Trip to Everest Base Camp and climbing of Kalapathar

An easy day with a gentle gain of altitude. We walk up the Dudh Koshi gorge, crossing from one side to the other on suspension bridges. Our target is Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Sherpa people, and the gate of Sagarmatha National Park. Distance 10 km. ↑ Altitude 3440 m. Walking time 4 hours.

We spend the day in Namche Bazaar and get used to the altitude. A walk to the village of Khumjung, where the yeti scalp is kept, then up to the Hillary memorial (4000 m). All day long we have the highest peaks of the Himalayas in front of us: Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Nuptse (7861 m), Ama Dablam (6814 m)

We leave Namche Bazaar. A beautiful day through forest of fir, blue pine, rhododendron, magnolia and birch to the village of Tengboche, one of the loveliest spots in the Himalayas, with its Buddhist monastery, a holy place of ceremonies and meditation. Distance 10 km. ↑ Altitude 3867 m. Walking time: 3-4 hours.

A very pretty walk through fir forest and flowering rhododendron (it blooms in spring). As usual in the Himalayas, juniper bushes are all around. The vegetation slowly disappears. We pass patchwork fields of barley, buckwheat and potatoes, walled in stone against the wind and the wild animals. Distance 10 km. ↑ Altitude 4358 m. Walking time: 3-4 hours.

We reach the snout of the Khumbu glacier. Beyond the gorge a fine view opens on Pumori and Nuptse. Today in the village of Lobuche we join the part of our group that came here by the Gokyo Lakes and Cho La pass route Distance 9 km. ↑ Altitude 4970 m

In the morning a walk of about 4 hours to the village of Gorak Shep. In the afternoon we go up Kala Patthar, 5645 m, 3 m higher than Elbrus, for a 360º view of Everest and a crowd of other Himalayan peaks. It is also key acclimatisation before the Island Peak climb. Distance 7.5 km. ↑ Altitude 5364 m

In the morning an easy walk with light packs to Everest Base Camp. In the afternoon we go down to the Sherpa village of Pheriche. Distance 17 km ↑ Altitude 5645 m to 4350 m

We follow the mountain path through coniferous forest along the gorge. The descent today and on the following days is stretched out on purpose. This way down can in fact be done in two days instead of three. It is a bit harder, and that is exactly what we do if we need a spare day for the Island Peak climb. Distance 14 km. ↓ Altitude 3867 m. About 4 hours of walking.

In Namche Bazaar we stop for a long lunch. Distance 14 km. ↓ Altitude 2835 m. About 4 hours of walking.

The last leg, the final 13 km of our journey. It takes about 4 hours.

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu in the morning. Transfer to the Thamel tourist quarter. Hotel check-in. The evening is yours in Kathmandu. Nepali folk music and songs. A stroll around Thamel. You can go for a Nepali massage in the best salon in town (20-30 USD per hour). Night at the hotel.

Today we visit the three great sights of the city: 1. Swayambhunath temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. 2. The Buddhist complex of Boudhanath, where we have lunch on a roof terrace facing the stupa and the Himalayas. 3. The Hindu complex of Pashupatinath, the temple of Shiva, where bodies are cremated day and night on the bank of the Bagmati river. In the evening the last dinner of the programme, in a Tibetan restaurant with home-brewed tongba beer. Then the Purple Haze rock bar.

Breakfast at the hotel. The programme ends here. We will drive you to the airport at any time during the day.