Itinerary

Ultramarathon, Marathon, Half-Marathon & Non-Runners

(Detailed itinerary at end of this page)

Overview

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. Personal airport transfer and check in at Hotel Shankhar

Day 2: We spend a day in Kathmandu, with a morning's guided sightseeing of some of the city's colourful attractions, such as Bodhnath and Pashupatinath. A second night in Kathmandu

Day 3: We start day with a fantastic flight to the mountain airfield at Lukla. From here, it is just a short and easy walk, largely downhill, to our first camping place at Phakding (2652m) beside the Dudh Kosi River (8km, 3-4h)

Day 4: Following the Dudh Kosi valley upstream we cross and re-cross the river before making a final steep climb to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar (3440m, 13km, 5-6h)

Day 5: Acclimatization day at Namche. There are various options for hiking and trail running, e.g.  to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam

Day 6: Our trail now follows the Imja Khola Rriver to reach Thyangboche Monastery (3867m), located on a ridge below the impressive north ridge of Kang Taiga. (8km, 5h)

Day 7: We trek via the last permanent habitation of Pangboche to the seasonal settlement of Dingboche (4358m) at the entrance to the Khumbu Valley (9km, 5-6h)

Day 8: Acclimatization day at Dingboche, with plenty of opportunities for hikes or easy training runs into the upper Imja Valley

Day 9: Continuing on the main trail we trek via Dugla and then beside the Khumbu Glacier to our camping place at Lobuche (4928m, 8km, 5h)

Day 10: We walk beside the Khumbu glacier and cross a tributary dry glacier to reach the yak pastures at Gorakshep. (5160m, 3-4h, 5km)

Day 11: Our camp is at the foot of Kala Patar (5545m) and we make an early morning ascent of this dramatic Everest viewpoint, then spend the afternoon at rest (2-3h). Non-Runners may visit Everest Basecamp.

Day 12: Trek to Everest Basecamp (5357m), crossing moraines and hiking alongside and then on the Khumbu Glacier. Set up camp at basecamp (6km). Non-Runners trek back to Tyangboche or Phortse.

Day 13: A day at Everest Basecamp for rest and final preparation for the race. Non-runners will make the long walk down to Pangboche and stay in a lodge. Non-Runners reach Namche Basaar in the afternoon.

Day 14: Race day. The race will start at 7 a.m. to allow the slowest participants to complete the route in daylight. There will be full marshalling, drinks stations and medical back-up and supervision. Overnight in a lodge at Namche Bazaar. Non-runners will cheer and watch first runners come in at about 10:45.

Day 15: Rest in the morning. After lunch easy trek downvalley to Monjo or Chumoa (2835m, 3-4h)

Day 16: Mostly downhill trek following the fall of the Dudh Kosi River, but there's a sting in the tail as we make the final short climb to Lukla. Good-bye celebration with sherpa team. (2800m, 4-5h)

Day 17: Taking a morning flight to Kathmandu, we will check in at the Hotel Shankhar and have plenty of time after lunch for visiting social projects, further sightseeing or shopping

Day 18: Morning and afternoon time for sightseeing and souvenir buying in the colourful market streets of the Nepalese capital, and in the evening there will be a prize giving ceremony and celebration party!

Day 19: Check out, airport transfers and depart Kathmandu

Half-Marathon:
Day 1- 10: same as Marathon
Day 11: Climb of Kala Patthar & visit Everest Basecamp
Day 12: Trek to Lobuche
Day 13: Trek to Orsho, afternoon rest
Day 14: Half-Marathon Orsho to Namche Basaar

Detailed Itinerary:

May 16: Arrive at Kathmandu 1300m.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff. Transfer to event Hotel Shankhar, where our guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.

May 17: A day in Kathmandu with half day sight seeing tour.
After your first night in Kathmandu, an in-depth briefing about the trek and race program is held. We then enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.

May 18: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla & trek to Phakding, 2652m, 2,5-3h, 8km.
Early morning you will be transferred from the Hotel to domestic Airport a short drive of 20-30 minutes. After the necessary security formalities board in the small twin otter or similar planes for the sweeping panoramic 45 minutes flight to Lukla (2800m). At Lukla Airport you will be received by our trekking guides and have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the load.  The walk further down to Phakding is gradual most of the way, with few ups and with view of Kusum-Kangru (6,369m) crossing a short suspension bridge. A short climb brings us to the Ghat village, and another 1,5h walk leads to Phakding village for the overnight stop near the bank of the Dudh-Kosi River.

May 19: Trek to Namche Bazaar, 3,440m, 5-6 h, 13 km.
From Phakding after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill. Re-crossing the same river again, with magnificent view of Thamserku (6,608m) and after a 20 minutes climb we reach the small village of Monjo. After Monjo, we get to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. Another bridge is reached over the same river; the walk is pleasant on the riverbed till the last bridge over the Imjatse river. From here the walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar. Magnificent view of Kwangde Peak, Kusum Kangru, Mt. Everest, Nuptse wall, Lhotse and the closer view of Taweche Peak can be seen all the way up, and another 1-2 hour walk up brings us to the famous village of Namche Bazaar, where colorful houses are situated in an amphitheatre U-shaped bowl.

May 20: Rest Day at Namche Bazaar.
Suggested activity is a walk/run to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter. The magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with breathtaking view of the surrounding snow capped giants and the valleys way down, with an interesting museum with all kinds of information regarding the history of the Himalayas, geographic, culture, mountaineering history and existing information on flora and fauna of this region, afternoon at leisure.

May 21: Trek to Thyangboche, 3,867m, 5 hours, 8 km.
The walk is fairly easy for the first half, after a 20 minutes climb to the top ridge of Namche Bazaar. Once at the top, way follows on the gradual trail with few short up and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde-Ri Peak. After a pleasant walk of two to three hours arriving at Phungitenga (3,250m). A small settlement with couple of teahouses and a small Nepalese Army barrack serving as park wardens can be seen in the midst of the alpine woods of mostly silver fir blue pines along with rhododendron and some few magnolia and birch trees. Walk from here is strenuous for an hour or two on the winding trail through the shade of woods till Thyangboche Monastery or Ghompa. This beautiful spot offers views of the majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam with Everest looming above the Nuptse wall in the north with Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards north east.

May 22: Trek to Dingboche, 4,358m, 5-6 hour, 9 km.
After a wonderful time at Thyangboche, the trail descends through a forest full of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron and coming to lovely spot at Degboche (3,650m) with magnificent view of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt.Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Walking past the long prayer mani wall, the path is gradual till you reach a small bridge over the narrow gorge of Imja-Tse river. From here the walk is gradual uphill most of the way, as you come to a large mani wall gate, and a little farther from here the route leads to Pangboche at 3,900m. Another short climb climb to Shomare and we are ready for lunch at this small settlement with fantastic close-up view of Ama-Dablam. After a pleasant break journey continues gradually towards east, after an hour walk, before a small wooden bridge the road splits into two ways, the north going to Pheriche and our trail leading towards east beneath towering north face of Ama Dablam. From here onwards Ama Dablam looks completely different, from the bridge the trails climbs slowly winding above the Imja tse river to a big mani Stupa, and onwards the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja tse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with view of the eastern snow capped mountains including the Island Peak or Imja Tse (6,189m), which is a popular peak amongst all the trekking peaks in Nepal. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of field enclosed by stone walls, protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Dingboche has about more than ten teahouses and it is also the gateway to Chhukhung and farther beyond for the most challenging traverses towards Makalu area and Hinko Valley via Sherpani col (6,100m) and Amphu Labtsa (5,780m).

May 23: Rest Day at Dingboche.
A leisure day for short hikes/runs. Trek to Chhukhung 4,730m.is worth it and takes 3-4 hours towards east within the Imja tse Valley, although the trek is gradual, however you can feel the thin air as the altitude gains slowly coming towards Chhukhung. At Chhukhung, there are about five teahouses overlooking superb view of the snow capped peaks and glaciers of Lhotse, Ama-Dablam and Imja glacier, Chhukhung the last settlement in eastern Khumbu.

May 24: Trek to Lobuche, 4,928m, 5 hours, 8 km.
From Dingboche the trail leads north, the path is gradual up for about 40 -50 minutes as you come to a mani-prayer Stupa. The trail is gentle on the hard meadow looking down below Pheriche village. Today's walk offers beautiful view of the Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north Pokalde (5,741m), Kongma-Tse (5,820m) and the great wall of Nuptse. A pleasant trek of 1,5 to 2 hours and a small wooden bridge crossing the river of Khumbu glacier lead to Thugla. From Thugla, an hour steep up brings you to the top, where you can view Mt.Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. The spot here is a good place for a few minutes break after the strenuous climb. Close to this spot you can also see a number of memorial of the unfortunate climbers, who died in expeditions around the mountain of this region. From here another 1,5 to 2 hours of gradual ascend brings you to Lobuche. Lobuche comes as a surprise, as it is situated in the corner well hidden and sheltered from the wind. Lobuche has about 5-6 Teahouses.

May 25: Trek to Gorakshep, 5,160m, 3-4 hrs, 5 km.
The first hour walk is gradual up the valley, at the end of the grassy field, waits a short 20 minutes climb. The walk from here follows the rocky moraine path. As you walk, you can see the icy-glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes a short downhill walk bring you to Gorakshep on the flat field below Kala Patthar (5,545m) and Mt.Pumori (7,145m). Gorakshep has three teahouses.

May 26: At Gorakshep ascent of Kalapatthar, 5,545m, 2-3 hrs.
Early morning a steep walk towards Kala Patthar. Reaching the top ridge of Kala Patthar which is a small rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Mt.Pumori, the view from here is beyond imagination. Breathtaking! The Mt. Everest stands within a stone throw distance, between the summit of Nuptse and Lho-La and Lhotse and with all the higher snow capped giants that dominate all around, with a view of Everest Base camp down below on the moraine of Khumbu glacier. After a wonderful time here descend back to Gorakshep for the overnight with afternoon free for medical check up or for training runs.

May 27: Trek to Everest base Camp, 5,357m, 6 km.
Today towards the final destination of this adventurous journey: Base Camp of Mt. Everest right next to the famous Khumbu Ice-fall. The path from here can be misleading, follow the lead Sherpa. Every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier. The walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. Everest Base Camp is lively during the high expedition season. Rreaching the foot of number one mountain, a great view of the Khumbu icefall awaits you.

May 28:  At Everest Base Camp.
A great spot to spend the day with the surrounding world's highest peaks, one can hear often the crackle of the glacier and of avalanches nearby. After medical check, we might have a practice race for a short distance after breakfast, with full attire for the race with numbers and company's issued T-Shirt. In the afternoon great numbers of people, especially the Nepali runners will join up for the great event.

May 29: The Grand Event of THEM from Basecamp to Namche Bazaar.
Early breakfast at 5:30 a.m. assemble at 6:30 a.m. with final briefing with the course route. Race starts at 7 a.m. sharp. Note: As the main route to Everest Base Camp from Namche Bazaar is only about 36 km, a loop of 3 + 3 km further away from Dingboche is added to keep the world standard mileage.

May 30: Trek to Monjo or Chumoa 2,835m,  3-4 h.
After the hard time of previous day, we begin with a slow morning breakfast around 7-8 a.m. Morning free time with lunch at 12-12:30 p.m., then retrace the journey all the way to Monjo or to Chumoa for the overnight camp located just past the Sagarmatha National Park.

May 31: Trek to Lukla, 4-5 h.
Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walks to Lukla, you can walk at on your own normal pace, leisurely and enjoying the lush green scenery around. Apart from few short uphills the only long climb will be just before Lukla, which will take about 40 minutes from a place called Choplung or from the old big oak tree. Reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members.

June 01: Fly Lukla-Kathmandu.
The flight time to Kathmandu is scheduled for the morning. Sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason. Depending upon the flight time this scenic flight from Lukla takes about 30 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen during the flight. At Kathmandu domestic terminal, our staff will receive and transfer you back to Hotel Shankhar.

June 02: Free day at leisure.
A free day in Kathmandu. Please inform our staff if you would like to visit social projects supported by our Sherpa Guides or go on another short sightseeing-tour in and around Kathmandu Valley. In the evening we have dinner banquet and celebration party.

June 03: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today the staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.