Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival in Kathmandu a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

If not feeling jet-lagged, we can take some time to explore Kathmandu’s medieval Backstreets. Discover buildings dating back to the 16th century. Make our way down to Thamel, the main tourist area in Kathmandu and a great place to dine, there are quite a few to choose from like New Orleans Cafe, Rum Doodle, Bear Garden etc. Enjoy your evening and get some rest to recover from that Jet lag. The adventure begins tomorrow!

Accommodation

Manaslu Hotel

Meals

Maximum Altitude

1,370 m

In the morning, a pre-trip meeting at our hotel in Kathmandu and introduction to our trek leader/guide.

We visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks praying in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Boudhanath Stupa we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats.

We will also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagoda and shikhara – style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is The Lion gate, The Golden gate, The Palace of fifty five windows, Art Galleries, The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near by your hotel.

Accommodation

Manaslu Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Maximum Altitude

An early morning start takes us to the Tribhuwan International Airport Domestic terminal in Kathmandu for the 35  minute scenic flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,804 m). On arrival at the airport our guide will brief us and introduce our porters before we begin our trek towards Phakding (2,610 m).

After landing we have time to explore the village while our Sherpa crew sort and load our trekking equipment. Then we begin our trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2,713 m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2,550 m) it is a short walk to Phakding. Approx. trekking time: 3 hours.

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing the majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar (considered the Gateway to Everest) is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange services, internet cafes and bakeries. Namche Bazar is the busy touristic hub and biggest town along the Everest trail. Approx. trekking time: 5-6 hours.

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. The secret of safe acclimatization is to "climb high, sleep low," so, we will trek a short distance to a museum that is celebrated for its exhibits of the traditional customs of the Sherpa people and to Sagarmatha National Park headquarters for some spectacular views. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas with a stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks. Approx. trekking time: 2-3 hours.

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

We return to the hiking trail this morning for a beautiful hike to Thame, the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay (the Sherpa who made the first ascent of Everest with Hillary in 1953). We pass the small village of Phurte, home to a large chorten (temple) and prayer walls and continue trekking to the head of the valley and the town of Mende, where we take a small path that passes above the villages of Dramo and Thomde. This path eventually dovetails with the trade route used by Tibetans to trade at Namche Bazaar; here, the path becomes an airy traverse with huge, dark cliffs overhead and large drops to the river below. Approx. trekking time: 5 to 6 hours.

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

We will follow a shorter trail today to Khumjung, one that goes above Namche Bazaar. From this vantage view, we enjoy the spectacular views of the beautiful valley ahead and gradually trek down, first to the village of Khunde, and then to Khumjung, one of the most beautiful villages in Khumbu. In the middle of Kumjung is the original Hillary school, established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961, just eight years after the conquest of Everest.

In the late afternoon, we also visit the nice & atmospheric gompa. One of the treasures kept here is a ‘yeti skull’. That was transported to America for analysis by Sir Edmund Hillary and village headman Konchok Bhumbi. Tests concluded that the scalp was made from the skin of a serow, a member of the Himalayan antelope family, but the legend continues. Approx. trekking time: 4-5 hours

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

This morning, we leave Khumjung Village behind and climb to a level path with several switchbacks before reaching Namche Bazaar. After lunch in Namche, explore the town and then continue on to our descent into Monjo. We cross the Sir Edmund Hillary Bridge before returning to our lodge for overnight. Approx. trekking time: 4 hours

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

This is our last day of trekking as we return to Lukla where the trek began. We enjoy this time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. The afternoon is free, so we can wander about, relax and enjoy a hot shower! In the evening we have a farewell dinner, followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa companions and bidding farewell to this incredible setting, the villages and the people of the Khumbu hills and valleys.Approx. trekking time: 6 hours.

Accommodation

Local lodge/Gusethouse

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Maximum Altitude

We fly back to to Kathmandu, with one more opportunity for an aerial view of the mighty mountains and enjoy some last-minute Everest Panorama. The remainder of our day is at leisure to explore this fabled city on our own or for shopping.

Accommodation

Manaslu Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Maximum Altitude

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Accommodation

Meals

Breakfast

Maximum Altitude