Trip Facts
- Activities: Trekking
- Trekking Type: Tea House
- Best Season: Sept - Dec / Feb - May
- Total Duration: 21 Days
- Trek Duration: 18 Days
- Group Size: 2+ Pax
- Max. Height: 5,340 m. / 17,519 FT
- Transportation: Fly in / Out
- Trek Start From: Kathmandu
- Trek End To: Kathmandu
Detail Itinerary of Everest High Valley Trekking
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu at (1'365m. 4'478ft.)
the panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. And as your plane hits the tarmac, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Welcome drinks will be served and over night at your hotel. - Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century palace of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath. At eventide, you will be briefed about your trip. - Day 03: Kathmandu fly to Lukla at (2'850m. 9'350ft) - Phading at (2'656m. 8'713ft) about 4 hours Trek
A spectacular flight and a creepy gutsy landing on a steep mountain runway bring us to the start of our trek at the village of Lukla at [2850m]. After meeting the crew and sorting out details for the long hike and the limb crunching climb, we head up the Dudh Kosi Valley on a well-marked trail to our first camp near the river at Phakding. - Day 04: Phakding - Namche Bazaar at (3'450m. 11'318ft.) about 7 hours Trek
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. We then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch our 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. - Day 05: Rest day in Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar 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 that seems to meet western standards, even at this remote mountain outpost. The amazing Sherpa folks down here have learnt a lot from the big expeditions that have passed this way. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. Options for acclimatization walks include a visit to Khunde hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or 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. - Day 06: Namche Bazaar - Thame at (3'739m. 12'267ft.) about 6 hours Trek
From Namche the route turns west and the trail is almost level as we head up the Bhote Kosi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. Along the way we pass many prayer flags and mani stones, all indicative of the Tibetan Buddhist culture of this area. After descending to the Bhote Kosi the trail climbs steeply to Thame. From here there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde. To the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame Gompa is situated above the village overlooking the valley and is the site for the spring celebrations of the Mani Rimdu festival. - Day 07: Thame - Khumjung (3'786m. 12'421ft.) about 6 hours Trek
We retrace our route down the Bhote Kosi Valley towards Namche Bazaar and branch off to follow a quiet trail to Khumjung. It is a picturesque village which also has its own gompa at the top end of town. From our camping spot we have excellent views of Thamserku, Kantega and Ama Dablam. - Day 08: Khumjung - Dole at (4'040m. 13'254ft.) about 7 hours Trek
leaving Khumjung the trail climbs to a large Chorten on top of a ridge. This ridge descends from Khumbila, a 5734m peak, said to be the abode of the patron God of the Khumbu region. The trail descends towards the Dudh Kosi where we stop for lunch near the bridge leading to the village of Phortse. We then pass through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. - Day 09: Dole - Machermo at (4'410m. 14'468ft.)about 4 hours Trek
From Dole we climb steadily along the side of the valley. As the altitude increases, the rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper. The trail passes many summer settlements (yersa), which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in summer. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short trek and we will arrive at Machermo in time for lunch. - Day 10: Machermo - Gokyo lake at (4'750m. 15'583ft.) about 6 hours Trek
Today we head for the lakes at Gokyo. We follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the melting rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. We soon arrive at the second lake, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La - our route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari (Milk Lake) and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. - Day 11: Early morning we ascent of Gokyo Ri at (5'340m. 17'519ft) about 3 hours and back to Gokyo we leave for Na at (4'390m. 14'402ft.) about 4 hours Trek
Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake. We leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As we climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into view and the sight from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is one of the finest to be had in the Everest region - some say it is even better than that from Kala Pattar. After lunch it is a short walk to the village of Na, situated at the foot of the Ngozumpa Glacier. - Day 12: Na - Phortse at (3'542m. 11'620ft.) about 7 hours Trek
Now we descend back along the valley to Phortse, a village which seems unaffected by the advent of trekkers. The quiet rhythm of life continues as it has always done in the village. We camp among the potato fields in the upper part of the village and savour the magnificent mountain views. - Day 13: Phortse - Dingboche at (4'336m. 14'225ft.) about 7 hours Trek
From Phortse the trail climbs and contours around the west side of the Imja Khola valley, providing excellent views of Ama Dablam, the Nuptse-Lhotse wall and Everest. We enter Pangboche on the high trail and after lunch visit the monastery which has relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. From Pangboche we walk through alpine meadows and pass beneath the towering Ama Dablam to Dingboche. - Day 14: Dingboche - Lobuche at (4'939m. 16'204ft.) about 6 hours Trek
After passing the teahouses of Duglha, we climb higher onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier, passing a row of stone monuments built in memory of Sherpas who have died on mountaineering expeditions to Mt Everest. From here the trail drops and follows the west side of the valley to Lobuche. The sunset on Nuptse from here is quite spectacular. - Day 15: Loboche - Gorak Shep at (5'184m. 17'007ft.) about 4 hours Trek
Our next stepover is Kala Pattar. The trail at first follows the valley beside the Khumbu Glacier, and offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at camp for the night, Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon, when the sun begins to set over the Everest peak, we make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar at (5'554m. 18221ft.) As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our camp at Gorak Shep and have an early night in preparation for our trek to Everest Base Camp the following day. - Day 16: Early morning we ascent of Kala Pattar at (5'554m. 18'221ft.) about 3 hours and Everest Base Camp at (5'357m. 17'575ft.) about 5 hours Trek
To reach Everest Base Camp, a very early start is required. It takes several hours on the trail which weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col. We return to either Gorak Shep for the night. - Day 17: Gorak Shep - Pangboche at (3'985m. 13'074ft.) about 7 hours Trek
Today is downhill most of the way, as we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has a trekkers’ aid post here and it is quite interesting. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche. - Day 18: Pangboche - Namche Bazaar at (3'450m. 11'318ft.) about 8 hours Trek
We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to the famous monastery at Thyangboche. The views from here are magnificent and Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From Thyangboche 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 Bazaar. - Day 19: Namche Bazaar - Lukla at (2'850m.9'350ft.) about 8 hours Trek
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 (local beer - a favorite drink on the mountains), do a jug to some Sherpa dancing and reflect back on a memorable trekking experience. - Day 20: Lukla - Kathmandu at 13'65m. 4'478 ft.) about 30 minuts of fly.
We pack up early and head for the airstrip to hop a flight back to Kathmandu On touchdown, the rest of your hours is free to do your own things. You could do some last minute shopping and packing, or send a few post cards home or even go down for a stroll to Thamel, an internationally known hub for tourists in Asia. - Day 21: Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home.
