Day 1: Arrival Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (1 300m/4 260ft).

After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: In the City Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing OR A Day at Leisure.

Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square (a good place for lunch); the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.

A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)

Day 3: Kathmandu – Lukla (2 640m/8 670ft) – Phakding (2 560m/8 400ft), 35 min flight, 3-4 hrs trek.

After breakfast, drive to the Domestic Airport for the flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region – south of Everest. Meet your local porters and begin the discovery by trekking into the DudhKoshi Valley through pine forest: to Cheplung (2 700m) and Ghat (2 530m). Another hour’s walk takes you to Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.

Day 4: Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3 440m/11 290ft), 5-6 hrs.

Continue through pine forests along the DudhKoshi, crossing tributaries, to the Sherpa villages of Benkar (2 710m), Chumoa (2 820m), Monjo (2 840m) and Jorsale (2 830m). This is the gateway and permit checkpoint to the Sagarmatha National Park. Thamserku (6 618m) glistens east of the village. Follow the river to its confluence with the BhoteKoshi: the major rivers draining the Khumbu District. Climb steadily, crossing the high Tenzing- Hilary Bridge, to the first glimpses of Everest and the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge. A further 3 hrorested climb leads to the region’s administrative and trade centre at Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization and exploration day.

This is a scheduled acclimatization day. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) experts recommend at least a 24 hr rest period. Keep active: climb high and sleep low is the acclimatisation advice.

Only Namche offers ATMs, cyber cafés, restaurants and bakeries, plus a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday morning. The Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park Visitor’s Centre has informative displays on Sherpa culture, local flora and fauna.

The village of Khumjung (3 780m) will present a more traditional view of Sherpa life than Namche. Spend a morning walking up to the village. A circular trail is possible. At very least, visit the closer Everest View Hotel (3 880m).

Day 6: Namche Bazaar – Phortse (3 810m/12 500ft), 5-6 hrs.

TFrom the top of Namche, the trail contours around a hill to Sanasa (3 600m), and a trail fork: NW to Gokyo, NE to Everest. Look for Himalayan tahrs on high ground, shy spotted deer, and birds – including the colourful (male) national bird: the Danphe pheasant. Turn NW along the slopes of Khumbila (5 761m) into the DudhKhosi Valley and head up to Mong La (3 975m, with a central chorten). Descend to PhortseThenga (3 680m) through pine and rhododendron forest and shortly after the hamlet, take the right fork in the trail; drop to cross the DudhKoshi and then climb steeply, passed walled terraces to Phortse. Overnight in Phortse.

Day 7: Phortse – Tengboche (3 870m/12 700ft), 4-5 hrs.

A shorter day, begins with a short stiff climb to a ridge; a traverse along the ridge and then a downward trail, through rhododendron and dwarf conifer forest, into the ImjaKhola Valley. Cross the ImjaKhola that rises from the vast glacier fields surrounding ImjaTse (6 189m, Island Peak: a popular trekking Peak to the east). The trail then ascends through forest to the hilltop village of Tengboche: where a warm welcome awaits you.

There are good views from all around the village: including a clear view of the Everest group.

There is an important monastery that is well worth visiting. At October’s full moon the colourful, Mani Rimdu festival is held; with Tibetan Opera and masked dancing. Overnight in Tengboche.

Day 8: Tengboche – Namche Bazaar (3 440m/11 290ft) – Monjo (2 800m/9 450ft), 5-6 hrs.

The trail back to Namche Bazaar is more direct than on the outward trek. A long descent through lush rhododendron and juniper forest drops to cross the DudhKoshi at PhunkiThenga (3 250m, the lowest point north of Namche). The trail then climbs back to the fork at Sanasa. Follow the trail that contours back to Namche Bazaar for lunch. Descend into the greener valley and Jorsale (2 830m). Exit the National Park and walk down to Monjo; at a more comfortable altitude. Overnight at Monjo.

Day 9: Monjo – Lukla (2 640m/8 670ft), 4-5 hrs.

Follow the DudhKoshi, through the farming villages to Phakding (2 610m). Cross the suspension bridge at ThadoKoshi then walk to Cheplung (2 700m). Descend and then climb steeply back to Lukla: where your porters will take their leave. Overnight in Lukla.

Day 10: Lukla – Kathmandu (1 300m/4 260ft), 35 min flight.

After an early breakfast, take the return flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel for a free afternoon.

Day 11: Final Departure.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.