Detailed itinerary
** This detailed itinerary is a work in progress. **
Day 0 - early arrival
This trek takes a minimalist approach to time in Kathmandu and so our itinerary only includes one night in Kathmandu at the start however, arriving a day earlier allows for sightseeing and recovering from long flights, especially if coming from North America. If you do arrive early, the airport transfer is included and we automatically book your extra hotel room.
For sightseeing, you can walk to some places from the hotel or catch taxis, or we can provide a car or car and guide as needed. The cost will be around $50-100, depending on options.
Day 1 - arrive Kathmandu 1350m
It is best to land before approximately 4pm as then we can have a 6pm briefing to prepare you for the trek. If you need any last minute items or to rent gear then having a full day in Kathmandu is better, although not essential.
2 - fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding 2640m
We have a morning flight to Lukla, at least in theory. However, do understand that Kathmandu's single airport is seriously overstretched and many Lukla flights now leave from an alternative airport approximately 4 hours drive from Kathmandu.
We take a spectacular 50 minute flight by a small twin-engined plane to Lukla and after a hearty second breakfast, trek to
Phakding, a couple of hours walk. The pretty trail traverses the side of the deep Dudh Kosi valley until we meet the base
of the valley.
3 - trek to Namche 3450m
At Jorsale, a fitting gateway, we enter Sagarmatha National Park. This is a cool
damp area since the rugged valley walls block the sun for most of the day. It's not a long day but
it is finished with a steep hour and a half or so climb to Namche. Usually we arrive for a late
lunch so during the afternoon you have time to discover the village, wash clothes or dive into that
book you've been too busy to read. Namche sits in an amphitheater surrounded by mountains, and from
here on up we have million dollar views every day.
From here up our itinerary is dictated by the acclimatization process so we have plenty of shorter days walking.
A typical spartan lodge room - © Jamie
4 - Namche 3450m
We have an acclimatization day here and tomorrow at Kyangjuma to allow our bodies to catch up with the quick ascent to almost 3500m/11,300ft. By recovering here it will feel less like catching up with altitude higher up. You are free to explore and/or relax. Options are
visiting Thame and its gompas (which we also pass near the end of the trek, in this case), the Everest View Hotel, the National Park Headquarters
and Sherpa cultural centre, Khumjung and Khunde with the Hillary memorials, wildlife spotting, or simply eating and relaxing.
The amazingly set Namche - Jamie
5 - trek to Kyangjuma 3600m
In the past, we usually stayed three nights at Namche however Kyangjuma is only a little higher and is more peaceful, with an Ama Dablam sunset and sunrise. There are several options of how to reach here, either the direct route that takes only a couple of hours, or via Khumjung, the Everest View hotel, or even Khunde and climb up to the Hillary memorials above.
6 - trek to Phortse 3850m
There are two general routes from Kyangjuma to Pangboche, both about as equally strenuous, so there is little to differentiate them that way. Heading off the main route via the village Phortse is perhaps preferred, so stay overnight then another half day of trekking on a spectacular trail. If sticking on the busy and sometimes dusty main trail, this passes through Tengboche with its famed gompa which you can enter (no photos) then it is possible to stay there or at Deboche, or continue through all the way, in which case you have two nights at Pangboche and can take the strenuous day hike up to Ama Dablam Base Camp.
7 - trek to Pangboche / Tengboche (Thyangboche) 3860m
The village of Pangboche is the highest year-round inhabited village. It also has an old gompa, rich in history, which we have the chance to explore. Can we also see the yeti scalp?! Pangboche is in three parts, the well known upper and lower villages, and now there is another group of lodges on the way to the upper village, that also offer great views.
Lenticular cloud spills from Everest over Lhotse - © Jamie
8 - trek to Dingboche 4350m
There is the option to join the early morning puja with Pangboche monks chanting and reciting scripts.
We pass through high altitude cropping and grazing areas and have more
excellent views of Ama Dablam, and many other mountains. Dingboche has many good lodges and makes
a good base for exploring.
9 - Dingboche 4350m
It is traditional to spend two nights here to assist with acclimatization, and there is plenty of exploring possible which your guide will discuss.
The lodge village of Dingboche with sunset cloud spilling from Lhotse - © Jamie
10 - trek Chukhung 4750m
The morning walk allows an afternoon enjoying the view.
11 - Chukhung 4750m
The panorama from Chukhung Ri 5555?m is the best in the region.
12 - trek Lobuche 4940m via Kongma La 5535m
At last, we have lots of buildup and should now be ready for our first tough pass. This is a tough 8-9 hour day with an ascent of ~800m/2600ft to the top of the pass (5535m/18,160ft), and long descent. It is utterly spectacular though!
13 - trek Gorak Shep 5150m
It is a short morning walk to Gorak Shep with a trek to Everest BC as an afternoon option.
Wandering in to Everest Base Camp - © Jamie
14 - trek Lobuche 4940m
Our Kala Pattar day with some optional exploration around the area too.
The classic view of Everest with Lhotse peaking through in the middle, and Nuptse - © Jamie
15 - trek Dzonglha 4850m
Another scenic days walking, with a Cholatse highlight.
16 - trek Thangnak via Cho La 5420?m
17 - trek Gokyo 4750m
18 - Gokyo 4750m via Gokyo Ri 5483??m
For an Everest sunset, climb Gokyo Ri but don't forget a torch.
19 - Gokyo
Perhaps the most satifying day trip is to the steep ?? This is also an extra day for flexibility.
20 - trek Lungden 4368m via Renjo La 5417m
Which offers the better view? The Kongma La or the Renjo La? The panorama is particularly satisfying.
21 - trek Namche 3450m
Heading down feels like you are floating on air.
22 - trek Lukla 2850m
This is also longer trekking day, taking around 5-6 hours actual walking. The Lukla lodges gently prepare us for tomorrow - back to so-called
civilization.
Lukla Airport on a great day to fly - © Jamie
23 - fly Kathmandu
24 - Kathmandu
Day 25 - depart
Note occasionally the Lukla flight can be delayed; plan your international flight in the afternoon/evening just in case.
Day 24 - optional departure
Give yourself an extra day in Kathmandu for shopping and a stress-free departure.
Namaste!
