From Namche Bazaar to Tengboche and Ama Dablam
Everest Lodge to Lodge
Overview
Trek into the cloud-perched villages of the legendary Sherpa realm below mighty Everest. Our well-paced journey is led by superb Trek Leaders who welcome you into their villages and into the heart of Sherpa life. We’ll explore the lively trading town of Namche Bazaar, the remote village of Phortse, well off the main trekking route, and the venerated Tengboche Monastery (12,650'), with its unrivaled backdrop of mighty Ama Dablam (22,349'). We also visit Pangboche, home to yeti legends, and have an option to hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp. You’ve come for the mountains, but the Sherpa people will capture your heart. We stay in the very best locally owned lodges in the region.
Arrive: Kathmandu
Depart: Kathmandu
Highlights
- Enjoy perfectly paced hikes each day that bring you to stunning Sherpa villages
- Meet the Sherpa people in their homes, shops, and monasteries
- Hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp for stupendous views
- Stay in the Khumbu’s best lodges
Itinerary
Fly to Lukla—the “airstrip in the air” at 9,350 feet, and hike to our lodge on the Dudh Kosi River. We hike the next day to Namche Bazaar, the charming Sherpa trading center, with two nights to acclimatize. Namche is the headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park, created in 1976 to protect the Everest region. Glorious mountain vistas surround us and we’ll offer an optional day hike to Khunde (12,600') and Khumjung (12,400').
A hike past mani (prayer) walls brings us to Tengboche Monastery, festooned with Tibetan prayer flags and always humming with activity. From the Sherpa village of Pangboche, site of the oldest monastery in the region, we can hike up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,400') for amazing panoramas of Ama Dablam, the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas.”
We traverse the Imja Khola Valley, enjoying views of Tengboche and Ama Dablam as we make our way to tranquil Phortse, set off the Everest route. After a last view of Everest’s distant summit, fly to Kathmandu on Day 12. Depart on Day 14, or extend for an Everest overflight, game viewing at Tharu Lodge near Chitwan National Park, or a stay at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge for stunning Annapurna views.
Please note the Mani Rimdu Festival departures are 15 days in length (one day longer than our standard trip) and spend an extra night in Deboche.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 5, Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. 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).
Average Hiking Day
- 4-5 miles
- 4 hours
Challenge Day
- Day 4: 5 miles, 8-9 hours, 2,723' ascent
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). 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.
Although you carry only a daypack on the hikes, there are steep ascents and descents, so for your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.
Hiking distances on trek are normally measured in hours, not miles, since maps aren't really accurate enough to assess how far we walk up and down winding mountain trails. On a typical trek day, wake-up is around 7:00 am. After packing up our duffels and having breakfast, we set off on the trail. There is always a guide in the lead and a "sweeper" who trails behind the slowest hiker to ensure that no one is lost on the trail. We ask you not to hike ahead of the leader because trails are often not well-marked. We typically walk for three to four hours in the morning, then stop for a leisurely lunch of an hour or more. After lunch, we walk for another three hours or so until we reach our next night's lodging, where we can enjoy a cup of tea and relax before dinner.
All our meals are taken at the lodges. On our exploration days, we occasionally have more time in the morning or afternoon near the lodge to rest or for further individual exploration. Temperatures drop quickly as the sun falls behind the peaks, and it's easy to get chilled after exerting yourself for several hours, so have an extra layer of clothing ready.
Our lodge-based treks are led by an experienced English-speaking Sirdar (leader) who is ably assisted by a team of assistants and a trail crew. He and his team have a deep connection with the Himalayas and are wonderful trailside companions, hiking with you throughout each day on the trail, providing good company, and making sure that you are comfortable and hiking at a pace that suits you.
There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote wilderness regions, especially when they involve travel to high altitude. These dangers include everything from rock falls to the possibility of a serious fall, accident, or sickness without access to means of rapid evacuation, availability of medical supplies, or adequate medical attention once provided. Our Trek Leaders and support crew are experienced veterans of the Nepal Himalaya, but it takes cooperation and flexibility from each participant to ensure a successful trek.
We will be going to high elevation on this trip. It is not uncommon to experience headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue at altitude. These can occur when you first arrive at higher elevations and usually decrease in severity with time. We have designed this itinerary to allow for appropriate rest and acclimatization, but for your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. While on trip, be sure to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid pushing yourself too hard, however physically fit you may be or feel. You may want to consult with your physician about bringing medication to prevent altitude sickness, such as Diamox. You can learn more about altitude and how to prepare for it in our video linked here.
Client Testimonials
"Perfection!"
Charlene R.
Scottsdale, AZ
"This was an awesome trip. Even if you've seen pictures of the Everest mountain range, up close and personal, it's breathtaking!! Pictures can't do them justice—a land of giants. The itinerary is incredibly well thought through—WT has this down pat through years of tuning and feedback."
David M.
Atherton, CA
"This was truly a remarkable experience in every way possible. I am finding words inadequate, and my gratitude for being able to dip into such a physically and spiritually rich world will stay with me forever."
Gerri G.
Atlanta, GA
"This trip was beyond all expectations."
Giovanna M.
Boise, ID
"This was an outstanding experience. The cultural experience was beyond that of any trip I've taken."
Glenn K.
Enid OK
"This was an outstanding adventure travel experience! The trekking, scenery and cultural experiences were phenomenal!"
Helane L.
Salt Lake City, UT
"Could not have been better—itinerary, staff, organization, food, everything was perfect. WT did a fantastic job."
Ivy S.
Brooklyn, NY
"This was a magnificent trip, perfect from beginning to end. I loved every minute of it."
Julie O.
Alexandria, VA
"The trip was awesome. Amazing scenery and the cultural experience was great."
Ken G.
Orlando, FL
"This trip was epic! Harder than anticipated but really seven vacations wrapped into one! A lifetime of memories."
Lynn M.
Huntington Station, NY
"Niraj was by far the best guide I have ever had for any trip. He was brilliant, engaging, funny, extremely kind and overall a true gem. Wilderness Travel is very fortunate to have him. He made the trip a success."
Madeline G.
Oakland, CA
"The trip was masterfully designed. We had an absolute ball. Nepal is a beautiful country with wonderful people. The memories we took home will be cherished for a long time to come."
Matthew F.
Fort Worth, TX
"I have nothing but raves for the trip—the design, the people, the accommodations, the logistics."
Roni L.
Laguna Beach, CA
"Everest Lodge to Lodge was everything I hoped for and more."
Samantha L.
New York, NY
"Exactly what we hoped for. Exotic, thrilling vistas, challenging trek, educational and indepth cultural experience, and interesting companions."
Suzanne T.
Urbana, IL
"A great trip! Bala and his staff were wonderful and took care of us like we were a part of their family. I will never forget the first views of the mountains, the smiling people, the temples, the prayer wheels, the food, our fellow travelers, everything that made it one of life's great adventures."
Woody H.
Evergreen, CO
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.