Everest Base Camp

 

Monday. Welcome to Nepal and the start of your Everest adventure! Arrive Kathmandu and included transfer to your hotel. This evening have a welcome drink and attend a briefing about your trek. Overnight - Kathmandu (B)

Today explore cosmopolitan Kathmandu and the surrounding valley. Highlights include the Buddhist Stupas of Bodhnath and Swayambhunath. We’ll also explore Patan Durbar Square, home to more than 50 stunning temples and shrines. This evening enjoy dinner and a cultural Nepali dance performance. Overnight - Kathmandu (B, D)

Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakdingma. This morning take a scenic flight to Lukla, gateway to the Everest region. Flying over the beautiful Langtang and Jugal ranges that surround the Kathmandu basin and the Rolwaling Himal. After lunch at the riverside village of Ghat, we begin our expedition with a series of short trekking days to ensure we acclimatise. Following the banks of the Dudh Koshi river we begin our gradual ascent to Phakdingma where we spend the night. Overnight - Phakdingma (Lodge) (B, L, D)

Phakdingma – Namche. Crossing the river on a large suspension bridge we head over to Jorsale and continue trekking along the river today. The trail passes over streams with wooden bridges and climbs out of the valley to Monjo where we enter the Everest National Park. Continuing on, we make a final steep ascent over 1000ft to reach Namche Bazaar; our resting place for the night. Namche Bazaar is the gateway to the Himalayas and a famous trading place for Tibetans. Overnight - Namche Bazaar (B, L, D)

Namche Bazaar – Khumjung. Today we set off on a steep one-hour climb to the Shyangboche airstrip which serves the famous Hotel Everest View, before following the trail down to the Khumjung Village at the foot of the Sacred Mountain Khumbila. The panoramic mountain views en route today are superb! Sir Edmond Hillary founded the Kumjung School in 1960, which provides excellent primary education for the children in the area. Overnight - Khumjung (Lodge) (B, L, D)

Khumjung – Dole - Macherma. Over the next two days we continue our ascent, stopping at small villages along the trail, passing through a beautiful rhododendrum forest and large herds of grazing yak, to reach Dole Village for our first nights rest. On day 7 the trail climbs up through the villages of Lhabarma and Luza to Machermu where you can rest your weary feet! Overnight - Day 6 - Dole Village (Lodge) Day 7 - Machermu (Lodge) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Machermu – Gokyo Village. Our journey today is guaranteed to be memorable, with spectacular views down the valley to Kantega and up toward Cho Oyu, passing the Ngozumpa Glacier and taking a steep narrow staircase trail to the simply stunning, turquoise Gokyo Lakes. We spend the night at Gokyo; a picturesque village on the shores of the largest lake known as Dudh Pokhari. Overnight - Gokyo (Lodge) (B, L, D)

Gokyo – Gokyo Ri – Tagnag. It’s an early start as we climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri (5483m) to watch the sunrise over a stunning vista of the regions 8000m peaks including the mighty Everest. Later we continue our journey, crossing a glacier to reach Tagnag, our overnight resting place. Overnight - Tagnag (Lodge) (B, L, D)

Tagnag - Cho Laa pass – Dzongla – Lobuche. It’s another early start on day 10 as we begin the most challenging part of the trek, crossing the steep Cho La pass to reach Dzongla where we stay in one of the three available lodges. On day 11 we continue our journey to Lobuche, where we spend the night in a very basic lodge in Lobuche. Overnight - Day 10 - Dzongla (Lodge) Day 11 - Lobuche (Lodge) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Lobuche – Gorakshep – Everest Base Camp - Gorakshep - Kala Pattar – Lobuche. Continuing along the main trail to Everest, with lovely views of Kala Pattar en-route, we hike to Gorakshep. This is a short distance but somewhat challenging at the present altitude. For those with enough energy, it is possible to follow in the footsteps of the late, great Edmond Hillary and trek up to Everest Base Camp, where he and Tenzig Norgay began their immense, record breaking, expedition to reach the highest peak on Earth! Take in the atmosphere and witness the ‘expedition life’ of those present day mountaineers attempting to reach the summit. Return to Gorakshep where we spend the night. On day 13 we climb Kala Pattar for arguably the most magnificent mountain vista in the world; the west and south face of Everest, so close you can even see the incredible climbing route from base to summit. Overnight - Day 12 - Gorashep (Lodge), Day 13 - Lobuche (Lodge)(B:2, L:2, D:2)

Lobuche – Pheriche – Tengboche – breakfast. It’s all downhill from now on, as we begin our descent! Spending a night at Pheriche and stopping at the Deuce nunnery for some light refreshments and a chat with the local nuns. We reach Tyangboche on day 15 and visit the beautiful Thyangboche monastery. Overnight - Day 14 - Pheriche (Lodge), Day 15 - Tyangboche (Lodge) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Tyangboche – Namche – Lukla – breakfast. Trekking back down to the busy town of Namche on day 16, where you can spend the evening relaxing or perhaps sampling the local nightlife and enjoying a well deserved drink or two! Returning to Lukla on day 17, we visit a local Sherpa family, where we have the opportunity to sample regional dishes and hear all about the history of the region. In the evening it’s time to celebrate our success, and bid farewell to our fabulous trekking staff! Overnight - Day 16 - Namache (Lodge), Day 17 - Lulka (Lodge) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Lukla – Kathmandu. Fly back to Kathmandu on day 18 and spend your final days at leisure; sightsee, shop or simply relax after your exhausting but momentous adventure – the choice is yours! Overnight - Kathmandu (B:2)

Saturday. Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport. (B)