Early morning your guide takes you to Tribhuwan International Airport for the short but scenic flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla (2804m). Upon arrival at the airport, your guide will brief you and introduce your porters before beginning your trek towards Phakding (2610m).

After landing we take our time to explore the village while your Sherpa crew sorts and loads the trekking equipment. Then we begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Koshi River where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2713m). The walk is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2550m) it is a short walk to Phakding.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

After breakfast we continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Khosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar (344om) known as the Gateway to Everest, is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchanges, internet cafes and a bakeries. Namche is one of the biggest villages along the whole Everest trail.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

We spend a day here in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning of the air, as well as a short trek where a museum is celebrating the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. Today we hike up the Syangboche Airport around Everest View Hotel. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas with stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Khosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We trek to an altitude of 3870 meters today. On reaching Tengboche you will see the local monastery. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. The group will be taken to observe a prayer ceremony either in the evening or morning depending on how the day’s trekking went.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Tengboche the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche amongst thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche (4350m) with its exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. We take our time so we avoid getting affected by the altitude.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today, the trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits. We continue to climb as we are heading to the altitude of 4910 meters at Lobuche which is really just a few huts at the foot of giant Lobuche peak. Some breathing problems may arise today due to the altitude.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

This is another big and difficult day walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp (5364m), the closest you can get to Mount Everest without mountaineering equipment. There will likely be a team about to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. We return back to Gorak Shep (5180m) for the night.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Most of the morning, we spend by climbing Mount Kala Patthar (5555m), a small peak by Himalayan standards. The ascent is demanding but the climber gets the most magnificent mountain panorama: Everest (8848m), the highest point on the planet, towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the other giants, Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep (5180m), a tiny hamlet, then trek Lobuche (4910m).

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today is going to be an exciting day, as we are going to cross the high mountain pass Kongma La (5535m). We start walking just after breakfast following the Khumbu glacier towards east. The trail will be long and without any tea shop or water sources, hence, we carry water bottles and some snacks.

Along the trail, we can catch the beautiful views of the mountains Kongma Tse (5820m), Pokalde (5806m), Lhotse (8516m), Lhotse Shar (8383m), Makalu (8463m), Baruntse (7220m) and Ama Dablam. We continue to walk up till we reach Kongma La, decorated with the cairns and Buddhist flags. From the pass, we step down towards Chhukung.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Chhukung, it is a gradual steep route to the base camp of Island Peak. Today’s trek initially chases the uphill trail on the south then, turns east to the valley. Treading along the moraine that stretches out from Lhotse Glacier in the south we then trek along the easy streamside trail. The zigzag trail in between the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines stretches all the way to wide valley southwest to Island Peak, which is Island Base Camp (4970m).

tented camp – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today is an important day. Take guidance of your guide who will train you on basic climbing skills that including using an ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, etc. The use of ropes during this high altitude climbing is also part of today’s training. This day is important to practise climbing, especially for amateurs.

tented camp – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Climbing a summit in the Himalayas means it has a midnight start. To avoid strong Himalayan winds on the summits late afternoon, climbers do so. The ascend to Island Peak summit stretches gradually uphill for several 100 meters until it reaches the steep section. The route to the summit of Island peak leads through rock strewn snowy section. The route gets narrower and you will cross the rocky gully and then tread along the snowy ridgeline before using the ropes to get over the tricky final snout that leads to the summit. Enjoy your moments there, which are truly magical. Witness the world’s highest peaks including Everest so close and so raw.

After summiting Island Peak, you follow the retracing trail back to Chhukung. This is the longest walk of your entire trek.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

From Chhukung, it is a fairly easy descent to Dingboche along the Imja Khola river. From here, we drop down the valley to Orsho where the trail joins the main EBC trail. Via Shomare, we see the first trees again as we reach the tree line just above Pangboche.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Today, we retrace our footsteps down to the Imja Khola river and up the forest to Dobuche and Tengboche. Then we trek to Phunki Tenga and climb the ridge towards Namche Bazaar.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Even though this is the last walking day of the trek, most trekkers find the descent from Namche Bazaar to the river Dudh Khosi the hardest stage of the entire trek. Although the path is all downhill, the unrelenting slope places massive impact on the knees. Once we cross the suspension bridge, the trail runs mostly level to Jorsale and then climbs to Monjo.

From here, the last part of the last day, is an easy run. Once we have reached Lukla, we reconfirm our flight for the next day.

mountain lodge – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Early morning we go to Tenzing-Hillary Airport to catch our flight back to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, we will bring you back to your hotel.

hotel – breakfast