Day 01: Kathmandu Arrival 1360m

You arrive in Katmandu and are transferred to the hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be scheduled to discuss the trekking program and co-ordinate any last-minute arrangements.

Meals included: 1 breakfast.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing Today we explore Katmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country.

Here we will see Hindu holy men (saddhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the Ghats. The early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for last minute shopping. You will be supplied with your trek departure information in the afternoon.

Meals included: 1 breakfast.

Day 03: Kathmandu-Lukla-Phakding 2652m, 3 hours trekking

In the early morning we take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla at 2827m. Flight time is about 40 minutes to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing we will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load the trekking equipment.

In the afternoon, we begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, just above Chaurikharka at 2713m. The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat at 2550m, it’s a short walk to Phakding where we’ll stay overnight.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee.

Day 04: Phakding-Monjo 2835m, 3 hours trekking

From Phakding, we cross the river and head up valley where we’ll see porters from the south ferrying supplies to Namche. The trail keeps close to the river valley and is lined with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest that is quite spectacular in the spring months when the flowers are in bloom.

We cross the Dudh Kosi at Benkar where there are tantalising glimpses of the snow peaks Kusum Kanguru (6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m) where we arrive in time for lunch. We spend the night in Monjo with the afternoon free to do some exploring around the village. The day has been deliberately kept short to aid acclimatisation, a very important process.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 05: Monjo-Namche Bazaar 3446m, 4 hours trekking

Today the walking is a little tougher and includes the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. From Monjo, it is a short walk to the entrance of the National Park before we cross the Dudh Kosi to Jorsale at 2805m. The trek continues upstream on generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank, to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi rivers. It is here that we start the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar.

After crossing a large and stable suspension bridge high above the river we slowly ascend at a steady pace towards Namche. There are some fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time. After arriving in Namche, we’ll have lunch and the afternoon is free to bargain in the shops for 'Tibetan' artefacts, or relax and marvel at the beautiful scenery.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 06: Namche Bazaar Hike

We remain at Namche for a second night to allow for proper acclimatisation to the altitude. Namche is a prosperous village, situated in a large protected hollow. It gained its importance during the period when Tibetan salt was traded for the lowland grains of Nepal. Today a limited amount of trade exists at Namche and Tibetans are often seen in the village trading rugs and Chinese-made goods, clothing, salt and dried meat.

It is recommended that you take the opportunity to see both the sunrise and sunset views from the National Park Headquarters above the village. The view is stunning and offers a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks with great views of Everest. After breakfast, there are a number of options: perhaps a walk towards Thami (3810m) above the beautiful Bhote Khola river valley, or a visit to the National Park Headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture. There is also a mountaineering display and details of the park’s flora and fauna. Your guides will be on hand to offer advice and escort you on your walks.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 07: Namche Bazaar-Phortse 3850m, 4 hours trekking

The trail contours around Khumbilya's lower slopes, passing through beautiful birch forest and on to treeless, grassy slopes to a stupa-3992m on top of a rocky ridge at Mongla. Once again the views of the mountains are magnificent.

Phortse can be seen across the valley, a picturesque village set in a patchwork of stone-walled fields. From the stupa you descend on a series of switchback trails to the Dudh Kosi River, 300 meters below, at Phortse Bridge & cross the Dudh Kosi and ascend to the village of Phortse for overnight.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 08: Phortse-Dingboche 4084m, 5 hours Trekking

From Phortse, we ascend through high ridge Imjakhola. Along the way keep an eye open for Blood and Danphe Pheasant, Musk Deer and, high on the steep slopes of the valley, the Himalayan Thar.Gradually ascend & descend to the village of Pangboche where the peak of Ama Dablam dominates the skyline.

We will take lunch here and perhaps view the beautiful monastery that once housed the legendary Yeti scalp. In the afternoon our route ascends gradually, high above the Imja Khola, passing the tea houses at Orsho before crossing the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines to our lodge in the settlement of Dingboche.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 09: Dingboche-Chukhung 4780m, 3 hours trekking

From Dingboche we head up through the village, following the Imja Khola valley. The ascent is gradual,crossing small streams, through open alpine pastures with fine views of Island Peak at the head of the valley.

We will reach the Chukhung lodge in time for lunch, with the afternoon free to rest and acclimatise. If you feel energetic enough, you can head up valley towards the old moraines that flow down from Lhotse. The views of the massive Lhotse Wall and Ama Dablam are particularly impressive.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 10: Chukhung-Lobuche 4930m, 5-6 hours trekking

In the morning we ascend the small ridge behind the village above the Pheriche valley. From the chorten at the top, the Taweche and Cholatse (6440m) peaks make for a striking scene as they seem to lean forwards from across the valley in the west. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of the Cho La dominate the skyline. The walking is now fairly flat on wide-open fields, but do take your time and ensure you are well hydrated.

Late in the morning we cross the Khumbu Khola at Dughla (4620m) and have a light lunch at the foot of the huge moraines of the Khumbu Glacier flowing off Everest. In the afternoon there is a solid and quite steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, we pass a line of memorial cairns which were built in memory of the Sherpas and climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last 50 years. From here there are spectacular views of Pumori 7145m, Lingtren 6697m, Khumbutse 6623m, and, across the border in Tibet, Changtse 7550m, can be seen at the head of the valley. Everest is still hidden behind the towering walls of Nuptse and Lhotse. We then follow the valley stream to our lodge at Lobuje. Today is a tiring day but the fantastic scenery makes it all very worthwhile. We arrive in the early afternoon so if you still have some energy and conditions are clear, a walk up onto the large ridge at the rear of the lodge can reward you with even more spectacular views.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 11: Lobuche-Gorak Shep 5160m-Everest Base Camp, 3 hours trekking to Gorak Shep

From Lobuche we follow the broad valley running parallel to the Khumbu glacier. A gradual ascent enables you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. Once we reach the moraines of the Changri Nup Glacier we make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that leads eventually to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep where we will stay overnight.

We’ll arrive in time for lunch and a quick rest before setting off for Everest Base Camp. The trail can sometimes be difficult to follow so keep an eye on your guides and fellow trekkers on this section. The trek to base camp can be achieved in around three hours. If you are trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, we’ll almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to Everest expeditions. From base camp we do not get views of Everest but we will be able to see the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm. This is regarded as the technically hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 12: Gorak Shep-Pheriche 4252m

Early in the morning we will make a steep ascent to Kala Patar. You will need to start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady rhythmic pace. Our goal, Kala Patar, is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It is a tough walk due to the altitude but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. It will probably take a good hour and a half to reach the summit from Gorak Shep, although lower viewpoints will provide views almost as good.

Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest surround us. About 3kms away in distance and some 200m below, the area of Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. For many trekkers, reaching Kala Patar is a very emotional experience and it is worthwhile spending as long as you can to savour this special moment. The descent back down to Gorak Shep is easy. Then today is downhill most of the way, as we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has a trekkers’ aid post here and it is quite interesting to visit. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the valley to Pheriche. The trail descends through Lobuche to Pheriche and on a clear day, there are still stunning views of mountain landscape.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 13: Pheriche-Tangboche 3875m, 6 hours Trekking

From Lobuche we retrace our steps to Dughla. It seems much quicker and easier going down! From here we take a different route to our ascent, following the wide alpine valley covered in scrub juniper through to the temporary settlement of Phulung Karpo (4343m) and then to Pheriche for the evening. There is also a Trekkers' Aid Post here, supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association which, although not manned year round, is well worth a visit if open.

From Pheriche, we cross the Khumbu Khola and ascend a short steep trail to the top of a small ridge for great views of the Imja valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega. We then descend to the small settlements at Orsho and Shomare, where we have lunch and later pass through Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River and retrace our steps to Debuche and Thyangboche.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 14: Tangboche-Namche Bazaar-Manjo 3440m, 5 hours Trekking After breakfast we descend steeply through beautiful forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga. After a welcome break and perhaps a cup of tea we cross the Dudh Kosi, and ascend to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa and it’s then a gradual walk to Namche Bazaar where we have lunch and descend to Manjo for an overnight stay.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 15: Manjo-Lukla 2800m, 3-4 hours trekking Today is our last day of trekking. It’s only a short walk along the valley before we make the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla. We’ll have lunch at our lodge and the afternoon is free for you to wander around, relax or perhaps have a hot shower! In the evening, we’ll have a farewell dinner followed by a few celebratory drinks

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 16: Lukla-Kathmandu, 30 minute flight to Kathmandu We get up early in the morning to be ready for the arrival of your aircraft for the flight back to Katmandu. We will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee

Day 17: Katmandu Departure Today is free to relax until your departure or to commence any additional trips or activities you may have booked. If you are departing, you’ll be transferred to the international airport in time for your return flight home.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner with tea/coffee