Journey into the heart of the Khumbu massif on this challenging high-altitude trek. This epic route crosses three spectacular passes and summits three peaks over 5,000 meters, offering unparalleled views of four of the world’s mightiest 8,000-meter giants: Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu. This is an exceptionally beautiful but demanding trek that constantly exposes you to a cold, high-altitude environment.
Highlights of Your Himalayan Trek
Practical Information for Your Trek
This section provides crucial details to help you prepare for your Himalayan adventure, from health and insurance to what to pack.
Health & Safety
While no specific medical certificate is required, it is essential to be in good physical health. We strongly recommend the following before your departure:
Accommodation
Meals
The trip is full-board during the trek. Meals in Kathmandu are not included, except as specified in the itinerary.
Insurance: Mandatory Requirement
It is mandatory for all participants to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers:
You must provide us with the policy details (insurer’s name, policy number, and 24-hour emergency contact number) before the trip begins.
Essential Trip Formalities
| Category | Details |
| Trip Start | Your adventure begins the moment you exit the arrivals gate at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Our team will be there to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. |
| Trip End | The trip concludes on Day 20 when our team drops you off at the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled departure. |
| Passport | Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into Nepal. |
| Nepal Visa | A visa is required and can be easily obtained on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu. You will need to fill out a form. The fee depends on the length of your stay and can be paid in Euros (or other major currencies). |
| Transit Visas | Please check the visa requirements for any countries you may be transiting through on your way to Nepal. For example, transit through New Delhi, India, may or may not require a visa depending on whether you change terminals. It is your responsibility to verify this. |
Recommended Packing List
Proper gear is essential for a safe and comfortable trek. Use this list as a guide.
| Category | Recommended Items |
| Bags | • Daypack (25-35 liters) for daily essentials.• Soft-sided duffel bag or backpack (for porters, max 15kg). |
| Headwear | • Sun hat or cap.• Warm hat covering the ears (fleece or wool).• Buff or scarf for neck and face protection. |
| Clothing | • Warm, breathable base layers (top and bottom).• T-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt.• Fleece jacket (mid-layer).• Insulated down jacket.• Waterproof/windproof outer jacket (Gore-Tex or similar).• Hiking trousers.• Comfortable shorts (for lower altitudes). |
| Hands & Feet | • Warm gloves or mittens.• Several pairs of wool hiking socks.• Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support.• Comfortable, lightweight shoes or sandals for evenings at the lodge. |
| Trekking Gear | • Warm sleeping bag (rated to 0°C or -15°F comfort).• Insulated water bottle or hydration reservoir (1.5-liter minimum).• Telescopic trekking poles (highly recommended).• Headlamp with spare batteries. |
| Personal Items | • High-UV-protection sunglasses (Category 3 minimum).• Sunscreen (high SPF).• Lip balm with SPF.• Small personal first-aid kit.• Toiletries and a quick-dry towel.• Toilet paper (can be bought at lodges) & a lighter to burn it after use.• Plastic bags to keep gear dry and separate dirty laundry.• Emergency survival blanket. |
Personal First-Aid Kit
While your guide will have a comprehensive medical kit, we recommend you bring a personal kit with items you are familiar with. Please consult your doctor for specific advice and prescriptions.
Trekking Difficulty Levels Explained
Understanding our grading system helps you choose the right trip for your fitness level.
| Level | Daily Walking | Elevation & Terrain | Who It’s For |
| 1/ Easy | Less than 4 hours per day. | Average elevation gain under 600m. Trails are well-marked with occasional uneven ground. | Anyone in good health with a basic level of fitness. |
| 2/ Moderate | Around 5 hours per day. | Average elevation gain under 850m. Trails can be rougher and sometimes unclear. | Individuals who are in good health and exercise regularly (about once a week). |
| 3/ Sportif (Strenuous) | This Trip. 6+ hours per day. | Daily elevation gain of 600m-1200m+. Involves steep climbs, “off-trail” sections, and rugged terrain. | For very fit individuals with excellent cardiovascular endurance (regular running, cycling, etc.) and previous multi-day trekking experience. |
Booking & Final Steps
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed by the Argos Trekking Nepal team and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and explore the vibrant capital of Nepal, nestled in a fertile valley at 1,300 meters. Here, stupas and pagodas proudly reach for the sky, and a multitude of scents and colors fill the alleys of the Boudhanath district, where your hotel is located. Marvel at Boudhanath, a 36-meter-high stupa in the city’s Tibetan quarter. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the area at your leisure before a pre-trek briefing with your guide.
An early transfer takes you to either Kathmandu or Ramechhap airport for your scenic flight to Lukla. This visual flight, which depends on clear weather, offers a magnificent panorama of the Himalayas. Upon landing in Lukla, we will organize the loads with our porters and Sherpas, and then your trek officially begins.
Please Note:
Following the “milk river” (Dudh Kosi), the trail, carved into the rock and lined with terraced fields, ascends steeply to Namche Bazaar. As the capital of the Sherpa people, Namche is the heart of the Khumbu region, bustling with shops and Tibetan souvenirs.
This is a crucial day for acclimatization. We will explore the villages overlooking the Sherpa capital. A climb through a small forest lead to Syangboche, where you will get your first incredible views of Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, Lhotse, and the entire upper Khumbu Valley. We will pass through Khumjung and Khunde, where you have the option to visit the Khumjung Hillary High School and Khunde Hospital, both founded by Sir Edmund Hillary.
Please Note: A more relaxed schedule is possible for this day if you prefer.
Leaving the bustling hub of Namche, the trail climbs above the village to a scenic ridge. After crossing a small pass, we descend towards the village of Khumjung, with the magnificent “prince of the Himalayas,” Ama Dablam, dominating the view. The path continues to the traditional Sherpa village of Phortse.
Today, we ascend into the stunning Gokyo Valley. The trail winds through a beautiful rhododendron forest, punctuated by charming waterfalls. As we gain altitude, the landscape becomes more rugged before we reach the small settlement of Machermo.
The trek this morning takes us from hamlet to hamlet, with new peaks revealing themselves around every corner. We’ll get our first impressive views of Cho Oyu (8,143 m), the sixth-highest mountain in the world, marking the border with Tibet. Our day ends at the remarkable site of Gokyo, where the towering Himalayan peaks reflect perfectly in the tranquil, turquoise waters of the sacred lakes.
For early risers, an optional ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,360 m) offers one of the most spectacular panoramas in the Himalayas. The view from the summit is a breathtaking 360-degree spectacle of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After soaking in the views, we descend back to Gokyo for a short trek to Dragnag. This involves crossing the terminal moraine of the massive Ngozumpa Glacier—a spectacular maze of rock and ice. We spend the night in the small hamlet of Dragnag, positioned perfectly at the foot of tomorrow’s challenge: the Cho La pass.
A challenging but incredibly rewarding day. The ascent to the Cho La pass (5,420 m) is gradual at first, followed by a final steep section. From the prayer-flag-adorned summit, a completely new valley opens up before us, making every step of the climb worthwhile. The easy descent (with a short, safe crossing of a glacier) leads us to the secluded hamlet of Dzongla.
Please Note: The crossing of Cho La Pass is only possible in good weather, without fresh snowfall. Your guide will be the sole judge of the conditions and has the final say.
Today is a shorter, scenic trek along a mountainside path. The views are magnificent, with the north face of Jobo Lhaptshan and the iconic peaks of Nuptse, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam filling the skyline.
We trek along the moraine to Gorak Shep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. This area can be very cold, especially with an easterly wind. After a long break in Gorak Shep, we tackle the final ascent to Kala Patthar (5,550 m). This is the most famous viewpoint for a close-up, unobstructed view of Mount Everest. The exceptional panorama is complemented by stunning views of Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam. Here, the evening light magically transforms the sharp ridges and gigantic snow slopes from glittering white to fiery orange-red. We return to our lodge in Gorak Shep for the night.
Today we make the pilgrimage to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). We’ll experience the extraordinarily high-mountain atmosphere and, in the spring season, witness the buzz of expeditions preparing to summit the roof of the world. The thunderous sound of seracs collapsing from the notorious Khumbu Icefall is a frequent, humbling reminder of nature’s power. It’s hard to grasp that even at this altitude, more than 3,500 meters of mountain still tower above us to Everest’s summit. Afterwards, we descend back to Lobuche.
A beautiful descent with constant, direct views of Ama Dablam. We will stop for a break at the ancient Pangboche Monastery. After crossing a suspension bridge over the torrent, the trail takes us through a beautiful forest, carefully maintained by the monks of the famous Tengboche Monastery, which is our destination for the day.
We begin our descent from the spiritual heights of Tengboche, passing back through the vibrant hub of Namche Bazaar. To strategically shorten our final trekking day, we continue descending all the way to the small village of Monjo, located just inside the park entrance.
We retrace our steps along the familiar trail back to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. This is our last day on the trail, and it’s a time for reflection on the incredible journey. Tonight, we celebrate our amazing achievement with a farewell dinner with our entire trekking crew, the guides and porters who made it all possible.
We take an early morning flight back from Lukla. As with the inbound flight, this may be a direct flight to Kathmandu or a flight to Ramechhap followed by a scenic drive back to the city. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free.
Day 18: Free Day in Kathmandu
This is a required buffer day in case of flight delays from Lukla. If we are back on schedule, enjoy a full free day to explore the cultural wonders of the Kathmandu Valley.
Enjoy another free day for last-minute souvenir shopping or further exploration. If you have a late-night flight, you can use the day at your leisure before your evening transfer to the airport.
Today, depending on your flight schedule, we will transfer you
to Kathmandu international airport for your departure.
As you head to your return flight, take a moment to savor the
richness of the experiences lived during this unforgettable
journey, from the peaks of Hidden Lake to the solidarity
encounters in Pandeli. Every smile you encountered and every
panorama you admired are treasures that will stay with you for a
long time.
Let yourself be imbued one last time by the unique atmosphere
of the valley before saying goodbye to Nepal. The entire team
at Argos Trekking wishes you an excellent return journey. May
your heart remain filled with these precious memories, ready to
dream of new adventures!
Transfer: Private vehicle to the airport (3 hours before
takeoff).
Meals: Breakfast included at the hotel.
| Trip Vitals | Details |
| Trip Style | Fully supported lodge trek with daily luggage transport by our porter team. |
| Difficulty Level | Challenging/Strenuous. This is for experienced trekkers. The itinerary involves high altitude (2600m to 5550m), long trekking days (5-6 hours on average), and a very long day crossing the Cho La pass (8-10 hours). |
| Expert Staff | Led by a professional, French-speaking Nepalese guide and a full support team. |
| What’s Included? |
| ✅ All airport transfers in Nepal. |
| ✅ Round-trip flights (Ramechhap-Lukla-Ramechhap). |
| ✅ 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu/Bhaktapur with breakfast. |
| ✅ Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek. |
| ✅ Expert French-speaking guide & assistant guides. |
| ✅ 1 porter for every 2 trekkers (max 15kg load per trekker). |
| ✅ All necessary trekking permits (Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Pasanglhamu). |
| ✅ Guided cultural tour of Kathmandu, Patan & Bhaktapur (including lunch & entry fees). |
| ✅ Small crampons/spikes for the pass crossing. |
| ❌ International airfare to/from Nepal. |
| ❌ Nepal entry visa fees. |
| ❌ Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (except on the guided tour day). |
| ❌ Comprehensive travel and high-altitude rescue insurance (Mandatory). |
| ❌ Personal expenses (e.g., drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, battery charging). |
| ❌ Tips for your guide and porter team. |
| ❌ Cost of helicopter evacuation in case of emergency or bad weather. |
| ❌ Personal trekking gear (rentals available). |
| ❌ Personal medicines and toiletries. |
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