Detail Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 01: Flight to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m) Hiking duration: 3 to 4 hours
You will start off with a flight to one of the world’s most dangerous airports – Lukla Airport in Solukhumbu. The flight takes you over the Himalayas giving you a breathtaking panorama view of the Himalayas, including the famous Mt.Everest, standing there with it snow clad peak in all its glory. As the flight continues, you can feel Mt.Everest grow on you. The landing onto the landing strip is a thrill in itself and is not for the faint-hearted. During the landing, the plane will seem rather unbalance and shaky due to the aggressive turning and tossing that is required to maneuver the plane onto the tiny landing strip. The altitude will hit you the moment you get off the plane. From Lukla you will start the trek along the Dudh Koshi (Milk River) which can be seen meandering into the horizon. You will be trekking amidst rhododendron forest which gives off a strong aroma of evergreen oak. The sighting of snowy peaks acts as an indicates that the trek is gradually going to get more challenging and the beginning of an adventure that will test one’s mental and physical strength. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 02: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3480m) Hiking duration: 5 to 6 hours
The trail will start off relatively easy but will gradually become harder. You will be able to get your first glimpse of Everest as you are crossing the mighty Dudh Koshi. As you proceed on further the trail will lead you to Monjo where you could make a lunch stop over. The next part of the trail will be more difficult. The trail becomes steeper and will gain in altitude as we head towards Namche, leaving one with shortness of breath. One should not haste but rather progress slowly and steadily. You will be making a pit stop at Namche Bazaar for the night. It bustles with activity and the people of the Solukhumbhu region conjugate in that area to do business. There are shops, restaurants, hotels, a bank and internet service which enable you to still get in touch with your love ones back home. Namche Bazaar offers an interesting insight as to how the people in the region live. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 03: Rest day at Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is known as the Sherpa “capital”. You can use your time to acclimatize, relax and explore around Namche Bazaar. Most of the trekkers prefer to get up before sunrise to take in the impressive views of Mount Everest, Thamserku, Ama Dablammand other magnificent peaks from the Sagarmatha National Park Headquaters which is perched on the east side of town which houses a museum. One can get a chance to witness the shadow of the mountains being projected onto the clouds above and truly appreciate the magnitude of the mountains. One should try salt-butter tea and Champa – a kind of barley often consume by the sherpas in the region as it is one of the main energy supplements there. The lively cultural Saturday market is worth a visit and is usually brimming with traders who are trying to desperately sell off their products. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 04:Namche Bazaar to Thame (3750m) Hiking duration: 5 to 6 hours
We will be commencing early in the morning to Thame. One must be prepared for the drastic and rapid change in climate and temperature – one minute the sun will be glaring fiercely and the next it will be as even darkness has engulfed you. The initial part of the trek is easy-going as it is relatively flat however the views will be outrageous. After a few more hours, you will reach Thame. In the neighboring village, Nauje is a small Monastery for Tibetan Nun's. The Monastery has a stunningly beautiful gaint prayer wheel, carved and painted in dazzling Nepali colours. We will be having lunch close to the monastery. We will be going for a walk to put on some extra height, to help adjust to the latitude. Overnight accommodation will be in Thame Lodge.
Day 05: Thame to Lungdeng (4500m) Hiking duration: 5 to 6 hours
From Thame, the trail is mostly uphill and passes through many Sherpa. En route, one can observe varieties of plants and animals, Sherpa culture and unique settlement of Sherpa people. We might come across Tibetan Yak Caravans trading en route to and forth Namche to Tibet. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 06: Lungdeng to Yak Kharka Camp (4950m) Hiking duration: 4 to 5 hours
The trail from LungDeng crosses a chorten on top of a ridge before it ascends and descends. On the Qy we will pass through some villages and cuts through rhododendron forest before reaching the Yak Kharka Camp. The camp is situated below the Renjo La at an altitude of about 4950m.Overnight stay at Yak Kharka Camp.
Day 07: Yak Kharka to Renjo Pass (5340m) and Gokyo (4790m) Hiking duration: 7 to 8 hours
We will be trekking from Yak Kharka to Renjo Pass (5340m) and then to Gokyo (4790m). We will continue on a slippery trail up to the Renjo Pass which offers fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding regions with mountains showing off it elegant snow clad peaks in all its glory. With Everest standing tall and mighty before you, one will be taken aback form the full scale of nature’s beauty. This section offers stunning views of valleys including, Kalapather and famous monastery Tangboche. We will then proceed past the milky blue Gokyo lakes before reaching Gokyo. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 08: Gokyo to Gokeyo Ri (5483m) and return back to Gokyo Hiking duration: 4 to 5 hours
We will be climbing up to the top of Gokyo Ri, which is a small hill, early in the morning to have stunning views of the upper Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas like- Everest standing tall and mighty amidst Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu (8481m), Cho-Oyu (8153m) and Gychung Kang (7922m) and many more. This will be one of the highlights of the trek and offers an outstanding vintage point of Nepal Himalayan. After the mind-blowing experience we will be returning back to Gokyo. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 09: Gokyo Ri to Thangnak (4950m)
We will be descending to the Gokyo Lake below Gokyo and then cross the glacier. We will be visiting Yak pastures at Chhugyuma, on the eastern edge of the glacier and ascend a deserted valley below the southern part of Cho-la until you reach Thangnak. En route you will not only be able to see the highest mountains, deepest Gorges, and beautiful landscape but also you can enjoy the festivals and culture of ethnic groups and experience their way of living. The region is also the home of the Sherpas and a garden of Tibetan Buddhists with their many fascinating monasteries.
Day 10: Thangnak to Dzongla (4830m) Hiking duration: 4 to 5 hours
The trail takes you along glaciers through yak pastures, rocky fields and desert like areas. En route one can encounter boulder fields and a steep but easy snow slope that leads to the summit of the South Cho-La Pass (5380m). One can view a flat glacier plateau with magnificent views to east and west. We will descend the snow -covered glacier and into Dzonghla. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 11: Dzongla to Gorak shep (5160m)
After having lunch at Dzongla, we will start off our trek to Gorak shep. The trail from Dzongla undulates gently above the blue Tsola Lake and passes along the beautiful summit of Cholatse and Taboche and the small Chola Glacier. The trail contours a hill and eventually descends into the valley and reaches the settlement of Lobuche. As you proceed onwards, you will reach Gorak Shep. If time permits, we would go explore the Khumbu valley and give the glacier walk a try. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 12: Gorak shep to Kalapatther (5550m) and then to Gorakshep
From Gorak shep, we will be climbing up to Kalapatther and then return back to Gorak shep. We will explore around Kalapatther for it is known for having magnificent views of all the major eastern Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 13: Gorak shep to Dingbouche (4410m)
After having lunch at Gorakshep, we will trek to Dingbouche. En route, one will arrive at Chukkung and be able to view alluring view of the valley. The trail presents opportunites to get a close up look of sacred monasteries and a chance to interact with the hardworking Sherpa people. Besides, this section also offers close view of sacred monasteries, interaction with the hardworking Sherpa people. In the late afternoon, we reach Dingbouche. Overnight will be at lodge.
Day 14: Dingboche to Tengboche (3870m) Hiking duration: 5 to 6 hours
Dingboche is located at the entrance of the Chukhung Valley. One can enjoy the views of the Chukhung Valley and also of Ama Dablam in and off through the clouds. On the way you will be able to see the Lhotse- Nuptse Wall will Everest peeking from behind. You can stop to appreciate the surreal view.Eventually after a few hours of trekking; you will reach Tengboche where you will be staying for the night. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 15: Tengboche to Namche (3480m) Hiking duration: 4 to 5 hours
The plan is to trek back to Namche Bazaar. The trail follows down to the Dudh Kosi where there are a series of water-driven prayer wheels. The trek continues back of the Sagarmatha National Park through paths of Pine and Cedar woods. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 16: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2886m)
After having breakfast in a teahouse at Namche Bazaar, we will begin our trek to Lukla. Lunch will be served on the way. Upon arrival at Lukla, we will get refreshed and relax. Overnight accommodation will be in a lodge.
Day 17: Lukla to Kathmandu
The flight back to Kathmandu leaves before 10:00 am. It can fluctuate according to weather conditions. There, you can reflect on your experience.
Trip Facts
Country: Nepal
Area: Everest Trekking
Activities: Trekking and sightseeing
Accommodation: Lodge
Starting and ending points: Lukla / Lukla
Maximum altitude: 5545 meters
Duration of the trip: 16 Days
Grade: Streneous
Group size: 1 - 12 packs
Best season: October - December and March - May