18-Day Everest Base Camp and Cho-La Pass Trek from Kathmandu

Meet and greet with the representative, who will escort you to the hotel upon arrival.

Have dinner comprising authentic Nepali food and enjoy a preliminary firsthand experience of the company's Nepali culture.

Begin a guided tour after breakfast around the historically and spiritually significant landmarks of Kathmandu. These landmarks include:

• Pashupatinath Temple
• Swayambhunath - the Monkey Temple
• Boudhanath
• Kathmandu Durbar Square

Further, a pre-trip discussion session shall be arranged in the afternoon, enabling interaction between the trek leader, crew, and guests.

Proceed for an early morning flight from Kathmandu, rewarded with breathtaking views of green and white mountains, and arrive at the gateway destination of Lukla, from where the trek begins.

Commence the trek through the prosperous village of Lukla to Phakding.

Enjoy a pleasant walk along the Dudh Koshi River, rewarded with magnificent views, and arrive at Benkar village just after breakfast.

Pass through villages, trails, and bridges and arrive at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo.

Descend from there to Jorsale village, then begin the climb to Namche Bazaar, passing the Hillary Suspension Bridge.

Discover the mystifying sights of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other enchanting snowcapped mountains, which compel the convoy to take a break at Chautara and admire the spectacle.

Proceed for another hour's walk and reach Namche Bazaar, the region's colourful city and main trading centre.

For acclimatization, either a day's hike to Thame or Khunde is recommended.

If not, exploration of Namche Bazaar can be arranged, where travellers will have a chance to discover and learn about Sherpa culture, the biodiversity of the Everest region, and an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders. Namche is the major trading centre of the region, with restaurants, ATMs, a bakery, and a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday.

Further, a few hours' side trip to Khumjung Valley can be arranged, where travellers can delight in local culture amidst glorious mountain views.

Begin a steep climb up to Kyangjuma Village, accompanied by views of Thamserku, Katanga, and Ama Dablam peaks.

Continue from here on the most strenuous ascent of the day to Mong La, an extremely charming place perched in the vicinity of Mt. Khumbila, with an ancient historical Chorten at the centre of its settlement area.

Enjoy a relaxing lunch in the area and then proceed ahead, taking in the scenery of abundant plants and vegetation, including wildflowers and rhododendrons, accompanied by wildlife throughout the journey to Dole.

Start on the trail above Dole along a scenic ridge and proceed through amiable summer settlements and the fascinating hamlet of Luza (4360m) along the Dudh Koshi Valley towards Machhermo, the last major settlement on the way to Gokyo.

Visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital and attend a lecture regarding altitude sickness, precautions, and primary treatment.

Climb through the Chorten ridge and move through Pangka (4480m) to the terminal of Ngozamba Glacier towards Lake Longpongo, on the bank of which are the Lama footprints on a stone. Continue past Lake Taboche Tsho towards the third lake, beside which Gokyo Village is settled.

Have a relaxing lunch and be further rewarded with an amusing walk along Dudh Pokhari, the third lake.

For acclimatization, a trek to Gokyo Ri is arranged on the ninth day, with the exciting prospect of visiting the other three mesmerizing lakes of the Gokyo Valley. Thonak Tsho and Ngozuma Tsho are the fourth and fifth lakes, beyond which the base camp of Mt. Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang is only a stone's throw away.

Further exploration of the sixth lake shall depend upon interest and the time available.

Gokyo Ri will be scaled today if it was not done the previous day.

The three to four-hour climb is arduous. However, it is totally worth it. The views of the glaciers, lakes, and peaks are awe-inspiring and mystifying.

Marvel at the sight of sunrays kissing Everest.

Descend from Gokyo Ri, have lunch, and proceed on the trek to Thaknak.

One of the toughest days of the journey, the trek to Cho-La Pass and Dzongla starts at around 4-6 am. The steep trek includes a glacier traverse on the eastern side.

Pass through the frozen lake, steep and rocky trails, and some crevasses; the convoy then descends to Dzongla after the tough ascent to Cho-La Pass.

Enjoy a short walk with more time for observation and relaxation.

Fill this day with the transfixing views of Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, and Thaboche before arriving at Lobuche.

The trail to Gorak Shep goes through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, accompanied by views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, and many more.

Proceed on a small ascent to Thangma Riju, followed by a further steep climb through the torrent of Changri Glacier, and arrive at Gorak Shep.

Enjoy a quick lunch and rest, then continue along the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once immense Gorak Shep Lake.

Set out early in the morning for a trek to Kala Patthar and witness the mesmerizing view of the first daylight embracing Mount Everest.

Since it begins before first light, dark and cold temperatures are expected.

Descend from Kala Patthar and have breakfast.

Proceed to Pheriche.

Start on the route that traverses through Dunghla, Khumbu Khola, Pheriche, Orsho, and Shomare until Pangboche, from where the footsteps are retraced down to Imja Khola and up through the forest to Debuche.

If the trek is organized during the full moon of November or December, the convoy has a chance to witness the Mani Rimdu festival in Tengboche.

After lunch in Tengboche, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge, descending rapidly through pine forests to Sansa and then continuing further down to Namche Bazaar.

Despite the route being the same, the journey from Namche Bazaar to Lukla feels completely different.

It is blessed with views of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and snowcapped mountain peaks.

The forty-minute early morning flight to Kathmandu enables the team to either plan more sightseeing in Kathmandu or spend the rest of the day relaxing and shopping for souvenirs in Thamel, with or without the assistance of a representative.

Commemorate the end of this adventurous expedition in the land of mountains with a farewell dinner, where guests will have one more chance to indulge in an authentic Nepali meal before planning their next tour to the country.

The mountain expedition marks its end today, as the team bids goodbye to each other and shares farewell wishes during and after breakfast.

The guests shall be escorted to the airport by our representative three hours before their scheduled flight.