Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Bauddhanath: Stupa with its 130 ft. dome. One of the world's largest Stupa, Bouddha is generally acknowledged to be the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside Tibet. Pupshupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath is considered one of the holiest shrines of all the Hindu temples. The temple has remained the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese Royalty. -After the city tour, our leader or guide will do the final briefing of the expedition. They will also take the opportunity to check the members' personal equipment as the city bazaars and climbing shops will provide the last chance to correct any deficiencies. Overnight at Hotel.

It's a panoramic thrill flying into Lukla in a Twin Otter plane on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling around you outside your plane are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. This is an exciting flight, which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. Don't forget to grab the left hand sit of the plane to catch the astounding glimpse of the Himalayas. In Lukla, we will meet our trek staffs and porters and set off straightaway for our first night's stop at Phakding 2,652m. Situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi, which drains the whole of the Khumbu Region, this small hamlet is on the main trade route through the area and there are a number of clean, well-built lodges where we can spend the night.

We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the Khumbu National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi (River) and the Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up 'Namche Hill' to reach Namche Bazaar (3,445m/11302ft). This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Khangtega, both very impressive mountains with the altitudes of 6000 to 6600 meters.

Namche Bazzar is the highlight of EBC trek and the heart of the Everest (Khumbu) region which has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. This is first scheduled 'acclimatization' day for this trek. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. If we trek few hundred meters vertical during the day, it will help us to acclimatize with the alien heights that we are going to confront on the trek. Having been born, leading and organizing trips in the Himalayas, we believe in the natural process of acclimatization... "Climb high, sleep low". We take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung and climb up to famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel (3800m), a Japanese scheme to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on Earth. The Khumjung valley surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku, and the sacred peak the Khumbiyul-lha hosts a well known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. Visit Hillary School which is at the same site and spending some time in Khumjung after having lunch there, we walk back down to Namche Bazaar. Overnight at Namche Bazaar.

After 1 and 1/2 hour of walk on a nice and wide flattish track, we'll get to a place called Kyangzoma, an intersection point of a traditional route to Everest Base Camp and route to Gokyo. The special credit goes to Mr. Pasang Sherpa who spends all his days garnering donations from passersby, with the help of which he amends the well-worn track. After kyangzoma, we’ll take left turn and then follow steep up for around couple hours, until we arrive at Mongla. Note that descending to Phortse Tenga would mean sleeping only 100 meter above Namche, although a lot of trekkers do so. Spending a night here in Mongla rather than Phortse Tenga will surely be a plus point to your acclimatization.

After the breakfast, it’s a steep descent of 300 meters until we get to upper Phortse Tenga where you will see a single lodge nestled in the woods. Please keep your attention alert because this place is mostly inhabited by Impeyan Pheasant (Danphe) and Blood Pheasent. The trail climbs steeply out of valley through rhododendron forest, which gives away to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers. This part of the trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas (Cattle pen) and summer settlements, and then climbs gently to Dole. The views of Khumbiyul-lha and Tawoche are magnificent throughout the day, and it is possible to climb a ridge behind Dole for an even broader view up and down the valley in the afternoon.

Today is another short day starting with a climb out of the small Dole Valley before ascending more gradually up the Dudh Kosi Valley, high above the River. The walk is easy though we'll feel the effects of altitude on even the smallest hill. The barren alpine scenery with only small clusters of dwarf juniper and rhododendron are the stark contrast to the white snowy peaks and deep blue skies. After 2 hours we'll arrive at Luza (4360m) and after a further hour's walk, we reach our lodge at Machermo (4470m) where we spend the evening. After lunch there is an option of taking an excursion across rocky moraines to the base of Kyajo Ri (6168m) and Machermo Peak (6073m). However, keep an eye open for the yeti! It was here in 1974 that three yaks were killed and a Sherpa girl injured when trying to fight off a hairy, ape-like intruder!

A short, steep climb leads from the Machermo Valley on to the steep grassy slopes of the Dudh Kosi Valley. Keep an eye open for the colorful Tibetan snow cocks, often found in this area. The valley widens as we pass through Phangka (4390m) and on to the jumbled, terminal moraines of Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal and the source of the Dudh Kosi River. Climbing steeply over a rocky trail we keep to the western side of the glacier to reach a small lake at the head of a wide valley and then pass a larger lake Longponga Tsho (4690m), before following the lateral moraines to the third lake at Gokyo (4750m). Gokyo consists of a number of stone dwellings surrounded by stone-walled yak pastures. Our lodge is located close to the lake and, if there are no clouds around, the sunroom can be distinctly warm in the afternoon. For those feeling energetic, it is worth ascending to the ridge at the back of Gokyo for views down to the mighty Ngozumpa Glacier.

The earlier the better for an ascent of Gokyo-Ri to catch the glimpse of the fresh morning sun, crowning some of the gigantic peaks of the Himalaya. It takes between two to three hours to zig-zag our way up to the summit of this famous vintage point. The summit boulders are draped with prayer flags and the views towards Mt. Cho-Oyu (8201m) are particularly fine. We descend back down to Gokyo for breakfast, or, if we have made a early ascent, we will continue towards the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho). Gokyo is not only admired for its grand view but also for the six lakes which it hosts. Definitely we would not miss the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho) and fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho). About 3 km north of Gokyo is the fourth lake with its high cliffs and peaks rising above it. The trail continues to fifth lake. If interested, we climb on a hill at the edge of the Lakes to get astounding views of Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Gyachung Khang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Makulu. We can see a lot more from here - the spot is called Scoundrel's Viewpoint. Beyond the fifth Lakes is the Cho-Oyu Base Camp. Northern part of the fifth lake provides fabulous views of Cho-Oyu Base Camp and biggest glacier of the world- the Ngazumpa glacier. Overnight at Gokyo.

The way back from Gokyo is an easy downhill walk along the Dudh Koshi River that emerges out of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Passing by the second and then the first Gokyo Lakes, we come to a small gushing stream over an iron bridge. We see the hamlet of Phangka ahead. Cholatse and Taboche peaks rear up on the left of us. The trail descends below Phangka and across a level terrace on the slope to climb a rib, on the far side of the hill side. Upon reaching the Chorten at the edge, we see great views of Thamserku, Cho-Oyu, and Khangtega. We slowly walk down to sprawling village of Machermo. Again, through the charming hamlet of Luza and Lhafarma we reach Dole. Overnight at Dole.

Taking last inspection back to Cho-Oyu range, we start steep descent to Phortse Tenga. Descending to Phortse Tenga (3250 m), we cross a bridge over Dudhkosi River and again trek up through the rhododendron forest, a host for Himalayan wild deer, musk deer, Impeyan pheasant, and Blood pheasant. Finally, we arrive at the walled fields of Phortse. Phortse is nestled under the snow dusted peaks of Tawoche and Cholatse. It's a nice little village, only a few lodges and a fair number of traditional houses/farms. It's probably a bit like Namche used to be before tourism took it over. It's on a quieter trail so a bit nicer than the trail through Tengboche.

Today we continue along the high trail to Pangpoche and further towards Tengboche for the night. En route there is a funeral rock where dead bodies are cremated. The path contours along the side of the valley from here. After about an hour, Pangboche is visible in the distance below. The path zigzags upwards a little at this point. Eventually the path reaches its highest point and then it's all downhill to Pangboche. We'll have our lunch at Pangboche and now following the main Everest trail it's downhill to the river then a bit up to Tengboche. Tengboche is a home of an impressive and recently rebuilt monastery. We have plenty of time to look around Tengboche, visit the monastery and have a cake and coffee at the bakery.

From Tengboche, a steep descent of around 1500ft/500m leads through bird filled Rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Kosi River. Crossing on a newly built suspension bridge at Phunki Tenga, we climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the contouring path leading back to Namche Bazaar. We should have enough time in Namche to shop and relax in the bakery with a coffee and a cake, or even to check the Internet. Good news is that there are Wifi in most of the lodges of Namche bazaar.

A steep descent for 600m/2,000ft down Namche Hill leads to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi River and the small village of Monjo. Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel completely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We walk through the Sherpa villages' noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag. On arrival in Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last one week. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile! Overnight at Lukla.

Saying final goodbye to our porters, we fly back to Kathmandu after our wonderful mountain journey. The flight time to Kathmandu are scheduled in the morning normally because Lukla suffers a lot of wind afternoon. Sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reasons. The early morning flight drops us at Kathmandu and the Grand Himalaya van or coach will transfer you to the hotel. You may have time to relax after long journey and take back your breath and rest at your hotel with ending your Himalayan expedition. Remember, we will be hosting a fantastic celebration dinner together in the finest restaurant in Thamel, in occasion of successfully completing your trip in the Himalayas!