Everest Base Camp Trek with Cho La and Renjo La Passes

Day 01 - Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu

Whatever time you arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our airport representatives. He will help you get transferred to your Hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you may check into your Hotel and get rid of jet lag. Tour plans and programs will be provided to you later. Overnights stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02 - Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour and Preparation for the Trek

Kathmandu valley Sightseeing tour will start early in the morning. The holy Pashupatinath temple will be our very first visit. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva. Built in the 5th century and later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered here. It lies on the banks of the Bagmati River and is one of the most revered holy sites of the Hindu people. The Pashupatinath is built in the pagoda style architecture and contains many smaller shrines outside the main temple as well. It is also the cremation site of many hindu people and sometimes, it can be observed. The nest site of the tour is the holy Bouddhanath stupa. The Buddhist stupa of Boudha Stupa dominates the skyline; it is one of the largest unique structure's stupas in the world.The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Gompas (Tibetan convent) around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha. The next site, in the tour, is the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the royal palace. The Durbar at the Durbar square was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and was where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, took place. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum are located here. Time and again the temples and the palaces in the square have gone through reconstruction after being damaged by natural causes or neglect. Presently there are less than ten quadrangles in the square. On 25 April 2015, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9 hit the region and severely damaged the Square, reducing several buildings to rubble. The oldest temples in the square are those built by King MahendraMalla (1560–1574). They are the temples of Jaggannath, KotilingeswaraMahadev, Mahendreswara and the Taleju Temple. More and more temples and statues were added to the Square under different ruling kings over the time. It is one of the most architecturally intricate showcases of Nepali art and the unique Newa architecture. Then finally, the last site of the tour will be the Swayambhunath Stupa- an ancient religious architecture at the top of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. Swayambhunath is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites especially for Tibetans and followers of the Tibetan Buddhism. We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunderbolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this Vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. After visiting each site, we will head back to the Hotel. Overnights stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu. Breakfast included.

Day 03 - Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding (2652m/8699ft) Duration: 3 Hours

Our real trek starts from today. We drive from Kathmandu to Ringmo. The drive to Ringmo is quite beautiful. We leave the bustling city enter into the countryside life of Nepal. Our route goes through gorgeous rural settings, winding hills and green farms that everyone is spellbound by them. We meet Phaplu, which is a small town surrounded by green hills,on the way. As we arrive at Ringmo, you will follow a gentle trekking track that leads towards Takshindo. Along the way, you can see many Sherpa and Rai people going about their day work in the mountain farms. You can also see the old Cheese Factory that manufactures dairy and cheese made from the mountain livestock. Theproducts are healthy and quite delicious as well. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 04 - Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283ft) Duration: 6 Hours

From Phakding, you will be travelling to Monjo, the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. On the way, we pass through thick woodlands of pine and rhododendrons. Following the trail, you will pass by small settlements along the way, like Tok Tok and Jorsale. Crossing Dudh Koshi River via suspension bridge, you will hike uphill towards the famous Himalayan town called Namche Bazaar. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 05 - Namche Bazaar- Everest View Hotel- Namche

This day is reserved for acclimatization. To some degree, this will help you avoid the feeling of dizziness by adjusting the body to the higher elevations and push off the altitude sickness that might occur in the coming days. So we take rest and enjoy the day exploring the picturesque scenery of Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is the commercial hub of Khumbu. From Namche, you can watch amazing views of the Everest peak and many other neighboring Himalayan peaks as well, like the Thamserku, the Kongdi RI and the Ama Dablam among others. You can visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and the Everest Photo Gallery here. Moreover, you can also hike up to the Syangboche Airstrip that is located above the town. From Syangboche, you can catch good views of Namche below as well as the Himalayan peaks that surround the town in the distance. Likewise, you can visit to the Everest View Hotel, which boasts views of Everest peaks through all of its windows. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 06 - Namche to Tengboche (3860m/12660ft) Duration: 5 Hours

Today’s destination is to reach to Tengboche village. For that you will then have a leisurely hike uphill through the rhododendron woodlands and pass by the Imja Khola to Tengboche- the spiritual hub of the region. Today's easy trial leads us to Dudh Koshi valley and PHungki Thanka too. All along the way, you will get the company of peaks like the Ama Dablam and the Everest Himal. At the village, you can also visit the famous Tengboche Monastery. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 07 - Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m/14464ft) Duration: 5 Hours

Today, you will hike over the Imja Khola, crossing several suspension bridges towards Dingboche. You will pass by many smaller settlements on the the way, like Pangboche and Orsho. On the way you will find Mani stone walls carved with prayers and colorful prayer flags swaying gently by the Himalayan cool breeze. At Dingboche. referred as “the summer valley” of the region, you can relax and take in the mesmerizing views of the Everest peak that tower over the village quite dramatically. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 08 - Dingboche - Nagerjun (5100m/16728ft) and Return to Dingboche, 6 Hours

Today is reserved for acclimatization. Today, you will have a hike up the Nagerjun Hill that is situated near Dingboche. The hike uphill is rather strenuous, but the effort for the journey is worthy because of the panoramic views of the Imja valley which can be seen from the top. Walking for approximately 5 hours, we will reach Nagerjun which showers a panoramic sight of Lobuche East (6119m), Lobuche West (6145m), Kangtega (6685m), Taboche Peak (6367m), Thamserku (6608m), and Ama Dablam (6856m). After spending some time at the vantage point, you will hike back down. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 09 - Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m/16105ft) Duration: 5 Hours

We begin the journey from Dingboche towards the small settlement of Lobuche today. The hike takes you to pastures and pastures to lush woods, Khumbu Glacier and to Lobuche which is a small settlement near the foot of the Lobuche peaks. Along the journey, you can also get good views of peaks like the Lingtern, the Pumori and the Khumbutse Himalayan peak. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10 - Lobuche - Everest Base Camp (5364m/17594ft) - Gorekshep (5181m/16994ft) Duration: 8 Hours

Today is one of the most anticipated days of the trek. From Lobuche, you will make your way towards Gorekshep (the last settlement) before the Everest Base Camp. From Gorekshep, you will finally hike along the Khumbu glacier moraine towards the base camp. From the base camp, you can see the glacier as well as the Khumbu Ice Fall, a charismatic sight. This is the point from where the Everest expedition begins. After our endeavors at the Everest Base Camp, we shall return back to Gorakshep. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11 - Hiking To Kalapattar (5545m/18188ft) - Gorekshep and Trek to Dzongla (4830m/15840ft) Duration: 7 Hrs

To get one of the finest viewpoints from Kalapattar (5545m/18188ft), we start hiking early at dawn. The sight of the rising sun is incredible and spells bounds to everyone. Witnessing Mt. Everest and other Himalayan ranges that change the color from silver to gold is truly blissful. Then we will trek back to Gorekshep for delicious breakfast and then descend to Dzongla. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12 - Trek to Dragnak/Thangna (4700m/15415ft) Via Crossing Cho La Pass (5420m/17780ft) Duration: 7 Hrs

This day is a special one when your spirit of taking risk is going to reward you with the feeling no words in the dictionary can explain. We begin the day with most risky and adventurous trek by climbing to Cho-la crossing over and descending once more to Thangna. Cho La pass is considered to be one of the risky and most adventurous spots in the Everest region. Courageous trekkers enjoy the trail but few trekkers give up. While heading tactfully, listening to the instruction of the guide carefully, anyone who has reached there can do it.

Day 13 - Trek to Gokyo Lake (4790m/15710ft) Duration: 2-3 Hrs

We trek to Gokyo Lake crossing over Ngozumpa Glacier (a large glacier in the Himalayan 36 Kilometers in Length). Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain as a backdrop sets an amazing spectacular sight at this juncture. After lunch, you may explore around the Lake, Dudh Pokhari. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14 - Hike To Gokyo RI (5360m/17880ft) Duration: 4-5 Hours

Gokyo Ri is the most adventurous of this trip. Early morning, we hike up to the Gokyo Ri (Gokyo Peak). Climbing to Gokyo Ri is obviously tiring but adventurous as it is steep up and takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach at the top of the pick. Looking at Gokyo village on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the broad Ngozumpa Glacier are mind blowing. We feel as if we are in heaven when we are surrounded by panoramic mountains like Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, K 43, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori. Sight of sunrays kissing the Everest that towers over all surrounding peaks is amazing. Our Gokyo Ri visit will be unforgettable life time memories. We trek down to Gokyo, take breakfast and trek down to Dole. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 15 - Trek to Lunden (4300m/14104 Ft) Via Crossing Renjo La Pass (5340m/17843 Ft) Duration: 6-7 Hours

Second difficult but adventurous trek is ahead. The crossing of the Renjo La Pass will be equally exciting and challenging as that of Cho La pass we made on the 12th day. We descend into remote northern Valley where access is restricted, and the landscape gradually resembles that of the Tibetan Valleys beyond the border. You might also meet Tibetan Traders descending from the Nangpa La pass that leads through the Himalayas from Tibet with their caravans of woolly yaks laden with goods. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 16 - Trek to Thame (3800m/13464ft), Duration: 4-5 Hours

After taking breakfast, we will trek down to Thame to observe more amazing snow peaks. If we are lucky enough, we get chance to meet Tibetan traders with yak caravans. It shows simple but difficult life style that encourages taking the photograph of. About 150 meters above Thame, there is a Thame Monastery, a picturesque monastery set among the many homes of monks and lay people. Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated here. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 17 - Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283ft) Duration: 4-5 Hours

We will trek back to Namche Bazaar. The return is very beautiful and the pride of having this long daring trek will just fill you with immense joy and make you feel heroic. Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 18 - Trek Back to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) Duration: 6-7 Hours

You will head back to Lukla from Namche as done before. The route is ornamented with prayer flags, Chortens, Mani walls and Gompas. The gushing of the Dudh Koshi River will once again ring while you cross it via suspension bridges. After gradual ascending from Cheplung, you’ll reach Lukla for the night to stay at. Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 19 - Fly Back To Kathmandu

Today, you will have a short flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu. It takes nearly half an hour to reach Kathmandu. You can see the peaks once again for the last time and feel proud of before you land at the bustling city. You will be taken to your hotel from the airport. Overnight stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 20 - Reserve Day in Kathmandu

This day is reserved for any delays in the Lukla flight. Today, you can spend the day as you wish. Shopping or visiting the city’s many restaurants and places of significance can be done. Overnights stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 21 - Farewell

Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be dropped off at the airport for your departure. Breakfast included.