Day 1 - Kathmandu: Arrival Day
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft
Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital and cultural hub of Nepal! We'll be waiting with a warm greeting and easy transfer to your hotel. Take a rest after the long flight and explore Thamel the hub of Kathmandu.
Day 2 - Kathmandu: Preparation
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft
Today our team will meet with you in the early afternoon to review the gear you have brought and to take you to the gear rental shop. We will make sure you have quality climbing boots that fit well before you head off to the mountain. Plan on an evening briefing on last-minute specifics about your trek and an early lights-out: you have a big day ahead.
Day 3 - Kathmandu to Lukla Flight and Phakding
Altitude: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) & 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding)
Walking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours)
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Flight time: 15 min from Ramecchap
Drive time: 4 hours & 30mins (Kathmandu to Ramecchap)
After a short morning 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.
Please Read: Lukla Flights are departing and returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. Its about a 4 hour drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu so we will get started for the airport around 2 am. The return drive at the end of the trek is between 4 and 6 hours depending on traffic.
Day 4 - Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
Walking Distance: 10-12km (5-6 hours)
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 Dudh Kosi 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.
Day 5 - Namche Bazaar: Rest and Acclimatization Day
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
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.
Day 6 - Namche Bazaar to Phortse
Altitude: 3,700m/12,139ft
Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)
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. Our destination, Phortse, is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region. Its views, which include Ama Dablam, are legendary.
Day 7 - Phortse to Dingboche
Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft
Walking Distance: 11km (6 hours)
The trail today parallels the canyon of the raging Imja Khol River with its glacial blue waters. Its a gradual climb up to the village of Pangboche, 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.
Note: During winter season if snow is on the trail we will use the route via Debouche and Tengboche as an alternate.
Day 8 - Dingboche: Rest and Acclimatization Day
Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft
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 Amphu Laptsa, 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.
Day 9 - Dingboche to Lobuche
Altitude: 4,900m/16,076ft
Walking Distance: 11-12km (6-7 hours)
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!
Day 10 - Lobuche to Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp
Altitude: 5180m/16,994ft (Gorekshep) & 5364m/17598 (EBC)
Walking Distance: 15km (6-8 hours)
Our 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.
Day 11 - Gorakshep to Lobuche Base Camp
It's a five hour trek to the Lobuche Base Camp (LBC). The rocky moraine is steep and unforgiving, and you might think your hard work is over once we get to the LBC. We still have climbing training, however!
Day 12 - Lobuche Base Camp: Acclimatization Day
We have another acclimatization day planned today, along with additional climbing training to prepare you for our summit push tomorrow. Practice thoroughly, and then rest up - we'll awake before the sun tomorrow.
Day 13 - Summit Lobuche East, Return to Base Camp
We'll be trekking for ten full hours today in our push to summit Lobuche! The 2am wakeup call is tough, but it will allow us to attain the peak just as the sun is rising, showing off the panoramic views of the Himalayas backlit by the brilliant rays of dawn. Savor the best views to be found from any peak, and take lots of pictures, then we'll trek back down to camp.
Day 14 - Lobuche Base Camp to Dingboche
We finally begin the long road back home as we descend from the LBC towards Dingboche. The trail meets up with the path back from the EBC, making for excellent company!
Day 15 - Dingboche to Namche Bazaar
The path is becoming easier as we trek downhill towards Namche Bazaar, and it's much less work this time around to literally stop and smell the flowers - thick forests of rhododendron and juniper in glorious red and pink bloom.
Day 16 - Namche to Phakding and Lukla
Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft
Walking Distance: 16km (6-8 hours)
After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in a proper hotel 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.
Day 17 - Lukla to Kathmandu
In the morning, you'll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (See Note), where your journey both began and ends. You'll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. We'll reunite in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants in town, where we'll be eager to hear your feedback on the trip.
Please Read: Lukla Flights are departing and returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. Its about a 4 to 6 hour drive from Ramechhap back to Kathmandu depending on traffic.
Day 18 - Kathmandu: Departure Day
It's your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast, and then take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu. We'll make sure you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport with plenty time before your flight home. At this time, we'll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell, armed with warm memories and gorgeous photos to show your loved ones.
* All distances and time estimates are approximate.
