Nepal Mt Everest - 21 Day From $2000pp. This is the classic trek to Everest. It is demanding, with altitudes as high as 18,200ft (5,545m) possible at Kalar Patar. Starting in Lukla we will trek along the valley of the Dodh Kosh to Namche Bazaar. We will visit the Buddhist monasteries in Thame and Tengboche on our way towards Mt. Everest. We pass through several villages on this trek with many opportunities to meet and chat with the villagers and to experience something of their way of life. In Kathmandu, both before and after the Trek we will have ample opportunity to explore this most exciting city. Visits to its spectacular historical and religious sites are arranged, including Hindu Shrines at Pashupatinath, the Buddhist stupa and monastery at Bodhnath. Unique opportunities for you to experience this special lifestyle An exciting trek, with great walking, fabulous views, history and culture.

Includes: All lodging, meals, guides, cooking staff and porters.

Dates: March - May, & Setember - November

Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 1 The start of your trip. Fly from home to Kathmandu.
Day 2 En route
Day 3 You arrive in Kathmandu. After you collect your bags and pass through customs and immigration you will be met outside the main exit by the representative. They will transfer with you to the hotel. Early evening, once you have settled into your room, the representative will meet with you to discuss the upcoming trek and to briefly introduce you to Kathmandu.
Day 4 A day to visit the Kathmandu Valley. This area is rich in culture and history. Visits to such places as the Hindu Shrines at Pashupatinath, or the Buddhist stupa and monastery at Bodhnath will be unique opportunities for you to experience this special lifestyle. After lunch, the city of Kathmandu is yours to explore. Your hotel is located in the Thamel and this thriving and exotic market area is a great place to investigate.
Day 5 Early morning flight to Lukla. (9,200ft/ 2,800m) An early morning transfer to the airport for the short flight to Lukla 's weather permitting. Short trek along the Dodh Kosh valley to Phadking (9,184ft/ 2,800m). Your first camp will be set.
Day 6 Trek to Namche Bazaar (11.280ft/ 3,440m) Dawn arrives suddenly with the sun rising above the mountains to your immediate east at about 5:30am and the sound of the cook and his lads getting the day started with the boiling of large quantities of water and the preparation of breakfast. The day officially begins at 6:30am.with the delivery of tea, coffee or hot chocolate followed by a bowl of steaming water for bathing. After breakfast you set off on the trek to Namche Bazaar. Breakfast is a substantial offering of porridge, muesley, eggs prepared one way or another, toast, tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Make sure you replenish your daily supply of drinking water with the fresh boiled water provided by the cook. On a clear day the view from your tent on this first morning will be sensational, but, as you will discover, merely a taste of greater things to come. The view of sun drenched faces of Katang and Nupla, seemingly rising sheer from the opposite riverbank is a treat. A leisurely stroll follows the course of the Dodh Kosh, ascending all the time towards Namche. Several suspension bridges make this morning's walk entertaining, and the ever-heightening views of Tamsirku rising beside us to the east are simply magnificent. After a light lunch at the side of the river you will start the real ascent into Namche. The altitude at lunch is roughly 8,85ft/ 2,700m and by the time we reach camp in Namche we are at 11,280ft/3,440m. A stiff ascent by anyone's standards. The steepness of the climb is more than offset by two exciting events: First, the climb is preceded by the crossing of the longest and highest suspension bridge - it appears interminably long with its spectacular views of the rushing waters several hundred feet below, seen all too clearly through the broken and missing boards! Second, may be your first view of Mt. Everest. As you round one of the many switchbacks you spot, away in the distance, the black menacing face of Everest - no mistaking it, a wonderful and exciting sight. The perfect excuse for another stop and the opportunity to catch your breath.
Day 7 Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar A good opportunity to explore this interesting village and to take a short walk in the local hills.
Day 8 Trek to Thame (12,450ft/ 3,800m) This is a significant part of the acclimatization plan. You will take a relatively easy walk high above the valley of the Bhotse Kosh, through lovely forests of pine, rhododendrons and wild flowers. As you leave Namche and follow the alleyways of the village westward, and sharply uphill, past a Buddhist monastery that is perched on the side of the hill overlooking the busy market town. Take the opportunity to explore the monastery. The high valley walk is well worth taking slowly giving yourself the time to absorb the sights and sounds around you. If you are lucky to have a clear sunny day then there are ample opportunities for photography. Just beyond Phurte the path descends to cross a stream, a peaceful spot to rest and take in the beauty that surrounds you. The path rises gently and, almost without realizing, we are above the tree line, walking through bleak terrain. After several kilometers, we cross the Bhotse at the bottom of a steep and spectacular gorge. Immediately before the bridge are two brightly colored wall paintings, made particularly outstanding because of their unexpected location in the otherwise the bleak land that surrounds them. Immediately across the river you start to ascend steeply towards Thame and a little while later emerge onto the lip of a hanging valley. In the distance you spy the few homes of the people that farm this valley. Not far beyond this tiny hamlet is the glacier that has shaped this valley. For many years this valley had been a trading route with Tibet but, for political reasons, it is now closed.
Day 9 Trek to Khumjung (12,400ft/ 3,790m) Before starting your journey to Khumjung, those that feel up to it should take the opportunity to walk up to the Gomba (monastery) on the hillside overlooking Thame. It is worth the effort. The day's trek is back along the Bhotse Kosh and it is possible to take the southern bank and pass by the hydroelectric generating station at 11,500 ft. If you are lucky you might be given a quick tour by the resident Austrian engineer. The trail continues down to the river and back up the other side. This is a good walk and an opportunity to stretch the legs. After lunch you ascend cutting to the left and North of Namche to the airstrip at Syampoche. This is a narrow trail that falls away dramatically on your right in several spots. The trek actually starts off in the pines until you emerge above the tree line on a hillside dotted with the most enormous boulders. You emerge at the runway at Syangboche and continue with a straightforward walk along this valley to the chorten at the summit, 12,570ft/ 3,853m. The descent from here to Khumjung is lovely and those of you that have walked in Scotland will be surprised by the similarity of the scenery, although you are now roughly three times higher than the highest spot in Scotland! Khumjung is a large village with the original Hillary school which provides both primary and high school education to the local children. The village has an excellent bakery, the Everest Bakery, located on the main path in lower Khumjung. A great place to spend time after this days walking.
Day 10 Trek to Tengboche (12,700ft/ 3,867m) It is a fairly rapid descent to the east the Dodh Kosh. Keep an eye out for Musk Deer in the pine forest. This is a curious looking deer with its canine teeth protruding well below its lower jaw. This animal is the source of the musk gland and, as a result, their numbers have been substantially depleted. Crossing the Dodh Kosh you will have a good climb up to the ridge at Tengboche Tengboche is the home of an internationally famous Buddhist monastery that supports 50 to 60 monks. It is the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. A visit to the monastery can be organized. This is an active house of religion so please respect the religious activities. It is also a famous viewing area with its spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lohtse and Everest looming in the distance to your north. A truly breathtaking sight and an opportunity for some fine pictures.
Day 11 Trek to Dingboche (14,460ft/ 4,410m) From your campsite on the high ridge alongside the Tengboche Monastery it will appear that you are in an amphitheater created by some of the highest mountains in the world. Immediately east, rising sharply from the ridge is Kantega, 6,685m. Looking right, or south and working full circle are Thanserku, 6,808m., Nupla 5,885m., Kongde Ri 6,187m., Khumbi La 5,761m., Tawack 6,808m., Nuptse 5,885m., Everest 8,848m., Lhotse 8,501m. and, Ama Dablam 6,856m. This is visual overload! You will descend generally north east through woods to the valley of the Imja Kola and having crossed follow its westerly bank past Pangboche, ascending gradually but steadily. Lunch along the way, perhaps at Shamare before continuing the ascent through a widening valley high above the river. The trail returns to the valley floor to cross the Lobuche Kola just north of its confluence with the Imja Kola. A challenging ascent leads you into Dingboche and camp. This is another good walk with a fair distance covered and about 550m. altitude gained. Much of it is along narrow trails worn into the hillside and, close to Dingboche the trail deteriorates You are now at roughly 4,400 m. - a pretty good altitude and time to take Acute Mountain Sickness seriously You have now walked around to the western face of Ama Dablam and are camped, or lodged, immediately below it. It rises, seemingly sheer, for many thousands of feet on each of the three faces you will have seen. Everest is also in clear view for much of the day although by the time you turn off the trail, toward Dingboche, it is lost behind closer peaks. Everest appears to lurk behind the crenellated ridge of Nuptse and to be smaller than Lohtse. This is, of course, merely an optical illusion. Although a long way away, you may be able to see the whole of the ridge leading up from the south col to the summit.
Day 12 Dingboche to Dugla (15,150ft/ 4,620m) This is a short days walk but an important part of your acclimitization efforts. You will reach Dugla in a couple of hours. This is neither a village nor a hamlet but two lodges at the side of the trail right at the base of the Khumbu Glacier terminal moraine. Desolate and bleak. To pass the time you might want to take the walk on up the trail to the top of the moraine and then back in a westerly direction up to the saddle of the hill (Awi Peak 5,245m.) immediately beside Dugla. From the top of the moraine to the north you will see the far end of the glacier where it takes a sharp turn to the east at the Khumbu ice fall. Somewhere up there is the Everest Base Camp. The altitude on the saddle is about 5,000 m. You may well see Tibetan Snow Cocks, and possibly, Golden Eagles. From the ridge the view to the west is of the Thsula glacier, its lateral, medial and terminal moraines clearly visible. These have blocked the valley and behind them sits the Cholatsho lake covered in ice and snow. Further up the valley is the route to Gokyo via the Cho La Pass which is an alternative but longer and more challenging route to Everest.
Day 13 Dugla to Laboche (16,170ft/ 4,930m) Leaving Dugla you continue up the face of the Khumbu Glacier terminal moraine. At the top of the moraine you will find a number of stone piles. These are memorials to the Sherpas that have given their lives to assist others to climb Everest and other peaks in the vicinity. Follow the Khumbu Glacier for a few kilometers until the hamlet of Labouche appears, another gathering of two or three lodges If you have time, walking along the top of the moraine for a short while until a strange apparition appears at the end of a valley to your left - a glass pyramid looking like something from an alien planet and completely out of sorts here. We had found the "Italian Pyramid", an Italian research center with associated Italian restaurant and hotel. Great coffee at 15,500ft!
Day 14 Labouche to Gorak Shep (16,925ft/ 5,160m) Any early wake up call, for today is going to be long with the ascent to Gorak Shep, our highest camp site and, for those who wish, the trek to Everest Base Camp or Kalar Pattar. Continuing up the west side of the moraine the going is relatively easy until the trail ascends rather steeply for a hundred feet or so. A little further on you arrive at Gorak Shep - the end of the trail. Option 1: Everest Base Camp After a brief rest you may continue to trek to Everest Base Camp. The trail continues along the western edge of the Khumbu Glacier moraine Dirty browns and grays of the scree give way to brilliant white of clean ice. These huge blocks of crazily shaped ice lead to the massive ice fall where the Khumbu Glacier plunges over a sheer drop high above you on its descent from its birthplace at the foot of Everest and Lohtse. Here, at Base Camp, the glacier turns sharply left and marches off into the distance towards Laboche and Dugla Return to Gorak Shep, and continue the descent to the Italian Pyramid and camp at Laboche. Option 2: Ascend Kalar Pattar This is the mountain immediately above Gorek Shep and from its summit you will have the chance for some closer views of Everest and her neighbors. This is a steep climb out of Gorak Shep but the views will make it worthwhile. Return to Gorak Shep, and continue the descent to the Italian Pyramid and camp at Laboche.
Day 15 Rest Day at Gorak Shep This is your opportunity to take another stab at Kalar Patar for more pictures of Mt. Everest, or if you did not journey to Everest Base camp yesterday then take the day to do so.
Day 16 Trek to Tengboche Retracing your journey you will pass, with amazing speed the places you walked slowly past on your ascent, Dudla, Pheriche, Pangboche until crossing to the east bank of the Dodh Kosh you pash Deboche before ascending into Tengboche.
Day 17 Trek to Namche Bazaar The walk from Tengboche to Namche is exhilarating. You descend to the river and then ascend sharply to the high valley trail that leads you back to Namche. This a wonderful days trekking with fabulous views all around. In Namche take the opportunity to visit one of the local bakeries or Danphe Bar for well earned celebrations.
Day 18 Trek to Lukla Descending again to the Dodh Kosh you follow the trail along the riverbank and return to Lukla for the last nights camp.
Day 19 Return to Kathmandu. Afternoon free time The short flight returns you to Kathmandu in time for more shopping or sightseeing. If the weather is bad in Lukla then your flight may be delayed or cancelled. If this is the case you will you be flown back to Kathmandu as soon as weather permits. This is out of our control and something that everyone accepts.
Day 20 Free day in Kathmandu If the return from Lukla was on schedule then this is a free day to catch up on any sightseeing or shopping you were unable to squeeze in at the start of the trip. There are more than sufficient things to do in Kathmandu and you will relish this time.
Day 21 Fly home Representative will transfer you from the hotel to the airport to connect with your homeward flights.

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