Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu
An Expedition Base representative will collect you from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport. It’s a free day to recover from your international flight. Later in the day, there will be a team briefing, gear check and welcome team dinner.
Day 2
In Kathmandu
This is a free day for you to explore Kathmandu, home to 5 World Heritage sites, Kathmandu is a stunning landscape of handcrafted wooden palaces (Durbar or palace squares of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur) and glorious Buddhist stupas (Swayambu and Boudhanath).
Day 3
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m), trek to Monjo (2,840m) ~5 hrs
Our day begins with an early morning 40 min flight to Lukla. Once in Lukla, we have a short break to organize porters and gear before starting our day’s walk, descending and ascending to Monjo. This region is Buddhist so remember to walk clockwise or to the left of mani walls and prayer flag poles (keeping them on your right).
Day 4
Trek Monjo (2,840m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) ~5 hrs
Before leaving Monjo, we’ll check into the Sagarmatha National Park Information Centre. On a clear day, you can catch your first view of Mt Everest from a lookout about mid-way up the hill to Namche. Once in Namche, you have the afternoon to rest, and explore.
Day 5
Acclimatisation day in Namche ~ 5 hrs
We spend an extra day in Namche before trekking higher to allow our bodies to adjust to the increased altitude. In the morning, we will walk up to the Everest View Hotel to enjoy panoramic views and you can explore the villages of Khunde and/or Khumjung. The afternoon is free for exploring Namche, or relaxing, as you wish.
Day 6
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,800m)
We head out of our beloved Namche, to Kyanjuma and then down the hill to Phunki Tenga for a refreshment, then up a hill we go to the famed Tengboche Monastery. And, don’t forget to visit the bakery, and the coffee in one of the lodges is barista gooood!
Day 7
Tengboche to Dingboche (4,100m)
Today, we gradually gain in altitude on relatively easy terrain, and our lush surrounds become more alpine like as the trees start to disappear and a more alpine environment envelops up. We really feel like we are in the mountains now. Dingboche is famous for potato growing so be sure to try potatoes here.
Day 8
In Dingboche, acclimatisation walk ~5 hr
It’s a rest day in Dingboche to acclimatise to our increased altitude gain. In the morning, we’ll walk up to a lookout to touch the 5,000m mark. It’s a steep climb but on a clear day expect views of giants Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8,501m), Nuptse (7,861m) and on clear days, Cho Oyu (8,201m) and Shishapangma (8,013m).
Day 9
Dingboche to Lobuche (4,900m)
Just above Dingboche and along a plateau of yak herder shelters, we enter a serene sanctuary of panoramic mountains. You will pass Dughla, and it’s a 1 hr hike up to Thukla (4,830m) then onto Lobuche for the night.
Day 10
Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,140m) ~ 3 hrs
Gorak Shep is the last settlement before reaching Everest Base Camp. From Lobuche, it’s a short trek of a couple of hours across a glacier moraine to reach Gorak Shep around mid morning.
Day 11
Gorak Shep, Kala Patar (5,500m), back to Lobuche East Base Camp ~ 5-6 hrs
The summit of Kala Patar or ‘Black Rock’ offers us our first real look at Mt Everest, an unobstructed view of the highest mountain in the world. Then, we’ll trek to Lobuche East Base Camp, an easy traverse contouring around Lobuche on the south side of the mountain. The camp provides uplooking views of neighbouring peaks of Taboche (6367m), Cholatse (the second climb on your list for this trip) and Arakam Tse (6423m).
Day 12
Rest Lobuche East Base Camp
Today is a training day in base camp to practice climbing on fixed lines (up on a jumar and descending on a belay device). It’s also a contingency day to allow for poor weather conditions that may delay a summit attempt.
Day 13
Lobuche East Base Camp (4,830m) to Lakeside Camp (5,250m)
After crossing a grassy meadow to the foot of Lobuche peak, we ascend steeply on a rocky trail to a col for lunch. From here, we can appreciate magnificent 360o views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.
Day 14
Lakeside Camp to High Camp (5,500m)
To reach high camp along the start of the summit ridge, it’s another 1.5-2 hr rock scramble or snow climb depending on conditions. Do not miss the stunning sunset view from high camp!
Day 15
High Camp, summit (6,119m), back to Dzong La (4,860m) ~5-7 hrs
Summit day begins with an alpine start at 4-5am for a quick breakfast and dressing for a summit climb. We leave camp by 5-6am and walk up the ridge for 50m to a face. Climbing on fixed lines up the 45 degrees snow wall, we then reach the ridge proper. We follow the ridge around seracs (snow/ice climb) to the 1st or false summit. Be prepared for exposure along the way as we walk on the ridge. It’s a quick rappel down from the 1st summit, then finally up another 60m to the real summit by mid morning*. We return by the same route to high camp for a break and pack up camp, and head to base camp for final pack up and then the short 45 min – 1 hr trek to Dzong La. (*real summit, conditions permitting)
Day 16
Dzong La, across ChoLa to Dragnag (4,700m) ~8 hrs
Depending on the snow conditions on the day, it will take us approximately 5-7 hours to cross ChoLa. At the top of the pass you can soak in the view, take photos, play in the snow, and then we descend toward Dragnag.
Day 17
Dragnag to Cholatse Base Camp ~2.5 hrs
An easy day as we make our way to Cholatse Base Camp, sitting at the base of our next amazing climb!
Day 18
Rest at Cholatse Base Camp
Today is a rest day. It’s also a contingency day to allow for poor weather conditions that may delay a summit attempt. We will keep this day up our sleeves.
Day 19
Base Camp to Camp 1 (5,750m) ~5-6 hrs
We leave base camp and trek toward the glacier before heading up an ice fall onto a steeper snow slope before reaching Camp 1, where we sleep for the night.
Day 20
Camp 1 to Camp 2 (6,000m) ~2 hrs
A short climb to load up Camp 2 with tents and stores. If there is little snow, we will find ourselves on rock. There is some steep terrain this day.
Day 21
Camp 2 to Base Camp 2.5 hrs
A quick descent back to Base Camp, as our higher camps are now stocked with tents and stores, and our acclimatization is completed.
Day 22
Rest in Base Camp
Time to rest, relax and enjoy our time with our team members, a good book and / or a movie.
Day 23
Rest in Base Camp
More time to rest and relax, and to prepare our gear and ourselves for our summit push.
Day 24
Base Camp to Camp 1 ~5-6 hrs
Base Camp to Camp 1 ~5-6 hrs
Day 25
Camp 1 to Camp 2 ~2 hrs
Day 26
Camp 2, summit (6,440m), back to Camp 1 ~ 10-12 hrs
Expect some undulating snowy terrain as we cross through a couloir, and with some ridge climbing today. It’s a pretty spectacular climb today with views like you will not believe.
Day 27
Camp 1 to Base Camp ~1.5 hrs
You know the way. And, it is back to Base Camp for a hearty meal and a well-deserved rest.
Day 28
Cholatse Base Camp to Namche Bazaar ~6-7 hrs
You will get a whole lot more oxygen back into your body today as we descend back down the valley, to Macchermo, Dole, Phortse Tenga, MongLa and down into Namche Bazaar.
Day 29
Namche Bazaar to Lukla ~6-7 hrs
Last chance to enjoy the most enigmatic village in the Khumbu. Then, trek down the hill to Monjo and beyond, and enjoy the sights of the mani walls around Ghat and other villages, as we make our way back to Lukla.
Day 30
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Another early morning flight out of Lukla back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy a rest, shower or a massage!
Day 31
In Kathmandu
Your last day to take in some sightseeing, shop, relax – as you wish - and prepare for departure. If you didn’t make it to Bhaktapur or the other durbar squares in Patan/Kathmandu, maybe add to your adventures for today.
Day 32
Depart Kathmandu
Goodbye Kathmandu and Nepal... until next time. You will leave with some pretty special memories of a rich culture, spectacular scenery and awe inspiring climbing experiences, and a whole bunch of new friends.
