Everest the Hard Way Trek
Nepal, Trek & Walk, 22 days - from $2,795 (land only)
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.
Day 2: An early start for the dramatic flight through the mountains to Lukla. After lunch we have a short trek to our first night's halt at Phakding (2610m). Camp.
Day 3: Following the Dudh Kosi Valley upstream, we cross and re-cross the river before making a final steep climb to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar (3440m). Lodge.
Day 4: A rest day at Namche for acclimatisation. There is the option of a day hike to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Lodge.
Day 5: We follow the Bhote Khosi river on a high trail passing the villages of Phurte and Thamo to a junction with the Thame Khola and the Sherpa settlement of Thame (3820m). Camp.
Day 6: A day for acclimatisation. After a visit to the Gompa above the village we follow a trail high on the valley side above the Thame Khola to reach summer Yak pastures at 4250 metres. Return to camp at Thame.
Day 7: We move up the main valley of the Bhote Khosi, (an ancient trade route with Tibet via the Nangpa La) to a camp at the village of Marulung. (4210m).
Day 8: A short day of 2 or 3 hours to our next camp at Airie (4400m). After lunch in camp we can explore further up the valley towards the Nangpa La.
Day 9: Climbing up out of the Bhote Khosi Valley towards Renjo Lake we make a high camp in a kharka or Yak pasture (4800m) below the pass. Camp
Day 10: An early start for a long but spectacular day, crossing the Renjo La (5340m). Descend to camp in the lakeside settlement of Gokyo (4790m.).
Day 11: This morning there is the option to walk to the 'fifth lake' or to ascend Gokyo Ri for more classic Everest views. We then cross the Ngozumpa Glacier to reach Dragang (4700m). Camp.
Day 12: Crossing the Cho La (5420m) we have excellent views of nearby Lobuche Peak East and of Ama Dablam. We descend to the Yak grazing area of Dzongla (4830m). Camp.
Day 13: We descend to join the main Everest Basecamp track at Lobuche Village. From here we ascend the ablation valley of the Khumbu glacier to reach Gorak Shep (5140m). Camp.
Day 14: Today we have the option to reach Everest Basecamp. The round trip from Gorak Shep takes approximately 7 hours. Camp.
Day 15: Option of an early morning ascent of Kala Pattar (c.5500m). Afterwards we descend to Lobuche and cross the Khumbu Glacier to reach a camp below our next pass. (5200m)
Day 16: Cross the Kongma La (5400m). There are more spectacular views including an unusual perspective on Ama Dablam as we descend to Dingboche (4360m). Camp.
Day 17: We begin our walk out through the Sherpa villages of the Khumbu, today passing through Pangboche which boasts the oldest gompa in the valley. We descend as far as Deboche (3700m), a small settlement nestled in the woods below Tyangboche monastery. Camp.
Day 18: We have now joined the main Everest trail which we follow past the famous monastery of Tyangboche and back to Namche. We will continue for a further 2 hours to reach Jorsale. Camp
Day 19: Our final day of trekking, following the Dudh Khosi mostly downhill but with a last climb up to Lukla. We say goodbye to our support crew in traditional style. We stay overnight in a basic lodge.
Day 20: Taking a morning flight to Kathmandu, we will have plenty of time after lunch for further sightseeing or shopping. Hotel.
Day 21: Free day Kathmandu. Hotel.
Day 22: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
