In 2007, Love Hope Strength was born, and the first mission to improve access to cancer care around the globe was underway. Thirty-eight musicians, cancer survivors and mountaineers set off to reach Kalapathar where they would set a World Record for the highest concert ever performed. They carried with them the names of loved ones who had been touched by cancer on prayer flags which were strung high amongst the shadows of Mount Everest. The success of Everest Rocks resulted in the first mammography and first internal radiation machines for the country of Nepal.

Now, 5 years later, it is time to return. We will celebrate our 5 year anniversary and continue upon our quest to bring access to cancer care to the world. Everest Rocks II will be a 14 day musical trek to Everest Base Camp with a few days in Kathmandu before and after to prepare, celebrate and visit with the very patients and doctors our support has helped over the years.

Dates: November 25 – December 13
Total number of days: 18 nights, 19 days
Grade and days trekking: Vigorous, Grade 3, 14 trekking days
Accommodations: 4 nights hotel

, 14 nights lodge and teahouses

INTRODUCTION

This is one of the classic treks of the world with stunning mountain scenery including Everest and Ama Dablam while staying in high quality lodges of the Khumbu region. Everest Summit Lodges (“ESLs”) are, at a standard, far better than anything else available in the area. These lodges provide the highest level of service with landscaped gardens, comfortable lounges and bedrooms as well as hot showers and western toilets. Where there are no ESLs, we use the best lodges available with good dining facilities and separate bedrooms. Due to our large group size, we will have to split our sleeping rooms on the mountain to 2 lodges on 2 of the 13 nights. We will split the group on a lottery basis. All meals will still be taken together and lodges are only a few minutes walk between both.

The trek starts with an exciting flight in Twin Otter planes to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, from here we follow in the footsteps of famous mountaineers for the walk into Everest Base Camp. We are now in Buddhist Sherpa country where you will see colorful prayer flags, mani walls and monasteries along the way. We have designed our Everest Base Camp trek with plenty of time for the necessary acclimatization. Our route takes you to the prettiest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu and to Namche Bazaar the colourful and vibrant heart of Sherpa country. You have the opportunity to visit the main monasteries of the Khumbu region at Tengboche and Thame. The high points of our itinerary are the walk up to Kalapathar for the panoramic viewpoint of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse and also the hike from Gorak Shep along the Khumbu glacier to Everest Base Camp.

ITINERARY

It is our intention to keep to the day by day itinerary detailed below, although there might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control. If this is the case the trek leader will do everything possible to work out the changes to the itinerary in order to minimize your inconvenience.

Date            Activity                                                                             Accommodation

Nov 25         Arrive in Kathmandu. Welcome dinner.                   Yak and Yeti
Nov 26         Preparation and sightseeing day in Kathmandu    Yak and Yeti
Nov 27         Fly to Lukla, trek to Monjo

ESL Monjo
Nov 28         Trek to Namche Bazaar                                               Hotel Sherpaland
Nov 29         Acclimatization hike to Thame                                   Hotel Sherpaland
Nov 30         Trek to Tashinga                                                            ESL Tashinga
Dec 1            Trek to Pangboche                                                         Group split between 2 lodges
Dec 2            Trek to Pheriche                                                            Himalayan Lodge
Dec 3            Acclimatization Day                                                     Himalayan Lodge
Dec 4            Trek to Dughla                                                              Yak Lodge
Dec 5            Trek to Lobuche                                                            Mother Earth
Dec 6            Trek to Everest Base Camp                                        Gorakshep Teahouse
Dec 7            Optional morning trek to Kalapathar                      Mother Earth
Dec 8            Return to Pangboche                                                   Group split between 2 lodges
Dec 9            Return to Namche Bazaar                                          Hotel Sherpaland
Dec 10          Return to Lukla                                                            ESL Lukla
Dec 11          Flight to Kathmandu                                                    Yak and Yeti
Dec 12          Concert Day in Kathmandu                                       Yak and Yeti
Dec 13          Flights home                                                                  NA

THE CHARITY AND DONATION

You will be required to pledge a minimum of $9,500 for the

Love Hope Strength Foundation in addition to covering your own travel and ground costs to participate in Everest Rocks II. This contribution will be used to support our global cancer care, awareness programs and the GET ON THE LIST campaign.

PAYMENT AND DONATION INFORMATION AND TIMELINE

Ground costs and deposit: You will be required to pay a non tax-deductible fee of $5000 for your time in Nepal.

Donation: In addition to the trip costs above, you will be required to raise a minimum $9500 tax- deductible donation to participate in Everest Rocks II.

Total fees and donation

$5000 non-tax deductible for trip expenses (this does not include international airfare)
$9500 tax-deductible donation (you may make this donation personally, or raise funds through your personal fundraising web page and events.)
$14,500 Total minimum amount for participation in Everest Rocks II.

PAYMENT AND DONATION TIMELINE

Due upon registration: $1,000 Non-refundable deposit.
June 2012: $8,000 due ($4,000 towards balance of ground costs and $4,000 towards your donation.)
October 15, 2012: Balance of $9,500 donation.

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