Pumori (7161m) 36-day Mountain Ascent Expedition, Khumbu

Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. A representative from GuideSource will transfer you to your hotel. We will have a briefing meeting about the expedition itinerary. You’ll have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel B/B.

Sightseeing in some of Kathmandu’s landmarks and World Heritage Sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of (Pashupati Nath), the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhu Nath) and Buddhists shrine (Bouddha Nath). You can also make your last minute buying of personal items and preparation for the next day. Overnight at Hotel B/B.

Early morning after breakfast, we get transferred to domestic airport and fly to Lukla. After an adventurous 40 minutes flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. At the airport, we meet our other crew members. We get time to stroll around while the guide divides and manages baggage to be carried by porters. We start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today (3 hours). However, if interested in additional activities, take a side trip to a nearby monastery. Overnight in lodge on full board.

Our trek starts in the morning after breakfast. The walk today is pleasant (5-6 hours) with few short uphill and downhill with multiple crossings over Dudh Koshi River and magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m/21,675 ft) from the Benkar village. Cross some more bridges and reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where our trekking permits are checked in order to keep record of trekkers and local trekking staffs as well. A descend and a gradual walk brings us to Jorsale, the last village until Namche Bazaar. The walk is enjoyable through the river bed and we reach Hillary Suspension Bridge. Now, as we climb up hill towards Namche Bazzar, closer and magnificent sight of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks, Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other fabulous mountains are viewed closer, we stop at the Chautara here to admire the view. Finally, we reach the colorful village of Namche Bazaar, the main gateway of Khumbu region. Overnight in lodge on full board.

This is first scheduled ‘acclimatization’ day for this trek. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thamel or visiting Khunde or carry out relaxed exploration of Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazaar is the main center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Visit the Tourist Visitor Center near the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters and observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. We also take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung and climb up to famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel, a Japanese scheme to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on Earth. The Khumjung valley surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak of Khumbila hosts a well known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. Visit Hillary School which is at the same site. After having lunch and spending some time in Khumjung, walk back down to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in lodge on full board.

From Namche, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi. Today we will trek for about 5 to 6 hours. As we follow the path, we will get even better views of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Thyangboche, home of the famous and recently rebuilt monastery. We have plenty of time to look around Thyangboche, the monastery and have a cake at the bakery before dropping down to the river and the village of Deboche (3,700 m/12,135 ft) a little further along the trail, where we will stay in a relaxing lodge. Overnight at Lodge on full board.

Shaded by rhododendron trees, the path leads gradually down to the river once again to another airy suspension bridge. An hour’s walking from here brings us to Pangboche, an excellent viewpoint for Ama Dablam. Contouring up the valley side, re-cross the river and turn up the Imja valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingboche.

Retrace back to Pheriche before continuing up the trail towards base camp. Reach Dugla situated below the snout of the Khumbu Glacier, a convenient place for lunch. After lunch, the trail starts steeply to climb up beside the glacier moraine. After a couple of hours the track eventually leads to a small cluster of tea houses pleasantly situated at Lobuche.

Contouring along the valley-side and looking down on the Khumbu Glacier, we follow a reasonable trail to Gorak Shep. This was the site of the base camp in 1953 and now consists of a few small tea houses. Leaving Gorak Shep, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble and eventually reaching base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. This will be our home for the next six weeks.

Today the trail steeply descends to the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then continues on an easy natural walk to Phakding. After a lunch, trail will lead you back to Lukla (6-hour trek). On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax, stretch those sore legs and celebrate the completion of your trek. Reconfirm your flight ticket. Over night at lodge on full board.

This will be a pleasant day as you may have full day at leisure at your own or you can either extend your trip with us on additional cost, or enjoy some time to explore Thamel for last day shopping. In the evening we will take you for a Farewell dinner. Overnight at Hotel B/B.

We will transfer you to the International Airport for your departure flight to your on wards destination.