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After exploring exotic Kathmandu, the Everybody to Everest Challenge Team will fly to the remote mountain town of Lukla and begin their trek, following an ancient Sherpa trade route to the area's famous Namche Bazaar. While gazing up at the giant Himalayan peaks towering above them, the team will pass through traditional villages, rhododendron forests, terraced fields, and summer pastures for yak grazing before moving into the stark landscape of glaciers and ice.

The route will enable our group to visit monasteries in the heart of Sherpa country, where Tibetan monks can be observed in their daily prayers. On the eleventh day of this amazing journey, the team will take their final steps out onto the Khumbu glacier and arrive at their hard earned destination - Mt. Everest Base Camp. They will be greeted by Paul and Denise Fejtek, and other climbers who will have made this their home for almost a month prior to the team’s arrival. Standing at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, where Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay prepared for their summit attempt, will be an awe-inspiring moment.

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Day 1 (Apr. 17): KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
Travel from your homeport to Kathmandu. All flights cross the date line and consequently a day is lost in addition to travel time. Based on our current flight reservations, we will arrive late in the evening on April 17th, where your highly experienced, knowledgeable guide, Heidi Kloos, will meet you at the airport.  We will stay at the famous 5-Star Yak-n-Yeti Hotel or another quality hotel.

Day 2 (Apr. 18): KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
Enjoy a city tour visiting famous Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas including a favorite of many, the Monkey Temple. Or you can join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal and the most famous Shiva temple in Asia.

Day 3 (Apr. 19): KATHMANDU to LUKLA then hike to PHAKDING - 8,700 feet
We fly on a twin-engine Otter to the Himalayan foothills where we begin our trek into the Khumbu region. The sights from the plane are amazing, providing dramatic views of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing in the village of Lukla (9,350 feet), we meet the rest of our staff and porters and trek for about two and a half hours to Phakding (net decline in altitude). Overnight in Phakding in your first of many quant Sherpa teahouses where you will have your own room and enjoy the hearty meals prepared by your gracious Sherpa hosts.


Day 4 (Apr. 20): NAMCHE BAZAAR -11,300 feet
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu region. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours.




Day 5 (Apr. 21): NAMCHE BAZAAR -11,300 feet
Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colorful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam.

Day 6 (Apr. 22): THYANGBOCHE - 12,887 feet
The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We spend the night next to the Thyangboche (or Tengboche) Monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. Inside this sacred monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. With luck, our group will see the Lama perform a ceremony and hear the mystical chanting and music. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 7 (Apr. 23): DINGBOCHE - 14,250 feet
From Thyangboche, the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche among thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche with its exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours.

Day 8 (Apr. 24): DINGBOCHE - 14,250 feet
Today we take another rest and acclimatization day. There is the option of taking a light hike up the valley for a wider variety of photos of the valley and mountains of the Khumbu region.

Day 9 (Apr. 25): LOBUCHE - 16,175 feet
Today’s trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials called “chortens”, symbolizing the many climbers who have perished on Everest. This is a sacred place that commands respect for the mountain and reminds climbers of the dangers they will face above Base Camp. You will see a large chorten for Scott Fischer who died in the 1996 Everest disaster, along with many others.

Day 10 (Apr. 26): GORAK SHEP - 17,000 feet
After an early morning start, we ascend Kala Pattar (18,450 feet) and enjoy famous views of the Himalayas, without having to climb Everest! That evening we camp beneath Kala Pattar at Gorak Shep.




Day 11 (Apr. 27): EVEREST BASE CAMP - 17,575 feet
In the event of bad weather, we have the opportunity for a second chance to climb Kala Pattar. Today we will also continue our trek to Everest Base Camp, where you will be greeted by Paul & Denise Fejtek and other climbers making their way down from higher camps getting acclimatized to the altitude and preparing for their summit attempts.  Go to the Beyond Base Camp page to learn more about the climb to the summit.  We’ll spend the rest of the day at Everest Base Camp located at the foot of the magnificent Khumbu Icefall.  Overnight in tents at Base Camp.

Day 12 (Apr. 28): EVEREST BASE CAMP - 17,575 feet
Extra day in Base Camp giving you a chance to thoroughly explore the area, see expedition teams from around the world and get a taste of day-to-day life in this remote but bustling tent city.  Today will also be a rare treat for the Everybody to Everest Team to be invited to participate in the sacred Puja Ceremony.  The Puja is an important tradition of the Sherpa people where offerings and prayers are made for safe passage on the slopes of Chomolungma - Mother Goddess of the Earth.  In what is otherwise considered a private ceremony for only Sherpas and climbers, Paul & Denise will be able to share this special ritual performed by the Lama, in the presence of their family and friends.


Day 13 (Apr. 29): GORAK SHEP OR LOBUCHE - 17,000 feet
In the morning we will enjoy tea and breakfast while taking in the view of Everest before saying goodbye and good luck to the climbers and leaving for our descent. We head down the glacier and return to Gorak Shep, our last night high in the mountains.

Day 14 (Apr. 30): PANGBOCHE – 13,900 feet

Day 15 (May 1): NAMCHE BAZAAR - 11,300 feet
Today we trek back along the Dudh Kosi River through a magnificent rhododendron forest and past brilliant waterfalls. Shortly before reaching Namche, the trek takes us through a pine forest, where musk deer often graze in the early morning. Arriving in town, we may see lowland porters, highland Sherpas, and Tibetan people trading food and supplies during Namche’s market time.

Day 16 (May 2): LUKLA - 9,350 feet
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla where we spend the night at the Khumbu Lodge. Hot showers are available.

Day 17 (May 3): KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
If the weather is clear, the morning flight back to Kathmandu will be a scenic and smooth farewell to the mountains.

Day 18 (May 4): KATHMANDU - 4,383 feet
In the morning, we can watch Kathmandu rise in prayer along the banks of the holy river Bagmati at Pashupatinath, with burning ghats similar to the Ganges in India. Or we can visit the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath and explore the temples in the city of Patan. Final celebration dinner!

Day 19 (May 5): DEPART
Depart Kathmandu waving goodbye to the Himalayas and fly home with a camera full of breathtaking images and a heart full of culturally rich experiences that will change the way you look at life forever.


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