Day 1: Depart Nairobi

Day 2: Welcome to Kathmandu

•  Accommodation: Hotel

On your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Your hotel is in the center of the city, in the vibrant and colorful area known as Thamel. With its restaurants, bars, shops with unique Nepali handcrafted items and trekking gear, this is an interesting place to spend the afternoon.

Day 3: Kathmandu City – Shopping & City Tour

Shopping and a possible city tour if you wish- Nepal has amazing city attractions- The Boudhanath and The Monkey Temple would be a great way to spend the day in Kathmandu Valley.

Day 4: Kathmandu to Lukla (Flight) to Phakding

•  Flight time: 35 to 40 minutes
•  Trek time: 3 to 4 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

Head to Tribuvan Airport for the flight to Lukla- Your gateway to the Everest Region

On arrival in Lukla our experienced, local porters will meet you. Heading down the trail to Phakding we already notice the fluttering Tibetan prayer flags and meet local people reciting Tibetan mantras as they walk.

Day 5: Phakding to Namche

•  Trek time: 5 to 6 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

The trail takes us through forests, traditional villages with their ploughed fields, and yak pastures. As we reach the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park we can see Thamserku rising above us.

After lunch, we continue on to Namche Bazaar. This is the largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu Region and is the starting point for expeditions and trekking groups.

Here you can purchase a few last minutes items (such as chocolate) should you have forgotten to do so in Kathmandu.

Day 6: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazar

•  Trek time: 5 to 6 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

This is an acclimatization day to allow our bodies to adjust to the high altitude.  But that doesn’t mean we do anything! The best way to acclimatize is to be active.

There is an opportunity to spend a few hours hiking around the area or visiting Visit the school set by Sir Edmund Hillary in the Khumjung village as a thank you for all the assistance the Sherpa people gave him in his successful ascent of Mt Everest.

Some of the mountains on view today are Kongde (6,011m), Thamserku (6,623m), Kangtega (6,782m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,812m) and, of course, Mount Everest (8,848m).

Day 7: Namche to Tengboche

•  Trek time: 5 to 6 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

There are not many steep ascents and descents today which gives plenty of time to concentrate on photography!  Stupas (Buddhist shrines), prayer flags, mani walls (walls with Buddhist prayers carved into them), mountains, such as Ama Dablam, and Tengboche Monastery are all worth photographing.

The trail up to Tengboche is a dusty switchback route but the panoramic views from the monastery make it all worthwhile. If you are lucky you will be able to attend a service, for which a small donation would be appreciated.  Definitely, you can light some butter lamps.

Day 8: Tengboche to Dingboche

•  Trek time: 4 to 5 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

The trail is of course very scenic, but also quite challenging today.  We start off following the Imja Khola before climbing up to the windswept fields (mainly potato) of Dingboche.

This is the highest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu Region.  The views of Ama Dablam from here are particularly spectacular and dramatic. As we will arrive at Dingboche in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax with a book or simply gaze at the surrounding mountains.

Day 9: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche

•  Trek time: 4 to 5 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

With the ever-rising altitude, it is important to take another day to acclimatize.  There are a number of options available for short hikes today.

Such as visiting the base of Dingboche Ri for excellent views of Mt Makalu. This trip is a 3.5 to 5 hours round trip and the ascending altitude on this hike will help our bodies prepare for the high altitudes ahead.

Day 10: Dingboche to Lobuche

•  Trek time: 4 to 5 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

Today the trek begins with a gentle climb toward the Pheriche Valley.  Trekking above the valley floor we pass through alpine scrub and yak pastures.  On display are Tawoch and Cholotse, with Ama Dablam behind us. From here it appears Ama Dablam is rising directly from the valley floor.

The trail continues on to Thokla Pass where the ascent is challenging.  Again a photographer’s paradise as there are panoramic views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, and a few other 7,000 plus meter peaks!

After crossing the pass we reach Lobuche. Not a very attractive settlement in itself, the scenery surrounding it is both beautiful and dramatic.

Day 11: Lobuche to Gorakshep (Afternoon hike to Basecamp)

•  Trek time: 6 to 7 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

This is an exciting day!  Today we ascent to the viewpoint for Everest.  First, the trail takes us for about 3 hours over boulders and rough terrain to the small settlement of Gorakshep.

After lunch start out for Kalapatthar from where the views of Everest are simply the best views you can possibly get. At 5,545m this is the highest altitude we can trek in Nepal without requiring climbing permits. Its name means black rock, and it is more of a ridge than a mountain.

If the weather is not clear, we may leave Kalapatthar for the morning as sunrise is over Everest is equally as awe-inspiring as sunset is.  Should we decide on this option, today we will hike to Everest Base Camp itself. Please be aware, trekking groups do not go right into the base camp where expeditions are set up.

This is so we do not disturb the activity of the climbers nor place their health at risk.  (We don’t want to give them our colds and flu when they are embarking on such an epic journey!) But we get a good view of all the on-going activity.

Day 12:  Gorakshep to Pheriche (Morning Hike to EBC)

•  Trek time: 7 to 8 Hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

If we didn’t make it to Kalapatthar yesterday, we will do this morning, returning to Gorakshep for breakfast.  Similarly, if we did not visit Everest Base Camp on day 09 we will do that this morning. Each trip takes 3 – 4 hours to return from Gorakshep.

After breakfast, we head to Pheriche, approximately 4 hours.  This little settlement houses the Himalayan Rescue Association Clinic.

Long established it is now a hospital but still remains focused on altitude sickness and altitude-related problems of trekkers and climbers as well as the health of the local people.  Staffed mainly by volunteer medical personnel, this is an interesting feature of the area.

Day 13: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar

•  Trek time: 6 to 7 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

The trail descends quite considerably today, but there are some uphills to be tackled also! As we approach Namche the forests and greenery return.

This is a long day of walking, made harder by the hard hiking the day before. But push on because a good dinner and a hot shower await! And now is the opportunity to celebrate your successful trek to Everest Base Camp with a beer!

And with wifi available now is also time to touch base with loved ones at home and perhaps upload a few pictures of your trip.

Day 14: Namche to Lukla

•  Trek time: 5 to 6 hours

•  Accommodation: Tea House

In the earlier part of the day, take a good final look at the magnificent Himalayan mountains, and say goodbye to the Khumbu Valley and Mount Everest. Then put your head down as we make a final long ascent into Lukla.

Day 15: Lukla to Kathmandu (Flight)

•  Flight time: 35 to 40 minutes

•  Accommodation: Hotel

This morning you say goodbye to Mt Everest and the Khumbu Region as we board our flight back to either Kathmandu or Ramechap Airport.  Depending on which airport is open at that time, and of course weather conditions. Either we will be back in Kathmandu for brunch or in the early afternoon. Then there is time to do some shopping before our farewell dinner in the evening.

Day 16: Departure

After breakfast or later in the evening depending on your flight schedule you will get a transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight. 

Few more details to note about the trek;

Flight Delays

*Lukla Aiport is a very weather dependent airport; flight delays are common during this trekking season and one may incur extra costs due the delays put a buffer of about two days to cater for this. You may also need to take an chopper ride in case the delays persist insist on getting receipt for each of these extra costs to claim from insurance. (approx. USD 400-500)

Visa Application;

Application for 30 days stay in Nepal can be applied on arrival. The cost is USD 65.00. Follow the link for details (http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa )

Travel Insurance;

While every care and precaution will be taken to ensure the smooth running of this trip and it’s good to ensure that you are covered in case of any eventuality. Kindly also remember to ask for receipts for any extra expenses you may have that could be covered by the insurance. E.g. extra transport costs incurred due to flight delays, an extra night at a hotel etc..

Kindly read the policy document and understand more, visit the link to buy your insurance (https://www.imglobal.com). It is pretty straightforward forward but in case you have questions kindly call or text or email us or IMG Global

Gear Requirements

Proper trekking gear will be required for you to enjoy every moment on the trail; we will send an accompanying gear list for you to pack appropriately. ($200-$500 depending on the items you need – it could go higher  if you are buying a full kit).

Now its time to book this amazing journey in the Everest Himalayan Range!!

Check out Everest Trek Via Gokyo here