ARRIVAL KATHMANDU(1315m): Airport pick up transfer to Hotel.

KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING: Visit Swoyambhu, Boudha, Pashupati and Patan Daubar Square

KATHMANDU – LUKLA – PHAKDING (2636m): We fly on a twin-engine Otter to the Himalayan foothills where we will begin our trek into the Khumbu region. The views from the plane are amazing, providing dramatic views of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing in the village of Lukla, we will meet the rest of our staff and porters and trek for about two and a half hours to Phakding. Here we will meet up with trekkers who have participated in the Jiri extension.

Namche Bazaar - (3424m) 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 Sagamatha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar the gateway to the Khumbu region.

Namche Bazaar - (3424m) 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, will 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. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle. One room highlights the Sherpa traditions and in another, Sherpa high altitude climbers are presented.

Thyangboche - (3905). The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We will spend the night next to the Thyangboche monastery, the spiritual center of Khumbu region. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Llamas. If our group is lucky, we will see the Llama perform a ceremony and hear the mystical chanting and music.

Ama Dablam Base Camp • (4545m) The uphill trek along the river allows for breathtaking photos of Ama Dablam that towers ominously above us, and the Southwest ridge comes into clear view! Just after the village of Pangbouche we descend down to the Dudh Kosi and cross a small bridge and then follow the trail as it climbs up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,000 feet). Our Sherpas, porters and cooks will have already established base camp and we will be greeted with warm smiles, hot tea and a delicious lunch. The rest of the afternoon can be spent relaxing in the sun watching climbers high on the mountain as they descend the upper snow face of the Dablam Glacier.

Today is a rest day and acclimatization day.

Advanced Base Camp - (5364m) Today we make a carry up the large lateral moraine towards Advanced Base camp (ABC) at 17,700 feet. where views of the surrounding 5000m peaks are impressive. It is possible to see the pass, Mingbo La, from here. We return back to base camp for the evening. We will use the strategy of climb high & sleep low to maximize our ability to acclimatize.

Our group hikes back up to ABC to sleep for the evening.

Camp I - (5727m) After breakfast, we hike up a ridge until it drops down along the base of Ama Dablam. Scrambling from boulder to boulder, we reach the base of the slabs that challenge us with the first technical climbing (Class 4). Reaching the tops of the slabs and on to the ridge proper, one begins to get a sense of the exposure Ama Dablam is famous for. Camp I is established on the crest of the ridge at 18,900 feet. After leaving a cache at CI, we will return back to base camp for the night. B, L, D

Rest day.

Climbers ascend back to ABC for a second night. Most people find this second night to be a bit more restful!

Our group climbs back up across the boulders, scrambles up the slabs to the ridge and arrives at Camp I. We will spend the night at Camp I.

Climb high on the ridge towards Camp II before descending back to base camp. The rest of the day we will rest in the pleasures of base camp.

Rest Day.

Our group begins their summit push and ascends to Camp I.

Camp II - (5909m) The first summit team will begin their summit attempt, moving to Camp II at 19,500 feet. The climbing from Camp I to II is some of the most exciting rock climbing on the route. The entire route is fixed, and climbers will be connected to this rope via jumar and sling as they traverse 4th and 5th class rock (up to 5.7) around gendarmes and up towers. The rock is impeccable, the exposure intense and the views awe inspiring! Camp II is perched on a narrow ledge with incredible exposure and views of the upper mountain and surrounding peaks.

Camp III - 6364m From Camp II, we climb mixed snow, rock and ice up the massive yellow tower and then traverse left into a wild fluted corner. After climbing this 50 degree snow couloir we reach the "mushroom ridge." We climb along this exposed snow ridge and reach Camp III at 21,000’ which is situated just to the side of the massive Dablam hanging glacier.

Summit day - 6814m The day begins with steep climbing right out of camp up toward the Dablam Glacier. The route traverses right, around some crevasses and then meets up with the 40–60 degree snow rib that leads to the summit (22,350 feet). At the top there are beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. We then descend down to Camp III for the night.

From Camp III we head back to base camp for our celebration dinner.

Extra Summit Day

Bad weather or health,

If we complete summit early, we can take a side trip to Kalapathar or Everest Base Camp.

From Base Camp we descend to Namche. If we are lucky, it will be market time in Namche. Regardless, there is always fabulous food to be found, including real espresso, yak steaks and chocolate cake with frosting! This market is where lowland porters bearing supplies meet the highland Sherpa and Tibetan people who have journeyed over high passes from many miles away to trade food and supplies for their home or village.

Our last day on the trail, we hike from Namche to Lukla, crossing eleven suspension bridges and reentering the fertile valleys of the lower Dudh Kosi. We overnight in Lukla

The morning flight back to Kathmandu is scenic and smooth as we say farewell to the mountains.

KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING: Visit Pharping, Dakshinkali and Bhaktapur Durbar Square and in the evening time Dinner with Cultural Dance.

DEPARTURE: Airport drop. Tour Ends. THANK YOU!