Kala Pattar

  • 13 Days
  • Age 18+
  • Year-round

This is the trek to Base Camp without base camp. There's little to see from Base Camp other than during the spring climbing season, and going just to Kala Pattar (where the views are) saves one day.

Everest - Home to Sherpas, Yetis, reincarnate Lamas, Gods, Goddesses, and a forgotten way of life.

Then you fly to Lukla and trek North to Everest, through the heart of the Sherpa homeland. Rest and altitude acclimatization days are scheduled and you ascend slowly to a high point above 18,000 feet for unparalleled views of the great mountains.

Visit Namche Bazaar on market day with your new Nepalese friends and have an interview with a "rinpoche" (reincarnate Lama) at Thayangboche Monastery. Rushing water, forests, glaciers, religious images, and yak trains are all around you as you go.

One of our previous guests has written up her experiences on this trek. You might enjoy her journal.

Day 1

Morning flight to Lukla. Assemble the crew and trek to Phakding for the first night.

Day 2

Trek to the fabled Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar (12,500').

Day 3

Day trek and return to Namche for a second night, for altitude acclimatization.

Day 4

Head to Thayangboche Monastery, in view of Everest. Meet the Rinpoche (reincarnate Lama).

Day 5

Ascend higher, to Dingboche (14,000 feet).

Day 6

Climb the "hill" behind town for acclimatization and then down the other side to Pheriche.

Day 7

Climb north towards the Khumbu glacier's terminal moraine and the high village of Lobuje.

Day 8

Cross the moraine and carry on to Gorak Shep, a seasonal collection of teahouses at the foot of Kala Pattar. Climb Kala Pattar for best views of Everest, then return to Lobuje.

Day 9

Trek south to Pangboche, home of the revered "Yeti scalp".

Day 10

An easy days walk to the interesting old Sherpa town of Khumjung

Day 11

Head south past Namche, and overnight in Monjo, by the river.

Day 12

Return to Lukla and overnight

Day 13

Fly back to Kathmandu