Our signature trek to the base of the world’s highest mountain

Very few have stood on Everest’s daunting summit, yet trekking to its flanks is still an adventure of the highest sort. You'll trek through lively Sherpa villages, and take an optional hike to the 18,000-foot summit of Kala Patar for superlative views of the surrounding Himalayan giants, including Everest. No place is more strongly associated with MTS than Nepal, since it is here that we laid the cornerstone of our passion for adventure in the late 1960s by organizing the first commercial treks in the country.

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Activities

14 days strenuous hiking at high elevation (max. 18,192')

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Trek to Everest Base Camp with the most respected company on the mountain (and 40 years of experience!)
• Feast your eyes on a panoply of awesome Himalayan peaks
• Challenging hikes to Kala Patar (18,000') and Everest Base Camp
• Explore Sherpa villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries
• ALL lodge accommodations on the trek

Duration: 19 days Start Location: Kathmandu End Location: Kathmandu

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal.

  Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal.

• 

  Day 2 : Mountain flight to Lukla (9,200')

  Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. Possible warm-up hike in the afternoon.

• Day 3 : Trek to Monjo (9,317)

  Leave Lukla and begin trek, passing many small villages as we head into the heart of the Khumbu. Overnight in Monjo.

• 

  Day 4 : Trek to Namche Bazaar (11,286')

  Trek up the steep "Namche Hill" to the Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar (11,270'), the unofficial capital of the Khumbu.

• Day 5 : Trek to Tashinga (11,800')

  After a morning visit to the Sagamartha National Park Visitors Center and Museum, we'll continue our trek to Tashinga (11,800').

• 

  Day 6 : Trek to Pangboche (13,107'), via Tengboche

  Continue trek to Pangboche, stopping along the way to visit famous Tengboche Monastery.

• Day 7 : Layover day in Pangboche, day hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,091')

  A layover day in Pangboche, with a day excursion to Ama Dablam Base Camp.

• Day 8 : Trek to Dingboche (14,500')

  Today we’ll follow the river with the beautiful peak of Ama Dablam looming directly overhead. Crossing the Khumbu Khola, we'll make our way up to the remote village of Dingboche.

• 

  Day 9 : In Dingboche, optional hike to Nangkartsang Peak (16,672')

  Continue trek to Dingboche.

• Day 10 : Trek to Lobuje (16,200')

  Today we'll hike up along the broad valley floor to Dughla (15,100'), where we stop for lunch, then continue to the yak grazing pastures at Lobuje.

• 

  Day 11 : Trek to Gorak Shep (17,000')

  Trek to Gorak Shep (17,000'), from where you can take an optional hike up Kala Patar (18,192') for views of Everest.

• 

  Day 12 : Everest Base Camp (17,600')

  Time and weather permitting, we can make an optional hike up to Everest Base Camp (17,600') for views of the Khumbu Icefall.

• Day 13 : Pangboche (13,107')

  Retrace our steps back down the scenic Imja Khola to Pangboche.

• Day 14 : Trek to Tashinga (11,800')

  Return trek to Tashinga.

• Day 15 : Return to Monjo (9,317') via Khumjung

  Return to Monjo with a visit to Khumjung Monastery along the way.

• Day 16 : Return to Lukla (9,200')

  Return to Lukla and overnight.

• Day 17 : Fly to Kathmandu

  Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

• 

  Day 18 : Morning tour of Kathmandu

  Morning tour of Kathmandu. Afternoon free to relax or shop for souvenirs.

• Day 19 : Fly Home

  Transfer to Kathmandu airport for homeward-bound flights.

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  Yak & Yeti Hotel

  Kathmandu, Nepal

  A 5-star deluxe oasis in the heart of Kathmandu, the Yak & Yeti is the perfect blend of contemporary international standards and time-honored Nepali tradition. Guests will find refuge among antique fountains, gilded temples and emerald gardens, while enjoying a state-of-the-art gymnasium, spa, shopping arcade, atrium, tennis courts and swimming pools.

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  Lukla Lodge

  Lukla, Nepal

  This lodge lies at the very gateway to Mount Everest. Spacious, comfortably furnished rooms with en-suite facilities, a lovely sunny garden and traditional interiors make for a very warm welcome to arriving guests.

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  Monjo Lodge

  Monjo, Nepal

  Located at an altitude of 2,850 meters in the quaintly picturesque valley of Monjo, this lodge overlooks the village and the narrow Dudh Koshi valley. Thamserku Himal rising high up behind the lodge serves as a dreamlike backdrop.

• 

  Pangboche Lodge

  Pangboche, Nepal

  Pangboche is located literally at the lap of Ama Dablam, often described as one of the most beautiful mountains on earth. With Everest to the north, Thamserku and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south, and the Imjatse River flowing through the wide fertile valley, this quaint lodge rests in the midst of abundant natural glory.

• 

  Tashinga Lodge

  Tashinga, Nepal

  Situated amidst pine forests overlooking the Dudh Koshi valley, this lodge offers breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, the Tabouche Peak and Khumbila. Comfortable rooms and local hospitality make for a wonderful stay at one of the most beautiful locations along your trek.

• 

  Sherpa Land Lodge

  Namche Bazaar, Nepal

  This local tea house lodge offers comfortable accommodations in the heart of Namche Bazaar. Surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world, yet close to shopping and local culture in the village center, Sherpa Land offers guests a unique experience amidst the majestic grandeur of the Himalayas.

• Mountain Lodge

  Mountain Lodge or local inns or {bhattis} have existed for centuries in the hills and have evolved into the lodges. Most lodges are family- run with private rooms for guests. We have chosen better lodges that offer private rooms and, in some cases, private bathrooms. The sherpas will bring you a bowl of washing water with your morning tea or coffee.  Showers are available at extra cost.  The rooms are Spartan; the only furniture will be a wooden bed and a table to hold a candle. With luck, there will also be a few hooks or nails to hang your clothes on. In some lodges there will be solar powered lights, except for Namche Bazaar where there is 24-hour electricity, it will be "lights out" soon after dinner. Breakfasts and dinners will be served  in the common dining room. Wear your warm clothing to dinner.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa

  Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa was born in Namche Bazaar to a mountaineering family. (His father was a climbing Sherpa and went to the South Col on several expeditions, including the 1963 American Everest expedition.) After completing his education, Lhakpa tried mountaineering on Kanchenjunga (the world’s third highest peak), but decided that he prefers trekking and now limits his climbing to trekking peaks like Mount Mera. Lhakpa has a deep interest in environmental issues and has been associated with Mountain Travel Sobek since 1983, first as sirdar and now as a trekking guide. He speaks Nepali, Sherpa, and Tibetan as well as English.

• Sergio Fitch-Watkins

  A native of Mexico is Mountain Travel Sobek's senior climbing guide, with over 20 years of experience (his climbing resume is eight pages long—the short version, that is). Besides leading our climbing expeditions in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina’s Aconcagua, he also loves to lead some of our more challenging treks in Nepal and Peru. Having led more than 100 trips for Mountain Travel Sobek, Sergio has acquired a considerable, loyal following! See our current list of trips Sergio is leading!

• Pranoy Rai

  Pranoy Rai was born in Nepal, studied in Darjeeling, India, and is a travel enthusiast who has always been keen on adventure. Working as a trekking leader since 1999, he has an enormous experience in the field, having led numerous treks and tours to Nepal, Tibet and India. Pranoy successfully completed his basic mountaineering course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling with grade 'A' certificate. He has been trained in wilderness medicine by Dr. Jim Duff, an expert in wilderness first aid and co-author of “First Aid and Survival in Mountain and Remote Areas.” In addition to being fluent in English, Nepali, and Hindi, he speaks basic Tibetan and Chinese. Pranoy is very keen on birds, plants, and flowers, and has acquired a very good knowledge in them that he looks forward to sharing with you on trek.

• Sanjeev Chhetri

  Sanjeev Chhetri is a graduate of Delhi University, India, and has been leading treks in Nepal, Tibet, India and the Alps since 1990. He is an avid bird-watcher and very well traveled, with time spent in India, Tibet, China, England, Ireland, France, Thailand, USA and Switzerland. He lives with wife and son in Kathmandu. Sanjeev is very knowledgeable of the cultures, religions, and traditions of the countries he leads trek for and enjoys sharing his experiences with you.

photo credits: ©Tara Starr-Keddle