ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
Day 2: Preparations and Briefing, Hotel
Day 3: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2610m). 3- 4 hours. About 25 minutes fly take us to Lukla, the gateway of the Everest region. We sort out your main luggage with porters while we have tea/coffee then we head to Phakding. We walk a gradual downhill trail, pass the Edmund Hillary school. Then we reach to Thado Koshi, where we usually stop for lunch. We can see the beautiful Kusum Kanguru (Three sister mountain). Then we reach to Phakding. Overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m). 5 - 6 hours. Crossing the suspension bridge, we walk through Bankar enjoying the wonderful waterfall. After 5 min walk, we can see the fabulous mountain on the right. It is called Thamserku. Then we cross another bridge and walk through undulating trail to reach Manju. There is a check post of the Sagarmatha National Park. We begin to walk in the Khumbu valley. We have lunch at Jorsalle and walk up and down gradually. Today we cross 5 bridges in total. Then we follow the Riverbank. Crossing the last bridge, we climb up gradually to Namche Bazaar. Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
Day 5: Acclimatization day. After breakfast, we go to the viewpoint place, just behind the Sagarmatha National Park headquarter. The panoramic views of Everest Himalayan chain: Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and many more. Then we walk down to the Sherpa cultural centre, where we can observe the gallery and documentary of Sherpas' ascending Mt. Everest. We hike up to the Everest View Hotel via Syangboche airport, have a cup of tea and return to Namche. Overnight at lodge (B, L, D)
Day 6: Namche Bazzar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft): 5 - 6 hrs Upon breakfast in Namche, we set out towards Tengboche, enjoying superb view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. Our trek follows more or less smooth trail with few ups and downs which will not bother us as the magnificent view of the Himalayas keeps our company all through the journey. Along the way, we can spot wildlife musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar and multicolored pheasants. The trail goes gradually down up to Kayangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sansa, which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The track then follows through the pine forests and after we cross the prayer flags festooned bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch at Phunki Thenga, we gear up for a slightly tougher climb through the pine forests before we reach Tengboche. Tengboche is a great place for close up views of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Nuptse, and Mt Everest, and it has the biggest Buddhist Monastery of the Khumbu region. We pay our visit to the monastery the same day at around 3 pm to witness the ceremony in the principal and popular monastery of Everest region. Overnight stay at a lodge at Tengboche. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Tengboche to PHERICHE (4372M/14340FT):5 - 6 hrsWith mountains at its backdrop, the monastery at Tengboche looks more spectacular in the morning. At this juncture, we can take pictures of the monastery and the scenery around and as usual start the day journey. We choose the upper trail for better views on the way to Pangboche village. We pass through several Chortens and Mani walls and small villages. The place where we stop for lunch not only serves delicious food but also allows a fantastic close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. In the afternoon, we walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Mt Ama Dablam. From here onwards, the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley. The valley gradually unfolds as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. We descend into the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Pheriche. Overnight at Pheriche. (B,L,D) (B, L, D)
Day 8: PHERICHE (4372M/14340FT): Rest Day We spend our second day of acclimatization at Pheriche. A refreshing breakfast while admiring a looming Ama Dablam (6856m/ 22493 ft) to the south is really fantastic. This will be an ideal acclimatizing excursion. Upon this juncture, we can see three of the world's six highest peaks, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Cho Yu. To the west, loom the towering peaks of Cholatse (6440 m/21,126 ft) and Taboche (6542 m/ 21,463 ft). As we look northwest, we see an array of peaks rising at the head of the Khumbu Khola valley. The Lobuche West and Lobuche East peaks are most dominant along with Lhotse which stands over 8500 meters (8501m/27, 890 ft). From a vantage point high on the ridge, we can scan the sweeping Imja Khola valley as well as the picturesque fields and pastures of Dingboche. Overnight at Pheriche. (B,L,D) (B, L, D)
Day 9: Pheriche - Lobuche (4940 m/16,207 ft): 4 - 6 hrsWe start the day with a climb to Duglha through the Khumbu Khola valley. The walk along the arid terrace is rewarding with awesome views of mountains on all sides. As we come to a yak herder's place called Dusa, the valley begins to narrow and we continue through Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Above Phulung Karpo is Chola Lake. As we move on, the majestic view of Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) comes into view. As the trail descends and curves, Mt. Pumori disappears from view and we come across a roaring stream. After crossing a small wooden bridge, we ascend to Duglha. We can see the tip of Mt Nuptse from here as well as Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku, and several other magnificent peaks. Beyond Duglha, we climb up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We pass through boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara, an eerie ridge top with dramatic mountain views. At the top of the ridge, we will find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 10 times Everest submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa (a Nepali mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Everest. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we find ourselves facing several great peaks - Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. We are now in the vicinity of Everest but the great mountain still remains elusive. Mt Nuptse towers to the right as the trail crosses the Khumbu Glacier. As we pass along a murmuring stream leaving the Khumbu Glacier behind, we now begin to feel a little out of breath due to high altitude. Overnight at Lobuche. (B,L,D)(B, L, D)
Day 10: Lobuche - Gorak Shep (5,170 m/16,961ft) - Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,594ft) - Gorak Shep: 8 - 9 hrsThe trail to Gorak Shep goes ahead through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We pass through the pyramid sign post. Ahead on the trail we see crest of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A small ascent would take us to Thangma Riju from where we perceive 360 degree vista of snowy mountains. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri Glacier, we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar, a grey-green knoll beneath the Mt. Pumori. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will find snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world - Mt. Everest. After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers' memorials. Only upon reaching the Everest Base Camp do we really appreciate the Everest climbers who brave the hazardous route through the Khumbu icefall. Mountaineer's tents stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings (especially in the Spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip.. (B,L,D) (B, L, D)
Day 11: Hike up to Kala Patthar (5545m) and back to Pangboche. 8-9 hours. In the early hours, we hike to Kala Patthar, which is also a good viewpoint of the Everest range. The views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse face, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Taboche, Cholatse, Lobuche East and Pumori on the background, which is just behind Kala Patthar. The golden mountains during the sunrise period are fabulous, including the top of the world. Then we descend to Gorakshep, have breakfast and trek all the way down to Pangboche. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 12: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar. 5 - 6 hours. After breakfast, we start to trek down to Namche Bazaar via Pangboche and Phunki Tenga. The views of the Himalayas and forest are wonderful. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 13: Namche Bazaar to Lukla. 6 - 7 hours. From Namche bazaar, we continue to trek down to Lukla, the last trekking day of the trip. With the view of the waterfall and Sherpa villages, we cross the Phakding and reach to Lukla. Overnight at Lodge
Day 14: Fly Back to Kathmandu. After finishing the trek, we fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla with the Everest scenarios. From the airport, we drive to the hotel and enjoy the evening shopping and rest before Final Group dinner and Overnight at Hotel
Day 15: Rest day or Optional departure day
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