The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2880m) with snowline of the Himalayan Range in the north

and the rugged landing in the Lukla airport is said to be one of the most spectacular in the world.

After a short break the trek starts by following the trail leading to the northwest direction, which ultimately descends to the riverside settlement at Phakding (2610m).

Dinner and overnight at Phakding.

Follow the Bhote Koshi through the forest and pasture land, along the valley dotted small Sherpa

Settlements. Cross the Bhote Koshi and climb steeply, along switching back trail, lies the large Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. Near half way point, view of Everest (8848 m) and Lhotse (8511m) come into sight. This prosperous town is largest in Khumbu. Mt. Thamserku (6648m) and Kwangde Ri (6624 m) loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbila (5707 m) dominates the skyline along the west. Duration of trek = 6 hours.

Dinner and overnight at Namche.

To assist with the process of acclimatization, a day is spent in Namche. Visit the surrounding

areas. Energy permitting you may traverse to Syangboche or even the twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung and return back to Namche for the night.

Dinner and overnight at Namche.

Traverse westward with view of Kwangde (6343 m) and the waterfall cascading off its flanks. Follow Bhote Kosi as the side hills high on its bank through the red and yellow rhododendron forest (in full blossom in May). Cross the river and look down the valley for views of Thamserku     (6648 m) and Kusum Kanguru (6370 m). Climb up    to Thame village through the forest. It is a secluded village and the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay the first Sherpa to climb the Mount Everest.

Dinner and overnight at lodge in Theme.

Today we start our serious high altitude trekking. We walk for about 4 hours through a stunning landscape on an old trade route to Tibet to the village of Lungden. This village has only one lodge and very aptly called the Renjo La Support Lodge.

Dinner and overnight at lodge in Lungden.

The big day starts real early and it is a long day, as we have to walk about 6 hours to reach the pass, going slow because of the high altitude. After a brief stopover to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Everest Range and photographs, we start on a remarkably difficult downhill journey for about 3 hours to reach the village of Gokyo walk along the stunning and beautiful Dudh Kunda.

Dinner and overnight at lodge in Gokyo.

We will rise early for an ascent of Gokyo Peak (5360m), a straight-forward but steep climb, and tiring due to the altitude, although the past days at high altitude will help. The walk up will take just over two hours and the reward is one of the best panoramas in the Khumbu. From the rocky summit, four 8,000-metre peaks can be seen: Everest (8848m), Cho-Oyo (8153m), Lhotse (8511m) and Makalu (8481m). Countless other towering snow-peaks and rock spires fill the horizons, including Gyachung Kang (7922m) to the east of Cho-Oyo, Cholatse (6440m), Taweche (6542m) and Kangchung (6103m). In addition, there’s a bird’s-eye view of the Gokyo lakes and the huge creaking Ngozumpa Glacier now cutting half way across the world and snaking its way down the valley far beneath.

Time permitting we may also follow the lateral moraines of the Ngozumpa Glacier past Kangchung Peak to a point where the Gyubanare Glacier joins in and from where climbing the ridge to the left of the small trail gives excellent views of Everest’s North Face.

Dinner and Overnight in Gokyo.

Today’ trek provides a dramatic change of trekking scenery as your cross the Gokyo Glacier itself. Walk back down the Gokyo Valley along the way you came. Just after the second lake, a tiny cairn marks a small path rising on the left up the moraine. We take this path to the crest of the moraine. Descends the marked path onto the Gokyo Glacier. It feels like walking on Mars. The scenery is so different to what you have seen before- its rock rubble and dust, and even a few sand dunes. Here and there, a little ice is visible, together with iced up pools. The lack of visible ice suggests that this glacier is retreating rapidly. Perhaps it’s a result of Global warming or perhaps just a natural long term climatic change. At least there is no grass growing on it yet. We reach the lateral moraine on the far side, and you will have the earth under your feet again. Walk along the path to the tiny village of Dragnag. The village is just below a small cliff. There are few lodges: The Thanknag lodgei s operted as a European style alpine refuge by Austrian trained Sherpani lady. She’s just like a European refuge guardienne. The Dragnag Khola runs down the valley. The route to the Cho la lies up this valley.

Dinner and overnight at Dragnag.

An early start is recommended. The route lies over the large, uncomfortable broken rock of the Pass itself. Depending on the time of the year the route to the summit snowfield of the Chyugima La Pass or Cho la (5240m) may or may not be covered by snow. The descent starts gently before steeping down. The broken ground route leads to the few stone huts that make up the Dzong La. Duration of trek: 4 ½ hours.

Dinner and overnight in Dzongla.

An ill-defined track traverses across to join the main trail coming up from Pheriche. On the way you can watch the beautiful view of the Mt. Cholatese (6442m) back on the west side of the route. A steep ascend leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The stark and the rugged beauty create almost a moonscape. The campsite at Lobuche is situated at the wind swept valley with the enchanting views of the Tawatse (6501m) and Nuptse (7855m). Duration of trek 6 hrs.

Dinner and overnight camp at Lobuche.

From Lobuche, a short climb brings one to another valley. Travel along the Khumbu Glacier through the jumbled moraines and scattered rocks. The trail continues to slowly contour on the open landscape through an ablation and after about an hour, there is a steep ascent for about 20 minutes. Climb slowly to a ridge and then continue on a trail of rocks caused by rockslides. On a clear day Mt. Everest can be seen looming behind Nuptse. Arrive at the ridge above Gorakshep and then descend to Gorak Shep (5160m), a settlement with 2 teahouses to stay for overnight. This was the base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. In 1953 the British Everest expedition called this “lake camp’. Gorak Shep or “graveyard of the crows” has a small lake that is usually frozen and several monuments to climbers who have died during various Everest expeditions.

This was the base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. In 1953, the British Everest expedition called this “lake camp’ frozen and several. Gorak Shep has a small lake that is usually frozen and several monuments to climbers who have died during various Everest expeditions. The carved stone in memory of Jake Britenbach of the 1963 US expedition and the monument of Indian Ambassador H. Dayal, who died during a visit to base camp after the 1965 Indian expedition, are northeast of the lake.

After setting up the camp and lunch at Gorak Shep, take the left hand side trail and head straight up the hill to Kala Patthar (5545m) for views of Mt. Everest. The trek up to the top is an arduous one and takes about an hour to reach it. The late afternoon is the best time to view Mt. Everest from this vantage point as the sun is behind the observer and directly on the mountains in front. The climb to Kala Pattar though tough, is well worth it as the view from here is breathtaking. The giants of the earth are all around like Pumori (7145m), Everest (8848m), and China’s peak Changtse (7553m), Nuptse (7855m), Lhotse (8516m), Ama Dablam and many others. Later return to Gorak Shep.

Dinner and overnight at Gorak Shep.

The trip to base camp, while fascinating, is not spectacular as the ascent of Kala Pattar because there is no view of Everest itself from the base camp. Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse, which loom over the Base Camp, shades the view of Everest.

Travel along the jumbled moraines and scattered rocks passing by the memorials of Rob Hall and Yasuko Namba and others who perished during the Mt. Everest disaster of 1996. The trail continues on a ridge from where a small glimpse of Mt. Everest can be seen. At the end of the ridge, a scrabbling descent leads to the entry into the Khumbu Glacier. The trail through the glacier is an interesting one in that one can actually feel as if one in inside a fridge with the coldness seeping from all sides. The Everest Base Camp is also the site for the base camp for Lhotse and Nuptse. It is not actually a specific site as various expeditions have selected different locations for a semi permanent camp during their assault on the mountain. Some of the sites that expeditions have used as base camps are identifiable form debris on the glacier at 5360m or more. However the highlight of the trip to this place is the sight of the Khumbu icefall and the trek along the Khumbu Icefall is an interesting and an exhilarating one. Later return via the same route to Gorak Shep.

Dinner and overnight at Gorak Shep.

After breakfast trek down to Pheriche for Lunch. After lunch continue to Devouche.

Dinner and overnight at Tea house lodge in Devouche.

After breakfast trek to Namche Bazaar.

Dinner and overnight at Tea House lodge in Namche Bazaar.

The trek from Namche to Lukla is a long days walk. From Namche, head to the end of the village and then immediately start to descend to the river. If going up was tough it is equally hard to get the footing and walk down hill. Head along the banks of the river and then further descend to Monjo for Lunch. It is interesting to watch others starting enthusiastically on the trek ahead. From Phakding, it is a surprising hard uphill climb to Lukla, which should take about 3 hours. It is a delightful ending to the trip as one enters into this busy village and our campsite at Lukla.

Dinner and Overnight at Lukla.

Early morning, fly from Lukla to Katmandu on a twin Otter. Upon arrival, meet, assists and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free.

Eve: Group Farewell Dinner at the famous Rum Doodle Restaurant & Bar.

Overnight at hotel.