Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Arrive at the Kathmandu airport where you'll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to take you on a private tour of Kathmandu. You'll visit the Bodhnath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, and one of the several monasteries neighboring the stupa. After this Buddhist experience, you'll visit Pashupatinath, the holiest of temples for the Hindus. Here you'll probably witness a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati river. Then head to the Patan Durbar Square. After lunch at the museum garden, visit the Patan museum, the finest museum in Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 3: Phakding (8,700 ft.)
After an early breakfast, fly to Lukla (9,300 ft.), a spectacular 45 minute flight with views of Gauri-Shankar and Melungtse among other peaks. Trek to Phakding. Overnight in Phakding. (All meals)
Day 4: Namche Bazaar (11,270 ft.)
Today you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park. After lunch, cross the Dudh Koshi river and then brace for your first challenge: the slog up the steep switchbacks to Namache bazaar. Depending on the weather, you will get your first view of Mt. Everest. Overnight in Namche. (All meals)
Day 5: Namche Bazaar (11,270 ft.)
This is an acclimatization day. You can choose to rest, hike up to the National Park museum for views of Everest and Amadablam or take a day hike towards Thame. Overnight in Namche.
Tengboche Monastery
Day 6: Tengboche (12,900 ft.)
You first descend to the Dudh Koshi river and then ascend through conifer and Rhododendron forests to Tengboche. The Tengboche Monastery is situated on a ridge and is surrounded by mountains including Thamserku, Kangtenga and Ama Dablam. Overnight in Tengboche. (All meals)
Day 7: Khumjung (11,525 ft.)
Retrace trail to Phunkitenga. Divert to Khumjung, home of the famous Hillary School and the world's highest bakery. Overnight in Khumjung (All meals)
Day 8: Monjo (9,300 ft.)
Long descent to Monjo. Overnight in Monjo. (All meals)
Day 9: Lukla (9,200 ft.)
Retrace trail to Lukla. Overnight in Lukla. (All meals)
Day 10: Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Rest of day free. Dinner at Nepali home. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Breakfast)
Day 11: Kathmandu (4,400 ft.)
After breakfast, full-day sightseeing. First visit Swayambunath, the monkey temple. Then visit the ancient city of Bhaktapur with its 55-window palace and the famous five-storey temple. Lunch at the square overlooking the temple. Farewell dinner with performance by Nepali dancers. Overnight in Kathmandu. (All meals)
Day 12: Final Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (Breakfast)