Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport meet our staff with GA complimentary transport transfer to relevant Hotels, our guide will give you a briefing of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, and related information that you might require while in Nepal with Great Adventure Treks & Expeditions.
Day 02: Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu
Early morning, after breakfast, you will be taken for a cultural tour of Kathmandu city. Some of the main highlights will be Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar.
Day 03: Drive to Jiri 1,900m. 6 - 7 hrs bus rides.
Morning an interesting drive to Jiri on the scenic mid hills highway, heading towards Bhote Koshi River Valley on the road to Tibet, reaching Lamosangu, a small bazaar on route Jiri and to Tibet border situated a close distance of 30 km from the Tibet-Nepal frontier, here route diverts towards east leaving the Bhote Koshi below, as the ride climbs for an hour all the way to Charikot, then heads downhill to Tama Kosi River with a brief stop here crossing the river, then all the way to Jiri, once a popular busy bazaar, since the construction of the airstrip at Lukla and at Phaplu in Solu. The crowds are less than it used to be in the early and late 1980's. On arrival at Jiri, check into the best Lodge available.
Day 04: Trek to Shivalaya 1,770m. 5 hrs.
First day walk heads past Jiri bazaar on the winding uphill path for a while for two hours on the first ridge overlooking view of the nearby landscapes and of Jiri, from here the path descends most of the way to Shivalaya through farm villages, after a good walk for two hours, leads to the overnight stop at Shivalaya.
Day 05: Trek to Bhandar (Chyangma) 2,195m. 5 hrs.
Morning trek at the end of the village towards east, an hour steep climb brings to a small village, from here walk is passing several farm village and forest and then coming to a stream, then trek uphill path through the cool shade of the forest of pine, oaks and rhododendron trees, then reaching at Deurali pass at 2,715m. From Deurali a great view of Bhandar down below and up above the trail as far to the ridge with Lamjura pass almost visible.
From here descend most of the way for nearly two hours to overnight stop at Bhandar, across a beautiful large Stupa and scattered houses and farm fields. Bhandar / Chyangma has a mixture of Tamangs and Newars, but predominantly Sherpa people.
Day 06: Trek to Sete 2,575m. 6 - 7 hrs.
Today's walk, leads to downhill through cool shade of the forest with steep descend in some places till reaching warmer area at Phedi, a Chettri village where the vegetation drastically changes with the subtropical climate of this valley, arriving near a village cross a stream on a wooden bridge coming to rice paddy fields, then back to gradual path most of the way to Kenja village after a 3-4 hours of good morning walk. Kenja 1,634m, a nice small village mostly of Sherpa inhabitant beneath the ridge of Lamjura and Pikey danda, with a view of Numbur peaks to the north. After Kenja, a steep uphill walk for few hours to Sete village. Once reaching Sete the air gets much cooler along with the altitude.
Day 07: Trek to Junbesi 2,675m. via Lamjura-la 3,530m. 6 - 7 hrs.
From here onwards the walking will be cooler, starting with steep climb through the beautiful rhododendron, oaks and pines forests, then coming to a small settlement of Ghurasey in the middle of a lovely forest, with few teahouses, from here journey continues up to a ridge marked by a mani-wall the way leads left to reach the pass, after a rest trek leads to Lamjura-la pass at 3,550m the highest altitude gain so far. From the pass, the walk descends through a forest of mixed fir and rhododendron all the way to a Sherpa village at Toctoc. On reaching the bottom, the trail contours on the north side of the valley, on the ridge where one can see Junbesi below, the path descends all the way to Junbesi, and this is a large Sherpa village with Chorten monastery and a school built by Sir Edmund Hillary.
Day 08: Trek to Nunthala (Manidingma) 2,190m. 6 - 7 hrs.
Today a long day walk to Nunthala, leaving earlier with short descend to the river below the Chorten and taking the left-hand, then the path leads to a climb around reaching to a village of Solung danda where one can have the first view of Everest in the distance with other high snow-capped mountains of Khumbu. After a short break here route descends to the valley of Beni Khola, which flows from the Dudh Kund glacier, beneath the southern side of Numbur, Khartang and Karyolung Himal, crossing over the bridge a step up for half an hour brings to Ringmo village where the trail from Salleri, Solu joins. The walk then heads up on the gradual path through the village of Rimgmo, an hour steep climb through the pine forest reaches at Trakshindu pass at 3,070m marked with Mani and Chorten with great views of striking peaks including Kusum Kangguru, Thamserku and Kantega. On the east side of the pass the trail descends all the way to the overnight destination at Nunthala passing through Takshindu Gompa, which was set up around 1946 by a lama from Thyangboche monastery, this is also a home of the renowned late Babu Chiri Sherpa who climbed Everest 11th times and the fastest man to speed to Everest summit and the only climber who stayed on top of Everest for more than 21 hours. From here walk leads downhill for than 2 hours through the cool shade of the forest and then reaching the overnight stop in Nuntahla also known as Manidingma, Nunthala a fairly large hill village of the Rai and Sherpa people.
Day 09: Trek to Bupsa Danda 2,250m. 5 - 6 hrs.
Morning journey begins with a descend following steep downhill slope through terraces and forest where you can often see Languar monkeys all the way to the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi, here crossing the raging river, walk leads to winding uphill climb for an hour to the Rai settlement at Jubing at 1,675m, the areas around here are fairly warm. From here the path meanders through stands of bamboo then continues towards Kharikhola 2,200m, a village of predominately Sherpa and Magar inhabitants. This is a village of Mani walls and water wheels that every Wednesday has a thriving market, after a break at Kharikhola trek to the next ridge crossing the river tributaries of the Kharikhola and climb steeply for an hour or more to the small settlement of Bupsa, perched on the ridge overlooking superb views of the rolling hills and valleys.
Day 10: Trek to Surkhe 2,295m. 5 - 6 hrs.
From here onwards the air gets much cooler heading close to Khumbu area, walk leads to a climb on the wide path through a mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and the fragment Dhaphne bholua; the Nepalese paper plant. Walk continue traversing the flank of the Kharte Dande high above the river to a notch in the ridge, the Kharte La 3,880m, journey continues through a small village at Puiyan 2,800m, in the middle of the forest. After Puiyan the walk is gentle for hours on the long winding path and rising slowly on the flank of the Sebuk Danda to the Chotok La 2,945m. From this ridge high above towards North West, one can see the Lukla town and its airstrip and the Surkhe village down below, and then descend nearly 700 meters drop to Surkhe for the overnight stop. Surkhe situated just beneath the hills of Lukla, where one can see the airplane flying overhead.
Day 10: Trek to Phakding 2,650m. 5 - 6 hrs.
From Surkhet route diverts westward to join the main trail coming from Lukla, walk leads to a climb on the winding path, coming to a village at Muse and Gaikharka after two hours of good walk, from here a gentle climb brings at Choplung where the road from Lukla joins. The walk from here is on the gradual path most of the way, with few ups in between, from Tarhe Khola, where you can have a superb view of Kusum-Kangru 6,369m after crossing a short suspension bridge, and a climb brings to the Ghat village, another hour of pleasant walk reaches at Phakding village for the overnight stop near the bank of the Dudh-Kosi river.
Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazar 3,440m. approx. 5 - 6 hrs.
After Phakding crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill and re-crossing the same river again, with magnificent view of Thermasarkhu 6,608m, then reaching a small village of Monjo after the last 20 minutes climb from the stream, after Monjo, comes to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, from here a short descend with a gradual walk to the Jorsalle village is reached, the trek continues to the last bridge over the Imjatse river, from here the walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak, Kusum kangru Mt.Everest- Nuptse wall, Lhotse and the closer view of Taweche peak can be seen all the way up, from here 1hour walk up to the Sherpa’s capital at Namche Bazaar, the houses and lodges are placed in an amphitheatre shape.
Day 13: Rest Day at Namche Bazar.
Necessary rest day for acclimatisation optional activities a short hike uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter, a magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with grand views of snow-capped peaks and valleys, visit the museum with all types of information regarding the Himalayas, geographic, culture, mountaineering history and existing information on flora and fauna of this region, afternoon free at leisure.
Day 14: Trek to Thyangboche 3,867m. approx 5 hours.
Trek uphill for 20 minutes to the top ridge of Namche Bazaar, once at the top walk follows the gradual winding path with few short up and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thermasharkhu and Kwangde-Ri after a good trek descending to Phungitenga 3,250m, a small settlement in the middle of alpine forest of silver firs, blue pines, rhododendron with few magnolia and birch trees. A climb of two hours after lunch on the winding uphill path through the serene woods till Thyangboche Gomba (Monastery) is reached for the night stop. An amazing spot offering views of the majestic towering Mt. Ama Dablam with Mt. Everest above Nuptse wall to the North, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar on the northeast. Visit the monastery and observe the monk prayer an absolute perfect harmony blending well with the peaceful surrounding.
Day 15: Trek to Dingboche 4,358m. approx: 5 - 6 hour.
After a magnificent time on this beautiful surrounding at Thyangboche, the trail descends through a forest of birch, fir, juniper, and rhododendron with the view of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt.Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse on the route, the walk is easy to a small bridge over the narrow gorge of Imja-Tse river. The walk is on the gradual uphill most of the way to Pangboche village at 3,900m after Pangboche a short climb to Shomare for lunch a temporary settlement offering a fantastic close view of Ama-Dablam. After break here, our journey continues with a slow up towards North East, reaching to a small bridge leading beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam, the trails climbs slowly winding above the Imja Tse river to a big mani Stupa, from here the trek is moderate reaching at Imja Tse Valley beneath the Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Nuptse and Mt. Lhotse to the east snow-capped mountains includes Island peak or Imja Tse 6,189m, which is a popular peak amongst all the trekking peaks in Nepal. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of field enclosed by stone walls, protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Dingboche has about more than ten teahouses.
Day 16: Rest Day at Dingboche for acclimatization.
Rest Day at Dingboche, We will take a good rest for a day at Dingboche and give ourselve sometime for the acclimatization.
Day 17: Trek to Lobuche 4,928m. approx: 5 hours.
From here the trek heads north on the slow gradual up to the prayer ridge, from here the trail is gentle looking down at Pheriche village, this route offers awesome views of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north Pokalde 5,741m, Kongma-tse 5,820m and the great wall of Nuptse and as far to the world’s 5th highest peak Mt. Makalu. The trail from here joins the Pheriche and Dingboche route at Thugla, a small place with 2-3 lodges, from Thugla, an hour walk on the steep up brings to the ridge Thulg-la pass, where you can have view of Mt.Pumori and other peaks west of Everest, a good place for a break, after the vigorous climb, observe the memorials of unfortunate dead climbers and adventurer. From here another hour of gradual up brings you at Lobuche situated in the corner hidden and sheltered from the wind, Lobuche houses 5-6 Lodges.
Day 18: Trek to Gorakshep 5,170m. & continue to Everest Base Camp 5,357m.
Today’s trekking towards our final achievement of this trip leading at Everest Base Camp at 5,357 m, an hour walk is gentle up the valley then a short climb on the rocky moraine path, on the walk view of the glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. Walking past the rocky moraine a short downhill brings you at Gorakshep below Kalapatthar 5,555m and Mt.Pumori 7,145m. Gorakshep has three teahouses. After a break here at Gorakshep continue towards Everest Base Camp and to Khumbu Ice-fall, the walk is strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach Everest Base Camp it’s a lively spot in high expedition season, after a great moment here, retrace back toGorakshep for overnight stop.
Day 19: Hike to Kalapathar 5,555m. continue to Pheriche 4,288m. 5 hrs.
Early morning walk leads to Kallapatthar after a vigorous hike of 1 hr, Kallapatthar which is a rocky viewpoint close to Mt.Pumori, an excellent panorama of Mt. Everest at near distance, between the peaks of Nuptse, Lho-la and Lhotse including other giants peaks, after a grand moment descend back to Gorakshep and continue trekking to Pheriche, the walk is downhill most of the way, after Thugla walk descends further to Pheriche Valley, afternoon can be very windy. After 4-5 hours of pleasant trek brings you at Pheriche for the overnight stop.
Day 20: Trek to Namche Bazar approx. 6-7 hrs.
From Pheriche, a short walk brings you to the bridge, after the bridge it is nearly downhill all the way with few ups in between Pangboche and Thyangboche, on reaching the bridge back to the tree-lines and green vegetation, an hour up to Thyangboche. After stopping at Thyangboche for few minutes, we will continue our trek to Namche Bazar for an overnight stay.
Day 21: Trek to Lukla 6 hrs walk.
Today the end of this great adventure trekking back to Lukla, a leisure and pleasant walk, with few short up-hills to encounter, on reaching Lukla, the last dinner with the fellow Sherpa guides and porters.
Day 22: Fly Lukla - Kathmandu.
As per the flight time, (sometimes the flight delays due to bad weather and other technical reason). Check-in for the scenic flight to Kathmandu with panoramic views of high mountains during 30 minutes flight. On arrival at the domestic terminal, GA staffs transfer you back to the Hotel.
Day 23: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, Great Adventure Trek staff will transfer you to the international airport for your final departure from Nepal, the land of high Himalayas.
