Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival, we will welcome you in the terminal hall in Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your hotel and introduce you to your trekking guide, and together you can enjoy a hot cup of masala tea and have an in-depth discussion about your trek, including the trekking route, anything you need, the necessities for the trek, and any general suggestions for preparing for your upcoming adventure. 

Sightseeing & trek preparation in Kathmandu

Today you will take a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with our appointed City Guide! Kathmandu is rich with Hindu and Buddhist history, so with an early morning start, you will visit places such as the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the Buddhist shrine of Boudhanath, the “city of fine arts - Patan Durbar Square, Krishna temple, Kumbeswore Temple, Golden Temple, the 2000-year-old “Monkey Temple” - Swayambunath Stupa, and Basantaur Durbar Square - home to the living goddess Kumari. In the afternoon you can get acquainted with the local area around the Thamel market, as we help you finish your final trek preparations with a spot of gear hire and/or shopping. In the evening we will officially greet you with a Welcome Dinner serving traditional authentic Nepali food in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu (1,350m) to Lukla (2800m: 30 min) then Phakding (2,651m: 4 hours)

Are you ready to start your adventure? Today we begin with an early morning flight to Lukla. With the airstrip located on the side of the mountain, we guarantee this is going to be the most adventurous 30-min flight you ever take! Upon arrival, we will stop for a short tea break while we meet and organize our porters, and then we begin trekking Winding our way through the forest as we follow the bank of the Dudh Koshi River, passing through several traditional Sherpa villages, and climbing over an old landslide at Chhuthawa, we trek for about 3-4 hours as we make our way to Phakding, a quiet little village set on a plateau and overlooking the valley. We love it here because it is largely untouched by large trekking crowds!

Phakding (2,651m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m: 6-7 hours)

On our way to Sagarmatha National Park, we will be passing through beautiful pine forests and local settlements, and at the entrance, your TIMS card and National Park Receipt will be checked. Beyond the National Park checkpoint, the trail passes across the bank of the Dudh Kosi river along another suspension bridge. As we take a steep, zigzagging ascent through the dense pine forest towards Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt Everest, and our home for the next two nights, you will get your first partial glimpse of Mt Everest, the holy mountain of the Sherpa people.

Acclimatization and rest day in Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Acclimatization is an important part of every successful trekking adventure, and Namche is a popular rest place as it gives you plenty of exciting and rewarding opportunities to explore! It is known as the “tourist hub” and is the most popular resting stop in the Khumbu region. With an abundance of hotels and lodges, Namche also boasts three small museums, a stupa, a monastery, several bakeries/cafes, and many well-stocked stores. A hilly settlement, the town is shaped like a horseshoe and positioned in a very unconventional location.

Today, we’ll be rising early for a side trek to Everest View Hotel (3,780m) which will take us about 4 hrs. This acclimatization trek is worth it for the gorgeous views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, AmaDablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and others. We’ll also take a short descent into Khumjung, also called Green Valley for the sea of green rooves of the houses that are settled here, where we can visit Khumjung monastery and potentially view the famous “Yeti’s Scalp”!

Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,870m: 6-7 hours)

We descend towards the Dudh Koshi river and travel along a forest trail near the riverbed to reach the largest monastery in the Everest region; the Tengboche Monastery. The path is lined with Stupas, prayer flags, and mani walls, and as we climb the dusty, but panoramic switchback to Tengbhoche, you will be welcomed by the superb spectacle that is the Himalayas. If we are lucky, we may be able to attend a service as we explore the monastery, and ask for a blessing for our journey (for which a small donation would be appreciated).

Tengboche (3,870m) to Dingboche (4,400m: 7 hours)

The trail to Dingboche is very scenic, but also quite challenging. As we follow the Imja Khola we climb up to the windswept potato fields of Dingboche. While trekking we pass through dense forests of rhododendron and birch trees all the while admiring the views of Mt.Everest, Lhotse, and AmaDablam. The rest stop will be at Dingboche, a beautiful village in the heart of the mountains where we will be spending the night. The views of Ama Dablam from here are particularly spectacular and dramatic. As we will arrive at Dingboche in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax with a book or simply gaze at the surrounding mountains.

Acclimatization and rest day in Dingboche (4,400m)

Once again we’ll be taking a very important and much-needed acclimatization day in Dingboche, in order to adapt to the changes in altitude and avoid illness. We have a choice of hikes from here, including climbing the ridge behind the village to admire the stunningly beautiful views that include six of the world’s tallest peaks - Lhotse, Makalu & Cho Oyu, or visiting the base of Nangkar Tshang Peak, with its sacred sites and views of Mt Makalu. We are also welcome to visit the daily puja (prayer) ceremonies of the monastery, as the resident monks chant Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.

Dingboche (4,400m) to Lobuche (4,931m: 6-7 hours)

After leaving Dingboche, today’s hike takes you through windswept pastures, past the lonely huts of yak herders, and through alpine scrub. The trail continues on to Thokla Pass where the ascent is challenging, but worth it for the panoramic views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, and a few other 7,000 plus meter peaks! After crossing the pass towards the tiny settlement of Lobuche, you will notice the dramatic change in terrain as the woodlands of the past few days have thinned out to be replaced with scattered shrubs and rocky, snow-dusted grasslands. As we reach Lobuche for the evening, even though the village itself is rather unimpressive, you will be amazed by the beautiful and dramatic scenery which surrounds it!

Lobuche (4,931m) to GorakShep (5,170m) & Everest Base Camp (5,364m: 8 hours)

The terrain to reach Gorakshep is rough but beautiful, with the settlement situated near a frozen lakebed covered with sand. Our trek to Everest Base Camp takes us through beautiful glacier paths, and on our arrival, we are not only sitting at the base of the highest mountain in the world, but we are at the foot of a mountain that is revered by the local Sherpa people as a holy mountain. Called Chomalungma, she is considered to be the Mother of all mountains. We also can enjoy amazing views of Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori mountains, and Kalapatthar. After lunch, we head back to GorakShep for our overnight stay.

GorakShep to Kala Patthar (5550m) then Pheriche (4,371m: 7 hours)

We wake up early for the hike to Kala Patthar, a notable landmark located above Gorakshep for spectacular views of Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse as well as glimpses of the northern flank and summit of Lhotse. After soaking in the magnificence of this place and its surrounding mountains, we then head back to GorakShep and take the trek to Pheriche.

Pheriche (4,371m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m: 8 hours)

With the peak of our adventure achieved, we will be starting our return from Everest today, descending all day to reach Namche Bazaar. The trail descends quite considerably, but there are some uphills to be tackled also! As we approach Namche the forests and greenery returns.

Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Lukla (2,800m: 7-8 hours)

In the earlier part of the day, take a good final look at the magnificent Himalayan mountains, and say goodbye to Namche Bazaar and Mount Everest. We will be descending from Namche and head towards Lukla for our flight back to Kathmandu. We will be staying overnight at Lukla.

Lukla to Kathmandu

Get ready for one final adventure flight, as we fly back to Kathmandu. The runway at Lukla ends abruptly at the edge of the mountain, as we lift up and take one final journey through the Himalaya mountains. The flight will take about 45 min, and as you say goodbye you will get a different view of the changing landscapes, and the colorful and crowded villages and bazaars. With an afternoon in Kathmandu to yourself, you can choose to wander the bustling tourist district of Thamel to finish up your souvenir shopping or rest up in your hotel. Join us for a final meal together, as we enjoy a Nepalese farewell dinner with traditional live music and dance.  

Drop off at the airport

As today is your last day in the country we appreciate your decision to choose us as your travel companion. We are honored to be a part of your beautiful memories and hope that we met your expectations. We will accompany you to the airport for a traditional Nepal farewell, and we wish you a safe flight back home.