Everest Adventure

You may arrive at the joining-point hotel at any time on Day 1 as no group activities are planned for today except for a group meeting in the early evening followed by an optional dinner. It is important that you arrive in time for this meeting as we will cover important aspects of the trek. Please check the entrance of the hotel for a notice from your leader detailing the location of the meeting.

Upper Khumbu is a region of dazzling light and immense spaces; of highland valleys ringed by soaring snow covered peaks. According to the Sherpa Khumbu is a sanctuary for Buddhists in times of trouble and where there is still a hidden inner valley which will be revealed in a time of great need – perhaps this accounts for the magical feeling that permeates the region.

Mount Everest (8848m), known to the Nepalese as Sagarmatha and Qomolangma to the Tibetans was ‘discovered’ in 1852. Isolated and considered of little importance to either Sherpa or Tibetans, the mountain is home only to a minor deity. The newly confirmed “highest mountain in the world” received its English name in honor of Sir George Everest, the recently retired head of the Survey of India.

First summited by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, Everest has traditionally been the ultimate goal for mountaineers from all over the world. Today trekkers seek the challenge of reaching the mountaineer's base camp, an incredible achievement in itself.

Our accommodation comprises small, basic teahouses along the track. These cozy remote teahouses are operated by the mountain Nepalese to cater for trekkers and offer simple yet filling and delicious meals to sustain our efforts. This is a challenging trip and involves difficult trekking at high altitudes but the whole experience is simply awe-inspiring!

Details of the trip are subject to change due to weather conditions or any other factors outside the control of Gap Adventures or its agents.

Days 2-4
The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular and the landing an exciting beginning to the trek – one end of the runway is 60 meters higher than the other. Heading through pine and cedar woods along the Dudh Kosi to Pakding you will encounter your first yak caravans carrying trekking and equipment and supplies – including yours – towards base camp. These wonderful beasts creating mobile roadblocks, or virtual avalanches on downhill stretches, are a feature of all treks in the Everest region. It is also possible to see musk deer, Himalayan tahr and, if you sit quietly on the river banks, water rats.

Namche Bazaar is the administrative capital of the region, historically it was the staging point for trading expeditions to Tibet and its Saturday market remains an important event bringing traders from villages a week’s walk away. An acclimatization day allows for an excursion to Thame. Intricately carved mani stones mark the path to this large valley with a picturesque gompa on the hillside overlooking the valley.
Day 2 - Pakding (2610m)3hr walk
Days 3-4 - Namche Bazaar (3440m)6hr walk - 9km

Day 5
Leaving Namche the route is unbelievably beautiful – the Dudh Kosi is far below and Thamserku, Kantega, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest rise in front. Woods, rhododendron forests, mani walls, chorten and suspension bridges across the river make this a lovely walk. The morning view from Tengboche is justifiably considered one of the most magnificent in the world. Tengboche Gompa, the cultural and religious center of Khumbu. Founded in 1912, it has been destroyed and rebuilt twice as the result of earthquake and fire.
Day 5 - Tangboche (3810m)6-7hr walk - 9km

Days 6-7
Stone steps lead down through rhododendrons, birches and conifers where, due to the hunting ban, almost tame pheasants are regularly seen. At the bottom lies the small village of Deboche and its nunnery. Rising above the tree line the trail enters alpine meadows of scrub juniper and, in summer, a profusion of wild flowers. From Dingboche, the only place in the region where barley is grown, the mountain views are outstanding. An acclimatization day here can be used to hike up the Imja Khola to Chhukung, a small summer settlement from where the views of Island Peak (6189), Lhotse, Ama Dablam and the fluted ice walls flanking the Amphu Lapcha pass are one of the highlights of the entire trek.
Days 6-7 - Dingboche (4410m) 6hr walk - 8km

Day 8 - Lobuche (4900m)5hr walk - 7km
Day 9 – Gorak Shep (5184m)3hr walk - 6km and hike to Everest Base Camp (5300m) 4 hrs overnight Gorak Shap
Day 10 - Early morning trek to Kala Patter (1.5hr walk) for Sunrise then 5km - Pheriche or Dingboche.

on Day 8 we will walk through Alpine meadows and summer yak pasture that lead toward the end of the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier where there is a steep, tough climb. There are stone monuments to six Sherpa who died in avalanche as well as monuments to other climbers. From Lobuche the view is straight towards Nuptse and sunset is truly magnificent. Altitude makes the climb onto the Changri Glacier tough. We will reach Gorakshep, near a small, usually frozen lake, by lunchtime on day 9. After lunch trek to Everest Base Camp, the route to base camp follows the Khumbu Glacier with its intriguing 15-meter-high seracs of ice, a feature unique to Himalayan glaciers and come back to Gorakshep for overnight.

Early on morning 10 we make a side trip up Kala Pattar for sunrise, which provides the best views of Everest. The descent back to Pheriche is not difficult, but the altitude can make the many uphill sections below Gorakshep seem long but the scenery will be appreciated.

Days 11-13
Descend the Imja Khola past Pangboche, the highest permanent settlement. Its gompa, the oldest in Khumbu, is built over the hermitage of Khumbu’s saint Lama Sanga Dorje. The juniper trees on either side are said to have sprung from hair cut from his head and a rock-like projection is a piece of mountainside he pulled out for protection one day. Continue down through Namche Bazaar and Phakding to Lukla.
Day 11 - Tengpoche (3840m)4hr walk
Day 12 - Monjo (2835m)5hr walk
Day 13 - Lukla (2860m)3hr walk

On Day 14 we take the short flight back to Kathmandu where the rest of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing or relaxing in one of the many rooftop cafés.

You may depart at any time on Day 15.