On a clear day, flying into Kathmandu is an exhilarating experience. It’s almost joyful to see the mountain ranges below you covered in snow, which sets off a series of unforgettable events that stay with you for a very, very long time. Additionally, as soon as your aircraft touches down at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, a member of our waiting support staff will meet and greet you there before escorting you to your hotel. Hotel overnight stay.

Since Nepal began welcoming tourists, Kathmandu, the historical and cultural center of the country, has become a well-liked travel destination. A beautiful fusion of Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, and Western influence can be seen in the city. The tallest Buddhist pagoda in Nepal, Boudhnath, will be the first stop on a guided tour. Pashupatinath, the most well-known Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, will follow. We travel 5 kilometers away from Kathmandu to Patan, commonly known as Lalitpur (the City of Artisans). The architectural marvels of the Malla era are breathtaking as we go through Patan Durbar Square. The main attractions in the square are the Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple, and Golden Temple. Hotel overnight stay.

From Kathmandu, a breathtaking 30-minute flight takes us to Lukla, a cliff-hanging airfield in the Khumbu region, where the journey to the Everest region starts. We meet the team, take a clearly indicated track up the Dudh Koshi Valley, and spend the night in Phakding. Lodge overnight stay.

We use high suspension bridges to cross and recross the river starting in Phakding. Beyond Monjo is the Sagarmatha National Park entrance, which was established to safeguard and conserve the delicate mountain ecosystem. Then we trek uphill to Namche. We catch our first glimpse of Mount Everest if the skies are clear. The main trading hub of the Khumbu, Namche, hosts a bustling Saturday market that serves as a gathering place for locals, traders from the lowlands, and Tibetan yak caravans that have traversed the glaciated Nangpa La. Lodge overnight stay.

In the midst of the massive peaks of the Khumbu, Namche is tucked away between two ridges and is home to a plethora of lodges, teahouses, and gift shops. It is the perfect site to spend the day adjusting to the higher altitude before continuing on to Tengboche. We visit the Sir Edmund Hillary-founded Khunde Hospital or hike for an hour up to the Everest vista Hotel above Namche for the sunset vista of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest to acclimate. The National Park Centre and Museum, which is located just above the town, also offers attractive views. Sleeping at the lodge.

The view is amazing today as we continue on the main trail north of Namche. A short ascent to a peak leads to a stunning vista of Everest and Lhotse. For a while longer, we continue on this major track, passing numerous vendors selling Tibetan handicrafts, until we reach a crossroads situated high above the Dudh Kosi. Prior to arriving at Phortse Tenga, we divert from the Everest trail and rise to cross the Mon La. The trail ascends steeply to Dole from Phortse Tenga through a birch and rhododendron woodland covered with hanging mosses and lichens.

From Dole, we make a steady ascent up the valley’s side, where the rhododendron forests gradually give place to scrub juniper as we gain altitude. Many summer communities, or “yersa,” may be seen along the trail. Yaks are brought to these pastures in the summer to feed there. Excellent views of Cho Oyu can be seen in front of us, while Kantega and Thamserku Peaks can be seen in the distance. Our journey today is brief, and we will reach Machermo in time for lunch.

We will stay at Machermo for an additional day to acclimatize since we are already close to 4500m. Around Machhermo, there are many opportunities for exploration, and just above the settlement, there is a beautiful vista that includes Cho Oyu (8210m) and the mountains that border the Ngozumpa Glacier.

We proceed to Gokyo’s lakes. To get to Pangka, we take a very beautiful route. From there, we drop a little bit by following one of the rivers that go off the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After passing the first of the holy lakes, we ascend a steep, rocky incline into the valley by the glacier. We quickly reach the second lake and proceed across the slope that leads to Cho La, which is our later route to Lobuche and Everest. The town of Gokyo is located on the eastern coast of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. The landscape is stunning as you stroll by the lake’s edge and can see Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang’s summits mirrored in it.

Following a difficult path up the mountain, we depart just after first light. Gokyo Ri towers above the settlement on the northern end of the lake. The Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu peaks gradually come into view as we ascend, and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself is among the best in the Everest region—some claim it is even greater than that from Kala Patthar. If you still have some stamina, you can get better views by returning to the main trail and continuing north to the fourth and fifth Gokyo lakes, which are about three hours from Gokyo.

We depart from Gokyo to traverse the Ngozumpa Glacier feeling healthy and acclimated. After reaching the second lake, we descend onto the glacier. Cairns highlight the path across the glacier, which is often well-defined. We leave the glacier at a little structure called Thagnag and proceed down a short valley to our accommodation in the community.

Today, we must cross Cho La and make the arduous descent to Lobuche, so we must get going early. Before commencing the difficult struggle to the pass, we continue up the valley, cross a ridge, and an old lateral moraine. Excellent views can be seen across the Rolwaling Valley to the west and Ama Dablam to the south-east from the pass. A small glacier must be easily crossed on the way down from the pass, which is frequently covered with snow. As we make our way down to the fields below, we have even better views of Ama Dablam and the intimidating north face of Cholatse. To connect with the main Everest trek, the route to Lobuche circles the grassy slopes above a lake, the Tshola Tsho.

It takes a very early start to get to Gorak Shep. The pathway provides breathtaking views of the mountains in the area, especially as it must ascend to cross a tributary glacier. We make a lunch halt in Gorak Shep. We travel to the Everest Base Camp later in the day. The trail winds among ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier, taking many hours. On the way back, we have the option of taking a higher path to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Khumbu icefall and the path leading to the South Col. Back in Gorak Shep we go.

Following the Khumbu Glacier in the morning, we go to the summit of one of the best vistas in the Everest region, Kala Pattar [5554m]. We hike back to Pheriche for the night after Kalapatthar.

As we descend the hill toward Tengboche, we continue our ascent until we reach Kyanjuma, the intersection of the three routes leading to Gokyo Valley, Khumjung Village, and Namche Bazaar. The rhododendron forest offers stunning views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawache, and Lhotse as well as a variety of fauna, including certain species of pheasants, stunning griffons, musk deer, and wild goat. We can explore a little nearby location with gorgeous landscape in the evening.

It requires a much less time and effort to descend, and AMS is plainly no longer a problem. Enjoy the passes and the forest until we return to Phakding for the night.

The Dudh Kosi is followed on our last day of hiking back to Lukla. This final night in the mountains is the perfect time for a farewell celebration with the Sherpa guides and porters, where we can try some chang, learn some Sherpa dance, and reflect on an unforgettable trekking adventure.

We get ready early and travel to the airport to catch a flight to Kathmandu. You are free to pursue your own interests after touchdown. You might finish up any last-minute buying and packing, send some amazing photos home, or perhaps take a trip through Thamel, a well-known tourist destination in Asia.

You are driven to the airport by our Nepalese support team for your return journey. (Or stay longer for short tours such as wildlife drive at National parks, do some wild-water rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking, etc- please ask us).