Day 1 –
Arrival in Kathmandu and Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley

Pick-up at Tribhuvan International Airport, meeting with your guide and transfer to Potala Guest House. First impressions of Kathmandu – walk to medieval Kathmandu Durbar Square and explore the beautiful complex of palaces, temples, shrines and courtyards built by the ancient Nepali kings between the 12^th and 18^th century. We also discover Thamel -  the vibrant tourist area with hotels, restaurants and outdoorshops.Briefing in Potala hotel where we will be discussing the technicalities of the trek.Sightseeing with private bus to Pasupatinah, the most important Hindu temples of Nepal with the sacred burning ghats located at the holy Baghmati river.In the evening you enjoy a welcome dinner at Nepali Chulo - www.nepalichulo.com.np. 

Overnight stay at Potala Guest House Kathmandu – www.potalaguesthouse.com

Day 2 – 
Flight to Lukla – Trek to Phading

In the early morning we drive to Tribhuvan Airport to connect our fly to Lukla - flight time app. 40 minutes from Kathmandu.  After breakfast in Lukla (2 850 m) we start trekking through beautiful settlements to join soon the main trail in Churi Kharka.  We follow the east bank of the Dudh Koshi- the River of Milk- where you witness the typical Nepal terrace culture, slate roofed houses and views on Kusum Kangaru (5 579 m). We reach Phakding(2 640 m) after 3 - 4 h gentle walking.
 

Overnight stay at lodge Phakding

Day 3 –
Trek Namche Bazaar

Today we make a challenging hike to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m), situated at 6-7 hours walking from Phakding. We climb up along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi to the tiny village of Toktok.  We get our first glimpse of Thamserku peak (6 608 m) and reach Benkar (2 710 m).  The cliffs above the village are decorated with huge paintings of Buddhist deities. We cross the colorful suspension bridge  and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo (2 840 m).  After Jorsale we follow the riverbank  over gravel, climb through a pine forest and cross the Dudh Kosi by a big suspension bridge. Then we face a continuous zigzag ascent of 2 hours through dense pine forests.  In the early evening we reach the vibrant center of Namche Bazar, on of the most attractive settlements of Solu-Khumbu district.
Overnight stay at lodge Namche Bazaar.

Day 4 –
Acclimatizing day at Namche Bazaar

Rest day in Namche. Optional walk to the Sherwi Khangba  Sherpa Culture Museum or dayhike to the Hotel Everest View in Khumjung village (3 700 m) and Khundi Hospital in Khundi Village, the first hospital build in Khumbu Region by Sir Edmund Hillary and Himalayan Trust in 1966.

Overnight stay at lodge Namche Bazaar.

Day 5 –
Trek to Tengboche

Trek to Tengboche (3 860 m), 5-6 hour long hike from Namche Bazaar. The first part of trail is a winding smooth path which offers fantastic views on Mount Everest (8 848 m), Thamserku (6 618 m), Ama Dablam (6 814 m). After the trail goes down to the riverbank and then we make a strenuous 2 hour ascend to Tengboche. We walk through rhododendron forests where musk deer and Himalayan ‘tahr’ or mountain goat live. At the rest place you can enjoy the views towards Kantega mountain

 (6 783 m). Tengboche, is famed for the Buddhist Tengboche Monastery (where you can attend the daily puja), Cafe Tengboche and the view point.

  
Overnight stay at lodge Tengboche

Day 6 –
Trek to Dingboche

Trek to Dingboche (4 410 m), 6-7 hours walking from Tengboche. We descend through conifer and rhododendron forest to the beautiful settlement Deboche where you have a close view at Ama Dablam. We cross the suspension bridge and look over the surging white waters of Imja

River. Soon after a snow white stupa with gorgeous all seeing eyes is mirroring the Ama Dablam, this is a marvelous place for a picture!  Then the trail ascents gently to the village of  Pangboche (3 860 m), where we climb above the treeline.  After, the trail passes numerous farmer pastures with big yak populations before we reach Dingboche valley.  Overnight stay at lodge Dingboche

Day 7 –
Rest day in Dingboche

Optional acclimatization trek (5-6 hours) to the remote village of Chhukung  (4 730 m) and

Chhukung Ri (top) located at 5 550 m.  We have magnificent sights at Island Peak (6 189 m), Amphulapche (5 663 m), Baruntse Base Camp (5 400m) and the white ice lake of Imja Tsho. 

Overnight stay at lodge Dingboche.

Day 8 –
Trek to Lobuche

 After ascending 150 m up to the main road, we reach a viewpoint where we have outstanding sights at Tawachee (6 495 m) and Cholatse peak (6 440m).After our lunch camp in Dugla (4 620m) the trail goes directly up the gravely terminal moraine of the Khumbu glaciers for about one hour.  The trail leads to a row of memorial monuments of lost climbers and sherpas. The trail then drops a little and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche. After four to five hours hiking we reach the small settlement of Lobuche which is situated at 4 930 m.

Overnight stay at lodge Lobuche

Day 9 –
Trek to Gorak Shep

 The ascent to Gorak Shep (5 160 m) becomes steeper and rougher as we cross several moraines.  Soon we see the peak of Pumori (7 145m). We also have our first views at Nuptse (7 864 m), Kala Pattar

(5 545 m) and Mount Everest.  At the right side you look over the Khumbu Glacier, an enormous tongue of ice which marches down the slopes of Everest. We reach Gorak Shep by lunchtime and trek to Base Camp in the afternoon.  In total we hike six-seven hours today.

We sleep  in a lodge at Gorakskhep, a semi-permanent village at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall. 

We enjoy our Christmasdinner in the shadow of the highest peak of the world!  

Overnight stay at lodge Gorakshep.

Day 10 –
Trek to Pheriche

Early morning we climb to Kala Pattar – the Black Rock - located at 5 545 m and marked by a tangle of prayer flags.  At this viewpoint - one of the most astonishing views on earth- you have a 360 degree panorama of Himalayan giants from Pumori and Lobuche West to Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. We return back to Gorak Shep via the view points of the ice lakes of Pumori and Everest.

After breakfast we return in 4 hours back to Pheriche located at  4 215 m.

Overnight stay at lodge Pheriche.

Day 11 –
Trek to Namche

Trek from Pheriche  to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m). We descend approximately 5 hours.

Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Day 12 –
Trek to Lukla

We start this 6 hours during trek with a streneous descent from Namche Bazaar to the Dud Kosi (hard work for the knees), after the path climbs up to Monjo and then runs easily to Benkar, Phakding and Lukla.

Overnight stay at Lukla.

Day 13 –

Trek to Lukla

After breakfast we fly in about 40 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu. Arrive at Tribhuvan Airport and transfer to hotel. 

Overnight stay at Potala Guesthouse - www.potalaguesthouse.com

Day 14 –
Stay at Kathmandu

Have Breakfast in the morning after breakfast volunteering session in one of the childreach international Nepal projects, where participants can actually have one on one interaction with the kids.

Day 15 –
Fly out Kathmandu

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport – We hope you enjoyed your stay!