The first Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay is off the ground. The team landed in Kathmandu, completed their gear check, and is now on the trail in the Khumbu Valley.

Day 2 brought the group together with their expedition leader, Senior Mountain Guide Tomi Ceppi, for a full trip briefing and gear check. Tomi brings an exceptional depth of experience to this program, having summited Everest, climbed Lhotse without supplemental oxygen, led 14 expeditions to Vinson Massif in Antarctica, and skied to the South Pole. He is EPGAM certified and has guided extensively across the Himalayas, the Andes, and Patagonia. That evening, the team gathered for their welcome dinner in Kathmandu before an early start on Day 3.

Today, the team flew into Lukla (9,337 ft / 2,845 m) this morning and began the trek on foot, dropping through the river valley to Phakding (8,562 ft / 2,610 m) for their first night on the mountain. From here, the itinerary gradually builds elevation, with strategic rest days built in at key intervals ahead of Base Camp.

Updates to follow as the team moves deeper into the Khumbu and more climbers and trekkers arrive in Kathmandu.

Photos courtesy of Tomi Ceppi.