Everest & Kongde The Royal Himalayan Trek - 12 Days
NepalEverest

Everest & Kongde The Royal Himalayan Trek - 12 Days

12 Days
Challenging

Everest & Kongde The Royal Himalayan Trek - 12 Days

from $5,935 / person

Overview

This 12-day group-guided trek takes an off-the-beaten-track approach to the Everest region, delivering an experience of the Himalayas that few trekkers ever see. Rather than following the crowded Everest Base Camp trail, this itinerary branches into the quieter valleys and ridges above Namche Bazaar, ascending to Kongde at 4,200 metres where one of the highest hotels on the planet sits with views that rank among the finest from any accommodation in the world. Though still a challenging undertaking, the trekking is slightly more manageable than other Everest region routes without sacrificing any of the views.

The trek begins with a helicopter flight to Lukla, cutting out the delays and uncertainty of fixed-wing flights and setting the tone for a journey designed around both experience and efficiency. The route passes through the legendary Sherpa mountain town of Namche Bazaar, the serene village of Thamo and the spiritual stillness of Lawudo Gompa, a significant Buddhist meditation monastery perched above the valley, before the final ascent to Kongde.

The summit days deliver extraordinary panoramas of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Makalu and Cho Oyu, with the ascents of both Sherpa Peak (5,050m) and Sumdur Peak providing a genuine sense of achievement. The walk out to Kongde Glacial Lake and its celebrated mountain reflections is one of the most iconic moments in Himalayan trekking. The return to Kathmandu is by helicopter from Kongde, completing a journey that consistently delivers maximum reward for the effort involved. Four nights in the 4-star Hotel Mulberry in Kathmandu bookend the trek, with welcome and farewell dinners included throughout.

Highlights

  • Beautiful, off-the-beaten-track tour of the Everest region
  • Epic helicopter rides with the mighty Himalayas in full view
  • The magic of catching your first glimpse of Everest alongside many other magnificent peaks
  • Reaching the stunning town of Namche with its array of local Sherpa handicrafts
  • The extraordinary grandeur of hiking to the summit of Sumdur and Sherpa Peaks
  • Staying in one of the highest hotels on the planet with unbeatable views
  • Walking out to Kongde Glacial Lake with the iconic views of mountain reflections in the lake

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport and be met by one of our representatives. Enjoy a private transfer to your 4-star hotel in the Thamel area. Tonight there will be a welcome dinner and a trek briefing about the details of the incredible journey that you will take over the next 11 days.

Accommodation

4-star Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (4 nights), Comfortable Traditional Lodge (3 nights), Traditional Lodge (2 nights), Hotel (2 nights)

Meals

11 breakfasts, and 9 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Helicopter
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Auswalk Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

Days on the trail

Daily distance range

Daily ascent range

8/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

During this tour, you will stay four nights in a four-star hotel in Kathmandu before heading into the mountains, where the highest quality accommodation available keeps you well looked after throughout the trek. All properties are well used to receiving trekkers and properly equipped for the conditions, with comfortable rooms and en-suite facilities at all Comfortable Mountain Lodges. The traditional mountain lodges are a lower standard.

Even as you ascent towards Kongde, the standard does not drop. Kongde Hotel is one of the highest hotels in the world and maintains an exceptional level of comfort for its altitude, offering a warm and well-run stay that stands apart from much of what is available on the traditional Everest Base Camp route. WiFi is available at all properties through a Starlink-type connection, with a daily pass needed for enough data to email and make WhatsApp calls.


What You'll Eat

A welcome dinner at an authentic Nepalese restaurant sets the tone on arrival in Kathmandu, and a farewell dinner at a beautiful open-air contemporary Nepalese restaurant rounds off the trip on one of the final two evenings. In between, eleven breakfasts and nine dinners are included, all ordered from the menu at each property on the trek. Lunch is yours to pick up along the trail, and few dining rooms in the world come close to what surrounds you on this route.

The food is good throughout the route, and Dal Bhat is well worth trying at altitude, where keeping your calorie intake up is important. Snacks, beer, soft drinks and chocolate are available at almost all properties, and you are welcome to bring additional supplies from Kathmandu or home.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. It is not always possible to accommodate all dietary requirements in the mountains, and if you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is strongly recommended as the range of ingredients can be limited at altitude.

More About This Trip

The walk both starts and finishes in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is the main gateway to Nepal, with connections from major international hubs across Asia and beyond. A representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your accommodation. Please let us know your travel plans in advance so we can arrange this. Those already in Nepal can arrange to meet the group at the hotel directly.

A transfer back to Kathmandu Airport is included at the end of the trip for your onward flight.


This guided group walk has set departure dates in spring and autumn, across March, April, May, September, October and November. Private departures can be arranged for groups of four or more; contact us to secure your preferred date. Spring brings rhododendrons in bloom on the lower trails and clear early morning views of the peaks, with April particularly popular for its stable conditions. Autumn, from October into early November, offers the finest mountain views of the year, with clear skies and dry trails after the monsoon. Whatever month you travel, temperatures at altitude drop well below freezing; warm layers and proper trekking gear are essential.



This walk is graded from challenging to strenuous, with altitude the defining factor above all else. Trails are mainly well-travelled but involve prolonged ascents with virtually no descent, along with long elevation sections and some steps. The physical demands are compounded significantly by altitude throughout.

This trip is rated slightly lower than other Everest region treks because the pace allows for a careful, unhurried ascent, with two acclimatisation days built in. Even so, a solid walking experience and a serious approach to preparation are essential. Include steep hill climbs, resistance training, and core and balance work in your programme. Where possible, train at a higher altitude to help your body adapt to reduced oxygen levels before departure.

Your guide is a local expert mountaineer with in-depth knowledge of the track.


You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

Tipping is customary in Nepal and is a way to show appreciation for the hard work of your trekking team. The price of your Auswalk walking holiday does not include tips. To help you plan, we suggest the following tipping amounts per hiker per day:

  • 1000NPR (head guide) per hiker per day
  • 500NPR (assistant guide) per hiker per day
  • 500NPR (per porter) per hiker per day

You will have the opportunity to present your tips to your guide and porters at the farewell dinner as a token of your gratitude for their invaluable support throughout your trek.


When you arrive in Kathmandu you will receive a duffle bag to pack all of your items for your trek. As each porter will carry two duffle bags each, the maximum weight per duffle bag is 12.5kg.

Each morning it will be up to you to pack your bag and place your luggage outside your room. Your guide will let you know what to do.

Any excess kilos can be stored at the hotel in Kathmandu.


The Everest region is powered by hydro electricity.  In peak season, supply is limited and power outages may occur so we advise bringing a powerbank/ back up batteries for your phones, cameras and electronics.

Hot showers are mostly powered by solar panels or a gas-fired water heater.  On very rare occasions hot showers may not be available.


Helicopter evacuations due to problems with high altitudes are rare but a potential occurrence.

We want to bring to your attention some important information regarding helicopter evacuation and associated costs, which are not included in your current Auswalk package.

In the event that a helicopter evacuation becomes necessary, please be aware that there will be additional charges. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that your travel insurance policy provides adequate coverage for emergency evacuation. Should you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

An evacuation is an unforeseen event that incurs separate costs, supplementary to the Auswalk package you have purchased.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that you will be required to pay for the evacuation services before departing Nepal and then claim the expenses through your insurance provider. The helicopter company is unable to process claims on your behalf. Direct claims by you to your insurance company typically result in a faster reimbursement process.


Travel without stress or delays

  • Most visitors travel to Lukla via aeroplane; however, flights are often subject to weather-related delays or cancellations.  Hence, we use helicopters, which are far less susceptible to such issues, helping to deliver your trip as per the carefully planned itinerary (shared if less than 5 pax).
  • This saves up to 3 days of repeat walking and eliminates having to travel for 5 hours to Ramechhap for your Lukla flight.
  • Returning from the peak via helicopter also eliminates walking all the same way back down to the trailhead in Lukla - your knees will be very grateful!
  • Built-in contingency day in case the weather delays departure from the mountains.  This rarely happens with helicopters but we know you wouldn’t want to miss your international flight in the unusual event that it did!
  • Priority use of our team's 4 helicopters in case of an emergency


The best possible food and accommodation

  • Staying in a 4-star hotel in the quietest part of the bustling Thamel area in Kathmandu, where you can enjoy all of the tourist spots but are insulated from the crowds
  • Enjoying the best accommodation options available on the trek.  Note: accommodation levels vary and, where possible, rooms have ensuites.   Accommodations at a few high altitude locations are less luxurious but still comfortable
  • Since food plays a significant role in hiking at higher elevations, we strive to serve our guests fresh and healthy meals every time


Be well guided and looked after

  • Sufficient time to visit Kathmandu’s unmissable 7 World Heritage sites with our guided tour
  • Highly experienced fun-loving guides with fluent English
  • Guide to hiker ratio of 1 to 4 passengers so you will be very well looked after
  • Our professional safety-focused team on the ground ensure the best possible experience


We support the region and the environment

  • We support the Himalayan Sherpa Hospital at Phakding through the Himalayan Sherpa Foundation
  • We support the organisation KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). KEEP provides valuable training programs for guides, including language training, map reading, and a porter welfare program
  • We offset our carbon emissions, raise money and donate to Odonata, an environmental charity committed to supporting biodiversity
  • Auswalk has earned Advanced Eco Tourism Certification


Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Everest reviews

5.0
3 reviews
5 Star
3
4 Star
0
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0
Andrew W
9 months ago

Entire trip went extremely well. Foods were of excellent quality too.

Louise C
10 months ago

Our guide & porter (Funuru & Penba) were excellent. They were supportive and great company. They willingly shared their knowledge and encouraged us every step This trek is life changing. Would definitely recommend. Auswalk is professional and attentive & flexible, making sure everything is in place to support a successful trek.

Hettiarachchige DG
last year

Fantastic walking experience. We had wonderful guides and porters. They made sure I reach my goals in a safe manner. Helicopter on the way back to avoid trekking down was great. It saved my knees . Thank you Auswalk for organising a wonderful experience

Frequently Asked Questions

March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn) are the two main trekking windows. Late March to late April offers crisp air and excellent mountain clarity. For fewer crowds, late October to mid-November is the pick — conditions are still good and the peak-season rush has eased. The summer monsoon (June to August) makes trekking difficult.

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A company representative and vehicle will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. From Kathmandu, a helicopter flight takes you directly to Lukla to begin the trek — no white-knuckle mountain runway required.

A porter carries your main bag between lodges each day while you walk with just a daypack. Your main bag must weigh no more than 12.5kg — you'll receive a duffel bag in Kathmandu to pack everything you need for the trek. Anything extra can be stored at your Kathmandu hotel. Keep your passport and valuables in your daypack at all times.

In Kathmandu, you'll stay in a four-star hotel. On the trail, accommodation is in hand-picked boutique lodges — small, characterful places that know how to look after trekkers. As you climb higher the lodges get simpler, but they're comfortable and well set up for the conditions. Breakfast and dinner are included each day on the trek.

Coverage is available in parts but patchy in more remote sections. WiFi is offered at all lodges, though speeds slow considerably at higher elevations. Most lodges charge a small daily fee for access. Bring a power bank — outlets exist but are limited, particularly at altitude. Nepal uses Type C, D and M plugs.

A 30–35L waterproof daypack is the right size. Fill it with two to three litres of water, snacks, sun protection (SPF 50+ cream, sunglasses, hat), lip balm, a warm layer, your headtorch, and any personal medication. A power bank is worth its weight — charging points thin out as you climb.

Layers are everything. On the trail you'll likely be warm in breathable trekking pants and a long-sleeve top, but temperatures at altitude drop hard — a down jacket and thermal base layers are non-negotiable for evenings and high passes. Waterproof, Gore-Tex hiking boots are strongly recommended; the terrain ranges from forest paths to snow-covered passes, and trail runners won't hold up. Walking poles are optional but earn their place on the longer descents. A sleeping bag rated to -15°C is required and is included in your package — bring your own liner. If you need a down jacket or other gear, Kathmandu has good options at very reasonable prices before you head out.

What about altitude sickness? Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness. The trek reaches 5,364 metres at Everest Base Camp, and 5,644 metres at Kala Patthar — serious elevation by any measure. The itinerary builds in acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche to let your body adjust, and guides are trained to manage the pace carefully. Garlic soup, ginger tea and plenty of fluids are the trail remedies of choice. Speak to your GP before departure about prescription options. If symptoms become severe, evacuation by helicopter is arranged through the local partner, who operates their own fleet — you're treated as a priority rather than joining a queue.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy must cover trekking above 5,000 metres and helicopter evacuation. A rescue from altitude can run to several thousand dollars, and you'll be expected to settle the bill before leaving — your insurer reimburses you afterwards. Send through your policy details, including insurer name, policy number and 24-hour emergency contact, before departure. Note that the two helicopter transfers included in your package — Kathmandu to Lukla at the start, and from the end of the trek back to Kathmandu — are part of the trip cost. Emergency medical evacuation is a separate matter and must be covered by your insurance.

The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Budget around 3,000 NPR per person per day on the trek for lunches, snacks and drinks — you'll stop at tea houses along the way. ATMs are available in Kathmandu and larger towns but scarce on the trail, so draw enough cash before you head out. Tipping is expected and appreciated. The standard amounts per hiker per day are 1,000 NPR for the head guide, 500 NPR for an assistant guide, and 500 NPR per porter.

Do not drink tap water in Nepal under any circumstances. Stick to bottled water or water that has been boiled at your lodge (there may be a small charge). A quality filter or iodine tablets are useful backup. On food, vegetarian meals are the safer option on the trek — the advice is to avoid meat where possible to reduce the risk of stomach issues, though many walkers eat local chicken and yak dishes without trouble. Let the team know about any allergies or intolerances at booking; if your requirements are severe, bring supplementary snacks from Kathmandu before heading out.

The trek passes through Buddhist monasteries including Tengboche and Namche, and the Kathmandu sightseeing day includes Pashupatinath, one of Nepal's most sacred Hindu temples. Dress modestly at religious sites — shoulders and knees covered. On the trail, give yaks plenty of space and always pass on the uphill side.

Want to Know More?

The Everest experience

Wonder
Ascend Kalapatthar at 5,550 metres for the most celebrated sunrise view of Mount Everest
The view of Everest from Kalapatthar at sunrise, with the Khumbu Icefall below, is one of the world's great sights
Walking to Everest Base Camp is a journey that changes your sense of what mountains actually are
Wellness
The Khumbu's exceptional altitude and mountain air provide a profound sense of physical achievement
Trek pack-free with Sherpa guides who understand both the terrain and the altitude at every stage
Sherpa culture, with its deep Buddhist faith, generous hospitality, and remarkable capability, is humbling
Nature
Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site of extraordinary Himalayan biodiversity
The sound of glacial rivers and the sight of prayer flags on every ridge define the acoustic and visual landscape
Ama Dablam, often called the most beautiful mountain in the world, dominates the view from Tengboche