School Adventure - Everest Basecamp
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: On arrival at Kathmandu Airport, usually in the afternoon, we will be met by our KE representative and transferred to the group hotel.
Day 2: We have a full day for sightseeing in Kathmandu which will include a visit to one of the local schools which has been rebuilt with the help of the Juniper Trust.
Day 3: An early start for the dramatic flight through the mountains to Lukla. After lunch we have a short trek to our first night's camp at Phakding (2610m/8560ft).
Day 4: 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/11280ft).
Day 5: A rest and acclimatisation day at Namche. One option is to take a hike up to Khunde and Khumjung for views that include Mount Everest. We can also visit the Sir Edmund Hillary School and the Everest Museum.
Day 6: We continue our trek now following the Imja Khola (river) to Thyangboche (3860m/12660ft) located on a ridge below the impressive north ridge of Kang Taiga.
Day 7: Today, our trek takes us to Pangboche, where there is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. Continuing our hike and gaining height only very gradually, we arrive at our camp in the picturesque settlement of Dingboche, at the entrance to the Khumbu Valley.
Day 8: In accordance with our programme of careful acclimatisation, we spend a rest day and second night camped at Dingboche. Options for day hikes include a 4 - 5 hour return trip to view the turquoise lake of Cho La Tso beneath the towering north face of Cholatse.
Day 9: Today we trek up the Imja Valley towards Chukung Ri. There are fantastic views towards Tibet and of Island Peak and Ama Dablam. We return to spend a third night at Dingboche.
Day 10: The trek today follows the Khumbu Valley to the tiny settlement at Dugla. Here, the trail starts to level out, following the lateral moraine on the west side of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche (4910m. / 16,110ft.), the last habitation on the route to Everest Basecamp. A day of 5 to 6 hours walking.
Day 11: We make the hike alongside the Khumbu Glacier to our camp at Gorak Shep, a grazing area with 2 tiny teahouses. From here, we make the climb up to the splendid viewpoint at Kala Patar 5500m/18,000ft), then return to Gorak Shep.
Day 12: Another spectacular day. Above Gorak Shep, it is a 5 to 6 hour round-trip to Everest Basecamp, walking at first on the moraine crest and finally on the Khumbu Glacier itself.
Day 13: From Gorak Shep we first retrace our steps to Lobuche, before descending the Khumbu Valley to Pheriche where we camp.
Day 14: A shorter day of around 5 hours walking. Leaving Pheriche, we soon reach a bridge across the Khumbu River and a junction with our outbound trail below Dingboche. We pass through Pangboche before crossing the Imja Khola and climbing to Thyangboche.
Day 15: Continuing our descent to the hamlet of Phunki, where there is a bridge across the Dudh Kosi, we follow the main trail to Namche Bazaar, which we reach after 5 hours. Time for sightseeing, souvenir buying and lunch, before a 3 hour downhill stroll takes us to Monjo, where we camp.
Day 16: From Monjo the trail descends steeply, passing through Phakding and Chopling, to reach Chaumrikharka where the trail cuts up to the airstrip at Lukla. We camp above the airstrip on the lawn of the Himalaya Lodge at the end of 5 hours trekking.
Day 17: We take the early morning flight to Kathmandu, where we check in to our hotel. The afternoon is free for sightseeing.
Day 18: Free time in Kathmandu, before transferring to the airport for the homeward flight.
