DAY 2 - KATHMANDU TO LUKLA & TREK TO PHAKDING

Elevation: 2,800 m/9184 ft (Lukla) & 2,652 m/8,698 ft (Phakding)
Flight time: 35 mins
Walking Distance: 8 km (3 to 4 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

After an early breakfast, we will take a short domestic flight to Lukla – the gateway to Everest. Our flight will land on Tenzing-Hillary Airport which is widely known as the World’s most dangerous airport, the surrounding terrain, thin air, highly changeable weather and the airport’s short, sloping runway make it one of the most challenging landings in the world.

After introducing you to the rest of the crew, we will kick off the trek with an easy walk through Chaurikharka village and descent towards Dudhkoshi Ghat where you’ll likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks. The trail follows the bank of the Dudhkoshi River until Phakding, where we will be staying for the night to acclimatize. Having an easy first day is intentional, allowing you time to get used to the higher elevation so enjoy your free time in Phakding, a popular stopping point. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 3 - PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

Elevation: 3,440 m/11,283 ft
Walking Distance: 10 – 12 km (5 to 6 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

Our destination today will be Namche Bazaar – the biggest Sherpa village in Nepal. This is a challenging day as you’ll start to feel the altitude. The trail also consists of a few high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River and after trekking through the beautiful pine forest to Monjo, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment for a brief permit check. The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Everest. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 4 - NAMCHE BAZAAR - DAY HIKE (KHUNDE/KHUMJUNG AND EVEREST VIEW HOTEL)

Elevation: 3,440 m/11,283 ft
Accommodation: Tea house

Today is a rest day but if you choose to do a hike, we will leave early for the hike up to the Everest View Hotel about an hour’s hike above Namche Bazaar. It offers a fantastic panorama view of the Himalayas and Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. After enjoying the view and relaxing with a hot coffee we continue ahead to the traditional Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung. If you’re interested, we will visit Khumjung Monastery which houses the scalp of what’s said to be a Yeti. Leaving the villages, we circle back to Namche via the small airstrip at Shyangboche. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 5 - NAMCHE BAZAAR TO DOLE

Elevation: 4200 m/13,779 ft
Walking Distance:  5 to 6 hours
Accommodation: Tea house

After a well-rested day, we head up to a small settlement of Mong-la with a nice and easy trail. At Mong-la, you’ll get to admire the amazing view of the snow-capped peaks of Shanasa. We’ll stop for lunch at Phortse Thanga before we follow the path upwards through woods of flowering rhododendron, and emerge to a perfect view of Cho Oyu. Thereafter, it’s a simple walk to Dole – our destination of the day which used to be a yak pasture. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 6 - DOLE TO MACHHERMO

Elevation: 4,470 m/14,665 ft
Walking Distance: 4 hours
Accommodation: Tea house

We start our day trekking through yak pastures and remote Sherpa villages. Today’s trail will be enjoyable as it is short with scenic view. We’ll reach Luza in the early noon and will continue onward following along a valley high over the river to reach Machhermo by midday. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 7 - MACHHERMO TO GOKYO

Elevation: 4790 m/15,715 ft
Walking Distance: 4 to 5 hours
Accommodation: Tea house

We begin the day by climbing a ridge for an incredible view down the valley to Kangtaiga and also up towards the northern part of Cho Oyu (8,153 m). It’s another short day of trekking but the trail gets steeper. The trail first pass through Phangkha, descend to the riverbank before arriving at the moraines of the Ngozumpa Glacier on a steep trail.

We’ll reach the first Gokyo Lake known as Longponga (4,710) upon crossing an iron bridge over a river. At we reach the second lake, Taujung Tsho, and walk further ahead to arrive at the third lake, Gokyo Tsho. We’ll pause to appreciate the mesmerizing view of the glittering turquoise blue water of each of these Holy lakes before walking another hour to Gokyo village. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 8 - GOKYO DAY HIKE

Elevation: 4,790 m/15,715 ft (Gokyo Lake) & 5,480 m / 17,979 ft (Gokyo Ri) 
Walking Distance: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Tea house

Today is a rest day but we will take you on a hike to Gokyo Ri. Even though the climb is challenging but you will be rewarded with a magnificent & breathtaking panorama view of the Himalayas Giants – Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Makalu (8,481 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Nuptse (8,481m), Pumori (7,161 m) and Ama Dablam (6,856 m). After a successful climb to Gokyo Ri, we will descend back to Gokyo for breakfast and enjoy our free stroll.

DAY 9 - GOKYO TO THANGNAK

Elevation: 4,700 m/15,400 ft
Walking Distance: 3.7 km (5 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

Following the rather easy and short trail that crosses the longest glacier in the Himalayas – Ngozumpa Glacier we will arrive at Thangnak. It is a very secluded yet lively settlement which is also the base of Cho La Pass. You’re free to explore Thangnak for the afternoon. Overnight stay in Tea house.

Day 10 : Thangnak to Dzongla

Elevation: 4,855 m/15,930 ft (Dzongla), 5420 m/17,783 ft (Cho La Pass)
Walking Distance: 6 to 7 hours
Accommodation: Tea house

It’s another early day as we set out for a challenging climb to the top of Chola Pass. We ascend slightly along the valley and the trail steepens as we approach the pass. It is an exquisite glacial pass that is covered with blue ice most of the time and the walk across the icy glacier is phenomenal. We will descends steeply down through the rock face trail all the way to Dzongla – another beautiful place with an impressive view of Cholatse as the backdrop. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 11 - DZONGLA TO LOBUCHE

Elevation: 4,910 m/16,175 ft
Walking Distance: 4 hours
Accommodation: Tea house

After yesterday difficult climb, today’s trail is a fairly manageable one. An easy 3 to 4 hours walk will take us to Lobuche – a small village situated nearby the stream and from here, you will get to see the sunset upon Nuptse which is an unforgettable sight. Along the way, be prepared to be awed by the sensational panorama view of the Himalayas. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 12 - LOBUCHE TO GOREKSHEP & EVEREST BASE CAMP

Elevation: 5180 m/16,994 ft (Gorekshep) & 5364 m/17,598 ft (EBC)
Walking Distance: 15 km (6 to 8 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

At the crack of dawn, we will leave Lobuche and along the way we’ll be able to catch the amazing view of the sun rises upon the summits of the Himalayan peaks. We’ll traverse the Khumbu Glacier on our way to Gorakshep; a dry, sandy lake bed. After a quick lunch, we’ll climb along the Khumbu Glacier at a slow but steady pace to reach Everest Base Camp. The trail is after all on a glacier and snow capped rocks hence it is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris.

At the Base Camp, during Spring Everest Expedition season, you’ll have the chance to meet climbers attempting to scale the mountain’s summit. After taking some time to admire your surroundings, we’ll make our way back down to Gorakshep, where you’ll spend the night. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 13 - HIKE KALA PATHAR & TREK TO PERICHE

Elevation: 5,545 m/18,192 ft (Kalapathar) & 4,320 m/14,173 ft (Pheriche)
Walking Distance: 12 – 13 km (5 to 6 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

The hike to Kala Pathar will start before dawn in the bid to catch the stunning sunrise view upon the magnificent Himalayas mountain range. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of Nuptse, Changtse and Lhotse and you’ll be face-to-face with the highest mountaintop in the world! After your summit to Kala Pathar, it’s back to Gorekshep for breakfast and down in the direction of Pheriche. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 14 - PERICHE TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

Elevation: 4,320 m/14,173 ft (Pheriche) & 3,440 m/11,283 ft (Namche)
Walking Distance: 13 – 15 km (7 to 8 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

From now on, our pace will be a lot quicker as we descend, and the walking gets easier. The walk from Pheriche back to Tengboche is mainly downhill. At Tengboche, we will stop and visit the most active monastery in Khumbu region and if you would like you can also light a butter lamp for an experience. After our prayers, we’ll descend the bridge over the Dudh Koshi to Phunki Tenga, where you can check out the Buddhist prayer wheels powered by water. We’ll head towards Namche Bazaar for the night. Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 15 - NAMCHE TO PHAKDING TO LUKLA

Elevation: 2,800 m/9,184 ft
Walking Distance: 16 km (6 to 7 hours)
Accommodation: Tea house

Today’s trail is a fairly easy one and it also marks our final day of trekking. We trek along Dudhi Koshi River toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages to Lukla, where we’ll spend our last night in the mountains. A farewell party will be held with all the trekking crew: Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you made it! Overnight stay in Tea house.

DAY 16 - LUKLA TO KATHMANDU

Elevation: 1,350 m/4,428 ft
Flight time: 35 mins
Accommodation: Local hotel

After spending the last morning in the mountains, we’ll hop on a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where your journey both began and ends. You’ll be transferred to your hotel upon landing and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure to catch up on your much-needed rest. Otherwise, you have the entire capital at your fingertips for sightseeing before you depart tomorrow. Your conquest of the Himalayas is complete! We’ll meet up one last time for a celebratory dinner at one of the town’s finest Nepalese restaurants.

DAY 17 - KATHMANDU: DEPARTURE DAY

It’s your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast and take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu before we’ll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell. We’ll make sure you arrive at the Airport with plenty time before your flight home and have everything you need to leave well!

NOTE: The above  route and walking hours serve as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to weather, trail conditions or other reason.

If  you have extra days after the trek and would like to extend your trip?

Let us know and we will be able to help you to arrange day tours around the city or even a 3-day trip to Chitwan for safari tour.

KATHMANDU (CONTINGENCY DAY)
As mountainous weather is often unpredictable, domestic flights to and from Lukla are easily affected by any minor signs of bad weather. We advise all our adventurers to factor in at least 1 or preferably 2 days of contingency days at the end of their trip. Moreover, there are a lot of interesting places to visit in Kathmandu at your leisure.