The Path
A continuous journey, unfolding day by day.
Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 1
International arrival in Kathmandu. Upon landing, we meet as a group at the airport and transfer to the Dusit Princess Hotel.
In the late afternoon, we take a gentle sunset walk around the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal. Prayer flags, spinning wheels, incense, and the steady rhythm of life introduce us to the atmosphere of the journey ahead.
Dinner is shared nearby, allowing time to arrive, slow down, and settle in after travel.​
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Kathmandu: Orientation & Culture
Day 2
The day begins with a short morning meditation and group briefing, outlining the journey ahead.
After breakfast, time is reserved to enjoy the hotel’s infinity pool or sauna, helping the body recover from travel and gently prepare for altitude.
Late morning, we explore Durbar Square, a historic center of Kathmandu, followed by lunch nearby.
In the afternoon, we visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for sunset—offering wide views over the Kathmandu Valley and another quiet moment of reflection before heading into the mountains.
Dinner takes place in Thamel, Kathmandu’s lively traveler district.​
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Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding
Day 3
Flight: Helicopter ~45 min, 135 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Distance: ~8 km
Kathmandu: 1,400 m
Lukla: 2,860 m
Phakding: 2,610 m
At approximately 10:00 AM, we depart Kathmandu by helicopter to Lukla. The flight offers a scenic transition from city to mountains—passing terraced hills, deep valleys, and finally into the heart of the Himalayas.
Lunch is enjoyed in Lukla with views over the famous airport runway, watching planes land and depart steeply into the valley. Here we meet our Sherpa team and local guides, prepare our gear, and begin the trek.
The hike to Phakding follows the Dudh Koshi River, descending gently through green valleys, forests, and small villages. Suspension bridges, prayer wheels, and flowing water accompany us throughout the walk.
This first hike is ideal for acclimatization—walking at altitude while sleeping lower than Lukla.
Arrival in Phakding is around 4:00 PM.
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Overnight: Himalayan Luxury Lodge Phakding, directly by the river
Optional: Visit to the local monastery before sunset or early the next morning
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Phakding → Namche Bazaar
Day 4
Hiking time: ~ 5 hours
Distance: ~10–11 km
Namche: 3,440 m
After breakfast and a short morning Anapana meditation, we continue up the valley, crossing multiple suspension bridges along the river.
The highlight is the Hillary Suspension Bridge—the highest and most iconic bridge in the Khumbu region, spanning deep above the river gorge. Crossing it is both a physical and mental moment, marking the real entrance into higher altitude trekking.
After a brief rest, the trail climbs steadily through green forests toward Namche Bazaar. The ascent is challenging but manageable, with Sherpas setting a calm and sustainable pace.
Arrival in Namche is around 3:00 PM.
We check into Panorama Lodge, hosted by our local friend Mingma Sherpa, offering sweeping views over Namche and the surrounding peaks. The food here is excellent, and the atmosphere warm and welcoming.
The afternoon is free to explore the lively village, browse local markets, or enjoy a game of pool at the world’s highest Irish pub.
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Overnight: Panorama Lodge, Namche Bazaar
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Acclimatization Day in Namche
Day 5
Hiking time: ~ 2–3 hours
Distance: ~ 4 km
Namche: 3,440 m
Everest View Hotel: 3,880 m
This is a dedicated acclimatization day, essential for adjusting safely to altitude.
Acclimatization works by walking higher during the day and returning to sleep lower, allowing the body to adapt gradually.
An optional group hike leads to the Everest View Hotel, where we enjoy tea or lunch with our first panoramic views of Mount Everest and surrounding peaks. The hike gains several hundred meters before descending back to Namche.
The rest of the day is unstructured—time to rest, explore cafés, visit the Sherpa museum, or simply observe village life.
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Overnight: Panorama Lodge, Namche Bazaar
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Namche → Tengboche → Deboche
Day 6
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Distance: ~11 km
Namche: 3,440 m
Deboche: 3,820 m
We leave Namche around 9:00 AM, following a scenic trail that contours along the mountainside with expansive views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and the surrounding range.
The path descends into a river valley before climbing again toward Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu. Lunch is enjoyed near the monastery, with time for a visit if ceremonies are taking place.
In the afternoon, we continue through forested trails to Deboche, where we arrive between 2:00–3:00 PM.
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Overnight: Mountain Lodges of Nepal, Deboche
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Deboche → Dingboche
Day 7
Hiking time: ~5 hours
Distance: ~11 km
Deboche: 3,820 m
Dingboche: 4,410 m
An early start (around 7–8 AM) takes us deeper into the upper Khumbu. The landscape begins to change—trees thin out, valleys widen, and the air becomes noticeably drier.
We pass traditional stone-walled fields and small settlements as we gradually gain altitude.
Arrival in Dingboche is around 3:00 PM.
The afternoon is reserved for rest, hydration, and preparation for the more demanding days ahead.
Optional afternoon activities include a gentle acclimatization walk to the Dingboche stupa and nearby viewpoints, a visit to to the popular Cafe 4410, or a restorative massage to support recovery at altitude.
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Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche
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Island Peak (Optional Advanced Ascent)
Day 8
Summit: 6,189 m
Base Camp: ~5,200 m
Dingboche: 4,410m
Total time: ~10–12 hours round trip
For those choosing the Island Peak ascent, this is an early and demanding day.
We begin before sunrise, moving from Dingboche toward Island Peak Base Camp and then onto the glacier. The climb involves crampons, rope work, and a steep final ascent, guided closely by our Sherpa team.
The summit offers expansive views across the Khumbu, including Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and surrounding glaciers.
After summiting (conditions permitting), we descend carefully back to Dingboche.
Those not attempting Island Peak spend the day resting, acclimatizing, or exploring the valley around Dingboche.
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Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche
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Dingboche → Kongma La Pass → Lobuche
Day 9
Hiking time: ~8–9 hours
Kongma La Pass: ~5,550 m
Dingboche: 4,410 m
Lobuche: 4,940 m
This is one of the most demanding and remote days of the journey.
We leave early and ascend steadily toward Kongma La Pass, the highest of the three major passes in the region. The terrain is rugged and alpine, with moraine, rock, and high-altitude exposure. The path becomes quieter and more raw, moving away from villages and into stark glacial landscape where pace, breath, and focus become essential.
Reaching the pass at 5,550 m is a significant moment—marked by prayer flags and wide, open views over the Khumbu Glacier. Time is taken to rest, hydrate, and absorb the scale of the surroundings before beginning the careful descent toward Lobuche, arriving late afternoon.
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Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche
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Lobuche → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp → Gorak Shep
Day 10
Hiking time: ~3 hours + ~5 hours
Distance: ~4 km + ~7 km
Lobuche: 4,940 m
Gorak Shep: 5,164 m
Everest Base Camp: 5,364 m
Kala Patthar: 5,645 m
We begin the day with a steady morning hike to Gorak Shep, arriving late morning. After lunch at Buddha Lodge, we continue toward Everest Base Camp, following the shifting terrain of the Khumbu glacier. The route is uneven and raw, with ice, stone and silence underfoot. Reaching Base Camp is not marked by a summit, but by presence– standing at the foot of the highest mountain on Earth, aware of how far the path has already carried us.
Those who prefer a shorter outing may instead choose to ascend Kala Patthar by foot or horse, offering direct views of Everest and the surrounding peaks.
We return to Gorak Shep in the late afternoon. Dinner is warm and grounding. Sleep comes early.
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Overnight: Buddha Lodge, Gorak Shep
Optional: Helicopter return to Kathmandu for those on a tighter schedule
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Gorak Shep → Dzongla
Day 11
Hiking time: ~6–7 hours
Distance: ~12 km
Lukla: 2,860 m
Gorak Shep: 5,164 m
Dzongla: 4,830 m
The day begins with the option of a sunrise ascent of Kala Patthar, offering the clearest views of Mount Everest, Nuptse, and the surrounding peaks. This optional hike is steep but short, and weather permitting, deeply rewarding.
After breakfast, we begin our descent from Gorak Shep, moving away from the glacier and back into more varied terrain.
Along the way, we stop at Chukpi Lhara (Everest Memorial) – a quiet and reflective site dedicated to climbers who lost their lives in the mountains. This pause marks an important moment of respect and perspective.
The trail continues toward Dzongla, where we arrive late afternoon. The evening is intentionally calm, allowing time to rest and mentally prepare for the next high pass crossing.
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Overnight: Cholatse Guest House, Dzongla
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Dzongla → Cho La Pass → Gokyo
Day 12
Hiking time: ~7–8 hours
Distance: ~10 km
Dzongla: 2,860 m
Cho La Pass: 5,367 m
Gokyo: 4,750 m
We leave our lodge in Dzongla around 8:30 AM, beginning a steady ascent toward Cho La Pass. The climb is demanding, moving through rocky terrain and snow-covered sections that require careful footing and focus.
By midday, we reach the top of the pass. Prayer flags mark the crossing, and the views open dramatically toward the Gokyo Valley and surrounding glaciers.
After an hour break for photos, food, and rest, we begin the descent.
The landscape shifts again as we move toward the turquoise lakes of Gokyo, with the terrain softening and the atmosphere becoming more spacious and quiet.
Arrival at our Lodge in Gokyo is around 4:00 PM. As the evening settles, the pace slows. We gather for dinner by the lake, sharing warm food, quiet conversation, and a sense of having crossed something meaningful together. The harder days are behind us now. What remains is refelection, connection, and the beginning of celebration – held simply, under wide skies.
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Overnight: Gokyo Lodge
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Gokyo (Rest, Integration & Completion)
Day 13
Gokyo: 4.750 m
Gokyo Ri: 5,357 m
A full day rest in Gokyo, allowing the body and mind to settle after the most demanding sections of the journey.
The day is unstructured by design. Options include walking along the lakes, quiet reflection and meditation, light exploration, or optional horse riding to the other side of the lake. For those feeling strong, an optional sunrise– or sunset hike to Gokyo Ri offers the most expansive panoramic views in the Himalayas, overlooking Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
In the evening, we mark the completion of the path with a simple, intimate celebration – shared food, conversation and the quiet satisfaction of having walked the path fully.
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The Closing Passage
Day 14
Flight: Helicopter ~60 min, 150 km
Gokyo: 4,750 m
Kathmandu: 1,400 m
The path officially concludes.
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For those returning by helicopter, the flight from Gokyo to Kathmandu takes approximately one hour. This final leg offers a remarkable aerial perspective of the Himalayas. The route follows the high peaks and glacial valleys one final time, revealing Everest and the surrounding giants from a completely new angle – a silent, expansive view that contrasts the effort of the days spent walking among them.
It is an unannounced gift of the journey: seeing the path you walked from above, slowly receding into distance.
Arrival in Kathmandu marks the formal closure.
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For those who choose to continue on foot, the trail remains open and our sherpa team on stand-by – returning through Namche and Lukla at your own pace, extending the journey as long as it feels right.
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