Early morning transfer to the airport for a 40 minutes helicopter flight or 30 minutes schedule flight to Lukla (adverse weather conditions can cause delays and cancellations). After we disembark, we collect our gear, load our porters/pack animals and begin our trek. We trek along the Dudh Koshi (river of milk) descending through the villages of Chheplung (2,660m/8,725ft) and Ghat (2,592m/8,502ft), and passing painted mani stones (Buddhist prayers carved on rocks) along the way to Phakding, situated near the rushing Dudh Koshi. (3 – 4 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Phakding

Continue north up the Dudh Koshi valley through pine and rhododendron forest to Monjo (2,835m/9,299ft), where the trail officially enters Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, also a
UNESCO World Heritage site. The trail then descends to cross the Dudh Koshi and begins the steep climb with a glimpse of Everest (8,848m/29,021ft) to the Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar. It is beautifully situated in a horseshoe-shaped bowl with numerous lodges and shops facing the hanging glacier below Kongde Ri (6,086m/19,962ft). We will stay here for two nights. Please note the Khumbu region, is inhabited by Sherpas who migrated from Tibet over 550 years and still practice Tibetan Buddhism. They also dress in the same style as Tibetans do. (6 – 7 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Namche Bazaar

We spend a day in Namche Bazaar to explore and acclimatize. We hike up above Namche behind the visitors’ center and museum of the Sagarmatha National Park for terrific panoramic mountain views of Everest and other Himalayan giants. Then we visit the museum where there are numerous educational displays of the Everest area.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Namche Bazaar

Following a less frequented trail north-west through blue pine forest and along the Bhote Koshi valley supplied with prayer flags and mani stones, we go to overnight in the small settlement of Thame. This village is situated at an important junction along the trade route from Tibet via the 5,716 meter/18,748 foot Nangpa La pass to Namche. (4 – 5 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Thame

Visit Thame monastery (3,928m/12,884ft) set high above the village on a rocky hillside and retrace steps almost all the way back to Namche Bazaar before turning uphill past Syangboche airstrip (3,720m/12,202ft) to the lovely green roofed village of Khumjung, with its view of Ama Dablam (6,814m/22,350ft) and Thamserku (6,618m/21,707ft). There is a school here established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961. The fields below Khumjung are a favorite feeding ground for the Impeyan Pheasant, the Nepalese national bird of nine colors. (6 – 7 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Khumjung

In the morning we visit the Everest View Hotel (3,860m/12,661ft) for fantastic views of the Everest region. Then we continue east to descend into the deep Dudh Koshi gorge and ascend the other side to reach the spectacular site of Tengboche monastery (3,860m/12,661ft). The original monastery was founded in 1923 but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934. Disaster struck again, as the replacement building was destroyed by fire in 1989. The new monastery was rebuilt in 1994 and has a cultural center plus a school to educate young monks. Tengboche is the spiritual center of the entire Khumbu region and from here we get spectacular views of Ama Dablam and Everest. There will be time to visit the monastery before making a short descent through rhododendron forest to overnight at Deboche. (6 – 7 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Deboche

Cross the Imja Khola (river) and trek through the lower village of Pangboche (3,930m/12,890ft) with views of Ama Dablam. After crossing the confluence of the Khumbu Khola and Imja Khola the trail continues to the summer pasture of Dingboche where we stay for two nights. (5 – 6 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Dingboche

This is a rest day to acclimatize as we are now well above the tree line and also a day for general clean up (shower, laundry etc.). Dingboche lies on the high Imja Khola valley and has awesome views of Nuptse (7,864m/25,794ft)-Lhotse (8,516m/27,932ft) wall, Island Peak (6,189m/20,300ft) and the east face of Ama Dablam. It is also possible to do a day hike.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Dingboche

Walk along a broad valley to Tughla (4,620m/15,154ft) where we stop for lunch. Then climb up to a ridge, which has memorials of people killed on expeditions to Everest. With views of Pumo Ri (7,165m/23,501ft), Lingtren (6,713m/22,019ft), Khumbutse (6,639m/21,776ft) and Kala Patthar (5,550m/18,204ft) we continue to Lobuche. (5 – 6 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Lobuche

The trail is fairly level at first but it starts to ascend and descend along glacial debris to Gorak Shep (5,140m/16,859ft). If weather permits, we hike up to Everest Base Camp for views of the sparkling Khumbu Icefall with its magical 50 foot tall seracs. Return to overnight at Gorak Shep. This will be a long but rewarding day. (9 – 10 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Gorak Shep

Again an early start to have the best chances for dramatic close-up views of Everest and its satellite peaks that dominate the skyline. It is a steep uphill climb to the top of Kala Patthar from where the views of the mountains all around and the Khumbu Glacier below are breathtaking. We return to Gorak Shep for lunch and hike back to Tughla (4,620m/15,154ft) to overnight. (8 – 9 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Tughla

Descend to Pheriche (4,240m/13,907ft) and ascend to cross the small Pheriche Pass (4,270m/14,006ft). Hike down the Imja Khola valley visiting Pangboche monastery en-route to overnight in Deboche. The monastery at Pangboche is the oldest in the Khumbu region and is probably 500 years old. (6 – 7 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Deboche

A short ascent through rhododendron forest brings us to Tengboche. We spend some time at Tengboche before making a steep descent to cross the Dudh Koshi. It is possible to see Himalayan Thar and Musk Deer on quiet mornings. Then we climb up the other side to the trail junction at Sanasa (3,600m/11,808ft) and contour high above the river to Namche Bazaar. (6 – 7 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Namche Bazaar

Retrace steps down the gorge of the Dudh Koshi to leave Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and hike back to Lukla passing through Phakding. (8 – 9 hours hiking)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tea House – Lukla

After bidding goodbye to the Khumbu region we fly by helicopter or on schedule flight to Kathmandu (weather permitting) and transfer to hotel. Depending on our luck with the flight we will either be in Kathmandu or in Lukla on this day.

Breakfast / Hotel Yak and Yeti (5 star deluxe hotel) or similar – Kathmandu

This extra day is specially included in the itinerary should there be delays due to bad weather conditions. If we are lucky enough to fly out of Lukla and return to Kathmandu on time we will have a morning tour of Pashupatinath temple with its ghats (crematory platforms) on the Bagmati River (the holiest Hindu shrine of Nepal) and Boudhanath (the largest stupa in the country and center of Buddhist culture in Kathmandu). Both the sites are part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage site. Afternoon is free to explore Kathmandu on your own. There are many touring possibilities like visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, stroll Asan bazaar or go shopping. Or simply relax by the hotel’s pool. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant.

Breakfast, Dinner /Hotel Yak and Yeti (5 star deluxe hotel) – Kathmandu

Transfer to the airport for your homeward bound flight.

Breakfast

EVEREST MOUNTAIN FLIGHT (optional) ~ Click title for more information

If you have more time you can extend your trip with RAFTING & CHITWAN EXTENSION (5 DAYS)

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