DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Kathmandu Arrival
Thamel orientation, gear check, permit processing. Boudhanath stupa at dusk.
Kathmandu Rest + Culture Day
Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath. Final resupply. Altitude briefing from team physician.
Lukla Flight + Phakding
The world's most intense short-haul flight. Touchdown at 2,860m, walk to Phakding.
Namche Bazaar
The Sherpa capital. High altitude market town. First Everest view from the ridge above town.
Acclimatization Day — Namche
Hike high, sleep low. Everest View Hotel ridge. Afternoon rest mandatory.
Tengboche
Monastery at 3,867m. Chanting monks at dawn. The clearest Ama Dablam view on the route.
Dingboche
4,410m. Yak herding territory. Stone walls. Wind that makes flat ground feel like effort.
Acclimatization — Chhukung Ri
Optional summit to 5,546m. Island Peak in the background. The Lhotse face visible.
Lobuche
4,940m. Cold now. Every step has weight. The memorial chortens for those who didn't come back.
Gorak Shep + Kala Patthar
5,164m. Kala Patthar at sunset — the classic Everest view point, the one on every expedition poster.
Everest Base Camp
5,364m. The Khumbu Icefall above you. Prayer flags. Expedition tents. The weight of what happens here.
Rest Day — Gorak Shep
Recovery at altitude. Journal. Photograph. Stare at the mountain.
Traverse to Dzongla
Cross-valley route through moraine. Cho La Pass prep.
Cho La Pass — 5,420m
Crampons on. The ice field crossing between valleys. Gokyo on the other side.
Gokyo Lakes
Emerald glacial lakes in a string. Campsite beside the third lake. Cho Oyu reflected in the water.
Gokyo Ri — 5,360m
Pre-dawn summit. Four 8,000m peaks visible simultaneously. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu.
Descent to Namche
Long descent. Legs complain. Spirits high. First proper meal with green vegetables in days.
Namche — Phakding
The return feels different. Faster. Warmer. The Dudh Kosi river louder now.
Lukla Return
Final walk to the airstrip. Waiting for the weather window.
Kathmandu Return
Hot shower. Real food. Long sleep. Mandatory recovery day.
Debrief + Departure
Celebration dinner. Trip photographs. Connections that last a lifetime.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
OVERLAND lead guide + Sherpa mountain guides
All trekking permits (TIMS, Sagarmatha NP)
Teahouse accommodation full route
All meals on trek
Lukla flights (Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu)
Pulse oximeter and altitude monitoring
Emergency evacuation insurance coordination
Kathmandu hotel (arrival + departure nights)
RECOMMENDED GEAR
4-season sleeping bag rated to -20°C
Insulated down jacket (mandatory)
Waterproof hardshell with hood
Trekking poles (mandatory for Cho La)
Crampons (provided at Gorak Shep)
Glacier glasses / high-altitude sunglasses
Altitude medication (Diamox — consult physician)
Gaiters
Liner gloves + insulated gloves
Wool hat and balaclava
Duffel bag for porter carry (max 15kg)
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
Duration
21 days
From
$5,600 per person
Difficulty
extreme
Destination
Himalayas