From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment.

You then ascend steeply to Namche on steps, which will be the first big climb of the trek. Just take it easy and enjoy the views along the way as there is plenty of time to get to our destination. Along the way, if the weather is clear, you can catch your first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance.

Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market — a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. On any day of the week, this is a big, bustling trading town, packed with locals and trekkers alike!

Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Namche bazaar © Don Bethune

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading further up into the mountains.

There are a number of great acclimatization day hikes to choose from:

Visit Everest View Hotel (2-3 hours): A one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. If you’re an early bird, a great place to go for sunrise and breakfast.

On your way back from the Everest View, do make sure to stop in at Sagarmatha Next. The mountain gallery and community movement promotes a deeper understanding of the Khumbu region and its people to inspire a positive impact. On your way back through Namche you may like to get involved with the Carry Me Back initiative, a crowdsourced waste removal system.

Visit Khumjung and Khunde (3-4 hours): If you continue past Everest View Hotel, you descend into the village of Khumjung where you can visit the Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary and one of the Hillary schools at Khumjung.

Day hike to Thame (6-7 hours): If you’re fast on the trail, can also be combined with Thame (below). Thame is a beautiful old village with snaking rock walls, yak paddocks and the gorgeous, traditional slate-roofed Sherpa houses. Thame Gompa, perched up to the north of the village, is one of the oldest in the Khumbu, so it’s well worth while to take the afternoon to climb to the Gompa and wander around this old, walled village. In Thame we can also see the Advanced Mountaineering Training School and their hydro power station.

Rest for the day and explore Namche: Depending on energy levels, you can of course use this day to rest and just enjoy being in Namche.

Walking time: Approx. 1-5 hours (depending on which day hike you choose)

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Everest View Hotel view © Per Daugaard

From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now we get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga.

The village is an excellent lunch spot, and here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although tiring, the hike up the zigzag path has numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery.

Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. You stay at a teahouse near the monastery with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam in full view (weather permitting).

Walking time: Approx. 4-5 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Everest and Lhotse View © Clare Mathiasen

We descend steeply through Rhododendron forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche.

This is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6,856 m), and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. Old Pangboche’s gompa is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, founded in 1667 and housing relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. A further two to three hours walking brings us to Dingboche.

Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

View from Tengboche © Per Daugaard

This village is at the head of two valleys and has Pokalde 5745m overshadowing it. For our acclimatisation walk today we head up the Chukung Valley where there are fantastic views of the towering south face of Lhotse and of Island Peak as well as a multitude of other mountains.

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nangkartshang View Point © Alex Buri

We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and climb more steeply towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt. Everest. Our path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.

This is a cold place but has an awesome view of Nuptse, particularly when lit by a full moon.

Walking time: Approx. 8-9 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lhotse South Face Memorial © Luke Everson

A day to rest and acclimatise and enjoy the beautiful views of the stunning Mt Ama Dablam, the real top of Kantega, and Nuptse (7879m). Sunset on this amazing panorama of high mountains from our little summer village of Lobuche is truly memorable!

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today has a real expedition feel to it and sees us leaving Lobuche at dawn. The sun soon reaches the summits of the Himalayan peaks and slowly lights up the valley bottom. We traverse the Khumbu Glacier, climbing towards Gorak Shep, whose name means ‘Graveyard of Crows’, the site for a couple of very basic lodges set amongst breathtaking mountain scenery. We continue at a slow but steady pace on our bid to reach Base Camp along the Khumbu Glacier, on a long and tiring day at altitude. After a little time to take photos and relax, we make our way back down to Gorak Shep where we stay the night.

Walking time: Approx. 8-9 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Khumbu Icefall Everest BC © Chhiringcap Lama

Today, for those that are in good shape it is a slow steady climb to the summit of Kala Pattar, a tough trek but a real achievement that is rewarded with spectacular views of the Khumbu Glacier below and the highest mountain in the world. We then descend to Periche to complete a long but unforgettable day. Where a trek to Kala Pattar is not possible we descend directly to Periche.

Walking time: Approx. 7-8 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

View from above Gorakshep © Peter Brøgger

This morning we head on down to the lovely twin villages of Pangboche. New Pangboche is where we’ll stay and Old Pangboche is home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, founded in 1667, which houses relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti.

We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen.

Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Periche and Ama Dablam © Elisabeth Hellenes

We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche and its famous monastery. There are magnificent views from here and Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants which can be seen. From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche.

Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hour

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Classic view of Namche © Luke Everson

Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.

Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Harvest time © Per Daugaard

After an early breakfast, you head to the airstrip with your guide for the return flight to Kathmandu. Flights out of Lukla usually depart early in the morning so you should arrive in Kathmandu with plenty of time for further sightseeing, shopping, getting a massage, or taking in the life of town from a street side cafe.

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu to check in and then the rest of the day is free.

Accommodation: None
Meals included: Breakfast

Lukla Airport © Don Bethune