Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival

Arrive in Kathmandu, be met by a representative, transferred to a hotel, check in. Rest of the day upon your discretion.

Overnight:  Hotel.

Day 02: Sightseeing and Briefing

The day is required for us to procure necessary permits and other legal documentations to grant guests permission to climb a peak in Nepal.

In the meantime:

AM: Tour Kathmandu valley and travel through time as you visit UNESCO Heritage sites like the Durbar Squares and Swayambhu Temple.

PM: Briefing about the trek and allow time for last minute purchases of necessary equipments.

Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Flight: Lukla, Trek: Phakding (2652m)

Domestic flight to Lukla – an adventure in itself, the short flight to Lukla will offer glimpses of the journey ahead of us. Upon arrival, necessary introductions with the porters and a short tea/coffee break.

Begin trek as we leave the small town of Lukla and cross a suspension bridge. Pursue trail, cross villages of Chaunri Kharka (2713m) and Ghat (2550m) and descend down to reach the Dudh Kosi River at Phakding (2652m).

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 3 – 3 ½ hours

Day 04: Namche Bazaar (3447m)

Follow trail along left bank of Dudh Kosi, pass along agricultural fields, small villages and a monastery, Cross the river at Benkar and be welcomed in the region with bewitching glimpses of Kusum Kunguru (6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). Steep climb of 20 mins to Monjo, lunch stop.

Post lunch, reach check post, register one’s entry and enter Sagarmatha National Park, home of Everest and some of the world’s tallest peaks. Follow Dudh Kosi, cross a suspension bridge and begin a 3 hour ascent to Namche Bazar. En route, sneak peeks of the majestic three peaks that lay ahead of us –Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m) and Lhotse (8383m). Reach Namche.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours.

Day 05: Acclimatization (Namche Bazaar)

To prevent altitude sickness, take a day to acclimatize before proceeding. Explore Namche Bazaar – a bustling and thriving town in Solokhumbu District. Could visit a small museum atop a hill or visit Shyangboche Airport.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek: N/A

Day 06:  Thyangboche (3863m)

Breakfast, sign in at the check post, short climb up to a small prayer stone. A leveled path follows with an occasional climb here and there, enjoy scenic views of Ama Dablam (6696m), Kang Taiga (6779) bordered by the towering views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. Descend to Imja Khola (river) at Phunki (3200m) next to several large water driven prayer wheels. Lunch.

Begin uphill walk to Thyangboche Monastery – heavenly as described by many. Lying at the base of Kang Taiga, Thyangboche offers stunning and panoramic views of the Himalayas –  Ama Dablam, Everest (southwest face), Thamserku, and Kang Taiga. Traditionally, all Everest expeditioners receive their blessings at the monastery before heading north.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours

Day 07:  Pheriche (4220m)

After breakfast, a short descent through a forest of birch, conifer, and rhododendron brings you to the meadows of Devouche. Cross Dudh Koshi and rach Pangboche (3985m) and proceed to Shomaray for lunch.

After lunch, pass a herder’s hut and take the trail to the left and watch an interesting vista unfold before you and the river has become a ravine. Reach upper Pangboche and a steep climb to the ridge, after which descend to Khumbu Khola. Cross the river and walk for ten minutes, usually against fierce winds to reach the windy valley of Pheriche.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 5 ½ hours.

Day 08: Rest/Acclimatization at Pheriche

Studies have revealed that symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) begins to show once you have crossed the 4,000 metre mark, thus advised to take a day to acclimatize.

Pheriche has a trekker’s aid post supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association and Tokyo Medical College.

Overnight: Lodge.                          Trek Duration: 5 ½ hours.

Day 09: Lobuche

Approach an ill-defined track to arrive at a ridge and continue journey. Enjoy scenic views of Cholatse (6442m) on the west and Ama Dablam to the rear. Arrive at Thugla for an early lunch. (Note: Due to unavailability of water ahead, this is the only lunch stop available)

Post lunch, steep ascent; reach a Sherpa memorial in remembrance to the brave souls who lost their lives during their Everest expeditions. Further ahead, the trail leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with views of Pumori (Mountain’s Daughter) Peak. The stark and rugged beauty gives it an appearance of the moon’s surface. After an hour of steady trekking we reach the campsite at Lobuche which is situated in a windswept valley with enchanting views of Tawatse (6501m) and Nuptse (7855m).

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 4 ½ hours.

Day 10: Gorakshep (5160m) – Everest Base Camp (5360m) – Gorakshep

Reach another valley after a short climb, travel along the Khumbu Glacier through jumbled moraines and scattered rocks. On a clear day Mt. Everest can be seen looming behind Nuptse. Arrive at the ridge above Gorakshep and descend to reach Gorakshep – a small settlement with 2 tea houses. This place was base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest Expedition. Gorakshep (graveyard of the crows) has a small lake, usually frozen, and several monuments to climbers who have died during their Everest expeditions.

EBC while fascinating, does not provide views of Everest – it is eclipsed by the looming Lhotse and Nuptse. The highlight of Gorakshep is the lake and Khumbu glacier which is a short distance away. Gorakshep and adjoining areas are used as a base camp by Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse summiteers.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 7 ½ – 8 ½ hours.

Day 11: Kala Patthar (5545) and back to Lobuche and down to Lobuche Base Camp

After an early breakfast and an arduous trek up hill, reach Kala Patthar to be rewarded with some of the best views of Mt. Everest and other surrounding high peaks– Pumori (7145m), Changtse (7553m), Nuptse (7855m), Lhotse (8516m) and Ama Dablam amongst many others. Breathtaking, stunning, spectacular, awe-inspiring, one will run out of adjectives whilst describing the Himalayas.

Best viewed after noon as the sun is behind the observer and on the majestic mountains ahead of you.

After a short rest and refreshments, follow the trail back to Lobuche. From Lobuche a gradual descent for half an hour and then an ascent brings us  Lobuche Base Camp. The path is rocky and follows the bank of Lobuche Glacier. Watch uncompromised views of Cholatse, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Pokalde, Thamserku, Kang Taiga and many other peaks as you head steadily towards the base camp.

Overnight: Tented Camp                             Trek Duration: 7½ hours.

Day 12: Training and Rest Day: Lobuche Base Camp

Light Exercises and guides will go through a safety lesson – teach you climbing techniques to follow and explain the use of various equipments. Remainder of the day: Rest.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Day 13: High Camp (5600m): Acclimatize

Proceed to High Camp – although it is possible to summit the peak in a day from Base Camp – not advised as it becomes too strenuous, also a day to acclimatize at High Camp would prove beneficial. Practice the use of the climbing gear.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Day 14: Summit Lobuche Peak, back to Base Camp

The most awaited day is here – we start early morning, however dependent upon weather. A stead, slightly technical, however doable journey upward to the top of Lobuche.

Once on the top, there is no comparison to the view – a 360 degree panoramic view of the majestic Himalayan Range. Stunning and unparalleled views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Tawache, Cholatse, Pumori, Changri and more. Take in the view with mesmerizing awe of the universe and what is has to offer. Congratulate each other and yourself on a successful journey, let the feeling of being atop a mountain sink in, and slowly make your way back to the Base Camp.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Day 15: Contingency

The day is kept aside in case of contingencies. There is a chance that the weather may not permit us to climb, for which we will have to postpone the climb. Another factor could be health – a client(s) may ask for an extra day rest before summiting the peak.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Day 16: Pangboche (3985m)

After days in the high altitude areas, especially after the summit, trekkers/mountaineers crave some warm weather – and today we descend to Pangboche (3985m). A gradual descent is followed by a sharp descent all the way to Dudh Koshi where we rejoin the earlier track near Pheriche. The route leads us to Pangboche.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 5 ½

Day 17: Namche Bazaar

We have begun our return journey, we are following the same trail we walked by a few days ago, nevertheless, our views remain uniquely distinctive. We take a beautiful afternoon stroll along the meadows of Devouche. Pass by Shanasa, where Tibetan traders have wonderful artifacts which can be taken home as souvenirs of the Himalayas. Reach Namche Bazaar.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 5 ½ – 6 ½ hours.

Day 18: Lukla

Bid farewell to the Sagarmatha National Park at JoreSale. Lunch at Phading, Walk along the river and a steady climb brings us to Lukla.

A farewell dinner in the evening over celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa friends.

Overnight: Lodge                           Trek Duration: 5 ½ – 6 ½ hours.

Day 19: Flight: Lukla – Kathmandu

Early morning, take a flight to Kathmandu in a twin otter aircraft. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to hotel by representative.

Free for the rest of the day.

Overnight: Hotel.

Day 20: Free day in Kathmandu

Free day in Kathmandu to rest, relax and shop on your own.

Overnight: Hotel.

Day 21: Departure

Last minute shopping of souvenirs and transfer to TIA, Kathmandu.
Head home, or to your next destination with beautiful memories and a wide glossary of experiences. Watch the Himalayas pass by.