On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be met by a representative of Sherpa Expedition & Trekking and taken you to your hotel for a briefing of your climb to Lobuche Peak, including a map of the route taken.

This morning you will be introduced to your trek leader/guide who will give you a free duffle bag and a cap. Please be sure to have your passport with you, three passport-size photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. During this meeting, please clear any due balance, if any, and sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer. At around 9.45 a.m. we will go sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley. We will visit the famous Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world where we will see Buddhist monks and nuns in prayer near the stupa. From Bouddhanath Stupa we will head to Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in Nepal located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Hindu holy men (sadhus) can be seen meditating; pilgrims bathing and at times funeral pyres burning on the Ghats. We will also go to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagodas and Shikhar style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace constructed of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the Lion gate, the Golden Gate, the Palace of fifty-five windows, art galleries, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. The remaining time in Kathmandu is yours to do some last-minute shopping around Thamel for items you may need on the trek to Lobuche Peak.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the domestic terminal at Kathmandu airport for your 40 minute flight to Lukla. During the flight you will see some great views of the Himalayan Mountains. After arrival at Tenzing-Hilary Airport you will hit the trail and pass through Kyangma Village with its large Gompa (monastery). We will then proceed to Cheplung Village and head down through the forest within sight of the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing the suspension bridge there is a short climb up and across the ridge to Ghat Village. From Ghat the trail passes a school, Mani walls, Chortens and prayer wheels. We then head higher to the tiny village of Chhuthawa and then have a short way to go until we arrive at Phakding.

This morning we cross a bridge over the Dudh Kosi River passing through several charming villages, such as Tok-Tok, Benkar and Monjo before arriving at the entrance gate to Sagarmatha National Park. We will then follow the river bed for a few hours and cross our last bridge before we have a steep uphill climb to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar has many good restaurants, pubs, an internet café, post office, and banks. It is a great place to explore and relax.

It is especially important that before heading to higher altitudes we spend time acclimatizing. Health experts highly recommend that you stay active during this time so as to better advance the acclimatization process. We may choose to trek to Thame or visit Khunde. We can also explore Namche Bazaar and attend the weekly market that is a weekly event on Friday evening and on Saturday morning. Your guide will also take you to the Tourist Visitor Center close to the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park that has an interesting array of equipment and artifacts of the first Everest climbers. You can also learn about the flora and fauna of the region that will make your trekking more interesting as you identify the plants.

Today we follow the trail along the banks of the wild flowing Dudh Kosi River with its icy glacial waters flowing down from the mountains. The trail also offers some great mountain views as we steadily climb higher to Tengboche Village (3860m) famous for its striking wall hangings and 6 meter high Buddha effigy, Tibetan musical instruments and colorful Lama robes. A highlight at Tengboche is the evening prayer at the monastery with its peaceful and soothing Tibetan chants and mantras.

Today we have a fairly easy trek to Dingboche – except for the final leg where we have to climb up a steep hill. First we come to the villages of Somare (4010m) and Orsho and then further on we come to a fork on the trail where we take the left trail that will take us to Pheriche Village. We then have to cross a bridge before that steep ascent to Dingboche Village (4410m) where we will stay at a lodge for the night. 

This morning we follow the trail leading to Dughla Village and then cross a steep moraine at the base of the Khumbu Glacier - crossing slopes covered with boulders. We then climb up to Chupki Lhara that has stones with prayer flags placed as a memorial to climbers Scott Fischer (American) and ten times Everest summiteer Babu Chiri Sherpa (Nepalese guide) who died while trying to climb Mt. Everest. Continuing on the trail to Lobuche we can see the Khumbu Glacier moraine and many massive peaks: Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. This is an exhilarating scene. We will stay overnight at Lobuche.

Today we head to higher elevations passing Gorak Shep Lake and then come to a memorial in honor of Indian mountaineers who died while attempting to climb Mt.Everest. Walking now is more physically exhausting as a result of lesser oxygen at these higher altitudes. The trail is rocky with moraines and streams to cross before arriving at EBC. The first thing that hits you on arrival at EBC is the array of colorful tents of mountaineers patiently waiting for the right weather conditions before attempting a climb to the summit of Mt. Everest. From EBC we can clearly see Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Khumbutse and Mt. Pumori and the stunning white snow on their peaks. After a short break and look around EBC we then descend to Gorak Shep for a well deserved night’s sleep. 

Today is the highlight of our journey. In the early morning dawn hours we will catch those impressive views from Kala Patthar, witnessing the new day and the ever-changing light shine on Mount Everest. We should to be prepared for the dark and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C) before departing for Kala Patthar peak. It is not uncommon to experience some very cold winds on the trek to the peak. In the east are many peaks, such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse, Nuptse, and Mt. Everest that are gradually exposed in the early morning light. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, we can pause to catch our breath at several excellent viewpoints to snap some pictures. After several hours of climbing we will arrive at Kala Patthar after scrambling over a rocky outcrop near to the summit with its cairns (stone monuments) and prayer flags. After reaching the summit we can sit on the rocks and take in the spectacular views of the Himalayan Mountains. This is one of the best places to capture photos of Mt.Everest. We then return to Gorak Shep where we will have breakfast before a gradual descent to Lobuche Village. 

This morning we follow the trail from Lobuche to Lobuche Base Camp. After walking on fairly flat ground the path to Lobuche Base Camp gradually gets steeper and rockier. We will be trekking at a lower altitude today so you will find it easier on your body. After crossing the Lobuche Glacier we have some great views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pokalde, Thamserku and Kantega. At Lobuche Base Camp we will rest for a bit and then prepare for the summit. After lunch our guide will provide training on several climbing techniques using an ice axe, climbing boots, harnesses and the use of ropes. We will stay here overnight.

This morning we will make our way from Lobuche Base Camp up to Lobuche High Camp. The climb will take us about 4 hours until we reach High camp located at an attitude of 5,600m/18,368 ft. From Base Camp we take a path across a rocky moraine until we come to High Camp. Once we reach High Camp we prepare our camp for our overnight stay, have lunch and relax. It is best that you walk around rather than sit idly; this will help you to acclimatize to this higher altitude. 

Today is the big day we have been waiting for as we begin our climb in the early pre-dawn hours so as to reach the summit in the calmer morning hours. Lobuche East offers more panoramic views of the mountains than views from many other peaks - such as Island Peak. At the Lobuche summit, you have unbelievable views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pumori, and others close by snow-capped peaks. Our time at the summit is spent taking photos and having a short rest before heading back to High Camp for the night. 

There is no guarantee that weather will be favorable for our climb to the summit, so this day is set aside in case we are unable to climb to the peak on day 13. There may be other reasons to delay the climb for a day, such as acclimatization or other health issues. Hopefully, the weather gods will be on our side and we won’t need this extra day.

Today we descend from Lobuche Base Camp and then join the Everest Base Camp route at Lobuche. We will stop for a lunch break at Lobuche before retracing our footsteps back to Pheriche. During our trek to Pheriche we can again take in the magnificent distant views of Mt. Amadablam. From Pheriche we continue to Pangboche. Some of the other peaks that you will see on the trail are Pokalde, Thamserku and Kantega. We then follow the trail down a hillside through rhododendron and juniper trees. In spring the hills will be alive with vivid white, pink and red rhododendron flowers. After arriving at Pangboche we will visit the famous Pangboche Monastery. 

This morning we cross a bridge, adorned with prayer flags, over the Dudh Koshi River and then follow the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests. The trail then comes to Sansa which is the major trail junction in the region. After a lunch break the trail hugs the mountain side before coming to Namche Bazaar and Kayangjuma. We should watch out for wild-life, such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants and other animals while trekking through the forest. Not long after passing a Chorten (Buddhist shrine), we come to the army camp at of Namche Bazaar. From here we can look back and admire the grandeur of Lhotse, the tip of Mt. Everest and Tengboche. After arriving at Namche Bazaar we can take a hot shower and enjoy a relaxing and well deserved night’s sleep.

This morning begins with a steep descent and care must be taken with each step over this rocky terrain. We cross several suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries. The trail then levels out and gets easier. We pass through open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance can see snow covered peaks. As we pass several Sherpa villages we cannot help but notice their devotion to their Buddhist faith and culture evidenced by the many Mani stones and prayer flags along the trail. At Lukla we can relax while looking back over this amazing adventure into the Himalayan Mountains. 

This morning we have a scenic flight back to Kathmandu after our journey through the mountains. On arrival in Kathmandu we will take you to your hotels in Thamel where you can rest or stroll around the shops for some last minute gifts. Tonight we have a celebration dinner together to celebrate the completion of our journey into the mountains. 

This morning we have a scenic flight back to Kathmandu after our journey through the mountains. On arrival in Kathmandu we will take you to your hotels in Thamel where you can rest or stroll around the shops for some last minute gifts. Tonight we have a celebration dinner together to celebrate the completion of our journey into the mountains.