Day 1: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2610m)
The day starts early, with a short but spectacular flight to Lukla, the starting point of our trek. You observe the breathtaking panoramic ranges from Langtang to Jugal Himal, passing through Rolwaling, Gaurisankar and Menlumtse. You start your trek soon after your arrival in Lukla. Throughout the day, many stops are planned to meet the locals, take photos and of course enjoy the landscape and the view of the multiple snow-capped peaks, culminating at 6000 m. You pass by the enormous mani (prayer) stone at Thado Kosi, then bypass the many Chorten and prayer wheels along the way. We have a short walk today so we arrive for lunch at Phakding. You have a free afternoon. A short visit to the Pemacholing Monastery above Phakding can be rewarding as you get the first view of Thamserku. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 2: Trek to Namche (3440m)
After breakfast, you walk to the village of Monjo. From there you descend a few stone steps, take a suspension bridge and, after a short climb, reach Jorshale - the entrance to Sagamartha National Park. You can observe the 3D map and take a look at the information panels, while the guides take care of the trekking permits. Continuing along the river, you cross a wooded area, then rocky. You cross several suspension bridges, before heading back up towards Top Danda, where you will see Everest for the first time. Then the climb is gradual to Namche (capital of Sherpa country). Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche
The start of the day is devoted to a short walk, in order to acclimatize well to the altitude. Free afternoon to enjoy the shops and cafes of Namche. While strolling, your guide will bring you to marvelous panoramas and you will be able to admire the “rock stars” of the Himalayan world. Take in your eyes: overlooking the deep valleys, the Lhotse, the Nuptse, the Everest, and the Ama Dablam are offered to the gaze. Finally, if you feel fit enough, we can continue to the lovely villages of Khumjung and Kunde where a dispensary and a school have been opened thanks to the Sir Edmund Hilary Foundation. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 4: Trek to Phortse (3810m)
After a much steeper section, you arrive at the village of Mong. The view over the Thamserku to the south-east is splendid. You begin a fairly steep descent to reach and cross the Dudh Kosi Nadi River on a metal footbridge at an altitude of 3680m. It is by a steady climb that you reach the village of Phortse at 3800m altitude. Phortse is a beautifully situated village on a fully cultivated plateau, where each plot of land is surrounded by dry stone walls. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 5: Trek to Dingboche (4320m)
Slow and steady climb in the Khumbu valley to Pangboche. You enter the heart of upper Khumbu. The path climbs steadily. To perfect your acclimatization, it is better to progress slowly. Lunch in Pangboche. Steady climb with a few short sections that are a bit steep. Superb views of Kangtenga, Thamserku and Ama Dablam the "white lady", "Mother of Sherpas". Arrival at the hamlet of Dingboche (4400m). Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 6: Acclimatization in Dingboche
Before advancing forward, today we’ll rest our legs and settle our body with the increasing altitude. Optional trek to the Valley will pay off with rewarding views, but taking it easy for today is the important thing. Although, we can climb a ridge located behind the village and see six of the world’s tallest peaks including Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 7: Trek to Lobuche (4940m)
A high mountain pasture climbs gently up to the ridge of Thukla, at the foot of Lobuche Peak. A last steep climb takes you to Lobuche. In front of you, Nuptse, Pumori, Langtren spread their sparkling peaks. From here on forth, the trek will be gradually more challenging due to the high altitude. By trekking steep to the top of a high hill, we will be passing Dughla (Thukla). Before reaching Dughla, we trek across a wide pass which is much-wanted change from walking in a straight line. The company of Himalayas will be on all sides on our trek. After crossing Dughla, the trail passes through boulder-strewn slopes. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we find ourselves facing great peaks. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 8: Trek to Gorakshepe (5140m) and Visit Everest Base Camp (5400m)
From Lobuche, the track leads to the moraine of the Khumbu glacier which must be climbed zigzagging. The climb is difficult. The conical summit of Pumori appears in all its splendor to the north. The slope softens as the track leads to the large Gorakshepe flat which has a few lodges and camping pitches. For further advancement, we take the trail through the once vast Gorakshepe Lake. We pass through rocky dunes, moraine, and streams. You head out on narrow tracks which are of few feet wide and few hundred meters above the ground. The distance between Lobuche and Gorakshepe is of 4.5 km and will take approximately 2 hours to reach. From Gorakshepe, a track follows the ridge of the Khumbu Glacier moraine for a long distance before descending onto the glacier itself to base camp. On the route, facing the Nuptse wall and just above the Khumbu glacier, a monument was erected in memory of mountaineers and Sherpas who died on Everest. At the base camp itself, view of the Khumbu Icefall but not of the summit of Everest. Return to Gorakshepe. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 9: Ascent Kalapatthar (5500m) and trek down to Pheriche (4288m)
Kalapattar’s altitude is often given as 5550m but the hill, further along, is a little bit higher. One fact is that you do not see the top of Kalapattar from Gorakshepe, only a false summit which is much lower. It is a fairly tiring walk up there unless you are well acclimatized. The views from the summit are memorable. Everest views are the best you can get from this place. Descent from Kalapattar is easy, just a quick straight down walk to Gorakshepe and we advance towards Pheriche. The route to Pheriche will be rapid as we descend and it will be easy as well. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 10: Trek to Namche (3440m)
We talk back towards Namche facing Ama Dablam. It descends slightly on a balcony above the tumultuous river. Further down in Syomare, a superb stepped village. In the upper part of Pangboche, where there is a monastery which dates from the 6th century. After lunch, you start the trek. Today, you descend to a suspension bridge then go up slightly in the forest, crossing the village of Deboche to Tengboche. From Tengboche is mainly downhill, although, contrary it require an hour scaling a hill. We will be reaching Namche approximately in the late afternoon and off to bed. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 11: Trek to Lukla (2800m)
After breakfast, you leave for Lukla via a small mountain path. You cross Banker and arrive at Phakding where you have lunch. Another 3 hours of walking to return to Lukla. You end your trek with a last climb with a positive vertical drop of 200 meters! On the way back, you can stop for a drink, possibly visit the Chaurikharka School and Kyongma Monastery. Now is the time to say goodbye to your trekking team before spending our last night in the mountains. Overnight in the lodge (B, L, D)
Day 12: Fly back to Kathmandu (1300m)
After breakfast, you take a flight back to Kathmandu. A short but spectacular flight with, on a clear day, a breathtaking view of the mountains.
