tour given by the students themselves showing our team their city

March 30 - Donation of Computers and Supplies to the Nepali Children from our team

March 31 - Visiting Kathmandu and packing gear for trek

April 1 - Fly to Lukla and begin trek to Everest Base Camp

April 2 - 14 - Trek to Base Camp Period and return to Lukla

April 15 - 16 Trek to remote village and donate supplies, footwear and eye protection to our sherpa friends in the Khumbu Region

April 17 - Flight to Kathmandu

Price Includes:

• All transfers
• Up to 4 Nights accommodation in Kathmandu at Hotel
• Transfer to and from mountains via Lukla Flight
• Sherpa trekking guide
• All rooms in teahouses and meals on trek
• Porters for personal and group gear
• Connecting Continents Project Coordinator
• All service base costs and donation to Schools
• Mountain Professionals Guides

Price Does Not Include:

• Items of personal nature, individual travel costs, delays, taxis, etc.
• Personal Nepal entry visa
• International Airfare
• Vaccinations
• Recommended Travel Insurance
• Personal clothing or gear
• Alcoholic drinks and personal snacks
• Staff gratuities