Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
You'll fly early to Lukla and catch your first views of mountains from the air. After meeting your porters at the airport and having breakfast, the trek starts toward Phakding through the Dudh Kosi Valley. Along the way you'll cross suspension bridges and see prayer flags and mani stones. The evening gives you time to walk around the village and get your bearings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Phakding through Dudh Kosi Valley
- Cross local style suspension bridges
- Porter introduction at Lukla airport
Optional Activities
- Explore Phakding village
Landmarks Dudh Kosi Valley Lukla Airport - Day 2
Phakding to Namche Bazzar
Start with a short leisurely hike that takes you across suspension bridges before climbing to the Sagarmatha National Park entrance for permit checks. From there it's another 2 to 3 hours of climbing to reach Namche Bazzar. Two viewing spots on the way up give you your first look at Mount Everest itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Namche Bazzar
- Cross suspension bridges
- Permit check at Sagarmatha National Park entrance
- Mount Everest viewing spots
Landmarks Sagarmatha National Park Mount Everest Namche Bazzar - Day 3
Namche Bazzar Acclimatization Day
Following the 'climb high, sleep low' acclimatization strategy, you'll hike up to Syangboche airstrip and Khunde Village, passing several Chortens along the route. Stop by a monastery to see what's said to be a Yeti Scalp, then continue to Everest View Hotel where 360-degree views include Mount Everest. After taking in the views, head back down to Namche Bazzar for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Syangboche airstrip
- Visit Khunde Village
- Visit monastery with Yeti Scalp
- Visit Everest View Hotel
- Return trek to Namche Bazzar
Landmarks Syangboche airstrip Khunde Village Everest View Hotel Mount Everest - Day 4
Namche Bazzar to Tengboche
The trek to Tengboche follows an up and down path with views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse and Kwangde. You'll pass through Sanasa village, drop down to Phunki Thanga, then climb sharply through rhododendron forest. Tengboche appears with its monastery, lodges and bakery clustered together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Tengboche
- Pass through Sanasa village
- Trek through rhododendron, pine, fir, magnolia and birch forest
- Visit Tengboche monastery area
Landmarks Tengboche Monastery Mount Everest Lhotse Ama Dablam Nuptse - Day 5
Tengboche to Pheriche
An easier day with a descent through rhododendron forest and across a bridge over Imja Khola to reach Pangboche. From there you continue to Pheriche for a total of 3 to 4 hours of walking. Pheriche has a basic hospital run by Himalayan Rescue Association during peak seasons like March through May and November through December.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rhododendron forest
- Cross bridge over Imja Khola
- Trek to Pheriche via Pangboche
Landmarks Pangboche Pheriche - Day 6
Nagarjun Peak Acclimatization Day
This acclimatization hike takes you up 800 meters to Nagarjun peak at 5,000m altitude. The 3 to 4 hour hike offers views of mountains including Mount Makalu, the 5th highest mountain in the world. There's a real possibility of spotting snow leopards on this route. After time at the summit, you descend back to Pheriche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb to Nagarjun peak (5,000m)
- Mountain views including Mt. Makalu
Optional Activities
- Snow leopard spotting
Landmarks Nagarjun Peak Mt. Makalu - Day 7
Pheriche to Lobuche
You'll climb gradually toward Lobuche as the snow-clad peaks get closer. Trek about 45 to 60 minutes to Thukla where you'll stop for food, then keep heading upward. A flat area holds memorials for climbers who died on Everest. After climbing out of the valley you descend to yak pastures at Lobuche.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lobuche
- Stop at Thukla
- Visit Everest climber memorials
- Trek through yak pastures
Landmarks Thukla Lobuche - Day 8
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp
Pack light for the 2 to 2.5 hour trek to Gorakshep, which has both easy and harder sections. The path winds between boulders over rocky and slippery ground with huge mountains all around. You'll see the Khumbu glacier along the way. After checking in and eating at a lodge, trek another 1 to 2 hours along Khumbu glacier to reach Everest Base Camp. Yellow climber tents come into view as you arrive. Spend time looking around, taking photos and writing your name on boulders before returning to Gorakshep.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Gorakshep
- View Khumbu glacier
- Hike to Everest Base Camp
- Return to Gorakshep
Landmarks Gorakshep Khumbu Glacier Everest Base Camp - Day 9
Gorakshep to Kalapather to Dingboche
From Gorak Shep, walk down then up multiple times to Kalapathar at sunrise or sunset, a trek of 1.5 to 2 hours. This gives the best view of Mount Everest, Nuptse and Changtse with a glimpse of Lhotse. After returning to Gorakshep for food, descend to Dingboche. Keep in mind Mount Everest isn't actually fully visible from Base Camp itself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Kalapathar
- Sunrise or sunset viewing at Kalapathar
- View Mount Everest from Kalapathar
- Return to Gorakshep
- Trek to Dingboche
Landmarks Kalapathar Mount Everest Nuptse Changtse Lhotse Dingboche - Day 10
Dingboche to Chukkung
An easy 2 hour trek takes you from Dingboche to Chukkung, a beautiful valley sitting between mountains like Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Imja Tse. You'll get close up views of these mountains and their glaciers from here. The Imja Khola river runs past Chukkung village where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Chukkung
- Mountain and glacier views of Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Imja Tse
Landmarks Chukkung Lhotse Nuptse Ama Dablam Imja Tse Imja Khola River - Day 11
Chukkung to Island Peak Base Camp
After breakfast, trek south then east into the main valley. Walk along the stream passing Imja and Lhotse glacier moraine before reaching the area where you'll set up tents. From camp you can see the southwestern face of Imja Tse, also called Island Peak.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek south to main valley
- Trek east to valley
- Walk along stream
- Pass Imja and Lhotse glacier moraine
- View Imja Tse southwestern face from camp
Landmarks Imja Glacier Lhotse Glacier Imja Tse - Day 12
Island Peak Climb
The summit attempt starts around 1 to 2 in the morning. You'll spend about 2 hours reaching High Camp, then climb through the rock gully. Follow a ridge line to the summit glacier and climb a steep snow slope to the top. The mountain views from the summit are excellent. After that you descend back through High Camp, down to Base Camp and all the way back to Chukkung.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Island Peak summit climb
- Climb rock gully
- Ridge-line traverse
- Summit glacier crossing
- Steep snow slope climb
- Descent to High Camp
- Descent to Base Camp
- Return to Chukkung
Landmarks Island Peak Island Peak High Camp - Day 13
Chukkung to Tengboche
Walk down from Chukkung toward Pangboche and take the same trail used during your ascent. Then climb back up to reach Tengboche on this 4 to 5 hour trek. You'll settle in at Tengboche for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek down to Pangboche
- Trek up to Tengboche
Landmarks Pangboche Tengboche Monastery - Day 14
Tengboche to Namche Bazzar
Retrace your steps back to Namche Bazzar on a 6 to 7 hour walk, descending through the familiar terrain you covered earlier in the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Namche Bazzar
Landmarks Namche Bazzar - Day 15
Namche Bazzar to Lukla
A 6 to 7 hour walk brings you back to Lukla where you'll spend the night. This is your last day in the mountains, so take time to relax, enjoy and celebrate everything you've accomplished.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lukla
Optional Activities
- Celebrate and relax in Lukla
Landmarks Lukla - Day 16
Lukla to Kathmandu
Take an early flight back to Kathmandu. If you sit on the right side of the plane, you'll get a final look at the mountains as you depart. The tour ends when you arrive in Kathmandu.
Included Activities
- Flight to Kathmandu
Landmarks Kathmandu
