Leaving behind the Dudh Kosi River and suspension bridge, you trek to Namche. Near the halfway point up the hill, views of Everest (29,028’/8,850m) and Lhotse (27,916’/8,511m) come into sight. Namche is the most prosperous and largest town in the Khumbu. A traditional trading center, a market is held every Saturday. The wares on display include grains and vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets, as well as hand-woven aprons and Tibetan boots. Thamserku (21,806’/6,648m) and Kwangde (20,417’/6,224m) loom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila (18,729’/5,707m) dominates the skyline to the north behind the village. Time – 6 hours, but it could take 8 hours with your stops, etc.

You may walk up to Syangboche for acclimatization and enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam from the Everest View Hotel, or simply walk up to the museum on the hilltop of Namche. There are plenty of places to explore, but at a very slow pace.

The trail descends, offering dramatic views of Ama Dablam (21,964’/6,696m) and Kangtega (22,235’/6,779m), flanked by the towering heights of Sagarmatha (the Nepalese name for Everest), Lhotse, and Nuptse. Cross the Dudh Kosi at Phungithanga and climb through rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill. Here lies Tengboche, the main monastery of the Khumbu area. The views from here are unforgettable. Tengboche lies at the base of Kangtega, and the spur of this ridge affords panoramic views of the main peaks of Khumbu, including Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.

Descend from Thyangboche and cross the Imja Khola again, then trek gradually uphill to Pangboche. There is an interesting Gompa site above the main village. The trekker is in the midst of the Himalayas here, with spectacular views all around. For acclimatization, there is a need to spend two nights around the 14,000’/4,268m level, and Dingboche, lying in a sheltered spot above the Imja Khola, is generally more attractive than Pheriche. It is, however, worth noting that the Himalayan Rescue Association has its aid post at Pheriche.

Today is an important acclimatization day in Dingboche before heading towards the higher elevations and the first of the three passes. After breakfast, you can take a gradual hike towards Nangkartshang Hill, which offers impressive views of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lhotse, Makalu and the surrounding Imja Valley. The hike is optional and can be shortened depending on how you are feeling.

The main purpose of today is to gain some altitude during the day and return to Dingboche to sleep at 4,410m. Take the hike slowly, stay well hydrated and listen to your guide's advice regarding altitude. After returning to Dingboche, the rest of the afternoon is free to relax, explore the village at an easy pace and prepare for tomorrow's walk to Chhukung. Overnight at Dingboche.

A day walk up to Chhukung (4,730m) is highly recommended. The route gradually ascends to the few scattered stone huts that make up the settlement. To the south are ever-changing views of Ama Dablam, while to the north are the massive walls of the Nuptse Ridge and the south face of Lhotse.

An important acclimatization and rest day today, with the option of hiking up to the ridge overlooking the village or perhaps walking to Chhukung Village. You can spend the day exploring or relaxing and taking in the mountain scenery. Excellent views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Chhukung Peak, and Imja Tse (6,189m) can be seen from the ridge above the camp. Massive glaciers drape beneath cliffs that soar up to 3,500 meters in this dramatic valley. It is from here that you will prepare for your first crossing of a high pass, Kongma La Pass (5,300m).

Start early in the morning around 6:00 am with a packed lunch. The trail gently follows the valley at first, followed by a steep ascent into the deep valley between Pokalde Peak and Chhukung. This will be a big day as you ascend to Kongma La Pass amid the crags of this outlying ridge near Nuptse. From the pass, you descend steeply to the Khumbu Glacier, which you cross before clambering up the moraines on the far side to reach the meadow near the Italian High Altitude Research Pyramid, where you overnight. Spectacular views of Pumori and Nuptse can be seen from here.

Start early. The actual distance is not so far, but you will take it very slowly to compensate for the altitude, stopping at Gorak Shep (5,288m) for the night after visiting Everest Base Camp.

Start early to avoid the crowds and climb Kala Patthar for astounding views of Mt. Everest. You are high among the glaciers of the world's highest peaks, at the junction of two large glaciers and nestled in an amphitheatre of peaks. Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m), Nuptse (7,745m), and of course Everest (8,848m) surround you.

You head west towards the Cho La Pass, contouring around a headland towards the picturesque Dzongla Pass, which cuts across a jagged spur that descends from the summit of Lobuche Peak. The path follows an obvious, gently ascending line, but in snowy conditions, it can be slippery.

The views today are magnificent, and you get to see Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world. Cho La is steep, with a scramble over rock boulders before a gently ascending walk across the pass. The views ahead are breathtaking. You descend steep, boulder-strewn slopes to the Gokyo Valley. This is a valley of turquoise lakes and great glaciers. At the end, you climb a gentle slope to the top before going downhill, following a narrow river valley all the way to its base, where you stop briefly. Cross the glacier and ascend the lateral moraine valley past beautiful lakes, with Siberian ducks swimming across the mirror-calm surface, to the village of Gokyo.

Full day at Gokyo. Climb Gokyo Ri (5,330m) in the morning. About 3 km north of Gokyo is the fourth lake, with high cliffs and peaks rising above it. The trail continues to the fifth lake, where you can be mesmerized by the shimmering turquoise-blue sheet of water. If conditions are good, we can go further and climb a hill at the edge of the lakes to get astounding views of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu. Return to Gokyo village.

Start early, around 5:00 am, for a challenging but exciting crossing. The Tibetan border is very close, and you may have a chance to meet Tibetan traders descending from the Nangpa La Pass, which leads through the Himalayas from Tibet, with their caravans of woolly yaks laden with goods.

You turn south and head down the valley towards Lukla for your return to Kathmandu. There are still Sherpa villages to explore as you descend the gorge.

The trail takes you down the Dudh Kosi Valley to Lukla airstrip for your flight back to Kathmandu. This final day of trekking will be the only day when you walk the same route twice.

After an early breakfast at the lodge, fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. During the peak trekking seasons, flights may operate from Ramechhap Airport (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu. In this case, you will fly from Lukla to Ramechhap and drive back to Kathmandu.

Free time until departure. Transfer to the airport for your departure from Kathmandu.