*New* - From July 2009, all our prices include a trekking pack (sleeping bag, trekking poles, down jacket), all meals on your trek, and your internal Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu flights. There is no local payment on this tour. 

Your tour begins with a guided tour of Kathmandu, where you walk through the winding streets and alleys, and see many temples, stupas and palaces. From Kathmandu you then fly to Lukla where this lodge-based trek starts. The walk from Lukla takes you first up the Dudh Kosi river valley past many small, picturesque Sherpa villages and through lush forests of rhododendron, magnolia and giant firs.

 

On arrival in Namche Bazaar, an historical Sherpa trading centre of the Khumbu region, you settle in to stay for a day to acclimatise to the high altitude. From Namche Bazaar you make a short ascent to Thenchboche, where the views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Everest are truly fantastic. You can also take time to visit the Buddhist monastery here.

 

You are now trekking through the Sagarmatha National Park area, and tremendous mountain scenery surrounds your trail as you make your way towards the high glacial region around Everest Base Camp.

 

Snow-capped mountains close around as you follow the Khumbu Glacier up to Gorak Shep (5,288m), and ascend Kala Pattar (5,545m). The view of Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Everest, from the summit of Kala Pattar, is truly breathtaking. The following morning, you trek to the Everest Base Camp area, from where so many expeditions have begun. From base camp you retrace your steps back to Lukla, on the way down appreciating spectacular views of peaks from angles you may have missed on the way up.

 

From Lukla you catch the morning flight back to Kathmandu where we leave a whole day free after the trek to allow for any delays during the trek, or to the flight back from Lukla.

 

You can enjoy this trek by joining one of our regular small-group departures, or by arranging it privately with us with one of our local guides, or use it as the base for a tailor-made itinerary. You can also extend the tour to do some wildlife viewing in Royal Chitwan or Bardia National Parks, or try some exciting white water rafting. 

 

Note: If you want to get great views of Everest, but either don't have the time for this trek, or want an easier walk, then our Instant Everest trek follows the same itinerary up as far as Tengboche where you get great views of Everest and the surrounding peaks.

 

Have you read our guide to Nepal? - includes health, climate & visa information

 

Check our Trekking Activity Guide for more information on trekking with us in Nepal.