An Adventure of a Lifetime - Mount Everest Trek
Highlights
- Trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar for the most visible, up-close vistas of the world’s tallest peak.
- Diverse in its wildlife and indigenous people, you will have the opportunity to experience the Himilayan life and culture in the Himalayas by staying at traditional tea houses in small mountain villages throughout the trek.
- Experience the natural beauty of the mountains as you will be surrounded by native flora and fauna and endangered wildlife found only in this region. Notice how the biodiversity changes with each major ascend throughout your expedition.
- Visit sacred Buddhist monasteries, temples, and shrines as you learn about the traditions of the various indigenous groups you will encounter.
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu & Meet the Team
Your journey will begin in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal! Your guide will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the city center.
Nepal boasts eight of the world's tallest mountains and the world's oldest Hindu and Buddhist sites. The country is filled with enchanting medieval palaces, pagodas, temples, statues and stupas; as well as unparalleled adventure options. In the tropical jungles, the regal Bengal tiger prowls; higher up the legend of the Yeti lives on. Although modernization has set in, the quintessence of ancient Nepal remains amongst its people and its landscapes.
Day 2: Kathmandu & Bhaktapur Tour
Kathmandu is the biggest metropolitan center in the Himalayas, filled with Buddhist and Hindu temples, sweet-smelling gardens, and charming squares, including the World Heritage Site Durbar Square. Nearby Bhaktapur is a beautifully-preserved city from medieval times. Join your guide on a tour of both sites to discover the history and culture of the region. End your day with a restful evening before you journey to the Himalayas and begin hiking tomorrow.
Day 3: Start of Trek - Lukla to Phakding
The challenge begins. We will fly to Lukla, gateway to the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal. This district, well-known as the Everest region, is the native land of the Sherpas, the renowned climbers and mountaineers. The area possesses a mountainous landscape of unique beauty, and within its vicinity lie some of the highest peaks in the world.
Upon landing in Lukla, you will prepare to begin your trek and start gaining elevation right away. Your destination tonight is Phakding where you will stay overnight in a traditional Nepalese teahouse.
Teahouse in Phakding : Elevation: 2,880 m/ 9,450 feet : Trekking time: 4 hours
Day 4: Phakding to Namche
This morning we will continue gaining elevation and hike from Phakding to Namche.
The Solu-Khumbu region is fascinating and justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain, but also for its Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries. This slow paced exploration allows us to enjoy the grandeur of Khumbu peaks and time to interact with Sherpas. Their clothing, speech, and sect of Buddhism are all inspired by nearby Tibet. Here in Namche, a weekly Saturday market at the Bazaar presents opportunities to socialize and trade among people from neighboring villages.
Teahouse in Namche:
Elevation: 3,440 m/ 11,285 ft
Trekking time: 6 hours
Day 5: Rest Day
Today will be a day of rest, and we will embark on a short hike in the area to acclimatize. At such a high elevation, it is important to move slowly in order to give the body a chance to adjust to the altitude. Taking breaks and hiking only a few hours each day allows your body to adapt and greatly reduces the chance of altitude sickness while increasing chances for success. As you rest today, you will have the option to visit the Sagarmatha National Park Museum, to learn about the geography and history of the region.
Teahouse in Namche:
Elevation: 3,440 m/ 11,285 ft
Day 6: Namche to Deboche
Set off early in the morning to continue your ascend to Deboche. This village is home to the Deboche convent, one of the oldest houses of Tibetan Buddhist worship in the Himalayas. Set in a picturesque and protective valley, experience stillness and serenity here overnight as you retire at a teahouse for dinner and to sleep.
Teahouse in Deboche:
Elevation: 3,820 m/12,530 ft
Trekking time: 6 hours
Day 7: Deboche to Dingboche
Continue your trek on to Dingboche, all the while witnessing the unbelievable abundance of wildlife endemic to the Everest region. Nepal’s national bird, the multi-colored Himalayan monal, dwells in the vicinity. Golden eagles dominate the skies. Flocks of snow pigeon, blood and crimson horned pheasants, Goshawks and Eurasian kestrels are all found here. Opportunities to spot the endangered Himalayan musk deer, commonly known as kasturi mriga, are highly likely in this area. Himalayan tahr, a relative of the mountain goat, also resides in this high altitude land.
Teahouse in Dingboche:
Elevation: 4,930 m/14,800 ft
Trekking time: 5 hours
Day 8: Rest Day, possible hike to Chukung Valley
Today is another rest and acclimatization day. You will have the opportunity for a hike to nearby Chukung Valley, which was originally used as a yak pasture and is surrounded by picturesque glaciers.
Teahouse in Dingboche:
Elevation: 4,260 m/ 14,000 ft
Optional trekking time: 3 hours
Day 9: Dingboche to Lobuche
This is the last full day of trekking before we reach our final destination. Lobuche is a rustic settlement that is flurry of Sherpas, porters, and travelers on their way to and from Everest base camp, which is just a few short kilometers away. The trekking is hard, but you will be rewarded with boundless beauty and kindness from the locals and from your new friends. In the evening you will rest in Lobuche before making a final push for a magnificent view of Mount Everest in the morning.
Teahouse in Lobuche:
Elevation: 4,930 m/ 16,175 ft
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Day 10: Lobuche to Kala Pattjar & back to Lobuche
Wake up before the sun and trek to Kala Patthar, a promontory of black rock that is the goal of trekkers in the Everest region. Standing at an altitude of 5623m / 18,450 ft, this spot provides 360 degrees of up close, breathtaking vistas of Mount Everest and other nearby mountains. This is the highest point of our trek, both literally and figuratively. After soaking in the views, we return to Lobuche for an afternoon of recuperation and celebration.
Teahouse in Lobuche:
Elevation: 4,930 m/18,450 ft
Trekking time: 7-8 hours
Day 11: Lobuche to Pangboche
Today you will begin your descent. Since you are losing altitude on the way down, it will become easier to breathe with each step, and we will be able to hike at a faster pace. The village of Pangboche is the oldest settlement of the Sherpas in the region and one of the highest villages in the world. The monastery here once held a skull and a hand believed to be the remnants of the elusive Yeti.
Teahouse in Pangboche:
Elevation: 3,901 m/ 12,800 ft
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Overnight in Pangboche: Everest Summit Lodges.
Day 12: Pangboche to Khumjung, visiting Phortse along the way
Continue our trek down. On the way down to Khumjung, you will stop at Phortse, a small farming village. This community is off the usual path taken by Everest hikers and therefore is a more traditional example of a Sherpa village high in the Himalayas.
Teahouse in Khumjung:
Elevation: 3,790 m/ 12,430 ft
Trekking time: 7-8 hours
Day 13: Khumjung to Monjo
As you continue to lose elevation, you will find a change in vegetation from the alpine to subalpine biomes. Blue pine and juniper shrubs thrive above 13,00 feet, whereas at lower elevations we will find chir pine, hemlock, silver fir and Juniper trees. We stop through the familiar village of Namche on our way to Monjo, which is at an elevation very close to our end point.
Teahouse in Monjo:
Elevation: 2,860 m/9,385 feet
Trekking time: 4 hours
Overnight in Monjo: Everest Summit Lodges.
Day 14: Monjo to Lukla
Our trek ends where you arrived; in Lukla. After facing twelve days of challenging terrain in the highest mountains in the world, take a moment to pause and relish in all that you accomplished; summiting to the world’s tallest peak.
Hotel in Lukla:
Elevation: 2,860 m/ 9,380 ft
Trekking time: 5 hours
Overnight in Lukla: Everest Summit Lodges.
Day 15: Return to Kathmandu
After breakfast, say goodbye to the Everest region and fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla. You will have the whole day at your leisure to explore the city more or relax at the hotel. Tonight you will celebrate together with a final dinner, recounting the demanding yet rewarding expedition you set out on. A dream come true!
Day 16: International Departures
Your guides will transfer you back to the airport for your flight home. You also have the option to explore Nepal more with a customized extension in the region.
