18-Day Kala Patthar Trek from Kathmandu with Everest Views

• Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

• Free day in Kathmandu to make the final preparations for your trek or do some exploring on your own. Please ask for this service with our airport representative upon arrival. We will be happy to arrange sightseeing tours of the valley for you if you desire.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

MEAL: Breakfast

• Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lukla. The airfield is on a slope, and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 195 feet. The flight into Lukla is a lifetime experience in itself.

• Meet your sirdar and the rest of the crew. You will need to identify your luggage so it can be made into loads, and the sirdar will load these onto pack animals or prepare them for your team of porters.

• After lunch, trek for a few hours along the Dudh Kosi River to the village of Phakding at 9,200 ft.

Overnight at Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• The trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi Valley to Jorsale, where the trail officially enters Sagarmatha National Park. There is an entrance station just beyond the village where trekking permits are checked.

• Continue along the trail, crossing the Bhote Kosi River to begin the steep climb up to Namche Bazaar at 11,500 ft., the administrative center of Sagarmatha National Park and the hub of Sherpa society. Remember to look out for glimpses of Mt. Everest from the trail on the way.

Overnight stay at a Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• Enjoy a moderately easy and beautiful walk to the village of Thame at 12,500 ft., situated at an important junction along the old primary trade route to and from Tibet via the Nangpa La pass. The trail leads west past a large array of prayer flags and Mani stones, some of them very picturesque.

• After the village of Thromde, the trail descends to the river and makes a steep climb to Thame, about 4 hours from Namche.

Overnight stay at Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• In the morning, visit Thame Monastery and then trek to the serene Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung.

Overnight at Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• This morning, the trail leads past the large Sherpa settlement of Khumjung and then descends deep into the Dudh Kosi Valley at Pungki Thanka. The trail then ascends the right flank of the Dudh Kosi Valley to Thyangboche at 12,500 ft., home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu. The climb is long but more than adequately compensated by views of Mt. Amadablam and, on clear days, views of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks.

Overnight stay at the Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• Descend through a beautiful forest, then cross the Imja Khola and trek through the village of Pangboche. The route continues through summer pastures to Dingboche.

Overnight stay at the Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• This day will be spent acclimatizing. You can spend the day doing laundry, or you can take a short hike to Chukkung Valley. This valley is a summer pasture and contains a temporary settlement for herders of the Khumbu, and it is at 14,400 ft. The views from Chukkung and beyond are tremendous.

Overnight stay at the Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• Trek along a broad valley floor to Dughla, leaving behind the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche at 13,900 ft. A western volunteer doctor, supported by The Himalayan Rescue Association, is stationed here and offers treatment and consultation to trekkers.

• Continue up the valley, gaining altitude. Come out of the valley to descend to the yak pastures at Lobuche.

Overnight at Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• After a short climb through meadows, look down on the Khumbu Glacier. Straight ahead is Kalapattar, the best vantage point to view the entire south face of Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks. Trek to Gorakshep and prepare for tomorrow's ascent of Kalapattar at 18,187 ft.

• If the weather is good, hike to Kala Patthar in the afternoon. You do not want to miss the opportunity since you will not know tomorrow's weather. If the weather is not good, then you may like to hike to Everest Base Camp. The Base Camp is usually used by expedition teams, and you do not see Everest from Base Camp.

Overnight at Lodge in Gorakshep.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• This morning, those who can may hike up Kala Patthar for unobstructed views of Everest and its surrounding peaks. Most of the famous photographs of Everest were taken from atop this 'bump' on the landscape.

• In the afternoon, retrace your steps to Lobuche.

Overnight at lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• Follow the main Khumbu Valley down to Pheriche, site of the Himalayan Rescue Association's Trekkers' Aid Post.

• Enjoy an easy walk along the Imja Khola with a visit to the gompa at Pangboche, and then a short climb up to Tengboche Monastery.

Overnight stay at a Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• The trail descends steeply towards Pungki Thanka and then climbs steeply again to Namche Bazaar.

Overnight at a Lodge.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• Descend along the gorge of the Dudh Kosi to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla to catch your return flight to Kathmandu. If weather permits, your trekking crew might prepare a farewell treat for you.

Overnight Kathmandu.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

• Meet at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

MEAL: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

• At leisure in Kathmandu. You may like to take an optional tour in and around Kathmandu.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

MEAL: Breakfast

• Transfer to the airport.

MEAL: Breakfast