Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
You'll catch an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a 40-minute journey that runs parallel to the Himalayan peaks. Once you land at the historic airstrip built by Edmund Hillary, there's time to walk around the village while your crew gets the equipment sorted. Then you'll start trekking in the afternoon, heading down toward the DudhKosi River and passing through Ghat before arriving in Phakding for the night.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Everest Three High Passes Trek 18 Days)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Explore Lukla village
- Trek from Lukla to Phakding via DudhKosi River and Ghat
Landmarks Lukla Airstrip DudhKosi River Ghat - Day 2
Phakding to Monjo
From Phakding, the trek takes you up the Dudhakosi valley through blue pine and rhododendron forests. You'll cross the DudhKosi at Benkar where you can see snow peaks Kusumkanguru and Thamserku in the distance. By lunchtime you'll reach Monjo. The afternoon is yours to explore the village at your own pace. This is a shorter day on purpose, designed to help your body adjust to the altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phakding to Monjo via DudhKosi valley
- Cross DudhKosi at Benkar
Optional Activities
- Explore Monjo village in the afternoon
Landmarks Kusumkanguru Thamserku Benkar - Day 3
Namche Bazaar
Another night in Namche gives your body time to acclimatize properly. The village sits in a protected hollow and has a long history from the Tibetan salt trade. Catch the sunrise or sunset from the National Park Headquarters for panoramic views of the Khumbu peaks and Everest. In the morning you can walk up toward Thame above the BhoteKhola river valley, or visit the National Park Headquarters to see displays about Sherpa lifestyle and mountaineering history. Your guides can join you on these walks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View sunrise and sunset from National Park Headquarters
- Visit National Park Headquarters museum displays
Optional Activities
- Walk towards Thame (3810m) above BhoteKhola river valley
- Explore Namche Bazaar village
Landmarks Namche Bazaar National Park Headquarters Thame BhoteKhola River - Day 4
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Starting from Namche Bazaar with fresh morning views, you'll trek upward through verdant forests. Look out for Himalayan Thar and pheasant flocks along the way. At Sansa the trail branches, one route going to Gokyo Lake and yours continuing toward Everest. You'll cross a bridge decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and stop for lunch at Phunki Thenga. After that, continue on to Tengboche village, home to the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region, where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche to Tengboche via Sansa
- Cross bridge with Buddhist prayer flags
- Visit Tengboche Buddhist monastery (largest in Khumbu)
Landmarks Tengboche Monastery Sansa Phunki Thenga - Day 5
Tengboche to Dingboche
Today starts with a descent through the lower ridge of Diboche and Imja Khola. Watch for Blood and Danphe Pheasants, Musk Deer, and Himalayan Thar on the steep slopes. You'll reach Pangboche where Ama Dablam dominates the skyline. Stop for lunch and visit the beautiful monastery that once housed a legendary Yeti scalp. In the afternoon, climb gradually above the Imja Khola, passing tea houses at Orsho. After crossing the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines, you'll reach Dingboche for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche via Pangboche
- Visit Pangboche monastery
Landmarks Ama Dablam Pangboche Monastery Imja Khola 
- Day 6
Dingboche to Chukhung
Head up through Dingboche village and follow the Imja Khola valley as it climbs gradually. You'll cross small streams through open alpine pastures with nice views of Island Peak at the valley head. By lunchtime you'll reach Chukhung lodge. The afternoon is free for resting and letting your body acclimatize. If you're feeling up to it, hike up the valley toward the old moraines from Lhotse for impressive views of the Lhotse Wall and Ama Dablam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek from Dingboche to Chukhung via Imja Khola valley
Optional Activities
- Hike up the valley towards old moraines for views of Lhotse Wall and Ama Dablam
Landmarks Island Peak Lhotse - Day 7
Chukhung to Lobuche via Kongma La Pass
Today requires an early breakfast and early start. You'll trek up the valley, cross a ridge and old lateral moraine, then make a rocky scramble to Kongma La Pass. From the top you'll see the Rolwaling Valley to the west and Ama Dablam to the southeast. The descent crosses a small glacier that's often snow-covered but straightforward. As you come down you'll get excellent views of Ama Dablam and Cholatse's north face. Follow grassy slopes above Tsho La lake to join the main Everest trail, then contour along the west side of the Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek over Kongma La Pass
- Cross small glacier from pass
- Trek to Lobuche via Khumbu Glacier
Landmarks Kongma La Pass Rolwaling Valley Cholatse Tsho La Khumbu Glacier - Day 8
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
The trail follows the Khumbu Glacier with views of the surrounding mountains. As it rises to cross a tributary glacier, the vistas keep improving. You'll stop for lunch at Gorak Shep, which is also your overnight spot. As evening approaches, take a short walk back near camp and get to bed early since tomorrow's hike starts very early.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep via Khumbu Glacier
Landmarks Khumbu Glacier - Day 9
Everest Base Camp
A very early start gets you to Everest Base Camp. The trail weaves through ice pinnacles and past crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the way back, you'll take a higher route that offers a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col. Then you'll head back to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek to Everest Base Camp via Khumbu Glacier
- View Khumbu icefall and South Col route
Landmarks Everest Base Camp Khumbu Icefall - Day 10
Kala Pattar to Dzongla
Early morning trek to Kala Pattar at 5554m, one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region. After breakfast, you'll retrace your steps to Lobuche and trek toward Dzongla at 4830m. The path branches from the main trail near Lobuche. After crossing a stream, climb a ridge with views of Ama Dablam, Kangtega-Thamserku, and Taboche. You'll see Pheriche village below and the memorial at Chukpi Lhara. As the ridge curves north, Chola Lake spreads below Mt. Cholatse. The lake stays with you over a long stretch. Cross a wobbly bridge and reach Dzongla by evening at a basic local lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek to Kala Pattar viewpoint (5554m)
- Trek from Lobuche to Dzongla
Landmarks Kala Pattar Chola Lake Kangtega Taboche Chukpi Lhara Memorial 
- Day 11
Dzongla to Thagnak via Chola Pass
Morning brings thrilling views of Cholatse looming overhead. This is one of the toughest days of the trek. Start by traversing a spur extending west from Dzongla. The path descends to a basin with a murmuring stream crusted with ice. After about an hour, you'll reach the basin and begin the ascent of Chola. Climbing is steep with boulders to scramble over. Rocks can be glazed with ice so stay alert. The final approach curves around the bergschrund. At the top, prayer flags flutter on cairns with views of the surrounding peaks. Descend carefully to Thagnak where rocks may be glazed with ice. Walk to the Ngozumpa glacier edge, Nepal's longest glacier, cross it, and view the second and third Gokyo Lakes before reaching Thagnak for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek over Chola Pass
- Cross Ngozumpa Glacier
- View Gokyo Lakes 2 and 3
Landmarks Chola Pass Ngozumpa Glacier Gokyo Lakes - Day 12
Thagnak to Gokyo
Cross the Ngozumpa Glacier and ascend the lateral moraine valley past beautiful lakes with Siberian ducks swimming across mirror-calm water. You'll reach the village of Gokyo by midday. Today is easy and meant for rest and acclimatization. If you have energy, consider a sunset walk to Gokyo Ri summit at 5400m. Otherwise, that climb is scheduled for early tomorrow morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek from Thagnak to Gokyo via lateral moraine valley
Optional Activities
- Sunset walk to Gokyo Ri summit (5400m)
Landmarks Gokyo Gokyo Ri Ngozumpa Glacier - Day 13
Gokyo Ri
Early start to catch morning views. The steady and unrelenting ascent of Gokyo Ri at 5400m takes around two hours. At the summit you'll see spectacular panoramic views that many consider Nepal's best view of the 8,000-meter peaks. Surrounding you are Cho Oyu, Gyangchung Kang, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, Taweche, Kantega, Thamserku, Lobuche, and Mt Everest. Hundreds of unnamed peaks fill the scene while below stretches the Ngozumpa Glacier and the striking colored lakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Climb Gokyo Ri (5400m)
- View 8,000-meter peaks panorama
Landmarks Gokyo Ri Cho Oyu Gyangchung Kang Lhotse Makalu Cholatse Taweche Kantega Thamserku Lobuche East Mount Everest Ngozumpa Glacier 
- Day 14
Gokyo to Lungden via Renjo La
Walk up Renjo La Pass where you'll see Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Makalu. On the pass's other side you'll see the Rolwaling peaks. The trail descends past lakes and yak pastures to join the Thame valley, one of the main trading routes with Tibet over Nangpa La. You'll overnight at a teahouse lodge in Lungden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek over Renjo La Pass
- Trek to Lungden via Thame valley
Landmarks Renjo La Pass Rolwaling Peaks Thame Valley Nangpa La Pass 
- Day 15
Lungden to Thame
Descend to meet the trail from Nangpa La, which leads into Tibet. You may encounter Tibetan traders with caravans of yaks laden with carpets, salt, and hides. Follow the BhoteKosi Valley southward to Thame with its spectacular monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Trek from Lungden to Thame via BhoteKosi Valley
- Visit Thame Monastery
Landmarks Nangpa La Pass BhoteKosi Valley Thame Monastery - Day 16
Thame to Manjo via Lawudo Gompa
Today you'll make a side trip to Lawudo Gompa at 3790m, affiliated with the renowned Kopan Gompa in Kathmandu. It's perched above Thamo and Mende villages. After a steep descent to the Bhote Kosi, cross on a high bridge over a narrow canyon. Take a rarely-used trekkers' trail climbing steeply to the small gompa where Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave. The resident monk or nun will serve tea while you enjoy views from the gompa steps. Khumbila looms overhead. Have lunch with Lhakpa's mother and sister in Mende, picnic style with Sherpa potato pancakes. From Mende, trek for 1.5 hours contouring high above the river to Namche, then descend rapidly to the DudhKosi Valley floor and lodge at Manjo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Potato pancakes with Lhakpa's family in Mende (Sherpa specialty)), Dinner (with tea/coffee)
Included Activities
- Visit Lawudo Gompa
- Trek from Thame to Manjo via Lawudo Gompa and Mende
- Lunch at Lhakpa's family home in Mende
Landmarks Lawudo Gompa Khumbila Mende Village Namche Bazaar DudhKosi Valley - Day 17
Manjo to Lukla
The final trekking day is quite easy. The trail mostly follows the valley floor before a gradual climb to Lukla, where you'll arrive mid-morning. In the evening, there's a special celebration dinner followed by a ceremony to say farewell to your Nepali trekking crew.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Special celebration dinner with farewell ceremony for trekking crew)
Included Activities
- Trek from Manjo to Lukla
- Special celebration dinner and farewell ceremony
- Day 18
Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu with mountain views unequaled anywhere else. Your transfer will meet you on arrival in Kathmandu and take you to your hotel.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Everest Three High Passes Trek 18 Days)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
