Everest Adventure

The legendary peak of Everest is epic in many ways, from its legacy as mountaineering’s ultimate prize to the spiritual esteem in which the Sherpa people hold it. This spectacular lodge-to-lodge trek takes us through a landscape of ancient Sherpa villages nestled below the highest mountain in the world to thriving Tengboche Monastery, from which Everest’s triangular diamond summit is unmistakable amid a cirque of breathtaking peaks. But the adventure of this wondrous Himalayan realm extends far beyond the peaks. Our experiences with the Sherpa people, whose warm welcome and spirited nature are a match for their majestic mountains, are an unexpected—and highly cherished—aspect of the entire Himalayan trekking experience.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Kathmandu

We explore Kathmandu’s famed bazaars and visit golden temples where Buddhist and Hindu iconography mix in fantastic ways.

Days 3-6
Lukla / Namche Bazaar / Khunde / Khumjung

After flying to the “airstrip in the sky” at Lukla (9,350'), we trek up to Namche Bazaar (11,270'), a famous Sherpa market town set in a dramatic U-shaped amphitheater. We enjoy an Exploration Day in this friendly Sherpa town, then hike higher to the classic twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung (12,400'), with stunning views including the spire of Ama Dablam (22,494'), an icon of the Khumbu. Many of our Sherpa friends live in these villages, and we may have a chance to visit one of their homes as well as the school built by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust. Along the way, our lodges, owned by local Sherpa families, offer the warm welcome of this hospitable culture.

Days 7-9
Phortse / Pangboche / Tengboche

We continue through rhododendron forests to the tranquil village of Phortse, onward to Pangboche (12,660'), where the oldest monastery in the Khumbu is located, and reach famous Tengboche Monastery (12,650'), spiritual center of the Khumbu, on Day 9. Climbing expeditions traditionally stop here to receive the blessing of Tengboche’s high lama.

Days 10-14
Return Trek / Kathmandu

Bidding farewell to our Sherpa friends, we hike back to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu on Day 12, with a day to explore exotic Kathmandu before departing on Day 14 (or join one of our post-trip extensions).

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 5+, strenuous. Most hiking is between 9,000 and 12,000 feet, and the maximum sleeping elevation reached is 12,660 feet (at Pangboche we will visit the monastery located at 13,000 feet and there is an opportunity to hike even higher). For the most part, you can hike at your own speed; the group will spread out along the trail during the day to cover a normal maximum of 8 to 10 miles per day (3-6 hours of hiking). Trip members carry only a daypack with camera, jacket, rain gear, water bottle, and other small necessities. Our crew of Sherpa guides and porters carries all the rest of the equipment; a cook prepares all meals. Trail conditions can be primitive, and there is a good bit of up-and-down (often 2,000- to 3,000-foot gain or loss in elevation per day). Everyone should be prepared for 10 days of hardy outdoor living. It is expected that each participant be in excellent health and physical condition. We recommend that each participant undertake a program of daily walking or regular hiking, jogging, and stair-climbing as preparatory exercises.

Explanation of Trip Levels