Day 01
Arrive Kathmandu (1300m)
Namaste and welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be greeted by our staff who will escort you to the hotel, you will be given a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu itself, trekking, and the do's and don’ts of the area. Also, they will go over any other related information that you might require while in Nepal.
Day 02
Full day guided sightseeing
Today you will set off on a day guided sightseeing tour that begins from visiting palace square, temples, living goddess “Kumari”, in Kathmandu Durbar Square and then we drive further west to Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as money temple. After short break for day’s lunch in one of the local restaurants you will drive east to the largest Buddhist shrine of Boudhanath and then down south to Pashupatinath temple, the sacred Hindu pilgrimage site in the whole south eastern, situated by the bank of holy Bagmati. Later today after the tour you will be dropped back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla & trek to Phakding (2652m) approx 3-4 hrs
The flight to Lukla, 2800m, is about 45 minutes in duration. Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from the hotel to the domestic airport, after the necessary security formalities (keep your pen-knife-lighter-matches and other sharp cutting items including scissors and other knife in the bigger baggage not in hand bags), board in the twin otter flight to Lukla. This is a very picturesque flight with brilliant views of the Himalayas. In Lukla you will have time to stroll around, while the guide sort and divide the load baggage to be carried by porters.
Lunch hour depends upon the time of arrival at Lukla, either in Lukla or a bit of a further walk down en-route to Phakding. Continue with a 9-10km (2 1/2 -3hr walk) to Phakding at 2652m. The walk is gradual most of the way, with few ups from Tarhe Khola, where you can have a superb view of Kusum-Kangru 6369m crossing a short suspension bridge, from here after a short climb brings us to the Ghat village, another 11/2hr of gradual walk brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop near the bank of the Dudh-Koshi river.
Day 04
Namche Bazaar (3440m) approx 5-6 hrs
From Phakding after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Koshi, the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill, and yet again re-crossing the same river again all with magnificent views of Thermasarkhu 6608m from the village of Benkar, cross the long suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River, after the bridge reaches a small village of Monjo. After few minutes walk from Monjo, comes to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking permit, especially the park ticket and TIMS are checked, as all information is recorded.
From here a short descend and a gradual walk brings us to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi. Afterwards, the bridge Jorsalle village is reached, which is the last village until Namche Bazaar. From here the walk is pleasant on the river bed till the last bridge over the Imjatse River is reached. The walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak and it other sister peaks towards east, with Kusum Kangru on the back as you climb higher, view of Mt. Everest- Nuptse wall, Lhotse and the closer view of Taweche peak can be seen all the way to Namche, from lunch 2-3 hours reaches you at Namche Bazaar where the colorful houses are situated in an amphitheatre-like U shaped bowl.
Day 05
Rest Day at Namche Bazaar.
Suggested activities today include a short walk uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters. A magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with breathtaking views of the surrounding snow capped giants and the valleys down below, including an interesting museum with all kinds of information regarding the history of the Himalayas, geographical information of the region, the culture, mountaineering history, as well as information on flora and fauna of this region. Afternoon today is at leisure.
Day 06
Trek to Tengboche (3867m) approx 5 hrs
The walk is fairly easy for the first half, after a 20 minutes climb to the top ridge of Namche Bazaar. Once at the top, walk follows on the gradual trail with few short up and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks from Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thermasherkhu and Kwangde-Ri peak. After a pleasant walk for two hours, you arrive into a small place at Shanasa. From Shanasa the trial descend to Imjatse river at Phungitenga 3250m, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses in the midst of the alpine woods of mostly silver fir, blue pines, rhododendron and a few magnolia and birch trees. After Phungitenga the walk is strenuous for an hour on the winding trail through the shade of woods. After an hour steep up the walk gets better on the gradual path all the way to Thyangboche.
Tengboche one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas. The first thing you instinctively see is the big Monastery or Gompa, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam with Everest looming above, the Nuptse wall in the North with Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards North East, in essence, you are surrounded by amazing peaks.
Day 07
Trek to Dingboche (4358m) approx 5-6 hrs
After a rewarding time in Thyangboche, the trail descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper, and rhododendron and finally arriving at a lovely spot at Debouche 3,650 m, with magnificent view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. From Debouche the trail meanders past the long prayer Mani wall, the path is gradual till you reach a small bridge over the narrow gorge of Imja-Tse River. From here the walk is gradual uphill most of the way to the Pangboche village. Lush vegetation and tree lines vanish, as higher altitudes are attained. After Pangboche, it is a short climb to Shomare for lunch. It is a small settlement with fantastic view of Ama-Dablam, from here Kangtenga peak looks different from its northern face.
After a pleasant break here our journey continues gradually towards East, after an hour walk, before a small wooden bridge the road splits into two directions, to the north going toward Pheriche, or to the East, which is our direction, beneath towering north face of Ama Dablam, from here onwards Ama Dablam looks completely different. From the bridge, the trail climbs slowly, while winding above the Imjatse River, till we arrive at a big Mani Stupa. From here onwards the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with view of the eastern snow capped mountains including the Island peak or Imjatse 6,189m, which is a popular peak amongst all the trekking peaks in Nepal. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork field enclosed by stone walls, protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Dingboche has about more than ten teahouses and it is also the gateway to Chukung. Further beyond, are the most challenging traverses towards Makalu area and Hinko Valley via Sherpani col 6,100m and Amphu Labtsa 5, 780m.
Day 08
Rest Day at Dingboche.
Today is an optional day for a hike at Dingboche. There are places where one can option to go for a short walk, or for the hardcore embark on a day trek. The trek to Chukung 4,730m.is worth while, which takes approx. 3-4 hours from Dingboche, towards east within the Imjatse Valley. Although the trek is gradual, you can feel the thin air as the altitude gains slowly coming towards Chukung. At Chukung, there are about five teahouses overlooking superb view of the snow capped peaks and glaciers of Lhotse, Ama-Dablam and Imja glacier, Chukung the last settlement in eastern Khumbu
Day 09
Trek to Loboche (4928m) via Dugla (4595m) approx 5 hrs
From Dingboche the trail diverts towards North, the path is gradual up for about 40 -50 minutes as you come to Mani-prayer Stupa. From here the trail is gentle on the meadow looking down below Pheriche village; today's walk offers beautiful view of the Mt. Taweche, Ama Dablam, and to the north Pokalde 5,741m, Kongma-tse 5,820m and the great wall of Nuptse. After a pleasant walk of 1 1/2 to 2 hours the trail from Pheriche joins Thugla. right before a small wooden bridge over the torrent river of Khumbu glacier. Thugla, the only place with teahouses before Loboche. From Thugla, an hour steep up brings you to the top, where you can view Mt. Pumori, as well as the other peaks west of Everest. This is an ideal spot and good place for a few minutes break after the strenuous climb, close to this spot you can also see a number of memorials of the climbers who have perished and died in expeditions around the mountain of this region. From here its 1 1/2 to 2 hours of gradual ascent, until you arrive into Loboche. Loboche comes as a surprise, as it's situated in the corner well hidden and sheltered from the wind. Loboche has about 5-6 Teahouses.
Day 10
Trek to Gorakshep (5288m) & Kalapathar (5545m) 6-7 hrs
Today is the day for your final destination of this adventurous journey at the foot of number one, the first hour walk is gradual up the valley at the end of the grassy field, a short 20 minutes climb, the walk from here follows the rocky moraine path, as you walk you can see the icy-glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes a short downhill walk bring you to Gorakshep, on the flat field below Kalapatthar 5,545m and Mt. Pumori 7,145m. Gorakshep has two teahouses, and it used to be a base camp in the early 50's expedition to Mt. Everest. After a break here at Gorakshep continue towards Kalapatthar, a few minutes of easy walk on the sandy field, then a steep climb for 45 minutes brings you to the near level field, the walk from here is gradual till you reach the rocky spot after an hour, from here another steep climb to the top for another 1/2 hour. After reaching the top, you will feel glad as you achieve the moment that you been dreaming of, since the first steps of the journey. The top of Kalapatthar is a small rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Mt. Pumori, the view from here is beyond words as Everest looks within a stone's throw distance, between the summit of Nuptse and Lho-la and Lhotse on the back, the panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish, and you feel its worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world, with all the higher snow capped giants that dominates all around, it is truly a magnificent spot to be here on a clear sunny day to view an array of mountains up to the far horizon, to the south Khumbu glacier sweeps below you, and you can also see the Everest Base camp down below on the moraine of Khumbu glacier, when the expedition season is active. Afternoon can be very windy here, after a great moment with the panoramic view route descends for the overnight at Gorakshep.
Day 11
Trek to Everest Base Camp (5357m) approx 5-6 hrs.
The final day of this great adventure, continues towards Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Ice-fall, the path from here can be misleading. Follow the lead Sherpa, as every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier. The walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. Everest Base Camp is lively with commotion during the high expedition season.
On reaching at the foot of number one, a great view of the Khumbu icefall awaits you. After a grand time here retrace the journey back to Loboche for the overnight.
Day 12
Trek to Pangboche (3900m) approx. 5 hrs.
The walk today will be easy heading downhill to a lower elevation; from Loboche the walk is same all the way to Thugla. After the bridge our route descends following the stream towards Pheriche valley, after 40 minutes of downhill, the walk gets better as we reach the valley floor, an hour of easy good walk brings you at Pheriche 4,243m.
After a break here, a short walk brings you to a bridge, from the bridge it is nearly downhill all the way with few ups in between to Pangboche.
Day 13
Trek to Khumjung (3800m) approx 6 hrs.
Today we retrace the journey back to Shanasha. From Shanasha, the trail merges from Khumjung, Gokyo and to Namche meets. From here our route follows away from the main busy path, the walk winds up all the way to Khumjung-Khunde Valley. Khumjung is very different from the busy Namche, as it is a sleepy farm village with the only monastery believed to be scalp from the Yeti.
Day 14
Trek to Monjo (2835m) approx 4-5 hrs
Today is an easy day of downhill walking. From Khumjung, half an hour walk brings you to its sister village at Khunde, where you can visit the only hospital in the whole of Khumbu area, built by the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. After a visit at the Khunde hospital, the trail leads south passing thorough a Sherpa's house and farm fields and coming to the long Mani prayer wall. A short uphill climb from here brings to the top ridge of Syangboche air strip. From this spot it's a big descend to the Dudh Koshi river bed. As the walk progress on this steep downhill bit from Syangboche onwards, an aerial view of Namche Bazaar is seen from this downhill slope walk, on reaching Namche Bazaar retrace the journey all the way to Monjo for the overnight camp Monjo located, just near after the Sagarmatha National Park entrance and exit.
Day 15
Trek to Lukla 5 hrs
Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walk to Lukla, you can walk at your own best pace, leisurely and enjoying the lush green scenery around. Apart from few short uphill the only long climb will be just before Lukla which will take approximately 45 minutes from a place called Choplung or from the old big oak tree. On reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members.
Day 16
Fly Lukla-Kathmandu.
The flight time to Kathmandu, are usually scheduled for the mornings, due to the wind in the afternoon. Yet keep in mind that often times flights can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our control. We will check in, obtain boarding passes and go through security before getting on a plane for this scenic flight from Lukla. The flight itself takes about 45 minutes to Kathmandu; a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from window of the plane. We will arrive into Kathmandu at the domestic terminal, where one of our tour officers will be waiting to receive and escort you back to the Hotel.
Day 17
In Kathmandu
Today is a free day in Kathmandu, please let our office staff know if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley, and for clients with more days in Nepal join an extension trip for scenic White Water Rafting, Jungle Safari, Paragliding or for Bungee Jump.
Day 18
Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our Office staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from our amazing country, Nepal.
EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING
‘On the high Yak & Yeti trail towards the giant peaks of Khumbu’
Everest Base Camp trekking is one of the most popular and spectacular destinations in Nepal for trekkers and mountaineers alike from around the world. It offers a very fascinating and enjoyable environment around Everest region. Trekking to Everest Base Camp begins with an encompassing scenic flight to Lukla, from where the trek begins. The trek follows many farm villages en-route with beautiful views of the highest snow capped peaks in the world, and from Kalapathar you can have outstanding and breathtaking views of the panorama of peaks and glacier including Mt. Everest, which looks so close, you think you can almost touch it.
The Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is set to be flexible for you to enjoy and immerse yourself at ease within this beautiful natural surrounding. Trip includes all the highlights of the Everest National Park with Namche Bazaar, which is the Sherpa capital, Khumbu village, unmatched view point of Kala Patthar (5545m) which is an extraordinary view point for Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse and ever exciting Everest Base Camp. With ample time and opportunity to visit the Buddhist monasteries of Khumjung one of the oldest in the area, and at Tengboche, one of the newest as it was re-built in after being burnt to the ground.
The major highlights of this trekking are the Tenzin Hillary Airport at Lukla, one of the most dangerous airport in the world; Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital in the mountain; Tengboche Monastery, one of the oldest monastery in Everest region; Khumjung Village, boasts of yeti scalp kept safe in the monastery; Kalapathar, the view point for Everest; the view of Mt. Everest and the adjoining mountains like Lhotse, Nuptse and so on; Sherpa culture and their life style.
