| Day |
Route |
Duration |
Highest Point/m |
Grade |
| 1 |
Arrival Kathmandu transfer to Hotel |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Meet with our representative at the
airport. Drive to hotel. |
| 2 |
Kathmandu |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Sightseeing Day see Kathmandu Day Trips for ideas
of what to do. |
| 3 |
Kathmandu - Lukla – Phakdhing |
4 hours |
2610 |
Easy |
| |
Early morning fly
to Lukla and walk to Phakding. The flight has great views
of about 200 km of the eastern Himalayas. After arriving in
Lukla we walk through picturesque Sherpa villages to Phakding.
|
| 4 |
Phakdhing - Namche Bazaar |
6 hours |
3450 |
Easy |
| |
Criss-cross several bridges over the
Dudhkoshi river we then begin the long climb up to Namche Bazaar.
During the climb there are views of Everest through pine forest.
Namche is the main trading spot of the Khumbu region and has
bakeries, Email service, money exchange, equipment shops, Sherpa
Museum, and the National Park Headquarters. |
| 5 |
Namche Bazaar |
all day |
3450 |
Easy |
| |
Acclimatization day. Use today
to rest and explore the surrounding villages of Khumjung and
Kunde, take in the sights and sounds of this famous bazaar,
or check out the schools and hospitals set-up by Sir Edmund
Hillary. |
| 6 |
Namche – Dole |
7 hours |
4040 |
Moderate |
| |
The trail remains fairly level for
the first hour or so with fabulous views of Ama Dablam across
the valley. At the Mong La (4,010m) we descend to the river-side
village of Phortse Tenga. Then begins the beautiful walk through
pine and birch trees where we may encounter Musk Deer and Dhaphe
(Himalayan) Pheasant on the way up to Dole which is above tree
line. |
| 7 |
Dole – Machharmo |
4 hours |
4420 |
Easy |
| |
This is a classic alpine meadow walk
over small ridges where we may see yaks and alpine highland
birds, but always with Cho Oyu (8,153m) views to the North.
We halt at the comfortable spot of Machharmo to take in the
views and aid acclimatisation. |
| 8 |
Machharmo - Gokyo |
4 hours |
4790 |
Moderate |
| |
We enter the Gokyo valley passing
a small waterfall emanating from the first lake. We then pass
another lake before reaching the hamlet of Gokyo beside the
turquoise third lake. Hopefully the moon will be bright enough
to illuminate the surrounding mountains. |
| 9 |
Gokyo |
all day |
5483 |
Moderate |
| |
Wake up early to hike up
Gokyo Ri (5,483m), once at the top we can relax and enjoy
the panoramic views of Everest, Cho Oyu and Makalu. The afternoon
is spent exploring the surrounding minor peaks and relaxing.
|
| 10 |
Gokyo – Dragnag |
4 hours |
4700 |
Easy |
| |
Leaving Gokyo we retrace
our steps to the third lake and then turn to east over the
glacier. It is then a short walk to our camp at Dragnag. |
| 11 |
Dragnag - Cho La – Dzonglha |
9 hours |
5330 |
Hard |
| |
This is the hardest day of
the trek; we start early in the morning and head up to the
pass over boulders along a steep trail. The Cho La always
has some ice and snow which is occasionally deep. We may need
light crampons to get through this section. We then head down
to the shepherds camp of Dzonglha.
|
| 12 |
Dzonglha - Lobuche |
5 hours |
4910 |
Moderate |
| |
It is an easy downhill to
the Khumbu valley with views of Pheriche and Dhugla below
and great mountain views all around. We then hit the main
Everest Base Camp trail and head up to Lobuche.
|
| 13 |
Lobuche - Base Camp - Ghorakshep |
9 hours |
5190 |
Moderate |
| |
The trek up to Ghorakshep
takes us on to visit Everest Base Camp where we relax and
imagine having to spend months here on an expedition! Back
down to Ghorakshep for the night. |
| 14 |
Gharak Shep - Kalaptthar – Dingboche
|
7 hours |
5560 |
Moderate |
| |
An early start to catch the
sunrise views from Kalapattar of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse,
and Pumori is just above us, and the Khumbu Glacier in front.
From here we head down to Dingboche via Dhugla.
|
| 15 |
Dingboche - Chhukung Ri – Dingboche
|
All day |
5546 |
Moderate |
| |
Today we head up to Chhukung Ri for
some more fantastic views.
Note that this day can also be used to explore the glacier or
to visit Island Peak Base Camp.
|
| 16 |
Dingboche -Tengboche |
6 hours |
3860 |
Easy |
| |
We turn our backs on the mountains
and head down to Tengboche - home to the famous Nyingmapa Tibetan
monastery. This World Heritage site was originally built in
1916 but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934. The rebuilt
Gompa was then again destroyed in 1989 by fire, but the new
buildings are true to the original designs and form an idyllic
setting for the 30 or so young monks who live here. |
| 17 |
Tengboche – Namche Bazaar |
6 hours |
3450 |
Easy |
| |
Early morning views of Mt Everest
for breakfast before we walk downhill to Phunki Tenga and climb
back to Namche via Khumjung. |
| 18 |
Namche Bazaar – Phakdhing |
6 hours |
2610 |
Easy |
| |
A very easy day retracing our steps,
enjoy stopping off at tea shops and perhaps do a little shopping
for souvenirs along the way. |
| 19 |
Phakdhing - Lukla |
4 hours |
2850 |
Easy |
| |
Take your time and perhaps plan your
next trip to the Himalaya on our final day in the mountains.
At Lukla we celebrate the end of the trek! |
| 20 |
Lukla - Kathmandu |
35 minutes |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Early morning fly to Kathmandu
and drive to Hotel |
| 21 |
Kathmandu |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Final Day end of trek debrief and
departure. |
