ITINERARY for EVEREST BASE CAMP and/or KALA PATTAR

In many ways the ultimate trek ! It begins with the flight to Lukhla, great mountain views (and heart-stopping approach and landing !). The trek itself will take you through a range of magical landscapes, interesting villages, monasteries at Monjo, Namche, Tengpoche and Panboche, and ultimately to the midst of soaring peaks, with stunning views of Ama Dablam, Kang Tega, Nuptse, and Everest itself.

It's a moderately strenuous trip. Day 2 includes the gruelling 600 metre climb out of the valley to reach Namche, day 4 has a similar ascent to Tengpoche. Further north there are several shorter ascents, but they are made more strenuous by the effects of altitude. There are also though stretches of far more gentle terrain, and because of the need to acclimatise steadily the daily walking distances are not great. Ultimately you'll reach 5500 metres - pretty high ! If  taken steadily, and allowing the recoomended days for acclimatisation, most trekkers will find that they can reach their goal without undue problems.

There's plenty of accommodation, including a number of quite sophisticated lodges. Again obviously the degree of sophistication tends to lessen as you gain height, but even at Gorak Shep twin-bed rooms are the norm.

The itinerary below can be used as a tea-house trek. If you're prepared, you can reach the summit of Kala Pattar quite comfortably (though  didn't go up to EBC - if you have to make the choice, probably Kala Pattar, with it's incredible view of Everest, is more rewarding than the crowded glacier of EBC)

Day 1: Fly out to Lukhla early in the morning. Trek to Phakding
Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazar
Day 3: Rest / acclimatisation day in and around Namche
Day 4: Trek to Tengpoche
Day 5: Trek to Dingpoche (Dingpoche seems an easier route up than going via Pheriche, and it’s a more pleasant spot for Day 6 rest / acclimatisation day: there’s a pleasant short day excursion eastwards towards Island Peak)
Day 6: Rest / acclimatisation day around Dingpoche
Day 7: Trek to Lobuche (or Gorak Shep if you are feeling fit)
Day 8: Trek to Gorak Shep

Day 9: To Everest Base Camp. Back to Gorak Shep

Day 10: Ascend Kala Pattar: Descend to Lobuche
Day 11: Trek via Pheriche to Pangboche
Day 12: Trek towards Namche (either to Namche or to Kyanjuma, 1 hour short of Namche, or to Kyanjuma then 30 minutes up to Khumjung)
Day 13: Trek via Namche to Monjo, Ghat, or Phakding (depending on how well you are going !)
Day 14: Trek to Lukhla
Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu
(Originally planned as 14 day itinerary, but with a spare day built in. Originally descending from Lobuche to Tengboche, then to Monjo, thence to Lukhla. The spare day was used it to make this more leisurely descent)