Itinerary for Everest Panorama (Nepal)

Day 1 Monday Arrival in Kathmandu.Transfer to hotel. Overnight: Kathmandu

Day 2 Tuesday Early morning flight to Lukla (45 minutes), a spectacular diminutive airstrip nestled in the foothills (2800 meters) of the Everest region. Here we begin our trek. The day's walk is fairly easy, with no significant gains (or losses) of altitude. We'll pass through terraced farms, whose ambers and greens are here and there decorated by colorful Bhuddist prayer flags; cross the rushing Dudh Kosi ("Milk River") on a cable extension bridge; and probably meet our first yak (and hear our first yak joke). Overnight : Phakding or Chomoa.

Day 3 Wednesday Our second day is considerably more demanding. We follow the Dudh Kosi gorge, and then make our ascent on a long switchback trail to Namche Bazaar (3440m), the administrative and commercial center of the Khumbu region. Along the way, clouds permitting, we should have a view to the east of the majestic Thamserku, and perhaps even catch our first glimpse of Everest. In Namche there should be time to visit the Hillary Museum. If you're going toward Everest, you've got to pass through Namche, so you'll meet lots of trekkers and mountaineers. Overnight:Namche Bazaar

Day 4 Thursday (Thursday is designed as an acclimatization day which will make the coming challenges much more manageable). In accordance with the "climb high, sleep low" theory, we'll make a day trip to the anomalous 5-star Everest View Hotel, continue on to Khumjung (3790m) where we'll visit a "gompa"(Tibethan Bhuddist temple), stop by the original Sir Edmund Hillary primary school, and hopefully catch excellent views of Everest and glorious Ama Dablam on the way. Yes, just another normal day in Khumbu. Overnight: Namche Bazaar

Day 5 Friday Trek to Dole. Feeling rested and acclimatized, we're ready to move on. Today's climb is difficult, with a net altitude gain of about 650 meters. We'll need to start as early as possible so we'll have plenty of time to go at a moderate pace with frequent rest. We'll be hiking along the northern ridge of the Khumbu valley, with the Dudh Kosi far below, and Cho Oyo (8153m) in the distance. Lunch at Mong, and then a steep, switchback descent to Portse Thanga on the banks of the Dudh Kosi. With luck we'll see a few irridesent impeyan pheasants (the Nepalese national bird) amidst the rhododendron and juniper forests. Two hours or so from Portse Thanga we'll reach Dole (4100), a small Sherpa settlement. Overnight: Dole (at the Yeti Inn)

Day 6 Shabbat A day to truly relax (and acclimatize). Eat, sleep, shmooze, take a short walk. Enjoy this jewel of a setting, and the silence of the mountains.

Day 7 Sunday Today's trek is relatively short, with an ascent of only 250 meters, but we're wise to take our time for proper acclimatization. We pass through the Sherpa settlements of Lhabarma and Luza and reach Machermo (4410m) by early afternoon.Tomorrow is Gokyo! Overnight: Machermo

Day 8 Monday An early start, first to a ridge with photo-op views up-valley to Cho Oyo and down-valley to Kantega. There's a steep climb on a switchback trail to a sparkling teal-blue lake, and then past a second. By lunchtime we should reach Gokyo, perched on the bank of a third, larger lake. Overnight: Gokyo.

Day 9 Tuesday Early morning 2 ½ -3 hour hike to Gokyo Ri (5350 meters) for a spectacular panoramic view of 4 of the highest peaks in the world (all over 8,000 meters) including Everest! Bring your camera. Bring an extra roll of film. Back down to Gokyo, then a further descent to Machermo. Overnight: Machermo

Day 10 Wednesday Descent to Namche Bazaar.

Day 11 Thursday Descent to Lukla

Day 12 Friday Return flight to Kathmandu. Tefillot and Shabbat dinner at Chabad House. Overnight: Kathmandu.

Day 13 Shabbat Kathmandu. Meals at Chabad House. Overnight: Kathmandu.

Day 14 Sunday Sightseeing ,shopping. Evening departure for home.