Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport where your representative meets you for the drive to your hotel in a private vehicle. In the afternoon, you'll have a pre-trip meeting with your trekking guide (either at their office if you arrive before 4 pm, or at the hotel if later). Bring two copies of passport-sized photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy since you'll need these for permit documentation.
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport - Day 2
Kathmandu to Lukla - Phakding
Start very early for your flight to Lukla. During peak season, you depart at 2:30 am for a 4-5 hour journey to Manthali airport followed by a 20-minute flight, while off-season means a 5-6 am departure for a direct 35-minute flight from Kathmandu. After breakfast in Lukla, you'll trek downhill alongside the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. Porters join the group in Lukla and are assigned one per two clients.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Lukla)
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Lukla
- Trek from Lukla to Phakding following the Dudh Koshi River with downhill trail
Landmarks/POIs Tenzing Hillary Airport (Lukla) Dudh Koshi River Chaurikharka - Day 3
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Walk along the Dudh Kosi banks, crossing the river repeatedly on suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. After entering Sagarmatha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with views of the Himalayas opening up. You'll reach Namche Bazaar by day's end, the largest town on the Everest trail and the Gateway to Everest, which has restaurants, hotels, shops, money exchange, internet, and bakeries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar crossing Dudh Kosi River on suspension bridges
- Entry to Sagarmatha National Park
Landmarks/POIs Sagarmatha National Park Dudh Kosi River Namche Bazaar - Day 4
Namche Bazaar
Stay in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. Trek a short distance to see a museum with traditional Sherpa customs and culture. Later, hike up to Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the world's highest-placed hotels, where you'll see rewards of great Himalayan views including Mount Everest itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Sherpa museum featuring traditional customs exhibits
- Hike to Syangboche Airport and Everest View Hotel with Himalayan views
Landmarks/POIs Sherpa museum Syangboche Airport Everest View Hotel Mount Everest - Day 5
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Trek steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest as elevation increases, with juniper and large conifers appearing as you go higher. Pass through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. Throughout the day, you'll see great views of Khumbu La and Tawache peaks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rhododendron forest with views of Khumbu La and Tawache
Landmarks/POIs Yak Kharkas Khumbu La Tawache - Day 6
Tengboche to Machherma
Climb a ridge for excellent views down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho Oyu. After descending to a river, you'll climb steeply to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. You'll arrive at Machherma by early noon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Tengboche to Machherma with ridge views and glacier moraine hike
Landmarks/POIs Kengtega Cho Oyu Ngozumpa Glacier - Day 7
Machherma to Gokyo
Trek to Gokyo at 4,790 m (15,715 ft), one of the main destinations on this route and your base for the next 2 nights. From here, you'll have a good location for sightseeing and hiking trips around the Gokyo valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Machherma to Gokyo
Landmarks/POIs Gokyo - Day 8
Gokyo - Gokyo Ri
Rise early and make a steep climb to Gokyo Ri peak at 5,483 m (17,986 ft) for panoramic views of the Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa glacier, and the whole Khumbu Himalayas including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, and Gychung Kang. Spend the afternoon back at camp for acclimatization.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb to Gokyo Ri (5,483 m) with panoramic Himalayan views
Landmarks/POIs Gokyo Ri Ngozumpa Glacier Mount Everest Lhotse Nuptse Makalu Cho-Oyu Gychung Kang - Day 9
Gokyo to Thangna
Trek to the foot of Cho La pass. Accommodation in Thangna will be very basic with dormitory-style rooms because of how remote this location is.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Gokyo to Thangna at the foot of Cho La pass
Landmarks/POIs Cho La pass - Day 10
Thangna to Dzongla via Cho La Pass
Start before sunrise at 4:00-5:00 am to reach the Cho La pass by 9:00-10:00 am and avoid bad midday weather. You'll cross the pass at 5,300 m (17,388 ft) where strong winds are possible if crossing too late. The steep climb is regularly used and easy to follow, but altitude and snow can present challenges. From the summit you'll see great views, then descend to Dzongla by noon. Accommodation in Dzongla is very basic with dormitory-style rooms.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Cho La pass at 5,300 m with steep climbing and summit views
Landmarks/POIs Cho La pass Dzongla - Day 11
Dzongla to Lobuche
You'll have a relatively easier and shorter trekking day taking about 4 hours to reach Lobuche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Dzongla to Lobuche
Landmarks/POIs Lobuche - Day 12
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Gorak Shep
This is a difficult day walking along the Khumbu Glacier up to Everest Base Camp at 5,365 m (17,598 ft), the closest you can get to Mount Everest without mountaineering equipment. You may find teams there preparing for summit attempts. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from the Base Camp is really something. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Everest Base Camp at 5,365 m
- View the Khumbu Icefall from Everest Base Camp
Landmarks/POIs Everest Base Camp Khumbu Glacier Khumbu Icefall Gorak Shep - Day 13
Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche
This is one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. Spend most of the morning climbing Mt. Kala Patthar, a small peak at 5,555 m (18,209 ft). The demanding ascent rewards you with a great mountain view: Mount Everest towers directly ahead at 29,028 ft (8,848 m), with Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse, and countless other giants looming on all sides. Make a quick descent to Gorak Shep, then trek down to Pheriche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Mt. Kala Patthar at 5,555 m for panoramic Everest views
Landmarks/POIs Mt. Kala Patthar Mount Everest Nuptse Pumori Chagatse Lhotse Pheriche - Day 14
Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Begin your descent from the mountains, trekking through Pangboche and Tengboche before continuing to Namche Bazaar. You'll arrive back in Namche in the afternoon, retracing some of your earlier steps on the descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar through Pangboche and Tengboche
Landmarks/POIs Pangboche Tengboche Namche Bazaar - Day 15
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Your last trekking day as you return to Lukla where the trek began. Enjoy reflecting on the trek as a group and celebrating the personal achievement of all participants. The afternoon is free to wander, relax, and enjoy a hot shower. In the evening, have celebratory drinks and dance with your trek mates.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Celebratory dinner)
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
- Celebration dinner and evening activities
Landmarks/POIs Lukla - Day 16
Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu. During peak season, you take a 20-minute flight to Manthali followed by a 4-6 hour drive, while off-season means a 35-minute direct flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu on a shared tourist vehicle. Breakfast is included as you prepare to depart Nepal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu or Manthali
Landmarks/POIs Tenzing Hillary Airport (Lukla) - Day 17
Kathmandu
Your airport representative drops you at Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Tribhuvan International Airport
