Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu Arrival
You'll arrive in Kathmandu at 1300m elevation around midday. Someone from the tour company meets you at the airport and drives you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and getting your bearings before the trek starts.
Landmarks Kathmandu - Day 2
Kathmandu
This is your preparation day in Kathmandu. Sort through your gear, check that everything fits right, and rest up mentally for what's ahead. You can grab lunch at a local restaurant, walk around the city a bit, or just take it easy at the hotel.
- Day 3
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla at 2800m early in the morning. After landing, your trek kicks off toward Phakding at 2652m. The walk takes about 3 to 4 hours through Himalayan forest and terrain. You'll notice the elevation change but nothing too steep yet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Trek from Lukla to Phakding (3-4 hours)
Landmarks Lukla Phakding - Day 4
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar over 5 to 6 hours. The path climbs steadily and you'll start seeing bigger mountain views as you get closer. Namche sits at 3440m and serves as the main hub for most trekkers in this region, so it's quite lively.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (5-6 hours)
Landmarks Namche Bazaar - Day 5
Namche Bazaar
Stay put in Namche Bazaar for a rest day and let your body adjust to the altitude. The town has plenty of shops, restaurants, and local spots to check out. Some people grab supplies, others just walk around the market or sit in a café and watch the activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Optional Activities
- Explore Namche Bazaar town
- Visit local shops and markets
Landmarks Namche Bazaar - Day 6
Namche Bazaar to Phorse
Trek from Namche to Phorse over 5 to 6 hours at 3810m. You're moving higher into the Khumbu region and the landscape changes noticeably. Mountain views keep getting better as elevation increases and the air gets crisper.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche Bazaar to Phorse (5-6 hours)
Landmarks Phorse - Day 7
Phorse to Machhermo
Head from Phorse to Machhermo, which takes about 5 to 6 hours to reach at 4470m. The forest thins out as you climb and you enter proper alpine territory. The views open up significantly and the terrain feels quite different from the lower sections.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Phorse Village to Machhermo (5-6 hours)
Landmarks Machhermo - Day 8
Machhermo to Gokyo
Trek to Gokyo at 4800m from Machhermo over 5 to 6 hours. You're reaching substantial altitude now, and the Gokyo Lakes area comes into view. At this elevation, you'll really feel the difference and movement becomes a bit slower.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (5-6 hours)
Landmarks Gokyo - Day 9
Gokyo Valley
This is a full day of climbing. Head up Gokyo Ri at 5357m and then hike toward the fifth lakes. Expect 5 to 6 hours of fairly intense effort, but the payoff is serious panoramic views including Mount Everest and surrounding major peaks on clear days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Gokyo Ri (5357m)
- Hike to fifth lakes (5-6 hours total)
Landmarks Gokyo Ri Gokyo Lakes - Day 10
Gokyo to Dole
Trek down from Gokyo to Dole in 3 to 4 hours. You're descending from the high plateau back into terrain with actual trees and vegetation. The change in landscape is pretty noticeable after days at high altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Gokyo to Dole (3-4 hours)
Landmarks Dole - Day 11
Dole to Namche Bazaar
Head from Dole back to Namche Bazaar over 4 to 5 hours. You'll retrace some of the path you've already walked, and familiar landmarks start appearing. It's nice to see some of the same routes from a different direction heading downward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar (4-5 hours)
Landmarks Namche Bazaar - Day 12
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Trek from Namche back down to Lukla, which is a longer day at 6 to 8 hours. It's mostly descent, so your legs do the work but gravity helps. By evening, you're back at the airstrip where the trek began.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (6-8 hours)
Landmarks Lukla - Day 13
Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu and return to lower elevation. After several days at altitude, the air feels thicker and the city bustle feels different. Relax at your hotel and let your body recover from the physical effort.
Included Activities
- Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Landmarks Kathmandu - Day 14
Kathmandu Departure
Your final day in Kathmandu. You'll be picked up from the hotel and driven to the airport for your flight home. It's a straightforward transfer to get you on your way after the trek.
