Day-by-day descriptions

April 11, 2025
Depart from home country. 

April 12
Transit. 

April 13
Arrive Kathmandu. You will be picked up from Tribhuvan airport and transported to the famous climbers and trekkers hotel, the Yak and Yeti. 

Mandatory arrival day for the whole team.

April 14
Full day of orientation, Q&A, gear checks and packing at our hotel. 
Team dinner at a local restaurant. 

April 15
Very early departure for the domestic terminal and our flights to Lukla (weather permitting). In Lukla (2,860 m) we will meet our Sherpa staff and have breakfast with our friends at the Namaste Lodge. 

Our porters will pack up our duffel bags and we will enjoy a beautiful trek following the Dudh Kosi river to Monjo (2832 m).

Overnight at Mountain Lodges of Nepal - Monjo. 

Trekking distance 13km/8 miles/5.5 hours

April 16
We will continue to follow the Dudh Kosi, ascending a total of 975 m/3,198 ft (when accounting for elevation loss) through the Himalayan Pine and Deodar cedar forests to the celebrated Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar (3440 m/ 11,286 ft). 

We will leave the Dudh Kosi after crossing the famous Hilary suspension bridge and climb steeply up to Namche. 

Namche Bazaar is a historic trading post where Tibetan and Nepalese would exchange salt, dried meat, and textiles. Namche is a center of the Sherpa culture and to this day still acts as a central trading post for the Solu Khumbu valley. 

Our team will spend 2 nights in Namche, allowing time for an acclimatization hike and shopping for arts and crafts in town. We stay with Mingma and Lakpa, our dear friends of more than 20 years, at the Panorama Lodge. 

On our acclimating hike, we will have an opportunity to glimpse our first views of Everest and neighboring peaks, as well as visit the Sagarmatha Next project.

Trekking Distance 7 km / 4.3 m / 4.5 hrs

Elevation Gain 975 m / 3,200 ft

April 17
In the morning we will enjoy an acclimatization hike, gaining around 300 m / 985 ft to take in the amazing mountain views up valley of Ama Dablam (6,854 m), Lhotse (8498 m), Nupste (7,876 m), and Everest (8,848 m). 

We will visit the Sagarmatha Next project, which is ushering in a new era of waste management in the Solu Khumbu valley. 

In the afternoon we have time to visit the sights in Namche Bazaar.

April 18
From Namche we will descend back to the Dudh Kosi river at 3,200 m and cross the suspension bridge at Phunki Thanga. After an early lunch stop, we will climb back up to Tengboche (3,865 m/ 12,680 ft).

Tengboche is the religious center of the Khumbu valley and hosts one of the most famous monasteries in the world. If possible, we will attend a Buddhist ceremony performed by local monks. 

The views from Tengboche are some of the best on the trek. 

From Tengboche we will descend 25 minutes down through the rhododendron forest to Deboche. 

We overnight in the new wing at Rivendell Lodge with our old friend Jangmu Sherpa and her family.

Trekking Distance 10 km / 6.4 m / 5.5 hrs

Elevation Gain 675 m

April 19 & 20
From Deboche we will climb up valley to Dingboche (4400 m/ 14,435 ft) via Pangboche and Shomare, with a lunch stop along the way. Here we are beginning to reach the higher elevations, so we will spend 2 nights for acclimating purposes. 

From Dingboche the massive Southern flank of Lhoste (8498 m) dominates the skyline.  On our second day we will enjoy an acclimatization hike with views of Makalu (8,463 m), Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Ama Dablam North Ridge (6,854 m) and others. 

On the way down we have the chance to visit Pheriche, and the famous Himalayan Rescue Clinic, just over the valley. 

We will stay with our friends at the Countryside Lodge in Dingboche.

Trekking Distance 11 km / 6.9 m / 6 hrs

Elevation Gain 600m m / 1,968 ft to Dingboche

April 21
We climb up valley from Dingboche to Lobuche, crossing summer yak pastures as the character of the terrain changes to the high alpine landscape. 

We ascend the terminal moraine of the mighty Khumbu glacier at Thagnak and pass through the famous climbers’ memorial at Thok La pass, arriving to Lobuche village (4,929 m/16,170 ft) on the left flank of the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier.

Trekking Distance 9.5 km / 5.9 m / 5-6 hrs

Elevation Gain 650 m / 2,130 ft

April 22
From Lobuche we trek along the lateral moraine and high tundra to Gorak Shep (5,158 m/16,920 ft), the last Sherpa village before Everest Base Camp.  The environment and lodging in Gorak Shep is rustic and gives us the true flavor of the challenges of living in this high-altitude environment. 

We spend the remainder of the afternoon resting for the challenges of the following day: ascending Kala Pattar and walking to base camp.

Trekking Distance 4.5 km / 2.8 m / 5 hrs

Elevation Gain 200 m / 650 ft

April 23
We ascend Kala Pattar (5,577 m/18,300 ft) early by headlamp to catch the sunrise coming up behind Everest.  The dramatic views of Everest and Nupste from this small peak at sunrise are amazing. 

We will then continue to Everest Base Camp (5,350 m/17,550 ft) and overnight in tents after this challenging day. 

We will enjoy the hospitality of the basecamp Sherpa team and have a glimpse of what it is like for Everest climbers, who start their ascent from here.

Trekking Distance 3 km / 1.9 m / 4 hrs to Kala Pattar and back

Elevation Gain 400m/1,300 ft to Kala Pattar

Trekking Distance 3.5 km / 2.2 m / 3 hrs to EBC

Elevation Gain 200 m / 650 ft to EBC

April 24
Helicopter to Kathmandu via Pheriche and Lukla. We will have two helicopters flying for the team, and we will do shuttles down valley. If weather is poor and the helicopters cannot fly, then we will likely descend down to Lobuche to overnight.

April 25
This is our alternate day to fly to Kathmandu if weather was poor on April 24. If already in Kathmandu, we will arrange a city tour to visit some of the historic temples and landmarks of the Kathmandu Valley. 

Team celebration dinner.

April 26
International departures homeward from early evening (3 p.m.) onward. Please do not book morning departures for the 26th in case we are delayed.

April 27
Arrival home to USA (or alternate departure times from Kathmandu, if you’d like more rest at the hotel before long flights).