On arrival in Kathmandu (1330 metres) you will be met by your experienced guide and transferred to the hotel for a comprehensive safety and trip briefing. Arrangements are made today for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down jacket. Depending on your arrival time we may be able to head out and explore this vibrant city.

Meals:  D

This morning we will explore the cultural and historic icons of this vibrant city including the cultural centres of Hindu Pasupatinath and Buddhist Boudanath. Every step of your time in Kathmandu will amaze you, and during your visit you will also have time to explore many parts of the city. Kathmandu, has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest.

Meals:  B

We transfer to the airport for the 45 minute flight to Lukla. This was the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and his friends to service the Everest Region when he began his work of building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people. It is a memorable flight, with marvellous views of the Eastern Himalaya. At Lukla we are immediately impressed by the scale of the huge peaks that surround the village, but this is only a foretaste of what is to come. Our crew assembles and we head downhill towards the village of Ghat. The broad and well-marked trail meanders around fields of potatoes and buck-wheat and passes through small villages, as we make our way to the village and our accommodation.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we begin our journey towards the highest peaks, 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 mules and yaks carrying trading goods and trek-gear along the trail. Our own gear will be carried by yak, or more correctly dzopko, a yak-cow crossbreed, A yak is a full-blood long-haired male, more commonly found at higher altitudes. We pass through a variety of small hamlets as we slowly gain altitude. Spectacular mountain peaks unfold above us and seem to hover above the tree-line as they rise above the deep river valley. As we cross the Kusum Khola, a tributary stream to the Dudh Kosi, the peak of Kusum Kanguru (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 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 a 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 ceremony. The allure of the mountains is hard to resist but we must be patient, as it is very important that we acclimatise slowly in order to fully appreciate our time at higher altitude.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we cross the green/aqua waters of the Dudh Kosi and pass through the gates of the Sagarmartha National Park. 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.

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.

Meals:  B,L,D

The walk to Thyangboche is one of the most pleasant 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 Hog Deer and other animals in the forest and around our campsite. As we approach the top we pass through a traditional gateway and pass around a chorten before cresting the ridge onto a wide grassy meadow at the monastery village of Thyangboche. The views of the Everest massif, as well as all the other major peaks of the area are astounding and, if we are lucky, we will see the glowing colour of the sunset, and perhaps even the moonlight on the mountains around us.

Meals:  B,L,D

Leaving the main trail to savour the forests and isolated trails we trek above Thyangboche and into the conifer forest. The views back to the monastery, with Tawatse rising beyond, are excellent. We follow paths through the forest that lead above the tree line to summer yak pastures, and contour around the ridge lines of Kantega. Settlements that are a hive of activity in the wet summer months are quieter now, and we have these paths to ourselves, enjoying the solitude of the walk. We pass through the small settlement at Omoga, and travel to Mingbo. Overnight eco lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

We make our way up the ridge high in a sheltered valley that takes advantage of the excellent views. An outstanding panorama of the region's mountains unfolds before us, including a magnificent panorama of Everest itself. This fantastic vantage point is rarely visited, but offers some of the best views available. In the afternoon we descend, making our way back to Deboche. We make our way downhill to Pangboche and look up at the dramatic peak of Ama Dablam and the ridge that was our vantage point earlier

Meals:  B,L,D

We stop for a while at Thyangboche monastery and drop down through forest to open hill-sides. Completing a 360 degree panorama of mountains are Khumblia and Kongde Ri which encircle us from across the Dudh Kosi valley. It is a comfortable day’s walk, with time to explore these unique and more traditional villages. We stop at our permanent camp at Phortse Tenga.

Meals:  B,L,D

Descending from Portse Tenga we continue down through the forest to Namchee Bazaar where we stay in a eco lodge for the night.

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.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we fly to Kathmandu, a fascinating flight over forests, fields and villages, with the Himalaya in the background. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals:  B,L,D

Late morning we are transferred to the airport.

Meals:  B