You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where a representative meets you and escorts you to a tourist standard hotel. If time permits, you attend a meeting at the office for a briefing about the trek and are introduced to other team members, including Sherpas and guides. A welcome dinner is hosted at a popular local restaurant, where you experience authentic Nepali food, cultural music, and ethnic dance. If your flight arrives late, both the meeting and dinner are scheduled for the following day.

Kathmandu is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Durbar Square and Swayambhunath.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Dinner

You are picked up at your hotel and taken by private vehicle to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport for an early morning flight to Lukla. The flight lasts about 30 to 35 minutes and lands at Lukla Airport, known for its challenging location. Upon arrival, you meet additional crew members and prepare your luggage for the porters. The trek begins as you leave Lukla and follow a downhill and flat trail for about four hours to reach Phakding. After arriving in Phakding, you can freshen up and rest, then spend the remainder of the day exploring the settlement. You stay overnight at a lodge in Phakding, with meals provided throughout the day.

Lukla Airport, officially named Tenzing Hillary Airport, is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world due to its short runway and mountainous surroundings.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You leave Phakding and cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River to begin your trek toward Namche Bazaar. The trail follows the east bank of the river, passing through rhododendron and magnolia forests. You cross another suspension bridge to return to the east bank and continue along the river to a third suspension bridge. After crossing, you walk to Monjo, the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. While your team leader handles national park formalities, you can visit the local monastery and tea shops. The trail then descends to Larja Dobhan, where the Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi rivers meet. After a short hike and crossing another bridge, you see your first view of Mt. Everest. The trail continues uphill until you reach Namche Bazaar. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the area. You stay overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar, with meals provided.

Namche Bazaar is a historic trading hub and the main center for trekkers in the Khumbu region.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You spend the day acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar, as you are now above 3,000 meters. Activities are planned to help with the acclimatization process. You can visit and explore nearby villages such as Khunde and Khumjung, or hike to the old Sherpa village of Thame. Other options include visiting the local museum, the National Park Headquarters, or enjoying internet services and cafes in Namche Bazaar. You stay overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar, with meals provided.

Namche Bazaar hosts a weekly market where traders from Tibet and the surrounding villages gather to exchange goods.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You leave Namche Bazaar and begin with a short uphill hike to a ridge, passing the Tenzing Norgay Memorial Stupa. From the ridge, you enjoy views of snow-capped peaks before taking an easy walk to Kyangjuma. The trail then descends past the longest Mani Walls and through the village of Sanasa, continuing through rhododendron forests until you reach the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga. After crossing the bridge, a steep climb leads you to Tengboche Monastery. In the afternoon, you visit and explore the monastery. You stay overnight at a lodge in Tengboche, with meals provided.

Tengboche Monastery is the largest monastery in the Khumbu region and an important spiritual center for Sherpas.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You leave Tengboche by descending stone steps to cross a bridge over the Imja River at Chaturje. After the crossing, a steep hike brings you to another bridge at Somare. From Somare, you continue on a flat trail through alpine meadows and yak herds, following the west bank of the Imja River. After crossing another bridge, you make the final vertical climb of the day to reach Dingboche. The remainder of the day is available for you to explore the village and enjoy mountain views. You stay overnight at a lodge in Dingboche, with meals provided.

Dingboche is known as the “summer valley” of the Khumbu region and is surrounded by fields enclosed by stone walls to protect crops from the wind and grazing animals.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You spend a second acclimatization day in Dingboche, as you are now above 4,000 meters. You can choose to explore the Dingboche Valley, hike up to Chhukung toward Island Peak, or climb Chhukung Ri. Later in the evening, you have time to relax and prepare for the upcoming hikes to higher altitudes. You stay overnight at a lodge in Dingboche, with meals provided.

Chhukung Ri is a popular viewpoint that offers panoramic views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak.

Guide: Included for the day

You depart Dingboche and continue walking toward Palrung Kharka, crossing Dusa through the Khumbu Khola Valley. You cross a suspension bridge over a roaring stream and ascend toward Dughla. The trek continues past Thokla Pass and joins the circuit route. After meeting the circuit trail, you gently hike up the steep terminal of the Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche. In the evening, you can explore the village of Lobuche. You stay overnight at a lodge in Lobuche, with meals provided.

Lobuche is a small settlement that serves as a common stop for trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp and is located near the Khumbu Glacier.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You leave Lobuche and hike toward Gorak Shep, following the trail along the Khumbu Glacier. Along the way, you pass the Lobuche Glacier, Pyramid, and Lobuche Pass before reaching the junction where the Changri Nup Glacier and Changri Sar Glacier meet the Khumbu Glacier. You cross the glacier to arrive at Gorak Shep. From Gorak Shep, you follow a moraine route along a glacial and rocky trail to reach Everest Base Camp. After spending time at the base camp, you return to Gorak Shep for the night. You stay overnight at a lodge in Gorak Shep, with meals provided.

Everest Base Camp sits at an altitude of about 5,320 meters and is the starting point for climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You start early in the morning from Gorak Shep to hike up to Kala Patthar. After a couple of hours, you reach the famous viewpoint of Kala Patthar, where you can see panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam. You spend time here appreciating and photographing the Mahalangur Himal. Afterward, you return to Gorak Shep for breakfast and then retrace your route down to Pheriche. You stay overnight at a lodge in Pheriche, with meals provided.

Kala Patthar is renowned for offering one of the best accessible views of the summit of Mount Everest.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You leave Pheriche and follow an easy downhill trail to Pangboche. The path then drops to the riverside, where you cross a bridge over the Imja Khola and continue to climb toward Tengboche. From Tengboche, a steep descent leads you to the Dudh Koshi River, where you cross another bridge at Phunki Tenga. You then walk past the villages of Sanasa and Khyangjuma before reaching Namche Bazaar. In the evening, you can enjoy a hot shower to relax your muscles or spend time in the local restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. You stay overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar, with meals provided.

Namche Bazaar is a key acclimatization stop for trekkers and has a variety of amenities, including shops and bakeries.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you depart Namche Bazaar and descend to cross a bridge near the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. A gentle ascent brings you to Monjo, where your team leader completes national park check-out formalities. You cross two suspension bridges, one over the Monjo River and another over the Bhote Koshi River, then descend to Phakding, passing through Bengkar and other small settlements. Following the trail along the Dudh Koshi River, you reach Thado Koshi Gaon, where the trail and river diverge. You continue through several small settlements, observing local lifestyles, before an upward hike brings you to the village of Lukla. The evening can be spent with crew members or reflecting on your journey. You stay overnight at a lodge in Lukla, with meals provided.

Lukla is the main gateway for trekkers entering and leaving the Everest region, and its airport is a vital link to Kathmandu.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You leave Lukla early in the morning for a flight back to Kathmandu, which takes about 35 minutes and offers scenic mountain views. Sherpas carry your luggage to the airport, and your team leader handles all formalities. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a private vehicle transfers you to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day resting at the hotel or exploring the city. In the evening, there is a meeting to discuss your trek and provide feedback. You stay overnight at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu, with meals provided.

Kathmandu is known for its vibrant markets and historic architecture, making it a popular destination for travelers returning from the mountains.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On your final day in Nepal, a representative escorts you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight departure time. If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, you have the option to go shopping for mementos or spend time in Kathmandu’s shopping areas. If you plan to extend your stay in Nepal, arrangements can be made for additional activities. Your journey in Nepal concludes with your departure from Kathmandu.

Tribhuvan International Airport is Nepal’s only international airport and serves as the main gateway for travelers entering and leaving the country.

Meals: Breakfast