The 19-day Pokalde Peak Expedition is a seamless blend of a classic high-altitude trek and an introductory Himalayan peak climbing experience. Instead of rushing straight to the mountain,, our itinerary takes you through the Everest Base Camp route and includes the rugged Khongma-La Pass trek to ensure your body is fully acclimatized.
Over 19 days, you will navigate the Khumbu Glacier, stand beneath the Khumbu Icefall, and finally scale the 5,806-meter Pokalde Peak summit.
Don’t just look at the mountains, scale one! The 2026/2027 Pokalde Peak Expedition is an introductory mountaineering expedition specifically designed for fit trekkers with past trekking experiences.
Our 19-day expedition is crafted professionally, allowing you to acclimate along the classic Everest Base Camp trail before taking on the ultimate challenge. By walking the classic Everest Base Camp trail first, and hitting the 5,545-meter Kala Patthar, your body naturally adapts to the thin air long before you even put on a climbing harness. For better chances of successful ascent, your guides constantly remind you to take on the trails “Bistarai, Bistarai” as pacing is a guaranteed recipe for Acute Mountain Sickness or altitude sickness.
Tackling a 5,806-meter peak requires strategy. We have structured this journey to include vital acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, followed by a crossing of the Khongma-La Pass. This rugged pass is the highest of the famous Three Passes and drops you right into our secluded Pokalde Base Camp.
From the spiritual center of Tengboche Monastery to the physical thrill of summit night, our expert team manages the logistics and navigates the path, ensuring utmost safety precautions. All you need to do is focus on the steady rhythm of your breathing.
2026/2027 slots for the Pokalde Peak Expedition are filling up quickly. The climbing window is narrow. Secure your spot today!
Upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will find our team waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Thamel. Spend the afternoon sleeping off jet lag. In the evening, enjoy the vibrant capital city.
In case you forgot any gear, the streets outside are packed with trekking equipment.
Today, you will meet your climbing guide for a thorough briefing and a mandatory gear check. Try your climbing boots with the mountaineering socks you plan to wear on summit day. This is crucial to avoid blisters that could end your trip.
If you wish to acclimatize to the spiritual energy of Kathmandu, a short cab ride to Swayambhunath Stupa offers great serenity amid the bustling city.
The real adventure begins with a scenic flight to Lukla, the gateway to Everest. For the most dramatic aerial views of the Himalayas, try to secure a seat in the left row of the plane. Upon landing in Lukla, you will meet the rest of your team and begin a gentle downhill walk toward the Dudh Koshi River before reaching Phakding.
Today’s journey takes you across multiple suspension bridges before passing through Monjo, the official entry point to the Sagarmatha National Park. The final ascent up "Namche Hill" is the most challenging section of the day. About halfway up the climb, you’ll find a small opening through pine trees, revealing your first distant glimpse of Mount Everest.
Take on the steep and dusty trails “Bistarai, Bistarai” (slowly, slowly).
Acclimatization day is crucial to help your body cope with the increasing altitude. Today, you will practice the “climb high, sleep low” strategy. You will hike up to the 3,900-meter Everest View Hotel for an unbelievable panorama of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
Once you descend back to Namche, grab a fresh pastry at one of the local bakeries while your body recovers.
Leaving Namche, the trail is mostly flat and scenic. This trail drops sharply down to the river at Phunki Tenga, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, you will continue through dense rhododendron forest up to Tengboche. Aim to reach the Tengboche Monastery by 3:00 PM to witness the evening prayers here.
As you leave Tengboche, you will notice the trees beginning to shrink until they disappear entirely. You are crossing the tree line into the high alpine zone. The trail opens up into the massive Imja Valley and leads you to the stone-walled fields of Dingboche.
Today is your second scheduled acclimatization. Prepare for a trek to Nangkartshang Peak. The journey is tough, but it takes you past the 5,000-meter mark, ensuring a significantly easier journey tomorrow.
Your journey to Lobuche climbs up to the Thukla Pass, an emotional milestone on the route. After spending a quiet moment at the memorials, you hike toward the flat paths alongside the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to the village of Lobuche.
Today is a massive day. The day begins with a trek along the rocky, uneven glacier moraine to Gorakshep. Here, you will drop your gear and continue toward Everest Base Camp. Reaching the EBC is a dream for many travelers. Soak in this immense sense of accomplishment at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. After spending some time here, you will return to Gorakshep to sleep.
The day begins early today. With headlamps, you will trek the freezing trails up to Kala Patthar. Keep your camera batteries inside your base layers close to your skin; the extreme morning cold will drain them in minutes otherwise.
From Kala Patthar, you can see the first rays of the sun piercing the summit of Everest, illuminating the Himalayan sky. After spending some time here, you head back down to Gorakshep for breakfast and retreat to Lobuche.
Leaving the main EBC crowds behind, you steer into true wilderness. You will trek the Khongma-La Pass, overcoming the gritty, steep challenge and scrambling over large boulders and loose scree.
Upon reaching the pass summit, a dramatic descent takes you directly into Pokalde Base Camp.
Today is dedicated to rest and checking that all your gear is in good condition. Your climbing guide will set up fixed lines on a nearby slope to run through the basics. You will perfect the use of jumar (ascender), figure-8 descender, and crampons as you prepare for the big day tomorrow.
Summit day begins at night. The climb is mostly steep and rocky, followed by a short section on the snow and ice. Here, you will clip into the fixed ropes to reach the narrow, rocky Pokalde Peak summit at 5,806 meters.
Stand eye-to-eye in the most breathtaking alpine amphitheater with Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Makalu surrounding you. After soaking in this incredible moment, you descend to Chhukung.
Having successfully summited the Pokalde Peak, you will trek back to Tengboche in a celebratory mood. The descent takes you through the Imja Valley, passing Dingboche and Pangboche.
From Tengboche, you drop sharply down to the river before ascending back into Namche Bazaar. After a short break in the Sherpa capital, you continue the descent, crossing the high suspension bridges once more to the peaceful village of Monjo.
This is your final day on the trail. You will retrace your steps back to Phakding and tackle the final uphill stretch into Lukla. Once you arrive, you can spend the evening sharing stories of your expedition with your team. This is also a good time to share a toast and bid farewell to the local porters who made the journey possible.
Tipping is customary in the Himalayas. Remember to tip with open hearts.
Today, you bid farewell to the Khumbu region. An early morning flight takes you back to Kathmandu or Ramechhap, depending on flight availability. Upon landing, a private vehicle transfers you back to the comforts of your hotel in Kathmandu.
In the evening, the team will gather for a farewell dinner in Thamel to celebrate your summit success.
Enjoy a final, unhurried breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, our representative will pick you up and drive you to the international airport, ensuring you arrive with plenty of time for your journey home.