Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
An Ace the Himalaya representative will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport holding a signboard and transfer you by private vehicle to your hotel in Kathmandu. If you arrive before 4pm, you'll have a pre-trip meeting at the office or hotel where you'll meet your guide, get your trek kit (duffel bag, T-shirt, cap), and handle paperwork. Arrivals after 4pm will have this meeting the next day after sightseeing.
- Day 2
Kathmandu Sightseeing
After breakfast at 8:30am, you'll start a guided sightseeing tour with a private vehicle and professional guide. Three major heritage sites are on the agenda: Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River (view it from the eastern bank), Boudhanath Stupa (one of the holiest Buddhist sites with prayer wheels), and Bhaktapur Durbar Square with its historic temples and palaces. The rest of your day is free to walk around and shop in the Thamel area near your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Boudhanath Stupa
- Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Guided sightseeing tour with private vehicle and professional guide
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Thamel area
Landmarks/POIs Pashupatinath Temple Boudhanath Stupa Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nyatapola Temple Palace of 55 Windows - Day 3
Kathmandu to Phakding
Early morning flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla takes 35 minutes. Your guide will brief you and introduce the porters after you land. You'll explore the village while equipment gets sorted and loaded, then trek down to the Dudh Kosi River, join the main trail, and pass through Ghat village before reaching Phakding for the night. Walking is easy with suspension bridges crossing the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Trek to Phakding via Ghat village
Optional Activities
- Explore Lukla village
Landmarks/POIs Tenzing and Hillary Airport - Day 4
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
You'll trek along the Dudh Kosi River, crossing it multiple times on suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail becomes steeper with Himalayan views opening up. Namche Bazaar, known as the Gateway to Everest, is the largest town on the Everest trail with restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange, internet cafes and bakeries available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
- Cross suspension bridges over Dudh Kosi River
- Enter Sagamartha National Park
Landmarks/POIs Sagamartha National Park Namche Bazaar - Day 5
Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day
You'll spend the day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization to the altitude. A short trek takes you to a museum showcasing traditional Sherpa customs. Hike up to the Syangboche Airport area near the Everest View Hotel for great Himalayan views, and if timing works out, catch the sunrise and sunset over the Khumbu peaks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Sherpa customs museum
- Hike to Syangboche Airport near Everest View Hotel
- Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Everest View Hotel - Day 6
Namche Bazaar to Yak Kharkas
The trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest. As elevation increases, juniper and large conifers appear, making the trekking really nice in spring. You'll pass through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. Views of Khumbi La and Tawache stay with you throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rhododendron forest
- Pass through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements
Landmarks/POIs Khumbi La Tawache - Day 7
Yak Kharkas to Machherma
You'll climb a ridge for great views down to Kengtega valley and up towards Cho Oyu. After descending to a river, the trail climbs steeply to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpz glacier. You'll reach Machherma by early noon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to terminal moraine of Ngozumpz glacier
- Reach Machherma
Landmarks/POIs Ngozumpz Glacier Cho Oyu - Day 8
Machherma to Gokyo
You'll trek to Gokyo at 4,790m/15,715ft, one of the main destinations of the trek. This camp becomes your base for 2 nights with sightseeing and hiking trips planned around the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Gokyo base camp
Landmarks/POIs Gokyo - Day 9
Gokyo Ri Climb
Early morning you'll climb steeply to the top of Gokyo Ri at 5,483m/17,990ft. From up there you'll see Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa glacier, and panoramic views of the whole Khumbu Himalayas including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang. The afternoon is back at camp for acclimatization.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Gokyo Ri to 5,483m
Landmarks/POIs Gokyo Ri Mount Everest Lhotse Nuptse Makalu - Day 10
Gokyo to Thangna
You'll trek to the foot of Cho La pass for your overnight stay. Accommodation in Thangna will be very basic dormitory-style room due to its remoteness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Thangna at foot of Cho La pass
Landmarks/POIs Cho La Pass - Day 11
Cho La Pass Crossing
You'll start before sunrise at 4-5am to cross Cho La pass by 9-10am to avoid bad weather. The crossing happens at 5,300m/17,390ft where strong winds are possible if you cross too late. The steep climb is regularly used and easy to follow, though altitude and snow can create difficulties. At the top you'll get great views before descending to Dzongla by noon. Accommodation will be very basic dormitory-style room.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Cho La pass at 5,300m
- Trek to Dzongla
Landmarks/POIs Cho La Pass - Day 12
Dzongla to Lobuche
A rather easier and shorter trekking route will take you to Lobuche after about 4 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lobuche
- Day 13
Lobuche to Gorak Shep via Mt. Kalapatthar
One of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek, you'll climb Mt. Kalapatthar, a small peak at 5,555m/18,225ft, for the most beautiful mountain views possible. Everest towers directly ahead at 8,848m/29,029ft, with Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless other peaks surrounding you. Stay to watch the sunset on Everest and its neighbors if possible, then make a quick descent to Gorak Shep, a tiny hamlet at 5,180m/17,000ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Mt. Kalapatthar at 5,555m
- Trek to Gorak Shep
Optional Activities
- Watch sunset on Everest from Mt. Kalapatthar
Landmarks/POIs Mt. Kalapatthar Mount Everest - Day 14
Everest Base Camp
This is another big day walk along the Khumbu Glacier up to Everest Base Camp at 5,365m/17,600ft, the closest you can get to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment. You'll likely see teams preparing for summit attempts. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is really striking. You'll return down to Lobuche for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Khumbu Glacier
- Visit Everest Base Camp at 5,365m
- Return trek to Lobuche
Landmarks/POIs Everest Base Camp Khumbu Glacier - Day 15
Lobuche to Chukkung
After leaving camp you'll ascend past a series of small glacial lakes with fine views of Makalu to the south-east. As you near the pass, you'll cross glacial moraines before a final rocky scramble leading to a narrow ridge with prayer flags. The top of the pass is usually very windy. After a short rest, you'll head down towards Chukkung Valley. It's a tiring walk but the great scenery makes it worthwhile.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek past glacial lakes
- Cross glacial moraines
- Cross high pass with prayer flags
- Descend to Chukkung Valley
Landmarks/POIs Makalu - Day 16
Chukkung to Island Peak Base Camp
From Chukkung you'll make a leisurely start following the Imja Valley with great views of Ama Dablam on the skyline. You'll follow the moraines that flow from Lhotse towards the sand flats at Pareshaya Gyab. It's a short distance from here to the Base Camp, which you'll reach in mid-afternoon. You'll walk about 4 hours as you're becoming acclimatized to the thin air. From this day, accommodation will be in a tented camp for the next two days with camp food cooked by your professional camping team.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Chukkung to Island Peak Base Camp
- Follow Imja Valley
Landmarks/POIs Ama Dablam Lhotse - Day 17
Island Peak Base Camp Acclimatization
You'll spend the day at the base camp to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. Your climbing sherpa/guide will provide pre-ice climbing training to make you skillful with climbing gear such as ropes, ice picks, harnesses and crampons. You'll also have a short trek around base camp to prepare for the 6,000m climbing adventure the next morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization day at Island Peak Base Camp
- Pre-ice climbing training and gear instruction
- Short trek around base camp
- Days 18 - 19
Island Peak Climb
Two days are allowed for climbing Island Peak, though you'll likely need only one if weather is fine. Strategy gets decided by your trek leader based on group acclimatization, weather, and snow conditions. Generally you'll rest in the morning, then after lunch ascend from Base Camp to High Camp at 5,700m/18,700ft (steep 2-hour climb on well-defined trail, just below permanent snowline). Next morning you'll leave very early for the final climb to the summit (4-6 hours depending on snow/weather). A rope is fixed on the summit headwall for safety. It's not technically difficult, but willpower and stamina are required. From the summit you get fantastic views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu and Baruntse. You should be able to descend back to Chukkung from your summit attempt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Island Peak from High Camp to summit
- Ascend from Base Camp to High Camp
- Acclimatization at High Camp
Landmarks/POIs Island Peak Ama Dablam Lhotse Makalu Baruntse - Day 20
Chukkung to Tengboche
Leaving the mountains behind, you'll descend through various towns including Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare and Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River. You'll ascend gradually through Debuche and then to Tengboche at 3,800m/12,470ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Descend through Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare and Lower Pangboche
- Cross suspension bridge over Imja Khola River
- Ascend to Tengboche at 3,800m
Landmarks/POIs Tengboche - Day 21
Tengboche to Namche Bazaar
From Tengboche you'll descend steeply through beautiful forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga. After a welcome break and tea, you'll cross the Dudh Kosi River and climb to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through to Shanasa, where you have the option of visiting Kunde and Khumjung villages before returning to Namche Bazaar for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir
- Cross Dudh Kosi River
- Trek to Namche Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Visit Kunde village
- Visit Khumjung village
- Day 22
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
This is your last day of trekking as you return to Lukla where the trek began. You'll have time to reflect on the trek as a group and celebrate your personal achievement. The afternoon is free to wander, relax and enjoy a hot shower. In the evening you'll have a farewell dinner with your Sherpa companions, followed by celebratory drinks and dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner with Sherpa companions, followed by celebratory drinks and dancing)
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Optional Activities
- Hot shower
- Wander around Lukla
- Relax at guesthouse
- Day 23
Lukla to Kathmandu
You'll fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla, enjoying last-minute glimpses of the mountains you recently visited during the flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, an airport representative will transfer you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
- Day 24
Kathmandu Spare Day
This is a spare day in Kathmandu to rest after the trekking program. You have the option to extend your trip with activities like Chitwan jungle safari, rafting, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, scenic Everest flight, or mountain biking. In the evening you'll have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances. Your guide and office staff will accompany you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner in traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner in traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances
Optional Activities
- Chitwan jungle safari
- Rafting adventure
- Kathmandu valley shopping tour
- Scenic Everest flight
- Mountain biking
- Day 25
Departure from Kathmandu
The trip concludes as an airport representative drops you at Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
