Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
A representative from Sherpa Expedition Teams will meet you at Kathmandu airport and take you to your 3-star hotel. After you get settled in, there's a briefing covering the Kongma La Pass and Cho La Pass Trek, details about where you'll stay, and how everything will work logistically. The rest of the day is yours to rest up or head to Thamel if you need to grab anything you forgot to pack.
- Start point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Airport pick up by private car., 00:00 - 23:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Thamel neighborhood
- Last-minute shopping
Landmarks Thamel - Day 2
Phakding
You'll fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, which takes around 35 minutes, and the whole way you're looking at Himalayan views. Once you land at Tenzing-Hilary airport, the trekking starts right away through Kani ceremonial arches and past Kyangma village where there's a large Gompa monastery. From there you walk through Cheplung Village's forest alongside the Dudh Kosi River, cross a suspension bridge, trek over ridges, and pass a school with Mani walls and prayer wheels before reaching Phakding.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Trek passing Kyangma village Gompa and school
- Trek through Cheplung Village forest
- Cross suspension bridge over Dudh Kosi River
- Pass Mani walls, Chortens, and prayer wheels
Landmarks Tenzing-Hilary Airport Kyangma Cheplung Village Dudh Kosi River - Day 3
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Multiple suspension bridges span the Dudh Kosi River as you trek through Tok-Tok, Benkar, and Monjo. At Sagarmatha National Park's entrance gate, you'll need to buy a permit before continuing along the river bed. After crossing the last Hillary suspension bridge, there's a steep uphill push to Namche Bazaar, where you'll find restaurants, a cyber café, pubs, a post office, ATM, and banks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek over suspension bridges across Dudh Kosi River
- Pass through Tok-Tok, Benkar, and Monjo
- Sagarmatha National Park entrance
- Cross Hillary suspension bridge
- Trek to Namche Bazaar
Landmarks Sagarmatha National Park Namche Bazaar - Day 4
Acclimatization Day
This is an acclimatization day, and active trekking is actually recommended to help you adjust to the higher elevation safely. You'll trek through Khunde and Khumjung villages with views of Everest when the weather cooperates, plus sometimes you can see Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. The route goes from Syangboche airstrip toward Khunde, then east to Khumjung village for lunch, then to Everest View Hotel before heading back down to Namche, roughly 4 to 5 hours total.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Syangboche airstrip
- Trek to Khunde village
- Trek to Khumjung village
- Visit Everest View Hotel
- Return trek to Namche Bazaar
Landmarks Syangboche Airstrip Khunde Khumjung Mount Khumbila Everest View Hotel Mount Everest Lhotse Ama Dablam - Day 5
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
A zigzagging trail takes you past valleys to Kenjoma, then to Sanasa village before descending to Phunki Thanga. You'll ascend through pine forests with Mani stones along the trail as it hugs the slope. Tengboche is your destination, and the views here are incredible with Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and many other peaks visible.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Kenjoma
- Trek through Sanasa village
- Descend to Phunki Thanga
- Trek through pine forest
- Arrive at Tengboche
Landmarks Kenjoma Sanasa Phunki Thanga Tengboche Mount Everest Ama Dablam Lhotse Nuptse Kwangde Tawachee Kantega Thamserku - Day 6
Tengboche to Pangboche
Trekking down through forests takes about 3 to 4 hours, crossing the Imja Khola along the way. After that crossing you'll pass through Pangboche village, which sits in the middle of fields surrounded by rock walls and really sticks with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through forests
- Cross Imja Khola
- Trek through Pangboche village
Landmarks Imja Khola Pangboche - Day 7
Pangboche to Dingboche
You'll start out around 8:30 with an easy morning and trek to Chhukung where you get good mountain views, particularly of Ama Dablam. Continuing up the valley you cross moraines toward Island Peak and see the eastern face of Ama Dablam. Then it's downhill, and you return to Dingboche for the night. Active trekking is recommended here rather than resting to help your body adjust to the altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Chhukung
- Trek through moraine toward Island Peak
- Return trek to Dingboche
Landmarks Chhukung Island Peak Ama Dablam Dingboche - Day 8
Dingboche to Chhukung
A short trek from Dingboche gets you to Chhukung, the last village in the Khumbu area near the Imja Tse Valley. You'll arrive early afternoon with big views of snowcapped mountains including Mt. Makalu to the east. If you want more mountain views, there's an optional hike up to Chhukung Ri summit at 5559m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Chhukung
Optional Activities
- Hike to Chhukung Ri summit (5559m)
Landmarks Chhukung Imja Tse Valley Chhukung Ri Mount Makalu - Day 9
Kongma La Pass
Very early start means trekking on icy paths and stony trails under Kongma La Pass and Kongma Peak. The pass itself sits at 5,535m between Mt. Nuptse Wall, Mohare, and Pokalde peaks. After a tough climb to the Khumbu Glacier and moraine, there's a steep trail up to the glacier base before arriving at Lobuche for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek beneath Kongma La Pass
- Cross Kongma La Pass (5,535m)
- Trek to Khumbu Glacier base
- Arrive at Lobuche
Landmarks Kongma La Pass Kongma Peak Mount Nuptse Mohare Pokalde Khumbu Glacier Lobuche - Day 10
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
You cross the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier passing the Italian Pyramid scientific research center. From here you can see the north ridge crest of Everest and peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingren, Mt. Khumbutse, and Mt. Nuptse. A short climb to Thangma Riju gives 360-degree panoramic views, then you cross Changri Nup Glacier, glimpse Kala Patthar, and arrive at Gorak Shep surrounded by snow-covered peaks including Mt. Everest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across Khumbu Glacier moraine
- Pass Italian Pyramid research center
- Trek to Thangma Riju
- Cross Changri Nup Glacier
- Arrive at Gorak Shep
Landmarks Khumbu Glacier Italian Pyramid Mount Everest Mount Pumori Mount Mahalangur Mount Lingren Mount Khumbutse Mount Nuptse Thangma Riju Changri Nup Glacier Kala Patthar Gorak Shep 
- Day 11
Dzongla
Before dawn you trek to Kala Patthar, a black rock formation that's well-known for offering panoramic views of the giant peaks around you, including a close-up of Mt. Everest. After getting those views, you return to Gorak Shep and continue trekking to Dzongla, positioned at the base of Cho-La Pass.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pre-dawn trek to Kala Patthar
- Trek from Kala Patthar to Gorak Shep
- Trek to Dzongla
Landmarks Kala Patthar Mount Everest Gorak Shep Dzongla - Day 12
Cho La Pass
Early morning trek to Thangnak with great views of Mt. Cholatse at 6440m. Heading west from Dzongla toward Cho La Pass at 5420m is the toughest day of the entire trek. You navigate rugged terrain with rocks coated in ice, reach the pass's highest point, and see incredible views of Chola Lake and Mt. Ama Dablam before descending more easily to Thangnak.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Thangnak
- Trek to Cho La Pass (5,420m)
- Descent to Thangnak
Landmarks Thangnak Mount Cholatse Cho La Pass Chola Lake Ama Dablam - Day 13
Thangnak to Gokyo
Early morning trek to the small village of Gokyo at the base of Mt. Gokyo. You pass through Longponga and head uphill on a trail to Gokyo with good views of Tanjung Cho Lake at 4710m. A short walk along the edge of Ngozumpa Glacier, which is 36km long and Nepal's longest, brings you to the other side for views of Gokyo Lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Longponga
- Trek to Gokyo village
- Trek along Ngozumpa Glacier edge
- Cross Ngozumpa Glacier
Landmarks Gokyo Mount Gokyo Longponga Tanjung Cho Lake Ngozumpa Glacier Gokyo Lake - Day 14
Gokyo to Dole
Early morning climb up Gokyo Ri at 5333m shows you the Ngozumpa Glacier, the upper Gokyo Valley, and peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Cho-Oyu, and Gychung Kang. After breakfast at the top, you descend to Dole.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Gokyo Ri (5,333m)
- Descent to Dole
Landmarks Gokyo Ri Ngozumpa Glacier Mount Everest Lhotse Mount Makalu Mount Nuptse Cho-Oyu Gychung Kang Dole - Day 15
Dole to Namche Bazaar
Nearly all downhill trekking as you pass through the Sherpa village of Dole with mountains towering behind you, then continue to Namche Bazaar, a famous Buddhist town and predominantly Sherpa town that's very popular with trekkers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Sherpa village of Dole
- Trek to Namche Bazaar
Landmarks Dole Namche Bazaar - Day 16
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Your last day of trekking before getting back to Lukla where you started. It's a chance to think back on what you've done. The afternoon is free for relaxing and taking a hot shower. In the evening there's a celebration with drinks and traditional dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Celebration with drinks and traditional dance)
Included Activities
- Trek to Lukla
Landmarks Lukla - Day 17
Lukla to Kathmandu
Early morning flight from Lukla returns you to Kathmandu. Once you arrive, you can rest, shop in Thamel, or visit places you missed when you first got there. Your guide can help with souvenir shopping or sightseeing. The evening includes a farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant with a cultural dance show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant with traditional cultural dance show)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
- Farewell dinner at traditional Nepali restaurant
- Traditional cultural dance show
Optional Activities
- Rest at hotel
- Shopping around Thamel
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Landmarks Thamel - Day 18
Kathmandu Departure
Your adventure wraps up today. A Sherpa Expedition Teams representative will take you to the airport about 3 hours before your flight departs. Safe travels home, and think about planning your next trip to Nepal's mountains.
- End point
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, त्रिभुवन विमानस्थल, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Airport drop by private car, 00:00 - 23:00)
