Itinerary:

DAYS 1-3: (if coming from North America)

Fly to Kathmandu, Nepal. Upon arrival in Kathmandu our staff will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel where you will meet your guide. Hotel.

DAY 4:

Free day in Kathmandu to make final preparations and do a little exploring on your own. Rent a bike and visit the Hindu and Buddhist sites of Bodhnath, Swayambunath and Pashupatinath; the city center at Durbar Square; and enjoy the exciting nightlife of Kathmandu's Thamel District. Hotel.

DAY 5:

Fly to Lukla (9,000') and begin the trek up the Khumbu valley, following the Dudh Kosi River through a rich agricultural area. The Sherpas in these villages raise large crops of corn, potatoes, wheat, turnips, cauliflower and cabbage, and tend herds of cows, sheep, goats, and yak cross?breeds. Interspersed between villages stand magnificent forests of magnolia, rhododendron and fir trees. As you hike, watch the cliffs above the river for a glimpse of musk deer and Himalayan tahr. Visit the gompa (monastery) at Phakding, largest in the Pharak district. We spend the night in Phakding (8,300'). Camping. (L,D)

DAY 6:

A steep ascent to Namche Bazaar (11,270'), a prosperous market town and the administrative center for the Khumbu region. In Namche, one will often see Khampa Tibetans who have crossed over from Chinese occupied Tibet to trade with the Sherpa of the Khumbu. At Jorsale the trail enters Sagarmatha Nat'l Park. Visit the National Park museum situated on a hilltop above Namche. With good weather you will be rewarded with views of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 7:

A 3 to 4 hour acclimatization day hike to the village of Thame (12,400'), located up the Bhote Kosi (Tibetan River) valley, west of Namche. The Ngampa La pass at the top of this long valley is an important crossover point for both Tibetan and Sherpa traders. From Thame we are treated to spectacular views of the snow covered giants of the Khumbu as well as many lesser but equally dramatic ice clad peaks. Intricately carved mani stones line the way to Thame and are renowned for their complexity and beauty. After we pay a visit to the Thame gompa we return to Namche for the night. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 8:

We leave Namche for the climb to the Sherpa villages of Kunde and Khumjung (12,400'). Khumjung, which is more traditional in appearance than Namche, is the location of the Hillary School, a primary and secondary school financed by the Himalayan Trust, the philanthropic organization established by Sir Edmund Hillary. There is also a gompa possessing a skull said to be of the yeti. We pause here for an acclimatization day. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAYS 9-10:

Ascend the Dudh Kosi River valley to the beautifully situated village of Phortse (12,140'), one of the older and more traditional Sherpa villages. Continue the next day up the valley to Pheriche, (14,000') location of a small medical checkpoint. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 11:

Acclimatization day hikes to Chukung a small summer settlement high in the Khumbu valley. Definitely one of the highlights of the trek, you are presented with spectacular views of the immense ice face of Lhotse, which towers above you while the always spectacular Ama Dablam lies to the south. After lunch it's a quick trip back down to Pheriche where we spend the night. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 12:

Ascend the wide valley to Phalang Karpo (14,240'). The trail then climbs steeply onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, then descends to Duglha (15,158'). Pass a cluster of monuments to climbers and Sherpas who have perished in mountaineering accidents and arrive at the summer village of Lobuche (16,175'). Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 13:

Leave Lobuche at dawn to ascend to the summit of Kala Pattar. Hike up an increasingly rough and steep trail through to Gorak Shep (17,000'). Pass the small and often frozen lake, and continue upward to Kala Pattar (18,450'). Catch your breath at the top and survey one of the most magnificent mountain panoramas in the world: the south and west faces of Mount Everest (29,028') and its entourage of neighboring peaks Lhotse and Nuptse. Look down on Everest Base Camp where mountaineers are assembled. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first climbed Everest, the world's highest mountain, in 1953. Its Nepali name, Sagarmatha, means 'Churning Stick of the Ocean of Existence.' The Sherpas call it by its Tibetan name, Chomolongma, which means 'Mother Goddess of the Universe.' The name we know comes from Sir George Everest, who was head of the Survey of India from 1823?1843. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 14:

Leave Lobuche again at dawn to make the hike to Everest Base Camp. Depending on the time of year there may be climbing expeditions in camp. Return to Pheriche for the night. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 15:

Return down valley to Dingboche, a summer village in a spectacular setting. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 16:

Walk through a beautiful rhododendron forest to the monastery of Thyangboche (12,700'). Destroyed by fire in 1989, this gompa has since been reconstructed. From Thyangboche the mountain panorama is one of the most breathtaking in the Khumbu. From this vantagepoint, the massive Nuptse-Lhotse wall conceals all but the tip of Everest. Rising above the monastery is “Mothers Charm Box”, Ama Dablam (22,494'). The name stems from a mountain formation said to resemble a dablam, a charm box worn by female residents of the Khumbu and Tibet. Descend back via the Imja and Dudh Kosi River valleys past mani stones and water driven prayer wheels back to Namche Bazaar. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 17:

Trek down valley following the Dudh Kosi River to Lukla. We have our festive Farewell Dinner with our staff and guides so be prepared for great food and dancing into the wee hours. Camping. (B,L,D)

DAY 18:

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Hotel.

DAY 19:

Free day in Kathmandu. Hotel.

DAYS 20-21:

Depart Kathmandu. Fly home.