Guided by Everest summiter Carole Fuchs, this journey leads you into the heart of the Khumbu, where Mount Everest rises above a vast landscape of glaciers, ridgelines, and high-altitude valleys. The trail winds through suspension bridges, pine and rhododendron forests, and stone-built Sherpa villages, gradually revealing the scale of the Himalayas.

Each day, the terrain shifts as you gain height, fertile valleys give way to open alpine ground, prayer flags mark mountain passes, and monasteries and mani walls punctuate the path. Life here moves to the rhythm of altitude, weather, and tradition, offering a close connection to Sherpa culture and the environment that has shaped it.

As the air thins, the pace naturally slows, allowing time to acclimatise and to take in the changing light, the silence, and the immense presence of the surrounding peaks. Reaching 5,300 metres at Everest Base Camp, you stand among icefalls and glacial moraines, surrounded by some of the highest mountains on Earth.

The itinerary is adapted to the group’s fitness, interests, and conditions on the ground. Days can be hiked, run, or a mix of both, and alternative routes can be considered.

Is this for you?

This trek is designed for people with a basic level of fitness. No previous high-altitude trekking experience is required, you will be guided throughout and shown everything you need to know along the way, from pacing and acclimatisation to moving comfortably on mountain trails.

Each day involves approximately 2 to 8 hours of walking, depending on terrain and acclimatisation needs. The pace is flexible and adapted to the group, with regular breaks to rest, enjoy tea in local lodges, and take in the surroundings. Time is built in to visit historic Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and villages, offering insight into life in the Khumbu.

You will be led by Carole Fuchs, supported by assistant guides who were born and raised in these mountain villages. Along the trail, they share stories of their childhoods, local traditions, and Sherpa culture, bringing depth and context to the journey beyond the landscape itself.

Throughout the trek, safety, acclimatisation, and enjoyment are prioritised, allowing you to move steadily, confidently, and fully present in one of the world’s most iconic mountain regions.

Fitness & Training

The most important requirement for this trek is mindset, curiosity, resilience, and a positive attitude will take you much further than speed or strength. Physically, you need a basic level of fitness: the ability to walk comfortably for around 10 km with a small backpack over hilly terrain at sea level.

If you’re fit, healthy, and enjoy being outdoors, you’re ready to go.

If you feel unsure about your fitness or simply want to arrive feeling more confident, Carole Fuchs can support you with a tailored training programme. Drawing on her background as a professional ultra-runner, Everest summiter, and experienced coach, Carole provides practical, realistic guidance adapted to your starting point, schedule, and goals.

The training focuses on building efficiency rather than intensity: walking and hiking technique, smart pacing, strength for long days on your feet, and developing the confidence to move comfortably at altitude. The aim is not to “train harder,” but to arrive prepared, calm, and ready to enjoy the journey.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu. Airport transfer to your hotel, followed by a welcome meeting with Carole and the team.

Day 2 - Preparation Day in Kathmandu

A relaxed day to prepare for the trek, gear check, last-minute shopping if needed, trip briefing. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner with the whole group.

Day 3 - Flight to Lukla & Trek to Phakding

An early start takes us from Kathmandu to Ramechhap to Lukla (2,846 m) by fixed-wing aircraft — a spectacular introduction to the Himalayas. From Lukla, we begin walking along the Dudh Koshi River, easing into the journey as we make our way to Phakding (2,610 m).

Day 4 - Into the Khumbu: Phakding to Namche

The trail follows suspension bridges and forested paths before climbing steadily to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). This lively mountain town, perched above the valley, is the heart of Sherpa life in the region.

Day 5 - Acclimatisation in Namche

A full day to adapt to the altitude. We take a short hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,800 m) for tea or coffee with sweeping views of Everest and surrounding peaks. The afternoon is free to rest, explore Namche.

Day 6 - Namche to Debuche via Tengboche

Leaving Namche, the trail contours high above the valley before reaching Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual heart of the Khumbu. If open, we visit the monastery before descending through forest to Debuche (3,700 m).

Day 7 - Debuche to Dingboche

As we move higher, the landscape opens into wide alpine valleys. We follow the river upstream to Dingboche (4,410 m), surrounded by impressive Himalayan peaks.

This is not a fixed itinerary. Depending on the group’s capacity and ambition, we can hike, run, or blend both and even take the journey through the Gokyo Valley. Tell us what draws you, and we’ll build the route together.