This challenging and rugged adventure, with plenty of time for sensible acclimatisation, follows the classic route to the Base Camp of Mount Everest and Kala Patar. Starting from Lukla, we trek through the homeland of the Sherpas, enjoying their friendly hospitality and experiencing arguably the most dramatic mountain views in the world.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 / Kathmandu
Today is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. Please ask at the hotel reception for suggestions of things to see and do in Kathmandu. A pre-departure meeting takes place this evening at the hotel. Please also check the noticeboard for details of this meeting and for any other messages from your tour leader. Please also bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the meeting, where your tour leader will also collect your local payment. Afterwards we have the opportunity to go out for an optional group dinner.
Day 2 / Kathmandu
We have a free day to enjoy Kathmandu. Our tour leader can take us for a wander down to Durbar Square, which is the spiritual heart of the city located only 10 minutes walk from our hotel. There is much to do in this city ranging from sightseeing to scouring the shops in Thamel or just relaxing in the hotel gardens. Alternatively you may wish to arrange for a taxi to take you out to Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, and Bhaktapur, probably the most fascinating of the medieval towns in the Kathmandu Valley.
Day 3 / Phakding
(Walking time: approx 3 hours)
In the morning we fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m). The flight itself is awe-inspiring as we fly parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibetan China. Flight time is about 40 minutes and we land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing we meet our porters who will carry our equipment during our trek. We also have time to explore the village before hitting the trail. The trek starts with a descent towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar. (Dudh means 'milk' – the waters of the river are a strong milky white from glacial melt.) The walk is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2550m), we soon reach our lodge at Phakding.
Day 4 / Monjo - Namche Bazaar
(Walking time: approx 8 hours)
It is a long day, but also essential that we ascend slowly on the route that eventually leads to Everest Base Camp. Sensible acclimatisation will ensure we are feeling good on our final days approaching the peak of Everest. We make a start from Phakding and cross the river to walk through tracts of blue pine and rhododendron forest that is very spectacular in the spring, when the flowers are in bloom. We cross the Dudh Kosi at Benkar and enjoy great views of the snow-capped peaks of Kusum Kanguru (6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m), where we arrive in time for lunch. Then the walking gets a little tougher and includes a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. It is a short walk to the entrance of the national park, where our permits are checked before we descend quite steeply to again cross the Dudh Kosi to Jorsale (2805m). The trek continues upstream on generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank, to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi rivers. After crossing a large and stable suspension bridge high above the river we climb steeply to the village of Namche Bazaar. A slow and steady pace is recommended on this section of the climb and we are encouraged to make the most of the fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche come into view for the first time. You may notice you are travelling a little more slowly as the effects of altitude start to become apparent. Take your time on this path which is used by the local peoples as a 'foot highway' on this important trading route. At Namche we stay in a lodge in the heart of the village and there is plenty of time to bargain in the shops for Tibetan artefacts or relax and marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Day 5 / Namche Bazaar
(Acclimatization Day)
We stay at Namche for a second night to allow for proper acclimatization to the high altitude and to enable full exploration of the town and its surrounds. Namche is a prosperous village, situated in a large, protected hollow. It gained its importance during the period when Tibetan salt was traded for the lowland grains of Nepal. Today quite an amount of trade continues at Namche and Tibetans are sometimes seen in the village trading rugs and Chinese-made goods, clothing, salt and dried meat. It is recommended that you take the opportunity to see both the sunrise and sunset views from the national park headquarters above the village. The panorama can be stunning at both times of the day with a superb view of the Khumbu peaks, including great sightings of Everest. After breakfast there are various options, including perhaps a walk towards Thami (3810m), up the beautiful and generally flat Bhote Khola River Valley, with a series of great peaks rearing to well over 6,000 metres just to the west. Alternatively you can visit the national park headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture. Your guides will be on hand to offer advice and to escort you on the walks. Another option is the steep climb out of the village bowl to the flatter areas around and above Shyangboche where beautiful views abound, although this is likely to be the same path that we will be taking tomorrow.
Day 6 / Khumjung
(Walking time: approx 2 hours)
From Namche we walk up towards the park headquarters and then climb steeply above the main trail towards the small airstrip at Shyangboche. From here you can look down on the roofs of Namche way below and to the huge mountains across the valley. Our path then heads on flatter terrain to the Everest View Hotel, noted for its viewpoint, and given clear conditions we may enjoy an excellent panorama of towering Himalayan snow peaks. These include beautiful Ama Dablam and mighty Everest, prominently standing above all others at the head of the Dudh Kosi Valley. On a small ridge seen far below the summit of Everest we can spot the monastery at Thyangboche, a small speck against the gigantic mountain background. After some refreshment at the hotel we head down to the twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung, where we check into our lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon it is worthwhile visiting the nearby small hospital run by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust in Kunde and perhaps the Khumjung Monastery, where you may be fortunate enough to view a yeti skull!
Day 7 / Thyangboche
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
From Khumjung we descend through the village and perhaps stop for a cup of coffee and cake at the local bakery before rejoining the main trail to Everest at Shanasa. Do look out for Danphe Pheasant and Himalayan Thar often seen on the high ground above the trail. We continue on to Trashinga and then descend steeply to cross the Dudh Kosi at Phunkitenga (3250m), where we take lunch. In the afternoon it is a long and steep climb through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forest towards Thyangboche Monastery. We stay here for the night and experience great views of the peaks Kantega, Ama Dablam (perhaps the most beautiful peak in the region) and of course Mount Everest.
Day 8 / Dingboche
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
In the morning we visit the monastery before descending through forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron to the nunnery at Debuche. The walking today involves only gradual climbs, but because of the altitude we need to pace ourselves slowly throughout the day. After crossing the Imja Khola the trail heads to the village of Pangboche, where we have a chance to enjoy our lunch with the beautiful peak of Ama Dablam in the background. In the afternoon our trail climbs through open alpine hillsides before we again cross the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines to our lodge, in the settlement of Dingboche.
Day 9 / Dingboche
(Acclimatization Day)
Before we ascend any higher we take another rest and acclimatization day and explore the beautiful Imja Khola Valley. Dingboche is located in a patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls protecting crops of barley and potatoes. An ascent of the hill behind our lodge hill will afford great views of the fifth highest mountain in the world, Makalu (8481m), which is not visible from the valley floor. Alternatively a walk up the valley towards Chukung is worthwhile. The views are fantastic in this valley; the towering south face of Lhotse to the north, Island Peak in the centre of the valley and the fluted ice-walls of unnamed peaks that line the southern end of the valley form a hauntingly beautiful sight. Unfortunately Everest is not visible from this village.
Day 10 / Lobuche
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
It is a tough walk today up the valley to Lobuche, so do take your time and ensure you are well hydrated. From Dingboche we ascend the small ridge behind the village above Pheriche Valley. From the chorten at the top, the peaks of Taweche and Cholatse (6440m) dramatically line the valley to the west. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of the Cho La can be seen. At Dughla (4620m) we take a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of Khumbu Glacier, which has flowed off Everest, and in the afternoon we climb steadily to reach a ridge with a line of memorial cairns, built in memory of Sherpas and other climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last 50 years. From here the view is spectacular; Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m), Khumbutse (6623m), and, across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550m) are seen at the head of the valley, whilst Everest is hidden behind the towering walls of Nuptse and Lhotse. We then follow the valley stream to our lodge at Lobuje, arriving early afternoon.
Day 11 / Gorak Shep
(Walking time: approx 3 hours)
After a leisurely breakfast we follow the broad valley running parallel to Khumbu Glacier. The trail ascends only gradually to the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, but from here we make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that leads eventually to Gorak Shep (5160m). After lunch we set off uphill to Kala Patar (5630m) to experience the sensational sunset views from this amazing vantage point. It will probably take a good hour and a half to reach the summit from Gorak Shep, although lower viewpoints may provide views almost as good. In front of us are Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest - the highest mountain in the world. As we will be descending in fading light, please bring along a head torch for this excursion.
Day 12 / Lobuche
(Walking time: approx 7 hours)
We have wake up early for the trek along the glacier to Everest Base Camp, which takes around 3 hours. If we are trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, we will almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here. From Base Camp we do not get views of Everest, but we will be able to see the notorious Everest ice fall that flows from the Western Cwm, which is regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain. We return to Gorak Shep for an early lunch before re-tracing our steps to Lobuche. Be prepared for a long and tiring day. The trek to Base Camp is optional so if you are feeling tired you can rest at Gorak Shep instead. Please note that depending on how everyone is feeling, it may be possible to descend to the lower altitudes of Pheriche rather than spending the night at Lobuje.
Day 13 / Thyangboche
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
It is amazing how quickly we retrace the trail that was a challenge to ascend en route to Everest Base Camp. We should be well acclimatised and we head quickly back downhill to Dughla and then taking a different route following the wide alpine valley to Pheriche for a long tea break. There is a trekkers’ aid post here, supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association which although not manned year round is well worth a visit if open. From Pheriche we ascend a short steep trail to the top of a small ridge for great views of Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega, before taking lunch at Orsho. In the afternoon we again descend to Shomare and later pass through Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River and re-trace our steps to Debuche and on to Thyangboche.
Day 14 / Namche Bazaar - Monjo
(Walking time: approx 8 hours)
From Thyangboche we descend steeply to the suspension bridge at Phunkitenga and after a welcome break and perhaps a cup of tea we cross the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa before returning to Namche Bazaar, where we take lunch and enjoy a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar. In the afternoon we descend steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi and follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where we spend the night.
Day 15 / Lukla
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
There is no rush today as we retrace our steps back to Lukla. We take lunch in Phakding and, although the final ascent up to Lukla is a surprise for most trekkers, reach the airport in the early afternoon. Lukla is famous for its end of trek celebrations, although we should not overdo it, as the plane ride back to Kathmandu is not best enjoyed with a hangover!
Day 16 / Kathmandu
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Kathmandu to Lukla return flight includes
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