Everest Expedition

On day 1 of the Mt Everest Expedition, you will be picked up at TIA by our officials after you land. Then, you will be taken to one of the luxurious hotels in Kathmandu via our private vehicle. The ride from the airport to the hotel is short, but it gives you your first look at the busy streets and culture of the city.

Kathmandu is full of history and tradition, making it a great starting point for your Everest journey. After checking into the hotel, you can rest, recover from your flight, and get ready for the adventure ahead.

These two days in Kathmandu are spent preparing for your Everest climbing. You will have crucial briefings at our office regarding the upcoming journey. Your guide will feed you on all the necessary aspects of the Everest expedition. The briefings usually cover safety protocols, environmental rules, and details about the 65 days Everest expedition itinerary. It is essential to inform you of these details to ensure a successful and safe adventure.

To add to the briefings, today is the perfect day to do any last-minute shopping. Kathmandu has a number of outdoor equipment stores where you can purchase or rent any of the gear that you may have forgotten or wish to replace. From the layers of clothing to trekking poles and oxygen kits, this is the day to ensure you are most equipped for what lies ahead.

Apart from the logistical side, the preparation days help you to familiarize yourself with Kathmandu’s vibrancy. You have the freedom to explore best place in Kathmandu city and know about the city’s cultural richness, visit markets, and relish local foods. This period helps you adjust mentally and physically for the forthcoming adventure.

The journey to the Everest region begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (45 minutes). It is popularly known as one of the most thrilling flights in the world due to the small mountain airstrip of Lukla, surrounded by huge mountains.

Upon arrival at Lukla, you will begin walking to Phakding. It is a charming settlement beside Dudh Koshi River. En route, you will walk past picturesque Sherpa villages like Chaurikharka, Chheplung, Ghat, and Toktok. This initial hike serves as a warm-up to the trails and scenery of the Everest region.

Alternatively, you can drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap and then take a short flight (20 minutes) from Manthali to Lukla. This is a convenient choice if Lukla flights are delayed or seats are unavailable. Having arrived in Lukla, the walk to Phakding remains the same. Both routes lead to the same location, and you can enjoy the breathtaking view and vibrant Sherpa culture, which marks the beginning of the Everest adventure. Overnight at the tea house in Phakding.

The Phakding to Namche Bazaar hike is a scenic and dramatic segment of the Everest trek. The route ascends steeply and winds around rolling Sherpa villages (Monjo, Jorsalle, Benkar), green forests, and over a series of suspension bridges above bubbling mountain streams.

You will also cross the well-known Hillary Suspension Bridge, a thrilling crossing that offers breathtaking views of the valley below. Throughout the journey, stunning views of snow-capped peaks and glimpses of local plants and wildlife of the Sagarmatha National Park will come into view.

Namche Bazaar, at a height of 3,440 meters, is the populated hub of the Everest region. It’s known as the Sherpa capital and is a key place for resting and getting used to the altitude. Here, you’ll find local markets, delicious food, and even internet cafes. After a tough day of hiking, the lively atmosphere and stunning views of Everest and nearby peaks make it a perfect stop.

On day 7, you will trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (also spelled as Tyangboche). Namche Bazaar to Tengboche is the most scenic and satisfying hike in the Everest region. Coming down from Namche, you will be on a trail that winds its way through the Dudh Koshi River and rhododendron forest. The Everest expedition map and experienced Sherpa guide will lead you forward on the trail.

The walk gives great views of peaks around you, such as Ama Dablam and Thamserku. You will climb gradually in a gentle series of twists and turns, witnessing the Sherpa way of life in villages such as Sanasa and Phunki Tenga as you head for the spiritual center of the region. Tengboche is famous for its ancient Buddhist monastery of the same name. The Tengboche Monastery, located peacefully on top of a hill, is the largest in the entire Khumbu Valley.

After arriving in the village, you can pay a visit to the monastery, witness a prayer ceremony, and soak up the commanding panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. The peaceful atmosphere and awe-inspiring views of the mountains render Tyangboche an unforgettable stop on the Everest Base Camp trek. We’ll stay overnight at one of the village’s finest lodges/teahouses, enjoying the serene mountain atmosphere.

Today’s hike will get you further into the Everest region. The path gradually climbs through a rugged mountain landscape and dramatic alpine views. You will walk past peaceful monasteries and chortens, sparkling Imja Khola, and charming Sherpa villages like Debuche and Pangboche. The sweeping views of peaks like Ama Dablam, Everest, and Island Peak towering over you give you a surreal experience along the way.

The last section of the trek takes you to Somare village. As you approach Somare, where the trail splits toward Pheriche and Dingboche, you’ll begin a steady climb. The views become increasingly stunning, with Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Cholatse rising in the distance. Eventually, you’ll reach Dingboche, also known as the ‘Summer Valley.’ Here, you’ll spot stone-walled fields protecting crops from harsh winds and grazing animals. Tonight, you rest under the towering peaks, taking in the beauty and resilience of high-altitude Himalayan life.

At an altitude of 4,350 meters, Dingboche is one of the important acclimatization points for trekkers heading towards Everest. Acclimatization day in Dingboche helps your body adjust to the higher altitude and continue with the trek. It allows you to relax and avoid the likelihood of altitude sickness while letting you enjoy the fine mountain views. The peaceful atmosphere and fresh mountain air in Dingboche are ideal for relaxing and preparing for the days ahead.

One of the beneficial and rewarding activities to do on this day is to trek up to Chhukung Ri, a nearby ridge at 5,546 meters. The hike is not too difficult but worth it, with fantastic panoramic views of looming giants such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Cholatse, Lobuche, and Everest in the background.

Returning to the village, you have the option of walking around the village slowly, at a leisurely pace, with time to observe daily work. Visiting local houses is a good opportunity to engage with the native residents and gain improved insights into their unique customs, traditions, and way of living. As evening falls, return to the teahouse for a restful night.

Continuing on our Everest Expedition itinerary, after a nourishing breakfast, we will leave Dingboche and head towards Lobuche. The hike rises gradually along rocky outcrops and scrubby vegetation with increasingly dramatic mountain scenery. The Everest Expedition trail takes us through the serene yak herders’ village of Dusa and across a small river on a wooden bridge. You will then gradually ascend to Thukla Pass, a memorial to mountaineers who lost their lives on Mount Everest.

Following the Everest expedition map, we continue to move forward. We will descend from the pass to reach the tranquil village of Duglha in the midst of the beautiful alpine scenery. The route offers awe-inspiring close-up views of towering peaks such as Pumori, Cholatse, Khumbutse, Lingtren, Nuptse, Thamserku, and other neighboring giants. 

Eventually, we will arrive in the pristine mountain village of Lobuche, with its wood-beamed teahouses and stunning views of the vast Himalayas. Here, we will settle in for a well-earned night’s rest beneath the shadow of the Himalayas.

After a warm breakfast in Lobuche in the morning, we head towards Gorakshep., Gorakshep is the last village on the Everest Base Camp trek. The trail follows a rugged path along the edge of the Khumbu Glacier, surrounded by sweeping views of icy peaks and the high-altitude wilderness. You’ll pass through a stark, rocky landscape with patches of alpine scrub as the terrain grows more remote.

As you approach Gorakshep, the air gets thinner, the surroundings more barren with alpine scrub here and there, and the excitement builds. Both the Everest Base Camp trek and the early morning ascent of Kala Patthar begin from here.

It’s day 12 in our Everest expedition itinerary. We will hike early today to Kala Patthar to catch the sunrise view. Ascending to the summit of Kala Patthar, you get one of the best panoramic views of Mount Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, and the Khumbu Glacier. It is a hard push to the top, but the breathtaking sunrise view and stark landscape are well worth the effort.

Enjoying the ethereal scenery of the Everest landscape from the high elevation of Kala Patthar, we’ll descend to Gorakshep for breakfast and rest. Then, we will head out towards Everest Base Camp, the majestic lap of the world’s highest mountain. Departing Gorakshep, you will trek along the Khumbu Glacier, winding through ice and rock. While the ascent is gradual and steady, the increasing altitude and thin atmosphere make every step tiresome.

When you arrive at Base Camp, you will be under the shade of Everest itself. It is a dreamy and sentimental moment with massive walls of rock looming over you, tinted prayer flags waving in the breeze, and the white radiance of the glacier.

At Everest Base Camp, you will rest and prepare for Sagarmatha mountain climbing. This involves several rotations between Base Camp and the higher camps: Camp I, Camp II, Camp III, and Camp IV. These rotations help your body adjust to the high altitude and lower the risk of altitude sickness.

The first rotation takes you through the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous parts of the climb because of towering ice and deep crevasses. You will stay at Camp I, located around 6,000 meters, before moving up to Camp II at about 6,400 meters in the Western Cwm. After this, you descend back to Base Camp to recover. Next, you climb the Lhotse Face to reach Camp III at 7,100 meters for the night. From Camp III onward, supplemental oxygen will be used. We provide 6 bottles of oxygen per climber, ensuring maximum flow and a safer, easier ascent at extreme altitudes.

When you are fully acclimatized and the weather is right, you will make the final ascent. This starts with climbing from Camp III to Camp IV (also called the South Col), which sits between 7,900 and 8,000 meters. This part is very hard and exposed. After Camp IV, you enter the “Death Zone,” where oxygen levels are very low. Most climbers begin the final Everest summit push around midnight.

On Mount Everest summit day, you will pass important landmarks like the Balcony, South Summit, and the Hillary Step before reaching the top of the world, Mount Everest at 8,848.86 meters. Successfully climbing Mount Everest and standing on the summit is a moment full of emotion and wonder. After spending some time at the top, you will begin your descent back down to Camp IV, and then continue down to Base Camp over the next several days.

From day 59 onwards, our return journey begins. You will head back to Dingboche with the satisfaction of having climbed the world’s highest peak, mighty Everest. You will pass through Gorak Shep and walk along the glacial moraine. The massive Himalayan peaks stand behind you. The downward trek must be done with caution and careful steps. It allows you to see again the scenery you climbed up earlier, but in the reverse direction.

Returning to Dingboche feels like a relief with comparative warmth and comfort compared to higher elevations. This village, situated in an open, broad valley, has more oxygen-rich air, making it the ideal place to rest and recover after days at such extreme altitudes. Being at a lower altitude allows your body to heal, and the familiar teahouses and warm hospitality are a comforting change from the hostile environment higher up the mountain.

Dingboche to Tengboche trail winds its way through alpine meadows, terraced fields with stone walls, and rhododendron woods. The stunning views of Ama Dablam and other mountains provide a striking backdrop to your hike. The lower altitude makes breathing easier, and the downhill, while easier on the lungs, can be equally tough on the knees, so a steady pace is paramount.

By the time you reach Tengboche, the serene atmosphere of the monastery makes the day’s effort worthwhile. Set against the backdrop of some of the Himalayas’ brilliant peaks, the monastery offers the chance for quiet contemplation. You visit the monastery once again, join in a prayer ceremony, or sit back and enjoy the spiritual peacefulness of the spot before descending further in the Khumbu Valley.

Today’s descent takes you to Namche Bazaar. The hike between Tengboche and Namche Bazaar is through dense forest, suspension bridges, and crowded mountain trails with the fine scenery of the Khumbu landscape. The air becomes thicker and the scenery more colorful as you descend with blooming rhododendrons and birdsong accompanying your trek. The trail features several climbing sections, particularly after crossing the Dudh Koshi River.

Once again in Namche Bazaar, you will find a warm and lively Himalaya atmosphere where you can relieve your fatigue. This vibrant village has several bakeries, teahouses, and cafes, and hence is an ideal place to unwind. Whether you are sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee, browsing shops for souvenirs, or just giving your legs a break, Namche offers an excellent blend of relaxation and energy to enjoy some last days in the Himalayas.

The Namche to Lukla trek is the final day on the trail. You will descend sharply down through the pine forest and along the Dudh Koshi Riverbanks. The trail passes through the villages that you know so well, including Monjo and Phakding. While generally downhill, the trail includes a few short uphill ascents that can leave you feeling exhausted. The farther you move, the more you leave behind the high Himalayas.

As you return to Lukla, this tiny mountain village, which had been the beginning of it all, now marks the end of the Mount Everest climbing expedition. You can celebrate the successful adventure with team members, veteran Everest guides, and porters, and enjoy a comforting meal before settling in for a peaceful night’s sleep. The final night in Lukla offers a chance to relax, unwind, and prepare for the return scenic flight back to Kathmandu.

After breakfast in Lukla, we will leave for an exciting return flight to Kathmandu. The Lukla to Kathmandu flight offers one final, unforgettable aerial experience. As your small plane lifts off the short, clifflike runway at Lukla, you are treated to sweeping bird’s eye views of the mountains you have just traversed.

The flight offers you a unique perspective on the vastness of the Khumbu region with distant peaks slowly vanishing over the distance as you are brought back down into the Kathmandu Valley.

Upon landing in Kathmandu, there is a sudden transition from the quiet and wild tracks of the Himalayas to the vibrant streets and culture of Nepal’s capital city. After living in isolation in the high Himalayas for months, being back within the comforts of the city is both comfortable and relaxing. Kathmandu is the best place to unwind, celebrate your journey, and reflect on the wonderful adventure that you have embarked upon.

A rest day in Kathmandu is the perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on your incredible Everest expedition. The capital city offers a unique mix of history, culture, and everyday Nepali lifestyle. You can spend your day visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Explore the vibrant and narrow alleys of Thamel, packed with colorful boutiques, cozy cafes, and local bazaars. Here, you can shop for handmade crafts, trekking gear, or souvenirs to take home. For a more relaxing day, treat yourself to a spa or massage therapy. You can also enjoy a leisurely lunch at a rooftop cafe, with views of the cityscape and distant green hills.

In the evening, you’ll join our ‘Farewell Dinner’ event, which includes delicious Nepali cuisine and lively cultural performances, a perfect way to wrap up your Himalayan adventure.

Today marks the end of your 65-day Everest Expedition journey in Nepal. We will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport on the final day of your Nepal trip for your departure. We arrange your airport transfer comfortably according to your flight schedule with adequate time for check-in and other procedures. The journey through jammed Kathmandu roads offers an insight into city life as one bids farewell to it.

When you enter TIA, you will not only be lugging bags, but also an entire lifetime of memories, from the dynamism of Kathmandu to the serene Himalayan ridges. Check in and be ready to soar. Safe travels. Hope we meet again in the next travel escapade.