Trek to the foot of the world's highest peak
Everest (8848m) - there is no greater mountain. This lodge-based trek follows in the
footsteps of the great climbing parties. Trekking through Sherpa country past cultivated
fields and small villages, we follow the Dudh Kosi before the hard work begins as we
climb up to Namche Bazaar. Above the tree line the scenery is stark but spectacular.
The incredible monastery at Thyangboche is a photographer's paradise, set against
the backdrop of Ama Dablam, Everest and other huge, snowcapped peaks. With time for
acclimatisation en route, our goal is Everest Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier and
the opportunity to climb Kala Pattar (5545m) for a breathtaking view of the highest
mountain on earth.

Day 1
           Arrive Kathmandu in the early evening and transfer to
           the Royal Singi Hotel.
Day 2
           Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to
           visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old city where the old
           Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving is located. Outside
           is Kumari Chowk, home of the Kumari, the young girl who is revered
           as a living goddess. The whole area is a maze of temples and images.
           Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full
           of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. Alternatively you may
           wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest
           Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu
           temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. Sightseeing tours can be booked
           locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section. There will also be
           a full trek briefing today.
Day 3
           We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the
           first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh
           Kosi (or 'milk river'). We descend from the small plateau, down into the
           forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching
           the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night.
Day 4
           Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk
           takes us through magnificent forests of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia
           trees, and both in spring and autumn the ground is bright with flowers. After
           Jorsale (2,805m) we cross the west fork of the river, the Bhote Kosi, and start
           the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. About 300m up this ascent we should have our
           first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically
           behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. Another 300m of climbing brings us to
           Namche Bazaar, administrative centre of the Khumbu region. Namche is a prosperous
           Sherpa village and an important trading centre with a weekly market selling fresh
           foodstuffs brought up from lower villages.
Day 5
           We climb steeply out of Namche to the Everest View Hotel. Built by the Japanese
           this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam
           is an ideal place for a tea break. Continuing, we trek to the villages of Kunde
           and Khumjung set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. In Kunde
           we can visit the Edmund Hillary hospital,and there should also be time to visit
           the monastery in Khumjumg, where for a small donation we will be shown the only
           Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma.
Day 6
           This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of
           Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche
           at 3,867m. We will be here by lunchtime and in the afternoon we will visit the
           famous monastery and to watch the sunset on the fantastic panorama of mountains
           surrounding us. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop
           to our teahouse. Visitors should be careful to respect the spirit of this special
           place, by observing the ban on hurting any living creature in the area. Because of
           the ban, the wildlife is unusually unafraid and previous groups have spotted musk deer
           in the area
Day 7 - 8
           We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the
           rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily the trail
           enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley.
           Ascending the valley we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees
           behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas,
           A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, at 4,530m, a summer settlement where
           great peaks surround us. We spend a day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation.
           Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m for great
           views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam.
Day 9
           The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten and ascends the valley
           gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From
           here we have a short, steep climb up to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, yet poignant
           place where there is a line of memorials in tribute to the climbers who have died
           on Everest and from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on the
           Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuje
           (4,930m) a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed.
Day 10
           A very long, hard day today as we leave very early, following the Khumbu Glacier
           northwards to Gorak Shep (5,180m). After a rest and something to eat we trek across
           the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu
           glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before
           finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up
           and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp,
           where in spring, we might see some of the expedition teams as they prepare to climb
           the mountain. From the Base Camp we get fantastic close up views of the Khumbu
           Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate a route through
           the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. After
           a short photo stop we retrace our steps to Gorak Shep
Day 11
           Another hard day as we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak
           of Kala Pattar, 'Black Rock', at 5,545m from where we can look down over
           the base camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a most
           magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and above all a close up view of the
           world?s highest mountain. We return to Gorak Shep and retrace our steps to Lobuje
           for lunch and then continue on down the valley to the lower altitude of Pheriche
           for the night. BH (Please note that the walk to Everest Base Camp and the climb
           of Kala Pattar are both tough. Sometimes we may change the order in which we tackle
           the walks depending on the group's ability and weather conditions).
Day 12 - 14
           Descending through Pheriche, we cross a small bridge and have a short
           climb before descending to join the main Imja Khola Valley. We follow the
           valley down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape. We drop down to
           the rushing river then walk through the peaceful rhododendron forests to the
           village of Devoche from where we climb back up to Thyangboche on the ridge.
           We descend off the ridge to Phunki Tenga and walk back to Namche Bazaar along
           a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi. Descending through Namche
           Bazaar, we pick up our outward trail again towards Chaunrikhara. Here we leave the
           main trail and climb the short distance to the airstrip at Lukla.
Day 15
           We fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.
Day 16
           Day free in Kathmandu for individual sightseeing.
Day 17
           End Kathmandu after breakfast. Those on the group flight will leave
           for the airport after breakfast.