With eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, Nepal is loaded with spectacular mountains vistas. Everest trek is not only famous for its proximity to the world’s highest mountain (8848m.) but also for its friendly Sherpa people, picturesque villages, great variety of cultures and traditions, colorful festivals and monasteries. The flora and fauna are other ornaments of the Sagarmatha National Park. The story of the yeti is still a mystery in the world from the Khumbu region.

This trek gives you the grand tour of the famous Khumbu valley. This is a strenuous trek leading to Gokyo Lake and over the Cho La at 5,430m making a circuit of Tawache (6,367m.) and Cholatse (6,440m). Emerging into the Khumbu valley above Lobuje the trail continues up to Kalapatthar and then back to Lukla via Tengboche and Namche Bazaar. The small herding settlement of Gokyo (4750m) lies on the banks of the third lake in a series of small turquoise mountain lakes and on the ridge above Gokyo, the four peaks above 8000m of Cho You, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu expose themselves. In addition to this you can have a look at the tremendous ice ridge between Cho You and Gyachung (7922m), considered one of the most dramatic panoramas in the Khumbu region. There are many options for additional exploration and high-altitude walking, including the crossing of Cho La, a 5420m-high pass into Khumbu and a hike to Gokyo Ri.

Strenuous trekking is continuously rewarded with dramatic Himalayan scenes, including four of the world’s highest peaks: Cho Oyu (8,201m.), Makalu (8,463m.), Lhotse (8,516m.) and Everest (8,848m.). Breathtaking mountain vistas are complemented by visits to Sherpa villages, homes and monasteries offering you an insight into the quiet but, culturally vibrant Sherpa way of life.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu International Airport,  meet MTM Staff and transfer to Hotel on BB basis.

Day 02: Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m.) takes about 35 minutes. Trek from Lukla to Phakding (2640 m.) which takes approximately three hours. You begin today’s trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi river. You descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m.) The Dudh Kosi approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You continue along a small path with many climbs and descents following the left bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.

Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) takes about 5 to 5 and half hours. This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo (2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the village monasteries on the way of trekking to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.).

Day 05: Rest at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion around the places. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khunde hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary or a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru.

Day 06: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Dole (4040m.) via Khumjung, takes about six hours. From Namche the route heads up all the way to Khumjung, a picturesque village which also has its own gompa at the top end of town. Soon after leaving Khumjung the trail climbs to a large chorten on top of a ridge. This ridge descends from Khumbila, a 5734m peak, said to be the abode of the patron God of the Khumbu region. The trail descends slightly towards the Sanasa and then trail ascends up to Mongla (4000m.). From here, you can see panoramic views of various mountains. You trek steeply descending the pass through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens.

Day 07: Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4410m) takes about 3 hours. From Dole you climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley you can view the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch.

Day 08: Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4750m) which takes about 4 hours. Today you head for the lakes at Gokyo. You follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the melt-water Rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky path inclined into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5420m.) - your route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo.

Day 09: Rest day at Gokyo and excursion in and around Gokyo valley. Gokyo is a trade centre where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide the best services to the trekkers. Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumba glacier, the biggest glacier of Nepal. This day you can make a side trip to Firth Lake via Forth Lake.

Day 10: Gokyo to Phortse. You can descend to Phortse in a single long day, or you can spend the night at Thare or Konar to make the day less strenuous. Rather than retrace the upward route, follow the eastern side of the valley to gain different views of Khumbila. You will also enjoy somewhat warmer weather, because the sun stays on these slopes longer in the late afternoon.
The route to Phortse retraces the upward journey back to Pangka, then turns east and climbs across the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier to NA (4400m), the only year-round settlement in the valley. There are low scruffy teashops, but nothing resembling the quality of the lodges in the rest of Gokyo. The descent from NA along the eastern side of the Dudh Kosi valley is straightforward, passing through Thare and Konar, making a few ups and downs where landslides and streams have carved side valleys. The trail enters Phortse at its upper end.

Day 11: Trek from Phortseto via Pangboche to  Tyangboche (3850m.) takes about 4 hours. To reach Tyangboche you pass through Pangboche village, which is known to have highest permanent settlement throughout the year in Khumbu region. Upon your arrival at Tyangboche village you come across the famous legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. There is a trekker's visiting centre where local Sherpas make an exhibition of different goods to be sold to interested trekkers. They also show a slide presentation about Sherpa people, culture, Buddhist religion and environmental development programs.

Day 12: Trek from Tyangboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m.) which takes about 4 hours. From Tyangboche, the trail descends steeply and slightly towards Phunki Tenga (3250m.) crossing the Dudh Koshi. Now you have a glimpse of panoramic views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous teashops, the trail ascends steeply to Sanasa where local Sherpa people sell the Tibetan goods.

Day 13: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2886 m.) takes about six hours. The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote- Koshi River crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay.

Day 14: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu takes about 35 minutes. Transfer to hotel on BB basis

Day 15: Free day in Kathmandyu.

Day 16: International departure.....