Worlds Highest Marathon

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu (1360m):

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes. After your check in the group leader will set a time for your trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organize a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Day 2:City Tour (1360m):

Today, you will visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath, the main temple for the Hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the “ghats”. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be handed over with your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding(2652m):

In the early morning you will take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m) with breath taking views of the Himalayas. The flight time is about 40 minutes and  you will land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing you will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load your trekking equipment.You will begin the trek by walking through the Lukla village and join the main trail to the Everest Valley. The walking is easy today with great views of Kusum Khanguru. We trek through small villages of Thadokoshi  and Ghat. After passing through Ghat (2550m), it is only a short walk to Phakding. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3446m):

From Phakding you will head towards the valley for Namche Bazaar following the Dudh Koshi river.Youget spectacular views of Mt.Thamserku from Benkar.From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m), the entrance of  Sagarmatha National Park.After lunch, its fairly an easy walk till we get to the last suspension bridge.The views of Lhotse,Nuptse and Tawache come into views for the first time,You now make a steep ascent to get to Tope Danda where you  have photo opportunities of Everest  Nuptse and Lhotse. We now make a gradual climb to get to Namche Bazaar. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 5: Rest & acclimatization day at Namche (3446m):

(Acclimatisation Day) We have an extra day today for you to Acclamatise.You can either go for a hike to Syangboche or do other optional walks around Namche.The stunning vista includes a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest.The afternoon is free to wander through Namche. You can enjoy the bakeries, surf the internet or buy souveneirs,etc. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 6: Trek to Tyangboche(3875m):

On today’s walk there will be opportunities to spot local wildlife including the beautiful Danfe pheasant, himalayan thar (mountain goat) and musk deerFrom Namche Bazaar, you will climb towards the park headquarters and follow a contouring trail high above the Dudh Kosi river. Above Namche the route to Thyangboche becomes visible and is a fairly easy hike to Phungi Tanga.This is where we have lunch .After lunch you will ascend, initially steeply, through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forests to get to Thyangboche.The views of Everest,Amadablam,Lhotse Khantega and Thamserku are breathtaking.In the late afternoon we go and visit the Monastery to join the daily prayers with the Monks. This is one of the best spots for sunset. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 7: Trek to Pangboche(3930m):

After breakfast we descend through the alpine forest to get to Debuche. You might be lucky enough to come across Mountain Goats and the Musk deer as it is mostly seen here.After crossing the Imja Khola the trail gradually climbs up with views of Amadablam to the village of Pangboche. We stop for a night here.In the afternoon you will visit the monastery ,known to be the oldest in the khumbu valley and start heading  towards a ridge below Tawache for your acclimatization. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 8: Trek to Dingboche(4360m):

Today you will have a pleasant walk, ascending gradually high above the Imja Khola River and passing the tea houses at Shomare and Orsho before crossing the river to get to the lodge at Dingboche. The scenery is spectacular and although Everest disappears behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge here, but you get stunning views of Amadablam and Island Peak.Today you will be completely above the tree line and the temperatures could drop quickly.The nights could be freezing from here on and you might start to feel the altitude from here.it is important to take notice of your trek leader’s advice and recommendations regarding rest and fluid intake. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 9: Rest & acclimatization day at Dingboche(4360m):

Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. The walls protect crops of barley and potatoes from the cold winds. It is occupied mainly through the monsoon months, when large numbers of yaks are brought here to graze in the valley pastures. There are plenty of options for your acclamatisation,you can climb nakarsang or take a walk through the chukung valley.The views are fantastic with Makalu,the 5th highest mountain coming into sight and other mountains surrounding you.The afternoon is free for you to explore Dingboche. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 10:Trek to Lobuche(4930m):

In the morning you will ascend the small ridge behind the village above Pheriche Valley. From the chorten at the top, Taweche and Cholatse (6440m) make a striking scene. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of Cho La dominate the skyline. The walking is now generally flat on wide-open fields. Late in the morning you will cross the Khumbu Khola at Dughla (4620m) and take a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of Khumbu Glacier. In the afternoon, there will be a solid and quite steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, you will pass a line of memorial cairns, built in memory of Sherpas and other climbers who have died on the various Everest expeditions. From here the view is spectacular – Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m), Khumbutse (6623m) and, across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550m) can be seen at the head of the valley whilst Everest remains hidden behind the towering walls of Nuptse and Lhotse. You will then follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuje, arriving early afternoon. Today will be tiring but the fantastic scenery makes it all very worthwhile. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 11:Trek to Gorakshep (5180mt):

Today we start early for Gorakshep following the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier.A gradual ascent enables you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep (5160m) – reached after about three hours of walking.Meals Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 12: Trek to Kalapathar & Everest Base Camp (5364mt):

Today you make an early start for Kala pathar (5550m) to experience the sensational sunrise views from this amazing vantage point. From the lodge the ascent is quite steep, so you should start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady, rhythmic pace. Kala Patar is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It is a tough walk because of the altitude, but the 360 degree view from the top will surpass your wildest imagination. It will probably take about two hours to reach the summit from Gorak Shep.Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest, the highest mountain in the world, will surround you. About three kilometres away and some 200 metres below, the area of the Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. The descent back down to Gorak Shep is easy and once you have returned to the lodge, you will have breakfast and start the hike to Everest Base Camp for the night. Overnight in Tents. Meals Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 13: Leisure Day at Everest Base Camp and Team briefing:

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Day 14:Marathon day to Namche (3446m):

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Day 15: Rest and leisure at Namche Bazaar:

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Day 16: Trek to Phakding:

You will enjoy a leisurely departure from Namche Bazaar with a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar before descending steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi RiverYou will follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon it is only a short walk via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kangaru, back to the lodge in Phakding. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 17: Trek to Lukla(2827m):

This is your last day of trekking, where it is only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla. You will then have lunch at the lodge and the afternoon is free to wander around, relax. In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with your Sherpa companions. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 18: Fly back to Kathmandu (1360m):

You will rise early in the morning today for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred back to the starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do some souvenir shopping or further sightseeing. Your final night in Kathmandu offers you the chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with your travelling companions and newfound friends. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 19: International Departure:

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included.