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Day 1 Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding (2800m)
A spectacular flight in a Twin Otter 20-seater aircraft with an even more spectacular landing on the 600m airstrip. The trail from Lukla joins the Dudh Kosi main track at Cheplung after a short downhill walk. There follows some gentle up and down to the night stop. An easy start to the trek.
Day 2 Phakding - Namche Bazar (3440m)
The route now passes through magnificent rhododendron and magnolia forests on the ascent to Namche. At Monjo, we enter the Sagarmatha National Park. Look out for musk deer and Himalayan tahr, and water rats in the Dudh Kosi.
Day 3 Namche Bazar (3440m)
Rest and acclimatisation day. Walk up the western valley from the town to Thamo, visit the nunnery there.
Day 4 Namche Bazar - Khumjung (3740m)
Second acclimatisation day. Transfer to Khumjung via Khunde (3840m) and visit the Everest View Hotel. Short walk.
Day 5 Khumjung - Dole (4100m)
The trail descends to the Naktok Khola, passing through forests. The trail then continues to follow this river at a fairly constant easy gradient.
Day 6 Dole - Machhermo (4470m)
We continue along the river. An easy day again, but necessary for the acclimatisation process.
Day 7 Machhermo - Gokyo (4790m)
The route continues along the river, passing the Ngozumpa Glacier on the right. Gokyo lies by the side of the third of five glacial lakes which are very attractive. In the afternoon, we climb the small peak of Gokyo Ri (5483m) for the stunning view of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu to the east.
Day 8 Gokyo (4830m)
Walk up the valley alongside the Ngozumba Glacier, the largest in Nepal, and visit the “Fifth Lake”.
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Everest and Lhotse
from above Gokyo
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Day 9 Gokyo
Further rest and acclimatisation day.
Day 10 Gokyo - Cho La Base Camp (4900m)
After crossing the Ngozumba Glacier below Gokyo we head up towards the pass, crossing two ridges on the way. A fairly short walk but quite strenuous.
Day 11 Cho La Base Camp - Dzonglha (4830m)
From the campsite we immediately start the climb to the Cho La pass (5420m) and descend to a small campsite in the hidden valley.
Day 12 Dzonghla - Lobuche (4930m)
We are now entering more glacier country, and the route follows moraine for much of the way.
Day 13 Lobuche - Kala Pattar (5545m) - Lobuche (4930m)
A long day requiring a 5am start with breakfast in Gorak Shep.
Day 14 Lobuche - Dingboche (4410m)
An easy day to recuperate.
Day 15 Dingboche - Deboche (3930m)
A fairly long but easy descent. There is another nunnery in Deboche which may be visited.
Day 16 Deboche - Namche Bazar (3440m)
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 17 Namche Bazar - Phakding (2800m)
Continue easily down the valley.
Day 18 Phakding - Lukla (2800m)
A fairly easy day with a short ascent to the airstrip.
Day 19 Lukla - Kathmandu
The equally exciting return flight.
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