After all the planning and preparation the wait is finally over! Make your way to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Check into your late night flight.

Meals:  Nil

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met by your group leader at the airport and transferred to your well located hotel. Here a pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where your Nepalese guide will run through the arrangements for the coming days and arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket before heading out to dinner. Overnight: Radisson Hotel

Meals:  L,D

This morning you will head out with your Guide to explore the cultural and historical highlights of Kathmandu. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to Nepalese culture and history. You will get to meet some Nepali people at the main meeting place, Durbar Square as well as taking in the Bodhinath Stupa at the Pashupatinath Hindu Temple. Kathmandu is filled with World Heritage sites waiting to be explored This afternoon you will have time to prepare for heading out on trek tomorrow. Overnight Kathmandu

Meals:  B,D

We have an early start with a short flight to STOL airstrip at Lukla. The Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla was established by Sir Edmund Hillary to help access the Everest region and the Sherpa people. It is a picturesque flight with marvellous views of the Eastern Himalaya. Once at Lukla we are immediately presented with views of huge peaks surrounding the village, offering a glimpse of what is to come. Our crew assembles and we head downhill towards the Dudh Kosi, a raging river that flows from the highest peaks. The broad and well-marked trail meanders around fields of potatoes and buck-wheat, passing through small villages and rows of dahlia trees to our first overnight private eco campsite at Ghat, the site of our service program.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will start our Community Project for the next 2 1/2 days at the nearby Ghat school. There will be many roles to undertake at the school. A local crew will be on hand to divide the roles and work together as a team. This is a wonderful way to give something back to the Sherpa people of the region and a hands on way to help a community in need.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we bid farewell to our new friends in the community of Ghat and cross and re-cross the thundering glacial river, named "Dudh" (milk) Kosi (river) because of its colour. Sections of today's walk are through pine forest and cleared areas reveal terraced fields and a variety of crops. We pass small groups of donkeys and yaks carrying trading goods and trek-gear along the trail. Spectacular mountain peaks unfold above us and seem to hover above the tree-line as they rise above the deep river valley. Shortly after leaving camp we cross the Kusum Khola, a tributary stream to the Dudh Kosi, and the peak of Kusum Kangru (6369 m) can be seen to the East, at the head of the valley. Further along the trail, across the valley to the North-West, Nupla (5885 m) and Kongde Ri (6093 m) rise above the forested ridges. At a turn of the trail, Thamserku (6808 m) rises majestically, seemingly from the river floor. We will see our first Mani walls today. These stone structures are a compilation of many stone tablets, each with the inscription "Om Mani Padme Hum" which translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus", and is mantra (chant) venerated by Buddhists and Brahmans alike. Buddhists will walk to the left of these Mani Walls and chortens, but you may notice that people of the lowlands who have no knowledge of Buddhism do not follow this practice. The allure of the mountains is hard to resist, but we must be patient, as it is very important to acclimatise slowly and thereby fully appreciate our time at higher altitude. Today's walk is not a long one, but a very important day for acclimatizing.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we bid farewell to our new friends in the community of Ghat and we pass through the gates of the Sagamartha National Park. The establishment of this national park is a significant attempt to stem the use of fire-wood in the area and the few local people who have a permit to cut wood must gain approval from the authorities on the basis of it being primarily for their personal use. We follow the river course to the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi, and cross a spectacular high bridge before commencing our ascent to the village of Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa 'capital' of Nepal. It is a tough climb as the trail passes through forest of pine to a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt Everest. The trail continues to climb and meander to Namche, and the sight of this prosperous village spread within a horse-shoe shaped valley opposite the beautiful peak of Kongde Ri is worth every step. After lunch you may wish to peruse the Tibetan trader's stalls or the Sherpa shops in search of a bargain. Overnight: Permanent campsite above Namche village

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trek will start with an incline to Syangboche airstrip and along the ridgeline towards Everest View Hotel. We are welcomed with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains including Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Khangtega, Ama Dablam and many more. After a quick break, we continue towards Khumjung and visit Sir Edmond Hillary’s famous “Schoolhouse in the clouds.”This school was the first in the entire Khumbu region being built in 1961 with the help of the Sir Edmund Hillary and the Himalayan Trust. The school originally opened with only two classrooms but has since expanded to cater for over 350 students. We descend and follow the trail for approx 25 minutes to our new exclusive campsite at Kyangjuma. For those who are feeling the early effects of altitude can opt for a shorter acclimatization walk of around 2 hours directly from Namche to Kyangjuma. Overnight: Exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals:  B,L,D

The walk to Pangboche via Thyangboche is one of the most spectacular trekking days in Nepal. The trail meanders easily around the ridges and Everest can be clearly seen on the horizon ahead before we descend through splendid rhododendron forests for lunch. After lunch we cross the Dudh Kosi and begin the ascent to the top of a long ridge which flows from the summit of Kantega. Our trail takes us through pine and rhododendron forest, and, as this is a devout Buddhist region, the wildlife is unharmed and not too shy. As a result there is a possibility that we may see Himalayan Thar, Musked Deer or pheasants in the forest and around our campsite. As we approach the ridgeline we pass through a traditional gateway and around a chorten before cresting the ridge onto a wide grassy meadow at the monastery village of Thyangboche. The monastery was re-built with the assistance of Sir Edmund Hillary after it was destroyed by fire in 1989. The views of the Everest massif, as well as all the other major peaks of the area are astounding. After a rest and visit to the monastery we head downhill to Pangboche and our camp for the night.

Meals:  B,L,D

The walk to Pangboche is one of the most spectacular trekking days in Nepal. The trail starts with a gradual descent through rhododendron and pine forests as we approach a suspension bridge to cross the Dudh Kosi. We start our climb through pine forests to the top of a long ridge which flows from the summit of Kantega. If we are lucky, we may come across local wildlife including the Himalayan Thar, Musked Deer and the vibrant Danphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. A traditional gateway and chorten welcomes us to the village of Thyangboche. From the steps of the Monastery we will be rewarded to a clear view of Everest between Nuptse and Lhotse as well as Peak 38, Shartse and Ama Dablam. Thyangboche is considered the spiritual heart of the Khumbu Valley and the monastery was re-built with the help of Sir Edmund Hillary after being decimated by a fire in 1989. We continue down hill for lunch before making our final push to Dingboche. Overnight: Exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals:  B,L,D

We are gaining altitude and it is important that we move at a slow, steady pace. The slopes are quite barren now as we have moved above the tree line. Views of different peaks, such as Cholatse and Lobuche, unfold before us in this contrasting and spectacular landscape. We move up the Dhugla Ridge and onto moraine towards Khumbu Glacier. Rock cairns can be seen, many of which are dedicated to the memory of climbers attempting the high mountains of the area, including Everest. The temperatures drop here as we are more exposed with our camp situated amongst this glacial moraine. We enjoy spectacular views all day today of Pumori and Nuptse. The hill above the town affords fine sunset views of Nuptse. Overnight: We stay in a lodge in the village of Lobuche.

Meals:  B,L,D

We trek alongside the Khumbu Glacier as the path winds over the rocky moraine towards the settlement of Gorak Shep. We are high, among the glaciers of the world's highest peaks. At the junction of two large glaciers and nestled in an amphitheatre of peaks, this campsite is spectacular. Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m) surround our camp. Following our arrival at Gorak Shep we have an early lunch before ascending Kala Pattar. Kala Pattar is not a Nepali name but a Hindi name and translates to "black rock". From these black rocks atop the hill the views are spectacular. Most eyes are locked on the mass of Everest and its rocky buttresses immediately before us. Many of the famous ascent routes are quite clear. Below us the Khumbu Glacier snakes towards the icefall and Western Cwm. We can see the area where expeditions set their base camp but the original site was at Lake Camp, now known as Gorak Shep. Take a look in every direction and soak it in. The view south and our route out, is particularly beautiful. The air is clear and the sun is strong but as the sun sets it becomes very cold. Sunsets here can be stunning. Overnight: Gorak Shep

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a challenging day. By camping at Gorak Shep we can get an early start and walk to Base Camp. Although it has undoubtedly been a cold night, we have time to ascend to the historic site and enjoy it to the fullest. Return to Gorak Shep and then back to Lobuche. Overnight: We stay in a lodge in the village of Lobuche

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we continue our trek down the valley back to Pangboche

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we continue our trek down to Namche, stopping in at Khumjung, the location of the largest school in the Khumbu - the Khumjung Hillary School. We will have the opportunity to visit the school whilst we are here before continuing to the trade heart of the Everest region, Namche Bazaar.

Meals:  B,L,D

Retracing our steps along the valley, we pass through a variety of settlements and forests before a gentle climb to Lukla. We savour our final mountain sunsets of the trek as we complete this exhilarating journey. Our last evening of the trek is a good time to have a small party for all the team, especially the porters who will return to their villages from here. There is usually lots of music, dancing and singing and if we are lucky, one of the superb cakes that our Nepali chefs are renowned for.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we fly to Kathmandu and the Radisson Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure before we head out to celebrate with a farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trip finishes today with a transfer to the airport for our flight to Melbourne.

Meals:  B

Meals:  Nil