Everest Two High Pass Trek with Ama Dablam Base Camp - 15 days

A warm welcome to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Third Rock Adventures' guide will be there at the international airport to receive you and drive you to your hotel. After reaching the hotel you can have a refreshing welcome drink and check in to your room. Freshen up and sleep off the jet lag.

In the evening you will be meeting your trekking guide who will brief you about your trekking adventure. He will share some important information about your trek and answer your queries if you have any. Before packing for your trek check your packing list If you need to buy or rent gear and equipment you can do so in Thamel (Kathmandu's tourist hub). There are lots of shops which rent and sell good quality gear and equipment.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

Depending on the timing of our trip you catch your flight to Lukla either from Kathmandu's domestic airport or Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. If you make this trip during the spring or autumn season you will have to make that long drive to Manthali to catch your Lukla flight. Flights to Lukla are rerouted to Manthali Airport due to congestion at Kathmandu's airport during peak tourist season. Located about 132 km from Kathmandu Valley, it takes about four hours' drive from the city to reach the airport.

If you are traveling during an off-season (summer or winter) you can board your flight directly from Kathmandu's domestic airport.

Please note all flights to Lukla are scheduled in the morning. Therefore if you are to reach Manthali Airport on time you have to start at around 2 or 3 AM. Our guide will come to pick you up from your hotel.

After reaching Lukla your luggage will get sorted and the porter will carry the heavier bag. Leave the airport and start your trek. The trail goes down to the Dudh Koshi River and climbs up again. Enjoy the wonderful scenery as you walk past Sherpa villages. Your first day of trekking ends in Phakding, a charming settlement located on the side of the Dudh Koshi or Milky River. In the coming days you will be trekking to the place from where this river originates.

Overnight in Phakding. 

Today's trek takes you to the heart of Sherpa country, Namche. The hike is long and arduous but the views are well worth it. The walk takes you past thick forests of pine and rhododendron, waterfalls, and marvelous views of Thamserku. En route, there are several crossings over high metal suspension bridges hanging over deep gorges. Hillary Bridge is the last bridge you will cross before entering Namche. Right before entering Namche Bazaar, you will get the first glimpse of Mount Everest.

The settlement is carved out on the side of a mountain. The ascent to the center of Namche is quite steep and you will have to climb a long series of steps. Nonetheless, the hike to your lodge is interesting as you will get to observe the locals going about their daily lives.

Namche is a lively and bustling Sherpa town filled with numerous lodges, restaurants, cafes, shops, etc. It is a trading hub with banks, ATM booths, and a weekly bazaar where traders from as far as Tibet come to trade.

Overnight in Namche.

An acclimatization day to let your body adapt to low oxygen levels. Today you will get to explore Namche Bazaar and its surrounding area. Your day starts early with an acclimatization hike to Hotel Everest View, a beautiful Himalayan viewpoint, and one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. The hotel is located high above Namche and offers a panoramic view of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kantega, Thamserku, and the holy peak of the Sherpas, Khumbila. To reach the viewpoint you hike up to the Sherpa Museum and walk past a grassy meadow and a disused airfield.

After savoring the view, you hike down to Namche and explore the town, or you can take a detour and visit the two famous Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde. Both these villages were chosen by Sir Edmund Hillary for his philanthropic projects. In Khumjung, he established the first school in Khumbu Region, while in Kunde he built the only health center in the region. Khumjung also has a monastery where the scalp of a 'Yeti' is exhibited.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

You leave the main Everest Base Camp trail and make your way out of  Namche via a monastery. Today's destination is Thame, the native village of the legendary Apa Sherpa, a record breaking Everest summiteer. The villages along this route are home to some of the most famous expedition guides.  The path to Thame is less traveled and less crowded and you can enjoy your hike in peace.

Not many trekkers choose to explore this western side of the Khumbu. The villages are rustic and quieter on this side than on the popular EBC route. En route you can enjoy the colorful rock paintings and stupas while crossing the villages of Phurte and Kisibuk, and the Thesyo Khola. At Samde you can stop for a brief rest before continuing further. The trail weaves across a canyon and a rhododendron forest.

After arriving in Thame, you can head to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest. Above Thame looms the majestic Thame monastery built on a rocky cliff. You can visit the monastery if you still have the stamina for an ascent up the village.

Overnight in Thame.

From Thame, you trek towards Lumde. Walk past the river valley and climb on a ridge. As you gain altitude, the trees disappear and you find yourself walking in a barren landscape. The ground is covered with stubby grasses and rocks and snow-covered mountains gleam in the horizon. Hike past the village of Thambuteng while enjoying mesmerizing views of Tengi Ragi Tau and Langmuche Ri. Walking further you cross the Langmuche Khola which originates from the Dig Tsho Lake and joins the mighty Bhote Koshi River on its way down.

As you go higher you reach the settlements of Taranga, Dingjung, and Marlung.  During the high season when it's difficult to get accommodation at Lumde, trekkers rest at Marlung. From Marlung it's a short walk to Lumdeng. On reaching Lumdeng you can rest at the teahouse where your room has been booked or hike up to a ridge that rises above the settlement and savor amazing views of the Rolwaling Himal and other peaks.

Overnight in Lumde.

Make an early start towards Renjo La, the first of the two high passes you will be crossing during your Everest Two High Pass Trek with Ama Dablam Base Camp. One of the three high passes of the Khumbu Region, Renjo La is the westernmost high altitude mountain pass in the region. It's also the easiest to cross compared to the other two passes (Cho La and Kongma La). The first section is pretty steep but the path levels off mid-way. Later you follow a steep incline and reach more steep portions as you near the pass. Don't forget to take brief breaks in between to enjoy the magnificent view of Tengi Ragi Tau, Gyachung Kang, Rolwaling, and Makalu. The rocky pass with prayer flags strung on top looks daunting from below.

Take slow deep breaths as you climb up as the oxygen is quite low at this point. The approach to the pass is very steep and rocky but there's no glacier crossing. There are stone steps built on the steeper sections which makes it easier to climb. Once you reach the top you can savor the magnificent panorama of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Pumori, and other giants. You can also see the shimmering Gokyo Lake and Gokyo village where you will be staying overnight.

After savoring the views you can head down the pass. It's downhill all the way. Make sure to go slowly as the path is filled with loose rocks and boulders. Follow a narrow path on the side of a barren hill to reach your overnight stop at Gokyo Village. Located on the bank of Gokyo Lake or Dudh Pokhari, the village has only a few lodges and teahouses that cater to trekkers.

Check in to a comfortable teahouse and admire the view of the serene Gokyo Lake. The mighty Dudh Koshi River originates from this lake.

Overnight in Gokyo.

Wake up in the early hours, while it's still dark, and head towards the viewpoint of Gokyo Ri. With your headtorch lighting the way, walk out of the village and climb a steep hill. Scramble to the top and drink in the magnificent views of four of the world's highest mountains – Cho Oyu, Mount Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse. The Gokyo Lake shimmering in the warm glow of the rising sun looks heavenly. The mountains blanketed by snow change color from blue to pink and yellow as the sun rises slowly. You can also see the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, stretching endlessly below.

After taking photographs and spending some time at the top you descend to the village and have breakfast. Pack up and continue your trek toward Thagnag. It's a short hike on a barren and desolate trail.  You walk past the Tanjung Tsho (lake) and follow the trail that goes up the moraine to a ridge. The path takes you on a long traverse through the Ngozumpa Glacier. After climbing out of the glacier you can see the settlement of Thagnag at a lower valley. Hike down and spend the rest of the day relaxing at a teahouse.

Overnight in Thagnag.

Today you cross the mighty Cho La, one of the most challenging high passes in Khumbu. You will be walking past a frozen glacier so keep your crampons or micro spikes ready. It's going to be one long and tough crossing.

You start quite early in the morning taking the trail that winds behind the settlement. The trail goes up and down a rocky and boulder-filled landscape. Later follow a zigzag path that weaves across the hills and reaches the approach of the pass. Take a breather at the base before you start climbing the massive wall of the pass. It's a tough ascent past boulders and loose scree.

Prayer flags greet you as you reach the top of Cho La. You can view the summits of Lochuche East and West, Mount Everest, the wall of Nuptse, Makalu, and other peaks. After a brief celebration and selfie moments, it's time to make a difficult descent through the Cho La Glacier. Wear your crampons and make your way down carefully. You get a stupendous view of the valley surrounded by mountains as you climb down. It's downhill all the way to Dzongla. The small village of Dzongla is nestled close to the massive Cholatse and is surrounded by high mountains. Stay overnight at a teahouse surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world.

Overnight in Dzongla.

From Dzongla you head down to Pheriche. On the way, you cross the village of Thukla. Visit the memorials of dead Everest mountaineers who lost their lives on the mountain. It's an easy descent down to Pheriche which lies close to the Imja River. Pheriche has a clinic run by the Himalayan Rescue Association. Manned by volunteer health workers from overseas, it's the only health post at this altitude in the Khumbu Region.

Overnight in Pheriche. 

Leaving Pheriche you take the trail to Pangboche, one of the oldest Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu Region. En route, you enjoy a side trip to Ama Dablam Base Camp. The base camp sits directly below the grand Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. The trail to the base camp is filled with steep and flat sections. Crossing the Imja River you climb up steadily to a hill from where you can view the whole valley – Tengboche, Namche, Pangboche, and other settlements – and the Everest range. As you reach closer to the base camp Ama Dablam looms majestically.

Depending on the time of your trek, you will either find the base camp buzzing with activity, covered with tented camps of expedition groups, or empty and isolated. The base camp has a small stream flowing through it. Soak up the grandiose view of Ama Dablam(6812m) before trekking back to Pangboche.

Overnight in Pangboche.

The trek from Pangboche to Namche takes you past the serene settlement of Tengboche. Leaving the treeless alpine zone you enter the lush green forest which is home to the protected wildlife of the Khumbu Region. You can spy the Himalayan tahr, musk deer, Himalayan pika, and if you are lucky the elusive snow leopard and red panda.

 The trail has some steep uphills and downhills. An ascent up a forested hill brings you to Tengboche, the Sherpa village with the largest monastery in Khumbu. Rest for a while and explore the magnificent Tengboche Gompa. Later continue your journey and walk towards Namche. On reaching Namche you can enjoy a hot shower and have a hearty dinner.

Overnight in Namche.

Leaving Namche you head down to Lukla. It is downhill most of the time along a lush forested trail. Savor the views of the verdant Dudh Koshi Valley as you make your way past quaint stone cottages and swaying metal bridges.

Once you reach Lukla, you check in at a teahouse and take rest. In the evening you get together with the local crew and have a small celebration. This is the last evening you will spend with them and the guide and porters will entertain you with local songs and dancing. Before bidding them goodnight you can hand out their tips and thank them for their support.

Overnight in Lukla.

Board the small aircraft from Lukla and return to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu you can spend the day as you wish. You can relax at a spa or head to the local market for souvenir shopping.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

It's time to finally bid goodbye to Nepal. Our guide will drop you at the international airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure. If you feel like exploring more of Nepal please do let us know.  Third Rock Adventures also run tours in the neighboring countries of Bhutan and India.