Your adventure begins at Kathmandu. On arrival, a staff member from Sherpa Expedition Teams will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You will also get to meet your guide who will give you a briefing on what to expect on the trek. Tonight you will stay at a hotel in Thamel – the tourist hub of Kathmandu. 

In and around Lukla, Phakding

An early morning 30 to 40 minute scenic flight takes us to Tenzing-Hilary Airport at Lukla. We then follow the trail to Phakding alongside the Dudh Koshi River before coming to Phakding where we will stay overnight. 

We have a fairly easy day ahead of us as we follow the trail and then cross several bridges over the Dudh Kosi River via the charming villages of Toc-Toc, Benkar and Monjo before coming to the official entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. We will then follow the trail along the river flats for several hours and cross one final bridge before climbing up a steep hill until we reach Namche Bazaar, a lively modern town with many facilities such as restaurants, hotels, internet cafes and banks. 

Today we stay active in order to properly acclimatize, which is essential before heading to the higher altitudes later on the trek. To stay active we have several options open to us. We can trek to Thame or visit Khunde or we can use this time to explore Namche Bazaar and head to the weekly market that takes place on Friday evening and on Saturday morning – if our timing is right of course! Your guide 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 that will make your trek even more interesting. 

Today we follow the raging Dudh Kosi River with its freezing waters cascading down from the mountains. The trail also offers some spectacular mountain views as we gradually climb higher to 3860 meters at Tengboche Village, famous for its decorative wall hangings and 6 meter Buddha, Tibetan musical instruments and brilliant Lama robes. A highlight of visiting here is listening to the evening prayer at the monastery that is both relaxing and calming. 

In and around Dingboche

Today we descend through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and then climb up to the village of Pangboche. This village is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6,856m) and has excellent views of the mountains with Gompa (monastery), Mani walls and pine trees in the foreground. A trek of another few hours takes us to Dingboche where we will stay overnight at a guest house.

Again it is necessary to acclimatize before continuing higher. In order to stay active, strongly recommended by health specialists, we will climb 400 meters to Nangkartshang Gompa that sits on a ridge just north of Dingboche Village. From here we can see Mt. Makalu (8,463m), the world’s fifth highest mountain, as well as Mt. Ama Dablam. If you have the energy we can head to the summit at Nangkartshang (5090m) and then return to Dingboche for the night.

In and around Lobuche

First we head to Dughla Village and then cross the steep moraine at the base of the Khumbu Glacier after crossing the boulder strewn slopes. We then head up to Chupki Lhara that has an array 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 to climb Mt. Everest. As we move closer to the Khumbu Glacier moraine several huge peaks stare right at us: Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. This scene is a real eye-opener. We will stay in a lodge here tonight.

Today we slowly head to higher elevations passing along the way Gorakshep Lake and then further on come to a memorial that honors Indian mountaineers who have died while trying to climb Mt. Everest. Walking now is more physically tiring as a result of the thinner air at this higher altitude. The trail has rocks, moraine and streams to cross before arriving at EBC. The first thing that strikes us on arrival at EBC is the contrasting selection of colorful tents of mountaineers waiting for the right climbing conditions before attempting a climb to the summit. From EBC we can clearly see Nuptse, Khumbutse and Pumori and the snow radiating off their peaks. After a rest and look around EBC we head back to Gorak Shep for a good night’s sleep.

We are on the trail before daybreak in the cold morning with temperatures around -10 to -14C as we head to Kala Patthar. There is also the likelihood of strong winds that will add the chill factor. To the east are the peaks of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. Everest will also start to come into view. On reaching the summit of Kala Patthar we will be overjoyed as we take in the 360-degree views and the amazing views of Mt. Everest that appear right in front of you. Now is the time to have your camera charged and ready to take some awesome snaps of Everest that will be a reminder of this time in the year to come. We will then head back to Pheriche for the night.

We now have to descend to Debouche and will pass through a rhododendron forest before reaching Tengboche, famous for its Buddhist monastery as well as having some fantastic views of the surrounding snow covered peaks. We then descend to Phunki Thenga (3,250m/10,663ft) located on the banks of the Imja Khola (river). From here we continue to Sanasa and then on to Namche Bazaar where we will stay overnight.

Today we follow the trail back to Phakding on our final day of the trek. We expect to arrive at Lukla with time to spare, that will allow you to explore the village and surrounding landscape. You will be able to relax and take a deep breath and retrace this wonderful journey in your mind, go over your many photos and catch up on emails to your family and friends. There is a good feeling of accomplishment as you come to the end of this physically demanding trek. In the evening you may decide to kick up your heels a little with a few celebratory drinks.

Today we have a short 30 to 40-minute scenic flight back to Kathmandu and can look down over the vast Himalayan landscape. On arrival at Kathmandu, we will take you back to your hotel. 

This is it, your final day in Nepal. Sherpa Expedition Teams will take you to the airport at least three hours prior to your departure. We hope that on your flight home you will look back on this great adventure to EBC and will be already making plans for your next exciting journey in the Himalayas of Nepal.