Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll get picked up at Kathmandu Airport and head to your hotel. If you arrive with time to spare, wander through the city's back streets, check out the markets and temples around town. Later this afternoon, your guide gives you the rundown on what's coming up during the trek, then takes you out for dinner at a local spot where you can try some Nepalese food.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant - Nepalese cuisine with influences from China, India and Europe)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu's back streets, courtyards and market stalls
- Visit ancient temples
- Day 2
Kathmandu
Make your way up to Swayambhunath Temple using an old stone stairway that pilgrims have walked for centuries. Watch out for macaque monkeys hanging around as you go. Once you reach the hilltop, walk through the temple complex with its stupa and prayer wheels, taking in the views back over Kathmandu. Head down to town afterward and get ready for tomorrow's flight to Lukla.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Swayambhunath Temple
- Hike on ancient stone pilgrim stairway
Landmarks/POIs Swayambhunath Temple - Day 3
Kathmandu to Lukla
You'll fly into Lukla, the small mountain settlement that serves as the starting point for the Everest region. After checking your gear, take a gentle walk around town to help your body adjust to the higher altitude. This easy day helps you acclimate before things get more challenging on the actual trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Domestic flight to Lukla
- Local hike around Lukla
- Gear check with guides
- Day 4
Lukla to Phakding
The trail descends down to Phakding village, which sits along the Dudh Kosi River. You'll walk on rolling terrain that goes through forests with views of valleys filled with rhododendrons and other plants. Along the way, you'll see local porters, other trekkers and pack animals using this well-worn trade route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Phakding village
- Day 5
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Today you trek through a narrow valley next to the Dudh Kosi River, passing fields where crops grow on terraces and small villages scattered throughout. When you enter Sagarmatha National Park, the views open up to snow-capped peaks like Thamserku and Kangtega. After stopping for lunch, you climb up to Namche Bazaar, known as the world's highest marketplace, which offers 360-degree views in every direction.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Sagarmatha National Park
- Hike to Namche Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting (Himalayan tahr, musk deer, Himalayan monals)
Landmarks/POIs Sagarmatha National Park Thamserku Kangtega - Day 6
Namche Bazaar
This is your acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar, so take it slow. Walk the cobbled streets and check out the monasteries and tea houses. Spend time at the local market, which historically was a major trading hub with Tibet. If you're feeling up for it this afternoon, there's an optional steep hike above town that gives you panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Namche Bazaar monasteries and tea houses
- Visit local market
Optional Activities
- Hike to Deboche for panoramic views (5 kilometres, 2-4 hours, steep trail)
Landmarks/POIs Kongde Ri - Day 7
Namche Bazaar to Deboche
Start early with Everest in view, then descend down to the Dudh Kosi River. Stop at a local Sherpa tea house for lunch. As the day goes on and you get closer to Tengboche, Ama Dablam and Nuptse come into better view, with Mt Everest and Lhotse filling the skyline ahead. You'll finish the day at Deboche for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local Sherpa tea house), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Deboche
- Stop at local Sherpa tea house for lunch
Landmarks/POIs Ama Dablam Nuptse - Day 8
Deboche to Dingboche
The walk takes you through thick forest of dwarf conifers, then you descend steeply and cross over the Dudh Kosi River. From there, you climb up toward Dingboche through a more barren landscape of boulders and alpine meadows. The final stretch follows the fast-flowing Imja Khola River until you reach your stop for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Dingboche
- Day 9
Dingboche
You've got an acclimatization day in Dingboche using the 'climb high, sleep low' strategy. If you want to push yourself, there's an optional steep climb up Nangkartshang peak where you can see three of the world's six highest mountains: Makalu, Lhotse and Cho Oyo. Otherwise, you can just rest and relax in the village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Nangkartshang peak (5.6 kilometres, 4-5 hours, steep climb with 700 metres elevation gain)
Landmarks/POIs Makalu Lhotse Cho Oyo - Day 10
Dingboche to Lobuche
Head up the Khumbu valley past yak herders' shacks with outstanding views of Taboche and Cholatse surrounding you. Keep climbing through alpine terrain to Dughla where you'll take a rest break. After that, you cross over Thokla Pass and reach Lobuche, your last major stop before heading to Everest Base Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Lobuche
- Cross Thokla Pass
Landmarks/POIs Taboche Cholatse Arakam Tse - Day 11
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep
This is the main event. You'll hike up through Khumbu glacial moraine passing huge boulders and reach Gorak Shep for lunch. From there, continue past the Khumbu Glacier moraine wall to Everest Base Camp at 5364 metres. You'll see the legendary camp with its brightly colored tents and the mountaineering atmosphere all around. After taking it in, you head back down to Gorak Shep to spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Gorak Shep), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Hike through Khumbu glacial moraine
Landmarks/POIs Everest Base Camp Khumbu Glacier Khumbu Icefall - Day 12
Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche
You start before sunrise with headlamps to reach Kala Patthar ridgetop at 5550 metres, the highest point on this trek. From up there, you get one of the most dramatic Himalayan views with Mt Everest and the surrounding peaks spread out all around. After lunch back at Lobuche, you descend to Pheriche where you can rest and recover.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Lobuche), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Kala Patthar summit
- Descent to Pheriche
Landmarks/POIs Kala Patthar - Day 13
Pheriche to Deboche
As you descend alongside the Dudh Kosi River, you move into air with more oxygen and Mt Everest gradually fades from view behind you. Your energy returns as the elevation drops, and interestingly, today's route is actually part of the world's highest marathon course. You make good time all the way down to Deboche, where forests and rhododendrons come back into sight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Deboche
- Day 14
Deboche to Khumjung
You walk down through beautiful forest and listen for the bells on grazing yaks. Keep an eye out for musk deer in the trees. As you descend, the air gets warmer and richer while the river sounds grow louder. Stop for tea along the Dudh Kosi River, then continue to Khumjung village. While there, visit a local monastery and learn about Sir Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Khumjung
- Visit local monastery
- Day 15
Khumjung to Jorsalle
Take a relaxed morning, then pass the largest school in the area, which Sir Edmund Hillary started back in 1961. Cross a small hill where you can look back and see Mt Everest, then pass Syangboche Airport, one of the world's highest airports. From there, use switchbacks to descend the valley to the Dudh Kosi River and follow it to Jorsalle, a quieter and lesser-known village near Sagarmatha National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Jorsalle
- Pass Syangboche Airport
Landmarks/POIs Syangboche Airport - Day 16
Jorsalle to Lukla
This is your final day on the mountain trails. Stop for tea in Phakding village, then climb back up to Lukla. Share a final meal with your local team of porters and cooks to celebrate what you've accomplished and thank everyone who helped make the trek happen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Tea stop in Phakding village), Dinner (Final meal with local porters and cooks - celebration dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike to Lukla
- Final celebratory meal with local team
- Day 17
Lukla to Kathmandu
Take one last look at the Himalayas from Lukla before your short flight back to Kathmandu. If you're interested, walk over to Durbar Square in the afternoon, the place where Nepal's kings were crowned. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site with traditional architecture throughout. Later, check out restaurants in town and grab dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Domestic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
- Walk to Durbar Square
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu restaurants for dinner
Landmarks/POIs Durbar Square - Day 18
Kathmandu
You've got a free day to walk through Kathmandu's winding streets, check out the temples and markets around town. Keep in mind that flights from Lukla can get delayed due to weather, so you might be arriving today instead of yesterday. Use the time to take in the sights and sounds of this energetic, colorful culture. Meet your group at a local restaurant this evening for a final celebration dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final celebration dinner with group at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Final celebration dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu's winding streets
- Visit atmospheric temples
- Visit markets
- Day 19
Kathmandu
This is your final day of the trek. If you have extra time, your guides can suggest ways to make the most of it. If you're heading out today, you'll leave refreshed and energized from your hiking adventures in Nepal among the world's highest mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
