Everest Luxury Lodge Trek
Everest, hosted
- 13 days
- Moderate
- From $5,600
- Duration
- 13 days
- Walking grade
- Moderate
- Highest point
- 3,880 m
- Best months
- Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
- Starts and ends
- Kathmandu
For people who want to stand before Everest without spending a week at altitude to get there.
- Every night in the Khumbu’s best lodges, with heated rooms
- Prayers at Tengboche monastery, below Ama Dablam
- Two nights each at Namche and Khumjung to acclimatise
- Optional private helicopter to the foot of Everest
We walk the lower Khumbu slowly and stay in its most comfortable lodges every night: stone and timber, heated beds, mountains filling the window.
This is the Everest region for travellers who want the mountains, the monasteries and the Sherpa villages without the hardships of high altitude. The journey never sleeps above 3,900 metres, and the walking days are short enough to leave long afternoons for tea and the view. It suits fit walkers of most ages, and anyone who has a week and a half to give to the Khumbu.
Two nights at Namche and two at Khumjung give your body time. From Deboche you walk up to Tengboche for the morning puja, with Ama Dablam framed in the monastery gate. On the way you share a meal in a Sherpa kitchen, visit the school Edmund Hillary founded, and see Everest from the terrace above Namche.
If you want to stand closer to Everest, add a private helicopter. It flies on the clearest morning, takes you up the valley to the foot of the mountain and has you back for lunch. Your journey begins and ends at a heritage hotel in Kathmandu, with time in Boudhanath and Patan.
Everest Luxury Lodge Trek: the route
8 places · starts and ends in Kathmandu
Your journey at a glance
Choose a day
Highest night 3,820 m at Deboche · highest point 3,880 m
Way upWay backPositions are approximate; peaks are shown for orientation.
Everest Luxury Lodge Trek, day by day
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Days 1–2 Kathmandu Luxury hotel Arrival 1,400 m
Your host meets you at arrivals and drives you to your heritage hotel in Kathmandu. The next morning you visit Boudhanath stupa with a local scholar, who explains what the pilgrims are doing as they circle it, then have a briefing and a careful gear check with your trekking guide. In the evening you eat with a Kathmandu family, an easy first taste of Nepal.
- Getting there
- Arrival
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,400 m
- Where you stay
- Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 3 Lukla · Phakding Premium lodge 3–4 h · 8 km 2,610 m
An early start for the thirty-five-minute flight to Lukla (in the busiest months it leaves from Ramechhap, four to five hours' drive from Kathmandu, and we confirm which a few days ahead), the plane tracking along the Himalaya before landing on the short, sloping runway at 2,860 metres. After tea you meet your porters and walk gently downhill, past prayer wheels and mani stones, to the Dudh Koshi river. Phakding is lower than Lukla, which helps your first night. You arrive in the early afternoon to a heated room.
- Walking
- About 3–4 h, 8 km
- Getting there
- Flight 35 min
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,610 m (+1,210 m)
- Where you stay
- Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Days 4–5 Namche Bazaar Premium lodge 5–6 h · 11 km 3,440 m
The first day follows the river north, crossing it several times on high suspension bridges, and enters Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. Then comes the long climb to Namche Bazaar, with a first glimpse of Everest on the way up if the sky is clear. Take it slowly. The second day is for acclimatisation: a short climb to the Everest View terrace above the village, where Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam line up at the head of the valley, then a quiet afternoon in the Sherpa capital.
- Walking
- About 5–6 h, 11 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,440 m (+830 m)
- Where you stay
- Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Days 6–7 Khumjung Premium lodge 2–3 h · 4 km 3,790 m
A short walk over the ridge to Khumjung, a broad Sherpa village of stone houses and potato fields below the sacred peak of Khumbi Yul Lha. You visit the school founded by Edmund Hillary and the village monastery, and share a meal in a Sherpa kitchen. The second day is free and unhurried. If you have added the helicopter, it flies on the clearest of these mornings and has you back by lunch.
- Walking
- About 2–3 h, 4 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,790 m (+350 m)
- Where you stay
- Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 Tengboche · Deboche Premium lodge 4–5 h · 9 km 3,820 m
You drop to the river at Phunki Tenga and climb through pine and rhododendron to Tengboche, the largest monastery in the Khumbu, in time for the afternoon prayers: long horns and chanting in the prayer hall. Ama Dablam stands framed in the monastery gate. A short walk down through the forest brings you to Deboche and a quiet, comfortable lodge for the highest night of the journey.
- Walking
- About 4–5 h, 9 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 3,820 m (+30 m)
- Where you stay
- Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 9 Monjo Premium lodge 4–5 h · 11 km 2,835 m
A long, steady descent with the mountains behind you. You pass back through Namche, perhaps stopping for coffee and the market, then follow the switchbacks down to the Dudh Koshi and its bridges. The forest thickens and the air grows warmer as you go. Monjo sits just outside the national park gate, and you arrive in the afternoon to a warm lodge and an early dinner.
- Walking
- About 4–5 h, 11 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,835 m (−985 m)
- Where you stay
- Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 10 Lukla Premium lodge 3–4 h · 9 km 2,860 m
An easy last day, following the river through Phakding and its fields before the final climb to Lukla. You arrive in good time for lunch and an afternoon at rest. In the evening there is a farewell dinner with your guides and porters, the traditional moment to thank the team who looked after you in the mountains.
- Walking
- About 3–4 h, 9 km
- Sleeping altitude
- 2,860 m (+25 m)
- Where you stay
- Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Days 11–12 Kathmandu Luxury hotel Flight 35 min 1,400 m
Morning flights from Lukla are the most reliable, so you are usually back at your hotel in Kathmandu by mid-morning. The next day is held in reserve. If cloud has delayed the Lukla flight, it absorbs the delay and nothing is missed; if not, it is a free day for Patan, the old royal city across the river, and its bronze workshops, or simply rest, with a guide if you would like one.
- Getting there
- Flight 35 min
- Sleeping altitude
- 1,400 m (−1,460 m)
- Where you stay
- Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 13 Departure Departure
A last breakfast in Kathmandu and a private transfer to the airport, timed around your flight. If you are flying late, your guide can fill the hours with a last walk in the city.
- Getting there
- Departure
- Meals
- Breakfast
Walking times are typical at an unhurried pace and include rests; your guide adjusts each day to the group and the weather.
Is this journey for you?
- Walking
- Five to seven hours a day, sleeping as high as about 4,000 metres.
- Fitness
- Regular exercise and some hill walking before you come.
- Altitude
- You sleep as high as 3,820 m, with acclimatisation built into the route. We send a health questionnaire and talk it through before you book.
- Terrain
- Well-made trails with stone steps and suspension bridges, one long climb to Namche, and forest paths through the lower Khumbu.
The practical details
Where you stay
Named lodges or similar, confirmed in your proposal.
- 4 nights
Luxury hotel
Heritage luxury hotel in Kathmandu (Dwarika's or similar)
Kathmandu
- 8 nights
Premium lodge
Premium Khumbu lodge with heated rooms and en-suite bathroom (Yeti Mountain Home or similar)
Phakding · Namche Bazaar · Khumjung · Deboche · Monjo · Lukla
Best time for the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek
- JanJanuary: Possible. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- FebFebruary: Possible. Cold and clear; snow can close high passes.
- MarMarch: Best. Spring begins: clear mornings, rhododendrons in bloom lower down.
- AprApril: Best. Peak spring season: warm days, flowers, busier trails.
- MayMay: Good. Warmer and hazier, with afternoon cloud as the monsoon nears.
- JunJune: Not recommended. Monsoon: rain most afternoons, leeches low down, mountains often hidden.
- JulJuly: Not recommended. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- AugAugust: Not recommended. Monsoon: heavy rain and frequent flight cancellations.
- SepSeptember: Good. Monsoon clears late in the month; lush valleys, some cloud.
- OctOctober: Best. Peak autumn season: clear views, festivals, busier trails.
- NovNovember: Best. Clear, stable and cooler; quieter after mid-month.
- DecDecember: Good. Cold, clear and quiet; short days at altitude.
Seasons for this journey: Spring, Autumn. Choose a month for what to expect.
Comparing prices for the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek?
Cheaper treks are usually group departures. Ask any operator:
- Is the guide yours alone?
- Yes. Only your own party travels together, never a group departure.
- How many guides and porters?
- A senior guide and a porter for every two guests.
- Are altitude checks written down?
- Twice a day above 3,000 m, with bottled oxygen on every high route.
- What if someone needs evacuating?
- A standing helicopter agreement, and insurance confirmed before you travel.
Included
- Himkora Host, plus a senior guide and a porter for every two guests
- All hotels and lodges as described
- All meals, including dinners in the cities
- Lukla flights
- Permits: Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu fees
- Porters, private vehicles and every transfer
- Down jacket, sleeping bag and a Himkora duffel on loan
- Treated drinking water every day on the trail
- Twice-daily oxygen and pulse checks, and a full first-aid kit
- Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu as described
- The Himkora Care Standard, in full
Not included
6 items
- International flights
- Nepal visa (US$50 on arrival for 30 days)
- Travel insurance with evacuation cover (required)
- Gratuities and drinks
- Wi-Fi, charging and hot showers where lodges charge for them
- Extra nights or helicopters caused by weather delays (often covered by insurance)
Before you go
Permits we arrange for you
- Sagarmatha National Park entry and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee
We need a scan of your passport photo page and one passport photo about six weeks before travel. Permit fees are included in your price.
Visa and insurance
- Most nationalities get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or online in advance. Check the Department of Immigration before you travel.
- Travel insurance is required. It must cover trekking to at least 5,000 m and helicopter evacuation; we check your policy before departure.
How we manage altitude
- Above 3,000 m, sleeping altitude rises by about 500 m a night (never more than 700 m, and then next to a rest day), with acclimatisation days built in.
- Your guide checks blood oxygen and pulse twice a day and carries bottled oxygen and a full medical kit.
- Guides always have the authority to descend, and we hold a standing helicopter-evacuation agreement in Kathmandu.
Getting ready
- Walking grade: Moderate. We send a training plan with your proposal.
- Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic about altitude medication and vaccinations at least six weeks before you travel.
- We send a health questionnaire before booking and talk it through with you.
Mountain flights
- Lukla flights depend on clear weather. In busy months they may leave from Ramechhap, four to five hours' drive from Kathmandu; we arrange the transfer.
- Your itinerary ends with a spare day in Kathmandu, held in case weather delays the Lukla flight. If delays run on, we can arrange a helicopter (at cost).
- Domestic baggage is usually limited to about 15 kg including your cabin bag; extra can stay at your Kathmandu hotel.
Weather
- Days are usually bright and mild in season; nights drop below freezing above about 4,000 m.
- Afternoon cloud is normal; mornings bring the clearest views.
We provide
- A Himkora duffel for your porter to carry (up to 12 kg per guest)
- Down jacket and sleeping bag rated to −20°C, on loan
- Water purification, first-aid and the Care Standard kit
You bring
- Broken-in walking boots and four pairs of trekking socks
- Layers: base layers, fleece, waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Warm hat, sun hat, gloves, sunglasses (category 3 or 4) and sunscreen
- Daypack (25–30 litres), refillable bottles, headtorch
- Personal medicines, and a copy of your insurance policy
A full packing list comes with your proposal.
Money
- Your journey is paid in advance, so you only need cash for drinks, souvenirs and tips.
- Nepali rupees are best on the trail; there are ATMs in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lukla and Namche.
Connectivity and tipping
- Most lodges have Wi-Fi, often slow and sometimes paid; mobile data works in many villages. Your guide carries a satellite messenger.
- Gratuities are not included and are always your choice. We send guidance for guides, porters and drivers with your pre-departure notes.
Similar journeys
All journeys
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Gokyo Lakes Trek
Turquoise lakes, the Ngozumpa Glacier and a wide Everest view from Gokyo Ri, away from the main Base Camp trail.
Everest View Trek
Namche, Khumjung and the Everest View terrace in nine unhurried days, staying in the Khumbu's best lodges throughout.
Questions guests ask
More answers on our questions page, or write to hello@himkora.com.
How much does the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek cost?
From $5,600 per person, for two travelling privately, $5,250 per person for four and $9,200 if you travel alone. The price includes guiding, porters, accommodation, meals and permits as listed. Your proposal gives one clear price for your dates.
How many days is the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek?
13 days as we have planned it, from your arrival in Nepal to your departure. Because it is private, we can add rest days or extra nights, or shorten it if you have less time.
How difficult is the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek?
We grade it moderate. Five to seven hours a day, sleeping as high as about 4,000 metres. Regular exercise and some hill walking before you come.
How high does the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek go?
The highest point is 3,880 m, and the highest night is at 3,820 m. The itinerary includes acclimatisation days, and your guide checks your oxygen levels every morning and evening.
When is the best time for the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek?
The best months are March, April, October and November. See the month-by-month guide above for the rest of the year.
Which permits do I need for the Everest Luxury Lodge Trek?
You will need: Sagarmatha National Park entry and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee. We arrange all of them for you and include the fees in your price.
Is every journey private?
Yes. You travel only with the people you choose, on your dates. Your guide, porters and vehicles are yours alone, and the route can be adjusted before or during the journey.
What is included in the price?
Your Himkora Host and senior guide, porters, every hotel and lodge named in the itinerary, meals as listed, domestic flights, permits, park fees and private transfers. International flights, your Nepal visa, travel insurance, drinks and gratuities are not included.
How do deposits and payment work?
A 30% deposit confirms your journey, and the balance is due 90 days before travel. Your proposal sets out the full price and the cancellation terms before you pay anything. Our full booking terms are on the Booking terms page.
How fit do I need to be?
Each journey has a walking grade, explained on its page. Before you book, we send a short health questionnaire and talk through your walking history. If a route isn't right, we will say so and suggest one that is.
How do you manage altitude?
Above 3,000 metres our itineraries raise sleeping altitude by about 500 metres a night, never more than 700 metres and then only next to a rest day, with acclimatisation days built in. Guides check blood oxygen and pulse twice a day, carry bottled oxygen on high routes, and always have the authority to turn back.
Do I need special travel insurance?
Yes. Your policy must cover trekking to the highest altitude on your route (up to 6,000 metres on our high journeys), emergency medical treatment, helicopter rescue and repatriation. We check it before you travel.
What if flights to Lukla are delayed?
Mountain flights depend on the weather, and in busy months they may leave from Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu. Every Everest itinerary keeps a spare day in Kathmandu after the Lukla flight, so a weather delay doesn't cost you any of the trek. If delays run on longer, a helicopter can be arranged at cost.
Short on time, or a few days spare?
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