Looking for something more challenging? This is a demanding circuit trek, incorporating the outstanding panorama of the high Himalayas, Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri, Crossing the Cho La pass at a maximum altitude of 5600m, traversing and crossing two glaciers, climaxing in stunning views of Everest, the Khumbu ice-falls and Khumbu Glacier from Kala Pattar.

After an orientation day in Kathmandu, visiting the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath, and the Tibetan stupa at Bodnath, the trek kick starts with the breath-taking flight into the mountain airstrip at Lukla. Trekking through rhododendron forest through the foot-hills and on upto the Sherpa capital at Namche Bazzare nestled in an amphitheatre high in the mountains. After an acclimatisation day in Namche, we continue, passing through forest of Blue Pine and Fir, exiting into a world of snow and Ice.

Itinery Day Route Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, and check-in. No organised activities. Day 2 Kathmandu, day experiencing the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. Day 3 Kathmandu - take the breath-taking flight into the mountain airstrip at Lukla(2860m), start trek to Phakding(2800m) (3/4 hrs) Day 4 Trek to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar(3440m), nestled in a natural amphitheatre high in the mountains. (6/7 hrs), passing through magnificent rhododendron and magnolia forests. At Monjo, we enter the Sagarmatha National Park. Look out for musk deer and Himalayan tahr. Day 5 Acclimatisation day in Namche, with optional day trek to Thami(3505m) or Khumjung(3790m),with spectacular views upto Everest and Ama Dablam, returning to Namche (3/4 hrs) Day 6 Trek to Dole (4100m)  climbing out of Namche, the trail descends to the Naktok Khola, passing through forest, and continues to follow this river at a fairly constant easy gradient.(5 hrs) Day 7 Dole - Machhermo (4470m) Continuing northwards along the course of the river, we have a relatively easy day again, but all a necessary part of the acclimatisation process. Day 8 Machhermo - Gokyo (4790m)  passing the Ngozumpa Glacier to our right, we climb steadily upto the first of the five glacial lakes associated with Gokyo. In the afternoon, we climb the small peak of Gokyo Ri (5483m) for the stunning views of the glacier, and the peaks of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu to the East. Day 9 Gokyo (4830m) A further acclimatisation day. We walk up the valley alongside the Ngozumba Glacier, the largest in Nepal, and visit the “Fifth Lake”. Day 10 Gokyo – Thaknag (4900m) Crossing the Ngozumba Glacier below Gokyo we head up towards the Cho La pass, crossing two ridges on the way. A fairly short, but strenuous trek. Day 11 Thagnag- Dzonghla (4830m) A hard day, heading out we immediately start the climb to the Cho La pass at 5420m, and descend through virgin snow-fields. Day 12 Dzonghla - Lobuche (4930m) Entering the glaciated region of the Khumbu, and the trail follows moraine for much of the way. Day 13 Lobuche – Gorekh Shep 5364m, Now high in the Shadow of Everest, Base Camp and the stunning views fro Kalar Pattar are just a short day-trek away. Day 14 Gorek Shep - Kala Pattar (5545m) or Base Camp 5400 m and Back to Lobuche: A long day requiring a very early start with breakfast in Gorak Shep on the way down. Day 15 Lobuche – Pangboche (3990 m)  An easy day to recuperate. Day 16 Pangboche to Tengboche,  A fairly long but steady descent. There is the opportunity to visit the Nunnery in Deboche. Day 17 We start with a short ascent to Tengboche, the site of one of Nepal’s most important monasteries where we stop for a while to visit the monastery. We continue the descent with a steep pull up to the ridge from Pungi Tengka, our lunch stop. The ridge then leads down into Namche. Day 18 Namche Bazaar, back down to Phakding (2800m)  A fairly easy day. Day 19 Trek Phakding, to Lukla for our flight out the following day. Day 20 Fly Lukla, to Kathmandu for the equally exciting return flight. Day 21 After an early breakfast, take the return flight to Kathmandu. Day 22 Kathmandu, a further days sightseeing, Durbar Sq and the monkey temple, or choose an optional scenic flight around Mt Everest itself. Day 23 End of tour and return home.

Accommodation *  4 nights Hotel - Kathmandu                shared room - 2/3* style hotel                         *  18 nights trekking / Lodges Tea-House / Lodge, sometimes basic             - shared room/ dorm style accommodation       Transport Local Flight, Bus/Taxi, on foot