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Itinerary for Khumbu Icefall Climb
Included in the cost of your trip are scheduled group restaurant meals. Meals provided are listed as B(breakfast), L(lunch) and D(dinner) at the end of each day. You will be responsible for those meals not listed.
Day 1-3: KATHMANDU 4,383 feet
Arrive in Kathmandu and a Mountain Madness representative will meet you outside of customs and transfer you to the hotel. Check into a four-star hotel located in the popular Thamel district. Great food from all over the world, fabulous shopping, and Durbar square with its numerous temples and markets are nearby.
Day 4: KATHMANDU 4,383 feet
While we wrap up last minute paperwork with the Nepali government, you will have a casual day for shopping, visiting the palaces, Durbar Square, Hindu temples and shrines, Buddhist stupas, or just relaxing at the hotel. A favorite destination is the Monkey Temple, a Buddhist temple situated on a small hill that offers panoramic views of the city. Or you can join the thousands of Hindus who venture to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in Nepal and the most famous Shiva temple in Asia. For those of you interested, there will be an organized orientation that will begin in the morning and last approximately 5-6 hours. All transportation will be provided, along with any entrance fees and an English speaking guide. Today there will be an orientation at the hotel at 4 pm. D
Day 5: FLY TO LUKLA 8,700 feet
We fly on a twin-engine Otter to the Himalayan foothills where we will begin our trek into the Khumbu region. The views from the plane are amazing, providing dramatic views of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing in the village of Lukla (8,700 feet) we will meet the rest of our staff and porters and trek for about two and a half hours to Phakding. Here we will meet up with trekkers who have participated in the Jiri extension. B, L, D
Day 6: NAMCHE BAZAAR 11,300 feet
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering Sagarmatha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Khumbu region. B, L, D
Day 7: NAMCHE BAZAAR 11,300 feet
Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colorful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, will reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. One room highlights the Sherpa traditions and in another, Sherpa high altitude climbers are presented. B, L, D
Day 8: THYANGBOCHE 12,887 feet
The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We will spend the night at Thyangboche monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. If our group is lucky, we will see the Lama perform a ceremony and hear the mystical chanting and music. B, L, D
Day 9: DINGBOCHE 14,250 feet
From Thyangboche the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche amongst thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche with its exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. B, L, D
Day 10: DINGBOCHE 14,250 feet
Another rest day. There is the option of taking a light acclimatization hike up the valley for a wider variety of photos of the valley and mountains of the Khumbu region. B, L, D
Day 11: DZUGLA 15,075 feet
From Dingboche the trail traverses through farmlands and meadows before continuing along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We will stop in Dzugla, giving our bodies plenty of time to rest and relax amid the majestic mountains of Nepal. B, L, D
Day 12: LOBUCHE/ITALIAN RESEARCH STATION 16,175 feet
Today's trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits. We follow the trail just beyond Lobuche and sleep inside the electrically solar heated Italian Research Station. B, L, D
Day 13: CLIMB KALA PATAR! - GORAK SHEP 17,000 feet
After an early morning start, we ascend Kala Pattar (18,450 feet) and enjoy famous views of the Himalayas, without having to climb Everest! That evening we camp beneath Kala Pattar at Gorak Shep. B, L, D
Day 14: WEATHER DAY/ACCLIMATIZATION DAY 17,575 feet
In the event of bad weather, we have the opportunity for a second chance to climb Kala Pattar or continue our trek to Everest Base Camp, located at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. We also have the option to take an additional acclimatization day during our approach, with a possible side trip to Ama Dablam Base Camp. B, L, D
Day 15: EVEREST BASE CAMP 17,575 feet
After enjoying hot tea in our tents, we have a late breakfast and soak in the morning sun. Our group will hike in with the climbing team and help establish base camp. While we are hanging out at base camp we can hike to the base of the icefall to get a closer view of the route that weaves its way through enormous jumbled seracs. B, L, D
Day 16: EVEREST BASE CAMP 17,575 feet
Today will be utilized as a rest and climbing skills review day. After breakfast we will spend the morning preparing our technical equipment and reviewing special climbing skills which apply to ascending through the Khumbu Icefall. B, L, D
Day 17: KHUMBU ICEFALL Approx. 19,000 feet
We will make an early morning acclimatization ascent into the Khumbu Icefall. Team members will climb their way through the icefall with its ice seracs and crevasses while using fixed ropes and ladders. After climbing half way through the Icefall we will take a short rest and descend to base camp where we will spend the night. B, L, D
Day 18: EVEREST BASE CAMP 17,575 feet
Today will be a dedicated rest day and preparation day for our next mornings ascent to Camp I. You will have time to share climbing stories and get a feel for expedition life on Everest. B, L, D
Day 19: WESTERN CWM CAMP I 19,300 feet
Early morning you will return to the Khumbu Icefall working your way toward Camp I. Soon you will enter the remote and truly amazing valley know as the Western CWM. After arriving at Camp I you will have a chance to relax, have some tea and take in the mountain's awesome surroundings. B, L, D
Day 20: WESTERN CWM CAMP II 21,000 feet
After spending the night at Camp I you will have the chance to climb to Camp II at over 21,000 feet. Views from here of the massive Southwest face of Everest and Lhotse are breathtaking! We will rest and have the opportunity to take photos at Camp II and then make our descent back down to Camp I the same day. B, L, D
Day 21: EVEREST BASE CAMP/WEATHER DAY 17,575 feet
This extra day will be reserved as an additional rest or weather day. This could also be used for an additional side trek as part of our descent to Lukla. B, L, D
Day 22: PERICHE 13,950 feet
We head down the glacier and reenter the lush and beautiful valleys, surrounded by spectacular snow-capped peaks. Upon reaching the village of Periche, we visit the Himalayan Rescue Association's Trekkers' Aid Post. B, L, D
Day 23: NAMCHE BAZAAR 11,300 feet
Today we trek back along the Dudh Kosi River through a magnificent rhododendron forest and past brilliant waterfalls. Shortly before reaching Namche, the trek takes us through a pine forest, where musk deer often graze in the early morning. Arriving in town, we may see lowland porters, highland Sherpas, and Tibetan people trading food and supplies during Namche's market time. B, L, D
Day 24: LUKLA 9,350 feet
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla where we will spend the night. B, L, D
Day 25: FLY to KATHMANDU 4,383 feet
If the weather is clear, the morning flight back to Kathmandu will be a scenic and smooth farewell to the mountains. B
Day 26: KATHMANDU 4,383 feet
In the morning, we can watch Kathmandu rise in prayer along the banks of the holy river Bagmati at Pashupatinath, with burning ghats similar to the Ganges in India. Or we can visit the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath and explore the temples in the city of Patan. Overnight in Kathmandu. Tonight we will celebrate each other's accomplishments at a local restaurant. D
Day 27-29: DEPARTURE/HOME
A Mountain Madness representative will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight. This concludes your services with Mountain Madness.
NOTE ON ITINERARY: Although we do our best to follow the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
For more information on our Khumbu Icefall Climb, please call our office at 800-328-5925.
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Join our Khumbu Icefall Team and have an opportunity to ascend the famous glacier to Camp I in the Western Cwm. Team members will follow in the footsteps of legendary mountaineers while climbing a marvelous labyrinth of ice towers, crevasses and ladders. After spending the night at Camp I you will have the chance to climb to Camp II at over 21,000 feet. Views from here of the massive Southwest face of Everest are breathtaking! This is an opportunity for those who may not have the desire or time to climb to the summit but are looking for an experience of a lifetime. 