Quick Facts
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Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal. Upon completing the visa formalities and collecting your luggages in the airport, kindly proceed to the exit of the arrival hall. Your trip leader will await you just outside the arrival hall and will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Please look out for a placard of Highland Expeditions at the exit of arrival hall. Welcome drinks will be served and after you’ve refreshed, your trek leader will brief you about your trip in the lobby of your hotel in the evening. Get familiar with your surroundings by taking a walk down the street and at eventide relish a welcome dinner at typical Nepalese restaurant.
Day 02 - Exploration of Kathmandu and trek preparation [1,350m/4,430ft]
Your arrival is followed by a sightseeing tour of the Capital city of Nepal. With two of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites on the itinerary, start off with a tour of Boudhanath. Then take a short trip to Pashupatinath. This is a famous Hindu shrine flocked by devotees from Nepal and India. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03 - Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding [2,600m/8,531ft]
Wake up early in the morning and leave the hotel at approx 5 am to catch a flight to Lukla. Flight times are generally scheduled for early morning and the exact airport time will be announced a day earlier. At Lukla, we are immediately overcome by the scale of the massive peaks that surround the village but this is only an indication of what is to come. After meeting the crew, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and then stay overnight in Phakding. Overall elevation gain tonight from previous night: 1,250m/4,100ft Update: All STOL flights to and from Lukla may be conducted from Ramechap airport during peak season time, making Ramechap a base for all Lukla flights. This change in the flight base for Lukla flights is being introduced in order to ensure smooth flight operation without any air traffic and delays. Ramechap airport is located 130 km east of Kathmandu and takes 4 hours drive to reach. If the flights are conducted from Ramechap airport then you will need to wake up at around 2 am and drive 4 hrs to Ramechap airport and then board a flight to Lukla. The flight time from Ramechap airport to Lukla is only 12 minutes.
Day 04 - Trek to Namche Bazar [3,450m/11,319ft]
Heading up the trail, you cross a pine forest along the Dudh Koshi River and valley. Moving over to the other side of this river at Bengkar continue to Monjo. Striking views of Kusum Kanguru (6367m) and Thamserku (6603m) blow you away as you arrive at Jorsalle which is the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. Crossing the pristine Dudh Koshi, a steep ascent in the final stretch will land you at the hub of Khumbu, Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche.
Day 05 - Rest and acclimatization day [3,450m/11,319ft]
Acclimatizing to drastic gain in altitude, you take this day off the main trail to wander around the beautiful town of Namche Bazaar. This town is home to a Sherpa Museum that houses relics from the Sherpa community, natives of the Himalayas. Popular is a hike up to Hotel Everest View for a splendid vista of Mount Everest (8848m). Stop at the local market of Namche to stock up on comfort foods or other essentials for the rest of this trek. Overnight stay at Namche.
Day 06 - Trek to Deboche [3,720 m/12,205ft]
Back on the trail, you set out for Debuche past Tengboche. This along with the banks of the Dudh Koshi river, we head upstream accompanied by magnificent views of the Himalayas. The trail climbs steeply to Tengboche where you get a chance to visit the Tengboche Monastery. The final stretch of the trail for this day descends cutting past lush green forest as you arrive at Debuche. Overnight stay at Debuche.
Day 07 - Trek to Dingboche [4,412m/14,475ft]
The day starts with a crossing of Imja Khola River as you head off to Dingboche. With great views of plummeting valleys and rising Himalayas, trek along the west bank of Imja Khola past Orso on the trail to Pangboche. Crossing past settlements of Himalayan natives you get varying glimpses of Mount Taboche (6367), Pokalde (5806m), and Nuptse (7861m). Trailing past rhododendron and birch forest, a couple of hours takes you to Dingboche. Overnight stay at Dingboche.
Day 08 - Acclimatization hike to Nagartsang Peak [5,083m/16,625ft]
Another pit-stop, off the main trail, we take the day to acclimatize to yet another significant gain in altitude. Choose to take a rest after a hectic couple of days on the trail or venture for a hike up the Nagartsang peak (5,083m/16,625ft). It is a good exercise to keep you active. Atop the peak is a Buddhist recluse. Feel the breath of cool air freshening you up accompanied by great 360° views of the region. Descend back to Dingboche to spend the night.
Day 09 - Trek to Lobuche [4,910m/16,109ft]
The day arrives as you finally get a taste of snow while targeting Lobuche. Taking the main trail of Everest Base Camp, rise above the vast valley past Mount Cholatse (6335m) and Taboche (6367m) by your side. Dughla is a pit stop where you cross Khumbu River onto the lateral moraine of Khumbu glacier. Skirting along the foot of the glacier arrive at Lobuche. Overnight stay at Lobuche.
Day 10 - Trek to Gorekshep [5,140m/16,864ft]
The day starts with a trek past a fine crevasse between the lateral moraine of a glacier and a mountain. Then a gradual climb will take to Changri Nup Glacier. The undulating terrain takes you on a whirlwind of a walk. Descending slightly in the final stretch, you land in a barren setting with a sandy moraine and a cluster of lodges amidst the jagged rocky terrain surrounded by mammoth mountains. This is Gorakshep where you’ll spend the night.
Day 11 - Hike up to Kalapathar [5,545m/18,193ft] and trek to Everest Base Camp [5,364m/17,559ft] for an overnight
An early morning wakeup call ends up with you taking on a chilly start to the day with a climb up Kala Patthar, which literally means black rock. This huge rock stands between you and the Himalayan range and as you reach the summit, be ready to be blown away by the unobstructed view of the Mount Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8414m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Thamserku (6608m), and Pumori (7165m) among others. Following your descent back to Gorakshep, start on the climb along Khumbu glacier to Everest Base Camp. Finally, arrive at the foot of the highest peak in the world. The feeling here is incomparable to any apart from summiting the Everest itself. The views of numerous mountains, the Khumbu Icefall, and Glacier make it even glorious. Overnight with some of the highest peaks in the world at Everest Base Camp.
Day 12 - Trek to Pheriche [4,371m/14,340ft]
Wrapping it up high in the base camp of Mount Everest, you head back along the strenuous terrain. A long walk back along the same trail ensues. Descending down along the Khumbu glacier arrive at Gorak Shep before heading further down to Lobuche and then Pheriche. Back at Dughla cross over the glistening Khumbu river coming all the way from the glacier. Great views of the Himalayas keep you afresh as you arrive at Pheriche. Overnight stay at Pheriche.
Day 13 - Trek to Namche Bazar [3,450m/11,319ft]
Head back along the picturesque landscape crossing familiar settlements and trails. The trail takes first to Dingboche and then past Pangboche as you arrive in Tengboche. Cross over on a suspension bridge arriving at the junction with diverging paths to Gokyo, Khumjung, and Namche. Taking the third trail ascends to Tashinga before skirting along the ridge of the valley past Sanasa to Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at Namche.
Day 14 - Trek to Lukla [2,800m/9187ft]
Final day in the Himalayas, a moderate downhill stroll will take you to Lukla. First up, descend down to a suspension bridge and cross over the Dudh Koshi River as you first arrive at Jorsalle before arriving at Monjo. At Phakding take on a climb along the Khumbu valley to Lukla. Back in the transit point of the Himalayas, celebrate your last night here with a cold beer or a hot brew. Overnight stay at Lukla.
Day 15 - Fly back to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]
We get up early in the morning, enjoy our b/fast & get ready for the arrival of our aircraft for the flight back to Kathmandu. On our touchdown at the Kathmandu airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is free to do your own things.
Day 16 - In Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]
Free and easy day to spend, perhaps doing shopping or rest at hotel’s beautiful court-yard. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.
Day 17 - International departure
Thank you for joining us on this trek and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. We hope this venture has enriched your experience with happy memories. Keep in touch and hope to hear from you soon. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home.
Trip Includes
- All meals (B,L,D) included during the trek with tea & coffee.
- Hot boiled water for drinking purposes
- Twin-sharing accommodation at Kathmandu guest house or similar category for 4 nights with breakfast
- Twin-sharing accommodation at teahouses/lodge on the trek
- Overnight at the Everest base camp in a tent with all meals included
- All required permits for the trek
- Domestic flights to and from Lukla with airport taxes and 15 kgs baggage allowance
- Experienced local trek leader
- Full support crew (1 assistant guide for every 3 trekkers & 1 porter for every 2 trekkers)
- Half-day sightseeing of Kathmandu's highlights including guide and entrance fees
- International/Domestic airport transfers as per your flight time
- All ground transportation as per mentioned in the itinerary on private vehicle
- Comprehensive first aid kit with high-altitude medicines
- Supplementary oxygen system with mask and regulator for emergency purposes on the trek
- Duffel bag, Sleeping bag with liner and Down Jacket (Sleeping bag and down jacket must be returned after completion of the trek)
- Staff equipment, insurance and allowances
- Trek completion certificate (Upon request)
- Group welcome or farewell dinner at Kathmandu
Trip Excludes
- International airfare, Visa and travel insurance
- Meals at Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu or on the trek for any reason (Early arrival or delay, Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for staff