EVEREST THREE HIGH PASS TREK 16 DAYS

After breakfast in your hotel, we drive to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 35-minute flight to Lukla landing on a precarious strip of tarmac overlooking the Dudh Koshi River. Today we meet our porters and then have lunch at the Yeti Mountain Home Lodge and then begin with a relatively easy trek descending to Phakding. This trek takes us through farming lands of the Sherpas passing through several villages along the way. Nowadays, many Sherpas make their living solely from trekking. Along the trail we can stop at one of many tea houses for refreshments and a chat with the locals. We will also pass by many mani stones (a form of prayer) which are stones carved in Tibetan script, and of course, you will see many strings of prayer flags along the trail. We then arrive at our lodge on the banks of the Dudh Koshi River where we stay the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today the trail takes us through a beautifully scented pine forest along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River crossing several suspension bridges along the way. The most well known of these suspension bridges is the Hillary Suspension Bridge – named after Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man (along with Sherpa Tensing to climb Everest). Our trail gives us a view of Mt. Thamserku (6618 m) before passing through the small villages of Benkar, Chumoa & Monjo just prior to the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. The final village we pass is Jorsale before ascending through forests and crossing several bridges until we reach the head of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. A steep climb of about 2 hours gives us our first glimpse of Mt. Everest just above the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Arriving at Chautara we can again reach for our cameras and take in the views. We continue on for about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, well known as the gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading hub of this region – the Bagmati Zone. Tonight we stay at Namche Bazaar. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

In order to reach higher altitudes, we will spend two days acclimatizing. Health experts recommend we stay active and moving during the rest day. Today we can choose between taking a hike to Thame or visit Khunde, or alternatively relax and explore Namche Bazaar – the home to many Sherpas employed in the trekking business. Namche Bazaar is the main hub of the Everest (Khumbu) region with government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery, and of course a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we decide to take a vertical trek during the day it will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can see a variety of artifacts related to the first Everest climbers, learn about the Sherpa culture and the numerous flora and fauna of the Everest region. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

After breakfast in Namche we trek towards Tengboche and along the way get to see some of the most spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku (6608m). The trail is relatively easy-going with some undulations, but we are comforted by the numerous views of the Himalayas. Another feature of this trail is the wildlife, such as musk deer, Himalayan Thar and colorful pheasants. The trail then takes us to Kayangjuma (3600m) and on to . Sansa, the crossroad that leads to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The trail takes us through a pine forest and then across the bridge, decorated with prayer flags, over the Dudh Koshi River. We eventually arrive at Phunki Thenga, a small village with several teahouses and a small army post set among an alpine forest. After lunch at Phunki Thenga we prepare for a more demanding climb up through pine forests before we reaching Tengboche with its magnificent views of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Nuptse, and Mt Everest. Tengboche also boasts of having the largest Buddhist Monastery in the Khumbu region. In the afternoon, around 3 p.m. we visit the monastery to witness a religious ceremony by the monks. We spend the night at a lodge here in Tengboche. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

In the early morning, with mountains in the background, the monastery is even more stunning. The early morning light provides us with a perfect photo opportunity of the surrounding scenery. Leaving Tengboche we take the higher trail that provides us with better views as we head to Pangboche village. On the trail we pass numerous Chortens and Mani walls and several small villages. We stop for lunch at a village well-known for its delicious food, and can also take in the close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. In the afternoon we trek north to Pheriche or alternatively follow an eastward trail beneath the soaring north face of Mt Ama Dablam. The trail is relatively easy-going as we enter the Imja Valley that gradually widens as as we approach the Lobuche River. We descend down to the river and then face our steepest climb of the day while heading up to Dingboche. Dingboche is unique in that its fields are surrounded by stone walls, protected from grazing animals and strong winds, with crops of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes. Tonight we stay at Dingboche. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

From Dingboche, there is a short hike to Chhukung, the final settlement of the Khumbu region around Imja Tse (also known as Island Peak) with its magnificent panorama of snowcapped mountains with Mt. Makalu in the east. After arriving at Chhukung we can rest or hike to Chhukung Ri for more amazing views of the mountains. It will also allow us time to prepare for our early morning departure to Kongma-la Pass. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

We tighten our shoelaces this very morning and march forward to conquer the summit of Chhukung Ri located at the elevation of 5,550m asl. The top of this peak rewards our days’ long physical and mental effort via mesmerizing glimpses of Ama Dablam and Amphu Labsa in close proximity. In addition, we can also gaze the 3600 views of surroundings with heavenly natural settings. We capture these marvellous moments in our minds and cameras then return back to Chhukung Valley.

Our day begins before dawn trekking along an icy path and then a stony trail beneath Kongma-La Pass and its Kongma Peak– also known as Mehra Peak. We then cross Kongma-La Pass at (5,535m) nestled between Mt Nuptse Wall, Mihara, and Pokalde peaks. After a strenuous climb towards Khumbu Glacier and moraine (rocky ground), we take a fairly steep trail up to the base of the Khumbu Glacier to arrive at Lobuche for an overnight stop in the comfort of a warm and comfortable lodge. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Embark on an exhilarating trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp, a journey that will test your stamina and reward you with breathtaking views. The trek covers a distance of approximately 15 kilometers, taking 6-7 hours. As you ascend through the rugged terrain, you'll be captivated by panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks and the majestic Khumbu Icefall. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp (5364m), relish the sense of accomplishment amidst the towering giants of the Himalayas. After soaking in the stunning scenery, return to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved rest, reflecting on the day's awe-inspiring adventure.

An early morning start takes us to Kalapatthar (known as black rock) a well known landmark that offers the most exhilarating panoramic view of surrounding giant peaks including a close-up of Mt. Everest. We then head back to Gorakshep and then onward to Dzongla, at the base of Cho-La Pass. at Dzongla where we stay the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Rising early we then trek to Thangnak and get a magnificent view of Mt Cholatse (6440m). The trek heads in a westerly direction from Dzonglha. Today is the toughest day of our trek as we head to Cho-La Pass (5420m). On reaching the highest point of the valley we begin our trek through Cho La Pass taking in some amazing views of Chola Lake and Mt.Amadablam. The climbing can be quite difficult due to being rugged and with rocks glazed over with ice. Upon reaching the top of the pass we then haed downhill to Thangnak – a more relaxing descent! Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

An early morning start and then begin our trek to the small village of Gokyo at the base of Mt Gokyo. Along the trail we will have some fantastic mountain views. After leaving Longponga (4720m) we continue uphill on a trail that leads to Gokyo with a magnificent view of Tanjung Tsho Lake (4710m). After a short walk along the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier (36 km is the longest glacier of Nepal). In the evening we can choose to climb Gokyo Ri, and get a panoramic vista of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mt. Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Cholatse, Taweche and Mt. Makalu in the east. This is truly one of the highlights of the trek! We then descend to Gokyo.

Up before dawn, we head off to our final high pass following the trail at the end of Gokyo Lake where along the way we are again gifted with more awesome views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse and Taboche, before crossing Renjo La Pass. This is also one of the most demanding parts of our trek, but once we reach the top we will be rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views of Mt. Cho-Oyu and other towering peaks. After a short break, we continue our trek to the frozen lakes below Renjo La Pass before heading on a long trek downhill to the small village of Lungdeng – close to Nangpa-La Pass The trail then takes us to Marlung village where we stay for the night just above the Bhote Koshi River. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Leaving Marlung we follow a gradually ascending trail until we reach Thame Village with its own hydropower generator. On the trail we pass several Khumbu villages, pine and rhododendron forests just prior to reaching Namche Bazaar. Our trek continues as we head back to Monjo near the Sagarmatha National Park where we stay the night. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

In the morning we follow the trail to Phakding and then head back to Lukla.Tonight we celebrate our achievements and reminisce sharing the highlights and photos of this jam-packed mountain trek. Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.

Today, in the morning, we fly back to Kathmandu after our epic mountain journey. After arriving in Kathmandu we can either rest or wander around Thamel doing some last-minute shopping.