Gregory Attard, Marco Cremona and Robert Gatt are expected back home today where they will be fêted as the first Maltese nationals to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain.

The trio reached the top of the world on May 17.

For the occasion, they will also be joined by their guide Victor Saunders.

Mr Cremona's wife and press contact for most of the trek, Jo, said the two weeks between the summit and their arrival in Malta were the hardest to bear, especially since her husband and Dr Attard had to kill time trekking in Kathmandu as their flights had already been booked.

On the way back, the group trekked at a fierce pace, covering 50 kilometres a day from Everest Base Camp to Lukla airport for fear that the bad weather would prevent the light aeroplanes leaving for Kathmandu.

On May 24, once in Kathmandu, Mr Gatt and Mr Saunders flew to their homes in London and Geneva respectively, while Mr Cremona and Dr Attard had to spend some time there because they had arrived early. Ironically, they chose to kill time trekking the area - just the thing one would do after climbing the highest mountain in the world.

"Apparently there's nothing to see in Kathmandu. They know the place inside out by now," Ms Cremona said.

From Kathmandu, the pair headed to Delhi and then to London Heathrow airport, from where they finally headed to Malta.

"It would be great if people came to the airport and gave them the welcome they deserve," Ms Cremona said. "All Marco's dreaming of now is coming home to his family, his dogs and a nice coffee at Għajn Tuffieħa bay."

Mr Cremona and Dr Attard are expected to arrive at 3 p.m. today.