Mobile communications are now available to the mountain climbers in the highest mountain of the world Mount Everest and in Everest Base Camp – it is possible to make video calls and browse the internet on the mobile phones, a Nepalese telecommunication company called Ncell announced Friday, October 29, 2010.
Ncell, the Nepalese subsidiary of Swedish phone company TeliaSonera, has set up 3G base station of broadband mobile communications in the altitude of 5,200 metres, in the village of Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is the last settlement on the side of Nepal on Everest Base Camp trek just before Everest Base Camp.
“Today we made the world’s highest video call from Mount Everest Base Camp successfully,” announced the representative of Ncell. “The coverage of the network will reach up to the peak of the Everest.” Previously, the climbers who reached Everest’s 8,848-metre peak depended on the expensive satellite phone coverage, provided by Inmarsat.
The 3G base station of mobile communications will also help tens of thousands of trekkers who visit the Everest Base Camp every year with the aim to reach the Everest Base Camp itself (5,320 m) or the nearby peak of Kala Pathar (5,545 m).
The 3G services will be fast enough so that the climber could make video calls and use the Internet, said the representative of TeliaSonera. In total eight base stations have been installed in the Everest region, four of them are powered by solar energy.
The lowest is set up at Lukla (2,870 m), where thousands of trekkers arrive every year to hike to Everest Base Camp.
The climbers have already named the establishment of the base stations as ambitious and helpful project: “The expensive satellite connections that many times does not work for days will be replaced with this service, making it possible for all climbers to keep in touch with their organisers and family,” said Ang Tshering Sherpa, a member of the International Mountain Protection Commission.
TeliaSonera announced that next year it has planned to invest 100 million dollars (50,9 million lats) to ensure the mobile coverage for more than 90 percent of Nepal’s population, since now the mobile services coverage is ensured for less than a third of population. When I participated in the trekking to Everest Base Camp in the autumn of 2007, mobile phone services were available only from Lukla to Tengboche (3,860 m).
Everest base Camp Expedition
Trip Itinerary in Details :
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu :
After arrival in Kathmandu International airport, meet our officer. He will assist you to transfer your hotel. At hotel our officer gives you orientation of the overall trip. O/n at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2810m). Trek to Phakding (2652m) :
Early morning transfer to Kathmandu airport domestic terminal to catch flight to Lukla (2810m).The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes. Have a tea and coffee in Lukla. One hour rest at Lukla in mountain Lodge. Then your trekking starts from Lukla. The trail contour through the Sherpa village and yak pasture land. Have a lunch in Thado Koshi (2591m) with stunning view of Kum Kangaru(6370m). You will see the painted Mani wall in Ghat (chhuthawa) village. In the late afternoon you arrive to Phakding. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 03: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3446 m) :
Your trekking starts after breakfast at mountain lodge. You cross long suspension bridge over the Dhudh Koshi River which is originated from Khumbu glacier. Today you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo village. You have lunch in Jorsale(2740m).The trail goes ahead along the Dudhakoshi river. You cross anther suspension bridge in Larja Dobhan(2830m). From here the trail moves to steep staircase through pine forest. After half and hour steep walking you will see Mt Everest (8848m). The trail ascends until Namche Bazaar through the alpine forest. You will be delightf to see Namche Bazaar. The Namche bazaar is getaway of the Everest base camp trekking. Enjoy staying two nights here. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 04: Rest in Namche Bazaar/ Excursion Namche Bazaar and Syangboche(3880m). Back to Namche Bazaar :
Rest day in Namche Bazaar is especially for acclimatization with altitude. During this day you can walk around Namche Bazaar. Here uou can get many facilities such as bank, internet, Bakery and shopping. After the breakfast One and half hour steep walking to Syangboche(3880m). From Syangboche you can see Mt. Everest(8848m), Lhotse(8516m), Ama Dablam(6814m), Thamserku(6618m) and more mountains. Have a tea and coffee in Everest view hotel. The trail descends half and hour to the Khumjung village (3780m), the village of Sherpas, the worldly renowned climbers. In Khumjung village you can visit Kumjung Hillary School and Kumjung Gompa. After lunch hike back to the Namche Bazaar. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 05: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche(3867 m). 7h walking :
Today you can see very close up view of Thamserku (6618m), Ama Dablam(6814m). Also you can see Mount Everest (8848) and other world high mountains. On the way you can see Nepal national bird Pheasant and mountain animal called Himalayan Thar. The trail contour through the yak pasture land until Kyangjuma (3550m). From Kyangjuma the trail goes to all the way down to the Dudha Koshi. After crossing long suspension bridge then the trail ascends through the pine trees. The magnificent view of Kangtega (6783m) right side of the trail. Two and half hour walking you will arrive to Tengboche(3860m). Tengboche is famous as the name of Tengboche Monastery. This monastery is open for visit after four o’clock in the afternoon. Visiting Tengboche Monastery is a exciting part of your journey. At evening you will be able to see exciting sunset on the top of the word and other high mountains. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 06: Tengboche to Dingboche(4260m) :
Form Tengboche trail move down towards Deboche(3820m).After Deboche, the trail becomes very pleasant. You will feel very comfortable. Here you have chances to see Musk deer. It is very rare wild animal. After crossing iron bridge on your right side you can see the great view of Ama Dablam(6814m). May be you can enjoy taking photos of yours backup with Ama Dablam. Then the trail moves gradually up to Pangboche(4410m).Have a tea and coffee and few minute relaxation at Pangboche. Trek to Shomare (4110m).Have a Lunch here. After the lunch you walk around two hour and arrive to Dingboche Village (4410m). O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 07: Rest in Dingboche. Day excursion to Chukung Village :
Today is the rest day at Dingboche. After the breakfast with light snake and small day bag you may hike to Chhukung village. The trail follows with river all the way to Chukung village. The river is originated from glacier lake Imja .On the way you see Yak Kharka with wide grassland area. The Chukung valley is surrounding by magnificent high mountains and Glacier Lakes. From this valley you can see Island Peak (6189m), Amphulapche(5663m), Lhotse Shar(8382m) and Lhotse(8516m).Have a Lunch in Chukung Village. After lunch return to Dingboche. 7h walking. O/n at mountain lodge
Day 08: Dingboche to Lobuche(4930 m) :
Form Dingboche the trail climb up 20m above the village. From here you can see panoramic view of Khumbu Mountains including Mt, Makalu (8463m). Tea break in Dughla(4620m). After Dughla you ascend along with pebbly and sandy trail. After half and hour climb you arrive to Dughla Pass (4830m). In Dughla pass you see monuments on the memory of Everest climbers who has lost their life while climbing Mt. Everest. From here trail goes gradually up to the Lobuche (4910m). Evening sunset view of the Nuptse(7864m). 5h hour walking. O/n at mountain lodge
Day 09: Lobuche to Gorkhashep(5140m)-Kalapatter(5545m). Return back to the Gorakhashep :
This morning you might feel chilly because temperature may go down -2 to 3 degree celsius. In the beginning you walk along the flat trial through yak pasture trail (50 minutes). Then you have to walk in glacier. The trail is rough and icy in some part. And you arrive to Gorak Shep (5140m). At this time the temperature is nearly 10 to 15 degree Celsius. You might feel fatigue. Have lunch and rest in Gorak Shep. After light lunch start to climb Kalapatthar(5550m). After nearly three hour climbing, you will reach on top of the Kalapatthar. There you get little bit strong wind. Kalapatthar is one of the prime points for the massive view of Mount Everest (8848m). Enjoy the view of Mt. Everest and other towering mountains. Here you can see people sharing exciting moments each other. From here you also can see Everest base camp just below. After a while return back to Gorak Shep. 8 hour walking. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day09: Gorkha shep to EBC and down to the Pheriche(4240 m) : 4h Walking O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 10: Pheriche to Tyangboche : 5h walking O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 11: Tyangboche to Namche Bazzar : 3 to 4h walking. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 12: Namche Bazzar to Phakding : 5h walking. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 13: Phakding to Lukla : 4h walking. O/n at mountain lodge.
Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu. O/n at hotel in Kathmandu:
You should pack up early in the morning. Then have a breakfast and hike down to Lukla airstrip. Take a flight to Kathmandu. The rest of your day is free in Kathmandu. In evening you can stroll around Thamel, the major tourist destination of Kathmandu. You can do some last minute shopping of souvenirs for your family and relatives. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 15: Transfer to the airport for your onward journey:
Today is your the last day in Nepal. Our officer will come to meet you at your hotel to escort you to Kathmandu International Airport for your flight home.