International flight arriving day 2. (H,B on day 2)

A spectacular short internal flight takes us to the tiny airstrip town of Lukla and the gateway to the Sherpa Kingdom. After lunch we walk along the typically stony path that descends from the forested terraces of Lukla right into the Dudh Kosi (‘milk river’) valley and the brightly painted lodges of Phakding. Good views of Kusum Kanguru's North Face (6367m). 2 hours walking. Tea House, Phakding (B,L,D)

During peak season most flights to Lukla now go from Ramechhap which involves a 4 hour drive from Kathmandu.

If the flight is delayed due to poor weather this will become the sightseeing day scheduled for the end of the trip.

Phakding. To Namche Bazar (3440m) Into the Sherpa capital and heart of the Khumbu, Namche Bazaar. You will now be becoming familiar with local protocol for passing chortens, mani stones, yaks, spinning prayer wheels etc. and enjoying the hustle and bustle of trekking and everyday life that exists on the 'Everest Trail'. At Monjo we enter the Sagarmatha National Park. 5 to 6 hours walking. Tea House, Namche Bazar (B,L,D)

Day 5 Acclimatisation Day in Namche Bazar (3440m) It is important to have a couple of nights and a rest day in Namche before proceeding any higher. You can spend day 5 taking short walks up to Thame or Khumjung, visiting the Everest, Ama Dablam and Pumori viewpoints or just relaxing and exploring the narrow streets of the busy Sherpa capital. Tea House, Namche Bazar (B,L,D)

Day 6 Namche Bazar to Pangbouche (3800m) Heading northeast up the side of the Dudh Kosi, we climb steeply out of Namche, where the mountain views start to open and become more dramatic, with superb views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. 5 to 6 hours walking.Tea House, Pangbouche (B,L,D)

Pangbouche to Dingboche (4358m) A good day of walking through beautiful rhododendron trees that gradually takes us back to the river and into Pangboche, a great viewpoint for Ama Dablam.  On leaving the village we turn up the Imja valley to reach the lovely and picturesque village of Dingboche. 6-7hrs Walking. Tea House, Dingboche (B,L,D)

Acclimatisation at Dingboche (4358m).  An acclimatisation day spent absorbing the views with a morning walk up the ridge behind the teahouse to 5000m. Tea House, Dingboche (B,L,D)

Dingboche to Lobuche (4,930m) The day starts with a leisurely trek dominated by Ama Dablam in all its beauty, this gives way to views of Lobuche Peak. Climbing up we reach the crest of Dugla where there is a memorial park made in homage to mountaineers who have lost their lives to Everest. Quiet an emotional and place of sadness. We continue our ascent alongside the famous Khumbu Glacier that fows out of Eveerst base camp to reach the remote Lobuche village. 5 to 6 hours walking. Tea House, Lobuche (B,L,D)

Climb to Lobuche High Camp (5300m) 3 to 4 hours walking. Camp, Lobuche high camp (B,L,D)

Lobuche Summit Day From high camp we make an early start to gain access to the glacier over rocky slabs. The glacier is quite crevassed but provides a wonderful route along a snow arête to the summit ridge. Most parties climb to the summit of Lobuche East (6000m). The true summit is further along the ridge, involving a higher degree of technical climbing, and is rarely climbed. The summit gives fantastic views over the whole of the Khumbu and Everest. Descend and Trek down to Phiriche (4,371 m) 8-10 hours walking. Camp, Lobuche high camp/Teahouse, Phiriche (B,L,D)

Spare Summit Day, decend to Phiriche. Teahouse, Phiriche (B,L,D)

Descend from Phiriche to Namche Bazzar (3446m) 5 to 6 hours walking.Teahouse, Namche Bassar (B,L,D)

Descend from Namche Bazaar to Lukla. Teahouse, Lukla (B,L,D)

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu (or Ramechhap). Hotel, Kathmandu (H,B)

Lukla Flights are returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. It’s about a 4-to-6-hour drive from Ramechhap back to Kathmandu depending on traffic.

Day in Kathmandu. Hotel, Kathmandu (H,B)

Depart Kathmandu and arrive UK