Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu.
You will be greeted at the airport by a representative from Outdoor Expeditions and transported to your hotel. Unwind from your flight and meet us in the evening for a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and trip preparations.
Relax for the afternoon and enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu’s unique attractions. We’ll spend the day exploring several of the city’s most famous cultural landmarks like the sacred Hindu pilgrimage site Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bhagamati, Swayambunath (Monkey Temple), and Bouddhanath, Nepal’s largest and most revered Buddhist stupa. In the evening we’ll meet with your trekking guide and team members for a trip briefing and preparations for the journey.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Bhandar: 6 – 7 hours drive.
The day starts with an early morning drive (about 6 hours) to Jiri. We’ll stop for lunch and continue on to our trailhead at Bhandar. Our scenic drive will follow the Koshi River through forested hillsides beneath a backdrop of the distant Ganesh Himal and Langtang ranges.
Day 4: Trek from Bhandar to Sete 2575m/8450ft: 6 – 7 hours walk.
Our trail descends from Bhandar through tree-lined trails crossed with meandering streams. We’ll pass through several hillside settlements on our way to the banks of the Surma Khola. A gradual ascent up the Likhu Khola valley will take us to Kenja, from where a final steep climb will bring us passed Chimbu to our overnight stop at Sete.
Day 5: Trek from Sete to Junbesi 2670m/8760ft: 6 – 7 hours walk.
We’ll journey across a rolling hillside dressed in lush foliage, ascending to Lamjura La pass, the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar at 3530 meters. Stopping to rest at the apex of our climb, the accompanying panorama includes a spectacular picture of the surrounding hillsides. Dense forests of pine and birch surround us as we descend to Junbesi to rest for the evening.
Day 6: Trek from Junbesi to Nunthala 2220m/7280ft: 6 hours walk
As we progress, the Himalayan giants who await us slowly make their presence known. Our first views of Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Thamserku, and the mighty Mt. Everest appear upon the horizon as we follow our winding trail. A descent to the Ringmo Khola and a climb to cross Trashingdo pass will take us to Nuntala, our overnight stop.
Day 7: Trek from Nunthala to Bupsa 2360m/7740ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
An early descent will take us along a trail adjacent to the stunning blue waters of the Dudh Koshi. The raging rapids will accompany us today on our journey, crossing several bridges to join trails on either side of the valley. The day ends with a steep climb to Bupsa.
Day 8: Trek from Bupsa to Surke 2290m/7282ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
Begin with a vigorous climb to Kharte, a short break, and a further climb to the Khari La pass. Epic views of Gyachung Kang and Khumbila await us as we cross over the pass and make the descent to Puiyan. Descend from here to Surke.
Day 9: Trek from Surke to Phakding 2652m/8700ft: 4 – 5 hours walk
A few more climbs and descent are in store today, beginning with an ascent to Chiplung. We climb further on to Charikharka and make a final descent to Phakding.
Day 10: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3440m/11280ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
Today’s climb takes us along a wonderfully scenic trail following the Dudh Koshi, with an outstanding view of Mt. Thamserku for much of the journey. We catch a peak of the distant Mt. Everest near Chautara. We’ll pass the checkpoint into the Sagarmatha National Park, and after crossing a high suspension bridge spanning the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers, we’ll make the final climb to Namche Bazaar.
Day 11: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar
Spend the day enjoying the sights around Namche Bazaar, the Khumbu region’s main commercial center. Several short climbs to spots of interest are available to help us acclimatize, including the Tourist Visitor Center and museum, or the Everest View Hotel, from where breathtaking views can be enjoyed.
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 3870m/12694ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
The epic peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku greet us as we climb the hill from Namche Bazaar and embark on the generally flat trail to Tengboche. Every twist in the trail will bring scenery more stunning than the last. We’ll pass Kyangjuma and Sansa, cross a bridge over the Dudh Koshi, and make a gradual descent to Phunki Tenga. From here it’s a steep climb to Tengboche, home of the famous monastery and spectacular surrounding views.
Day 13: Trek from Tengboche to Dengboche 4360m/14300ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
Morning views around the Tengboche monastery will be unforgettable, as well as a slice of apple pie from the local bakery. Our trail descends into the Imja valley, with stunning up-close views of Ama Dablam at our side. Approaching Dengboche, an amazing patchwork of terraced fields of potato, barley, and buckwheat nestled between soaring mountains unfolds. Our winding trail hugs the hillside above this pastoral scene on our gentle descent into Dengboche.
Day 14: Trek from Dengboche to Duglha 4600m/15090ft: 3 – 4 hours walk
Beginning with a climb through the Khumbu Khola valley, we cross a windswept expanse of stark mountain scenery. We descend into a narrow valley with stunning white peaks populating the horizon. We’ll pass the camping sites of the first successful Everest summit near Phulung Karpo and catch a peak of Chola lake on our descent to Duglha.
Day 15: Trek from Duglha to Lobuche 4940m/16207ft: 2 – 4 hours walk
The amazing terminal moraine of Khumbu glacier comes into view as we continue up the pass to Chupki Lhara. We crest a ridge to meet of field of memorial stones and prayer flags honoring a number of climbers who have perished on expeditions in the region. We descend from the ridge and emerge into a vivid landscape of sand colored moraine and the impossibly white faces of Pumori, Khumbutse, and Lingtren on our way to Lobuche.
Day 16: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep 5170m/16961ft – Everest Base Camp 5364m/17594ft: 7 – 8 hours walk
Each bend in the trail brings scenery more epic than the last as we near the source of the Khumbu glacier nestled deep in the heart of the Khumbu region. An amazing view of Pumori unfolds before us, with the black face of Kala Pattar awaiting beneath it. Surrounded by epic white peaks, gazing down at the vast expanse of ice formations below, the descent into Gorak Shep will be an experience impossible to forget. After resting at Gorak Shep, we’ll follow a trail across a rocky ridge studded with boulders directly adjacent to the massive Khumbu glacier to Everest base camp, returning for the night in Gorak Shep.
Day 17: Trek from Gorak Shep to Kala Pattar 5545m/18192ft – Pheriche 4280m/14070: 7 – 8 hours walk
An early morning wake up and the challenge of your life awaits today. The two hour climb to Kala Patthar will be the ultimate test of endurance on this journey. Arriving at the top of the famed black rock as the sun rises will be a personal achievement to go down in the record books, with an amazing panorama of the region as a reward. After returning for breakfast in Gorak Shep, we’ll begin our return journey to Pheriche.
Day 18: Pheriche-Pangboche-Tengboche-Namche Bazaar 3440m/11280ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
Coming down from the altitude will be a great relief, as if a giant weight has been lifted off your shoulders. The scenery on the return will take on a different appearance as well – as you pass each amazing vista you’ll want to savor them for the last time. The speed of descent will vary according to our condition, but you’ll be amazed at how the environment changes as we travel from rocky glacial terrain to verdant hillsides.
Day 19: Namche Bazaar to Lukla 2800m/9186ft: 6 – 8 hours walk
The final descent to Lukla is steep and rocky, but the oxygen-rich air will bring great comfort. Descending into the lush jungles against the roar of the Dudh Koshi below, we’ll leave the Himalayan giants behind us and stop for our final rest in Lukla.
Day 20: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
A morning flight will bring us back to Kathmandu. You’ll be escorted from Tribhuvan airport to your hotel. Enjoy the sights and sounds of bustling Thamel for the evening and reminisce upon an amazing journey.
Day 21: Depart Kathmandu
Take care of any last minute shopping or sightseeing as time permits. You’ll be picked up at your hotel three hours prior to your departure flight. Thanks for traveling with Outdoor Expeditions. Farewell and Namaste.
