Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
You'll land at Tribhuvan International Airport where a Himalayan Planet Adventures representative meets you. After getting to your hotel and settling in, you head to the office for a briefing about your trek. Tonight brings a traditional Nepali welcome dinner with cultural performances and ethnic dances.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Nepali welcome dinner with cultural program)
Included Activities
- Hotel check-in and briefing at Himalayan Planet Adventures office
- Traditional Nepali welcome dinner with cultural program
- Day 2
Kathmandu Valley UNESCO Sites
Your first full day covers Kathmandu Valley's historic sites. You'll see Pashupatinath, the holiest Hindu temple with 50 temples along both sides of the Bagmati River where sadhus and rhesus monkeys gather. From there, you check out Boudhanath, Asia's largest Buddhist stupa and a center for Tibetan refugees. Later you walk through Bhaktapur's alleys and temples before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple complex
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa
- Explore Bhaktapur ancient city
Landmarks Pashupatinath Temple Boudhanath Stupa Bhaktapur - Day 3
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
An early pickup at 5-6 am gets you to Kathmandu's domestic flight for a spectacular 35-minute flight over the Himalayan backbone with views of the world's highest mountains. You land at Lukla and start trekking through dense forests and glacier-fed rivers, passing Sherpa farms. Lunch comes at an outcropping with Mt. Kusum-Kanguru views. After crossing a suspension bridge, you trek 1.5 hours to Phakding village for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at outcropping with view of Mt. Kusum-Kanguru), Dinner
Included Activities
- Domestic flight Kathmandu to Lukla with Himalayan views
- Trek from Lukla to Phakding through forests and Sherpa farmland
Landmarks Mt. Kusum-Kanguru Phakding - Day 4
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
After a hearty breakfast, you tackle a full day of uphill trekking along the Dudh Koshi River with Mt. Thamserku views. You enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and cross a suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River through jungle. As elevation increases, you spot Kwangde Peak and Mt. Lhotse. After 5-6 hours you reach Namche Bazaar where you'll stay two nights at a guest house.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar through Sagarmatha National Park
Landmarks Mt. Thamserku Sagarmatha National Park Namche Bazaar Kwangde Peak Mt. Lhotse 
- Day 5
Namche Bazaar Acclimatization
This is an acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar above 3,000 meters/9,843 feet. You explore the marketplace (busier on Saturdays), visit the bakery, and check out the Sherpa Museum to learn about local culture. Walking uphill to Everest View Hotel gives you your first close-up view of Mt. Everest. You take it easy today while your body adjusts to higher elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization hike around Namche Bazaar
- Visit Sherpa Museum
- Visit Everest View Hotel for Mt. Everest views
Optional Activities
- Browse Namche Bazaar marketplace
- Enjoy bakery items
Landmarks Mt. Everest Everest View Hotel Sherpa Museum 
- Day 6
Namche Bazaar to Thame
Heading west into the Khumbu region toward Thame, the dense jungle gradually gives way to juniper shrubs. You see local farms growing potatoes, carrots, and buckwheat, and encounter yaks weighing up to 1 ton. You sample yak cheese and experience the lifestyle built around yak butter tea. The beautiful Thame Valley opens below with a Buddhist monastery. After 4-5 hours you reach a tea house for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche Bazaar to Thame
- Visit Thame Buddhist monastery
- Yak cheese sampling
Landmarks Thame Valley Thame Buddhist Monastery - Day 7
Thame to Khumjung
You climb upward and circle around to reach Khumjung Village, home to the world's highest hospital built by Sir Edmund Hillary. At the large monastery here, you can see a real yeti scalp that local Sherpa people believe in. Trekking 4-5 hours through this region, you pass through Hillary's legacy of schools, suspension bridges, and Khunde Hospital before reaching a cozy guest house.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Khumjung Village
- Visit Khumjung Monastery and see the yeti scalp
- Learn about Sir Edmund Hillary's humanitarian work
Landmarks Khunde Hospital Khumjung Monastery Khumjung Village - Day 8
Khumjung to Tyangboche
You trek to Tyangboche, home to the world's highest Buddhist monastery where monks meditate with Mt. Everest views. First you descend into the valley to cross the Imjatse River at Phungithanga village, passing through rhododendron, blue pine, and birch forests. Climbing upward through farm fields takes 4-5 hours total. The day offers views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kwangde.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tyangboche village
- Visit world's highest Buddhist monastery
- Cross Imjatse River at Phungithanga
Landmarks Tyangboche Monastery Mt. Everest Mt. Nuptse Mt. Lhotse Mt. Ama Dablam - Day 9
Tyangboche to Dingboche
An early morning trek has you dropping into valleys and passing through beautiful forests with rolling terrain. Rocky crags and green valleys surround you with snowcapped peaks. You pass Mani Walls carved with Buddhist sayings and see prayer flags fluttering. Island Peak (Imjatse) appears like an island surrounded by frozen sea. You reach Deboche for views, then continue to Dingboche at 3,650 meters/11,975 feet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hot meal at tea house)
Included Activities
- Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche via Deboche
- Experience Mani Walls and prayer flags
Landmarks Island Peak (Imjatse) Deboche Dingboche - Day 10
Dingboche Acclimatization
Your second acclimatization day at Dingboche sits above 4,000 meters/13,123 feet. You can rest or explore the village, including the world's highest pool hall. An optional day hike to Chhukung reaches 4,730 meters/15,518 feet, the last village in eastern Khumbu. You observe Sherpa stone walls protecting crops from strong wind and watch prayer flags flutter continuously.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization day at Dingboche above 4,000 meters
Optional Activities
- Optional day hike to Chhukung village
- Visit world's highest pool hall
- Explore local farms and cultural sites
Landmarks Chhukung Mt. Makalu - Day 11
Dingboche to Lobuche
After breakfast you turn north toward Everest Base Camp following a more gradual trail over hard mountain meadow. You pass Buddhist prayer stupas built by faithful people, always walking clockwise to create positive energy. Through tiny villages with stunning peak views, you see memorials to climbers lost on Everest and other peaks. Later you reach Lobuche for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Very hearty breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche
- Pass Buddhist prayer stupas
- View memorials to fallen climbers
Landmarks Lobuche - Day 12
Lobuche to Gorakshep and Mt. Kalapatthar
About 2 hours from Lobuche gets you to Gorakshep, a settlement that exists only for visitor accommodation. You drop your backpack and climb Mt. Kalapatthar for the most close-up view of Mt. Everest and five peaks over 8,000 meters/26,247 feet. No special equipment needed for this trekking peak. You continue to the Khumbu Glacier for photography opportunities and spend the day surrounded by magnificent scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep
- Climb Mt. Kalapatthar for Mt. Everest views
- Visit Khumbu Glacier
Landmarks Mt. Kalapatthar Mt. Everest Khumbu Glacier Gorakshep - Day 13
Everest Base Camp
You finally reach Everest Base Camp, the historic starting point for Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's 1953 ascent of the world's highest mountain. Passing the Khumbu Ice Fall where the glacier advances yearly and changes trail routes, the walk stays strenuous at well above 5,000 meters/16,404 feet with thin air. You meet climbers preparing or celebrating returns, then trek 2-3 hours back to Gorakshep for a second night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Pass Khumbu Ice Fall
- Meet climbers at EBC
Landmarks Everest Base Camp Khumbu Ice Fall 
- Day 14
Gorakshep to Pheriche
Your return journey begins after two days at Gorakshep. Rising early gets you to Pheriche before mid-afternoon when cold Himalayan winds intensify. Dropping in elevation makes trekking easier with spectacular ridge views and little obstruction. After 4-5 hours you reach Pheriche, home to the Himalayan Rescue Association. After 3 pm, you can visit the brave rescue workers who save trekkers here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner)
Included Activities
- Trek from Gorakshep to Pheriche
- Visit Himalayan Rescue Association
Landmarks Himalayan Rescue Association Pheriche - Day 15
Pheriche to Phortse
Continuing to descend makes for easier trekking each day. After delicious breakfast, you drop to Pangboche where the trail forks. You take the quieter Phortse trail, leaving the traditional tourist route behind. Meeting local Sherpas instead of foreign trekkers, you walk pleasantly for two hours to Phortse village under Khumbu peaks. From your guest house, you watch for musk deer, pheasants, and Himalayan-Tahr while sipping hot tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Delicious breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Pheriche to Phortse via Pangboche
- Take quieter alternative Phortse trail
Landmarks Pangboche Phortse Machharmo Kyajo Ri - Day 16
Phortse to Namche Bazaar
Vegetation increases as you descend further, with local farms looking more prosperous. You see forests returning with silver fir, blue pine, birch, magnolia, and rhododendron trees that bloom colorfully in March-April. Crossing a wooden bridge over the Dudh Khola river with its frothy milk color, you then climb steeply to Mongla Hill for eastern Himalayas views. From there you continue to Sanasa before returning to Namche Bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full dinner at fine guest house)
Included Activities
- Trek from Phortse to Namche Bazaar via Mongla Hill
- Cross Dudh Khola river bridge
- Climb Mongla Hill for Himalayan views
Landmarks Mongla Hill Sanasa Namche Bazaar - Day 17
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Your final trekking day drops to Lukla airport through dense jungle at lower elevation, passing beautiful Sherpa farms with diverse crops. You leave Sagarmatha National Park behind. Stopping for lunch in Phakding, you share memories of your journey. The afternoon alternates between lush jungle and outcroppings with Everest region skyline views. You reach Lukla for the night among other trekkers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Pleasant lunch at Phakding), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
- Exit Sagarmatha National Park
- Lunch break at Phakding
Landmarks Lukla Phakding 
- Day 18
Lukla to Kathmandu
An early morning 35-minute flight takes you back to Kathmandu following snowcapped peaks westward. Arriving in the capital, you take a well-deserved rest. You can explore Thamel's massage venues to soothe new leg muscles, relax with a book on a hotel rooftop, or take a rejuvenating nap. Later, dine on anything you want with great menu variety throughout Thamel and beyond.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Domestic flight Lukla to Kathmandu
Optional Activities
- Traditional Nepali massage in Thamel
- Rooftop garden relaxation
- Evening dining at various restaurants in Thamel
Landmarks Thamel - Day 19
Kathmandu Valley or Buffer Day
This buffer day accounts for weather delays at Lukla airport, which often closes due to fog. If weather delayed your flight, you rest and drink tea with fellow trekkers sharing Khumbu adventures. If you departed on schedule, explore Kathmandu Valley's attractions by shopping for souvenirs, discovering temples through narrow streets, or trying paragliding and cable car adventures. Your evening includes a farewell dinner with your guide and Himalayan Planet Adventures friends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with guide and friends from Himalayan Planet Adventures)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner with guide and group
Optional Activities
- Souvenir shopping
- Visit temples in Kathmandu
- Paragliding adventure
- Cable car adventure
- Explore Kathmandu Valley sites
Landmarks Kathmandu Valley - Day 20
Departure from Kathmandu
Your final day wraps up with last-minute gift shopping before departing. Your Himalayan Planet Adventures guide takes you by private car to the airport. Nepal offers much beyond the Khumbu and Everest region with alpine lakes, other mountain ranges, and jungle wildlife. Consider planning your return to this country and its many possibilities.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer by private car
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping
