Everest Region - Challenging Treks

	Everest Base Camp & Island Peak
	£2895 excl. flights	20 days

High in the Khumbu, close to Everest and closer still to the precipitous south face of Lhotse, the aptly named Island Peak (6189m) rises above a tangled knot of glaciated valleys. With its outrageous location and elegant summit ridge, this peak has been a favourite with KE leaders and clients for 2 decades. Trekking via Namche Bazaar and Thyangboche, we follow the Everest Base Camp trail to Lobuche beside the Khumbu glacier. As part of our acclimatisation programme we visit Everest Base Camp and make an ascent of the classic viewpoint of Kala Pattar, where we enjoy some of the finest views of the world's highest peak. Then crossing the Khumbu Glacier, we climb up to the Kongma La which gives access to the valley of the Imja Khola and the summer grazing settlement of Chukung. From here we move up to the base camp for our main objective, Island Peak. The ascent of this 6000 metre peak in the shadow of the huge Lhotse face is an '˜alpine experience' in every sense, involving fine climbing in exposed situations amongst breathtaking scenery. This is one of the best of all Nepalese adventures.

	Everest the Hard Way Trek
	£1995 excl. flights	22 days	With over 200 holidays to choose from, KE Adventure Travel has one of the very best collections of trekking and walking holidays worldwide. Graded on a scale from 1 to 12, we have holidays to suit everyone. Our tougher treks are likely to involve multi-day hikes through wilderness regions, with porter support and tented accommodation. Whilst at the other end of the scale, our softer walking holidays are more likely to be hotel or lodge-based with a day-walk format and an emphasis on uncovering the area's history, culture and cuisine. From our earliest days we've developed a range of treks that include celebrated classics such as Peru's Inca Trail trek, the ascent of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and the ever popular Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. Alongside these, we have always made it a priority to seek out distinctive and unique itineraries in less familiar areas such as Armenia, Cameroon, Madagascar and Burma. Whichever of our trekking or walking holidays you choose to undertake, you can be sure you'll enjoy breaking out of your day-to-day routine and exploring exotic landscapes on foot, with the chance to experience different cultures.

This superb trekking holiday makes a complete high-level circuit of the Khumbu and crosses 3 major passes to link the valleys of Thame, Gokyo, Khumbu and Imja Khola. From Namche Bazaar, we follow the course of the Bhote Khosi towards Tibet, before turning eastwards to cross the spectacular Renjo La (5340m). Then, from the holy lakes at Gokyo, it's up and over the Cho La (5420m) to reach Everest Basecamp and the dramatic viewpoint summit of Kala Patar. Our walk out takes us by way of the Kongma La (5535m) before joining the Everest Trail to walk out via the villages of Dingboche and Pangboche and the monastery of Tengboche. Optional ascents of Gokyo Ri and Chukung Ri add spice to this challenging trip, which we choose to run with a KE Western leader. Running this circuit of the main passes of Khumbu in a clockwise direction means we can build up our acclimatisation on uncrowded trails and in the unspoiled valley of the Bhote Kosi, leaving Everest Base Camp as the climax of the trip and also means we spend a minimum amount of time on the popular Everest Trail. For experienced trekkers who want to visit Everest Base Camp but wish to eschew the crowds and experience authentic Sherpa culture, this holiday really does have it all.

	Kangchenjunga
	£2845 excl. flights	25 days	With over 200 holidays to choose from, KE Adventure Travel has one of the very best collections of trekking and walking holidays worldwide. Graded on a scale from 1 to 12, we have holidays to suit everyone. Our tougher treks are likely to involve multi-day hikes through wilderness regions, with porter support and tented accommodation. Whilst at the other end of the scale, our softer walking holidays are more likely to be hotel or lodge-based with a day-walk format and an emphasis on uncovering the area's history, culture and cuisine. From our earliest days we've developed a range of treks that include celebrated classics such as Peru's Inca Trail trek, the ascent of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and the ever popular Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. Alongside these, we have always made it a priority to seek out distinctive and unique itineraries in less familiar areas such as Armenia, Cameroon, Madagascar and Burma. Whichever of our trekking or walking holidays you choose to undertake, you can be sure you'll enjoy breaking out of your day-to-day routine and exploring exotic landscapes on foot, with the chance to experience different cultures.

A challenging trekking holiday in the remote Kangchenjunga region of the Nepal Himalaya. Traversing the remote and rarely-visited north-eastern corner of Nepal, our trekking route to Kangchenjunga leads through picturesque farmland and rugged valleys to the basecamp for the south side of the Kangchenjunga massif at Ramze. Walking to the north side of Kangchenjunga by way of the Mirgin La (4663m / 15,295ft), we are greeted with magical views of the Himalaya including Makalu, Chamlang, Everest and Kangchenjunga. Trekking beyond the attractive Tibetan settlement of Ghunsa, with its sturdy wooden houses, numerous prayer flags and smiling villagers, we skirt the incredible northern flanks of Jannu on the approach to the Nepal side Kangchenjunga basecamp at Pang Pema (5100m / 16,728ft). Here at last, the formidable north face of Kangchenjunga is revealed. Our trekking efforts are rewarded with magnificent close up views of Kangchenjunga towering above the glacier opposite our camp in icy blue splendour. Varied and sustained, this popular trek is rated amongst the most beautiful walks in the world.

	Mera Peak Climb
	£2695 excl. flights	20 days	KE Adventure Travel has an outstanding collection of climbing holidays that will take you to the world's most spectacular mountain ranges. Our climbing trips usually involve the ascent of snow-covered peaks where climbing ropes, ice axes and other items of mountaineering equipment may be used. Our climbing holidays can involve multi-day approaches on foot to a basecamp below the objective mountain. On this stage of the trip (which is effectively trekking) there will usually be the support of a trek crew to carry personal belongings, along with any tents, group climbing equipment, food and cooking equipment. The climbing is generally above the snow-line and can be at high altitude. Most of our climbing holidays have an experienced Western leader and in the case of our Alpine trips, the leader is always IFMGA qualified. None of our climbing trips requires more than a single mountaineering ice-axe, together with crampons and a climbing harness. Ropes may be used to safeguard steep or exposed sections or crevassed sections of the route. With long days, high altitudes, glacier camping and the possibility of encountering poor weather, these trips can be challenging.

Mera Peak at 6476 metres, is one of Nepal's highest trekking peaks and its summit panorama takes in 5 of the world's 8000 metre peaks - Kangchenjunga, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest and Cho Oyu. This ultimate Himalayan trekking and climbing holiday begins with a short and exciting flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla and continues through the high and lovely Hinku Valley. Here, our tried and tested program of acclimatisation contributes to an unrivalled success rate on climbing Mera peak. Although physically very demanding on account of the altitude, the climb on Mera Peak is not technically difficult, ascending snow slopes that rarely exceed 30 degrees. Viewed from the mountain's upper slopes, the sunrise on Everest and Kangchenjunga is truly unforgettable. Mera Peak is the perfect choice for fit and keen hillwalkers looking to take part in a real Himalayan climbing expedition.