Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll fly into Kathmandu and catch those snow-capped Himalayan peaks from your window as you descend. The team meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and drives you to your hotel, so you can settle in and shake off the flight.
- Start point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (International airport)
Landmarks Tribhuvan International Airport - Day 2
Kathmandu
Today you'll take a guided tour through Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The massive Buddhist stupa at Boudhnath comes first, then you'll head to the sacred Hindu shrine at Pashupatinath. After that, you're off to Patan (Lalitpur), the City of Artisans, where you can walk through Patan Durbar Square and see the Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple, and the Golden Temple all showing off their Malla-era architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour to Boudhnath (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Guided tour to Pashupatinath Temple
- Guided tour of Patan Durbar Square
- Visit to Mahaboudha Temple
- Visit to Kumbeshwor Temple
- Visit to Krishna Temple
- Visit to Golden Temple
Landmarks Boudhnath Pashupatinath Temple Patan Durbar Square Mahaboudha Temple Kumbeshwor Temple Krishna Temple Golden Temple - Day 3
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
A scenic 30-minute flight takes you from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, which sits dramatically on a cliff in the Khumbu region. You'll meet your trekking crew once you land, then head up the DudhKoshi Valley on a well-marked trail. By evening you'll reach Phakding for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lukla to Phakding along DudhKoshi Valley
Landmarks Lukla Airport DudhKoshi Valley - Day 4
Phakding to Namche
The day involves crossing and recrossing the river on high suspension bridges. You'll pass through Monjo and enter Sagarmatha National Park, which was set up to protect the fragile mountain environment. Then comes a steep climb to Namche, an important trekking hub and the main trading center of Khumbu. On clear days you might catch your first glimpse of Mt Everest. Before settling in, check out Namche's busy Saturday market if you're there on the right day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phakding to Namche
- Entry to Sagarmatha National Park
Landmarks Monjo Sagarmatha National Park Namche Bazaar Mount Everest - Day 5
Namche (Acclimatization Day)
You'll spend the day acclimatizing at Namche, which sits between two ridges with plenty of lodges, teashops, and souvenir shops. Options include visiting Khunde village to see the hospital founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, or Khumjung village where they keep a famous monastery with a yeti scalp. For sunset views, take a one-hour walk to Everest View Hotel to see Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest, or visit the National Park Centre and Museum above town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Khunde village and Sir Edmund Hillary Hospital
- Visit to Khumjung village and monastery with yeti scalp
- One-hour walk to Everest View Hotel for sunset views
- Visit to National Park Centre and Museum
Landmarks Khunde Village Khumjung Village Everest View Hotel National Park Centre and Museum - Day 6
Namche to Tengboche
You'll trek from Namche with superb views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam the whole way. Pass through settlements and teashops, then descend steeply to a bridge at PhunkiTenga where you can grab lunch. After that comes a steep, winding climb to Tengboche Monastery, the largest in Khumbu. The challenging hike pays off with beautiful rhododendron bushes, birds, and those spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam rising on the horizon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche to Tengboche Monastery
Landmarks PhunkiTenga Tengboche Monastery Ama Dablam - Day 7
Tengboche to Dingboche
You'll descend through forest and cross the ImjaKhola, then climb steadily to Pangboche village where Ama Dablam rises directly opposite with exceptional mountain views. The village has a monastery, mani walls, and scattered pine trees. From there, continue on a two-hour walk through scrub junipers to reach Dingboche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche
Landmarks ImjaKhola Pangboche Ama Dablam - Day 8
Dingboche (Acclimatization Day)
Spend the day acclimatizing at Dingboche. You've got three options. First, wander up the valley to Nangkartshang Peak summit at 5,083m/16,675ft for 360-degree views of Mt. Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Taboche, and Cholatse. Second, hike to Chhukung Village at 4,730m/15,518ft, the last settlement before Island Peak. Third, for a harder push, climb Chhukung Ri at 5,550m/18,208ft for impressive views of Island Peak, Imja Glacier, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and Nuptse, though this one requires an early start.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m)
- Hike to Chhukung Village (4,730m)
- Climb Chhukung Ri (5,550m)
Landmarks Nangkartshang Peak Chhukung Village Chhukung Ri Island Peak - Day 9
Dingboche to Lobuche
Continue up the wide valley beneath impressive peaks of Cholatse and Taboche on your left. You'll turn right for a steep climb toward the Khumbu Glacier's foot and stop for lunch at the Thugla tea house. The trail zigzags up through glacier boulders and terminal moraine, passing stone cairns that memorialize Sherpas and international climbers like Scott Fisher who died on Mt Everest. Gently climb along the glacier to reach the houses at Lobuche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche
Landmarks Cholatse Taboche Thugla Khumbu Glacier Lobuche - Day 10
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep
Start very early to reach Gorakshep. The trail offers superb views of surrounding mountains, especially where it crosses a tributary glacier. Stop for lunch at Gorakshep. In the afternoon, make your way to Everest Base Camp through ice pinnacles and past Khumbu Glacier crevasses, a trek of several hours. On the return, take a higher route for a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col before heading back to Gorakshep.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep
- Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Return trek to Gorakshep
Landmarks Gorakshep Everest Base Camp Khumbu Glacier Khumbu Icefall South Col - Day 11
Kala Patthar to Pheriche
Early morning, trek to Kala Patthar at 5,545m/18,192ft, one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region. The steep trail requires a comfortable pace to reach the summit. From the top you'll have one of the finest views of mighty Everest, plus Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse mountains. Spend time at the summit, then stroll back to Gorakshep and continue downhill to Pheriche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Kala Patthar (5,545m)
- Trek from Gorakshep to Pheriche
Landmarks Kala Patthar Gorakshep Pheriche Mount Everest Lingtren Khumbutse Changtse - Day 12
Pheriche to Namche
Today's trek is mostly downhill. You'll follow the river, cross it, and climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Along the way you'll see Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku. From Tengboche, descend to the bridge over the Imja river. At PhunkiTenga, check out the water-driven prayer wheels before making your way back to Namche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Pheriche to Namche
Landmarks Tengboche Monastery ImjaKhola PhunkiTenga Namche Bazaar - Day 13
Namche to Lukla
The final trek follows the DudhKoshi back down to Lukla. Tonight you'll celebrate with your Sherpa guides and porters. Sample chang, the local beer, and try out some Sherpa dance steps to mark the end of your memorable trek on a cheerful note.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Celebration dinner with chang and Sherpa dancing)
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche to Lukla
- Celebration party with Sherpa guides and porters
Landmarks DudhKoshi Valley Lukla - Day 14
Lukla to Kathmandu
Pack up early and head to the airstrip for your flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of your day is free to do your own thing. Grab some last-minute shopping and packing, or take a stroll in Thamel, an internationally known hub for tourists in Asia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping
- Stroll through Thamel
Landmarks Thamel - Day 15
Contingency Day (Kathmandu)
This is a contingency day in case of Lukla flight delays. If you have free time, relax and recover from your trekking in the Himalaya. You can explore heritage sites in the city, stroll through Thamel for local cultural experience, visit nearby monasteries, relax at spa centers, or do some souvenir shopping in the local bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore heritage sites in Kathmandu
- Stroll through Thamel
- Visit nearby monasteries
- Spa treatment at spa centers
- Souvenir shopping in local bazaar
Landmarks Thamel - Day 16
Departure from Kathmandu
Your Nepali support team takes you to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively, stay longer for short tours like game drives at National Parks, white-water rafting, a Tibet tour, or mountain biking.
- End point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (International airport)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to international airport
Optional Activities
- Game drive at National Parks
- White-water rafting
- Tibet tour
- Mountain biking
Landmarks Tribhuvan International Airport
