Itinerary

Day 01 – Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350 m/4,450 ft.)

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and clearing customs and immigration, you will be welcomed by one of our team members at the arrival zone. You will be escorted by private transport to our hotel in Kathmandu, conveniently located in the Thamel district. Thamel is well known as an exciting tourist hub and has a full range of restaurants and cuisine, gear and souvenir shops, pubs, nightspots and tourist facilities. After resting and refreshing at the hotel, the evening is yours to explore.

Day 02 – Day tour, Kathmandu Valley sightseeing, trek prep and briefing

After breakfast, we will embark on a day of sightseeing around the scenic Kathmandu valley. You will be accompanied by our local city guide, an expert on the architecture, culture and history of the valley. The day’s sights and activities include visits to the sacred, ancient shrines of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath, all still very active. Pashupatinath is one of the world’s most important Shiva shrines and a site of cremation for dignitaries. Boudhanath is one of the largest and grandest Buddhist stupa’s in Asia and busy from dawn to dusk with devotees. Swayambhunath, aka the monkey temple, is famously perched on a hill overlooking the city. Depending on weather and available time, we may or may not make it to all of the sights above, as we have some necessary preparations for our trek tomorrow. Final briefing will normally be held just before dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 – Flight to Lukla (2850 m/9,350 ft.), trek to Phakding (2,650 m/8,690 ft.) – 3 hrs.

We begin early today with transport to the airport for our scenic domestic flight east to the mountain airport of Lukla. We are now in a land populated by the famous Sherpa people. In Lukla we will meet the majority of our crew and take our first steps on the trek. We take it easy today to get accustomed to the altitude with an enjoyable walk to Phakding with time to spare to explore the local monastery. Overnight at lodge. 

Day 04 – trek to Namche bazaar (3440 m/11,285 ft.) – 6 hrs.

Today we have our first full day on the trail as we trek north up the Dudh Koshi river valley. We pass the Sagarmatha national part check post and will have our permits registered before continuing on with glimpses of the big peaks along the way, including Everest! We cross a high suspension bridge and then make a challenging climb through dense forest to arrive at Namche bazaar a town set in an arena with beautiful peaks looking in. the market area is a lively scene with much to explore as well as a nearby monastery. Overnight in guesthouse. 

Day 05 – acclimatisation walk from Namche bazaar

Today, we will take a hike to explore the Sagarmatha national park visitor center and a spectacular hike to Khunde and Khumjung, Sherpa settlements an hour from Namche with a yak farm along the way. Additionally, we visit the famous Everest view hotel before returning to Namche bazaar to overnight in the lodge.

Day 06 – trek to Phortse (3,810 m/12,850 feet) – 5 hours

We continue the trek to base camp today while deviating from the main 'Everest Highway'. Taking an alternative route to Phortse shows us the lower reaches of the Gokyo Valley, and lets us explore another great Sherpa settlement. Phortse is home to the highest density of Nepalese Everest summiteers and the new Khumbu Climbing Centre, a not for profit training facility set up to train you Sherpa's who aspire to work on the big mountains, equiping them with the much needed skills and experience to be able to do their work safely. Overnight at lodge.

Day 07 - trek to Orsho (4110m) – 4 hours

Today we take it easy. A short walk up the valley to gain some elevation, and into our camp for lunch. We have the afternoon off to explore the local yak trails and boulder fields. All with a spectaculare up close view of Ama Dablam to the east. Overnight at lodge.

Day 08 - trek to Dingboche (4,360 m/14,290 feet) – 5 hours

An early start gets us to our destination in time for lunch, maybe even a detour through town to a french bakery. There's a couple options for the afternoon, for those feeling good, we can head up to Chukkung and back. Alternatively there is a path up out of town to a view point. It follows a ridge giving us the option to go up as far as we like before descending back down for the night. Overnight at lodge.

Day 09 – rest day to relax and acclimatise at Dingboche (4,360 m/14,290 feet) – 5 hours

Today is an actual rest day. We've been on the road for a week now, so we've earned it! If we're feeling great, we can always head out for another acclimatisation walk, trying to get a little further up the ridge than we did yesterday. Alternatively, we can sip on latte's and eat freshly baked scones. Your choice. Overnight at lodge.

Day 10 - trek to Lobuche (4,930 m/16,175 ft.) – 5 hours

Today our trek will be filled with great mountain views. The route begins with a short uphill near a ridge top shrine and then we follow up the wide valley to a crossing of the glacial moraine and a small collection of lodges. Again we climb and have stupendous views as we gain elevation. From a pass where memorials have been erected to climbers who passed away in this region, we have a pleasant hike to Lobuche. This large settlement has many shops and hotels in a magnificent setting. Overnight in lodge. 

Day 11 – trek to Everest base camp and back to Gorakshep (5,185 m, 17,010 ft.) – 6-8 hours

Today is a long awaited and rewarding day. From Lobuche, we follow the glacial moraine up and the views keep on getting better. Eventually we rise to the lodges of Gorakshep our overnight point for today, but other than to leave our gear in our rooms and enjoy a lunch, we continue on to base camp. The terrain on the way to Everest base camp is otherworldly. Finally we reach the ultimate destination of this trek and we are as close as possible to the world’s highest peak without being a climber. Savor the moment and our congratulations at the effort it took to make it here! We take in the views including the renowned Khumbu icefall. After some time we head back to Gorakshep for the evening. It’s been a wonderful day after all! Overnight at lodge. 

Day 12 – hike to Kala Patthar viewpoint and then trek Gorakshep to Pheriche (4,250m / 13,945 feet) –5 hrs.

We wake up early today and enjoy a hot drink before a pre-dawn climb to the famous Kala Patthar viewpoint at 5550 m (18,208 ft.). From Kala Patthar we can witness a marvelous sunrise on Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. After savoring the panorama, we trek return to Gorakshep for breakfast and to pick up our gear. We then descend back down the beautiful valley to Pheriche. Overnight at lodge.

Day 13 – trek to Tengboche (3860 m) – 4 hrs.

A gentle stroll back down the valley and into the trees brings us to Tengboche, home of one of the most famous monasteries in Nepal. Perched on the hill we are struck with views back up the valley to Everest. We'll be able to explore the monastery and its grounds, as well as taste the famous cakes from the local bakery. If we're lucky we may be able to stand in on an afternoon prayer. Overnight at lodge.

Day 14 – trek to Jorsale (2740 m) – 6 hrs.

Straight down from Tengboche, and back up the other side of the valley for the relatively easy walk back to Namche Bazaar. We'll enjoy one last meal in Namche, maybe even a beer, before heading down even further to Jorsale. As we descend you can taste the sweet oxygen becoming more dense. Overnight at lodge.

Day 15 - trek to Lukla (2850 m/9,350 ft.) – 6-7 hrs.

This will be our last day on the trekking trails as we make a return down the Dudh Kosi valley. From this direction the views will be entirely different. Eventually, we reach the large town of Lukla with the airport where tomorrow we will have a flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight at lodge.

Day 16 – fly to Kathmandu

If all goes according to schedule, and we certainly expect it to (please see note below), then we take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu and the rest of the time will be yours to relax and refresh from your days on the trekking trail, and perhaps explore more of the city. Overnight at selected hotel in Kathmandu.

Please be advised: we recommend adding extra days in your itinerary as a safety margin for your return flight home. The air traffic from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then Lukla to Kathmandu is frequently behind schedule and this may cause onward delays. Sometimes flights get backed up for a days. In these circumstances, we will do our best to allay problems, and re-schedule flights to and from Lukla as available. However, we must caution you about the possibility of postponements of flights and even cancellations. We recommend that you schedule at least an extra 2 days cushion in your itinerary to avoid problems with international flights from Nepal. In the event of delays, we can arrange a helicopter at your request at a cost of around USD500-1000 per person, depending on demand and capacity, this will generally be covered by your travel insurance. It is also very likely that no delays will be incurred. In any case, we can arrange additional activities with your extra time in Nepal!

Day 17 – transfer to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan international airport for your international departure

Our team will accompany you by private vehicle to the international airport for your final departure home.

The itinerary listed above is a general guideline; please be advised that it might be necessary to modify it due to external factors beyond our means including and not limited to the following: unstable weather, accessibility and availability of lodging, unforeseen governmental, trail and ecological conditions and other circumstances beyond our control. Although, it is improbable that changes will occur that would significantly alter the original itinerary, we cannot be held accountable for the results of delays or changes beyond our control. In the event of an itinerary adjustment or need to redirect to other trails and areas, the expedition leader will ultimately make the final choice on the best rerouting after consulting with the group members and keeping in mind the interests of the party as a whole. If an alteration is necessary, then we will certainly do everything we can to diminish the effects.

Gallery

Cost

Expedition cost $2450* twin share, ex Kathmandu.

*minimum number of bookings required, see T's & C's for full details

COST INCLUDES:

High level of pre expedition service and preparation aid
Private transport to and from our hotel in Kathmandu to Kathmandu’s international airport
Three nights accommodation at a Three-Star hotel in Kathmandu (breakfast included)
A guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley by private vehicle and entrance fees to World Heritage Sites
Return Flight (Domestic) from Kathmandu to Lukla (includes tax and government fees)
Tea House/lodge accommodation during the trek
All Standard Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the Trek
Official government registered and licensed local Expert Guide with accompanying porters (generally, 1 porter per 2 trekkers) to assist with carrying gear during the trek. (We cover the porters’ meals, lodging, salary, transport,insurance, equipment, and other essentials.)
Sagarmatha National Park entry fees
Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card fee
Expedition Medical kit
Sleeping Bag and Down Jacket hire for the trek
All Government and local taxes
Certificate of Completion
Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu at the completion of the tour

COST EXCLUDES:

International Flight
Major meals (other than breakfast) in Kathmandu
All Personal Expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar bills, beverages, snacks
Personal clothing and gear
Travel Insurance (required)
Extra shower fees at lodges along the trail, battery re-charge fees, and incidental expenses along the trail
Tips for Guide and Porters
Cost raised by cancelation and events beyond our control, e.g., landslides necessitating trail diversions, weather delays, political unrest, illness, et cetera.

Extras

Note the below items can be added at the time of booking.

Dates