Arrive Kathmandu, airport reception and transfer to hotel.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted at the airport by a Makalu Adventure representative and escorted to your hotel.

Briefings, equipment checks, pre-expedition admin. PM welcome dinner.

A day of briefings, equipment checks and pre-expedition administration to ensure. Enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by Makalu Adventure in the evening.

Continue preparation and official briefing at the Ministry of Tourism. PM by road to Ramechhap, 4 to 5 hrs drive, hotel.

Final preparation and Ministry of Tourism briefing, lunch then by road to Ramechhap and overnight rest at hotel.

Early flight to Lukla (2,846 m), then trek to Phakding, 3 to 4 hrs, lodge.

From Ramechhap you will fly to Lukla and take lunch before descending to the Dudh Koshi valley and north to Phakding for your first night in a lodge.

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), 4 to 5 hrs, lodge.

The hike to Namche involves crossing several suspension bridges and a sustained climb of 800m, the order of the day is “bistari, bistari” (slowly, slowly). On the way you will pass numerous Mani Walls, Prayer Wheels and Stupas, for good luck these should be passed on the left side. It is worth remembering that by the time you reach Namche the virtual oxygen level will be down to 66%!

Acclimatization Day, visit Everest Viewpoint and Sherpa Museum.

This is a very important day, a day for the body to adjust to the reduced oxygen level. In the morning you will have the opportunity to explore Namche and visit places of interest, the Everest Viewpoint and the Sherpa Museum. In the afternoon rest is advised but not sleep, sleeping reduces the breathing rate which is counterproductive.

Second acclimatization day. Trek to Kyangjuma (3,550m) via Khunde and Khumjung, 5 to 6 hrs, lodge.

On the second acclimatization day you will hike through the traditional Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung before descending to Kyangjuma for the night. On the way you will visit the Hillary Hospital, Hillary School and recently opened Visitors Center.

Trek to Tenga (3,950m), 4 to 5 hrs, lodge.

Entering the Gokyo Valley you will trek to Tenga village, some push on further but to aid acclimatisation we will stay within the suggested sleeping altitude gain of 500m.

Trek to Machhermo (4,470m), 3 to 4 hrs, lodge.

Today the valley opens out and you are rewarded with stunning mountain views. The trail passes through small Sherpa villages where you are likely to see Yak with their young. The female Yak is a Nak and very protective, look, take photos but stay well clear.

Trek to Gokyo (4,790m), 4 to 5 hrs, lodge.

This is a spectacular day’s hike, as you pass the First Lake Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188m) comes into view at the head of the valley followed soon after by Gokyo Village and the Second Lake, there can be few more beautiful sights in the Himalaya.

Acclimatization day, AM visit third lake, PM rest.

Having ascended more than 1200m since Kyangjuma it is important to allow time for acclimatisation and rest. At Gokyo the virtual oxygen level is now just 53%, the body, in particular the brain, will be under great stress. To aid the acclimatisation process you will take a sedate hike up to the Third Lake and return to Gokyo for lunch and rest.

Ascend Gokyo Ri (5,360m) then descend to Dragnag (4,700m), 5 to 6 hrs, lodge.

The ascent of Gokyo Ri is optional but highly recommended as it is an important part of the overall acclimatisation plan. From the summit to the south you will see where you have come from, and to the east, where you are heading, with Mt. Everest just 20 kms distant. Following lunch, you will cross the Ngozumba Glacier to your lodge at Dragnag.

Cross Cho La Pass (5,368m), descend to Dzongla (4,830m), 8 to 9 hrs, lodge.

The 668m climb to the Cho La Pass tests fitness, stamina and balance but the view from the top is a just reward. The descent to Dzongla is not without interest, an initial rocky scrambling descent leads to a section of glacier where crampons are required, after that it is a pleasant hike to the lodge at Dzongla.

Move to Lobuche East Base Camp (5,082m), 3 to 4 hrs, camp.

This is where the trekking pauses and the mountaineering begins. No need to make an early start, it is just a short hike up to Lobuche Base Camp.

Day 15/16/17 Climb Lobuche East (6,090m) then descend to Lobuche (4,910m), lodge.

Lobuche East is a popular, non-technical trekking peak and is used by several companies as an overture to Mt. Everest. It should be possible to complete preparation, move to High Camp and reach the summit in a couple of days but if the weather is unsettled it may take 3 or 4. If that is the case it is nothing to worry about as there is plenty of slack in the system once you reach Everest Base Camp. The important this is to clock up the altitude and revise skills.

Short trek to Gorak Shep (5,140m) for a restful night in a lodge before moving to Base Camp, 2 to 3 hrs, lodge.

You can miss out the night at Gorak Shep but time to relax and a peaceful night in the lodge is recommended. For one final view of Everest before moving to Base Camp you may decide to hike up Kala Patthar (5,550m). If the sky is clear watching the setting sun illuminate the SW Face is an amazing sight.

Move to Everest Base Camp (5,364m), 2 to 3 hrs, camp.

Again, no need for an early start, wait till the sun is up. Once you reach Base Camp you will be shown to your tent and given a tour of the facilities, spacious dining tent, showers and toilets.

Day 20 to 48 Climbing Period. Further preparation, equipment familiarization, rotations on the mountain and summit attempt.

During the climbing phase there will be much to do, much to learn, further acclimatisation, skills to revise, getting to grips with crossing crevasses by ladder bridge, using oxygen apparatus, what to do if there is an accident. There will be rotations on the mountain, spending time at Camp I, Camp 2 and Camp 3, then returning to Base Camp for rest and recuperate. You may even descend to Lobuche for a couple of nights in a warm lodge. When you and your guide think you are ready, you start your summit bid. You will move carefully through the Icefall to Camp 1, on to Camp 2 (perhaps 2 nights there), then Camp 3 on the Lhotse Face before climbing steep ground to Camp 4 on the South Col. This move will be scheduled to coincide with the Everest weather window, the few days when the wind drops sufficiently to allow climbers to make the final push to the summit and safely return to Base Camp.

Leave Base Camp, trek to Pangboche (3,930m), 6 to 7 hrs, lodge.

The walkout starts with a pleasant hike to Pangboche, having walked in via the Cho La Pass this will all be new ground. For much of the day you will have Ama Dablam (6,856m), the Matterhorn of the Himalaya in view. There is a small monastery in Pangobche which houses what is claimed to be the skull of a Yeti, why not take a look.

Trek to Khyangjuma (3,550m), 4 to 5 hrs, lodge.

Trekking out to Khyangjuma you will pass through Tengboche with its magnificent monastery, again, new ground and well worth a visit.

Trek to Phakding via Namche Bazaar for lunch and shopping, 4 to 5 hrs, lodge

A relaxing day’s hike with time for lunch and shopping in Namche Bazaar, great coffee and cake shops!

Final day's trek and climb to Lukla, 3 to 4 hrs, lodge.

The final day's trek to Lukla marks the end of an exciting mountain adventure, hopefully a successful one. All being well you should arrive in Lukla in time for lunch, and perhaps a beer, or two.

Flight Lukla – Ramechhap then by road to Kathmandu, hotel.

Early flight from Lukla to Ramechhap followed by a 4 to 5 hour drive to Kathmandu.

Sightseeing and leisure in Kathmandu, PM team dinner.

A day of optional sightseeing and shopping. For those on their first visit to Nepal there is plenty to see such as Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, and Swoyambhunath Temple. These sites offer insight into Nepal's rich religious and cultural heritage. In the evening there will be a team dinner hosted by Mohan Lamsal, MD of Makalu Adventure.

Depart Kathmandu.

Transfer to international airport for your onward journey.