Everest High Places

Arrival

Arrive in Kathmandu.

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a busy city full of contrasts and extremes. Temples, religious shrines and a way of life centuries old all mingle with the hustle and bustle of 20th century. Today is free for individual exploration and you may like to visit some of the most important temples in the valley – Pashupatinath is one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. Bodnath is a large Tibetan Buddhist stupa and from Swayambhunath you get a good view over the whole of Kathmandu.

Flight to Lukla

We take the spectacular flight to Lukla, where we meet our guides. We set off downhill from Lukla to the village of Phakding (2656m) or Monjo (2815m). Approximately 4-5 hours walking.

Namche Bazaar (3445m)

We climb steadily on a winding path on the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, through villages and forests dwarfed by gigantic rock walls until a final steep pull brings us into Namche Bazaar. Namche is in a unique position surrounded by mountain ranges with colourful houses scattered in an amphitheatre of rock. Approximately 5-6 hours walking.

Namche Bazaar (3445m)

This morning we get up early to walk to the top of Namche for stunning sunrise views of the summit of Everest (8,848m) peeping out from behind the rock curtain of Nuptse. Today we spend the day around Namche acclimatizing to the rarefied air. We will trek to the villages of Khumjung and Khunde. At Kunde is the hospital built by Sir Edmund Hillary and in Khumjung we can visit the Hillary School and the ancient monastery which houses the only remaining skull of a yeti! Approximately 5-6 hours walking.

Thyangboche (3867m)

The trail today starts by undulating round the ridges before descending to the river. Then a steep uphill section through the forest brings us to Thyangboche. With stunning views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse the sunset and sunrise are not to be missed. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the famous Thyangboche monastery with its spectacular wall paintings. Approximately 5 hours walking.

Pangboche (3900m) - Dingboche (4350m)

A dramatic walk on a narrow traversing path to the quiet village of Pangboche (3900m), one of the highest inhabited villages on earth. A gradual climb leads us past Shomore, where we stop for lunch and then further climbing takes us above the tree line to the to the remote Sherpa village of Dingboche (4350m) at the entrance to the Khumbu valley. A slow and steady pace as we gain altitude will reap benefits. Approximately 5 hours walking.

Nangkartshang Peak (5100m)

We stay here for another night for acclimatisation and today head towards Nangkartshang Peak (5100m) for amazing views of an array of peaks including Makalu and Ama Dablam. The trail is very steep and we go as far as we can today. We return to Dingboche for a late lunch and have the afternoon to explore the village. Approximately 5 hours walking.

Chukkung Ri (5417m)

We follow an easy trail up the valley following the Imja Khola towards the village of Chukkung, with Island Peak looming directly ahead. From here we climb to Chukkung Ri (5417m) for a stunning panorama dominated by Makalu. Approximately 5 hours walking.

Lobuche (4950m) via Kongma La (5535m)

If the weather is good and we’re feeling fit, we will head for Lobuche via the Kongma La (5535m). It’s a very long day so we leave early taking a packed lunch from the lodge or plenty of snacks. The route climbs all morning and follows grassy slopes towards the pass past a series of beautiful lakes. A final steep rocky section brings us to the top where we are rewarded by some of the best views of the trek. Nuptse rises right above us and we can see Makalu in the distance and a whole host of other 7000m peaks. The descent is very steep and rocky at first so we need to be careful on the descent. A long descent brings us to the edge of the Khumbu glacier and the final sting in the tail today is a walk across the glacier.

Gorak Shep (5180m), visit Everest Base Camp

An early start again as we have a long walk today. We follow the main trail over the rocky moraine beside the Khumbu Glacier and climb up and down for almost 3 hours to the few lodges at Gorak Shep. After a snack and a rest, there is an option to continue on to Everest Base Camp (5300m), which will take another 3 hours. Take snacks, water and warm clothes as there are no lodges at Everest Base Camp. The trail climbs up and down at the side of the Khumbu glacier finally dropping onto the glacier itself for the last half an hour. From Base Camp we can see the Khumbu icefall tumbling down from Everest and in spring we can see the colourful tents of the expeditions attempting the peak. A quick photo stop we retrace our steps to our lodge at Gorak Shep arriving late afternoon.

Lobuje 4930m Kala Patar (5545m)

Early morning often gives clear weather on Kala Patar (5545m), a steep 2.5/3 hour climb above Gorak Shep. A must for the classic view of Everest’s magnificent south face and the Khumbu Icefall. We return to Gorak Shep and descend to Lobuje. Approximately 6.5 hours walking.

Dzongla 4843m via Awi Peak (5245m)

We head for Dzongla, which is an easy 5 hours walk from Lobuje on a wonderful trail contouring the hillsides with magnificent views. For the energetic there is the option to ascend Awi Peak en route which will add another three to four hours onto the day. Approximately 5 hours walking (9 hours with Awi Peak).

Cross the Cho La to Thangnak 4700m

A long day as we cross the glaciated Cho La Pass. We head up a quiet valley below the dramatic north face of Cholatse (6440m) towards Cho La (5368m). The route gets steeper with some rocky scrambling. After crossing the glacier at the top we descend, at first on a very steep rocky tail and then crossing a couple of ridges to drop down to our next lodge at Thangnak (4700m).

Gokyo 4750m

We cross the massive Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal, to reach the main trekking trail up the Gokyo valley and follow this for about an hour to reach the lodges at Gokyo. Set in a spectacular location by the lake we can either relax this afternoon or take a walk towards the 4th lake. Approximately 4 hours walking.

Climb Gokyo Ri (5360m)

This morning we climb Gokyo Ri for another spectacular 360° view including Everest, Nupte, Lhotse and the mighty Cho Oyu. The climb is steep and will take 2.5/3 hours. We return to Gokyo for lunch and the afternoon is free for more exploration. Approximately 4 hours walking.

Cross the Renzo La (5360m) to Lungden (4300m)

From Gokyo we skirt the lake and head up on a rocky path then across slabs to reach Renjo La (5360m) in about 4 hours. It’s quite different to the view from Gokyo Ri and on this, our final pass crossing, we can take time to enjoy the grand array of vast Himalayan giants all around us including magnificent views of Everest. All too soon it will be time to drop down, steeply at first, to our next lodge at Lungden. Approximately 8 hours walking.

Thame (3820m)

An easy walk down the valley to Thame where we spend the night. We have now joined the trading route between Nepal and Tibet and it’s more likely we’ll see Tibetans heading to or from Namche’s busy market than other trekkers. In the afternoon there will be time to visit Thame’s beautiful Gompa which is over 300 years old and to have a walk around the village to see the way of life which is more traditional here than in the popular trekking areas. Approximately 4 hours walking.

Monzo (2815m)

Heading back down the trail we’ll have a stop in Namche then retrace our steps back down the Dudh Kosi River to overnight in Monzo. Approximately 6 hours walking.

Lukla (2850m)

We continue down the valley but there is also a fair amount of climbing today to reach Lukla. However by now we are fit and acclimatised, and it’s so much easier than on the way up! It’s time to say goodbye to the porters who have enabled us to make this amazing journey. Approximately 5 hours walking.

Kathmandu

Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.

A final day in Kathmandu

A final day in Kathmandu – perhaps visit Swayambunath – ‘The Monkey Temple’, or do some last minute shopping.

Depart Kathmandu

Depart Kathmandu or continue with your own arrangements.