Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu | (1300m)
Once you land in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed by a representative of your company. They will escort you to your hotel. Nothing is planned for your arrival day so, feel free to explore around the city.
Day 2
Preparation for the trek
This long and challenging trek is best done with proper preparation. You will sit down with your guide and talk about the trek to come. You can also do some last-minute shopping if you feel like you might have missed out on something. You will be briefed on the trek. Moreover, you can always explore the UNESCO enlisted world heritage sites in the city including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath.
Day 3
Fly to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
The flight to Lukla is nothing short of spectacular. The airport is situated amongst sheer hills, and you get an appetizing view of the surrounding mountains, a taste of things to come. Once you land in Lukla, you head to Phakding village. The trek is downhill and takes you through a dusty rock-studded track in between pine trees, with the Sound of Dudh Koshi River adjacent to the trail.
Day 4
Trek to Namche | (3440m)
This part of the Khumbu region is fairly you’ll populated as you pass many villages on the way. As you go deeper into the Khumbu region, you are greeted by the Sagarmatha National park. Beyond this point, the path is decorated by Rhododendrons and Magnolias forest. The climb up to Namche Bazaar is steep, and after two hours of climbing up to Namche hill, you arrive at Namche Bazaar.
Day 5
Acclimatization rest day
Namche Bazaar is regarded as the ‘capital’ of the Khumbu region; a gateway to Everest region. It has many shops and lodges where it is possible to find almost anything required for trekking. An acclimatization day is scheduled to allow your body to adjust to high altitude. It is recommended to take hikes to nearby places like the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde. You can also visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Syanboche Airstrip.
Day 6
Trek to Thame | (3820m)
From Namche, you make your way uphill and northwest along the Bhote Koshi river valley towards Thame. Thame is the last permanent settlement in this trek. It’s an ancient trading route between Nepal and Tibet. Thame was also where legendary mountaineers such as Tenzing Norgay and Apa Sherpa grew up. The Thame monastery is also one of the oldest in the Khumbu region.
Day 7
Trek to Lumde | (4368m)
Beyond Thame is a peaceful high valley, whose primary residents are the Farming Sherpas and their yaks. It is about a 4-5 hours steep trek through a moraine to Lumde. First, you arrive at Marulung crossing other small villages of Yilajung and Taranga. As you climb to the village of Marulung, you cross fast-flowing streams and fields walled off by stone.
Day 8
Trek to Gokyo (4790m) via Renjo La Pass (5360m) | [1st Pass]
It is a steady walk on a mostly easy-going path to reach your campsite in a beautiful, deserted valley, just below the Renjo La. The climb to the top of the pass is long and arduous but equally rewarding. On top, the view of the Mt. Everest (8848m) to the east is one of the best in the region. In the nearby horizon, there are also Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8414m), and Makalu (8463m) while Cho Oyu (8188m) seems the closest. Later, you descend to the Gokyo village situated north to the Gokyo Lake.
Day 9
Exploration to Gokyo Ri Peak (5360m) and Trek to Thangnak
You begin the hike to Gokyo Ri just after the break of morning light, to soak up amazing sunrise views from Gokyo Ri. You get an excellent view of the Mt. Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8414m). The view also includes Pumo Ri (7165m), Ama Dablam (6856) and Cho Oyu (8188m). The beautiful turquoise lakes glisten below. After relishing in this beautiful sight, you head to Dragnag through Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in the Himalayas.
Day 10
Trek to Dzongla (4830m) via Cho La Pass (5420m) | [2nd Pass]
Today is going to be a long trek and has the possibility to be treacherous. You begin early in the morning to avoid any unforeseen changes in the weather. You carefully follow the river up to the pleasant valley. The trail becomes rockier as you continue along with the icy crossings. You descend down to Dzongla, after successfully crossing the pass.
Day 11
Trek to Lobuche | (4910m)
Leaving Dzongla, you will head to Cho La with the company of Mt. Cholatse (6335m). Passing Cho La, you trek along the Chola Tsho to head towards Lobuche. The trek today is a short trek around the hillsides, onto the famous Everest Trail. You have a tough trail ahead so it’s best to spend the day exploring nearby at a mild pace.
Day 12
Trek to Gorakshep (5140m) and explore Everest base camp (5545m)
Gorakshep is the last stop before Everest Base Camp (EBC). The trek from Lobuche will take you along the Khumbu Glacier. The climbing isn’t long, steep, or intense, but the lack of oxygen is noticeable. Gorakshep is a frozen lake bed, with a small settlement of lodges. From here, you complete the trail on to the famous EBC. The base camp offers glorious views of the Khumbu Glacier, Icefall and numerous mountains including Nuptse (7861m) and Pumo Ri (7165m). After some time in the camp, you get back to Gorakshep.
Day 13
Climb Kalapatthar and trek to Lobuche | (5550m)
You cannot see Everest itself from EBC. For that, you need to make your way to Kalapatthar. You start your walk on a fairly steep trail at a comfortable pace. As you are climbing, you can see Lingtren (6749m), Khumbutse (6636m), and Changtse (7543m). From Kalapatthar, you get a spectacular view of Everest and other peaks like Lhotse (8414m) and Nuptse (7861m). Afterward, you move back down to Gorakshep and then trek along the Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche.
Day 14
Trek to Chukung (4730m) crossing Kongma La Pass (5535m) | [3rd pass]
Kongma La Pass is the highest pass on your trip. You ascend from the steep west side along the glacier and descend down the east side into Chukung. It is about 4 hours beyond the pass. Kongma La offers a breathtaking view of Makalu (8463m) in the east, while Ama Dablam (6856m) and Nuptse (7861m) on either side of the pass. Chukung is a beautiful lodge village set in the Chukung valley on the banks of the Imja Khola.
Day 15
Trek down to Pangboche | (3930m)
The trek today is windy as you transition from the Chukung valley to the Dingboche valley. You are still above the tree line as you traverse the dry terrain. Once you arrive at Pangboche, be sure to visit the Pangboche monastery. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region. You will start the below 4000m altitude here as you spend the night.
Day 16
Trek back to Namche | (3440m)
You trek back to the bustling town of Namche. The trail is a descent most of the way, with the first part being a tough 300m descent to cross the Imja river. Next, you climb back up to Tengboche. The wonderful views of Ama Dablam linger on the background as you make your way back to Namche. Back at Namche, you can catch up at any last-minute shopping you may have to commemorate your trek.
Day 17
Trek back to Lukla | (2800m)
The trek to Lukla is a straightforward descent. You retrace back the steps you came, and the first Mani stones and Chortens you saw at the beginning of your trek are the last this time around. You leave the National park premises and after an ascent in the last part of the trek arrive at Lukla.
Day 18
Fly to Kathmandu | Farewell Dinner
As you fly off to Kathmandu with the last aerial view of the Khumbu region, the region reminds you of the majesty that it possesses. After a tough journey, you will land in Kathmandu where you can rest for the rest of the day. A farewell dinner will be held by the company.
Day 19
Departure
After a short and sweet farewell ceremony, you will be accompanied to the airport by a company representative. They will make sure you reach the airport in time for your flight home. You hope you provided the best service and hope your paths cross again.
