Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where our team will greet you and transfer you to our 5-star hotel. Today is a pure arrival day; you can arrive at any time that suits you. Settle in, rest, relax, and shake off the jetlag. 

• Overnight: Hotel, Kathmandu
• Meals: _/_/_/
• Guide Tip: Use any free hours to rest and recover. It’s an exciting journey ahead, but you have lots of time to socialize and explore. Hydrate & get on the timezone.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before an in-depth trip briefing and gear checks with your guide and team. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the city, hit the spa or gym, or relax. Tonight we celebrate with a welcome dinner.

• Overnight: Hotel, Kathmandu
• Meals: B/_/D
• Guide Tip: Listen closely during the briefing, as we will answer most of your questions to help you when you repack for your trek. If you’ve forgotten something, today’s your day to go pick it up in town. Thamel has the best selection of quality gear

We will take an early-morning flight to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. After arriving in this quaint Sherpa village terraced into the hillside, we will begin our trek as we pass through the gates of Sagarmatha National Park and into the famed Khumbu Valley. 

• Distance: 4.5 mi | 7 km
• Duration: 3 – 4 hours
• Elevation Profile:
  • Start: Lukla ~9,383 ft / 2,860 m
  • End: Phakding ~8,563 ft / 2,610 m
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Phakding
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Easy and gentle opener with a net downhill, but expect a few short climbs to wake the legs up. 
• Guide Tip: Start slower than you think. Practice being present and conscious of your foot placement. Use your trekking poles.

Today will be our first full day of trekking, following the Dudh Koshi River, crossing its roaring glacial waters via the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge before ascending Namche Hill to the thriving Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar, where we will stay for the next two nights. 

• Distance: 6.5 – 7.5 mi | 10 -12 km
• Duration: 5 – 7 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Phakding ~8,563 ft / 2,610 m
  • End: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Namche Bazaar
• Meals: B/L/D
• TodayFeels Like: Our first big day, especially the final climb. Steady, slow pacing and self-care are key.
• Guide Tip: The final climb into Namche is all about learning high altitude pacing. Take small, steady steps and focus on breathing, not speed. Drink lots of water today.

Today, we slow the pace to support acclimatization in the thinning air, with a recommended gentle hike to the 300-year-old Thamo Monastery, a quiet, lesser-visited, working monastery offering a rare window into Sherpa spiritual life and culture. The afternoon is yours to explore and enjoy the cobbled streets of Namche. 

• Distance: 4 mi | 6.5 km (round-trip)
• Duration: 3 – 5 hours, including stops
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m
  • High Point: Thamo Monastery ~12,500 ft / 3,810 m 
  • End: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Namche Bazaar
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Gentle but noticeable at altitude.  Perfect acclimatization aid.
• Guide Tip: Even on acclimatization/rest days, movement is key. Doing the hike helps your body adapt far better than staying still.

We resume our trek, climbing high above Namche Bazaar for our first views of Everest and the striking Ama Dablam, widely considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. A steady ascent up Tengboche Hill brings us to Tengboche Monastery, before retreating downhill through blooming rhododendron forests to the riverside village of Deboche.

• Distance: ~6 mi | 9 – 10 km
• Duration: 5 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m
  • End: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Tengboche
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Your first classic Khumbu day with rolling terrain and a challenging climb at the end.
• Guide Tip: Eat and hydrate consistently today. The ups and downs and rising altitude can drain energy faster than expected. You will hear your guides say “bistari, bistari,” which is Nepali for “slowly, slowly.” 

As the air thins, we take time to allow our bodies to adapt to the altitude. Today includes a short acclimatization hike above the village and time at Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual heart of the Khumbu Valley. Here, you will receive a traditional blessing from Tibetan Buddhist monks for a safe and fulfilling journey ahead.

• Distance: 2 – 3 mi | 3 – 5 km
• Duration: 2 – 3 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m
  • High Point: Tengboche Monastery ~13,700 – 14,300 ft / 4,175 – 4,350 m 
  • End: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Tengboche
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Short, sharp but purposeful. A good leg stretch to stimulate your altitude adaptation without overexertion.
• Guide Tip: Climb high, sleep low. Gaining a little extra elevation today helps your body prepare for what’s ahead.

Back on the trail, we climb above the treeline as forest gives way to alpine tundra, continuing to the high-altitude hamlet of Pheriche, a simple stone settlement set within a wide, wind-swept valley. You are now deep in the remote high-Himalaya, with views of some of the Khumbu’s most striking peaks, including Ama Dablam, Taboche, and Cholatse, as well as a deep cultural and spiritual presence.

• Distance: 6 – 7.5 mi | 10 – 12 km
• Duration: 5 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m
  • End: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m
• Overnight: Mountain Teahouse, Pheriche
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Gradual but steady. Terrain is smoother, but the higher elevations will make you feel it. 
• Guide Tip: You may start to feel the effects of the altitude a little more here. That’s completely normal. Keep your pace conversational, meaning if you can talk comfortably with your team while trekking, you’re at the right pace.

Today we take an acclimatization hike to the ridgeline above the village, where some of the Khumbu’s finest views unfold. In the afternoon, we visit the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), where doctors run daily educational talks on altitude illness.  A long-standing and essential part of helping trekkers and climbers stay safe in this alpine environment. 

• Distance: 1.5 – 2.5 mi | 2 -4 km
• Duration: 2 – 4 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m
  • High Point: HRA ~15,800 – 16,300 ft / 4,820 – 4,970 m
  • End: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m
• Overnight: Mountain Teahouse, Pheriche
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Short but steady, a flexible acclimatization day tailored to your team.
• Guide Tip: Altitude is all about listening to your body. Small symptoms addressed early can prevent bigger problems later. Keep communication open with your guide: we can help, but we can’t read minds (yet!).

Today we leave the main trail behind, side-stepping away from the crowds and into a more remote, expedition-style environment as we make our way to Lobuche Base Camp via the famous memorial chortons. Here, you’ll spend your first night under the stars in our private tented camp – a real mountaineering camp used by Everest climbers as they prepare for their first acclimatization rotation on Lobuche East.

• Distance: 5 – 6 mi | 8 -10 km
• Duration: 4 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m
  • End: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 – 16,100 ft / 4,800 – 4,900 m
• Overnight: Tented Mountain Camp, Lobuche Base Camp
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Steady climb into even higher altitudes, allow your pace to slow and become more deliberate as the air continues to thin. 
• Guide Tip: From here on, self-care is key. Drink before you’re thirsty, layer up as soon as you stop, stay warm, and keep eating, even when you don’t feel like it. The altitude will make you feel like you aren’t hungry. 

Today’s acclimatization hike from Lobuche Base Camp toward Lobuche High Camp is a bit of an adventure, with a playful rock scramble leading us higher into the snow line. Reaching an elevation similar to Everest Base Camp, this marks a key acclimatization milestone, building both physical adaptation and confidence for the days ahead. We take time to soak in the spectacular views before returning to Lobuche Base Camp for a relaxed afternoon to unwind and enjoy life in camp with the team. 

• Distance: 2–3 miles | 3–5 km (round trip)
• Duration: 3–5 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 – 16,100 ft / 4,800 – 4,900 m
  • High Point: Lobuche High Camp ~17,200 – 17,800 ft / 5,250 – 5,450 m
  • End: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 – 16,100 ft / 4,800 – 4,900 m
• Overnight: Tented Mountain Camp, Lobuche Base Camp
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: A fun, short, hands-on scramble, which is a purposeful challenge at altitude.
• Guide Tip: Slow everything down. At this altitude, consistency beats intensity every time.

Today, we reach the last and highest inhabited village before Everest Base Camp. This high-altitude outpost was the official Base Camp for the 1953 Everest expedition, where Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary reached the summit, sealing their place in the record books as the first ascent. Gorak Shep is remote, basic, and a little rugged, so get ready for our last stop on the trek to Everest Base Camp proper! 

• Distance: 5 – 6 mi | 8 -10 km
• Duration: 4 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 – 16,100 ft / 4,800 – 4,900 m  
  • End: Gorak Shep ~16,924 / 5,158 m
• Overnight: Mountain Teahouse, Gorak Shep
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: A gradual climb will give way to a steady one that feels longer than it should due to the rocky terrain and high altitudes.
• Guide Tip: Your acclimatization hike to Lobuche High Camp will help you today as you skirt the Lobuche Glacier. Take your time and enjoy the first views of Everest Base Camp.

You’ve put in the work and taken the time to acclimatize properly. Waking early, we’ll make an early ascent of Kala Pattar, which offers the most spectacular views of Everest, Nuptse, and Pumori. Picking our way over the glacial moraine, we head into Everest Base Camp after stopping for a photo at Trekkers Rock, a spray-painted rock on the very outskirts of camp where most Everest Base Camp journeys end. From here, we continue into the heart of Everest Base Camp proper, with exclusive access to the working summiteer’s camp. 

• Distance: 3 – 5 miles | 5 – 8 km
• Duration: 5 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Gorak Shep ~16,924 / 5,158 m
  • High Point: 18,192 – 18,209 ft / 5,545 – 5,550 m
  • End: Everest Base Camp ~17,598 ft / 5,364 m
• Overnight: Luxury Dome, Everest Base Camp 
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Cold and dark at the start, but Kala Patthar is short and steep, and worth every step. The views of Everest from the summit ridge are the best you’ll get on this trip. From there, the walk to Base Camp across the moraine is straightforward. 
• Guide Tip: Sleeping at this altitude can be challenging. Stick to simple wind-down routines, limit screen time, stay warm, and focus on rest rather than on perfect sleep. If you are lying still, your body will thank you regardless.

Today offers a hands-on introduction to mountaineering, with an optional ice climbing clinic on the lower Khumbu Glacier. Under expert guidance, you’ll strap on crampons and experience the same techniques used by Everest climbers.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Base Camp. Soak in the unique atmosphere, sip the highest cappuccino in the world, or even enjoy a game of high altitude ping pong in the Big House! 

• Distance: 0.5 – 1.5 miles | 1 – 2 km
• Elevation Profile: Everest Base Camp ~17,598 ft / 5,364 m
• Overnight: Luxury Dome, Everest Base Camp
• Meals: B/L/D
• Guide Tip: When ice climbing, trust your feet. Stand tall, weight each step, and let the crampons do their job. Save your arms and your energy for where it matters.

It’s time to bid farewell to Everest Base Camp. Today, we begin our descent to lower altitudes, retracing our footsteps back to Pheriche.  The route passes through Gorak Shep and Lobuche before reaching the Thukla Pass, where a collection of stone cairns honors climbers lost on Everest. From there, the trail drops into the wide Pheriche valley, where the air is noticeably thicker, and the landscape opens up after days on the glacier.

• Distance: 9 – 10 mi | 14 -16 km
• Duration: 5 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Everest Base Camp ~17,598 ft / 5,364 m
  • End: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m
• Overnight: Mountain Teahouse, Pheriche
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Easier on the lungs, harder on the knees. The moraine section at the start is the trickiest part of the day; once you’re through it, the trail opens up, and the descent becomes more manageable.
• Guide Tip:  Trekking poles earn their keep today, especially on the rocky moraine out of Everest Base Camp. Pace yourself through the first few kilometers, and the rest of the day will take care of itself.

Today, we head back to Namche Bazaar. You will feel the benefit of the more abundant oxygen and enjoy seeing trees again! The trail passes through Pangboche and Tengboche, the same landmarks you moved through on the way up, now in reverse. The descent is not all downhill; expect a few punchy climbs, including the push up into Tengboche. By the time you drop into Namche, the contrast with the past week at altitude will be striking: shops, bakeries, hot showers, and a cold beer if you want one.

• Distance: 9 – 12 mi | 15 -19 km
• Duration: 4 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m
  • End: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Namche Bazaar
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: The legs are tired, but the lungs are happy. Every few hundred meters of descent, breathing gets noticeably easier. It’s a long day on paper, but morale carries you. 
• Guide Tip: Don’t let the downhill lull you into moving too fast early in the day. The climb into Tengboche catches people off guard when their quads are already spent. Pace the morning, and the afternoon takes care of itself.

It’s time to say goodbye to Namche Bazaar and the Khumbu Valley as you descend into the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, all the way back to Lukla, ready for our flight the following day to Kathmandu. The trail retraces your first days on the mountain, the same suspension bridges, the same riverside villages, but everything looks different now. You’re moving faster, breathing easier, and carrying the weight of everything you’ve done. Lukla will feel like a celebration.

• Distance: 11 – 13 mi | 19 – 21 km
• Duration: 4 – 6 hours
• Elevation Profile: 
  • Start: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m
  • End: Lukla ~9,383 ft / 2,860 
• Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Lukla
• Meals: B/L/D
• Today Feels Like: Familiar and fast. Your body is strong, and the altitude is no longer a factor. The final uphill into Lukla catches people off guard after a long day of descending, but it’s short, and it ends at the finish line.
• Guide Tip: This is the day people push too hard because they feel good, and end up with blown knees by Phakding. Let the trail come to you. You’ve earned a strong finish, not a rushed one.

Today we rise early to catch our flight to Kathmandu. Picked up by our team, you’ll be transported back to the luxury of the hotel to enjoy the creature comforts of city life before packing and readying yourself for your homeward journey.

• Overnight: Hotel, Kathmandu
• Meals: B/_/_/
• Guide Tip: Lukla flights are weather-dependent, so don’t plan anything time-sensitive for your first evening back. Ease into rich food; your stomach has been at altitude for weeks.

If mountain weather delays your return, we can fly back to Kathmandu this morning. 

• Overnight: Hotel, Kathmandu
• Meals: B/_/_
• Guide Tip: A contingency day is not a bad day. If you’re up for it, this is a great opportunity to add an English-speaking guide to our Kathmandu Cultural Day Tour.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Bid farewell to your team and carry the experience with you as you begin reflecting on the journey you just completed. 

• Meals: B/_/_
• Guide Tip: Use some of your flight time to reflect on and integrate the experience. It’s been a big journey; this is a great in-between moment to absorb it all, before returning to the pace of your everyday life.