- Day: 1
April 4 2020 :Welcome to Nepal, Kathmandu.
Upon your arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Rugged Trails Nepal who will take to your hotel. Welcome drinks upon arrival at the hotel, free time until 6 pm. Evening welcome dinner in a traditional Nepali Restaurant with authentic Nepali cuisine and cultural program.Overnight in Kathmandu Hotel.
Airport pickup is included in this trip so just send us your flight details.
At the Nepal, airport check Rugged Trails Nepal sign or your name. Airport pickup is included on your trip. If some people have a late-night arrival then the group welcome dinner will be provided on the second day.
- Day: 2
April 5 2020: Kathmandu: Spiritual and heritage Sightseeing around Kathmandu
Yoga in the morning and breakfast at the hotel. Proceeds our short guided sightseeing tour and warms up yoga at the Swayambhunath Temple. After Swayambhunath temple, we will visit another UNESCO World Heritage sites and the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath), which is also one of the largest stupas in the world. After sightseeing drives back to the hotel and briefing of the rest of the trip plan. Sightseeing will be for 6 hours.
At the same time if you have to buy any trekking gear or things for the rest of the days Guide will help take you to the trekking equipment store in Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu.
You will get the duffle bags from us to pack your stuff for the trek. While packing clothing and gears for Everest Trek don't put unnecessary stuff. You can store your luggage at the hotel reception which is safe and the hotel will take care of it.
- Day: 3
April 6 2020: Kathmandu fly to Lukla 2,860 M (9,383 ft) and Trek to Phakding.
Wake Up early morning to take a flight to Lukla, you will receive a packed breakfast. From the Kathmandu domestic airport, we will take a 35 - 40 minutes flight to Lukla. Enjoy one of the most beautiful air routes in the world on a hillside surrounded by mountainous peaks. We will meet the rest of our crew members at the Lukla airport, a gateway destination from where our trek begins. A gentle walk to Phakding village through Chaurikharkha village, Mt. Khumbila, and monastery. Overnight at Phakding.
Today morning we will not able to do yoga because we have to catch an early flight to Lukla so the yoga class will be in the evening.
The Flight to Lukla from Kathmandu Airport might change from Manthali airport which is 4 hrs drive from Kathmandu. In such a case, we will need to wake up 3 in the morning and before going to bed please pack your bag.
- Day: 4
April 7 2020: Phakding Trek to Namche Bazaar
This is the day that you hear the most is the trek into Namche Bazaar, walking through a beautiful pine forest Dudh Koshi River and go on passing Chumoa to Monjo, and the entrance to Everest National Park. Then after crossing a suspension bridge, we pass Jorsale village and walk alongside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. The path to Namche is very well-traveled so you'll continually come across locals, other tourists and then continue traffic of Yaks and porter. It is infamous for its long consistent steep inclines uphill brings us to the prime heartland of Sherpa village - Namche Bazaar. At one hour’s distance to reaching Namche Bazaar, we can view the sights of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Yoga in the morning at the lodges, sometime it will be inside the lodges or it will be outdoor yoga.
- Day: 5
April 8 2020: Acclimatisation Day - Namche Bazaar.
There are plenty of things to do around Namche Bazaar, we wake up to another spectacular morning and view from our room and sun rose of the breathtaking mountains. Let us make you clear something up that is a big misunderstanding about the Acclimatization day. Acclimatization day is not a rest day, it is something completely different so don’t think that after the huge climb of getting into Namche Bazaar you’ll spend today lazing around the lodges or shopping in local stores. Our team will take you to explore the real charm of Namche Bazaar. So after breakfast, we will start the gentle hike up to Everest view hotel where we can see the views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde and so on. We will do yoga practice at the top of Namche valley and the Everest at the backdrop. Overnight at Namche. Morning Yoga at the Namche Top and evening at the Monastery. Day hike up to 3,700 m (12,139 ft)
Namche is the last stop where you can buy all the necessary things if you have forgotten anything. Strolling around Namche is also a nice way to spend days and there are some monasteries where we try to manage an evening yoga spot.
- Day: 6
April 9 2020: Namche Bazaar Trek to Phortse Thanga.
We climb the trails steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest, juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases trekking beautiful in spring. The trail passes through yak Kharkas and the Khumjung hill. We visit Mohang, the birthplace of the re-incarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet who is believed to have introduced Buddhism in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The views of KhumbiLa and Tawache peak are magnificent throughout the day. Overnight in Phortse Thanga.
Yoga in the Morning and Evening.
- Day: 7
April 10 2020: Phortse Thanga Trek to Machhermo.
The trail climbs uphill to Machhermo with a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho Oyu and descent to a river and again climbs steeply to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumoz glacier. On the trail alongside a rhododendron forest and pass through a waterfall before reaching Tongba Village. The long mountain valleys here will provide an excellent source of inspiration for Photography compositional rules during this day. Overnight in Machhermo.
- Day: 8
April 11 2020: Machhermo to Gokyo.
We follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, to the riverbank before climbing onto the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa Glacier on a steep trail. We climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. We get a chance to observe llama footprints on a stone. We soon arrive at the second lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La our route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. Taboche Tsho, we become mesmerized by the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is breathtaking with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters.
- Day: 9
April 12 2020: Gokyo Valley Acclimatisation Day - Hike to Gokyo Ri (viewpoint) 5,400 M (17,717 ft).
After the morning yoga session and breakfast, we will climb Gokyo Ri, a popular viewpoint to enjoy stunning views of the mountain vista. From the viewpoint, which is located at the edge of the 5thlake, we get astounding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu mountains. We will also get a chance to see the biggest glacier of the world- the Ngozumba Glacier. This breathtaking location will be the perfect chance for the photography. Overnight at Gokyo Valley.
- Day: 10
April 13 2020: Gokyo to Thagnak.
Today we will be hiking short through the longest glacier of Nepal called Ngazumpa glacier. The afternoon we will explore nearby the hills on Thagnak and yoga continue. But today it will be almost easy and rest for hiking, which will prepare us for long hiking days and elevation gain to come. There is the icy part for a while and again the trail drops down through the huge rock and an easy walk at the end to get to the Zongla.
- Day: 11
April 14 2020: Thaknak Trek to Dzongla Village via Cho-la Pass 5,420 M (17,782 ft).
So here we are on the longest and toughest day of the whole trip. “We are not scaring you but it’s exciting part of our trip”. The Cho La pass is not itself difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier and we need to be careful. The trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail. While trekking through the side of a frozen lake, we reach the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. There is the icy part for a while and again trail drops down through the huge rock and easy walk at the end of Dzongla. From Dzongla we can see great views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche mountains. Overnight at Dzongla.
- Day: 12
April 15 2020: Dzongla Trek to Lobuche.
This morning let’s not think of the previous day's longest and tiring hike and start a very easy hike to Lobuche. Very short and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
- Day: 13
April 16 2020: Lobuche - Gorak Shep 5,164 M (16,942 ft) - Everest Base Camp 5,380 M (17,600 ft) - Gorak Shep.
After the morning session, the trail leads toward Gorakshep through the rocky and rugged. While walking on the way you will see the amazing views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori and others. After reaching in Gorakshep, we will drop our bags a short tea break and we take the trail to Everest Base Camp. Hike towards to Base camp is strenuous due to the thin air, we follow our lead Sherpa diligently. We pass through rocky dunes, moraine, and streams before reaching the Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching the Everest Base Camp, we see tents of mountaineers, we will see lot’s during the springtime. After exploring Everest base camp we get back to Gorak Shep. Overnight in Gorak Shep.
- Day: 14
April 17 2020: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar 5,545 M (18,192 ft) and Trek to Pheriche.
This morning we will wake up early to hike up to our final top highest destination Kala Patthar for sunrise and 360 degrees up-close and formidable view of Mt. Everest. The temperatures will be -10 to -14 C and chilly winds. We had seen many people get tears in their eyes after being on top over here after seeing the world’s tallest mountains. We are doing Yoga poses on the top of the world as well as free time to photography. After our yoga and photography, we will hike back to Gorakshep the afternoon is taken to descend down to Pheriche village.
- Day: 15
April 18 2020: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar.
Morning yoga session, and breakfast we continue to hike downhill through rhododendron and juniper trees. We continue to follow the river Dudh Koshi, and in the forest, we may come across colorful pheasants and mountain goats. Thyangboche is one of the biggest and famous places for Buddhism and here we will visit Thyangboche Monastery. From here we can see magnificent views of Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants.
- Day: 16
April 19 2020: Namche Bazaar Trek to Lukla.
We will be walking all the way back where we had trekked on day 02 from Phakding to Namche. We need to walk cautiously as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. The trail becomes more normal once we cross the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. And finally, we will get a chance to stretch our legs, and today is the last night where you can thank, greet and give some tips for our crew who joined from Lukla all the way to Everest base camp.
- Day: 17
April 20 2020: Fly to Kathmandu.
Here we say bye to Khumbu region and fly back to Kathmandu. Check-in at hotel and free time for shopping or exploring around Thamel. Evening Farewell dinner will be organized by rugged trails Nepal team. Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Day: 18
April 21 2020: Final departure
Transferred to the international airport on your flight schedule and if some have extra days in Nepal they can continue with other activities. If any help is needed for further plans feel free to contact rugged trails Nepal team.
