Day 1 | | Arrive KathmanduAn 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.
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Day 2 | | In KathmanduThis 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).
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Day 3 | | Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m), trek to Monjo (2,840m) ~5 hrsOur 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 and to keep left of mani walls and prayer flag poles (keeping them to your right).
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Day 4 | | Trek Monjo (2,840m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) ~5 hrsBefore leaving Monjo, we’ll check into the Sagarmatha National Park Information Centre to register our presence in the park. 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, relax, check out the cafes and explore.
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Day 5 | | Acclimatisation day in Namche ~5 hrsWe spend an extra day in Namche before trekking higher to allow our bodies to adjust to the increased altitude. In the morning, we will likely 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.
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Day 6 | | Trek Namche (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,800m) ~5 hrsThe trail behind Namche is a gentle track that traverses high above the Imja river with overlooking views of Thamserku and Ama Dablam. We will pause at Kyanjuma for a morning tea break and to admire stunning views of Ama Dablam, our key objective. From
here we descend to the valley floor to cross the Imja river and then uphill to Tengboche. We will stop here for the night but if space does not permit then, it’s a short 30 min descent from Tengboche to Deboche.
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Day 7 | | Trek to Dingboche (4,410m) ~4 hrsAs we trek up the track towards Dingboche, there’s a distinct change in the landscape as we cross the 4,000m barrier. High altitude scrubs replace trees and formidable mountains suddenly appear within reach. The afternoon is free to use internet or to do some
laundry. There are a few bakeries you can try too.
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Day 8 | | Acclimatisation in Dingboche ~5 hrsWe take 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 the views of Makalu (8,463m), Lhotse (8501m), Nuptse (7,861m) and on clear days, Cho Oyu
(8,201m) and Shishapangma (8,013m) are worth any feelings of breathlessness. After lunch, if you’re feeling energetic, you can trek towards Chhukung village or down to Pheriche. Alternatively, curling in with a book and hot chocolate is also recommended.
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Day 9 | | Trek Dingboche (4,410m) to Lobuche (4,910m) ~5 hrJust above Dingboche and along a plateau of yak herder shelters, we know that Mt Everest is just around the corner! Passing Dughla, it’s a 1 hr trek up to Thukla pass (4,830m) where memorials have been built for fallen climbers. We then trek across rocky terrain to Lobuche.
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Day 10 | | Trek Lobuche (4,910m) to Gorak Shep (5,100m) ~4 hrsThe journey to Gorak Shep from Lobuche is a gentle ascent on rocky terrain that follows across and along the Khumbu glacier. It is a short day, unless the weather is good, in which case we may do a trek up to Kala Patar in the afternoon.
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Day 11 | | Trek Kala Patar (5,500m), down to Gorak Shep, and to Lobuche Base Camp ~7-8 hrsWe get up nice and early and trek up to Kala Patar to try and get there before sunrise, and after refueling and taking some great photos, we head down to Gorak Shep for breakfast and then we head off down the valley to Lobuche. Soon after Lobuche we turn off the main Everest trail and head right towards Cho La, though we divert to Lobuche Base Camp, nicely tucked in beneath Lobuche East.
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Day 12 | | Rest day at Lobuche East Base CampWe take a day to rest at Lobuche East base camp, and prepare our gear for our ascent of Lobuche East. Remember, this is an acclimatisation climb as well as a climb of a beautiful peak, so take your time and let your body acclimatise well in readiness for our
next objective.
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Day 13-15 | | Climb Lobuche East, descend to Dingboche (4,410m) ~8-9 hrsWe will use these days to climb Lobuche East, potentially making use of the lake camp, and high camp, up to the summit and then we will descend to Dingboche. Here, you might want to sneak in a shower, and you may want to check out a local bakery and do a bit of laundry.
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Day 16 | | Dingboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp (north side) (4,700m) ~2 hrOff to Ama Dablam base camp (north side) we go. Our base camp awaits us!
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Day 17-29 | | Climbing periodHaving trekked up to Kala Patar and climbed Lobuche East, your acclimatisation is set and ready for your attempt to reach the summit of Ama Dablam. Whilst you have been on Lobuche, our core guiding team is over at Ama Dablam already preparing the route to the summit. We will prepare ourselves and our gear, do a rotation on the mountain, and then prepare ourselves for the summit push. We will organise our schedule for the summit push to the summit and descend from the mountain within this climbing period.
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Day 30 | | Rest and pack up base campToday, we take an extra day to rest as you have earned it! We reflect on our mission and the amazing experiences we have had and slowly we begin to pack up our base camp. Enjoy your last day soaking in the views from this tranquil camp site.
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Day 31 | | Trek Ama Dablam base camp (4,600m) to Namche (3,440m) ~7-8 hrWe trek down the trail to Pangboche, and then follow the main trail back to Namche. Back in the village, you can send emails to family and friends about your news, and enjoy good coffee and bakery treats.
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Day 32 | | Trek Namche (3,440m) to Lukla (2,840m) ~6hrThis is our last day on the trail. The route from Namche drops back down to the valley floor and follows the river towards Lukla. Take in the beautifully decorated mani walls and prayer wheels lining the trail to Lukla. Don’t forget to stop and take photos!
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Day 33 | | Fly Lukla to KathmanduWe arrive back in the melting pot of cultures that is Kathmandu. Spend this day doing last minute sightseeing and shopping, as you wish.
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Day 34 | | In KathmanduToday is your last day in Nepal (for this trip, at least) so you can prepare for departure, pack up and return any hired gear. A massage is highly recommended to relax your tired muscles before your flight home.
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Day 35 | | Depart KathmanduWe farewell the Himalayas and the people of Nepal, until your next Himalayan adventure. We will be sad to see you go. We hope to see you again soon!
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