Itinerary

Day 1 - Kathmandu - Lukla (2880m) - Chumoa (2743m)

Our early morning flight by Twin Otter aircraft or MI-17 helicopter rushes us to Lukla, the most renowned mountain airstrip in the world. Originally conceived by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust as an emergency evacuation runway for casualties brought to the Trust’s hospital at nearby Kunde, Lukla is now one of the busiest runways in Nepal. On the flight we watch the rugged foothills give way to the snowline of the Himalaya; many of the world’s highest mountains, including Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (the world’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th highest respectively) may sometimes be seen from the window of the plane. On arrival, we meet our Sherpas and after a cup of tea we pick up the trail out of Lukla. Surprisingly, this high-altitude trek begins by descending to the river at Phakding. Further on and we choose one of several good camp sites in a wooded area at Chumoa, close to the entrance to the Sagarmartha National Park.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 2 - Chumoa - Namche (3445m)

The first day may have been surprisingly long for some, but camping at Chumoa allows us to begin the ascent to Namche Bazaar first thing in the morning. At about half-way up the hill, a gap in the trees allow us to spy Everest for the first time. If the weather is clear the top of the South-West Face will be just visible behind the long Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. A plume can often be seen stretching away from the very summit. Namche is the most prosperous and the largest town in the Khumbu. A bazaar is held here every Saturday. The wares on display include meat, grains and vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets as well as hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots. The Sherpas play host to trader from the foothills, as well as Tibetans from over the border. Thamserku (6648m), Kwangde Ri (6187m) and Khumbila (5707m) surround the natural bowl that Namche sits in.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 3 - Namche - Rest/acclimatisation Day

We take the day off to allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere before ascending to higher altitudes. The secret of safe acclimatisation is to ‘climb high, sleep low’ so it is safe for the more energetic amongst us to hike up the hill behind Namche to the airstrip at Syangboche, or stroll across to the museum behind the police post. Others may prefer to ‘chill out’ and visit one of the lodges for a freshly-baked cinnamon roll. Namche is a busy and bustling trading place and there is always plenty going on.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 4 - Namche - Thame (3801m)

After our day off we traverse west, enjoying marvellous view of Kwangde Ri and the waterfalls that cascade off its flanks. The trail stay high up on the bank of the Bhote Khose, and we wander through a yellow and white rhododendron forest that comes into full bloom in May. As we cross the river, we look back down the valley for beautiful views of Thamserku and Kusum Kangru (6369m), before ascending through more rhododendron forest to pasture lands in front of Thame. This is the birth place of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who made the first ascent of Everest with Hillary in 1953. We camp in meadows at the edge of the village. The hour-long climb to the cliff side monastery is well worth the effort. From this point, trekkers can skirt above the village to climb across the ridge in order to view the route to the Nangpa La, a pass to Tibet frequently used by the Sherpas and their yaks during the monsoon.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 5 - Thame - Khumjung (3,791m)

We return back down the valley via Thamo, a hillside nunnery, and then take a high trail that by passes Namche and finally drops into Khumjung. This village is one of the most beautiful in Khumbu. The Himalayan Trust has a school here, as well as a medical post (for locals and trekkers) in nearby Khunde.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 6 - Khumjung - Tengboche (3863m).

The trail this morning descends to the Dudh Khosi. There are spectacular views of Ama Dablam (6696m) and Kantega (6779m) as well as Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8501m). Keep a look-out too for pheasant in the undergrowth. We cross the river at Phunki Thanga and climb through the afternoon amongst rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill. Suddenly in front of us is Tengboche, the principal monastery of the Khumbu area; the views from here are unforgettable.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 7 - Tengboche - Rest/acclimatisation Day

Another catch-up day for our bodies. Nearby ridges offer the opportunity for a half-day hike to get close-up views of Ama Dablam, whilst the monks usually give conducted tours around the monastery.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 8 - Tengboche - Dingboche (4412m)

We follow the path down from Tengboche through the rhododendron forest to Deboche and cross an exciting bridge with the boiling, roaring Imja Khol beneath our feet. A gradual climb takes us to the village of Lower Pangboche. We are now in the heart of the Khumbu, with spectacular views across to Ama Dablam. The afternoon stroll takes us along a path that hugs the valley wall and then across wide plains to a split in the valley. The Khumbu breaks left, up to Periche, but we take a detour right to the hamlet at Dingboche at the start of the Imja Tse valley.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 9 - Dingboche - Rest/acclimatisation Day

We follow the path down from Tengboche through the rhododendron forest to Deboche and cross an exciting bridge with the boiling, roaring Imja Khol beneath our feet. A gradual climb takes us to the village of Lower Pangboche. We are now in the heart of the Khumbu, with spectacular views across to Ama Dablam. The afternoon stroll takes us along a path that hugs the valley wall and then across wide plains to a split in the valley. The Khumbu breaks left, up to Periche, but we take a detour right to the hamlet at Dingboche at the start of the Imja Tse valley.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 10- Dingboche - Loboje (4931m)

We climb up to the ridge behind Periche and stay high, mesmerised by the views of Tawoche and Cholatse, until we reach the tea houses at Dughla. A steep, stiff ascent to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier is now tackled. The top of the climb is marked by a series of stone monuments to commemorate some of the climbers that have not returned from expeditions to this region. A rough but obvious trail cuts across left, away from the glacier, to our camp site at Loboje, a windswept collection of huts tucked in a narrow meadow between the glacier and the Loboje Peak (6156m). The Lhotse ridge is simply awesome from this angle.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 11 - Loboje - Kala Pattar (5545m) - Loboje

A long day and an early start. We trek along the rough path along the side of the Khumbu glacier to the tea shacks at Gorak Shep. Behind rises the attractive 7000m peak of Pumori which dwarfs our trek’s summit of Kala Pattar. The route up is straightforward and takes most people between 90 minutes and 2 hours. All the peaks - Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam and scores of other lesser peaks can be seen from this wonderful vantage point. Everest Base Camp can be seen from this point. Return to Gorak Shep for overnight.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 12 - Loboje - Phortse (3847m)

We descend all morning via Periche to Pangboche, whereupon we stay high on the west bank of the river all the way to the Sherpa village of Phortse, which lies on the lower southern flank of Tawoche, directly across the valley from Tengboche.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 13 -Phortse - Namche (3445m)

We now descend through a forest to the Dudh Kosi. From the very pretty crossing point, we climb to a chorten where there are wonderful views back across the valley to Phortse, Tengboche and the surrounding mountains. Eventually we turn south off the main trail to Khunde and Khumjung, contouring past the Everest View Hotel. The route then leads down the hill to Namche and more cinnamon roll!

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 14 - Namche - Lukla (2880m)

Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart. There is something very special about the setting, the villages and the people of the high Khumbu hills and valleys and our memories help us up the deceptively long, final climb into Lukla. Our campsite and house are well located and offer a good final resting spot.

Overnight: Campsite (All Meals Included)
Day 15 - Lukla - Kathmandu

Another chance to enjoy this great flight. Please note that flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to un-flyable conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; be reassured that our staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimise the inconvenience caused if this happens. Your patience in the trying circumstances which can occur will be greatly appreciated.

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