Itinerary

Day 01 – arrival to Kathmandu (Tribhuvan international airport) (1,350 m/4,450 ft.)

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan international airport and clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by your expedition leader and some of our local team at the arrival zone. Your guide will escort you by private transport to our hotel in Kathmandu, centrally and conveniently located in the Thamel district. Thamel is well known as an exciting tourist hub and has a full range of restaurants and cuisine, gear and souvenir shops, pubs, nightspots and tourist facilities. After resting and refreshing at the hotel, the evening is yours to explore.

Day 02 – full day tour, Kathmandu valley sightseeing

 After breakfast, we will embark on a full day of sightseeing around the scenic Kathmandu valley. You will be accompanied by both your expedition leader and our local city guide, an expert on the architecture, culture and history of the valley. The day’s sights and activities include visits to the sacred, ancient shrines of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath, all still very active. Pashupatinath is one of the world’s most important Shiva shrines and a site of cremation for dignitaries. Boudhanath is one of the largest and grandest stupa in Asia and busy from dawn to dusk with devotees. Swayambhunath, aka the monkey temple, is famously perched on a hill overlooking the city. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 – flight to Lukla (2850 m/9,350 ft.) ¾ hr., trek to Phakding (2,650 m / 8,690 ft.) – 3 hrs. 

We begin early today with transport to the airport for our scenic domestic flight to the east to the mountain airport of Lukla.  We are now in a land populated by the famous Sherpa people. In Lukla, we will meet the majority of our crew and take our first treks on the trek. We take it easy today to get accustomed to the altitude with an enjoyable walk to Phakding with time to spare to explore the local monastery. Overnight at lodge.  

Day 04 – trek to Namche bazaar (3440 m/11,285 ft.)  – 6 hrs.

Today we have our first full day on the trail as we trek north up the Dudh Kosi river valley. We pass the Sagarmatha national part check post and will have our permits registered before continuing on with glimpses of the big peaks along the way, including Everest! We cross a high suspension bridge and then make a challenging climb through dense forest to arrive at Namche bazaar a town with set in an arena with beautiful peaks looking in. the market area is a lively scene with much to explore as well as a nearby monastery. Overnight in guesthouse.

Day 05 - rest day to relax and acclimatise at Namche bazaar

 Today, we will take a day of rest from our onward and upward journey. This day we will enjoy nature’s surroundings of mountain views and majestic landscape. Additionally, we have an optional hike planned for people who wish to explore the Sagarmatha national park visitor center and a spectacular hike to Khunde and Khumjung, Sherpa settlements an hour from Namche with a yak farm along the way. Additionally, we visit a famous hotel with astonishing views of Everest and more.  Overnight in lodge 

Day 06 – trek to Phortse (3,810 m/12,850 feet) – 5 hours

We continue the trek to base camp today while deviating from the main 'Everest Highway'. Taking an alternative route to Phortse shows us the lower reaches of the Gokyo Valley, and lets us explore another great Sherpa settlement. Phortse is home to the highest density of Nepalese Everest summiteers and the new Khumbu Climbing Centre, a not for profit training facility set up to train you Sherpa's who aspire to work on the big mountains, equiping them with the much needed skills and experience to be able to do their work safely. Overnight at lodge.

Day 07 - trek to Orsho (4110m) – 4 hours

Today we take it easy. A short walk up the valley to gain some elevation, and into our camp for lunch. We have the afternoon off to explore the local yak trails and boulder fields. All with a spectaculare up close view of Ama Dablam to the east. Overnight at lodge.

Day 08 - trek to Dingboche (4,360 m/14,290 feet) – 5 hours

An early start gets us to our destination in time for lunch, maybe even a detour through town to a french bakery. There's a couple options for the afternoon, for those feeling good, we can head up to Chukkung and back. Alternatively there is a path up out of town to a view point. It follows a ridge giving us the option to go up as far as we like before descending back down for the night. Overnight at lodge.

Day 09 – rest day to relax and acclimatise at Dingboche (4,360 m/14,290 feet) – 5 hours

Today is an actual rest day. We've been on the road for a week now, so we've earned it! If we're feeling great, we can always head out for another acclimatisation walk, trying to get a little further up the ridge than we did yesterday. Alternatively, we can sip on latte's and eat freshly baked scones. Your choice. Overnight at lodge.

Day 10 - trek to Lobuche (4,930 m/16,175 ft.)- 5 hours

Today our trek will be filled with great mountain views nearly the whole trek. The route begins with a short uphill near a ridge top shrine and then we follow up the wide valley to a crossing of the glacial moraine and a small collection of lodges. Again we climb and have stupendous views as we gain elevation. From a pass where memorials have been erected to climbers who passed away in this region, we have a pleasant hike to Lobuche. This large settlement has many shops and hotels in a magnificent setting. Overnight in lodge.

Day 11 – trek to Everest base camp and back to Gorakshep (5,185 m, 17,010 ft.)- 6-8 hours

Today is a long awaited and rewarding day. From Lobuche, we follow the glacial moraine up and the views keep on getting better. Eventually we rise to the lodges of Gorakshep our overnight point for today, but other than to leave our gear in our rooms and enjoy a lunch, we continue on to base camp. The terrain on the way to Everest base camp is otherworldly. Finally we reach the ultimate destination of this trek and we are as close as possible to the world’s highest peak without being a climber. Savor the moment and our congratulations at the effort it took to make it here! We take in the views including the renowned Khumbu icefall. After some time we head back to Gorakshep for the evening. It’s been a wonderful day after all! Overnight at lodge.

Day 12 – climb Kala Pattar and trek to Chukhung  (4,735m / 15,535 feet) – 7 hrs.

We wake up early today and climb Kala Pattar for a sunrise view of Everest. We then pack up and continue the descent back down the beautiful valley to Dingboche, then up to Chukhung. Overnight at lodge.

Day 13 - rest day to relax and acclimatise at Chukhung. Afternoon climbing skills clinic.

We take it easy today and explore the surrounding beauty of the mesmerizing Himalayan landscape. We 'learn the ropes' during our afternoon climbing skills clinic. Overnight at lodge.

Day 14 - trek to island peak base camp (5,200 m / 17,050 ft.) - 3 hrs

It will be another relatively easy day as we make our way from Chukhung up an open valley with marvelous landscape and mountain viewpoints. We rise gradually to base camp along the glacial moraine of Imja Tsho glacial lake. Overnight at tented camp

Day 15 – summit island peak (6,183m) and return to Chukhung

Today is our big day and we start in the early hours of the morning well before sunrise. With headlamps on we follow the lead guide carrying our necessary gear and a pack lunch. We'll pass the high camp, hopefully still in the dark, and keep ascending all the way to crampon point. Here we don our crampons and rope up to gain the glacier, and cross it to the base of the giagantic headwall. We rest at the base before attaching to the fixed lines and climbing up the slope to the summit ridge. Upon summit, we will enjoy the moment, and then return back to basecamp. If we have the energy we can return to Chukhung otherwise spend another night at basecamp. Overnight at Basecamp or Lodge.

Day 16 – this is an extra day scheduled in for the climbing in case of poor weather and other factors that might delay the summit attempt by a day.

Day 17 – trek from Chukhung to Tengboche (4730m - 3860m) – 6 hours

After a leisurely breakfast in Chukhung, we will head down the valley through Dingboche and on to Tengboche. After yesterday’s strenuous effort, we take it relatively easy today. We will have one more night near the monastery with excellent views of Ama-Dablam and much more. Overnight at lodge.

Day 18 – trek to Namche (3440 m/11,285 ft.) – 3-4 hrs.

From Tengboche, we make a return following our footsteps in back to Namche. First we drop down to cross the Dudh Kosi River and then climb and contour to the town of Namche. Overnight at lodge.

Day 19 – trek to Lukla (2850 m/9,350 ft.) – 6-7 hrs. 

This will be our last day on the trekking trails and it will be a long but rewarding day as we make a return down the Dudh Kosi valley. From this direction the views will be entirely different. Eventually, we reach the large town of Lukla with airport where tomorrow we will have a flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight at lodge.

Day 20 – fly to Kathmandu

If all goes according to schedule, and we certainly expect it to (please see note below), then we take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu and the rest of the time will be yours to relax and refresh from your days on the trekking trail, and perhaps explore more of the city. Overnight at selected hotel in Kathmandu.

Please be advised: we recommend adding extra days in your itinerary as a safety margin for your return flight home. The air traffic from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then Lukla to Kathmandu is frequently behind schedule and this may cause onward delays. Sometimes flights get backed up for a days. In these circumstances, we will do our best to allay problems, and re-schedule flights to and from Lukla as available. However, we must caution you about the possibility of postponements of flights and even cancellations. We recommend that you schedule at least an extra 2 days cushion in your itinerary to avoid problems with international flights from Nepal. In the event of delays, we can arrange a helicopter at your request at a cost of around USD 500-1000 per person, depending on demand and capacity. It is also very likely that no delays will be incurred. In any case, we can arrange additional activities with your extra time in Nepal!

Day 21 – transfer to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan international airport for your international departure

Your expedition leader and our local staff will accompany you by private vehicle to the international airport for your final departure home.

The itinerary listed above is a general guideline; please be advised that it might be necessary to modify it due to external factors beyond our means including and not limited to the following: unstable weather, accessibility and availability of lodging and campsites, unforeseen governmental, trail and ecological conditions and other circumstances beyond our control. Although, it is improbable that changes will occur that would significantly alter the original itinerary, we cannot be held accountable for the results of delays or changes beyond our control. In the event of an itinerary adjustment or need to redirect to other trails and areas, the lead guide will ultimately make the final choice on the best rerouting after consulting with the group members and keeping in mind the interests of the party as a whole. If an alteration is necessary, then we will certainly do everything we can to diminish the effects.

Gallery

Cost

This expedition costs $3990* twin share, ex Kathmandu.

*minimum number of bookings required, see ts & c's for full details

COST INCLUDES:

• Expedition led by one of our Australian Super Guides
• Local team including trekking guide, climbing guide (for climbing component), one assistant guide, porters (1 for 2 Person basis) to carry your  luggage during the trek, their food, lodge, salary, transport, insurance, flight, and equipment etc. All our local staff are government registered and licensed
• Private transport to and from Tribhuvan International Airport
• 3 Nights accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
• Domestic flight fare (KTM-LUKLA-KTM) & airport taxes in Kathmandu and Lukla
• Domestic airport picks up & drop offs by private transport
• All your standard meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek and climbing
• Tea house accommodation during the trek
• Camping accommodation for 2 night during the climbing
• General climbing equipment – ice screw, snow bar, rope etc
• All required permit (TIMS Card, National park entrance fee, climbing royalty, garbage deposit), government and local taxes and park entry fees
• Medical kit
• Arrangement of emergency helicopter service which will be paid by your travel insurance
• Certificate of completion
• Farewell dinner

COST EXCLUDES:

• International flight to Nepal from your home location
• Major meals in Kathmandu
• All personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar bills, snacks
• Personal clothing and climbing gears. basic climbing gear can be hired in country
• Travel insurance (essential), must include emergency evacuation coverage for all activities undertaken on expedition
• Extra shower, battery re-charge etc. on the trek
• Tips for guide and porter
• Cost raised by cancelation, landslide, weather, political unrest, illness etc which are not under our control

Extras

Note the below items can be added at the time of booking.

Dates