A very warm welcome to the Kingdom of Himalayas. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan international airport our representative welcomes you and assists you transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, evening you'll meet and transfer for welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu i.e. Utsav or Nepali Chula (Kitchen). Here you will not simply experience the traditional Nepalese dish but will be entertained with Nepalese traditional dance and folk songs. After the dinner, you will be transferred back to your respective hotel.
Day
2
City sightseeing tour of Kathmandu
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.
Day
3
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla
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. In Lukla, we will meet our trek staffs and porters and set off straightaway for our first night's stop at Phakding 2600m. 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.
Day
4
Trek to Namche Bazaar
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 and the Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up 'Namche Hill' to reach Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,155ft). 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 artefacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.
Day
5
Acclimatization and leisure day in Namche Bazaar
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 colourful 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 in Namche Bazaar.
Day
6
Trek to Mongla (3900m) 4 hrs.
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 of a traditional route to Everest Base Camp and route to Gokyo. The credit all goes to Mr. Pasang Sherpa who spends all his days assembling 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.
Day
7
Trek to Dole (4050m) 3 hours
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 blooming. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas (Cattle pen) and summer settlements, and then climbs gently to Dole. The views of Khumbi-La 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.
Day
8
Trek to Machermo (4,470m) 3 hrs
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!
Day
9
Trek to Gokyo (4,790m) 3½ hrs
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 colourful Tibetan snow cocks, often found in this area. The valley widens as we pass through Pangka (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 at Longponga (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.
Day
10
Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) and move onto Dargnak
The earlier the better for an ascent of Gokyo Ri to catch the glimpse of the fresh morning sun, crowning some of the gigantic peak 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 Cho Oyu are particularly fine. We descend back down to Gokyo for breakfast, or, if we have made a particularly early ascent, we will continue towards Dragnak. From Gokyo Resort, the track climbs up gently towards the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier and then head due east across the Ngozumpa Glacier. The Ngozumpa glacier, below the sixth highest mountain in the world Mt. Cho Oyu, at 36 kilometres (22 mi), is the longest glacier in the Himalayas. The route across the moraine of the glacier is on mostly sandy trails that weave amongst the 'moonscape' of the glacier, before reaching the far side and the small hamlet of Dragnak (2 hours from Gokyo). We will stay at Chola pass resort in Dargnak.
Day
11
Cross Cho La (5,420m) to Dzongla (7 - 9 hours)
This is a big day. We need to set off very early in the morning to ensure that we cross the Cho La and descend to Dzongla in good time. At first we make a very gradual ascent alongside the river up a small valley to eventually reach a sandy ridge line, which gives a great view of the Cho La ahead and to the north east. There are some impressive 6,000m peaks to be viewed from here. To the north - the rocky Nirekha Peak and Kangshung Peak, and to the south, the icy bulk of Cholatse. We make a long, gradual descent on a pleasant grassy path to reach the bottom of the pass. From this point the ground becomes more technical and it is time to pack away our trekking poles. The route weaves around boulders at first, before climbing up onto rockier ground and a final steep section to reach the top of the pass. This is on loose ground, which can often be icy, so we need to take great care and it might be that we fix a short section of rope and use crampons especially if it is covered with snow and ice. Conditions on the pass can vary considerably, so we stick on the safe side and bring crampons with us just in case. The top of the pass is glaciated and we walk across a flat section of snow for about 15 minutes before dropping off the side and back onto rock. With Dzongla and the entire Everest valley now in sight, before we pick our way down the far side of the pass and descend into a lovely valley, we cherish this marvellous sight with our lunch and drink. A stream that meanders along the bottom leads us to the lodge at Dzongla and a well-deserved rest. Thank god that finally their came up two new lodges in Dzongla which has lessen the changes of skipping this place and carry on to Lobuche, due to shortage of room.
Day
12
Dzongla to Lobuche Base Camp 2hrs
The trail from Dzongla descends a little and then contours steadily around Awi Peak, before joining the main Khumbu Valley and reaching Lobuche Base camp. There are yet more superb views today, including towards the distinctive north face of Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lingtren, Nuptse, Lhotse, and many more. You will be amazed and overjoyed to see the cosy spot we have choose for our base camp. It is perfectly nestled among the big boulders and well sheltered from the wind, with a crystal clear lake nearby. At base camp, you will meet the rest of the expedition crews with the rest of our expedition gears and logistics. From this day until the successful ascent of the peak, we are actually camping and sleeping in our tiny little castle "Tent".
Day
13
Hike up to Gorakshep, climb Kala Patthar and back to Lobuche BC - 9 hrs
About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach Gorakshep, a tiny hamlet at 5,180m, which used to be the site of the 1953 Everest expedition's base camp. We'll take a short break at Gorekshep for a cup of tea/coffee or quickly check emails in the world's highest cyber cafe. The ascent of Kala patthar from Gorakshep is demanding but the climber gets the most magnificent mountain panorama, "Mt. Everest" the highest point on the planet at 29,028ft (8,848m), towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the other giants, Mt. Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Chagtse, and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorakshep and retrace our steps back to Lobuche base camp.
Day
14
Rest and get organised for the real adventure.
After the sun crawls on your tent in the morning, the kitchen crews will show up at your tent with choices of wake up drinks. Sometimes the peculiar noise of Khongma (Himalaya Partridges) will not simply interrupt your slumber but increase your curiosity to hop out of your tent to have a glance of this holy bird. The breakfast under the clear blue sky, on the lap of Himalayas is something you indeed deserve of. After lunch, the sherpas will do some fix line on one of the boulder at Base camp and teach you some useful climbing skills. The climbing skills cover the appropriate handling of climbing equipments and the technique of using Jumar and Abseil device on a fix line. Some training experience before the real mountaineering adventure will boost up your confidence and climbing skills, thus increasing the chances of scaling the summit as well as fully enjoy the experience.
Day
15
Move to Lobuche High Camp (5,600m/18,368 ft) 4 hrs
Today, after having an early lunch we climb up to the Lobuche High Camp which takes us about 4 hours. The High camp is located at 5,600m/18,368 ft. From Base Camp, we hike on a loose scree slopes and climb the tricky part of the gully before arriving at lower high camp on a flat rocky ridge. Some people use this as a high camp, which resulted into starting early in the morning in fish cold night when the possibly of reaching the top is at the minimal. The sherpas might put some fix line just below the high camp on a last steep rocky section. Upon reaching the high camp, we set up our camp and enjoy the view of the Everest valley.
Day
16
Summit Lobuche (6119m/20,070 ft) and descent to Base camp. 7/9 hrs
An early start (around 4am) sees us climbing the south East Ridge, which is a mixture of moderately steep snow and ice. Where necessary, we fix ropes along the route. We ascend steadily to a plateau at around 6000m, and then traverse around to an exposed ridge, which we will follow to the summit slopes. Approximately 4 hours of steady climbing brings us to the far eastern summit, which for almost every Lobuche East climbers marks the summit. The main east summit is not far in distance but requires some technical climbing which is normally beyond the ability of novice climbers, certainly in terms of the time it would take. From the top we are well rewarded with superb views across to Mt. Ama Dablam , Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Changtse (in Tibet), Mt. Pumori, Mt. Gyachung Kang, Mt. Cho Oyu and the myriad peaks to the west and south. After a full day's climbing, we retrace our steps back to High Camp, pack up, then with weary legs descent to Lobuche base camp. The day's climb could be anywhere between seven to nine hours, depending on conditions and our progress.
Day
17
Trek down to Pangpoche (3930m) 5 hrs
We retrace our steps to Lobuche and descend down the Khumbu Valley, stopping for a break in Dugla. With more views of Ama Dablam ahead of us, and of the north face of Tawoche, we continue along a flat valley to Pheriche. Pheriche has a wide range of lodges and also a Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Post. From Pheriche, it's a gentle downhill climb to Pangbocho.
Following the main Everest trail down the beautifully scenic valley, we pass through Pangboche at the base of Ama Dabkam and cross the river before climbing to the monastery at Tyangboche. Here we will no doubt take advantage of the bakery, as well as spending some time exploring the famous monastery. A circuit of the monastery, with its many prayer wheels is not to be missed, as is an exploration of the inside. From Tyangboche, a steep descent of around 1500ft/500m leads through bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Kosi River. The final steep climb traverses the hill side into Namche Bazaar and from here we will descent continue to Kyangjuma (3,550m/11,545ft) to spend the night.
Crossing on yet another suspension bridge; 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. 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 (2,835m/9,300ft). Not only is Monjo a quieter place to stay than Namche, it also means our porters have a less strenuous walk back to Lukla tomorrow.
The trail now flattens out and we cross the river twice more before a rising traverse up the hill-side, past numerous tea-houses to Lukla. Our last day of steady trekking will be a real joy as at lower altitudes, with two weeks behind us, and nothing left to prove, we can soak up the atmosphere in each of the villages we amble through. All excess energy is guaranteed to be exhausted at our party this evening with our Nepalese crew.
Day
21
Fly back to Kathmandu
Saying final goodbye to our porters, we fly back to Kathmandu after our long 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 Lobuche peak climbing!
Day
22
At Leisure in Kathmandu
Rest and relax at the hotel after such a wonderful trip. The day is also reserved as a contingency day due to flight delays or other unforeseen conditions. For those eager to see as much of Kathmandu as possible, an early start is worthwhile to visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath and districts of Bhaktapur and Patan. Durbar Square is also on the essential list, as is the shopping area of Thamel. In the evening you can have your last night in Nepal, enjoying the Nepali cultural dinner show or go out to Thamel.
Day
23
Farewell departure to your home country
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you'll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.
