Everest High Pass Trek, 21-day program

* Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport * Meeting with a representative from Matterhorn Treks & Expedition at the Airport * Transfer to hotel * Briefing about the trip activities * Free time for the rest of the day * _Overnight at Hotel B/B_

* Sightseeing: visit to the main landmarks in Kathmandu, including World Heritage Sites: Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhu Nath), and Buddhists shrine (Bouddha Nath) * Time for last minute shopping for personal items * Preparation for the next day * _Overnight at Hotel B/B_

* Early start – breakfast * Transfer to the domestic airport * Flight to Lukla – Duration: 40 minutes * Arrival to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla * Meeting with the other crew members * Trek through the village of Lukla (2,800 m) * Arrival in Phakding (2,652 m) * Optional: taking a side trip to a nearby Monastery * _Overnight in lodge_ * _Trekking time: 3 hours_

* Trek over the Dudh Koshi River, with amazing views of Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m / 21,675 ft) * Arrival in Benkar village * Arrival in the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo – (permits will be checked at this point) * Descent to Jorsale, the last village before Namche Bazaar * Arrival to the Hillary Suspension Bridge * Up hill climb towards Namche Bazzar * Stop at the Chautara to enjoy the view * Arrival in Namche Bazzar, the main gateway of the Khumbu region * _Overnight in lodge_ * _Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours_

* First scheduled acclimatization day – Different options available: * Day hike to Thame * Visit around Khunde * Relaxed exploration of Namche Bazaar * Side trip up to Khumjung: climb up to famous airstrip at Syangboche; and the famous Everest View Hotel and the Hillary School * Return to Namche Bazzar * _Overnight in lodge_

* Departure from Namche bazaar, past a check post * Arrival in the highest hydroelectric power station in the world * Ascent towards Thamo (3,820 m), and the Khari Gompa monastery * Climb up through a rhododendron forest to pasture lands in front of Thame (3,820 m) * _Overnight at lodge_ * _Trekking time: 5 hours_

* Trek towards Longden

* Departure from Longden towards Goyko (4,750 m), via the Renjo La Pass (5,360 m) * Trekking time: 8 hours * _Overnight at a teahouse with comfortable bedrooms at Gokyo_

* Full day for rest and acclimatization * If the weather is good, climb to Gokyo Ri (5,330 m) this day instead of the nexte one (if the weather is good) – best viewpoint in the Everest Region * Visit to two of the famous Gokyo six lakes: fourth (Thonak Tsho) and fifth (Ngozuma Tsho) * Optional: climb on a hill at the edge of the Lakes for unique views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu from the Scoundrel’s viewpoint * Views of the Cho Oyu Base Camp and the Ngazumpa glacier from the fifth lake. * Optional: (subject to interest and time) trek towards the sixth lake * Return to Gokyo * _Overnight at Gokyo_

* Climb out of Goyko to a ridge * Route through the Ngozumpa Glacier * Descent to Thaknak (4,750 m) * _Overnight at Thaknak_ * _Trekking time: 2 hours_

* Trek to the Cho La Pass, which includes a glacier traverse on its eastern side * Climb up continuously from Phedi * Trek through the side of a frozen lake while * Pass through some crevasses before reaching Dzongla (4,830 m) – complete view of Mt. Cholatse, Mt. Ama Dablam, and the Lobuche peak. * _Overnight at Dzongla_ * _Trekking time: 7 hours_

* Climb down from Dzongla * Arrival in Lobuche (4,940 m) * _Trekking time: 4 hours_

* Trek towards Gorak Shep, through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier – first view of the Kala Patthar, beneath beneath Mt. Pumori * Arrival in Gorak Shep * Ascent towards the Everest Base Camp through the Gorak Shep Lake * Suggested: visit Kala Patthar in the afternoon to view a unique sunset * Optional: hike to Kala Patthar for sunset * _Overnight at Gorak Shep_ * _Trekking time: 8 to 9 hours_

* Early start, with temperatures between -10 and -14 °C * Ascent to Kala Patthar (5,545 m) * Optional: participants who plan to visit the Everest Base Camp this day will need to start earlier * Return back to Gorak Shep for lunch * Descent to Lobuche (4,940 m) * _Overnight at Lobuche_ * _Trekking time: 6 hours_

* Trek to the Khumbu Glacier * Climb up Kongma La (5,535 m) * Visit to the pyramid shaped Italian Research Center (5,000 m) * Unique views of Cholatse, Pokalde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam * Walk through stony trail – Descent to the Niyang Khola valley * Arrival in Chukkung (4,730 m) * _Overnight at Chhukung_ * _Trekking time: 7 to 8 hours_

* Depart from Chhukung towards Pangboche Village, via Khola * Visit to a famous old monastery at Pangboche * Descent towards the alpine desert and back into greenery of pine forests * Ascent to Tengboche (3,860 m) through a steep uphill * Visit to the famous Tengboche Monastery * _Overnight at  Tengboche_ * _Trekking time: 5 hours_

* Descent towards Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), with access to guest houses and lodges, telecommunications, internet and various leisure and traditional Tibetan and modern western medical facilities * _Overnight at Namche_ * _Trekking time: 4 hours_

* Steep descent downward on rocky terrain towards Lukla (2,800 m) * Crossing of the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi * Landscape: a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks * Walk through the Sherpa villages’ with the impressive Buddhist culture of prayer stones, Mani stones and prayer flags * _Overnight at  Lukla_ * _Trekking time: 7 hours_

* Early morning flight to Kathmandu (1,350 m) * Transfer to the hotel * Optional: do some last minute shopping or explore sights in Kathmandu * _Overnight at Hotel B/B in Kathmandu_

* Three options: * to have the full day at leisure * extend your trip * or take time to explore the Thamel for last day shopping * Farewell dinner * _Overnight at Hotel B/B_

* Transfer to the International Airport * Departure to your next destination * End of program