1. Day: Arrival in Kathmandu, 1300 m, and transfer to Hotel. Welcome and Breifing from Guide who will accompany you through out your stay in Nepal.2. Day: Sightseeing program in capitalcity, Kathmandu through a culture/cityguide. Innumerous Temples, Palaces and Pagodas and the living tribes in Bazars are witness of a city between middleera and mordern time. The day you would be fascinated by the holiest of all Hindu Tempel in Nepal, Pashupatinath (open crematorium)and the largest buddist Stupa of Boudhanath. After lunch a visit to city of fine arts, Patan would make your day with its impressive work of handicraft from middleera.
3. Day: Flight to Lukla, 2800 m, where your porters takeover your luggage and set off. Maniwalls, Chortens and small sherpa settlements along the trail leads you following DUDHKOSHI, to Phakding, 2660m. [Walking distance 3 hrs]
4. Day: Namche Bazar, 3450 m,is capitalcity and important trading center of Sherpas.The trail follows DUDHKOSHI leaving behind few suspension bridges to Monjo, 2800 m where your guide makes sure you get a permit at SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARKs entrance. The trail follows Jorsalle to Larja Dobhan. After crossing the Hillary Bridge the trail gets steeper upwards. If the weather is on your favor, the first sight of Mt. EVEREST (8848 m) from halfaway up to Namche. Today onward you find yourself in 'inner Himalaya' and is sorrounded from 6, 7 and 8 thousand meter mountains of Khumbu Himal. [Walking distance 5-6 hrs]5. Day: Most important for acclimatisation is, you should not ascent very fast. Therefore, the acclimatisation day around Namche or to Syangboche and Everest View Hotel, 3900 m with a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest, Amadablam and other mountains is a very important part of whole trek. Later a cup of coffee at the bakery in Namche with superb views of himalaya or shopping some souvinour would add some good memories to your tour.
6. Day: Ascent to Thame Monastery, 3800 m, along old trading route which connects Nepal with Tibet. The mountains around are 6000 m Kongde Ri with its double summit, Teng Kangpoche, Pigphergo Shar and Tengi Ragi Tau. Thame Monastery is one of the oldest Monasteries founded in Khumbu. In 1667 AD built Monastery is situated on a mountain slope and is very famous for its collection of aincient THANGKA painting. Yaks grazing under high icewalls. The region is also home of seldom seen Snowleopard. Overnight in lodge in Thame village. [Walking distance 5 hrs]7. Day: On the way to Khumjung, 3800 m, an excursion to Laudo Gompa (Monastery) offside regular trail. Laudo Monastery is the only Yellow Hat (Gelukpa) sect monastery in Khumbu. Descent down to Old Trading Route to Tibet via Mende. The panorama trail to Khunde-Khumjung offers spectacular view of Mountains including 8000 m Mt. Everest and Lhotse and valleys. Visit Edmund Hillary Hospital in Khunde (optional) and trek further to the largest Sherpa settlement Khumjung. Often the mountaingoats called THAR in local language and DANFE (national Bird of nepal) are seen along the trail. There is a school founded by Sir. Edmund Hillary in 1963 in Khumjung and an old Monastery. The myth about YETI (abominal Snowman) gets even real after visiting Khumjung Monastery, as there is a YETI skull being guarded in Gompa. Visit the Monastery. Overnight in Khumjung. [Walking distance 7-8 hrs]
8. Day: Luza, 4390 m, is the next destination on the way to Gokyo. From Mong-La pass, 3973 m, you will enjoy unique view of mountains of Khumbu. 6000 meters like Khang Taiga, Thamserku, Tabuche and the most beautiful Amadablam frame your picture perfect. You will then climb up into Ngozumpa Valley passing by Chortens (small stupas), tiny Kharkas (pastures) and beautiful Waterfalls to Dole, 4200 m. Although an acclimatisation day in Namche would help you a lot in getting used to with climate and altitude, its always important that you drink a lot, ascent slowly but steady and donot overstrain yourself. Overnight in Luza. [Walking distance 7-8 hrs]9. Day: The trail to Gokyo, 4750 m follows the longest Glaciar in Khumbu, Ngozumpa leaving behind Juniper and dwarf Rodhodendron bushes. The Vegetation now gets more dry and cold. 6000 m Cholatse and Taboche accompany you almost the whole time. Soon 8002 m Cho Oyu can be seen in its gigantic full form. Along the mighty Ngozumpa Glaciar you climb up in the world of Gokyo lakes and finally you reach in Lodge in Gokyo situated on third lake shore. In this beautiful place you will spent two nights. The next morning your first 5000 m viewpoint Gokyo Ri will be accomplished. Overnight in Lodge in Gokyo. [Walking distance 5-6 hrs]
10. Day: Gokyo Ri, 5360 m – fantastic day with super view of four 8000 meters (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu) at once. Before you set off make sure that your water bottles are filled up. The ascent to Gokyo Ri is tiring and requires a good condition but once you reach the top, all your hardwork will worth, a panorama which is in Khumbu itself a unique. Nepals biggest Glaciar and Torquiseblue Gokyo lakes are at your foot. Do not hurry....take your time photographing or just find yourself a comfortable corner and enjoy the majestic view. Overnight in Lodge in Gokyo. [Walking distance 4-5 hrs]
11. Day: Across the Ngozumpa Glaciar, Thangnak, 4700 m is todays destination. Passing by second Lake your trail goes over Moraine to left across Ngozumpa Glaciar. Wonderful Glaciar landscape, frozen lakes and sandy/rocky moraine leaves an impression to you. After lunch a short acclimatisation hiking towards Thangnak Ri, 5000 m as you will be in Thangnak quite good on time. Thangnak serve as starting point for Cho La pass, 5420 m. Depending on snow condition over Cho La pass, you set off early the next morning. [Walking distance 4-5 hrs]
For those who are not feeling fit enough to go over pass follow the valley downstream to Phortse, 3840 m. [Walking distance 7 hrs]
12. Day: Over the Cho La, 5420 m, is a challanging days hike on icy Glaciar and rocky boulders. Depending on luck, some time Bluesheep can be seen. Descending on the otherside of pass is steep and rocky. Overnight in lodge in Dzongla, 4843 m. [Walking distance 8-10 hrs]
For those who follow lower trail decides to hike along panorama trail from Phortse, 3800m to Pheriche, 4250 m via village Pangboche. Mt. Amadablam, 6856 m always infornt of you and panorama view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Khang Taiga and Thamserku leaves you no guilt not going over the pass. [Walking distance 6 hrs]
13. Day: The trail to Lobuche, 4930 m, brings you across Gentian meadow to outlet of mighty Khumbu Glaciar. Step by step you come near the icy heart of Khumbu. Following the classic Expedition trail, finally you reach lodge in Lobuche, where you meet up with others. [Walking distace 3-4 hrs]
Those who follow lower trail takes you to outlet of Khumbu Glaciar via Dhugla, 4600 m. Taking a short rest at Memorial site for those who died on Mt. Everest above Dhugla with mountain views all around makes you feel very spiritual. One could not just pass the site by without paying respect to those who died on mountains. Overnight in lodge in Lobuche, 4930 m. [Walking distance 5 hrs]
14. Day: Kala Pattar, 5545 m, towers above the icy highland. Fantastic view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and other mountains which also marks the boarder to Tibet. You enjoy the breathtaking view as much as you could before you descent down to highest accomodation of entire trekking to lodge in Gorakshep, 5200 m. A cup of warm Tea and Soup would make you feel better after accomplishing the days goal, Kalapatthar. Roll yourself in your sleeping bag earlier since the next day you would set off quite early for Everest Basecamp. [Walking distance 6-7 hrs]
15. Day: Everest Base Camp, 5400 m, an excursion in the legends of Greatest Expeditions. The trail along the mightly Khumbu Glaciar rewards always new and spectacular views. Whether its a tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay or to Mallory and Irvine who might have climbed Everest already in 1924? Also one could not forget the Sherpas and their capabilty without whom hardly any expeditions on the highest mountain on Earth would have succeeded. Descent down to Lodge in Lobuche, 4930 m. [Walking distance [7-9 hrs]
16. Day: The way back begins and decents along Khumbu Glaciar over the stream of Pheriche to wellknown village of Pangboche, 3980 m. [Walking distance 5 hrs]
17. Day: The trail back to Tengboche and further down to Namche catch up with DUDHKOSHI in Phungi Tenga. Following the Everest Highway backward you reach Namche, 3450 m quite good on time. Enjoy your evening in Sherpa capital. [Walking distance 5 hrs]
18. Day: Arrival in Lukla, 2800 m after crossing Hillary Bridge and walking pass village of Monjo where your guide will check you out of SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK. Farewell with trekking team. [Walking distance 6-7 hrs]
19. Day: Flight to Kathmandu, 1300 m normally take place early morning but depending upon weather it could delay. On arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel.
20. Day: Sightseeing/Shopping, day in Kathmandu. One could go on optional Sightseeing on request.
21. Day: International Departure, official Farewell from Himalayan Trailblazer and transfer to International Airport.
The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. Our trip can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements.
NOTE: During the trip; weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors, that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.
Flight Delay in Kathmandu and Lukla
Twin Otter is the primary mode of transport to and from the airstrip at Lukla. This service is fairly dependable. Sometimes, flights (to and from Lukla) may be cancelled due to mountain weather conditions or technical problems. In such case, Himalayan Trail Blazer will charter a helicopter to ensure you are on schedule for your international flight. The helicopter can fly if the visibility is 1500m, while the twin otter can fly if the visibility is 5000m, as per Nepal’s Civil Aviation rules.
The cost of the helicopter is payable directly to our Kathmandu office in the event that this service is utilized. US cash, traveler's cheques, or credit cards (Visa Cards, Master Cards only) are accepted. You will be given a receipt upon payment so that you may claim the amount from your travel insurance. The minimum cost will be US$500 and maximum US$3500 depending on the number of group members.