Tour Itinerary
The Everest Circuit is the complete circuit of the Khumbu Valley walking through three high passes of Everest, five summits and off course the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
After exploring the temples, shrines, old palaces, bazaars and restaurants of Kathmandu Valley, the next day we fly to Lukla, the starting point of everest circuit trek. The circuit rises from Lukla to Dingboche then Nangkartshang Peak and Chhukung, crossing the 5535m Kongma La to Lobuche, and climbing the 5340m Everest Base Camp and 5545m Kala Patthar, continuing over 5420m Cho La pass to Gokyo, then straining over the 5345m Renjo La to Thame and Namche Bazaar.
With most of the walking above 3600m this trek is graded hard and is designed for those who are fit and have previously trekked at altitude.
Day 1Arrival KATHMANDU (1300m/4265ft)
Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Meals: NO
Day 2Acclimatize Kathmandu
In the morning after breakfast, a trip orientation meeting will be organized and there will be a tour around Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu, being a historical and cultural heart of Nepal, is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and adventure seekers. The city presents a wonderful mixture of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. In this tour we will see the glorious Newari architecture of old palace of Kathmandu Durbar Square and we will join the pilgrims around the enormous Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa and then to the Nepal’s most important Hindu temple Pashupatinath temple that stands on the bank of the holy Bagmati river. Last minute shopping can also be done this day. Welcome dinner in the evening. Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner
Day 3Fly to Lukla (2800m/9187ft); trek to Phakding (2610m/8563ft) 2-3 hours trek; 200m descent, 50m ascent
We fly upto the mountain airstrip of Lukla and set off on the first short trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi and then downwards into the forested valley. The trail crosses several tributary streams and we have some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding where we spend our first night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4Trek to Namche (3420m/11221ft) 5-6 hours/1000m ascent, 100m descent
Heading for the Namche Bazar, we cross through the hamlet of Zamphute and Tok Tok to see dazzling Thamserku glistening in the sun that stays all the way with us in most of our trek. Passing through the scenic Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumoa and Monjo, we reach Utche Choling Gompa on a bluff abutting the Dudhkoshi river and further we make our way between the bluff to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO declared world heritage site. Completing halfway to Namche Bazar, we head for the second half of the march that would likely to take more time due to steep climb at the end. Crossing through the last village of Jorsale, a steep stepped path leads us to an amazing high bridge over the Dudhkoshi River gorge and just before this bridge the Dudhkoshi is met by its tributary, the BhoteKoshi. Beginning the final steps uphill slowly we reach heights of Namche from where we can have first look at Mt. Everest, peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge and finally after about 1.5km/0.9mile) we reach Namche Bazar. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5Acclimatize at Namche; Trek to Khumjung (3780m/12402ft); back to Namche
We have an acclimatization day at Namche Bazar. To help our body better adapt to the high altitude, we can take short walks or climb few hundred feet during the day to have a look in the villages, houses, terraced fields and snowy mountains of Kwangde, Khumbu peak, Thamserku, Kusum Kanguru and the village’s big weekly event, the Saturday market to have fun mingling with the crowds and watching men and women in traditional attire. This day, we start the climb through the U shaped hillside above Namche from beside the Gompa. In the way we see several snowy peaks of Kwangde, Khumbila and Thamserku and Tagi Tau and Pharchamo, Tip of Ama Dablam and Taboche and we reach a sign posted intersection from where we move towards right hand for Khumjung. Walking past a large chorten and a long mani wall, we reach a viewpoint to Everest “THE EVEREST VIEW HOTEL” for lunch, Lhotse and Lhotse Shar ( East ) peak, besides Thamserku , Ama Dablam and Taboche and then path drops to Khumjung past the Hillary School. Khumjung is famous for its gompa that stands in a grove of cedar in the upper part of the village where there is an image of the Guru Padmasambhawa, who helped establish Buddhism in Tibet, flanked by his two consorts. Inside the gompa is preserved a skull that lamas believe is that of the yeti, but was disapproved by scientists in US. We return back to Namche for night stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6Trek to Tengboche (3870m/12697ft) 4 hours; 350m descent, 750m ascent
From Namche we take the easy level trail that cuts around the ridge from Chhorkung to reach the end of a bluff which is a viewpoint over a grand panorama of peaks, from thamserku to Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest. From here we reach Kyangjuma (3550m) and a short walk from there takes us to animportant trail junction at Sanasa (3600m) from where we take the trail to Tengboche that runs gently downhill towards the river. This trail drops gradually to Lawichasa and on our descending way the thumb like peak of Ama Dablam soars into view above the trail. From Lawichasa a narrow trail branches north to reach Tashinga (3380m) and now the trail drops down on steep stone steps to Phunki Thenga (3250m) and then to a bridge. From the bridge the trail climbs past some water powered prayer wheels and begins a sustained climb through a forest of tall, mature rhododendrons. We might see musk deer and Himalayan tahr among the trees to eventually follow the path that reach a kani and a pair of chortens marking the start of Tengboche village which is scattered across a wide, grassy saddle below a crescent shaped ridge covered by scrub pines and rhododendrons. The focal point of Tengboche is the famous Tengboche monastery. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7Trek to Dingboche (4360m/14305ft) 3-5 hours; 70m descent, 580m ascent
The trail from Thyangboche leads downhill through a forest of conifers, birch and rhododendrons. The trail passes the nunnery at Deboche to cross a wooden bridge over the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. We begin to climb again, passing some beautifully carved walls. The trail then enters Pangboche, at 3900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. We are above the tree line now. Following a ledge above the river, the trail crosses a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas. A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, at 4530m. Dingboche is a summer settlement and here the great peaks of Ama Dablam, the ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse, Tawoche and Chalotse surround us. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8Acclimatize at Dingboche /Nangkartshang Peak (5100m/16733ft)
We spend this day at Nangkartshang to continue our acclimatisation. Those who are adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5100m. From this hill behind camp the views are even more spectacular – Chalotse and Tawoche tower above us, Ama Dablam rears up across the valley and in the distance we can see Makalu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9Trek to Chhukung & Climb Chhukung Ri (5546m/18196ft)
The trail ascends the valley gently towards Island Peak and Chhukung, a small settlement at 4730m. From Chhukung we will ascend Chhukung Ri (5546m). From here we can look directly across the valley to the fantastic snow and ice formations on Ama Dablam and the Amphu Lapcha. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10Trek to Kongma La (5535m/18160ft)
An early start for a very long day as we cross our first pass. We turn away from the main valley and head off up a side valley towards the Kongma La. As we ascend the scenery becomes increasingly spectacular as the ridge of Nuptse appears above us. We can see the glaciers of Kongmatse ahead and the rocky peak of Pokalde is to our left. Finally we reach a small lake before the last steep scramble to the top of the pass. From the top (5535m), we are surrounded by peaks and glaciers in all directions. The descent is long and steep and finally brings us to the Khumbu glacier, which we must cross at the end of the day to reach Lobuche, a tiny yak pasture with a few teahouses in the summer. The sunset on Nuptse towering above us is not to be missed. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11Trek to Gorak Shep (5160m/16930ft) and EBC (5340m/17521ft) and back to Gorak Shep
Another long day today as we leave very early, following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep. 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 may see some of the expedition teams as they prepare to summit the mountain. From the Base Camp we get fantastic close up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. After a short photo stop we retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12Trek to Kala Pattar; retrace our way back to Lobuche
This morning we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar, ‘Black Rock’, at 5545m from where we can look down over the 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 Lobuche. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13Trek to Dzongla/ Awi Peak (5245m/17209ft)
Following the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier we head down the valley before turning off above the Chola Tso Lake towards our next pass, the Cho La. Above us are the twin peaks of Tawoche and Chalotse. We stay tonight in the small basic tea house at Dzongla. For the energetic there will be a chance to ascend Awi Peak (5245m), a little known viewpoint but well worth the effort for the views across to Everest Base Camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 and 15Trek to Gokyo over Cho La Pass
An easy day as we climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier, which is the largest in the Nepal Himalaya. A magnificent walk across the glacier brings us to Longpongo, the first of the glacial lakes. A short walk then brings us to the summerhouses and walled meadows set next to the azure blue lake at Gokyo. There is time this afternoon to rest and take in the views or the energetic may want to explore further up the Gokyo Valley. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16Acclimatize at Gokyo
A day to explore the magnificent scenery at Gokyo. There is a chance to ascend Gokyo Ri (5360m.) which is set above the lake and enjoys probably the most magnificent mountain panorama in the Khumbu. Mountains surround us and include four of the seven highest peaks in the Nepal Himalaya: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. It is also possible to visit some more glacial lakes further north towards Cho Oyu base camp. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 and 18Trek to Thame over Renjo La Pass
An easy day as we descend further to meet the trail from the Nangpa La, which leads into Tibet, and we may well meet Tibetan traders, with their caravans of yaks laden with carpets, salt and hides. Following the Bhote Kosi Valley we head south to Thame with its spectacular monastery. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 and 20Trek back Lukla
Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla retracing the way we came up. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 21Fly back Kathmandu
Fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu and drop to the hotel. This is a leisure day which can be utilized buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family. In the evening you will be invited to join FAREWELL reviewing great photos and share experiences of the trip. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 22Fly back HOME or extend your HOLIDAYS
If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours etc. Meals: Breakfast
Price Includes
3 Nights in Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast- 3*. Accommodation 18 Nights stay in Lodge/Guest House during trek/Basic Guest House
Air fare from Kathmandu to Lukla and return flight to Kathmandu and domestic flight departure taxes. (International flights are not included. )
An experienced English speaking Trekking Guide and a Porter during trek. 2 Trekkers-1 Porter
During the Trek, we will have Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea/Coffee each time only. Welcome and Farewell Meals and Breakfasts while in Kathmandu.
All airport/hotel pick up and drop in private car/van
National Park Permit and TIMS for Everest.
Down Jacket and Sleeping Bag that needs to be returned to office after trek completion.
Serene Kitbag and T- shirt for you
City tour in Kathmandu
Driver,S Salary, Meals and Accommodation
Fuel, Road Taxes and Parking Fees
Gov. Taxes and Service Charges
Price Excludes
Nepal entry visa fee
International airfare and departure tax.
Bar bills, laundry and other expenses of personal nature.
Travel insurance including evacuation.
Lunch and dinners in Kathmandu except welcome and farewell meals.
Tips for local staffs, guides and porters.
Desserts, Hot Water, Hot Shower, Mineral Water, Wi-Fi,
Entrance Fees in Kathmandu.