After breakfast in the hotel we drive to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 45-minute flight to Lukla. Landing on the narrow, sloping runway in the heart of the mountains is a very spectacular way to arrive. From Lukla it is best to allow two days for the walk up to Namche Bazaar to assist with acclimatization. Walking down from Lukla to Phakding beside the river takes about 2 hours and this is the first camping place / lodge on your trek.

A very pleasant walk by the river through pine forest leads to Monjo and the entrance to the Khumbu National Park. Dropping to the river a suspension bridge is crossed and a good path followed, passing numerous teahouses to cross the river once again on a plank bridge. The climb up to Namche has been made easier by the building of a new suspension bridge, opened in 1990, which has allowed the route to avoid a difficult rocky section, which used to cause problems for yaks in the past. The first view of Everest is gained about an hour and a half below Namche. Camp is made outside one of the many lodges, or stay on one of the selected lodges.

Namche Bazaar (3400m) is tucked away between two ridges amongst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. Known as the trekkers “Mecca,” Namche boasts an abundance of lodges and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Thyangboche. Options for acclimatization walks include the one-hour walk up to the Everest Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nupste, Lhotse and Everest.

An easy day, but very spectacular in terms of scenery. We head east, through the large settlement of Khumjung and begin a long traversing descent to the bridge across the Imja River at Phunki. En route, we have great views towards Everest and Lhotse. Beyond the river, we climb a long ridge to Thyangboche, one of the Khumbu’s finest monasteries. We have the chance to look around the monastery. This is a popular place to camp or stay in one of the selected lodges as it not only affords a good view of the Everest/Lhotse massif but is also the classic viewpoint for Ama Dablam. Sunset is particularly impressive.

Three or four hours trekking takes us to the village of Pangboche, where there is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. After lunch, we continue, gaining height only very gradually, to Dingboche at the entrance to the Khumbu Valley. We camp outside or stay in one of the lodges in this picturesque Sherpa village.

It is important to continue with our careful acclimatization. We spend a rest day and second night spend at Dingboche.

Day trek up the Imja Valley towards Chukung Ri. Fantastic views towards Tibet and of Island Peak and Ama Dablam. Return to the main trail and camp at Pheriche.

The trek today follows the Khumbu Valley to the tiny settlement at Dugla. Shortly thereafter, we pass a memorial to those Sherpas who have died on Mount Everest and the trail flattens out and follows the lateral moraine on the west side of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche, the last habitation on the route to Everest Base camp.

Today clients will have the option to climb Kala Patar. We follow a trail through the ablation valley beside the Khumbu Glacier, a route which offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We can eat our packed lunch on top of Kala Patar (5600m), which is one of the finest viewpoints for Everest. Descend to camp/ Lodge at Gorak Shep

Today will be an opportunity for those who wish to make it all the way to Everest Base camp. A direct trail leads below Kala Patar, alongside the Khumbu Glacier, to the traditional base camp site for Mount Everest. Once there, we have our lunch, talk to any of the expeditions who are camped below the Khumbu Glacier – the route through to Everest’s Western Cwm and the South Col Route. The mountain scenery is simply breath taking; this is truly an inspiring place. Descend to camp/lodge at Lobuche.

We begin our descent to Lukla. Retracing our steps, we pass through the village of Dingboche and reach our overnight halt at Thyangboche.

Continuing our descent to the hamlet of Phunki, where there is a bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi, we follow the main trail to Namche Bazaar, where we have time for sightseeing, souvenir buying and a leisurely lunch. An easy stroll in the afternoon takes us to Monjo, where we camp/lodge.

We take the early morning flight to Kathmandu, and transfer to Hotel. The afternoon is free for sightseeing. As a part of the holiday package we have included complimentary evening meals at the finest restaurants in Kathmandu on each of the nights that we stay in the city. On this first night after our trek we will certainly have a party. Try not to eat and drink too much.

A free day in Kathmandu. There is an ‘optional’ guided sightseeing tour of the city’s main attractions, including the Buddhist temple at Bodhnath, as well as the principally Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath. Alternatively you may prefer to do your own thing, especially if you have visited Kathmandu before. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines of both the Buddhist and Hindu religions. With advance notice it is possible for us to arrange seats on the scenic flights over the Everest National Park. The cost is around Euro 112.00 per person.