Everest Base Camp Trekking for Seniors and Beginners

Day to Day Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

  Upon your arrival in Kathmandu / accord a warm welcome / transfer to hotel / introductory briefing about the trip

• Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation Day

  Most of the day is spent visiting the important historical and cultural UNESCO World heritage sites of Kathmandu / late afternoon trek preparation

• Day 03: Kathmandu – Lukla (approx., 45 mins flight) – Phakding (2610 m); approx., 2-3 hours trek

  After an early morning flight to Lukla (2,840 m). / trek starts / pass Chaurikharka village and make a descent towards the Dudhkosi Ghat (2,492 m) / the trail follows the bank of the Dudhkosi River until Phakding (2,610 m) overnight

• Day 04: Phakding – Namche Bazaar(3440m): approx., 4-5 hours trekking

  Namche is the most prosperous and the largest town in the Khumbu Valley / a bazaar is held here every Saturday / meat, grains and vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots / Thamserku (6648m), Kwangde Ri (6187m) and Khumbila (5707m) surround the natural bowl that Namche rests in / halfway up the hill / a gap in the trees allows us to see Everest for the first time.

• Day 05: Namche Bazaar: Rest and Acclimatization Day

  We take the day to acclimatise / off to allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere / side treks possible / or just relax around Namche.

• Day 06: Namche – Thame (3820 m): approx., 4-5 hours

  Today we head to Thame / marvellous view of Kwangde Ri and the waterfalls that cascade off its flanks / The trail stays high up on the bank of the Bhote Khose / a yellow and white Rhododendron forest that comes into full bloom in early May / cross the river / good views down the valley / of Thamserku and Kusum Kangru (6369m) / before ascending through more Rhododendron forests to pasture lands in front of Thame. This village is the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay / the Sherpa who made the first ascent of Everest with Hillary in 1953 / The hour-long climb to the cliff side monastery is well worth the effort / from this point, trekkers can skirt above the village to climb across the ridge in order to view the route to the Nangpa La, a pass to Tibet frequently used by the Sherpas and their yaks during the monsoon / overnight

• Day 07: Thame – Khumjung (3,780 m): approx., 5-6 hours

  We return back down the valley via Thamo, a hillside sanctuary, and then take a high trail that bypasses Namche and finally drops into Khumjung / this village is one of the most beautiful in Khumbu / The Himalayan Trust has a school here / as well as a medical post (for locals and trekkers) in nearby Khunde

• Day 08: Khumjung-Tengboche (3860 m): approx., 4-5 hours

  The trail this morning descends to the Dudh Khosi(river) / There are spectacular views of Ama Dablam (6696 m) and Kantega (6779 m) Everest (8848 m) and Lhotse (8501m). We cross the river at Phunki Thanga and climb through the afternoon amongst Rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill / right in front of us is Tengboche / the principal monastery of the Khumbu area / the views from here are unforgettable.

• Day 09 : Tengboche – Rest and Acclimatization day

  This is another catch-up day for our bodies / Nearby ridges offer the opportunity for a half-day hike to get close-up views of Ama Dablam / the monks usually give conducted tours around the monastery.

• Day 10: Tengboche-Dingboche (4410 m): approx., 4-5 hours

  There’s a slight descent early today through lush forest / before a gradual climb up to the valleys highest year round settlement of Pangboche (3,860 m) / continue ascending in the afternoon / through alpine meadows and yak herds / eventually reaching Dingboche.

• Day 11 : Dingboche: Rest and Exploration Day

  There are one of two hikes from here / you may choose / the shorter option ascends the hill immediately behind Dingboche / to drop steeply down to Periche. The Himalayan Rescue Association operates a medical post here and the western doctors conduct excellent seminars on Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) here most afternoons. The longer option is to trek up the Imja Tse valley towards Island Peak. The views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Cho Polu from here are outstanding. After a few hours the trekker terminus of Chukung is reached, and after a rest we return down the valley.

• Day 12 : Dingboche-Lobuche (4910 m): approx., 5-6 hours

  Today is a climb to Duglha (4,620 m) / from here there are stunning views of Tawachee and Cholatse (6440 m) / the trail goes up to the Khumbu Glacier for an hour then left into the memorial area before reaching the village of Lobuche. (4,930m) / by this stage the effects of altitude will be kicking in and you can expect colder nights.

• Day 13 : Lubuche-Gorak Shep(5140 m): approx., 2-3 hours

  The trail continues climb to Gorak Shep / Overnight in Gorak Shep (5,140 m).

• Day 14 : Gorak Shep-Everest Base Camp- Gorakhshep: approx., 7-8 hours

  Today we finally make Everest Base Camp (5,364m) walking through rocky and glacial trails / where climbers gather for summiting Everest. Continuing the trek we return to Gorakh Shep for overnight.

• Day 15 : Gorakhshep to Pheriche (4240 m): approx., 3-4 hours

  In the morning hike to the famous viewing point of Kala Pattar (Black Rock) at 5,545m / this small peak offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Pumori and Ama Dablam you can get without climbing / back to Gorakhshep and trek on to Pheriche / the trail descends gradually down /accross small streams / fantastic views / rocky terrain until we reach Pheriche by the river / and overnight.

• Day 16 : Pheriche-Pangboche, (3930 m): approx., 3-4 hours

  The trek to pangboche is a fairly gradual descent along the river and passed pine trees before a short climb up to Pangboche (3,930m), which lies on the bank of Imja Khola. Overnight

• Day 17 : Pangboche – Tengboche (3860m): approx., 2 hours

  Trek descends to reach Tyangboche (3860 m) in Khumbu. Overnight

• Day 18 : Tengboche- Namche Bazaar (3440 m): approx., 5-6 hours

  The walk from Tyangboche is mostly downhill on the main busy trail with a few steep climbs for an hour from the bridge at Phungitenga / near to Shanasha. The walk to Namche is very scenic on a long winding path. En route visit traditional villages of Khumjung and Khunde. There is an opportunity to visit one of its monasteries / the only monastery that has a Yeti Scalp / from Khumjung village another 30 minutes walk brings us to the village of Khunde /’ visit the Khunde Hospital funded by Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. After Khunde, a scenic and pleasant walk brings us to Namche

• Day 19 : Namche Bazaar- Phakding (2610 m): approx., 3-4 hours

  Today the trail steeply descends to the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then continues on an easy natural trail. overnight in Phakding (2,610 m).

• Day 20 : Phakding-Lukla (2840 m): approx 3 hours

  Finally today the trail takes us back to Lukla (2,810 m). On arrival in Lukla / time to relax overnight.

• Day 21 : Lukla- Kathmandu, approx., 45 minutes

  After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, you will be received from the airport and taken to your hotel. Rest of the day is free for your shopping and relaxation.

• Day 22: Free day, relaxation and shopping in Kathmandu

  Last minute easy shopping, souvenirs, wander around, etc.

• Day 23: Departure day: Transfer to airport / flight to onward destination with beautiful memory back home