18-Day Everest Base Camp and Island Peak Trek from Kathmandu

• Arrive in Kathmandu, where we will transfer you to your accommodation so you can rest after your journey. You can also explore the surroundings and get a first impression of the country and its culture. If you arrive early, we will join you for dinner in the evening. If you arrive late, dinner will be arranged on day 2.

• Meet your trek leader today for a full briefing about trekking to Everest Base Camp with Island Peak. Our back-office staff will prepare all the required permits for your trek, while your guide accompanies you for any last-minute shopping. While the permits are being arranged through the government offices, our guides will also help you get acquainted with the country by taking you to one of the most happening markets in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu twin sharing room (1 Night)

Meals Included: Breakfast only

• Fly to Lukla (2,800 m/9,184 ft), then trek to Phakding (2,652 m/8,700 ft): 40-minute flight, 3-4 hours trek.
• The day starts very early, sometimes as early as 4 in the morning, to catch the flight to Lukla. The flight is completely dependent on Lukla's weather conditions, and at times flights may be rescheduled. Compared with the days ahead, today's trek is relatively easy and marks your first day on the Everest Base Camp trail. We trek for 3-4 hours until we arrive in Phakding.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• We begin by strolling along the same undulating trail we left the previous day. Today, we walk on a path carved into the hills along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River. Several times, we cross rustic suspension bridges as we move between the left and right banks. The beautiful riverside Buddhist settlements, intermingled with sparse forests of rhododendron, pine, and fir, are the main attraction of the day. On a clear day, Namche offers a distant yet lovely view of Mt. Everest.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• We take this opportunity to visit Khunde and Khumjung, where we see the school built by Sir Edmund Hillary. This village is famous for its monastery, which claims to hold the Yeti skull. Furthermore, it is also the hometown of renowned Sherpas Appa Sherpa and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. After returning to Namche, we relax and enjoy the view while getting ready for the next day's trek.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• As we make our way along the trails through rhododendron forest, we keep our eyes open for Himalayan tahr and musk deer. We arrive at Tengboche, a wide open grassy flatland where Tengboche Monastery stands, famous as one of the largest monasteries in the Everest region.
• Today, we walk leisurely downhill at first and then slowly begin scaling the trail beside the Khumbu stream for almost 3 hours until we reach Dingboche.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• We trek around 400 m up to Nangkartshang Gompa, a viewpoint that offers slightly different angled views of the mountains in the Everest region and even East Makalu (8,463 m). After climbing up to admire the mountains, we head back for lunch and then spend the rest of the day doing photography, playing card games, or inventing our own games.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• We take an utterly nerve-wracking uphill climb to a memorial that commemorates mountaineers who lost their lives in 1996. This is the most difficult ascent of the day. From there, we continue ascending with the view of soaring Thamserku ahead of us. We reach Lobuche and spend the night here.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• We make a short but difficult climb over a more technically demanding moraine, with our first sighting of Gorakshep. Gorakshep (5,180 m), at the base of Kala Patthar (5,545 m), is a flat sandy basin where we stop for lunch. It is recommended to visit Kala Patthar on this day to enjoy views of the Himalayas of the Everest region.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• If we made it to Kala Patthar on the previous day, we would hike to Everest Base Camp today before descending to Pheriche. We make a very nominal ascent of 200 m today, but it is technical and takes almost 3 hours. We start our trek early, at around 6 am, toward our destination, a semi-permanent village made up of bright dome tents and boulders covered with prayer flags.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• The average time to reach Chhukung Valley is around 3 hours, with a couple of rests in between. This is a long day trip, and there are other alternatives as well, but this is one of the most demanding side trips.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• From Dingboche, we leave early in the morning to reach the Imja Valley. Be careful, as the land is very rocky, the gusts of wind are heavy, and there is a lot of dust in the air. Once at Island Peak, you will call it a day. You will prepare all the gear and also learn a few things from your climbing Sherpa. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• You do not need any prior peak climbing experience to reach the summit of Island Peak, and it is an absolutely perfect peak to embark on your journey as a climber. We begin very early, as early as 1:00 a.m., and head toward the summit. Once at the top, you will be mesmerized by the views of the towering mountains all around. We spend brief moments at the summit, enjoy the victory, and then descend back to Island Peak Base Camp. Packed and canned food will be provided for the day.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• On the way, you will pass through the beautiful Sherpa villages of Shomare and Orsho. We follow the regular trail back to Pangboche. Pangboche is a beautiful village with views of Everest, Ama Dablam, the Kongde range, and many other peaks. Overnight in Pangboche.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• From Pangboche, we head toward the Gompa and descend to Phortse Thanga before ascending again to Namche Bazaar. You will mostly follow the Dudh Koshi and walk through a much warmer climate. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Accommodation: Local Teahouse twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: 3 meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

• Buckle up for another long descent from Namche to Lukla. The route is the same as the one taken at the beginning of the trip. Once in Lukla, we will call it a day, and your guide will check in at the airport to confirm your flights for the next morning. Overnight in Lukla in a twin-sharing hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

• You will take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, we will transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, your Everest Base Camp and Island Peak trek officially comes to an end.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu twin sharing (1 Night)

Meals Included: Breakfast only

• After an early morning breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport in time for check-in. Once we confirm your flight details, you can continue to your next destination.

Meals Included: Breakfast only