Touch down at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and step into the rhythm of Kathmandu. After disembarking, follow signs to Immigration (visa on arrival or pre-applied online), then collect bags at Baggage Claim and pass through Customs. In the arrivals hall, look for your representative holding a placard with your name; a short, scenic transfer carries you through bustling streets, prayer flags and flower stalls to your hotel in or near Thamel.

Check in, refresh and take the day at your own pace. If your room isn’t ready (standard access is usually from early afternoon), leave luggage with reception and enjoy a gentle orientation stroll: sip Nepali tea in a courtyard café, browse hand-printed textiles, or wander towards the Garden of Dreams for a quiet green escape. Time and energy permitting, head up to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for broad views over the valley, then return for a relaxed dinner—think steaming momo dumplings or a comforting plate of dal bhat—before an early night to reset after your long-haul flight.

It’s an early call today. We leave the hotel at around 03:00 for the road journey (approx. 4 hours) to Ramechhap/Manthali Airport (RHP), where most Lukla flights now operate. Your hotel-prepared packed breakfast travels with you. On arrival, we check in for the short mountain flight—usually 20–25 minutes—into the Khimti–Dudh Kosi foothills.

Touching down at the famed airstrip of Lukla (2,800 m / 9,190 ft), we shoulder daypacks and set off on the first easy leg of the trek. The path slips off Lukla’s terrace and joins the Dudh Kosi valley, where pine forest, mani stones and prayer flags set the scene. With a net descent today, the trail undulates gently with occasional short climbs and suspension-bridge crossings before easing into the riverside hamlet of Phakding (2,652 m / 8,701 ft).

We settle into a local teahouse and enjoy the slower rhythm of the Khumbu—hot tea, simple home cooking and the constant hush of the river. It’s a measured first day on the trail designed to shake out the legs after travel and begin acclimatising gradually.

Leaving Phakding, we trace the milky Dudh Kosi north through whispering pines and stone-walled hamlets. Suspension bridges carry us back and forth across the river as we pass Benkar and the park-gate village of Monjo (Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint), then continue to Jorsale for a short pause before the big climb.

A final, high bridge spans the river at Larja Dobhan and marks the start of the sustained ascent. The zigzags lead through rhododendron and fir; with clear skies, a classic viewpoint mid-way may grant a first glimpse of Everest peeking behind the Nuptse–Lhotse wall. The last push eases into the amphitheatre of Namche Bazaar (3,440 m / 11,285 ft)—the Sherpa capital—alive with cafés, bakeries and gear shops.

Settle into a welcoming teahouse and enjoy the slower rhythm of town life; we’ll explore Namche more fully on the return leg.

We rise from Namche onto the broad ridge by Syangboche airstrip, gaining height steadily before pausing at the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m / 12,730 ft) for a well-earned tea and sweeping views of Everest and Ama Dablam.

If you’re curious about conservation work in the Khumbu, you can drop into the nearby Sagarmatha Next centre to see how trail waste is being tackled and how trekkers can support the effort.

From the ridge we arc towards Kunde to visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital, then drift down to neighbouring Khumjung for lunch near the Sir Edmund Hillary School. These twin settlements sit beneath sacred Khumbila; the path between them offers constant amphitheatre views across the valley. Before leaving Khumjung, those interested can step inside the monastery (entry supports repairs) to view the famous relic often associated with the “yeti” legend.

In the afternoon we rejoin the main traverse and drop to Kyanjuma for the night. Settle into a friendly teahouse for a hearty dinner—a classic climb-high, sleep-lower day that helps your acclimatisation.

We start with an easy descent from Kyanjuma/upper Namche to the river and the small hamlet of Phunki Tenga (≈3,250 m / 10,665 ft).

After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail points uphill through fir and rhododendron. The ascent is steady but rewarding; prayer flags and chortens mark the final approach to the famous ridge of Tengboche (≈3,870 m / 12,700 ft).

We aim to arrive around lunchtime and visit the Tengboche Monastery later in the afternoon. As light softens, the skyline of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam turns golden—sunset and the following sunrise are unforgettable from this perch.

Keep an eye on the forest edges: Himalayan tahr (wild goats) sometimes graze on the slopes nearby.

Settle into a welcoming teahouse for a hot meal and an early night ahead of tomorrow’s traverse.

From Tengboche we slip down through the rhododendron and fir of Devoche, then cross the
Imja Khola on a suspension bridge. The trail turns upstream and climbs at a steady, manageable grade to Pangboche (≈3,900 m / 12,795 ft), the highest year-round village in this valley, with stone houses and broad views.

After a refuel stop for lunch around Shomare, trees thin and the landscape opens to pasture and moraine.

We cross a small bridge near the meeting of the Khumbu and Imja rivers before a short, steeper pull brings us to Dingboche (≈4,350 m / 14,270 ft), a summer settlement encircled by high walls of rock and snow.

Check in to a welcoming teahouse and settle in for a warming dinner. The slower pace and measured ascent today continue the acclimatisation rhythm as we move higher into the Imja Valley.

A restorative day at Dingboche to help your body adjust. Those feeling strong can take the classic out-and-back hike onto the Nangkartsang ridge above town. The path climbs steeply on gravel and stone steps, but the rewards are big: wide perspectives to Makalu, Lhotse, Taboche/Cholatse and Ama Dablam. Set a sensible turn-around time; there’s no need to reach the very top to gain the acclimatisation benefit.

We return to Dingboche for a late lunch, then keep the afternoon easy—bakery stop, short village strolls, kit sort and plenty of fluids. This is a textbook climb high, sleep lower day.

Round things off with a warm dinner at the teahouse and an early night.

We rise out of Dingboche past chortens and field walls onto a broad, high valley leading to Thukla/Dughla at the snout of the Khumbu Glacier. After a tea stop and early lunch, the route steepens up stone steps to the Chukpi Lhara memorial ridge—a quiet, wind-brushed saddle lined with cairns to climbers of the Everest region, with big horizons to the Nepal–Tibet border peaks.

Beyond the crest the gradient eases. We traverse the lateral moraine with widening views to Pumori and Nuptse before drifting into Lobuche (≈4,930 m / 16,175 ft), a small cluster of high lodges. Time and energy allowing, an optional stroll onto the moraine gives a superb vantage for a Nuptse sunset before a warming dinner.

We break trail from Lobuche onto the undulating rim of the Khumbu Glacier, weaving over rocky ribs and short punchy rises. The footing is mainly boulder and gravel as we contour north; after roughly three hours the sandy basin of Gorak Shep (≈5,184 m / 17,008 ft) comes into view. We settle in, refuel with an early lunch, and take a short rest.

In the afternoon, those keen can climb the steep, well-trodden ridge of Kala Patthar (≈5,545 m / 18,192 ft). Expect breathy zigzags on loose gravel and stone steps, but the reward is the classic, near-frontal panorama of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and the tortured ice of the Khumbu. We agree a firm turnaround time; if wind or cloud builds, consider saving the summit for dawn tomorrow.

Night is at a simple teahouse in Gorak Shep. Facilities are basic at this altitude (freezing temps can affect plumbing), but the dining room is warm and meals are served promptly. A hearty dinner and early night set us up for the days ahead.

From Gorak Shep we step out across the sandy flats and climb onto the rim of the Khumbu Glacier. The path rolls along the lateral moraine before dropping to the boulder field, where a thread of cairns guides us over undulating ground and past small blue-ice seracs. We pass the prayer-flagged ‘Base Camp Rock’ where day trekkers usually turn back, then continue a little farther into the expedition zone to reach our Everest Base Camp.

Arriving around midday, we settle into our full-service camp. The afternoon is free to soak up the scene: the Khumbu Icefall creaks and groans nearby, Nuptse towers above, and Pumori guards the valley. It’s a rare chance to linger where most only pause—sip hot drinks, keep warm, and take it all in.

A hot lunch and later a hearty dinner are served in the dining tent; overnight at approximately 5,400 m / 17,715 ft.

Wake to hot drinks and the hush of ice shifting around Everest Base Camp. With your guide, take a slow orientation walk along the marked moraine paths for close-up views of the Khumbu Icefall and the surrounding giants.

When operating and visitor policy allows, we may stop by the Everest ER tent for a brief look and learn about their work.

Please note that expedition areas are private—enter only by invitation and keep well clear of active glacier ice.

After an early lunch in our dining tent, we break camp and retrace the undulating moraine back to
Gorak Shep (≈5,184 m / 17,008 ft), arriving by mid-afternoon. Check in to a simple teahouse and rest up; facilities are basic at this altitude but the dining room is warm and welcoming.

If you didn’t tag Kala Patthar earlier, there’s an optional pre-breakfast hike this morning for the classic Everest panorama.

After warming up back at Gorak Shep, we shoulder packs and retrace the undulating moraine to Lobuche for a relaxed break and lunch.

From Lobuche, the path swings down past the memorial ridge above Thukla and drops to the river flats. With height shedding away, breathing eases and the terrain softens into broader valley tracks. The final stretch is a gentle amble into Pheriche, our lower, wind-washed settlement for the night.

Check in to a simple teahouse for a hot dinner and well-earned rest. (Season permitting, the local HRA clinic sometimes hosts evening altitude briefings.)

We leave Pheriche on easy tracks, cross a small bridge and rise briefly to meet the main Imja Valley trail.

The path trends downhill through open yak pastures to Pangboche, with long views back to the high peaks.

Dropping to the river, we enter quiet rhododendron and fir woods and wander to Devoche. A steady pull brings us onto the ridge at Tengboche—a fine spot for an unhurried lunch and, time permitting, a short monastery visit.

The skyline of Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse frames the ridge.

From here it’s a steep descent on stone steps to Phunki Tenga, then switchbacks lead us back up to
Kyanjuma (3,600 m / 11,810 ft). We settle into a welcoming teahouse for a warm dinner and a relaxed evening.

From Kyanjuma the trail contours a scenic balcony above the Dudh Kosi, curving towards the amphitheatre of Namche Bazaar. We take time here to wander the lanes, pick up a coffee or a bakery treat, and enjoy a last look at the Sherpa capital before turning downhill.

After lunch in Namche, stone staircases drop through pines to the high bridge at Larja Dobhan. We then rejoin our outward route along the river, passing Jorsale and on to Monjo for the night—air a little warmer, steps a little easier.

Settle into a friendly teahouse for a satisfying dinner and a relaxed evening by the river.

From Monjo we follow the familiar riverside path beside the Dudh Kosi, passing prayer wheels, mani walls and stone hamlets en route to Phakding. The trail undulates gently with a few short staircases and suspension-bridge crossings—air feels richer now that we’re lower.

After a relaxed lunch in Phakding (or Ghat if timing suits), we continue to Chaurikharka (often written Chaunrikhara/Chaunrikharka). Here the path turns uphill for the final steady pull to the ridge-top airstrip of Lukla (≈2,800 m / 9,185 ft). Expect to arrive mid-afternoon with time to unwind and toast the journey.

Check in to a comfortable teahouse, enjoy a warm dinner, and reconfirm tomorrow’s flight details. Sort tips, recharge devices and repack bags ready for the morning check-in.

We aim for one of the first morning STOL flights out of Lukla (typically around 07:00–07:30, weather permitting) to Manthali/ Ramechhap. After landing, meet your vehicle for the scenic return through river valleys and mid-hills to Kathmandu, arriving mid-to-late afternoon depending on traffic and road conditions.

Back in the city, check in at the Hotel Norbulinka. The remainder of the day is at leisure—hot shower, easy stroll, or a relaxed café stop to toast the trek.

A flexible day in Kathmandu to unwind or explore — and a built-in buffer should Lukla flights shift. Choose your own pace: wander the lanes of Thamel, sip coffee at a rooftop terrace, or head out for landmark visits with a local guide.

Favourites include the hilltop shrine of Swayambhunath (the “monkey temple”), the great stupa at Boudhanath with prayer wheels humming, and riverside Pashupatinath, the valley’s most important Hindu temple. If time allows, the artisan courts of Patan Durbar Square make a beautiful add-on. Optional city tours can be arranged and paid locally.

The rest of the day is yours: shop for last-minute souvenirs, enjoy a Nepali set lunch, or simply relax back at the hotel.

After a final breakfast, your journey concludes in Kathmandu. If you’d like extra time to explore, we can arrange an additional night or a later airport transfer—just let us know. Otherwise, check out, meet your driver and head to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your flight home.

Not quite ready to leave? Ask about adding a city tour, spa visit, or a short extension before your transfer.