Trip Overview:

Embark on a 13-day Sherpa adventure starting with a hike to Namche, where a day is dedicated to exploring the bustling town before proceeding to Thame. Experience a trek to Sumdur Ridge (4,830 M) to revel in the stunning views of Cho Oyu and other prominent peaks. Navigate rhododendron- covered hills on the west side of the valley to reach Kongde, often referred to as an ‘eagle’s nest,’ offering breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The normal ‘Everest Trail’ does not provide this breathtaking perspective. Kongde offers a day climb to Farak Ri for a better perspective of the Khumbu Valley. Your Everest hiking vacation may now include comfortable lodging.
 

Itinerary:

• Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 M)

  The group will rendezvous at our hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to do some independent exploration in this colorful and bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing in the hotel gardens or beside the pool. You will share dinner with your guide, who will offer an informal briefing about the upcoming days.

  Accommodation: Hotel Yak and Yeti | Meals: Dinner

• Day 2 Fly to Lukla (2,860 M) - Trek to Phakding (2,610 M)

  After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport (or transferred to Ramechhap), where you check in for a short flight to Lukla. Landing on the narrow, sloping runway in the heart of the mountains is a very spectacular way to reach the Khumbu. Following your arrival at MLN-Lukla, you will have breakfast before meeting our trekking crew and embarking on the initial stage of the trek. The short and very pleasant afternoon’s walk leads you down to the river through the pastoral lands of the Sherpas, many of whom now make their living from trekking. There are many tea houses and basic lodges where it’s possible to stop for a drink or a chat. You will also see many stones intricately carved with prayers in the evocative Tibetan script and prayer wheels of all sizes. Everywhere in the valley colourful strings of prayer flags flutter from high points and bridges. Your overnight stay will be at MLN Phakding.

  Accommodation: MLN Phakding Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  

• Day 3 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,500 M)

  A very pleasant walk by the river through pine forest leads to a short climb to escape a narrow gorge section. As you progress, you’ll reach the entrance of the Khumbu National
  Park, where details of your permits are recorded. Descending once more, you’ll cross the river via a suspension bridge. Continuing through the wooded valley on a good trail, you
  will cross the river once again before reaching a confluence of rivers -one coming down from Thame and the other from the main Khumbu Valley. You’ll make a final crossing here on
  a spectacular high suspension bridge and then begin an hour and half long ascent to Namche on a wide switch back trail. This is the sting in the tail of today’s otherwise gentle ascent, and one of the steepest of the trek. On arrival in Namche, you’ll check into MLN Namche.

  Distance: 13 km | Trek: 6-7 Hrs.
  Accommodation: MLN Namche
  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Day 4 Namche Excursion

  Namche Bazaar is tucked away between 2 ridges amongst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. An ancient market place where goods from as far away as Tibet were and still are traded. While staying in Namche, don’t miss the opportunity to hike up to Sagarmatha Next which will take approx. 1.5 hour. After having an early morning breakfast, you can head towards Sagarmatha Next, located in Syangboche near Namche Bazaar. It showcases the transformation of mountain waste into stunning art and design products. It aims to change perceptions about waste and support local stakeholders by providing innovative and sustainable solutions for solid waste management. After spending some time here, if you’re eager to explore, consider a gentle 2-hour hike up to gorgeous Khumjung village, the home of the Sir Edmund Hillary School (3,750 M) that was built in 1961. As you
  enter through its modest doorway, constructed by Sir Ed himself, you’ll see old artifacts, photos, and films that tell the story before this simple building sparked a wave of change in Solukhumbu as the area’s first school. Descend from there to Namche, where you’ll have a delightful lunch at the local lodge. Afterward, you will continue your journey to our lodge along with breathtaking panoramic vistas. In Namche, you can explore the charm of Namche Bazaar and the stunning 80-year-old monastery adorned with exquisite
  Thanka paintings of Tibetan deities while enjoying a delightful evening of bar hopping. Namche has transformed with influences from around the world, offering German bakeries, Italian coffee, British pubs, and more
  Accommodation: MLN Namche | Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Day 5 Trek to Thame (3,820 M)

  Following breakfast at the lodge, your day starts with a short walk through forest of spruce, juniper and pine to the village of Thamo. This trail is much less used by trekkers, so you will immediately notice the difference. It is, however, an important trail which leads all the way to Tibet via the Nangpa La on the shoulder of Cho Oyu (8,012 M). During today’s trek, encounters with other trekkers are likely to be few. Lunch will be enjoyed in Thamo, the home village of Ang Rita Sherpa, who has summited Everest 10
  times without the use of oxygen. After lunch the journey continues for another 2 hours, bringing you to a deep gorge where the Bhote Koshi River thunders through the narrow defile. Crossing a sturdy bridge over the gorge, you’ll reach Thame (3,800 M). This important village is the home of many famous mountaineers including Tensing Norgay the first man to reach the summit of Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary. Apa Sherpa who has reached the summit 21 times lives here now. The village is very picturesque and
  also has a magnificent 16th century Nyingmapa gompa (monastery) built by Lama Rolwa Dorje. Upon arrival, you will check into your comfortable rooms at the MLN Thame, offering breathtaking views of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru.
  
  Distance: 8.5 km | Trek: 5 Hrs. Accommodation: MLN Thame Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
   

• Day 6 Thame Excursion (3,820 M)

  A steady pace is required for the steep trail up to Thame Monastery. Most people agree that viewing the interior of the traditionally decorated gompa is well worth the effort of the
  climb. After spending some time here, there is the option to extend your acclimatisation walk up to a shoulder of Sumdur Peak that offers magnificent views of Teng Kangpoche, Kongde and Everest. You return to spend a second night at your cosy lodge in Thame.

  
  Accommodation: MLN Thame Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Day 7 Trek to Kongde (4,250 M)

  Now fit and well acclimatized, you are ready for two more challenging trekking days that promise great rewards of outstanding Himalayan panoramas. You start out today with a descent of around 30 minutes and then follow a trail on the south side of the Bhote Kosi River, through the tiny village of Pare. You then climb gradually through beautiful rhododendron, pine and bamboo forest to arrive at the glacier of Kongde Peak with stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. This trail is relatively new, constructed specifically for accessing the MLN Kongde. On this section, you are unlikely to encounter many other trekkers. Although the trail is well built it does cross some very steep ground and there is one short section where cables are used as hand rails to safeguard progress. Sherpas will be on hand to assist anyone who may be less than comfortable with this section. You check into the lodge for the next two nights in Kongde. This lodge is situated at 4,250 meters and has the most spectacular view, looking right across the valley to Namche  and beyond to Thyangboche, with the backdrop of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. The restaurant and bar serve fine wines and delicious cuisine which you can enjoy while watching the sunset on the world’s highest peak out of the window. It just doesn’t get better than this!
  
  Distance: 14 km | Trek: 8-9 Hrs. Accommodation: MLN Kongde Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
   

• Day 8 Trek to Farak Ri (4,600 M)

  For those who wish to make the excursion to Farak Ri (4,600 M) an early start is recommended to witness the breathtaking views. The ascent to the viewpoint typically takes 2 to 3 hours. From the summit, you are treated to a panoramic view of the entire Khumbu Valley, including four of the six highest peaks in the world, namely
  Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After descending to Kongde, enjoy lunch on the terrace with a bird’s-eye view of Namche and Khumjung villages. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore the surrounding area further.

  
  Trek: 2-3 Hrs. Accommodation: MLN Kongde Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinne

• Day 9 Trek to Phakding (2,610 M)

  From the high perch above the Dudh Kosi River the trail to Phakding descends quite steeply and trekking poles are highly recommended. Finally, you reach the Everest Trail and continue your trek back to Phakding and the comforts of the MLN Phakding.

   Distance: 7.5 km | Trek: 5-6 Hrs. Accommodation: MLN Phakding Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
   

• Day 10 Trek to Lukla (2,840 M)

  Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before completing your trek with the final short stage to Lukla. Remembering that the first day’s walk from Lukla was downhill and what comes down must go up, prepare for the sting in the tail as we climb steeply for the final 40 minutes to crest the ridge on which Lukla Airstrip was built. Here you check in at the MLN Lukla Lodge for our last night in the Khumbu.

  
   Distance: 4.5 km | Trek: 3 Hrs. | Accommodation: MLN Lukla | Meals: Lunch, and Dinner
   

• Day 11 Fly to Kathmandu (1,400 M)

  After saying goodbye to our Sherpa crew, we board the flight back to Kathmandu (or to Ramechhap from where you transfer by road). The rest of the day is free for sightseeing or shopping amongst the streets and bazaars of the Nepalese capital. This evening we will have a celebratory meal and reflect on our Everest adventure.

  Flight: 25 mins | Accommodation: Hotel Yak and Yeti | Meals: Breakfast

• Day 12 Free day in Kathmandu

  This is an important contingency day in case of delays to the flights from Lukla. If we have experienced no delays this is another opportunity for independent exploration amongst the colourful streets and temples of Kathmandu.

  Accommodation: Hotel Yak and Yeti | Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

• Day 13 Departure day

  Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre book a day’s sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.

  
  Meals: Breakfast