Trekking through the Khumbu Valley to Everest base camp is a life changing experience for many, as the spectacular mountain scenery integrated with Sherpa culture and Buddhist religion makes for a truly engaging combination. We follow the same route to Base Camp as the Everest climbers and recount the historical ascents with the climbers who share our lodges along the way. We have the option to climb Island Peak, a beautiful glaciated climb at 20,350’. This is a great introduction to Himalayan climbing, as the terrain and climbing techniques resemble that of the nearby peaks of Everest and Lhotse.
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu. We will pick you up at the airport and take you to the Yak & Yeti hotel. This is historically the ‘climbers hotel’ where many expeditions have stayed over the years. We enjoy a welcome dinner with the team.
Day 2: City tour of Kathmandu, we visit the Monkey Temple, Boudhanath (one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu), Pashupatinath, and the Swayambhunath. After the tour we have dinner, then prepare for an early morning flight to Lukla.
Day 3: We fly by fixed wing aircraft into Lukla, and begin our trek! We pass through several Sherpa villages, and enter the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. After crossing the river by suspension bridge, we arrive in the village of Phakding.
Day 4: We continue trekking along the Dudh Kosi River through the village of Monjo, then up the hill to Namche Bazaar. Here we will spend 2 nights in our comfortable lodge acclimatizing and enjoying the sights and cafes in Namche.
Day 5: We go for an acclimatization hike and return to our lodge to rest and prepare for the next day of trekking.
Day 6: After breakfast we head out of Namche and traverse the magnificent valley towards Tengboche. Here we have spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam for the first time. We arrive in Tengboche and tour the famous Tengboche Monastery, and then continue to Debuche where we spend the night in the Rivendell lodge.
Day 7: Depart Debuche and trek through the rhododendron forest then cross the river and hike up the short hill to Pangboche. Here we visit with Lama Nawang Paljur, the high lama of the Khumbu Valley, who many climbers visit for blessings before heading to climb peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, or Island Peak. We continue up the valley to Dingboche to stay this evening.
Day 8: Today we do an acclimatization hike above Dingboche to gain spectacular views of Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Lhotse, then return to our lodge in Dingboche to spend the night.
Day 9: After breakfast we trek onward past Thugla and arrive in Lobuche, the highest yak grazing ground in the Khumbu Valley. We overnight in Lobuche.
Day 10: Trek to Gorak Shep. After checking into our lodge and having lunch, we hike up nearby Kala Patthar for an amazing view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the other surrounding peaks. We return to Gorak Shep for dinner.
Day 11: We trek to Everest base camp and visit one of the climbing team camps that are in operation for the season. After a few photos of the Khumbu Icefall we return to Gorak Shep to spend the night.
Day 12: Today we descend down the valley to Debuche where we are acquainted with our friends in the Rivendell lodge.
Day 13: From Debuche we trek to Namche, where we enjoy the many cafes and shops of the “capital of the Khumbu.”
Day 14: Trek to Lukla and spend our final night in the mountains.
Day 15. Fly to Kathmandu check into the Yak & Yeti hotel.
Day 16: Extra day for touring Kathmandu, visit shops and restaurants.
Day 17: Depart Kathmandu for home
- Accommodations at the Yak & Yeti hotel for two nights before and two nights after the trek
- Airport pick up upon arrival
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
- All in country flights to Lukla
- All lodging while trekking
- All meals while trekking
- Permits and Park entrance fees
- American guide, Sherpa guide, Nepali staff to carry loads, etc.
- Personal items (see Equipment list)
- Wire transfer fee
- Meals in Kathmandu
- Any bottled beverages while trekking
- Option to upgrade to single room
- Cost for helicopter transport
- Any costs as the result of an early departure from the program
- $4,600
- April, October 17 Days
- $4,600
- April, October 17 Days
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