Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m).
After arrival at the airport a personal airport transfer will be arranged to the event hotel including swimming pool. There the check-in and first short briefing will take place. Get-together, free time
Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: -

Sightseeing in Kathmandu & briefing
We spend a day in Kathmandu. After breakfast at the hotel we enjoy a city tour with stops at important places like the Monkey Temple, the Boudhanath Stupa and get interesting explanations about the country and its people. In the afternoon there will be an official event briefing, including presentation of the guides and equipment check.
Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B (Breakfast)

Flight to Lukla & Trek to Phakding (8km, 3 hours)
The day starts with a breathtaking 30 minute flight into the mountains to Lukla (2860m). Then follows the first easy trekking stage to Phakding (2652m) at the foot of the Dudh Kosi River.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)

Trek to Namche Bazar (13km, 5-6 hours)
We pass the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park, walk upstream along the Dudh Kosi, cross it several times over airy suspension bridges, enjoy fantastic views of Himalayan peaks and after a steep 1.5 hour climb we finally reach the "Sherpa Capital" Namche Bazar (3440m) After arrival in Namche we check in at our lodge and have time to stroll around.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Acclimatization day in Namche
We spend an acclimatization day in Namche Bazar. As an old market place where goods from Tibet have always been traded, Namche today has a wealth of lodges, cafés, bars and souvenir shops. There are numerous trekking & trail running routs to picturesque Sherpa villages and magnificent viewpoints on Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Some of you may already feel like running short sections to get a first taste of what the marathon will "feel like".
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Khumjung (4km, 2-3h)
Today we hike past the Everest Hotel with its magnificent view up to the village of Khumjung, which lies above Namche. Here, at an altitude of about 3790 meters, we have a great view of both Ama Dablam and Mount Everest. The afternoon is free to relax in our lodge and enjoy the view. Alternatively, you can visit the monastery where a yak skull is exhibited, visit the local school and infirmary or hike on the ridge behind the village.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Deboche via Thyangboche (8km, 4-5h)
Today a relatively easy trekking day awaits us, even though it can still feel difficult uphill at this altitude. The trail is very spectacular. We hike on a high altitude trail along the Imja Khola river, then descend deeply and cross it before we ride along a sea of magnolias and rhododendrons on a saddle to the world famous Thyangboche Monastery (3867m), one of the most beautiful monasteries in Nepal. We have the opportunity to visit the monastery. The place is also very popular because of its good views of the Everest/Lhotse massif and the Ama Dablam. Shortly after Thyangboche we follow a descending path to our accommodation in Deboche (3700m).
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Dingboche (12km, 5-6h)
Today's trek leads us to the last, permanently inhabited settlement of Pangboche, where the oldest monastery of the Khumbu is located. Shortly after Pangboche we have a lunch break in the small Sherpa village Shomare. Meanwhile we are above the tree line and only gradually gain altitude until we reach the picturesque Sherpa village Dingboche at 4350m at the entrance to the Khumbu valley.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Acclimatization day in Dingboche
Since we will be at a relatively high altitude by now, we will spend a second night at this altitude for optimal acclimatization of our body before we continue to climb the Khumbu valley. An option to further acclimatize is a hike up the Imja valley towards Chukkung (4730m). There there are fantastic views towards Tibet, Island Peak and Ama Dablam.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Lobuche (9km, 4-5h)
We follow the Khumbu valley further and ascend to the tiny settlement near Dugla. Shortly afterwards we reach the memorial for those Sherpas who died during Mount Everest expeditions. We continue along the lateral moraine on the west side of the Khumbu glacier to Lobuche (4928 m) opposite the pyramid of Lhotse which rises high into the sky.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Gorak Shep (6km, 3-4h)
Lobuche is usually the starting point for the last day's stage on the way to Everest Basecamp. Gorak Shep is usually skipped. To acclimatize even better, we will only hike a short distance upstream to Gorak Shep (5160m) and spend the night there. Gorak Shep is beautifully situated below Kala Patar (5545m) and Pumori (7145m). Once a summer yak farm, this remote place now has some of the highest tea houses in Nepal.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Acclimatization day & ascent of the Kala Patthar
One of the highlights of the trip is the technically easy ascent to the viewing peak Kala Patthar (5545m). The panoramic view is breathtaking and offers one of the most beautiful views of Everest and the Khumbu valley. Nuptse, Pumori and many other dream peaks also seem within reach. The best view is usually in the morning when the weather is at its clearest, or at sunset when the west side of Everest is bathed in pink light.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Everest Basecamp (6km, 3-4h)
We first follow the moraine ridge on the west side of the Khumbu Glacier before we continue walking directly on the glacier. Since the route is constantly changing due to the permanent glacier movement, we should definitely follow our guides. We cross blocked terrain, moraines and creeks before we reach the lively Everest base camp at 5364m altitude on the edge of the mighty Khumbu Icefall. We are in direct contact with the expedition mountaineers, who hope for their summit luck. Another privilege: In the Everest base camp, besides accredited mountaineers, only the participants of the Everest marathon are allowed to stay overnight. The half-marathoners hike back to Dingboche, the non-runners to Pangboche.
Accommodation: Basecamp: Tent, otherwise lodge or tent. Meals: B, L, D

Rest day at the base camp & trial start
We have another acclimatization day at our disposal, can make final preparations and enjoy the unique, spectacular environment. We also have a medical check and trial start with amazing views of the famous Khumbu Icefall. The Nepalese participants join the group and the general anticipation for the race is huge. The half-marathon runners take a break in Dingboche, while the non-runners hike back to Namche.
Accommodation: Basecamp: Tent, otherwise lodge or tent. Meals: B, L, D

Race day! (60/42/21km)
The big day has come! Today it's getting up early. We start directly at the first light of day as follows: Ultramarathon at 06:00, marathon at 07:00, half marathon at 08:00 (in Dingboche). Breakfast will be served before the race. The starting times allow also slower runners to reach the finish in Namche Bazar (3440m) by nightfall. The first 5 kilometers across the Khumbu Glacier and back to Gorak Shep are certainly the most challenging part of the whole route due to the altitude and track conditions. After that the conditions on the Everest Trail become easier and as soon as you reach the main valley of Imja and the starting point of the half marathon at Orsho (21 km) you will have much more oxygen available and you should feel well. A key part is the 500m climb from the bridge at Phunki Tenga (34km) to Khunde above Namche Bazar. The highest marathon in the world ends after a final downhill past Hillary School and the village of Syangboche in Namche. The non-runners have a break day and cheer on the marathonis at the finish. Lightly loaded porters will transport the group's personal luggage from Everest base camp back to Namche, where they will arrive either during the day or tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Monjo (8km, 4-5h)
After the efforts of yesterday we take it easy for the time being, can sleep in, recover a little, stroll through Namche. The morning is at your free disposal. After lunch, we will set off in a very relaxed way to Monjo (2835m).
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Trek to Lukla (10km, 4-5h)
Today we hike mostly downhill and along the Dudh Kosi towards Lukla (2860m), the beautifully situated starting point of our "running expedition". Only at the end a 45-minute climb awaits us. In the evening it is time for a proper farewell party with our running friends, guides and porters.
Accommodation: Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Return flight to Kathmandu
We take the early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where we check into our hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure to visit Kathmandu's sights, shop in the colourful bazaars or enjoy the hotel pool.
Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B

Free time, closing ceremony & party
Today is an important "buffer day" in case of delays on the return flight from Lukla. If there have been no delays, the morning and afternoon are at your disposal. This is the perfect opportunity to go on an exciting excursion, visit social projects and other places of interest or to dive into the numerous markets and alleys during a shopping tour. In the evening there will be a dinner banquet including slide show and award ceremony at the end of this year's Everest Marathon. Open End...
Accommodation: Hotel. Meals: B + dinner banquet

(International) Departure
Unfortunately, the time has come. The program has officially ended. Today is the journey home. A transfer will take you to the airport in time so that you can board the plane full of beautiful memories. Bon voyage!
Accommodation: -. Meals: B