And it's on!

Romi has officially posted the invitation for next year's expedition to Mt. Everest Base Camp, Lobuche East, and Ama Dablam. And thus, the gears are set in motion.

If you are interested in joining (and I hope that you are), here are some relevant info it copied from Romi's Blog to guide you on what to prepare for (leave dates, money, flights):

TENTATIVE DATES:  April 22 (start/ Day#1) to May 2015 

(add duration days of your trip from April 22)

TRIP1: Everest Basecamp  (EBC) Trek

Duration: 16 days

Price: 1,450 USD  (min. 5pax)

Included: Accommodations, meals, guides, porters, permits, airfare Kathmandu to/from Lukla airport, required transports.

Excluded: Int’l airfare, insurance, gears, extra hotels/meals, bottled mineral water in tea-houses

TRIP2: EBC + climb of Lobuche East Peak (6119m)

Duration: 25days

Price: 2,650 USD (min. 4pax)

Included: Accommodations, meals, guides, porters, trek & climb permits, airfare Kathmandu to/from Lukla airport, required transport, group climbing gears, climbing Sherpa guide/cook, camping gears/meals.

Excluded: Int’l airfare, insurance, gears, extra hotels/meals, bottled mineral water in tea-houses

TRIP3: EBC + climb of Lobuche East Peak (6119m) + Ama Dablam 6800m Technical climbing

Duration: 32 days

Price: 5,765 USD (min. 4pax)

Included: Accommodations, meals, guides, porters, trek & climb permits, airfare Kathmandu to/from Lukla airport, required transport, group climbing gears, climbing Sherpa guide/cook, camping gears/meals.

Excluded: Int’l airfare, insurance, gears, extra hotels/meals, bottled mineral water in tea-houses

Note on Lukla flights:  
Visiting EBC area requires a short flight from Kathmandu to the village of Lukla.  But spring (Apr-May) is a very busy season in Khumbu with most if not all flights being fully booked.  Weather challenges pose a risk to tourists - nowadays, it's almost 'normal' to line-up for a chance seat lasting for a few days. This impacts itinerary and increases cost.  As a routine precaution (and tour groups are doing this) - it is best to book the flight as early as now and not shorter than 5months before.  Even with that - it's not a guarantee to get seat on the next available flight (assuming cancellation of original flight).   The backup is a 350$US  ride via helicopter.   In planning this trip - please set aside an additional, backup-only 350USD in case we run into this kind of problem.  We highly suggest that you register early (ideally Nov/Dec 2014) so our operator can book us an early flight.  Beyond that, you'll carry higher risk on cost or schedule.

Start filling up your piggy-bank and put this photo on your vision board. Your mountaineering life would change the moment you see these Himalayan giants up close.

Mt. Everest (black pyramid at the center) as seen from Kala Patthar