A representative from Sherpa Expedition & Trekking will be there to greet you on arrival at the airport and will take you by private vehicle to your hotel. After arriving at your hotel we will arrange to meet in the afternoon at our office and go over the itinerary and answer any questions you may have regarding this trek to EBC. This is your opportunity to ask questions. There is no such thing as a silly question! We will discuss safety, hygiene, and cultural issues that you may encounter on the trail. You will also be introduced to your guide.

We will make an early start today with your guide picking you up from your hotel and taking you to the airport for your flight to Lukla. The flight will last around 40 minutes and will give you a glimpse of things to come as you descend into Lukla’s Tenzing-Hilary Airport. Looking down over the mountains will make you realize the enormity of these colossal Himalayan snow-capped peaks. A porter will be there to take your luggage. Now the adventure begins, as we head off on the trail to Phakding Village, firstly passing a Kani (a gatehouse or ornamental fortification) and then have a fairly easy trek of about three hours before a steep descent that takes us to a trail above, and running parallel to Kyangma Village. The main features at Kyangma are its large monastery (Gompa – in Tibetan) and its school. Leaving here we head to Cheplung Village and then head down through the forest where we have our first sighting of the Dudh Koshi River. We will then head across the suspension bridge – a common sight on these rivers and then climb across the ridge until we get to Ghat Village. From Ghat we pass Mani walls (six syllable mantras carved in stone), chortens (square symbolic stones with domed points) and of course prayer wheels, all symbols of Tibetan Buddhists. Now we have to climb up to the very small village of Chhuthawa and a little further on to Phakding Village where we will stay the night in a lodge. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

A relaxing start to the day and we cross several bridges over the Dudh Kosi River via the quaint villages of Toc-Toc, Benkar, and Monjo before arriving at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We will then trek along the river flats for several hours and cross one last bridge and up a steep hill until we reach Namche Bazaar, a thriving town with all the modern facilities such as restaurants, hotels, internet cafes and banks. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

We have set aside two days for acclimatization that is necessary before heading to the higher altitudes later on the trek. Health experts recommend being active during this time in order to better acclimatize. We have several options open to us. We can take a trek to Thame or visit Khunde. Alternatively, we can use this time to explore Namche Bazaar and check out the weekly market that takes place on Friday evening and on Saturday morning – if our timing is right! Your guide will be with you and will gladly take you to the Tourist Visitor Center close to the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park that has an interesting display of equipment and relics of the first Everest climbers. You can also learn something about the flora and fauna of the region. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today we find ourselves following the raging torrent of the Dudh Kosi River as its freezing waters cascade down from the mountains. The trail also offers some stunning mountain views as we gradually climb higher to 3860m at Tengboche Village, famous for its decorative wall hangings and 6 meter Buddha, Tibetan musical instruments, and vivid Lama robes. A highlight here will be the evening prayer ceremony that will soothe your soul. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today is a more relaxed day with a relatively easy trek to Dingboche – except for the last part where we have to climb a steep hill which acts as a reminder that trekking at higher altitudes is more physically draining. We will initially pass through the villages of Somare (4010m) and Orsho. Further along the trail we meet a fork and take the left trail that heads to Pheriche Village, then cross a bridge before that steep climb to Dingboche Village (4410m) that has several suitable lodges for us to choose from. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Again we take a day to better acclimatize and will stay active by trekking up the valley to Chhukung (4730m) and then to Island Peak (Imja Tse). Another option is to take a short trek of about two to three hours to Nangkartshang Gompa. The trail heading to Chhukung leads to Bibr (4570m) that is circled by mountains and offers spectacular views of Taboche, Lhotse (world’ 4th highest) and Nuptse. The final option today is to climb up to Chukhung Ri (5550m) from where you can see Mt. Makalu (8485m), the world’s 5th highest mountain.

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

We initially head to Dughla Village and then cross the fairly steep moraine at the base of the Khumbu Glacier, having to cross slopes covered with boulders. We continue to ascend to Chupki Lhara that has an array of stones with prayer flags placed as a memorial to climbers Scott Fischer (American) and ten-time Everest summiteer Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese guide) who died while attempting a climb of Everest. As we head to the Khumbu Glacier moraine a number of huge peaks stare right at us: Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal. This scene will leave you spell-bound! We will stay in a lodge tonight. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

We are slowly getting closer to our ultimate destination, gradually heading to higher elevations passing along the way Gorak Shep Lake and then further on come to a memorial that honors Indian mountaineers who have died on the mountain. Walking now is more physically taxing as a result of the thinner air at this altitude. The trail has rocks, moraine and streams to cross prior to reaching EBC. The first thing we notice on arrival at EBC is the contrasting array of colorful tents of mountaineers waiting for the right conditions before attempting a climb to the summit. From EBC we can clearly see Nuptse, Khumbutse and Pumori and the snow glistening on their peaks. After a rest and scout around EBC we head back to Gorak Shep for a well deserved night’s sleep. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

We head out in the brisk pre-dawn dark, with temperatures around -10 to -14C as we head to Kala Patthar. There is also the possibility of strong winds that will add the chill factor. In the east are the peaks of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. Everest also starts to appear. Upon reaching the summit of Kala Patthar we will be ecstatic as we take in the 360-degree views and the immense and looming Mt. Everest that appears right in front of you. Now is the time to have your camera out and to take some awesome snaps of Everest that will be a reminder for years after leaving Nepal. We will then descend to Pangboche for the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner is included.

Today we return on the same trail, at first heading to Imja Khola and then ascend through the forest to Tengboche. If time is on our side we may choose to pay a visit to the Tengboche Monastery – home to Buddhist nuns. This is also a good place for a lunch break before crossing a hillside speckled with juniper and rhododendron trees. Next, we have to cross a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and down a rapid descent through the gorge and pine trees to Sansa Village. In this leg of our journey, it is possible to see various animals, such as mountain goats, snow leopards (elusive), and the vivid colored pheasants – Nepal’s national emblem. Just prior to reaching Namche Bazaar we pass a chorten and then the army camp at Namche Bazaar. 

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Again we follow the trail back to Phakding on our final day of trekking. We should arrive at Lukla with time to spare, that will allow you to explore the village and surrounding countryside. You will take a breath and retrace this wonderful journey in your mind, go over your photos and catch up on emails to your family and friends. This is the time to pat yourself on the back and enjoy that feeling of accomplishing this physically demanding trek. In the evening you may decide to party a little and have a few celebratory drinks!

Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Up early today and we catch our flight back to Kathmandu – this time with a new perspective of the mountains below. You have had a first-hand taste of the vast and beautiful Himalayas. After arriving back at Kathmandu there will be time to do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs or to catch up with friends. You can also unwind by wandering through Thamel and maybe head for a café or bar for your last night out in Nepal. This may be a time to kick up your heels and celebrate! Our guides will be available to point you in the right direction, whether it is for sightseeing or shopping. Tonight Sherpa Expedition & Trekking will provide a celebratory dinner for our final get-together in Nepal. 

Breakfast & dinner included.

This is it! Sherpa Expedition & Trekking will take you to the airport at least three hours prior to your departure and wish you a safe journey home. We hope that on your flight you will already be making plans for your next exciting journey in the Himalayas of Nepal.