Trekking to Everest in a week

The mysterious land of Nepal is cut off from all other world by high snow-capped peaks and attracts travellers, scientists, esoterics and adventurers from olden times. This region is rich in Buddhist and Hindu temples, ancient monasteries where you can touch the spiritual values of the mankind. But despite all these facts, this mysterious kingdom became available for tourism only in the middle of the last century.

The trek to the base camp of the world highest mountain – Mount Everest is the most famous and popular route. Every year it attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world who wants to see all the grandeur of Everest. The program does not require special training, and any healthy person can take part in the trek to Everest base camp. Throughout the whole route tourists are surrounded by fantastic views of the Himalayas. In addition, they will have the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful peaks in the world Ama Dablam, one name of which makes climbers’ heart beat faster, as well as to meet the main ethnic group of Nepal – the Sherpas, with their culture and way of life. Sherpas’ culture demonstrates how different life and living conditions can be in different parts of the world. But the culmination of this trekking is to reach the top of Mount Kalapatar, which is an excellent vantage point of the mountain area Khumbu Himal, from where you can see Mount Everest.

Trek to Everest base camp can be done simply by a linear route, which is used by up to 90% of trekkers, and you can go down the same way, but you can make a circle through Gokyo, discovering the new sceneries and not repeating the trail for a single day, but this route is made through the pass over 5000m high. The height of the pass does not affect the acclimatization schedule because some days before that you climb Kalapatar which is still a bit higher.

Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu. The members of the expedition arrive at Tribhuvan airport. Half an hour before landing, from the windows of the plane, you can see the velvet-green hilly hollow of the Kathmandu Valley, which is surrounded by sparkling glaciers of the Himalayan mountain ranges from the north. The time difference between Moscow and Kathmandu is + 2 hours 45 minutes. The first thing you will often hear during your stay in Nepal is the traditional greeting “Namaste”, which literally means “In your person I greet God”. You can get a Nepali visa right at the airport. In the evening, dinner at the restaurant of national Nepali cuisine.

Day 2. Flight to Lukla. Phanding (2610 m). On the second day, the group takes off from Kathmandu to Lukla on a small plane. The flight takes about 45 minutes. The track starts from Lukla already. The path passes through Sherpa farms and villages along the trail and leads to the Dudkoshi River, and then down to Pakding. Along the way you will meet the Tadokola River, from its shore you can admire the magnificent view of Kusum Kangaru. Then the river is crossed by a suspension bridge and after a short climb the group goes to the village of Ghat. Another hour and a half walk and the group arrives at the village of Packing, where they stop for the night.

Day 3. Track from Pakding to Namche bazaar (3440 m). The group goes on the road in the morning. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudkosi River, there is a road with small ascents and descents, and from the village of Benkar there is an amazing view of the Tamserku Mountains (6608 m). Then the road goes over several bridges and leads to Monjo, a settlement where the central entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park is located. The group enters the national park, descends and approaches the suspension bridge over the Bhotekoshi River. The village of Jorsal begins behind the bridge – this is the last settlement before Namche Bazaar. Then the road leads over the bridge of the Imjatse River, from where a winding path leads to Namche Bazaar. It offers an amazing view of Mount Everest, the peaks of Kwangde and Lhotse, as well as a near view of the peak of Tavache. Finally, the group reaches the village of Namche Bazaar, which is called the “village of colored houses”. It is the main gateway of the Kumbu region. Here the group stops for the night.

Day 4. Rest day in Namche Bazaar (3440 m). Day of rest in Namche Bazaar (3400 m). On this day, members of the group can visit the Everest Hotel, from where you can admire the panorama. You can also go to the local shops and market, which is especially lively on Saturdays, or visit the Sherpa Museum. This is a great place to explore the history of mountaineering and Sherpa culture.

Day 5. Descent to the river, long ascent to the famous high mountain monastery of Tengboche (4 hours, 3860 m). Overnight in the cabin.

Day 6. Track in Ferich (4240m). The trail passes over precipices on suspension bridges, over streams “boiling” among huge white boulders.

Day 7. Feriche -Lobuche (4940m). Ascent to the plateau, along which with a slight rise we will approach the moraine of the Khumbu glacier.

Day 8. Trekking from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5164m). From Lobuche, the group makes a two-hour trek along a winding rocky path to Gorakshep, from where there is a beautiful view of the Kala Pathara, Pumori, Nuptse Mountains and the Gorak Shep Valley. Then the group stays in a hotel, takes a break for tea, and then we visit the Everest base camp (5364m). Return to Gorak Shep (5164 m). Overnight in the cabin.

Day 9. Early departure by helicopter to Lukla. Flight by plane to Kathmandu. Overnight at the hotel. Day 10. Departure from Kathmandu.