The Ultimate Everest Trek
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KELand 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. / 8563ft.). 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. / 11,287ft.). Lodge
Day 4: Acclimatisation around Namche. Hiking options include a short, steep climb to the Museum of Sherpa Culture, or a longer day visiting the Sherpa town of Thame. Lodge.
Day 5: Trek via the Sherpa villages of Kumjung and Kunde to Kangjuma (3620m. / 11,877ft.). An easier option on a contour trail which avoids the climb to Kunde and Kumjung is available. Camp.
Day 6: Crossing the Mon La (c. 3900m. / 12,800ft.), we enter the Gokyo Valley which is the main drainage for the glaciers of Cho Oyu. We trek as far as Dole (4050m. / 13,288ft.). Camp.
Day 7: The trail climbs steadily up valley on forested hillside and through open pasture. There are several refreshment halts en route to our camp at Machermo (4465m. / 14,650ft.).
Day 8: Acclimatisation day at Machermo. It is possible to climb quite high on the nearby ridge for magnificent views of Everest and Makalu. Camp.
Day 9: Today we climb past the first and second of Gokyo's five lakes to reach our campsite on the shores of the third and biggest lake at an altitude of 4791m. / 15,719ft. Camp.
Day 10: An early start for the short ascent of Gokyo Ri (5360m. / 17,585ft.). We descend to a late breakfast before crossing the Ngozumba Glacier to Dragnag. (4700m / 15,420ft.). Camp.
Day 11: A big day crossing the Cho La pass (5420m. / 17,783ft.) and descending to the yak grazing area of Dzongla (4830m. / 15,847ft.). Camp.
Day 12: 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. / 16,864ft.), Camp.
Day 13: Today we reach Everest Basecamp, firstly on moraine, then on the Khumbu Glacier itself. We retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Camp.
Day 14: Our camp is at the foot of Kala Patar and we make an early morning ascent of this classic Everest viewpoint (c.5500m. ./ 18,000ft.). Afterwards we descend to Pheriche (4270m. / 14,000ft.). Camp.
Day 15: Our return trek follows the main Everest Trail via Pangboche to Thyangboche where we visit the monastery. After lunch we descend to the Imja Khola before a final steep climb to Kangjuma. Camp.
Day 16: From Kangjuma we have an easy morning's walk to Namche where we have time for some souvenir buying and lunch before a steep descent and final short climb to Monjo. Camp.
Day 17: Mostly downhill today following the fall of the Dudh Kosi River, but there's a sting in the tail as we make the final short climb to Lukla. Lodge.
Day 18: Taking a morning flight to Kathmandu, we will have plenty of time after lunch for further sightseeing or shopping. Hotel.
Day 19: This is a spare day in case of delays with flights from Lukla. A guided sightseeing tour of the city's main attractions is provided, this will include some of the city's colourful Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 20: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
