The Himalayan Traveller: ‘Trek Reports’ 6 – A Return to Khumbu November 2003 – The daily itinerary

This itinerary, which I used in the Autumn of 2003 is, I think, fairly straightforward. As explained I had been ill before the trek and so was not fit. This put the Cho La and Kala Pattar off the itinerary. If I were repeating the trek I don’t think I would want to alter much, and changes would be very much of personal preference. In particular I think I would want to spend more time at Thame and also to spend more time exploring the Gokyo area. On reflection, we could have also spent more time ‘doing things’ below Mondzo, rather than the losing of time that we did. Never mind … there’s always next time…

Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2 – Kathmandu: Trek Preparations
Day 3 – Fly to Lukla (9,400′); Trek to Phakdingma (8,700′)
Day 4 – Trek to Namche (11,300′)
Day 5 – Namche rest day
Day 6 – Trek to Thame (12,800′)
Day 7 – Trek to Khumjung (12,400′)
Day 8 – Rest & acclimatisation day – Khumjung
Day 9 – Rest & acclimatisation day – Khumjung
Day 10 – Trek to Dole (13,400′)
Day 11- Trek to Machermo (14,650′)
Day 12 – Trek to Gokyo (15,719′)
Day 13 – Day walk to upper lakes (16,400′)
Day 14 – Trek to Machermo (14,650′)
Day 15 – Trek to Phortse (12,500′)
Day 16 – Trek to Pangboche (12,800′)
Day 17 – Trek to Chhukhung (15, 500′)
Day 18 – Trek to Dingboche (14,250′)
Day 19 – Day walk to Dughla (15,100′)
Day 20- Trek to Thyangboche (12,700′)
Day 21 – Thyangboche (Mani Rimdu)
Day 22 – Trek to Khumjung (12,400′)
Day 23 – Trek to Mondzo (9,300′)
Day 24 – Trek to Phakdingma (8,700′)
Day 25 – Trek to Lukla (9,400′)
Day 26 – Fly Lulka- Kathmandu
Day 27 – Kathmandu
Day 28 – Kathmandu
Day 29 – Kathmandu
Day 30 – Kathmandu
Day 31 – Fly to London