Soldiers to the Summit

We will be met at Kathmandu airport by our friendly Sherpa staff. Our baggage will be loaded into our bus and we will be driven to our hotel. Once we are situated in our hotel we will have our initial team meeting and orientation. Overnight at Viashali Hotel.

Gear check, sightseeing, relaxing, interviews, packing. Team welcome dinner.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: approx 800ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 10,000 ft
Weather permitting we will have a short but spectacular (25 min) flight to Lukla (9,200ft) for an unforgettable landing. Once all our gear has arrived and has been strapped to yaks or picked up by porters we will begin our trek. The terrain is an undulating packed dirt trail. After about 4 hours we will arrive at the village of Monzo. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: 1,200ft
Estimated distance: 4 miles
Camp at 11,250 ft
Today we will officially enter Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) National Park.. We will ascend ‘Namche Hill’ to the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar (11,270ft) and unofficial capital of the Khumbu. Trail is steep at times, packed dirt, with significant hill climbs. First view of Mt Everest about half way up the hill. Overnight in lodge.

Camp at 11,250 ft
Rest and acclimatize.  We will spend the day resting, repacking, showering and perhaps a short day hike. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: 1,500ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 12,700 ft
Today we go to Tengboche Monastery (12,700ft). This Monastery is the spiritual center of the Khumbu and a training center for new monks. With luck we will be able to watch the monks worship and receive a blessing from the high lama. Trail continues to be packed dirt, with sheer cliff drops. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: 1,300ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 14,355 ft
More of the same type of terrain…packed dirt trail with significant cliff drops. Altitude begins to be a significant issue. Slow pace is critical.  During this spectacular day we will cross the famous suspension bridge from which there is the classic view of the mountain, Ama Dablam. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: 2,100ft
Estimated distance: 4 miles
Camp at 16,269 ft
We will trek to the small village of Lobuche. The trail is well established but a bit on the rocky side with occasional uphill sections. En route to Lobuche we will pass by a number of stone memorials to honor climbers lost on nearby peaks, mostly Mt Everest. Overnight in lodge.

Camp at 16,207 ft

Your body needs one more day to adjust to the altitude before your ascent of Kala Patar. Trekkers have the option of traveling with the team to basecamp (about 6 hours roundtrip). Those who go up will travel on a glacial lateral moraine on a moderately steep rocky trail. Basecamp is located at 5550 metres/18,200 feet near a beautiful hidden lake at the base of the glaciated South-West Face.

Camp at 16,269 ft
Rest Day and prepare the route above.

Hike time: 2-5 hours
Elevation change: 750 ft
Estimated distance: 1.5 miles
Camp at 16,962 ft

While the climbing team starts up the mountain, there will be a flurry of activity in base camp so it will be helpful if the trekkers clear out. The trek to Gorak Shep goes past the famous Italian Pyramid, built for high altitude research in 1990. You will be treated to stunning views of Pumori on the way. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: 2100 ft
Estimated distance: unknown
Camp at 18,305ft
From the northern end of the lake near basecamp, we climb slabby terraces and snow slopes beneath the main glaciers of the South-West Face and gain access to the ridge overlooking Lobuche and the Khumbu Glacier. At the point where the glacier face and ridge meet we will establish our high camp.  We will have fixed ropes established to secure travel (slopes with a gradient about 45 to 50 degrees).

Hike time: 4-6 hours
Elevation change:  1,500 feet
Estimated distance: about 5 miles roundtrip
Camp at 16,962 ft

The climb up Kala Patar is not for the faint of heart. But the reward is one of the best views of Everest in the entire region. This basically requires hiking on indistinct rocky trails and some scrambling but there is no technical climbing. Get an early start and you will be rewarded. Return to Gorak Shep for a celebratory meal. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 5 hours to ascend, 4 hours descent
Elevation change:  + 1800ft -4000ft
Estimated distance:
Camp at 16,269 ft
From the high camp we will continue up the sinuous snow arête to its junction with the summit ridge. The route to the East Peak follows the summit ridge north-west across several snow bumps along the way. Upon reaching the snow summit you are treated to magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Makalu.Steady progress on the final ridge towards the summit, we will most likely encounter a few crevasses. Route will have fixed ropes established for safety.

Hike time: 4-6 hours
Elevation change:  1,000 feet
Estimated distance: about 6 miles roundtrip
Camp at 16,962 ft

This day can be an alternative summit day for Kala Patar in case of bad weather. But if you got lucky and summited, you might consider a day hike to Everest Basecamp; you won’t see Everest but you’ll get an up-close look at the infamous Khumbu Icefall. Or you can hike up to Two Glacier Rock (18,140 feet) for a different view of Everest. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 2 hours
Elevation change: -750 ft
Estimated distance: 1.5 miles
Camp at 16,207 ft

Time to head home and rejoin the climbing team. Going down, it’s a short hike to Lobuche village. If you are still full of spunk and vigor, you can then head up to Lobuche Basecamp to meet the team after their successful climb. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 5-8 hours
Elevation change: 2,000 ft
Estimated distance: 4 miles
Camp at 16,207 ft

We will go up to visit our team of soldiers after their, hopefully, successful climb. By now you are well adjusted to the altitude so this hike up the glacial moraine should be no problem. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 7 hours
Elevation change: -5,000 ft
Estimated distance: 5 miles
Camp at 14,355 ft
We descend far down the Khumbu valley to the village of Dingboche. This will be a solid day …with most of the terrain being a steady downhill. Once the moraine is descended, the trail is relatively packed.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -3,000 ft
Estimated distance: 5 miles
Camp at 14,355 ft

We descend far down the Khumbu valley to the village of Dingboche. This will be a solid day …with most of the terrain being a steady downhill. Once the moraine is descended, the trail is relatively packed.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -1,600 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 12,700 ft

We continue or descent to the village of Kumjung. This is the birthplace and home of our Sirdar, Kami Tenzing Sherpa. He is very well known in this village. Also in Kumjung is an opportunity to visit Kumjung monastery and view the only remaining Yeti skull. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -1,600 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 12,700 ft

We continue our descent to the village of Kumjung. This is the birthplace and home of our Sirdar, Kami Tenzing Sherpa. He is very well known in this village. Also in Kumjung is an opportunity to visit Kumjung monastery and view the only remaining Yeti skull. Be ready to party as we celebrate our great adventure! Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -2,700 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 10,000 ft
From Kumjung it is a short hike to Namche Bazaar. We will stop and give you time to make any final souvenir purchases before continuing on down the hill to Monzo. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -2,700 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 10,000 ft
From Kumjung it is a short hike to Namche Bazaar. We will stop and give you time to make any final souvenir purchases before continuing on down the hill to Monzo. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 3 hours
Elevation change: -1,000 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 9,000 ft

Even though we are going down the valley the trek has a final sting for us. We must hike UP a hill to get to Lukla. Overnight in lodge.

Hike time: 3 hours
Elevation change: -1,000 ft
Estimated distance: 3 miles
Camp at 9,000 ft

Early departure from Monzo. Even though we are going down the valley the trek has a final sting for us. We must hike UP a hill to get to Lukla. Weather permitting we will fly from Lukla to Katmandu (25mins) and transfer to our hotel for a well deserved shower. Team farewell dinner at Vaishali Hotel

Weather permitting we will fly from Lukla to Katmandu (25mins) and transfer to our hotel for a well deserved shower. Remaining day in Kathmandu for shopping. Team farewell dinner at Vaishali Hotel.

Transfer from your hotel to Kathmandu International Airport. Fly to the US.