Day 2

Kathmandu exploration

We explore this nice city and can still organize the last equipment. Tomorrow we are off for an adventure!

Day 3

Flight to Lukla, Phakding trekking

After an early start and an early departure from the domestic airport of Kathmandu, our flight takes 45 minutes, to the Everest region of Nepal. The landing in Lukla (2800 m) is spectacular and upon arrival we are greeted by our Sirdar (guide) and the trekking team. They organize our luggage before we set off. It is a gentle walk to Phakding (2800 m), another 3 hours north. The trail passes through Lukla, past hotels, stores and airline offices, to the edge of the Lukla plateau where the trail ends to meet up with the Jiri trail at Chablung. From here the trail follows the Dudh Kosi River north, through the village of Ghat and finally to Phakding where we will spend the night. If we have time and feel fit, we can continue hiking along the trail to Jorsale or Monjo if we wish.

Day 4

Phakding to Namchee Bazaar

From Phakding, the trail continues north along the Dudh Kosi valley and runs 100 meters above the river on the west bank. The trail leads us to Jorsale (2810m) where we enter Sagarmatha National Park and hand in our trekking permits for verification. From here we continue on an increasingly steep trail to Namche Bazaar (3440 m), known simply as Namche. Along the way we cross the spectacular suspension bridge high above the mouth of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi rivers, and shortly after catch our first glimpse of Everest, far to the northeast. The road to Namche is steep and long, but eventually we reach the remarkable Sherpa capital, perched high on the slopes and dominated to the east by the mighty massif of Kwangde (6187 m).

Day 5

Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga

From Namche we walk northeast on a direct path towards Everest, climb the hill to the visitor center and continue our way on a relatively flat and easy path high above the Dudh Kosi. In front of us we can now see one of the most beautiful mountains in the Khumbu region – Ama Dablam (6856 m) – as well as Everest, still far in the distance. At Sanasa we turn off the Everest trail and walk up the hill to the small settlement of Mong, where we stop for lunch. From here we head steadily downhill to Dudh Kosi at Phortse Thanga (3500 m). This is a beautiful riverside settlement and our overnight stop for the night.

Day 6

Phortse Thanga to Machermo

From the river, the trail first leads steeply out of the valley through a rhododendron forest and then runs high above the Dudh Kosi, steadily gaining altitude. We leave the settlements of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) behind us and finally reach Dole (4200m), where we rest and have a drink. All day long, we have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. From Dole, the altitude difference to our next campsite is small, only 200m. The trail runs high above the western bank of the Dudh Kosi, giving us impressive views of the mountains at the northern end of the valley, including Cho Oyu, as well as back down the valley to Ama Dablam and across to Tawache and Cholatse. Machermo at 4410 m is a large village with several tea houses.

Day 7

From Machermo to Gokyo

Beyond Machermo, the valley widens and the trail passes through the settlement of Pangka before descending to the river. From here, the trail climbs steeply up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier to the first of the Gokyo lakes at 4650m. The trail then flattens out and passes the second lake at 4690m and finally leads to Gokyo at 4750m. Gokyo is an important settlement with many tea houses and is located in a charming area on the edge of the lake. It is the main destination of many trekking groups that we will meet on our way. The views from Gokyo are great and tomorrow we will climb the small hill above Gokyo village known as Gokyo Ri for fantastic views of Everest and Cho Oyu.

Day 8

Gokyo Ri Ascent, Dragnag trekking

We start the day by slowly climbing to the summit of Gokyo Ri at 5350m and are rewarded with magnificent views of Everest to the east and Cho Oyu to the north. After descending to Gokyo and taking a break, we retrace our steps to the area between the first and second lakes and take a path eastward across the Ngozumpa Glacier. This leads us to the small settlement of Dragnag, where there are several tea houses.

Day 9

Cross the Cho La Pass and reach Dingboche

We start early in the morning and continue our ascent to Cho La pass, which connects the Gokyo and Everest valleys. It takes about 3 hours, slow walking to reach the pass at 5420m. Although this is a strenuous morning walk, we are rewarded with fabulous views on both sides of the pass. From the pass we descend slowly on a difficult trail to the small settlement of Dzongla, where there are a few tea houses. Here we can rest and have a snack or a drink while enjoying excellent views of Lobuche and the mighty peak of Cholatse. From Dzongla we descend steadily to the main Everest trail at Duglha, and from here continue our descent to the knoll above Dingboche, where we catch our first glimpse of Island Peak, which dominates the end of the Imja Valley to the east. Dingboche is a large sprawling Sherpa settlement at 4410m.

Day 10

From Dingboche to Chhukung

We can start one hour later and relax before continuing up the Imja Valley to Chhukung at 4730m. It is a short hike, about 2 hours, at a leisurely pace. Chhukung is the last village on the way to base camp and is dominated by the massive south slope of Lhotse, which rises north of the village. The rest of the day is spent resting and preparing for the ascent to base camp.

Day 11

from Chukung to the Island Peak Base Camp

From Chukung, we continue east to the site of our base camp. The trail follows the moraine of the Lhotse Glacier to the glacier tongue of the Imja Glacier, where it branches off to the east and goes around the base of Island Peak. We set up our main camp at a place called Pareshaya Gyab at 5087m. After lunch we rest and prepare for the summit assault, and we go to sleep early as we will be up at 1am.

Day 12

Ascent of Island Peak and return to Chhukung

We leave early for the summit, about 3:00 in the morning. Leaving the area of the old high camp behind, we walk up the mountain for another hour or so, up to about 5300m. From here we continue our way in the dark to the snow-covered glacier. There we continue carefully as we climb up the glacier until we reach a wide snow wall that leads to the last section of the climb. The main summit ridge is now in front of us and we climb a steep snow and ice slope, about 100 m high, accessible by fixed ropes to reach the ridge. The ridge is classic and leads us quickly east to the main summit at 6189m. From the summit we have breathtaking views of Lhotse to the north, Amphu Labsta and Mera Peak to the south, and Ama Dablam to the west. After enjoying the views, we descend the same way, rappelling down from the ridge and carefully walking back to base camp. After a short rest and snack at base camp, we return to Chhukung.

Normally it takes about 6 hours to reach the summit from the base camp, but a strong group can be faster. The return to base camp takes about 3 hours and it is another 2-3 hours back to Chhukung. A long but rewarding day. This is an opportunity to celebrate our success with a cold beer and reflect on today’s climb.

Day 13

From Chhukung to Tengpoche

We return via the ascent trail back down to the Imja Valley, first to Dingboche where we follow the main trail to Everest Base Camp. Then on to Pangboche before arriving at the famous Tengpoche Monastery, where we stop for the night. It is a relatively short day, but we have the opportunity to visit the monastery and recover from the efforts of the previous day.

Day 14

From Tengboche to Monjo

From Tengboche, the trail descends steeply to the river to Phunki Thanga and then climbs again to run high above the river on a winding path to Namche Bazaar. Here we stop for lunch and can take a longer break for shopping. We then descend steeply out of Namche and just before we cross the suspension bridge below Namche, we have one last opportunity to see Everest before it disappears from view. We continue our descent to Monjo, where we spend the night and prepare for the last day back to Lukla, which will be shorter and less strenuous.

Day 15

From Monjo to Lukla

The last day of our trek as we retrace our steps of the first few days along the trail above Dudh Kosi before turning away from the main route to Jiri and ascending to Lukla, arriving in the early afternoon.

Day 16

Flight to Kathmandu

We return to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, 45-minute flight, back to the domestic airport. There we will be met and transferred back to the hotel. Arrival times in Kathmandu vary, but it is common that we should arrive back at our hotel by early afternoon.

Day 17

Free day/relaxation day in Kathmandu

This is a relaxation and buffer day

Last Day

See you soon Nepal, Namaste! Buffer day

Transfer from the hotel to the airport, return flight home. See you soon on another adventure together!