EBC Trek, with Cho La and Gokyo Ri extension is an epic, once in a life time experience, that will offer you the opportunity to discover the highest area of Himalayas. During our expedition, we’ll stay permanently into the magnificent and full of inspiration shadow of the highest summits in the world.

Nepal contains some of the most rugged and difficult mountain terrain in the world. Mountains cover about 75 percent of the country.

The iconic EBC Trek leads you through the Khumbu Valley, allowing you to experience the immense beauty of the surrounding Sagarmatha National Park while simultaneously providing breath-taking views of 4 of the 6 highest peaks in the world – My. Everest (8.848m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 meters), Mt. Makalu (8,470 meters) and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters).

I’ve designed the program to lead us, whenever is possible, out of the beaten commercial paths offered by more than 80% of the trekking companies or travel agencies. We will walk in a loop through spectacular places at altitudes over 5000m. On the way back to Namche, we will cross Cho La (high pass with an altitude of 5420m) and we’ll ascend on Gokyo Ri (5357m).

Beyond the views leaving us breathless, we’ll experiment the unique Sherpa culture. Traditions, religion and hospitality of the local people are absolutely outstanding.

We’ll discover new things about Buddhism, we’ll visit monasteries whose age is lost back in time and we’ll admire the local traditional way of making agriculture.

With other words, there will be no time to become bored.

Before booking your place, please be sure that you make a realistic assessment of your abilities (both physical and mental). Also, read carefully the Grading System and my Terms and Conditions.

Please read below more general info about this trip, detailed program and, also, what IS or ISN’T included in the cost.

After booking your place, you’ll receive the kit list, contract and other useful information.

In order to have an excellent preparation for this trip, I recommend you, also, joining the trip to Atlas Mountains, Morocco, or hiking along the highest summits of Balkan Peninsula.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost Details

Map

Overview

This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, and weather conditions and forecasts.

Weather EBC

KEY INFORMATION:

Tour Duration: 20 days
Group Size: minimum 5- maximum 10 people
Specialty Category: Hiking&Trekking; Cultural Experiences
Rating: Difficult
Season: April-May
Airfare included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Please contact me for more info.

Day 1 :

Flight to Kathmandu, transfer to hotel:

After landing on Tribhuvan International Airport and getting the visa, we'll meet our local representative that will provide the transfer to our hotel in Kathmandu. In the afternoon/evening (depending of the schedule of our flights) we'll have some time for exploring Thamel and enjoying dinner in a local Nepalese restaurant.

Day 2 :

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Today we have our first immersion into the Nepalese culture, by visiting some of the main attractions of Kathmandu: Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath temples, Bodhnath Stupa and Durbar Square.

Day 3 :

Flight Kathmandu – Lukla and trekking to Monjo.

Early in the morning, we will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. It is one of the most "interesting" flights in the world. In about 30 minutes, weather being friendly with us, we'll admire the spectacular views of the mountains and we'll enter deeper into the canyon of Dudh Kosi Valley. After landing on Lukla Airport, we'll meet our porters and we'll start our trek to Everest Base Camp. For the beginning the sceneries of Nupla (5885m), Kusum Kanguru (6367m) and Kwongde (6011m) will make our day.

Day 4 :

Trekking Monjo - Namche Bazaar

Our trail continue following the valley of Dudh Kosi river to the North. Soon, we might get the chance (weather permitting) of admiring, for the first time, the summits of Thamserku (6608m), Everest (8848m) and Nuptse (7879 m). After a steeper ascent we will arrive soon in Namche Bazaar (3440m).

Day 5 :

Acclimatization day. Trekking on route Namche Bazaar – Khumjung, via Everest View Hotel

Set in a natural amphitheater that offers a magnificent view of the Kongdi Ri mountain range (6187m), Namche Bazaar is one of the most important and picturesque settlements. Here we will enjoy a day of acclimatization so we avoid further problems. During this day we will visit the Hillary Memorial, we will climb to the Everest View Hotel to enjoy the first panoramic views of the peaks that surround us (Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, and Kwangde) and descend to Khumjung, a beautiful Sherpa village, located not far from Namche (but at a higher altitude).

Day 6 :

Trekking Khumjung – Tengboche

We will start the day with a slight descent that will lead us, after about 1-2 hours walking, in Phungithanga. From here, the trail ascends through a mature Rhododendron forest; if luck will surprise us, we will be able to meet the Musk deer or the Himalayan goats (tahr). The village of Tengboche is set along a wide and grassy saddle, sheltered by a grove covered by juniperus and puddles. From the point of view, on a nearby platform, we can admire the summits of Amadablam (6856m), Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8501m) in all their spending. Here we can visit the Buddhist monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region.

Day 7 :

Trekking Tengboche – Dingboche

In the morning, the views of the mountains, as well as the Buddhist monasteries, are truly impressive. From Tengboche we will head north and soon we will cross the Dudh Kosi River again. During this day we will have ample pictures of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam as well as Pokalde peaks (5806m), Kongma-tse (5849m). Dingboche is the gateway to Chukung and, furthermore, Mount Makalu. We will have the opportunity to admire the arrangement of agricultural land, where the locals cultivate barley, buckwheat and potatoes.

Day 8 :

Acclimatization day in Dingboche

It is very important to spend here an extra day to ease the acclimatization process. Optionally, and only if the physical resources are sufficient, we can make a climb of about 400m to Nangkartshang Gompa, on the northern crest of the Dingboche massif, where we have a superb view of the sea. Makalu (8463 m).

Day 9 :

Trekking Dingboche – Lobuche

Today we will continue our adventure and follow the 3 High Passes Trek route to Lobuche. We will begin to feel more and more altitude, being close to 5000m.

Day 10 :

Trekking Lobuche – Gorakshep – Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep

On the first section of the trail we follow the narrow aisle between the glacier and the mountain walls, intersecting the path leading to the Italian Pyramid. We will take a short walk to admire the Kumbu Glacier, and continue to Gorakshep, where we will also serve lunch. In the afternoon, we will celebrate reaching Everest base camp (5364m) and we'll return back to Gorakshep for a well-deserved rest.

Day 11 :

Ascent on Kala Patthar and trekking Gorak Shep-Lobuche-Dzongla

Today's day is a long and demanding one, but rewards will also be worthwhile. In the morning, very early, we will climb with the head lamps on Kala Patthar (5545m, the highest altitude during this expedition). From where we have the most beautiful pictures of Everest, Lhotse, Pumori, and the Khumbu Valley (guarded by Ama Dablam and Cholatse). We will return to Gorakshep to serve breakfast, after which we will start hiking to Dzongla via Lobuche. This is the beginning of a new stage of the expedition, through which we will cross the Cho La pass.

Day 12 :

Trekking Dzongla-Cho La-Thagnak

There is another demanding day, but also extremely spectacular with the views that will accompany us during our ascent to the Cho La high pass.

Day 13 :

Trekking Thagnak – Gokyo

Today we will have a shorter day to recharge our "batteries", especially because the next day we go to Gokyo Ri. After breakfast, we will cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest of the Himalayas, to arrive in a relatively short time at Gokyo. Once we get here, we will have enough time for rest and admire the superb lakes here.

Day 14 :

Ascent on Gokyo Ri and trekking along the route Gokyo-Machermo

We will start the day with a climb on the top of Gokyo Ri, where Gokyo lakes, Ngozumpa Glacier, and the peaks of Cho Oyu, Everest or Makalu can be admired on clear days. After returning to Gokyo, we will begin descending to Machermo.

Day 15 :

Trekking Machermo-Mong La

We continue to descend, crossing today one of the wildest areas; here we have the best chance of seeing snow cocks or Himalayan goats.In the afternoon we arrive at Mong La, a magnificent place with wide openings to Thamserku, Kangtega and Ama Dablam.

Day 16 :

Trekking Mong La-Benkar

Today we continue to descend, re-entering the classic route to the EBC. Once we get back to Namche Bazaar, we are heading for the small village of Benkar where we spend the night.

Day 17 :

Trekking Benkar-Lukla

The last day in the mountains will take us back to Lukla. We will look with nostalgia behind us, and we will certainly want to come back as soon as possible.

Day 18 :

Flight Lukla-Kathmandu and visit of Patan (Patan Durbar Square and Patan museum)

After the flight back to Kathmandu and returning to the hotel, we will take a guided tour of Patan to visit the royal palace and the museum that hosts exhibits of priceless value.

Day 19 :

Spare day (mandatory for sorting the issues in case of bad weather conditions before the flight from Lukla).

Free day for shopping or more sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Day 20 :

Flight Kathmandu – Romania (or other destination, as you wish).

All good things come to an end. Today we fly back to our home countries.