Mt Everest Trek 2008

Nepal is one of the poorest counties in the world. Amongst its population of 27 million, 1 million are children without parents. The current unstable political situation in the country has further intensified the pressure and harsh conditions on the people of Nepal. These conditions have the worst effect on the most vulnerable members of society, and the ones who have the least resources help themselves: children, especially orphaned children.

Our partner in Nepal has created numerous programs to help these children. You now have the opportunity to work with them to support Nepali children while climbing the tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest.

The Program

The main activities of this program are trekking to the Base Camp of Mount Everest and visiting the children supported by our partner organization in Nepal. Our partner is a local non-profit, non-government organization which runs Brighter Future Children's Home and Shining Stars Children's Home. Unlike many children's homes in the Kathmandu Valley, the children in these homes are well cared for by the staff working there. Many other children in the surrounding area live in appalling conditions, sometimes without adequate food, education or even water. Our partner also provides volunteer support for these less fortunate children.

Funds raised through this trek will support the 13 children living in the Brighter Future Children's Home. There are 8 boys and 5 girls, aged from 6 to 14 years who reside in the home. Our partner ensures their health, nutrition and education needs are met fully. Funds will also contribute to the construction and running costs of a new permanent home for the 28 children of Shining Stars Children's Home. In this home there are 7 girls and 21 boys, aged from 4 to 13 years. They will reside in a rented transit home until their new home is completed. GVN's 2006 Everest Base Camp Trek raised funds to contribute towards the purchase the land for this new home.

Program Location

Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalayas, the kingdom of Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, timeworn temples, and some of the best walking trails on earth. The kingdom is sandwiched between India to the south, and China and Tibet to the north. Although there are a few parts of the capital city, Kathmandu, that appear modern, most of Nepal is a very traditional society that depends on subsistence farming. Very few Westerners, apart from explorers and climbers, ever visited Nepal until the 1970's.

As a participant in this trek you will have the opportunity to visit ancient temples and palaces in Kathmandu, as well as the highest Buddhist monastery in the world, giving you the opportunity to observe Buddhist prayer rituals as you acclimate to an altitude of 12,687ft/3,867m. You will trek over glaciers and snow capped rocks as you ascend to the Base Camp of Mount Everest at 17,998ft/5,486m. Upon descending you will visit Sherpa villages, see the famed mountain yaks of the Himalayas and visit the hospital Sir Edmund Hilary created for the people of Nepal. Once you have returned to Kathmandu you will visit various projects designed by our partner to assist Nepali children as well as see the faces of the children your funds will benefit.

Program Requirements

To participate in this trek you must:

• Be 18 years of age
• Be in good health
• Be very physically fit
• Have a positive attitude and teamwork mentality

Program Schedule

The 2008 climb will start on the 29th of September and finish on the 18th of October 2008. Please see our itinerary for more details.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with the trek fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Everest Hike Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for the trek is US $3,200. This price covers the following:

Trek Fee - US $1,200
- US $1,200 Trek Fee will go to our travel partner who will plan all of the logistical aspects of this trip.

Nepali Children's Fund Fee - US $2,000
Until the time of your trek, you will have the opportunity to raise US $2,000 to support our partner organization. 75% of the money donated will go directly to our Nepal Partner. This money will go towards funding the day to day operations of the Brighter Future Children's Home for 8 boys and 5 girls, aged from 6 to 14 years, and towards the construction and daily running costs for a new children's home. 15% will go towards general operational support, 5% will be dedicated towards ensuring that all money sent to community organizations abroad is being used appropriately, and 5% will go towards educating individuals both here and abroad about the specific issues our target communities face (specifically HIV/AIDS, Environmental Destruction, Starvation etc). Please note that WorldPay takes a 4.5% commission for credit card purchases before GVN receives the funds. Donations made to GVN by American donors are tax-deductible. Non-US donors cannot receive a tax-exemption.

The Trek Fee includes:

• Accommodation in teahouses (lodges) during the trek
• 4 nights hotel accommodation in a four star hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights before and 2 nights after the trek)
• All meals on a full board basis while on the hike (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and back from Lukla to Kathmandu
• Airport tax
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
• All surface transportation to and from airports
• Necessary equipment such as sleeping bag, down jacket, etc
• A guide
• Necessary porters
• Rescue help if needed

Trek Fee does not include:

• International flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal
• Required travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, beverages, gifts, calls, laundry, etc.
• All meals while in Kathmandu
• Sightseeing while in Kathmandu
• Local transportation while in Kathmandu (excluding all hotel/airport transfers)
• Visa for Nepal
• Gratuities
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of the Global Volunteer Network, Nepal Environmental Treks and Expedition and Volunteer Services Nepal.

Please note: GVN/GVNF/GVN Nepal reserve the right to determine the dissemination of funds

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
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