Description

Day 1
Arrive at Kathmandu airport and transfer to a 3* hotel by private car. Relax in hotel or OPTIONAL walk around Thamel and Garden of Dreams near the Royal Palace. Trek briefing.

Day 2
Sightseeing in Kathmandu – Monkey Temple, Bodhnath Stupa, Ghats at Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square and any last minute shopping before the trek starts.

Day 3
Early morning transfer to the domestic airport for flight to Lukla. Arrive Lukla (2800m) and meet up with porters in the tea house. Have lunch before afternoon walk to Phakding (2610m).

Day 4
Walk from Phakding to Namche Bazaar alongside the river and through villages with a lunch stop on the way. See our first sight of high peaks as we ascend to Namche Bazaar (3440m).

Day 5
Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar – walk up to the landing strip, approx (3800m) and to the Information centre / museum before returning to the tea house for lunch and relaxation. Free afternoon to sleep, acclimatise, walk around village, play cards with the porters.

Day 6
Walk to Tengboche Monastery through woodland and the open valley above the river, and have lunch in a tea house before making the final ascent to the Monastery which takes 3 – 4 hours. Overnight stay in tea house (3860m) and visit the Monastery.

Day 7
Walk to Dingboche – our pace becomes slower as we go higher and today we go over 4000m. Overnight in Dingboche (4360m).

Day 8
Acclimatisation day in Dingboche with a walk up to a view point to see Island Peak and many other high mountains including Abu Dhablam. Back to tea house for lunch and relaxation.

Day 9
Walk to Lobuche (4930m) via the steep ascent after lunch to the “graveyard” and have time here to reflect on the trek you are doing. Overnight in Lobuche.

Day 10
A long day – after an early start (6am) we walk to Gorak Shep (5160m) and have brunch at about 9pm. From here we make the final walk to (3-4 hours) Everest Base Camp along the stony paths and rocky glacial route to the large area of base camp, surrounded by many high peaks. We see Mount Everest on the way (8848m). We arrive here fairly tired before retuning to the tea house at Gorak Shep for an overnight stay.

Day 11
A very early morning (OPTIONAL) walk – 4am to make the ascent to Kala Pattar (5545m) to see Everest and the sunrise. A steep climb over scree slopes but worth the reward at the top. Descend to the tea house before retracing our route back to Pheriche (4240m). Walking becomes easier as we descend. Arrive in the tea house at about 5pm after a long day.

Day 12
Return walk to Tengboche Monastery tea house.

Day 13
Return walk to Namche Bazaar tea house.

Day 14
Return to Lukla.

Day 15
Free day in Lukla – this allows for an extra day on the trek and also for the airport being fog bound which it often is – CONTINGENCY day.

Day 16
Return flight to Kathmandu and relax in hotel. Evening meal in Rum Doodle in Thamel.

Day 17
OPTIONAL Everest flight and sightseeing or free time / relax.

Day 18
Tour ends – transfer to airport – return home or onward travel.