Mt. Everest (8,848.86m) Expedition South – 60 Days

Once you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you’ll complete the necessary customs and immigration procedures. Outside the terminal, one of our representatives will be waiting to welcome you, holding a placard with your name on it.

You’ll then be driven in a private vehicle to your 4-star hotel in Thamel, one of Kathmandu’s most vibrant areas. After checking in, take some time to relax and freshen up from your journey. Later, you’ll attend a briefing session about the Everest expedition itinerary, where you’ll also meet your expedition members and support staff who will accompany you throughout the adventure. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Nepali welcome dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will visit Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex, and explore the peaceful surroundings of Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in Asia.

As an alternative to Boudhanath Stupa, we can visit Swayambhunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple), a 2,500-year-old Buddhist shrine. From its hilltop, we will enjoy views of the entire Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel for a final equipment check and fitting session. This is also a good time to shop for any missing gear and make final preparations for your expedition.

This is the final preparation day. Expedition is a long and challenging activity. Hence, we need to be well-prepared and equip ourselves with all the necessary equipment and accessories for a successful and enjoyable expedition. Keeping that in mind, we will take our time packing our gear carefully, ensuring that all essential equipment and personal items are ready for the journey ahead.

The team will double-check logistics, review safety measures, and ensure everything is in place for a smooth start. Use the rest of the day to relax and mentally prepare for the challenging yet rewarding adventure ahead as you attempt to summit Everest.

Early in the morning, we’ll drive to Tribhuvan International Airport’s domestic terminal and board a helicopter to Lukla. The short yet thrilling heli offers beautiful views of the deep valleys below and even the Himalayas before landing at the Tenzing–Hillary Airport. Lukla allows access to the Everest Khumbu region. After meeting our local crew and having breakfast, we’ll begin the trek toward Phakding.

The trail from Lukla to Phakding gently descends through charming Sherpa villages, decorated with colorful prayer flags and stone mani walls. We will cross the Thado Koshi Bridge, where we will get our first glimpse of Kusum Kanguru (6,367 meters), one of the region’s striking peaks. The path then follows the Dudh Koshi River. The trek on this day is relatively easy, so take your time to enjoy the scenery. By afternoon, we will reach Phakding, a peaceful riverside village. Here, we will spend the night in a cozy teahouse and savor a hearty dinner.

Leaving Phakding, we will walk along the Dudh Koshi River and enter the dense pine forest. We will cross several suspension bridges and walk through dispersed houses of Zapute, Benkar, and Chumoa to reach Monjo. Monjo marks the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. Here, we will complete the required park entry formalities, register our permits, and then continue along a scenic trail rich in Himalayan plants and birds, with occasional wildlife sightings.

Then, from Monjo, we will descend to the Hillary Bridge located at the base of the hill. Hillary Bridge is one of the highest and most iconic bridges in the Everest region. After crossing the bridge, we will follow the path up to Namche Bazaar. The final climb to Namche Bazaar is steep and challenging, but the path rewards us with views of Thamserku Mountain, Everest, Lhotse, and other mountains and peaks.

Finally, we will arrive at Namche Bazaar, known as the Sherpa capital. Once at Namche, we will visit the Sherpa Culture Museum to learn about traditional mountain life and local history. In the evening, relax at your teahouse and enjoy a warm meal surrounded by the incredible mountain scenery. Overnight at Namche.

Namche Bazaar serves as the major trade centre for local and neighbouring Tibetan trade. Namche is also popular as the capital of Sherpa land. We can find most modern facilities, including a hospital and a post office, in Namche. It is wise to rest in Namche on this day. Staying here allows our body to adjust to the higher altitude and prepare for the days ahead.

For proper acclimatization with the changing altitude, we take a day hike to the nearby Khumjung and Khunde villages, climbing gently through forested trails and open meadows. At Khumjung, we visit the local monastery and learn about Sherpa culture and traditions. In Khunde, we can observe daily village life and explore its quaint streets. Nearby, the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, museums, and other monasteries offer fascinating insights into the region. After a rewarding day of light trekking and cultural exploration, we return to Namche Bazaar for an overnight stay at the teahouse.

After two nights in Namche, we will leave the town behind and trek towards Tengboche. The Everest expedition route from Namche continues along the Dudh Koshi River. We will take the scenic route, with views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and other Himalayan peaks, and enter the forest. Walking through the colorful rhododendron forest, we may see musk deer and colorful Himalayan birds like Danphe and Munal (though sighting is rare).

Then we will move further to Sanasa village. The trail splits at Sanasa. We take the main path towards Everest Base Camp. Following the ascent from Sanasa, we will reach Tengboche, where we will spend the night. Here, we visit the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Everest region. The gate of Tengboche Monastery is open after 3:00 PM. If you visit in October or November, you might be lucky to witness the Mani Rimdu Festival. It is a celebration honoring Guru Rinpoche, the teacher of Buddhism in Tibet, and lasts nineteen days. Monks create sacred sand mandalas, wear masks representing deities, and perform traditional dances during the festival’s main three days.

The monastery itself is a serene sanctuary. Inside, the walls are adorned with colorful thangka paintings, detailed wood carvings, and depictions of Buddhist deities and scenes from Buddha’s life. A tall Buddha statue stands at the center, surrounded by burning incense, flickering candles, and prayer flags.

Leaving Tengboche on day 8, we will enter the birch and rhododendron forest. In a couple of hours, we will reach Debuche from where we will descend to the beautiful Chhukung Valley. We will descend to the Imja River and follow the raised path to Pangboche village. At Pangboche, we will visit the monastery, believed to be the oldest in the region. We will walk along the Mani walls and soak in the peaceful Himalayan atmosphere.

From Pangboche, the trail climbs towards Pheriche following the Lobuche River. The journey offers views of snow-capped peaks and serene villages tucked into the valley. By afternoon, we will reach Dingboche, a mountain village where we settle into our teahouse for the night. Surrounded by high mountains, it’s the perfect spot to rest and prepare for higher-altitude trekking ahead.

On day 9, we will take another rest day at Dingboche. Taking a break from the trek at Dingboche helps reduce stress. It also helps in proper acclimatization.

To make the most of the day, we will take a short walk to Nagarjuna View Point, located at Nagarjuna (Nangkartshang) Peak. Here, you can enjoy 360-degree views of Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and other mountains. After our exploration, we will return to Dingboche to spend the night.

Today’s trek from Dingboche to Lobuche gives a real sense of what’s waiting ahead. From today onward, we won’t be walking across suspension bridges or through prayer wheels. Instead, we will enter a land of huge mountains, broad valleys, and rocky plains. The air gets thinner, the paths drier, and the scenery more mountainous. The treeline disappears, replaced by scattered stones and dust trails that wind through the high valley.

From Dingboche, we will walk back to Pheriche and follow the trail toward Dugla/Thukla. From here, the climb gets steeper as we ascend the moraine ridge of the Khumbu Glacier. We will head towards Chupki Lhara. It is a memorial site filled with prayer flags and stone monuments honoring mountaineers who lost their lives on Everest, including the famous Babu Chhiri Sherpa. It’s a peaceful yet emotional spot surrounded by mountains.

After resting here, we will continue walking along the Khumbu glacier moraine. You’ll likely meet yak caravans carrying supplies or a group of hikers coming from the opposite direction. This situation sometimes feels like a bit of a “Himalayan traffic jam,” particularly on narrow passes. As we near Lobuche, the landscape opens wide with views of Pumori, Khumbutse Peak, and other icy peaks glowing under the afternoon light. Stay overnight in Lobuche.

Today is one of the most exciting days of the trek. We will finally reach the base of the world’s highest peak. The path from Lobuche follows the Khumbu glacier. The path is not too steep but is rocky, covered with boulders from landslides and glacier activity. As we move ahead, the mountains around us change too. The mighty Pumori replaces Ama Dablam as the dominant peak, and Nuptse and other high peaks rise on our right.

We will continue walking past stones, small ridges, and sandy areas until we reach Gorakshep. Gorakshep is the last stop before the EBC. It once served as the original base camp before the glacier receded. Once at Gorakshep, we will have lunch there. After lunch at Gorakshep, we will continue to Everest Base Camp. The trail stretches along a levelled path from Gorakshep to the Indian Army Mountaineers’ Memorial. Although levelled, the path is tricky because it is slippery from the glaciers. Also, the challenges are added by the increased altitude and presence of thin air.

Finally, we will reach Everest Base Camp. This is where we will begin our journey to the summit of Everest. At EBC, you can enjoy fantastic views of Khumbu Icefall, Nuptse, and other mountains. Don’t forget to take photos. In the evening, we will help set up camp for the night.

After spending a few days at Everest Base Camp, we will focus on acclimatization to prepare for higher altitudes. During this period, we will do short hikes, explore the surrounding area, and prepare for climbing. One of the highlights is climbing Lobuche East Peak (6,119 meters). We will do a light pack and go climbing on the Lobuche East peak. Possibly, we will spend a night at around 6,000 meters altitude to be more acclimatized and fit for the 6,000 meters altitude, then we will return to Base Camp.

For the remaining days, we will prepare for proper acclimatization up to Camp III. We can scout the surrounding area while Sherpas fix cables and ladders along the Everest climbing route, as needed, and the load will be transferred to the high camps. We do 1st rotation straight to Camp II, without spending the night at Camp I, or maybe spending overnight at Camp I (depends on how everyone feels). We will spend one or two nights at Camp II, depending on the climbers’ fitness at 6000 meters, and then climb to Camp III for final acclimatization. After that, we descend to Base Camp to rest. Now Sherpas do a few load ferries to Camp II and also to Camp III.

After spending a few relaxing days/nights at Base Camp, we may go for the 2nd rotation up to Camp III if we don’t fully complete the Camp III rotation on our 1st rotation/trip. Then we return to Base Camp and continue planning and discussions for the summit push and more. This period is all about preparing your body and mind, understanding the route, and ensuring everything is ready for the final climb to Everest’s summit. Frequent ascents and descents to higher camps are made to acclimatize ourselves to the increasing altitude properly.

These days are for rest and recovery after several tough days at high altitude. We will trek down to lower villages like Debuche or Namche, where the air is easier to breathe, and the food and sleep are better. During this period, we may do short walks up and down nearby trails to keep our bodies ready and properly acclimatized.

At the same time, the veteran Everest guides, expedition leaders, and Sherpas will carefully monitor the weather and mountain conditions to decide the best time for the final summit climb push. While we rest, the team will also be setting up higher camps at Camp IV to prepare for the climb to the top.

The big day is here when you will finally push for the Everest summit attempt. Climbing the world’s highest peak takes patience, strength, and determination. You need to travel through four high camps to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Base Camp to Camp I(6,065m)and continue to Camp II (6402m), 8 to 10 hours

We will prepare for the climb of Everest early in the morning. We will take the southeast route, walking through moraines and climbing 60-degree slopes to reach Camp 1, located just above the Khumbu Icefall. Leaving Camp I, we will progress through Western Cwm to Camp II. The overall duration is 8 to 10 hours.

Camp II to Camp III (7200m)

From Camp II, we will head towards the Lhotse face. It takes about 6/7 hours to reach Camp III from II; we sleep at Camp III on Oxygen at low pressure.

Camp III to Camp IV (7,920m)

Leaving Camp III, we will move to Camp IV, located at the South Col. We will climb the slope with the help of a fixed rope and crampons. We climb with oxygen from Camp III onwards. Typically, it takes about 6 to 8 hours to reach Camp IV.

Camp IV to summit (8848.86m)

This is the last camp before we reach the summit. We will make final preparations for the climb to the summit from this camp. We will double-check with the weather forecast, and if there is low wind pressure, we normally start from Camp IV for the final summit push about 7/8 PM. Climbing the Hillary Step at 28,800 feet, we will try to reach the summit early in the morning. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, mountains, and valleys from the summit, and after taking some pictures/videos, we will descend to the South Col for the overnight. The next day, we climb down to Camp II and the following day to Base Camp.

After reaching the summit and completing our Everest expedition, it’s time to return to Base Camp. This is also the moment to celebrate your achievement and reflect on the incredible journey you’ve been on. Before leaving, you and our team will help clean up Base Camp, leaving no trace behind. Protecting the mountains is essential, and every climber has a role in keeping Everest clean. Once the area is cleared, we’ll pack our gear and get ready for the journey back to the town, carrying memories that will last a lifetime.

Early in the morning, we will leave Base Camp of Everest and follow the descending trail to Lobuche. As we walk past Lobuche, we will descend to Pheriche village. This is a small Sherpa village located below Lobuche Mountain. In Pheriche, we can visit the ancient Pheriche Monastery and get lost in the calm village life. After a long day of trekking, we rest overnight in a cozy teahouse at Pheriche.

On this day, we begin our descent through an easy trail through a beautiful rhododendron forest and along the Dudh Koshi River, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature. We will walk past tapered gorges and once again follow the trail through a forest area that is rich in Himalayan wildlife

As we reach Sanasa, we are treated to pyramid-shaped views of Ama Dablam Mountain. We further continue walking through forest edges beyond Kyangjuma to arrive at Namche Bazaar, finally, the lively Sherpa town. Along the way, you’ll also catch glimpses of Everest, Tengboche, and surrounding peaks. We spend the night in a comfortable lodge in Namche.

It’s our last day on the trail. After breakfast, we will leave Namche Bazaar. We will follow the trail down through forests, streams, mani walls, and small villages to Phakding. It’s the same familiar route from the way in, but now with memories of the journey behind us. Along the way, we will meet fellow trekkers we’d seen at lodges and camps, share stories, and pass yak trains carrying supplies.

The final stretch to Lukla is mostly uphill, with stone staircases and rocky steps. Walking past the walled road of Ghat, we will reach Lukla. After arriving at Lukla, we will check into our lodge for the night.

We will catch an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. The flight offers an aerial view of snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and some winding trails you just trekked. The mountains look magical from above. Once we land in Kathmandu, we will transfer to the hotel to rest.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy. You can explore the streets of Thamel, shop for souvenirs, or relax while scrolling through your photos and jotting down memories from the trek. It’s a time to feel proud, refreshed, and connected to the mountains you just conquered. Overnight stay at the 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.

After days in the Himalayas, today is all about taking it easy. Stroll through Kathmandu, visit temples, enjoy a cup of coffee at a local cafe, or shop for handicrafts and souvenirs to remember your adventure. If you like, we can arrange a guided Kathmandu sightseeing tour, but you’re free to spend the day however you wish. In the evening, enjoy a nice dinner at the hotel and share stories of experiences you feel throughout the expedition with fellow trekkers.

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to Nepal. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Wishing you a safe and happy journey. We hope to see you on another adventure soon.