Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu

   Kathmandu

   Welcome to Nepal!

   Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu, the representative will receive you and transfer to the hotel as booked.

   Overnight at hotel (no meal)
2. Day 2 Kathmandu

   Kathmandu

   On this day, embark on a day visit in Kathmandu.

   BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE

   Located 12 km east of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon literally mean ‘the City of Devotees’ is the smallest city in the Kathmandu valley. Its Main Square or ‘Layaku’ is famous for the 15th century Palace of 55 Carved Windows with the Golden Gate as a royal entrance. In front of the palace building are innumerable temples and architectural showpieces including the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla mounted on a giant stone pillar and the stone temple of Vatsala Devi; another beautiful example of Shikhara-style architecture. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple, which is also known as the Bell of Barking Dogs. This was erected in 1737 by King Ranjit Malla; its sounding announced the beginning and end of a daily curfew.

   BOUDHANATH

   One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal; Boudhanath is a spherical stupa structure imposing at a height of 36 meters with three massive Mandala style platforms. Located 08 kilometres east of Kathmandu, the stupa with four pairs of eyes at the four cardinal directions is believed to be keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. Built on an octagonal base inset with 108 prayer wheels, the shrine is ringed by the settlement especially of the Tibetan refugees who entered Nepal in the 1950s. They have developed the place into a ‘Mini-Tibet’ ever since.

   Overnight at hotel (B)

   

   Bhaktapur durbar square

   

   Boudhanath Stupa

3. Day 3 Fly To Lukla And Trek To Phakding (3-4 hours)

   Phakding

   After a short flight to Lukla, you’ll be introduced to your guide and porter. Kick off your trek with an easy walk through Chaurikharka village and descent towards Dudhkoshi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the bank of the Dudhkoshi River until Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), where we will be staying for the night to acclimatize. Enjoy your free time in Phakding, a popular stopping point.

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
4. Day 4 Trek Phakding - Namche (5-6 hours)

   Namche Bazaar

   We’ll have breakfast in Phakding before gearing up for the trek to Namche Bazaar, the biggest sherpa village in Nepal. Our trail takes us first over the Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to DudhKosi River (spotting Mani stones along the way!) en route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it’s uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. It’s a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you’ll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty.

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
5. Day 5 In Namche – Acclimatization Day

   Namche Bazaar

   At this point, we take a well-deserved break! Today will be spent resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the lofty altitude. There’s an optional 2-hour hike to Everest View Point, an uphill walk that will help speed acclimatization. Otherwise, spend the day exploring Namche Bazaar. Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment.

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
6. Day 6 Trek Namche – Tengboche (6 hours)

   Tengboche

   Breakfast in Namche Bazaar fuels us for another day of trekking towards Everest Base Camp today! Breathtaking views of the Himalayas - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde - are some of the highlights not be missed. A short drop takes us to the riverside, then it’s across the river upwards through the forest pass. Brace your legs for a continual uphill trek at this point, alternating between a gradual grade and some seriously steep ground! Our destination, Tengboche, is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region. Its views, which include Ama Dablam, are legendary. We’ll stop in on the Tengboche monastery, which is one of the largest in Khumbu. Nourish your spirit with a guided tour of the monastery grounds.

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
7. Day 7 Trek Tengboche – Dingboche (6 hours)

   Dingboche

   Our trek today kicks off with a walk through the rhododendron forest to Deboche followed by a bridge over the raging ImjaKhol River. We’ll pass the valley wall and then traverse the plains to Pangboche village, the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. Enjoy a great opportunity to observe a typical Sherpa village and have lunch with the locals! The intrepid can brave a brief hike to the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest in the area. Our afternoon trek will be a difficult one, as the landscape gives way to dry, deserted mountains and we hike towards Dingboche.

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
8. Day 8 Acclimatization Day In Dingboche

   Dingboche

   This is your chance to rest up before the last leg of our adventure! Savor a full day of exploring Dingboche and the surrounding valleys of Chhukung and Imja, the latter of which links with Island Peak, the high passes of AmphuLaptsa, and Makalu Barun National Park. Taking an optional trek to the valleys will pay off in rewarding views, but taking it easy is the most important thing today. You’ll need your rest for the penultimate day of ascent tomorrow.

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
9. Day 9 Trek Dingboche – Lobuche (6-7 hours)

   Lobuche

   From here on forth, the trek will move more gradually be more challenging, due to the higher altitude. We’ll pass Dungla, but not before a tough, steep walk to the top of a high hill. Here are the memorial stupas dedicated to the climbers and trekkers who lost their lives to Everest over the years. The next part of our adventure brings over craggy mountain terrain to Lobuche, a small settlement with amazing views of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumari and the Nuptse. Prepare to snuggle up for a cold night, as we are now almost three miles above sea level and the evenings can be downright chilly!

   Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
10. Day 10 Trek Lobuche – Gorak Shep And Excursion To Base Camp (8 hours)

    Gorak Shep

    This is it! Our big day kicks off with an initial, relatively easy trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep. The subsequent, straight trail to Everest Base Camp is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris. On the way to our destination, we’ll approach the famed Khumbu Glacier and icefall, located on the slopes of Everest. At the Base Camp, our goal, you’ll have the chance (during the spring climbing season) to meet climbers attempting to scale the mountain’s summit. Break out your cameras for unbelievable views of breathtaking beauty. As the afternoon sun starts to wane, we’ll head back to Gorekshep for some much-needed rest and relaxation after a grueling and busy day.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
11. Day 11 Ascent Of Kala Patthar And Trek To Dzongla (8-9 hours)

    Dzongla

    We’ll wake before dawn today to trek towards Kalapathar (which means “black rock”) for a fiery, glorious sunrise over Mt. Everest. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of NuptseNup, Changtse and Lhotse.This may be, of the whole journey, your most opportune moment to snap amazing pictures of Everest and its neighboring peaks. Afterwards, it’s back to Gorekshep for breakfast and to Lobuche. From here you follow the path down as far as Dughla. You then take a small path that contours around a steep and fairly exposed hillside. Again, there are fabulous views and once the corner is reached it is possible to see a beautiful turquoise glacial lake, Cholatse Tso, far below. You gradually ascend to the small hamlet of Dzong La.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
12. Day 12 Cross Cho La Pass And Trek To Dragnag (7-8 hours)

    Dragnag

    Start your trek today gradually climbing up towards the foot of the pass. Dependent on the time of year mixed snow and rock are encountered once the base of the pass is reached, and the ascent becomes much steeper on large blocks and boulders on a wide ramp that dissects the huge rock face of the pass. There are numerous small cairns to follow and the views when the snowfield is reached are amazing. The glacier gradually ascends through a stunning high valley until the high point of the pass is reached. The descent is initially steep and then flattens slightly on large boulders, which can be slippery. After climbing to cross a shallow grassy saddle you start the long descent to Dragnag.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
13. Day 13 Trek To Gokyo (3-4 hours)

    Gokyo

    Today is a shorter, easier day after the rigours of crossing the Cho La yesterday. Dragnak is situated on the edge of moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier and this is crossed on a winding path. The terrain of the glacier is like a giant pile of rubble with heaps of sand glistening with snow and numerous small lakes and pools that change each year with the movement of the glacier. Once the far side is reached the path joins the main track up to Gokyo, and a beautiful small river is followed to reach the second lake. A short walk leads to the third lake, DudhPokhari and the small settlement of Gokyo, which seems like a metropolis after the isolation of the last few days. After lunch it is well worth walking up the valley towards Cho Oyu and the fourth and fifth lakes.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
14. Day 14 Ascend Of Gokyo Ri An Trek To Machermo (6-7 hours)

    Machermo

    The foot of Gokyo Ri lies just five minutes away across a stream that feeds the lake and a two to three-hour 'huff and puff' leads to the summit where the views justify all the effort involved. Everest, 29,028ft/8,850m, is showing more of its northern flank than from Kala Pattar, with Makalu, 27,798ft/8,475m, further to the east. To the north Cho Oyu, 26,741ft/8,153m, and all-round snows, ice, glacial moraines and the giants of the world can be seen. After descending you trek down past the lakes to the snout of the Ngozumpa glacier to rejoin the DudhKosi valley. The trail clings to the west side of the steep sided valley and gradually the terrain becomes gentler as you descend through Pangka to Machermo.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
15. Day 15 Trek To Namche (7-8 hours)

    Namche Bazaar

    Today is a relatively long hike but it’s a good trail and all downhill. The lower elevation makes things easier as well. The trek spends most of the day going down the Gokyo Valley with some good views of the peaks before you intersect back with the main route up to Everest Base Camp and head back to Namche.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
16. Day 16 Trek Namche – Phakding – Lukla (7 hours)

    Lukla

    After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in our last Tea House and, traditionally, a party with your trekking crew: you made it! Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you’ve accomplished a physical feat of which others only dream. This is your last night on the mountain, which can be bittersweet.

    Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
17. Day 17 Fly Lukla – Kathmandu

    Kathmandu

    In the morning, you’ll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. You’ll be transferred to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas.

    Rest of the day at leisure or free for own activities.

    Overnight at hotel (B)
18. Day 18 Final Departure

    Kathmandu

    Our representative will transfer you to the airport on time for your flight back home.

    (B)