International flights depart and arrive in Kathmandu the following evening. Transfer to hotel close to the famous bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu and within easy walking distance of the Monkey temple and the relaxing Garden of Dreams.

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

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.

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.

We head NE up the side of the Dudh Kosi. We climb steeply out of Namche, turn the corner and are immediately presented with superb views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. 4 to 5 hours walking.

This is a short walk in distance but involves a height gain of 420m so it is important to do this slowly to aid acclimatisation. 4 to 5 hours walking.

This again is another shortish day, level to start with, but with an overall height gain of 400m it is worth taking it slow. 5 to 6 hours walking.
More acclimatisation on day 9 spent absorbing the views from the ridge above the village and relaxing.

As you walk to Gokyo taking in views of Cho Oyu, the World's sixth highest mountain, you will pass the two Gokyo lakes and end your day at Gokyo village at 4790m. 5 to 6 hours walking.

Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5340m). This peak gives fantastic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Latse, Thamserku, Kantega and Ama Dablam. No rush and the rest of the day free for relaxation and sampling Gokyo’s finest bakery. 3 to 5 hours walking.

Today we cross 1km of glacier to its eastern side and continue to the lodges at Dragnag at the foot of the valley leading towards the Cho La pass. 3 to 4 hours walking.

A long day as we head over the Cho La pass (5368m). A steep climb through boulders leads to the pass from where we are rewarded with more spectacular views. We descend to Lobuche
on the main trail to EBC. 8 to 10 hours walking.

Ascend to Lobuche Peak High Camp (5300m)

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 to High Camp or Lobuche village.

Spare Summit Day or optional trek to Everest Base Camp or ascent of Kala Pattar. Return to Lobuche.

Descend to Debuche.

Debuche to Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla.

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Back to the comforts of our hotel in Thamel and the enjoyable hustle and bustle. This is a good time to buy souvenirs and try your hand at haggling with the local shopkeepers. Time to celebrate!

Depart Kathmandu and arrive UK.