15 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP FROM LUKLA

TREK # 18
15 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP FROM LUKLA

DAY 01:
We fly from Kathmandu to the tiny airstrip at Lukla(2800m) for about 40 minutes. This airstrip was built in the sixties by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas. Once landed, we have lunch while our equipments are sorted out and loaded. We then take an easy walk to Phakding and camp.

DAY 02:
As easy day again to help for acclimatization. This is a busy trail with plenty of human interest. There are also tantalizing glimpses of Kusum Kangru (6369m) through the beautiful pine forests and we camp at Joresalee (2800m).

DAY 03:
Not a long day but a hard pull up ton Namche Bazar to arrive for an early lunch and our overnight camp. As we climb, we have our first views of Everest (8848m) and Nuptse (7879m). We camp right in the heart of the village and have the rest of the day to enjoy the splendid Sherpa hospitality.

DAY 04:
Rest and acclimatization day at Namche Bazar (3444m). We enjoy a rest day here to allow for maximum acclimatization on our way to Everest Base Camp. A pleasant day can be spent exploring the village, talking to the Sherpas and simply enjoying and marveling at the incredible scenery.

DAY 05:
Today we walk along a very pleasant trail under the soaring peak to Thamserku and steadily descending to the Imja river and lunch at Phunki where there are a series of water driven prayer wheels. In the afternoon, we climb steadily for about 2 hours to Thyangboche Monastery (3875m) and the views from here are magnificent. The Monastery is literally surrounded by mountains. Yaks graze on the small meadow and the monks drone through their prayers. Surely, this is one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

DAY 06:
Rest and acclimatization day at Thyangboche. This is a day to relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery that surrounds you. Everest Lhotse, Nuptse, Taboche (6367m). You can visit the Monastery and the monks will happily show you around. This is just the spot for a rest day.

DAY 07:
We move up the Imja river valley to Pangboche (3900m). We stop here for lunch and visit the Monastery and look at the 'Yeti Sculpt'. In the afternoon we continue on to the summer village of Dingboiche (4360m). The scenery all day is superb.

DAY 08:
Another rest and acclimatization day at Dingboche. This rest and acclimatization day should give you an excellent chance of ascending Kala Pathar, the Base Camp of the Everest. From these yak herders' village, there are a number of interesting excursions. A 2 hours walk to the huts at Chukung (4700m) will take you to the glaciers flowing off Nuptse and Lhostse. We camp at the foot of Amadablam.

DAY 09:
We walk up a small ridge and then contour around the base of the Khumbu Glacier and have a light lunch at Dhungla (4600m) From here, we have a short steep climb to the terminal moraine of the glacier from where the views are stunning. We contour round the moraine again to camp at the foot of the Lobuje Ice Fall (4930m).

DAY 10:
Today, we climb Kala Pathar. The actual distance is not so far but we take it very slowly to compensate for the altitude stopping at Gorekh Shep (5288m) for a light lunch. We then take the climb to Kala Pathar (5545m). This is a hard pull but the view from top surpasses anything you can imagine. All around us flow huge glacier ice. The mountains of Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m) and Khumbutse (6623m) separate us from Tibet, and just over the Lho La pass. We see the huge rock of Changtse (7550m) in Tibet itself. But the queen of them all- Sagarmatha (Everest) towers over everyone. This is the Roof of the World. We return to Lobuje at our camp.

DAY 11:
We retrace our steps along the glacier to Pheriche (4260m) and stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we take the lower trail to Pangboche and Thyangboche and camp.

DAY 12:
Descending to Imja river we climb to Khumjung for lunch. Excellent views all day and camp at Khumjung (3779m).

DAY 13:
Descending, pass through Namche Bazar passing under the towering Kongde ridge (6186m) and follow the Dudh Koshi to Phakding to camp.

DAY 14:
We walk to Lukla and enjoy a farewell party with our Sherpa crew.

DAY 15:
Fly back to Kathmandu.