Everest Three Passes Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival Day
Personal welcome at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to your hotel in the lively tourist district of Thamel. After a short briefing on our trip plans you will be able to go out to explore the bustling Thamel streets.
Day 2 - Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast we will tour the city, visiting many of the “City of Temples” historic landmarks including Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and the stunning Boudhanath Stupa.
Day 3 - Lukla to Pakding
After breakfast we will take a short 30 minute scenic flight into the mountain village of Lukla where we start our trek. From Lukla we will have an easy 3 hour walk up the Dudhkoshi Valley through small farms and villages towards Pakding village where we will stay in a local lodge for night. 3 hours trekking.
Day 4 - Pakding to Namche Bazaar
The mornings walk will continue up along the Dudh Kosi river though forests and farms to the small village of Jorsalle where we will stop for lunch. From Jorsalle we will cross an impressive 100 high suspension bridge and ascend up to the mountainside town of Namche Bazaar. As we climb our of the valley you will be rewarded with views of the surrounding snow caped peaks and our first viewpoint of Mount Everest. 3 hours trekking.
Day 5 - Namche Bazaar Acclimatisation Day
At an elevation of 3450m we take a rest day to allow our bodies to get used to our high altitude. Our rest day gives us time to explore the market town of Namche Bazaar and to visit the local buddhist monastery. For those who have too much energy can make the afternoon walk to visit the Hillary School in Khumjung and the Himalayan Trust’s Hospital in Khunde. 6 - 7 hours trekking.
Day 6 - Namche Bazar to Tengboche
From Namche we will gradually wind up the valley passing buddhist shrines and passing though Rhododrendon forests to Tengboche where we will stay for the night. Along the trail we will soak up the impressive mountain scenery that surrounds us and get our first view of the imposing peak of Ama Dablam. At Tengboche we will visit the famous monastery and get to see the elaborate and colourful paintings that cover its walls. We might even pop into the Tengboche Bakery for one of their famous cakes seen as we have come all the way up here! 5 hours trekking.
Day 7 - Tengboche to Dingboche
From Tengboche we follow the trail up the valley, through more Rhododrendon forest and small Sherpa vilages. As we get higher the landscape open up to alpine pastures with grazing Yaks scattering the landscape. Our day ends in the picturesque village of Dingboche with its stone walled fields set amongst a backdrop of snow capped mountains. 5 hours trekking.
Day 8 - Dingboche Acclimatisation Day
At 4360m high we need to take another acclimatisation day to allow of bodies to get used to the thin air at this altitude. In the morning we will take a short walk to help with this process and then you are free to relax or explore as you wish. 2 hours acclimatisation walk.
Day 9 - Dingboche to Chhukhung
From Dingboche we have an easy mornings walk up to Chhukhung which at 4730m will help us acclimatise before we cross our first high pass. 3 hours trekking.
Day 10 - Chhukhung to Lobuche via Kongma La
Today we climb our first pass the Kongma La 5535m. From Chhukhung we head up into the mountains, the trail steadily climbing up until we start passing beautiful alpine lakes as we near the top. Once we spot the prayer flags that mark the pass we will take our time to enjoy the 360 degree Himalayan view before descending down towards the Khumbu Glacier that we will now be able to see before us. After descending from Kongma La our trail just crosses the Khumbu Glacier and we arrive at the small settlement of Lobuche. 8 hours trekking.
Day 11 - Lobuche to Gorek Shep and Everest Base Camp
Our trail continues up the Khumbu Valley with great views of the glacier ice below and huge mountain peaks around us. We will reach the tiny village of Gorek Shep where we will have an early lunch and drop off our packs at our lodge before heading off for Everest Base Camp further up the glacier. We walk onto the glacier as we make our way up to Everest Base Camp where in the climbing season hundreds of expedition tents form a makeshift city of climbers hoping to make it all the way to the top! 7 - 8 hours trekking.
Day 12 - Gorek Shep, Kala Pathaar and back down to Dzongla
Before the sun wakes up we will make the 2 hours climb to the top of a small peak called Kala Pathaar at 5545m. From this vantage point we will watch the sun slowly rise and and light up Mount Everest and the skyline of jagged peaks that surround you. Once we have taken it all in and used up our camera batteries we will return down to Gorek Shep for breakfast. You will now find the trekking much easier as we walk back down the valley and will make it to the village of Dzongla today. 7 - 8 hours trekking.
Day 13 - Dzongla - Thangnak via Cho La
From Dzongla we will leave early again to climb up to the top of the Cho La pass which the weather is best during the morning. As we climb we will have spectacular view of the mountains all around us. We get to cross a small glacier to where we find the top of the pass and our route down into the Gokyo valley. With the difficult climb behind us we be able to take our time, stopping for lunch by a nice mountain stream before walking down to the village of Thangnak. 7 - 8 hours trekking.
Day 14 - Thangnak to Gokyo
After two long days we will be able to sleep in before a short morning walk to across the Ngozumpa Glacier to the lakeside village of Gokyo. For those who still have energy to burn their is an afternoon climb up to the top of the adjacent Gokyo Ri that will reward you with amazing views of the 8000m Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyu. For those who just want to relax there are two bakeries in town so you can put your feet up, enjoy some tea and cake and soak up the views of the beautiful lake. 2 hours trekking.
Day 15 - Gokyo Tal or Gokyo Ri?
If we are feeling up to it we can climb Gokyo Ri 5350m that stands behind the village overlooking the lakes and with great views of Everest and Makalu. If you feel like something a little easier then there is a nice flat walk around the lake and a couple of bakeries where you can while away your afternoon.
Day 16 - Gokyo to Ludgen via Renjo La
Today we will cross our third and final pass for the trip and then its all down hill from here! Our trail climbs steadily up from Gokyo and by late morning we will make it to the top of Renjo La. After soaking up the spectacular views of Everest and the surrounding mountains we will start our descent down into the valley and towards the village of Ludgen were we’ll stay for the night. 7 hours trekking.
Day 17 - Ludgen to Thame
This is an easy day as the trail follows the valley down through the rural landscape to the sleepy village of Thame. Despite it humble appearance Thame is home to some of Nepals most famous Sherpa’s and after lunch we will have time to look around and visit the local monastery. 4 hours trekking.
Day 18 - Thame to Namche Bazar
Today we will return to the busy market town of Namche Bazar. After weeks high in the mountains it will be nice to return to the green forests and warmer air down in the valley. 4 hours trekking.
Day 19 - Namche Bazar to Lukla
Our last days trekking will be retracing our steps back down the valley to Lukla where we will be able to put you feet up and celebrate our successful trip. This is a great change to get some local souvenirs before we leave the mountains and fly back to Kathmandu tomorrow. 8 hours trekking.
Day 20 - Lukla to Kathmandu
With a little luck the weather will be great and we will fly back to Kathmandu first thing in the morning. This will leave you with the rest of the day in Kathmandu to visit temples, look around the markets or simply put your feet up for the afternoon. We will meet up for a final dinner together before we have to say goodbye.
Day 21 - Departure
Transfer to Kathmandu Airport.
Note - If the above itinerary does not meet your needs we can easily adjust this to suit your travel requirements.