- Day: 1
Arrival in Kathmandu.
When you land at the Kathmandu airport, a representative from Rugged Trails Nepal will be there to greet you and take you to your hotel. You'll be welcomed with a refreshing drink upon arrival and have some free time until 6 p.m.
Later that evening, you'll be treated to a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant. Enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine and a cultural program before spending the night at your Kathmandu hotel.
Important Details:
Airport Transfer: Your airport pickup is included in the price of your trip.
Airport Assistance: Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport. If you need any assistance, you can use it to call us.
Visa on Arrival: Most travelers can get a visa upon arrival. The fee is $50 USD for a 30-day stay. It's a good idea to have some cash with you in case the electronic payment systems aren't working.
- Day: 2
Kathmandu Lukla Trek To Phakding.
If you're flying from Ramechhap: You'll have a very early start, waking up around 2 a.m. for a four-hour drive to Manthali Airport. From there, it's a scenic 25-minute flight to Lukla (9,186 ft), where you'll meet the rest of your trekking crew. A packed breakfast will be provided for your journey.
If you're flying from Kathmandu: You can expect a pickup from your hotel around 5 a.m., followed by a 35-minute flight to Lukla.
Once you arrive in Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region, your trek begins. You'll enjoy a beautiful walk to the village of Phakding, passing through Chaurikharkha village, and enjoying views of Mt. Khumbila and a local monastery along the way.
During the peak seasons of March-May and September-November, flights to Lukla often get rerouted to Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) to handle the high volume of traffic.
- Day: 3
Phakding Trek to Namche Bazaar.
Today marks one of the most anticipated days of the trek: the journey to Namche Bazaar. You will walk through a beautiful pine forest alongside the Dudh Koshi River, passing through the villages of Chumoa and Monjo, which serves as the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. After crossing a suspension bridge, you will pass Jorsale village and continue along the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers.
The well-traveled path to Namche Bazaar is famous for its long, steep inclines, and you'll share the trail with locals, other trekkers, and the continuous flow of yaks and porters. This challenging ascent leads you to the heart of the Sherpa homeland, Namche Bazaar. The final hour of the climb brings you to this vibrant village, where you will spend the night.
Before reaching Namche, you can catch a glimpse of Mount Everest from the Tourist Police Checkpost, but it's not visible from the main hotel area. From Namche Bazaar, you can see stunning views of Thamserku and Kongde Ri. You'll take a well-deserved rest after dinner, looking forward to waking up to the highlights of Mount Everest the next morning.
- Day: 4
Acclimatization Day in Namche
Today, we wake up to another spectacular morning with breathtaking mountain views and a beautiful sunrise right from your room.
It's important to clarify a common misunderstanding about an acclimatization day: it is not a rest day. It's a day for active acclimatization, which is crucial for a successful trek. Therefore, after the significant climb to Namche Bazaar, you won't be spending the day lazing around the lodges or shopping.
After breakfast, our team will take you to explore the true charm of Namche. We will begin with a gentle hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3880m/12,730ft), where you'll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kongde Ri. Afterward, we will visit Khumjung village. Lunch will be served in Khumjung, where you can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery and experience the local Sherpa lifestyle.
- Day: 5
Namche Bazzar Trek To Dole
After breakfast in Namche Bazaar, you'll begin your trek toward the peaceful Gokyo Valley, leaving the main Everest Base Camp trail behind. The journey starts with a climb out of Namche, followed by a scenic traverse to Kyangjuma, where you can enjoy views of Ama Dablam.
The trail then ascends to Mon La and descends steeply to Phortse Thanga, a small village by the Dudh Koshi River. You'll pass through a rhododendron forest and trek alongside stunning views of peaks like Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Everest. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as musk deer and Himalayan Thars.
A final ascent brings you to the small village of Dole. Since you'll be sleeping at over 4,000 meters, must drink plenty of water, it's crucial to stay hydrated to help your body acclimatize to the altitude.
- Day: 6
Dole Trek to Machhermo
Today's journey takes you on a continued uphill trek to Machhermo. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, climbing a steady path along a scenic ridge. You'll be treated to stunning views of mountains like Cho Oyu, Kantega, Tabuche, Cholatse, and Thamserku.
The trek passes through the small villages of Lhabarma and Luza before you reach the windswept valley of Machhermo. This village is situated on the banks of the Machhermo River, a drainage of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest in the Himalayas.
After arriving in Machhermo and having lunch, our guide will lead you on a short acclimatization hike up the Kyajo Ri ridge (5000m). This activity is crucial for preparing your body for the higher altitudes ahead.
- Day: 7
Machhermo to Gokyo Lake
After leaving Machhermo, the trail ascends a ridge that provides a comprehensive view of the Kangtega Valley, with the majestic Cho Oyu (8,261m) peak in the distance. You will arrive at the village of Pangka after a brief descent, where you can rest and eat lunch.Following lunch, you will cross the river and reach the magnificent Ngozumpa Glacier's moraine, which is the source of the well-known Gokyo Lakes. You will pass the first three of the Gokyo Valley's five stunning lakes on the day's last push: Longpong (4,650m), Tauzhun (4,710m), and Dudh Pokhari (4,750m). A lodge on the shores of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, is where you'll stay the night.If the weather is clear, we suggest a quick ascent after your tea break to help you acclimatise and take in even more breathtaking views.
At this altitude, a slight headache is normal, but don't freak out. Keep eating and drinking lots of water, and let your guide know if you're feeling ill.
- Day: 8
Gokyo Lake - Gokyo Ri (5,357m 17,575 ft) and Trek to Machhermo
Good morning. We will begin our ascent to the summit of Gokyo Ri to watch the sunrise. This challenging trek will take approximately two to three hours. From the top, you'll be treated to a stunning panoramic view of hundreds of mountains, glaciers, and Mount Everest. The view of Everest from Gokyo Ri is renowned for its clarity, even though it's farther away than from the more common viewpoint of Kala Patthar.
The Gokyo Valley village sits at an altitude of 4,700 meters, and the summit of Gokyo Ri reaches 5,357 meters. The descent back to the village is a one-hour trek downhill. After breakfast, we will retrace our steps and head back to Machhermo, where we will stay for the night.
- Day: 9
Machhermo Trek to Namche.
We will begin our descent on a steep trail towards Phortse Thanga, passing through forests of rhododendrons and alongside cascading waterfalls. The area is rich in wildlife, and we may spot Himalayan pheasants, musk deer, or mountain goats. As we continue toward Mong, we will once again be treated to impressive views of Mount Khumbila.
The journey continues toward Namche, where we'll be able to admire stunning views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega, and Taboche. After a few hours of trekking, we'll arrive at the Namche army camp for a final panoramic view of the mountains before a short trek brings us to Namche Bazaar, where we will spend the night.
- Day: 10
Namche Trek to Lukla.
Today we'll retrace our steps, trekking back along the same path we took on day two from Namche to Phakding. The rocky and uneven terrain requires careful footing, especially as our legs are tired. The trail becomes more manageable after we cross the final suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. This evening will be our last chance to thank and tip the local crew members who joined us from Lukla.
- Day: 11
Flight to Kathmandu.
Today, we bid farewell to the Khumbu region and fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have free time for shopping or exploring the vibrant Thamel area.
The duration of your journey back to Kathmandu will depend on your flight:
Direct Flight: A direct flight to Kathmandu takes approximately 35 minutes.
Flight to Manthali Airport (Ramechhap): If the flight is rerouted to Manthali, the flight will be shorter, but you will then have a four-hour drive to reach Kathmandu by road.
In the evening, you can enjoy exploring the Thamel market, go shopping, get a massage, or simply relax.
- Day: 12
Final Departure
We will transfer you to the international airport according to your flight schedule. This airport drop-off is included in the price.
If you have extra days in Nepal and wish to continue with other activities, our Rugged Trails Nepal team is here to help with any further plans you may have.
