 | | | July 2011 | |  Explore Tibet and Nepal with Renowned Mountaineer Peter Hillary
| Join National Geographic explorer and mountaineer Peter Hillary on an extraordinary 16-day expedition to the fabled cities, ancient Buddhist temples, and remote valleys of Tibet and Nepal, where you will journey to the foot of the most famous mountain in the world: Everest. In our interview below, renowned explorer Peter Hillary talks about the inspiring landscapes and sacred sites you will discover on our Tibet and Nepal: Journey to the Highest Himalaya expedition. Then read our Field Notes from a past expedition, and experience the thrill of spending a day among the highest peaks in the world. There are still a few spaces available on the September 2011 departure—we hope you will join us!
| |  In the company of mountaineer Peter Hillary, explore the fascinating world of mountain lore and Tibetan and Nepalese cultures while visiting the fabled cities of Lhasa, Shigatse, and Kathmandu. On this specially crafted expedition, take in some of the most magnificent mountain vistas on earth as we journey across the Tibetan Plateau to the North Face Base Camp of Mount Everest and into Nepal. View the itinerary.
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 | | Peter Hillary—adventurer, author, and son of Sir Edmund Hillary, who led the first successful ascent of Mount Everest—will guide our expeditions to Tibet and Nepal this September and also in 2012. "The excursion takes people to some of the highest elevations they're liable to get to in their lives," he says, "as well as a number of sacred destinations, inspiring landscapes, and the base camp from which expeditions up the North Face of Mount Everest—one of the most storied places on the planet—are launched." We spoke with Peter about the upcoming expedition. |
| Q: | Clearly, this is an exceptional itinerary. Tell us some of the highlights. | | A: | This is the best road journey in the world. You're going from the fabled city of Lhasa, which people from outside Tibet tried to reach for at least a couple of hundred years, with its extraordinary Potala Palace. We motor across country, crossing 17,000-foot passes, until we get to Everest's North Base Camp. The great Himalaya spreads east-west right before us, and we go right up to the foot of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain.
From there, it doesn't just stop—it carries on.... You leave the aridity of Tibet and come out into the valley of Kathmandu, with all its trees and its life and its color.... September and October are beautiful times to be there. The air is sparkling clear. The monsoon rains scrub all the dust from the air, so it's absolutely fantastic for photography. |
| Q: | You've summited Everest twice, and your father was the first person ever to do so. What does Mount Everest represent to you? | | A: | When I'm standing on the Pang La looking at dawn on the Himalaya, with Mount Everest rising up in the middle, the vista represents great adventure, wonderful memories, and tremendous camaraderie. When you're there, you share the moment with others who have come for many different reasons.... They're fascinated by everything about the mountain—the geology, the wildlife, the landscapes, and the photographic opportunities. All of this is swirling in the air on the Pang La as the light starts coming up and we start to see the mountain—all this excitement is stimulated by the sight of Mount Everest. |
| Q: | Do you have reflections to share on the sacred and historic places you see along the way? | | A: | People are deeply affected by the Tibetan Plateau and the sight of the Himalaya. Some would call it the spirituality of the place; some would call it the intense, incredible atmosphere, the aroma of its long, multi-millennial history. It's one of the most moving journeys you can take. |
| Q: | Do you recommend any preparation by travelers for the high elevations on this trip? | | A: | A little bit of physical training is a great idea. While we travel throughout the expedition in vehicles, there are some really nice optional half-day walks we can do, plus walks around the wonderful towns and monasteries that we get to. I recommend training for a little bit of trekking. |
Click here to read the entire interview on our blog.
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The day begins with a stunning sunrise view of some of the highest mountains in the world, their ice-capped peaks nudging the clouds, then a hike with Peter Hillary along a glacial river to a legendary destination: Everest's North Face Base Camp. Click here to read about more unforgettable moments from a past expedition, posted to National Geographic Expeditions' Field Notes blog.
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For more information or to book an expedition, call toll-free 1-888-966-8687 
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