Below is our itinerary for our trip with Elite Exped. We have also put in our recommendations of what we would have done differently in hindsight to make it more comfortable for the children.
Day 1 – Fly from London to Kathmandu
Day 2 – ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (we arrived early morning (9am) which left the rest of the day for a 3 hrs nap, then meeting the team and our guides, gear check with our guides, and then a welcome dinner with the team and our guides.
Recommendation – We recommend (based on our experience) adding an extra day here just to rest and get in to the time zone.
Day 3 – Drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap (8hrs). We planned to fly to Lukla this day, however our flight was delayed by 24hrs due to smog on route (an increasing problem in the valley).
Recommendation – We had planned for this delay as it is a common problem, but had hoped the extra days would not be needed.
Day 4 – Flight to Lukla then hike to Phakding – (7.8 kilometers) This hike typically takes 3-4 hours to complete. The trail descends slightly in elevation from Lukla (2,860m) to Phakding (2,610m).
Day 5 – Hike from Phakding to Namche – (7.4 kilometers). The hike typically takes about 4-5 hours and involves an elevation gain of around 830 meters up to Namche at 3,440 meters.
Day 6 – Hike from Namche to Khumjung (3 kilometers). The hike typically takes around 1.5hrs (but we recommend a stop at Salamanca NEXT). The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 400 meters with Khumjung being at 3,790 meters altitude.
Recommendation – This is not a rest day (despite thinking it was originally). It is a acclimatisation day. However we wish we had built in an extra day here for a rest day. Namche is pretty cool and a good place to stay an extra night. Most companies hike up to Everest view hotel and back down to Namche but we recommend 2 nights in Namche and then the short hike to Khumjung if you can.
Day 7 – Hike from Khumjung to Debuche (via Tengboche) – (11 kilometers) The hike typically takes about 4-5 hours. The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 30 meters with Debuche Altitude being approximately 3,820 meters
Day 8 – Hike from Debuche to Dingboche – (14 Kilometers) The hike typically takes about 5 hours. The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 590 meters with Dingboche altitude being approximately 4,410 meters.
Day 9 – Acclimatisation hike up to Nagarjuna Hill – (5 kilometers) The hike typically takes about 4-5 hours return back to Dingboche. The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 600 meters with Nagarjuna Hill altitude being approximately 5,100 meters.
Recommendation – We also recommend you spend a day here either before or after this acclimatisation hike. It was at this point we really felt we needed the extra day, however due to our itinerary this was possible. There is not a lot to do here but rest!
Day 10 – Hike from Dingboche to Lobuche – (12 Kilometers) The hike typically takes about 5-6 hours. The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 530 meters with Lobuche altitude being approximately 4,940 meters.
Day 11 – Part a – Hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5 Kilometers typically takes about 3 hours. The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 224 meters with Gorak Shep Altitude being approximately 5,164 meters.
Day 11 – Part b – Hike from Gorak Shep to EBC (7 Kilometers return) typically takes about 4 hours. The elevation gain on this hike is approximately 200 meters with EBC altitude being approximately 5,364 meters.
Recommendation –This is a long day even for adults. It is also super busy at the “rock” which slows things down. Expect this to be your longest and hardest day. Our advice is to see if you can have lunch at camp for a break and for the crowds to reduce in numbers.
Day 12 – Hike from Gorak Shep to Pangboche (20 kilometers) typically takes about 6-8 hours. The elevation loss on this hike is approximately 1,179 meters with Pangboche Altitude being approximately 3,985 meters.
Day 13 – Hike from Pangboche to Namche (10 kilometers) typically takes about 4-6 hours. The elevation loss on this hike is approximately 545 meters with Namche Altitude being approximately 3,440 meters.
Day 14 – Hike from Namche to Lukla (20 kilometers) typically takes about 6-8 hours. The elevation loss on this hike is approximately 580 meters with Lukla Altitude being approximately 2,860 meters.
Day 15 – Flight to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap then (8hrs) drive to Kathmandu.
Day 16 – Explore Kathmandu – (Built in contingency day incase of flight delays).
Day 17 – Morning continue to explore Kathmandu – Flight home in the evening Kathmandu to London.
Here is a quick overview of each day of hiking.
Lukla to Phakding
Trekking distance: 7.8 km / 4.8 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 250 m (820 ft) loss
Phakding Camp elevation: 2,610 m / 8,563 ft
Time: 3-4 hours of walking
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Trekking distance: 7.4 km / 4.6 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 830 m (2,723 ft) up
Namche Bazaar Camp elevation: 3,440 m / 11,286 ft
Time: 4-5 hours of walking
Namche Bazaar to Khumjung (Acclimatization Hike)
Trekking distance: 3 km / 1.9 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 350 m (1,148 ft) up
Khumjung Village elevation: 3,790 m / 12,434 ft
Time: 1.5 hours of walking (one way)
Khumjung to Debuche (via Tengboche)
Trekking distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 30 m (98 ft) up
Debuche Camp elevation: 3,820 m / 12,533 ft
Time: 4-5 hours of walking
Debuche to Dingboche
Trekking distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 590 m (1,936 ft) up
Dingboche Camp elevation: 4,410 m / 14,470 ft
Time: 5 hours of walking
Acclimatization Hike to Nagarjuna Hill (Return to Dingboche)
Trekking distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles (return)
Altitude gain/loss: 690 m (2,264 ft) up; then 690m (2,264 ft) loss on return
Dingboche Camp elevation: 4,410 m / 14,470 ft (Return to sleep at same altitude)
Time: 4-5 hours of walking (return)
Dingboche to Lobuche
Trekking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 530 m (1,739 ft) up
Lobuche Camp elevation: 4,940 m / 16,207 ft
Time: 5-6 hours of walking
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
Trekking distance: 5 km / 3.1 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 224 m (735 ft) up
Gorak Shep Camp elevation: 5,164 m / 16,942 ft
Time: 3 hours of walking
Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (Return to Gorak Shep)
Trekking distance: 7 km / 4.3 miles (return)
Altitude gain/loss: 200 m (656 ft) up; then 200m (656 ft) loss on return
Gorak Shep Camp elevation: 5,164 m / 16,942 ft (Return to sleep at same altitude)
Time: 4 hours of walking (return)
Gorak Shep to Pangboche
Trekking distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 1,179 m (3,868 ft) loss
Pangboche Camp elevation: 3,985 m / 13,074 ft
Time: 6-8 hours of walking
Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
Trekking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 545 m (1,788 ft) loss
Namche Bazaar Camp elevation: 3,440 m / 11,286 ft
Time: 4-6 hours of walking
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Trekking distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles
Altitude gain/loss: 580 m (1,903 ft) loss
Lukla Camp elevation: 2,860 m / 9,383 ft
Time: 6-8 hours of walking
Family Russell-Smith Travel 