Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free until evening when you'll enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide for the trek. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Dinner)
Day 2: Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your tour of Kathmandu. Visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Tour the inside of one of the several monasteries neighboring the stupa. Next visit Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue on to Patan Durbar Square to take in ancient Nepalese architecture and enjoy lunch at the museum garden. View ancient Nepalese art in the museum. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Kathmandu to Lukla (9,184 ft; 2,800 m) to Phakding (8,692 ft; 2,650 m)
Take an unforgettable scenic flight in the early morning to Lukla with views of Himalayan peaks including Gauri-Shankar and Melungtse. Upon arrival, meet your sirdar and the rest of the crew. Enjoy lunch, while your crew finishes final preparations for the trek. In the afternoon, trek 3 hours along the Dudh Kosi River to the village of Phakding. Overnight at Phakding. (All meals)
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (11,283 ft; 3,440 m)
After breakfast, begin today’s 6-hour trek, and enter Sagarmatha National Park. Cross the Bhote Kosi River and begin the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar, the hub of Sherpa society. Keep an eye out for glimpses of Mt. Everest along today’s route. Overnight at Namche Bazaar. (All meals)
Day 5: Namche Bazaar
Spend today acclimating to the altitude in Namche. Namche has plenty of lodges, restaurants, and gear and souvenir shops. Wander through the weekly Saturday Market or take an acclimatization walk to Khunde Hospital, established by Sir Edmund Hillary. If you choose, taken an hour long hike to the Everest View Hotel above Namche. Enjoy the sunset alpenglow on Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. Overnight at Namche Bazaar. (All meals)
Day 6: Namche to Tengboche (12,250 ft; 3,867 m)
After breakfast, begin the 5 hour trek to Tengboche. Take in the magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and a close-up of Tharmserkhu. Keep an eye out for Nepal’s national bird, the colorful Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant), musk deer, or herds of Himalayan Tahr, similar to wild goat. The trail descends into Phungitenga, a small settlement of teahouses and Royal Nepalese Army barracks in the midst of the alpine woods. Continue on to Tengboche, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Himalayas situated directly beneath the spectacular Ama Dablam with distant views of Everest to the north. Overnight at Tengboche. (All meals)
Day 7: Tengboche to Dingboche (14,800 ft; 4,410 m)
Follow the trail through Deboche towards Pangboche village where you will visit the ancient monastery and stop for lunch. Enter the Imjatse Valley, where the trail becomes more moderate. Arrive in the scenic agricultural village of Dingboche. Overnight at Dingboche. (All meals)
Day 8: Dingboche - Acclimatization Day
Today is a very important acclimatization day. Visit the monastery in Dingboche and explore the Imja Khola. Enjoy breathtaking views of the North face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge as you explore this beautiful valley that leads up to Island Peak. The walk is short, rest in the afternoon. Overnight at Dingboche. (All meals)
Day 9: Dingboche to Lobuche (16,200 ft; 4930 m)
Head north and follow the ascending trail for about 45 minutes. Stop in Dugla for lunch. Continue a steady incline for about an hour, enjoying views of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. Stop for a short break to enjoy the scenery. Another hour and a half of trekking will bring you to Lobuche, hidden and sheltered from the wind. Today's trek takes about 5 hours. Overnight at Lobuche. (All meals)
Day 10: Day trip to Kalapatthar (18,195 ft; 5,545 m)
Today, embark on a stunning day trip to Kalapatthar for close up views of Mt. Everest. You'll walk approximately 3 to 4 hours to Gorakshep (16962 ft) and another 1.5 to 2.5 hours to Kalapatthar. The high altitude and steep terrain are challenging, but today’s fantastic views are worth the climb. It takes 2 to 3 hours to return back to your lodge in Lobuche. Gorakshep is the location of the original Everest Base Camp, with the new camp being further up the valley. Feel on top of the world from the top of Kalapatthar, with spectacular panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Today's trek takes about 8 to 9 hours altogether. Overnight at Lobuche. (All meals)
Day 11: Day Trip to Mt. Everest Base Camp (17,500 ft.)
After breakfast, continue on the trail to Gorekshep, then head north to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Today you’ll have a chance to visit some of the expeditions as they prepare for their summit attempts. Today's trek takes about 8 to 9 hours. Overnight at Lobuche. (All meals)
Day 12: Lobuche to Pheriche (13,780 ft; 4240 m)
Approximately a 4 -5 hour walk, retrace your way back to Pheriche with close up views of the giant peaks. The trek back to Pheriche will be easier and mostly downhill all the way passing through the village of Dugla. Overnight at Periche. (All meals)
Day 13: Pheriche to Tengboche (12,250 ft; 3,867 m)
A 4-5 hour trek today, pass through Upper and Lower Pangboche and then through Devoche which offers formidable views of Khumbi-Ila, the revered mountain and protector goddess of the Sherpas. There is also a small nunnery here. Continue walking to Tengboche. Overnight at Tengboche. (All meals)
Day 14: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar
The walk from Tengboche is mostly downhill on the main busy trail with a few steep climbs for an hour from the bridge at Phungitenga, near Shanasha. The walk to Namche is very scenic on a long winding path. En route visit traditional villages of Khumjung and Kunde, with an opportunity to visit the only monastery that has a Yeti scalp. Today's trek takes about 5 hours. Overnight at Namche Bazaar. (All meals)
Day 15: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for a few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote-Koshi River, crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes brings you to the busy village of Lukla for your overnight stay. Today's trek takes about 5 hours. Overnight at Lukla. (All meals)
Day 16: Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of day is free for unpacking, doing laundry, writing emails, or souvenir shopping. Overnight at Kathmandu. (Breakfast)
Day 17: Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day of sightseeing. First visit Swayambunath, the monkey temple. Then visit the ancient city of Bhaktapur with its 55-window palace and the famous five-storey temple. Enjoy lunch at the square overlooking the temple. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with performance by Nepali dancers. Overnight at Kathmandu. (All meals)
Day 18: Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)
