Detail Itinerary
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Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft)
After you have arrived, we will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Later, you will be given a brief about your program and in the evening you are invited for a welcome dinner from Orbit Alpine. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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Day 02 : Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
Kathmandu is an influential mix of modern and ancient cultures of Hinduism and Buddhism. Kathmandu (or Kantipur), Patan (or Lalitpur), and Bhaktapur are three of the major cities that make up the core habitation of Kathmandu Valley. The rich historical and cultural legacy is reflected by several religious sites, time-worn temples, and countless monasteries. In this veritable city, you will go on a guided sightseeing tour taking pictures, seeing the sights and trying to understand the place. You will visit Pashupatinath, Bauddhanath, Swayambhunath, and other sites that will give you an insight into the people and the places.
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Day 03 : Fly to Lukla (2,860m/9,383ft) and Trek to Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft) -4 Hours
Today we will drive to the airport and go on a scenic flight to Lukla. We will enjoy the flight for around 45 minutes with views of high peaks of Everest Region and land at Lukla. After breakfast at Lukla, we will begin our trek along beautiful landscapes to Phakding. Stay overnight at a lodge in Phakding.
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Day 04 : Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar 3,440m. Approx. 5-6 hrs.
Starting from Phakding the trek is easy through rivers and hills. We will have magnificent views of Thermasarkhu along the way before arriving at the first village. A little ahead from here, we will officially enter Sagarmatha National Park and continue the pleasant trek through beautiful landscapes. After an hour or so, the trail goes uphill all the way to Namche Bazaar. The views of Kwangde Peak and other mountains will inspire you throughout the route. And as you come near Namche, you will see the Everest-Nuptse Wall - a glorifying view that will remember forever. Take a break here and enjoy indelible views of the mountains before heading uphill to arrive at Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital. The town is tucked at the side of a U-shaped hill that seems like a section of an amphitheatre surrounded by white mountains.
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Day 05 : Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar
As the climate here is so unpredictable and cold so, you should be physically and mentally prepare to face it. After breakfast you will hike towards Everest view Hotel/Khumjung. We have to go above Namche Bazaar and pass through Syangboche. From the top of hill above Syangboche you will get view of world highest peak, Mount Everest(8,848m) and other peaks like Tangboche peak (6,367m), Lhotse (8,414m), Ama Dablam (6,856m) & many more others. After reaching to Khumjung you can visit school established by Hillary. We will start next trek after having lunch passing the foot path of Khimde. After having good time here you will get back to Namche. Overnight at guest house inclusive of full board meals.
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Day 06 : Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 3,867m. Approx 5 hours.
Starting from Namche Bazaar, the walk is fairly easy during the first half. Continue along with more majestic views of the great peaks - Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamsherku, and other peaks. You might see a Danphe (*Lophophorus impejanus*), the national bird of Nepal along with the elusive musk deer, and even herds of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). The trial then descends to Imja-Tse and again ascends gradually with great views of Thermasarkhu and Kantenga peaks. Trek further to reach Tengboche, a beautiful Himalayan village with an eye-catching monastery beneath the towering peak of Ama Dablam and Everest. Stay tonight at Tengboche.
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Day 07 : Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche 4410m/5-6 hours
On this day we passes through dense rhododendron forests to arrive at a suspension bridge. Nearby is the village of Pangboche. Cross the river and enjoy the scenery, and head up on the ascending trail to reach Pangboche Monastery. Observing the premises and the monastery is a quick break here at Pangboche, before you head further. You will cross a village and a hamlet, and then come to open meadows from where you will trek further to arrive at Dingboche. Stay overnight in a lodge in Dingboche.
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Day 08 : Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche 4910m/5-6 hours
At first, we begin along the ridge to reach Khumbu River Valley, a scenic bowl-shaped landscape with river snaking through and through. From here, we will reach Thokla with pleasurable views of the grand peaks of Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Nuptse, and Pumori. Take a short break and begin the climb along the moraines of Khumbu Glacier. Later, we will cross Thok-La Pass and arrive at the village of Lobuche where we’ll stay for the night.
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Day 09 : Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep 5140m/3 hours and Explore Everest Base Camp 5364m.
The trek today is along the left bank of Khumbu Glacier. First it’s straight but later take care as it gets rocky across the moraine. Ahead, you will immediately recognize Pumori with its dome-like structure and Nuptse with its spire. Take a look on the left, and you’ll see Everest. Trek further to arrive at Gorakshep - a village with direct views of several Himalayan peaks. Take a break here and head towards Everest Base Camp. First cross a glacial lake and do a steep climb to reach this prized spot. If you’re here in the high season, you might easily mistake it for a hidden bazaar of Shangri-La. Amid these colorful tents, clear starry skies, and majestic peaks you might want to try some time-lapse photography but do try and sleep anyway.
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Day 10 : Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar and back to Dingboche 4410m (5/6 hours)
Early in the morning we will leave for Kalapatthar, probably the greatest vantage point in all of Khumbu. The trail is tricky and steep but the effort is rewarding. Once at the top you will have ravishing views of several eight-thousanders in the Everest Massif. First it’s the the greatest of them all - Mount Everest itself - on the lofty panorama followed by Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and countless other peaks - lined right before your eyes as you gaze restlessly from left to right and again from right to left! After an exciting time at the viewpoint, we will gradually descend to Gorakshep and then trek to Lobuche. Crossing further through the Changri Glacier, we will head on a descending trail to Dinbgoche where we will stay tonight.
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Day 11 : Trek from Dingboche to Chhukung 4730m/4 hours
After breakfast, we will begin the easy trek that’s under four hours. We’ll be crossing some mani walls outside Dingboche and enter an open pasture. Take a break here and follow a rocky trail to Chhukung. You’ll be reaching this village in the afternoon; so you’ll have time to look around and also take some rest. Stay tonight at a lodge in Chhukung amid the great scenery.
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Day 12 : Trek from Chhukung to Island Peak Base Camp. 4,970m. 3 hrs.
Today we will be reaching Island Peak Base Camp. Begin with a steep climb to the southern edge before reaching a moraine east of the main valley below. As you climb above with impressive views of Lhotse Glacier, you will cross some streams near the opening of Imja Glacier. Here, you will come to a fork in the trail - taking you to a dried-up lake on the lower side. Take the upper trail instead, to reach the base of Island Peak. Set up camp for the night here.
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Day 13 : Trek & Climb to High Camp. 5,400m. 2-3 hrs climbs.
Start early with a walk near a moraine with a mountain on the other side. Going around the base of Imja-Tse, you will then gradually ascend to a grassy slope but lined by little rocks and pebbles. Hike further up with occasional rests here and there before coming to a ridge on either side. Nearby is the Island Peak High Camp. Setup your camp (or a bivouac) at a suitable place and stop for the rest of the day. You can also engage in some training with ice picks, crampons, and other equipment. Sleep early to save up on energy for the climb tomorrow.
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Day 14 : Climb Island Peak 6,189 m and trek back to Chhukung 4730m/6 hrs
Begin before dawn as later in the day the winds tend to get stronger making the ascent difficult. We will walk up the ridges and rocky paths to the summit of Island Peak. If we happen to reach here before dawn, we will wait for the most astounding sunrise ever. We will wait in the silence, with anticipation, as the first rays of light hit the peaks. The golden mix will enchant you as you capture the images and the clips for posterity. The panoramic views are as wonderful as they are inspiring. After spending some time here, we will trek down to the base and head on our way back to Chhukung. Throughout the day you will have a feeling of satisfaction and a longing for peak climbing. Later in the day you will arrive at Chhukung and check into a hotel for the night.
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Day 15 : Trek from Chhukung to Pangboche 3930m/4-5 hours
Today we will be retracing our step from Chhukung. Starting after breakfast, we will arrive at Dingboche at first. We will take a break here and also some refreshments before heading to Imja Khola. We will cross the fields of Orsho, come to a suspension bridge, and trek through the landscape until we arrive at Pangboche. Check into a lodge at Pangboche and sleep here tonight.
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Day 16 : Trek from Pangboche to Namche 3440m/5-6 hours
Start after breakfast from Pangboche. First we will trek along the Imja River inside a dense forest. The mix of the cool and the silence you get inside the forest, is another great experience you can have in this trail to Tengboche. Once at Tengboche, we will take a short break and then trek down along the Dudh-Koshi River. Crossing some hamlets, we will then arrive at the village of Kyangjuma from where you again enter a forested path to reach Namche Bazaar. At Namche, you can have a hot shower and relax those muscles. Stay in a hotel or a lodge tonight at Namche Bazaar.
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Day 17 : Trek from Namche to Lukla 2840m/6-7 hours
Today is the last day of trek in this program. The leisurely walk takes you through forests and terraced hills. Enjoy the greenery of the alpine region as you descend to Choplung. Nearby is a very old and prominent oak tree, where you might want to take a short break. Later, continue along the ascending trail to Lukla. At night in Lukla, you can visit a local bar or have a Sherpa Dinner to top off the experience.
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Day 18 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
After a quick breakfast in Lukla, head for the airport for an early morning flight to Kathmandu. The 40-minute scenic flight will bring you to the busy capital. From the airport, we will take you to the hotel where you can refresh and rest; or if you wish, you can spend the time around Kathmandu.
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Day 19 : A Day of Contingency
As weather can be unpredictable in the higher altitudes, we have kept this extra day as contingency - in case we could not climb Island Peak as planned. And if you do climb Island Peak on regular schedule (which happens almost all the time), an additional day means you can take part in other activities such as having a mountain flight or taking a cable car ride near Kathmandu. Or simply, you can spend the time as you like.
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Day 20 : Departure from Kathmandu
As the program comes to an end, we will take you to the airport as per your flight schedule.
Note: This is a general itinerary, which can always individually be “tailor-made”. The trek package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, for more information please e-mail us at orbitalpine@gmail.com
