Expedition Itinerary · May 2025
Feel: The Mountains
I
Phase One
Nepal — Kathmandu & the Khumbu
May 9 – May 14, 2025
Friday
9
May
Crew Arrivals Kathmandu
- Kelly, Karin & Jesse arrive in Kathmandu (Silvia already on the ground)
- West Coast crew departs in the evening
Arrivals
Assembly
Saturday
10
May
Andrew & Roya Arrive · Rest Day Kathmandu
- Andrew & Roya arrive (morning)
- Gear check & Thamel shopping
- Massage & easy acclimatization day
Gear
Rest
Shopping
Monday
11
May
⚠ Acclimatize — Take It Easy
Helicopter: Kathmandu → Namche Bazaar 3,440m / 11,286ft
- Helicopter flight from Kathmandu into the Khumbu
- Initial medical check & oxygen baseline readings on arrival
- Light movement through Namche for acclimatization
- Overnight in Namche Bazaar
🎥 Establishing shots of Namche + helicopter arrival sequences
Breathing Techniques
HELD App
Filming
Tuesday
12
May
Thamo Nunnery Puja · Everest View Hotel ~3,800m / 12,467ft
- Acclimatization hike to Thamo Monastery (Nunnery) — approx. 2 hrs
- Puja ceremony with the nuns; interviews & conversations
- Drone shooting of surrounding landscape
- Afternoon hike up to Everest View Hotel (overnight)
- Panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse & Ama Dablam
🎥 Spiritual elements, human connection, prayer flags, intention-setting — capturing the inner journey alongside the outer landscape
Puja Ceremony
Drone
Spiritual
Wednesday
13
May
On-Location Interviews — Everest View Hotel ~3,880m / 12,730ft
- Panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse & Ama Dablam
- Environmental and wide landscape filming
- Drone shots of the high Khumbu area
🎥 Reflective storytelling — the scale of the mountains, the internal journey. Emotional depth at altitude.
Interviews
Landscape
Drone
Thursday
14
May
★ Pinnacle Day
Helicopter to Everest Base Camp → Return to Kathmandu 5,364m / 17,598ft
- Early morning helicopter flight to Everest Base Camp
- Primary filming at the Khumbu Icefall
- High-altitude exposure — key visual sequences
- Same-day return to Kathmandu (arrive by 2pm)
- Afternoon: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) + Boudhanath Stupa filming
- Massages & last evening in Kathmandu
🎥 Pinnacle moment — emotional and visual climax of the Nepal chapter
EBC
Khumbu Icefall
Monkey Temple
Stupa
II
Phase Two
Tibet — Lhasa & Mount Kailash
May 15 – May 20, 2025
Thursday
15
May
Arrival in Lhasa — The Holy City 3,656m / 11,995ft
- Flight from Kathmandu → Lhasa Gonggar Airport
- Transfer to The St. Regis Lhasa Resort (check-in)
- Afternoon tour of Jokhang Temple — one of Tibet's most sacred Buddhist sites
- Wander Barkhor Street: prayer flag stalls, handicraft shops, pilgrims performing kora
St. Regis Lhasa
Jokhang Temple
Barkhor Street
Dinner Included
Friday
16
May
Lhasa → Ali Gunsa Airport → Taqin Town 4,600m / 15,092ft
- Morning flight: Lhasa Gonggar → Ali Gunsa Airport
- Transfer by road to Taqin Town — base camp for the Kailash Kora
- Vast Tibetan plateaus and scattered nomadic settlements en route
- Free time to acclimatize and explore quiet, sacred Taqin Town
Marriott Ali
B/L/D Included
Acclimatize
Saturday
17
May
Kora Day 1 — 22km · 7–8 hrs
Taqin Town → Dirapuk Monastery 5,000m / 16,404ft
- Trek through lush grasslands and serene valleys
- Unobstructed views of Mount Kailash's majestic north face
- Visit Dirapuk Monastery — interact with resident monks
- Slow, steady pace; water and energy snacks provided
Dirapuk Guesthouse
B/L/D Included
Sunday
18
May
Kora Day 2 — 20km · 8–9 hrs · Steep Ascent
Dolma La Pass → Zutulpuk Monastery 5,630m / 18,471ft / 18,471ft
- Conquer Dolma La Pass — highest point of the kora at 5,630m / 18,471ft
- Panoramic views of Mount Kailash and surrounding snow-capped peaks
- Descend to Zutulpuk Monastery — intricate natural stone carvings
- Prepare warm layers; take short breaks on the steep, windy ascent
Zutulpuk Guesthouse
B/L/D Included
Monday
19
May
Kora Day 3 — 18km · 4 hrs Downhill
Kora Complete · Lake Manasarovar 4,590m / 15,059ft
- Gentle downhill trek: Zutulpuk Monastery → Taqin Town
- Crystal-clear alpine lakes and traditional herdsmen's settlements
- Transfer by car to Lake Manasarovar — one of Tibet's holiest lakes
- Tranquil blue waters reflecting sky and distant mountains
- Evening drive to Ali
Ali Grand Hotel
B/L/D Included
No Wading — Sacred Site
Tuesday
20
May
Ali → Lhasa → Hong Kong Departure Departure
- Drive to Ali airport — earliest flight at 10:30am to Lhasa
- Arrive Lhasa Gonggar Airport; lunch at Lhasa airport
- Connecting flight: Lhasa → Hong Kong at 3:00pm
- Arrival in Hong Kong
B/L Included
HK Arrival
Phase Three
Hong Kong
May 20–22, 2025
Kelly & Roya depart Thursday morning, May 21. Karin, Andrew & Silvia remain for a few days of meetings and exploration.
TENTATIVE MEETINGS
Dave Chatman
Kevin Burke
Yang Sisters (Silvia)
