Arrive into Kathmandu. You will be met by our staff at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time you can relax or sightsee around Kathmandu.

Rest day and acclimatization to jetlag, sightseeing plus trek briefing.

Trek Flight to Lukla, walk downhill to Phakding or Monjo along the edge of the Dudh Kosi River. Easy, busy path, surrounded by forest.

Uphill to Namche Bazaar which is the Sherpa 'capital' in the heart of the Khumbu region. Initially follow the valley to Monjo where you enter the National Park, then cross the river a few times and start a long unrelenting path uphill, with one spectacular bridge spanning a deep gorge. Leave the coniferous forest behind, and arrive at a huge natural amphitheatre with the houses spread around the sides.

This is an acclimtisation day which you can rest or enjoy the sights and sounds of Namche. You can also go for short walks to the Sherpa museum and other local places of interest.

Walk to Deboche which is near the famous Thyangboche Monastery. The path out of Namche is initially steep and then opens out into a high valley, passing through villages like Pangboche before negotiating two steep hills. After this it is a short walk to the beautiful rhododendron glade where you will find the lodge.

A gradual gradient up to Dingboche. The path skirts the side of the valley with the river far below on your right and passing beneath the spectacular Ama Dablam. The village sits on the confluence of two valleys and is good farming land.

This is another rest and acclimatisation day. In the neighbouring village of Pheriche you can visit the Himalayan Rescue Association to listen to the daily lecture on high altitude health, and get a check up from the medical staff or go on a local walk up teh valley towards Island Peak or up one of the neighbouring ridges.

Trek up the high valley to Lobuche which is alongside the huge Khumbu Glacier. You can now easily feel the effects of the thin air as the hike takes us up to the Thukla Hills where there are many stupas erected in memory of Sherpas who have died on expeditions.

Hike on the glacial moraine to the final settlement of Gorak Shep, the last outpost of a small collection of huts just below a shoulder of Mount Pumori called Kala Patthar which is our destination the following morning as it's a fine viewing point for Everest. We'll have lunch at Gorak Shep and then walk on for roughly 1.5 - 2hrs and visit Everest base camp. We trek along the lateral moraine and finally over the Khumbu glacier itself to the base camp at the foot of the Khumbu Ice Fall.

Early morning climb to the summit of Kala Patthar (5540m) to see sun rise behind the peak of Everest. This is a tough walk in the cold and not to be underestimated. Take warm clothing. Back at the lodge for breakfast and a walk back down past Lobuche, dropping to Pheriche at 4370m.

Over two days a descent via Namche Bazaar all the way to Lukla with various options for accommodation. It is possible to stay in different villages, for example Pheriche, Khumjung, Monjo, but the route is the same as the way up. 

Additional weather day - this day is here to allow for any delays either flying into our out of the mountains. If the weather is stable you can fly down to KTM or you can spend an extra day in the mountains. Please read our Himalayan Flight Delays info page.

Lukla flight* to arrive in Kathmandu in the morning and transfer to hotel. Rest and sightseeing.

Depart Kathmandu. If you leave in the morning it is possible to arrive in London the same day, or arrive home on day 18.