Guided Trekking in the Everest region

Distances are 4-8 miles with a maximum elevation gain of about 2,700 feet and a gradual acclimatisation to walking at altitude (over 10,000 feet)

Day 1: To Kathmandu - Fly to Kathmandu via Delhi

Day 2: Kathmandu - Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Park Village hotel, located outside the city in the foothills of the Shivapuri National Park, for 2 nights.

Day 3: Kathmandu - Taking time to acclimatise, visit Pashupatinath temple on the Bagmati river, and Boudhanath stupa. Continue into central Kathmandu for a tour of the city, including Durbar Square.

Day 4: To Lukla & Trek to Monjo - Take the exhilarating flight to the Lukla airhead, the gateway to the Everest region. It is then a gradual 3 hour trek to Phakding where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we continue through clusters of stone houses, past caravans of dzos, to the settlement of Monjo where the vistas open up revealing the imposing Himalayan giants.Our welcoming accommodation at the Everest Summit Lodge is in the sleepy hamlet of Monjo (altitude 2,820 metres). 

Day 5: To Namche Bazaar (3,440m) - After breakfast  we begin our trek again, following a trail along the river until the suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River, from where we continue uphill to the capital of Sherpa country, Namche Bazaar, situated on a horseshoe amphitheatre. Stay for 2 nights at the lodge in Namche.

Day 6: Namche Bazaar - Today is an acclimatisation day. Suggested activities include a short walk uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, a magnificent spot perched above Namche Bazaar with spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valleys way down below. There is also an interesting Himalaya museum.

Day 7: To Tashinga (3,440m) - Trek to Khumjung, visiting the Khumjung monastery and school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. From here the trail slowly descends past trains of yaks, dzos, and a few teahouses to the village of Tashinga and on to our accommodation at our seond Everest Summit Lodge.

Day 8: To Pangboche (3,985m) - We climb through pine forests and mani stone walls to the saddle on which sits the Tengboche monastery, the religious centre of this region. The murmur of the monks chanting prayers, the blowing of conchs and the chance to sit with them for afternoon prayers amidst the serene and amazing environment is an experience that will linger.This afternoon we will continue hiking to Pangboche, from where the peak of Ama Dablam seems almost at touching distance. Overnight at the Pangboch Everest Summit Lodge.

Day 9: To Dingboche (4,360m) - This morning we follow the Imja River, up the Khumbu Valley past chortens and walls of Mani stones to the settlement of Dingboche for 2 nights at the Family Hotel, from where the mountain views are simply outstanding.

Day 10: To Chhukung (4,730 m) - This morning continue up the Imja valley for another two hours to Chhukung, a small summer settlement and a staging place for climbers attempting Island Peak.  The views from Chhukung are very picturesque, with the south face of Lhotse and the eastern face of Ama Dablam as well as a host of other peaks. This hike will definitely be one of the highlights of the trek and is a good means of acclimatization.  We return to Dingboche for the night. visible.

Day 11: To Loubouche (4,928m) - Trek north on a gentle trail, slowly climbing with views of the Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam, Kongma-tse and the great wall of Nuptse. After lunch by a small wooden bridge over the melt waters of the Khumbu glacier, the ascent of a steep hill rewards with views of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. It is another 1½ to 2 hours of trekking up to the overnight stop at Lobuche, hidden and sheltered from the wind.

Day 12: To Everest Base Camp (5,360m) and back to Gorakshep (5,160m) - After an early breakfast, trek up the valley following the rocky moraine path to Gorakshep on the flat field below Kala Patar and Mt. Pumori, the location of the original Everest Base Camp. The trek to Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep follows the Khumbu glacier, with views of high seracs of ice of about 15 metres high. There is an immense feeling of accomplishment in reaching the Base Camp of the highest mountain on Earth. Return to Gorakshep for the night.

Day 13: Kalapathar (5,545m) and Pangboche - Today is a long and intensely rewarding day; even after Base Camp this is a major highlight of the holiday.  After an early morning start, the summit of Kalapatthar is reached after around 1½ to 2 hours. From here the views are breathtaking, with Everest seeming within a stone’s throw between the summits of Mt. Nuptse and Lho-La and Lhotse behind. The fairly challenging climb is worth this unforgettable reward -  it is truly a magnificent spot to be at on a clear sunny morning.  An hour’s descent leads back to Gorakshep and then to the villages of Loboche, Dugla and Pheriche before arriving at the Everest Summit Lodge in Pangboche for the night.

Day 14: Return to Namche - Trekking from Pangboche we pass though Deboche, which offers formidable views of Khumbi-la, the revered mountain and protector goddess of the Sherpas. Continue walking to Tengboche on a scenic winding path to Namche where we spend the night.

Day 15: Return to Lukla - Time for souvenir shopping in Namche before the descent to Lukla, passing through the villages of Monjo and Phakding. Overnight in Lukla.

Day 16: To Kathmandu - Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the Hotel Malla, for a 2 night stay.

Day 17: Patan - After breakfast we drive to the city of Patan for some sightseeing. Patan, also known, as Lalitpur, is the second major city of the Kathmandu valley. This medieval city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, Guardian deities and wonderful carvings, and because of this is known as the City of the Arts. In the afternoon we return to Kathmandu for some free time, before our farewell dinner.

Day 18: To London - Transfer to the airport for a flight to London via Delhi.