Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m/4430ft)/Group meeting
Day 02: Flight to Lukla (2828m/9279ft) 35m and trek to Phakding (2780m/9121ft) 3-4 hrs walk
Organize your trekking equipments and pack your bags the day before, as we shall leave early for Lukla which is the gateway to the Everest. Led by trekking guide, we shall reach Lukla from the scenic flight in a carefully loaded twin otter that shall mark the adventure in the region. Aerial view of the vast landscape with lush valleys and hills, view of the glittering mountains, serpentine shaped rivers weaving the settlements and valleys and dramatic sight of the terraced hills makes this flight entertaining. After landing in the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla and meeting with other trek members, we embark on an introductory trek to Phakidng. In the route used traditionally by various communities and traders to trade with Tibet, we shall move ahead in the trail. Trek begins with the steep descent to Chheplung village past stone walls, we reach to Thado Koshigaon. Crossing a suspension bridge, the journey shall continue on to Phakding through small settlements, viewpoint of Kusum Kangaroo, past prayer wheels and prayer flags, dense forest, diverse flora and fauna, besides the caravan of trekkers and climbers, porters and locals in and out of the Khumbu valley. Stay overnight in Phakding.
Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11287ft) 5-6 hrs walk
Our trekking continues along the majestic and torrential Dudh Koshi River towards the ancient trading hub of Namche Bazaar. Starting with the first view of Kongde Ri Peak and through some suspension bridges the trail turns to the beautiful Benkar valley past beautiful waterfall, ancient gompa and lush forests decorating the surroundings. At Benkar we enjoy the view of Thamserku (6623m) and the sacred Khumbila Peak (5765m) before stopping briefly at Monjo, the gateway of Sagarmatha National Park. Moving ahead through Jorsale village we reach to Larja Dobhan, cross high suspension bridge over the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi and embark on the trail that goes steep till Namche Bazaar. En route to Namche we have the view of majestic peaks such as Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m) and Nuptse (7879m) providing some relief during the ascent on the steep section. Namche Bazaar is famous for being the buzzing Sherpa town, and perfect town for acclimatization and hub for day hikes, having superb surrounding and scenery as well as rich cultural heritages. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 04: Rest day at Namche Bazaar
In the day set aside for rest, we shall take on activities that shall help us acclimatize faster for our trekking journey ahead. In a town known for its colorful and lively nature, Namche has interesting shops and buzzing Saturday market, tasty cuisines and beautiful scenery as well as warm welcoming Sherpa people and the unchanged characteristics of this town since ages. Visit to the Sherpa cultural museum for detailed information on mountaineering in the region, flora and fauna, history and geography of the Himalayas, and the culture and traditions of the local inhabitants. Before the weather creates hurdle, get involved in an early day hike to one of the nearby destinations. Everest View Hotel that provides the marvelous view of the Mount Everest Lhotse, the beautiful Ama Dablam and other nearby peaks, the twin villages of Khumjung and Khunde known for ancient monasteries with old age heritages and school and hospital built by Edmund Hillary Foundation, are the popular day hike destinations from Namche Bazaar. After exploring the surrounding areas, prepare for the trekking ahead. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3850m/12632ft) 4-5 hrs walk
Trekking to the higher altitudes, we shall start our walk with a short but steep climb out of the Namche Bazaar before trekking on a fairly leveled trail to reach the settlements of Kenjoma and Sanasa through the dense forest and other vegetation, view of the mighty Everest and occasional exchange of greetings with fellow trekkers from other expeditions. After the trail junction leading to the Gokyo valley and the Everest base camp, we head down to the riverbed of the mighty Dudh Koshi River and climb on to Phunke Tenga through several bridges and some hamlets. Marked by water driven prayer wheels, Phunke Tenga generally serves as the resting place before taking on the steep trail leading to Tengboche. In a climb of around one hour and a half to two hours, ascent to Tengboche takes you in a twisting tail built on the hill through rhododendron forest. Take it easy when you go for such uphill climb as you are now heading to higher altitude where you definitely won’t want to be affected with altitude mountain sickness. In Tengboche visit the ancient monastery famous for celebration of Mani Rimdu festival, huge statue of Lord Buddha, intricate wall paintings and peaceful chants by the monks, the breathtaking scenery of the majestic mountains (including Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Kantega and Thamserku Peaks) where blooming rhododendron flower contrasts with its color. Stay overnight in Tengbohe.
Day 06: Trek to Dingboche (4350m/14272ft) 4-5 hrs walk
Leaving the amazing sunset and sunrise of Tengboche, today we shall head for another interesting village of Dingboche. Through the forest we descent from Dingboche to reach the village of Deboche that provides beautiful views of lofty Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and others. We head on in the trail through the sighting of Musk Deer, Monal and Blue Sheep and cross the exciting suspension bridge over Imja River before reaching the settlement of Panchboche. Ancient stupa in the upper Pangboche, surrounded by trees, is a stoppage worth a short visit. Ahead in the trail we have alpine vegetation as we move through landscape with scrub juniper and tundra until we reach Dingboche. The trekking section through Somare is rather flat; after this village we cross a suspension bridge and follow the Imja River upstream as we part our way from the trail to Pheriche. Further ahead in the trail we reach Dingboche where the trail from Lobuche to the Island Peak climb meets. Dingboche is a small village with stone walled houses, cultivation fields and the exquisite view of Lhotse, Island Peak and Ama Dablam. Stay overnight in Dingboche.
Day 07: Rest day Dingboche
In another day of rest and acclimatization in this trekking expedition, we shall have an important day before reaching to the ultimate destination of this trip. The day will be utilized by short hikes to higher altitudes to adapt ourselves to higher altitudes. Hike to Nangkartshang Gompa provides the trekkers with breathtaking views, opportunity to get insight into the heritages such as intricate paintings, Thangka and Yeti scalp and hand. Explore the valley formed by mighty Imja River and the beautiful trail leading to the Island peak. Short hike to the hill behind Dingboche is another option which provides us with the view of couple of six-thousander peaks. After exploring the breathtaking surrounding, capturing memories of the valley, we return for the overnight stay. Stay overnight in Dingboche and prepare for the next day trek.
Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16109ft) 4-5 hrs walk
This section of trekking begins with gradual ascent from the settlement of Dingboche and come across grazing areas of cattle and the beautiful mountains to the far makes the trek pleasant. Trekking past chortens, Mani walls and stupas, we move forward with the view of beautiful Tabuche Peak (6495m), Ama Dablam Mountain and many more, glacial valleys and vast landscape before we climb onto the valley of Dughla, last settlement before traveling further to the base camp. Ahead of this is the most poignant section of today’s trek. An hour of trek leads us to the height of the high ground overlooking the Khumbu valley, called Chukpo Lari, where monuments are built in remembrance of the mountaineers who lost their life during their expedition to conquer Everest. The trail then descends to the western side of the valley after walking over the glacial moraines of the majestic Khumbu Glacier. Stay overnight in Lobuche.
Day 09: Trek to Gorakshep (5180m/16995ft) 3-4 hrs walk and Everest Base Camp (5364m/17600ft) 2-3 hrs walk
This is the day you are waiting for! Today we shall be heading for the Everest Base Camp as the destination. Be careful for the acute mountain sickness in this altitude and trek accordingly. The trek from Lobuche begins early in the morning after breakfast. We reach Gorakshep after trekking over the lateral moraines of the Khumbu Glacier past the Italian research centre, the rocky paths, cautiously avoiding the ice pinnacles and occasional crevasses in the Khumbu region. The trail ascends over the Lobuche Pass and then reaches to the section sandwiched by large glaciers of Changri Nup and Khumbu. Shortly ahead is the awaited gorakshep, our stoppage for lunch and the place of overnight stay for today. After refreshment we head for our ultimate destination, the Everest Base Camp. Through the rocky path and on the New Moraine Route, we trek to the base camp. Flooded with the tents and camps of the climbers in the peak season, Everest Base Camp is the destination of lifetime. The euphoric feeling of being there is beyond words and to be in the lap of the world’s tallest peak is something extraordinary. After capturing the memories of these extraordinary moments, we return back to the Gorakshep. You shall get completely lost in the beauty of the sunset visible from the base camp. Stay overnight in Gorakshep.
Day 10: Trek to Kala patthar (5545m/18193ft) 2-3 hrs walk and to Pheriche (4280m/14042ft) 5-6 hrs walk
Get ready for another beautiful trekking day in the roof of the world as we trek to the Kala Patthar before making a return to the lower altitudes. Before the day breaks, we shall today get ready with our equipments and go for one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see. In a straight trek from Gorakshep to this small brown hill dwarfed by the Himalayas, we shall have the close up view of the mighty Everest. Ideal for photographers, the sight of Himalayas including Mt, Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse and Changtse Peaks, the majestic Khumbu Glacier and the south-east face of Everest. Reach for the higher point of this black hill and capture as many memories as you can. After this extraordinary scenery, trek down to Gorakshep for lunch before heading down to Pheriche. We shall descent gradually from Gorakshep , in ups and downs and through the rocky terrain before taking exit from the vicinity of Everest at Dughla and walking straight to Pheriche. Through the damp valley floor covered with moss, from the alpine vegetation to the sub-alpine vegetation this trek is mostly a downhill walk. Stay overnight in Pheriche.
Day 11: Trek to Namche bazaar (3440m/11287ft) 4-5 hrs walk
The return from the vicinity of Everest continues as we depart from the beautiful Periche to the busy hub of Namche Bazaar. In this mostly downhill trek, we now are with the company of the torrential Dudh Koshi River. Our trek will be rather gradual as we won’t want to put much strain on our shaky legs and ankles. In this busy trekking trail, we shall encounter caravan of fellow trekkers, porters, locals and their pet animals like Yak used for transporting goods; make sure you give way to them. Through the beautiful and dense forests, waterfalls, exciting and sometimes vertiginous suspension bridges festooned with prayer flags, flat and bumpy trails, gompas and monasteries, rural settlements and the culture and traditions practiced there are some of the major highlights of this section of the trek. Water driven prayer wheels, viewpoints of the Himalayas, sights of rare wild animals and strenuous stone steps shall take us to the destination of Namche Bazaar. Explore the busy streets of this ancient trade point and the current tourist hub as you take rest for today in this beautiful village. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 12: Trek to Lukla (2828m/9279ft) 5-6 hrs walk
This section of trek is the last of such trekking in this adventurous journey that climaxed in the base camp of Everest. Descent on a steep trail out of the Namche Bazaar to descent at the riverbed of confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River and after crossing over the high suspension bridge, we reach to Monjo where we exit the Sagarmatha National Park. Through the beautiful Benkar and past waterfalls, several suspension bridges, unique, busy and interesting villages including the popular ones such as Phakdng, Ghat, Nurning and Chheplung, Mani walls and prayer wheels, we trek up to the hill town of Namche Bazaar. The beautiful and humongous Himalayas overlooking the entire trail acts as the motivation for trekkers; they find purpose of trekking in the sight of mountains. After reaching Luka, get yourself relaxed and explore the surrounding areas of hotel, if you are interested. Stay overnight in Lukla.
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu (1350m/4430ft )
Today we shall return to the medieval capital city of Kathmandu after an adventurous stay in the Khumbu (Everest) region. Due to the weather related disturbances during the day, we shall take on the flight that starts early morning from Lukla. Over the vast landscape, lush hills and valleys, perennial rivers and with the sight of glittering Himalayas, the flight of around 35 minutes brings us back to the civilization of Kathmandu valley. You shall be transferred to the hotel of your stay for the much deserved rest after enduring a rather strenuous trek in the Khumbu region. Later in the evening you may stroll around in the streets of Thamel and the surrounding areas. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
