You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where an Everest Trip Planner staff member greets you with a flower garland and transfers you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, relax at the hotel or explore Kathmandu, then meet your guide to discuss the trek ahead. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.
In the busy spring (Mar-May) and autumn (Sep-Nov) seasons, the day starts very early with a long drive to Manthali airport followed by a short flight to Lukla. In quieter winter and monsoon months, you fly directly from Kathmandu instead — airlines choose the routing based on passenger numbers. From Lukla, you trek roughly 3 hours to Phakding.
The trail today is steep but scenic. You pass through Monjo, entering the UNESCO-listed Sagarmatha National Park, then continue through villages like Jorsale to reach Namche Bazaar, the bustling gateway to Everest with shops, cafes, lodges, banks, and ATMs.
An acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Trekkers can take short hikes to the Hillary School, a traditional Sherpa village, or Syangboche Airport. Most also visit the Everest View Hotel, the world's highest-placed hotel, for panoramic mountain views including Everest itself, before returning to Namche for the night.
A roughly five-hour hike beginning with a gradual ascent through pine forest and a crossing of the Dudh Koshi River. Climbing a series of ridges reveals views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest. After lunch at Phunki Thenga, a steeper ascent leads to Tengboche, where you can visit the monastery and watch the monks' ceremony.
The trail follows the Dudh Koshi beneath Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Thamserku, passing above Pangboche with views of its monastery. As the terrain widens into the Imja Valley, the trail descends to the Lobuche River before climbing sharply to Dingboche, a windswept village with stone-walled fields, prayer flags, and chortens.
A second acclimatization day. A strenuous but worthwhile short climb to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m) rewards you with views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Lobuche, before descending back to Dingboche for the night.
An uphill hike to Thukla brings views of Taboche and Cholatse. The trail passes stone memorials at Thukla Pass honouring climbers lost on Everest, then follows the Khumbu Glacier's lateral moraine to Lobuche, with views of Nuptse, Lobuche, and Pumori.
The trail climbs to Gorak Shep, where you can leave your luggage before continuing to Everest Base Camp past the Khumbu Glacier. After time at base camp, you return to Gorak Shep for the night — the group does not stay overnight at base camp itself.
An early start for the short but steep climb to Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek, for a sunrise view of the surrounding peaks — the only close-up view of Everest itself on the trip. After returning to Gorak Shep for breakfast, the trail continues down to Pheriche, home to a clinic run by the Himalayan Rescue Association.
The return trek to Namche Bazaar follows the same route back through Tengboche and Pangboche villages, crossing a suspension bridge before arriving in Namche.
The final trekking day retraces the route back to Lukla through Jorsale, Monjo, and the other villages passed on the way up.
A scenic flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla (or via Manthali, depending on season). A representative meets you at the airport and transfers you back to your hotel for the night.
Depending on your flight time, staff transfer you to the airport around three hours before departure for your onward journey home.
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