Everest & Tibet Research Trip

Why climb Everest when you can just shoot it instead :) This is not about mountain climbing, it's about great photographic opportunities.

This will be a unique photography tour designed for unique travellers. Not only are we exploring the charms of Tibet, but we're gilding our journey with a double-taste of Mount Everest. The great challenge with enjoying a tour into these regions is the altitude, so we have included in the itinerary a gradual and manageable acclimation process - complete with stunning views of the Himalayas. The tour starts and finishes in Kathmandu, from where we fly into Lhasa and collect our private fleet of Landcruisers to drive across the Tibetan Plateau. The finale is a night at Everest Base Camp, before the final drive back to Kathmandu.

April 12 - May 2, 2012
Maximum group size is 8 people, priced at US$7700

Just The Highlights

- Acclimation 'mini-trek' in the Himalayas for 4 days starting from Lukla
- Sunrise and Sunset views of Everest from 3800m
- Private helicopter back to Kathmandu to catch scheduled Lhasa flight
- 3 Days in Lhasa and surrounds
- Visits to monasteries at Samye, Sakya, Old Tingri
- High passes at Drib La (5280m), Dongu La (4840m), Suge La (5430m), Pang La (5150m)
- Overnight camping at Everest Base Camp
- Private Landcruisers for all travel in Tibet with 3 people to a vehicle to ensure maximum comfort
- All costs are included in this trip: meals, tipping, porters, cars, helicopters, Lhasa flight, Tibet travel permit, regional permits and entrance fees and more.

Meet The Photographer
My name is Ewen Bell and I love photography. I've travelled to many Tibetan parts of China but wanted a special itinerary for this trip to Lhasa. Including two perspectives of Mt Everest makes this a unique adventure. I'm not into climbing hills, especially with my camera gear, so if I can do it then you can too!

Photo Essay - Kham Tibet in Yunnan Provence
Photo Essay - Litang and the Windhorse

Itinerary

Day 1 | Kathmandu
We meet in Kathmandu on the evening of day one to orientate and meet the group only, and the following day we leave town early. If you have never been to Kathmandu please allow some extra days either before or after the tour to see some of the city. we will arrange a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the middle of the Thamel district.

Day 2-5 | Lukla Trek (2600m-3800m)
We catch a flight to Lukla in the Himalayas and begin our mini-trek. We have porters to carry the bags and a very very gentle itinerary designed to get ourselves adjusted to the thin air. Starting at 2610m we spend 2 hours trekking each day and finish at the Everest View Hotel at 3800m. An easier trek would be hard to imagine, and we'll likely spend a lot more time photographing the scenery than walking anyway. The accommodation will be basic guest houses, except for a little pampering on the final night, and we'll have lovely sights to photograph on the way including the Namche Bazaar and remote chorten. Our trek finishes with views of Mt Everest at sunset and sunrise.

Day 6-8 | Lhasa (3400m)
Our departure from the Lukla trek is by helicopter. Having done the hard work to adjust gradually to altitude we now fly back to Kathmandu and catch a scheduled flight to Lhasa. By the time we arrive in Lhasa we will be very comfortable with the altitude and hence can avoid the perils of sudden altitude change. We have plenty of time and energy to enjoy Lhasa, and we'll make a side trip one afternoon to enjoy the afternoon light at Ganden Gumpa.

Day 9 | Samye (3800m)
This remote monastery is a long drive from Lhasa but a rewarding one. You will get an appreciation for the vast scale of the Tibetan Plateau and what remarkable lives are lead by the monks of this land.

Day 10-11 | Yamdruk Tso (3800m)
The next two days we will travel around the shores of Lake Yamdruk. Temples such as the lamasery at Tradruka will be on our agenda, plus we have time to visit some out of the way locations that are not so well known. We'll need our 4WDs to access some of the smaller towns and by taking the back roads we hope to enjoy some unique scenery too.

Day 12-14 | Xigatse and Sakya (4280m)
After nearly two weeks of gradual adjustment to altitude we are ready to move a little higher and visit the temple at Sakya. We have a long drive to get there, stopping for the night in Xigatse and then resting two nights in Sakya. This is one of the most elaborate complexes of buildings in the Buddhist world, a citadel of learning and meditation.

Day 15-16 | Everest Base Camp (5360m)
Our route takes in the town of Xegar and we want to spend a night there if only for the chance to visit the ruins of Xegar Dzong. This sacred place overlooks the valley below and is layered with prayer flags. The town of Xegar is the main starting point for Everest explorations, and we head further along the road to the town of Rongbuk and the Rongbuk Gumpa. Our final destination along this road is the base camp at Everest, with views of the mountains all around us. For one night we'll be camping in the snow, but I promise nobody has to walk up to the summit!

Day 17-18 | Old Tingri to Nyalam (3800m)
We'll spend a night in Old Tingri and visit nearby villages before we head for border. The town of Nyalam has the best accommodation before leaving Tibet, so that's where we will stay. As we head towards Nepal the altitude drops and the air will be thick to the lungs once more.

Day 19-20 | Back to Kathmandu
Today we cross the border and return to Nepal. We spend a night en route at The Last Resort, and then have a long day of driving to reach Kathmandu again. A good feed is planned for the group, you will have earned it!

Day 21 | Farewell
This is our departure day, you will be able to plan your departure flight from Kathmandu at any time of the morning or afternoon. A transfer to the airport is provided for you.

Feedback from Past Travellers
"My fourth trip with Grasshopper Adventures to Nepal was the best yet. Someone on the trip said that her friend suggested that travelling to Nepal was the journey of a lifetime, and for all of us, I think it was. We started in the warm, vibrant and colorful Kathmandu Valley, moved to the rhinos and elephants of the Chitwan National Park, then on to the gray, stoney architecture of the mountain towns with bold splashes of color here and there and the majestic Himalayas shining in the sun. Spiritual places, scenery that takes your breath away, and people that are the kindest and warmest you will ever meet - that's what we photographed. And Ewen and Sam gave us their experience and love for the country along the way. Tibetan music in the van, sunrise to catch the first light on the mountain peaks, an arm around an old man showing us his sword, a hug for a kid, a laugh and a cry. What a journey of a lifetime!"

- Elizabeth G, USA
Nepal Photography Tour, March 2010

"For someone who has a passion for photography, adventure and life, Ewen's photo research trips are just perfect. I was lucky enough to be able to join Ewen on his Elephant Photo Research trip from Thailand to Laos in 2010 and it far exceeded my expectations. What made the trip particularly great was that it was off the beaten path, which allowed us a closer experience with the locals and immersion in their culture. And on top of all that was Ewen's obvious passion and compassion that make him a great tour leader and teacher. Unlike other large tour groups, Ewen's tours are small and he is able to give personal attention to everyone on their photography, which I greatly appreciated. This was such an amazing trip filled with great people, fun and love for elephants that I hope to come on another one soon. :)"

- Grace C, USA
Laos Elephant Research Trip, November 2010

Read more from past travellers and the media

Advance Your Photography
If you want to explore your creative potential, learn about the basics of photography or gain a little professional insight then these tours are a magnificent way to do it. If you're ready to learn new skills while you travel then this is the trip for you. If you want to spend quality time with like minded people and enjoy the sharing of knowledge and experiences, then we would love to have you along.

8 is Great
I never want to run a photography tour with more than 8 people, let alone 12 or 16. Smaller groups mean less drama, more fun and are infinitely more rewarding. My first responsibility is to ensure every person on my tour gets plenty of my time and advice, plus to ensure we don't ruin a lovely location by dragging a horde of photographers about. Small isn't just good, it's great!

What's Included
Please check the brochure for additional details, but every tour includes themed sessions, one-on-one tuition, a copy of the "Photography for Travellers" book, internal ground and air travel, accommodation and many meals. International flights, spending money and cameras are not included.

Dates