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 your 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!
Kathmandu Darbar Square – Swayambhunath – Patan
Our local tour leader meets us at the hotel in the morning. Prepare to discover the magical towns and cities of the Kathmandu Valley. The day begins with a tour of Kathmandu’s main sights, including Durbar Square, Teleju Temple and the House of the Living Goddess. Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and seat of Nepal’s old capital, from which the kings governed the ancient city. The square is a mix of Buddhist and Hindu architecture. The temples, stupas and statues here are the most beautiful buildings in Nepal. Durbar square often hosts festivals, weddings and other ceremonies. From there, we climb the many steps to Swayambhunath, another UNESCO site commonly known as the “Monkey Temple.” From here we enjoy panoramic views of Kathmandu, stretching out the foothills of the Himalaya.
We then drive to the nearby city of Patan, a renowned center of Nepalese arts and crafts. Patan was founded in 250AD and became known for producing fine works in copper, bronze and silver. You see many of these treasures on display at the new Patan Museum. If time permits, you head to the nearby Tibetan refugee camp for a demonstration in carpet weaving.
There will be a trek briefing this evening!!
Our trekking guide will pick you up at the hotel early morning and transfer to Kathmandu airport domestic terminal to catch flight to Lukla (2,810 m).The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes. Have a tea and coffee in Lukla. Then our trekking starts from Lukla. The trail contour through the Sherpa village and yak pasture land. Have a lunch in Thado Koshi (2,591 m) with stunning view of Kum Kangaru(6370 m). We will see the painted Mani wall in Ghat (chhuthawa) village. In the late afternoon we arrive to Phakding.
Our trekking starts after breakfast at mountain lodge. We cross long suspension bridge over the Dhudh Koshi River which is originated from Khumbu glacier. Today we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo village. We will have lunch in Jorsale(2,740 m).The trail goes ahead along the Dudhakoshi river. We cross anther suspension bridge in Larja Dobhan (2,830 m). From here the trail moves to steep staircase through pine forest. After half an hour steep walking you will see Mt Everest (8,848 m). The trail ascends until Namche Bazaar through the alpine forest. We will be delighted to see Namche Bazaar. The Namche bazaar is gate way of the Everest base camp trekking. Enjoy staying two nights here.
We spend today acclimatizing to the altitude. If it’s a clear morning and if we want can get up before breakfast and walk up to the National Park Museum for our first good view of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse.
After breakfast we have an easy acclimatization walk into the Thame Valley, a quiet side valley on the way to Tibet. The walk up to Thame valley is beautiful and is less visited by trekkers than the main trail to Everest Base Camp. The trail climbs steeply out of Namche and then contours around the valley on an easy trail through beautiful forest. We return to Namche for lunch and in the afternoon there is time to explore the Sherpa capital or visit the Everest National Park Museum or the Sherpa Cultural Centre.
We climb steeply out of Namche to the Everest View Hotel. This spectacularly situated hotel has wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam and is an ideal place for a tea break. Continuing on, we trek to the villages of Kunde and Khumjung set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. In Kunde you can visit the Edmund Hillary hospital, and in Khumjung we can see the Edmund Hillary School. There should also be time to visit Khumjung monastery, where for a small donation we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma.
The trek starts steep stone staircase over the Namche. After the top the trail becomes easier and trail contour the Dhudhkosi valley. By walking we can see incredible Khumbu valley with world highest mountains and Tengboche Monastery. After nearly 2 hours of walking we reach to Sanasa(3600m). Here have a few minutes rest before hard steep 2 hours climb to Mong Danda (3,973 m). From here we will see the magnificent views of Mt. Ama Sablam, Mt. Kangtaga and Mt. Thamserku with Dudhkosi valley. The trail climbs away from the Phortse Tenga passing through the Rhododendron and pine forest. Look out for Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer in the forest . After 20 m steep climb first appears Cho Oyu. We will cross the beautiful water fall and yak pasture. Then reach to Dole.
Today is easy day and better view of in our past days. From Dole the trail descend to stream than cross the wooden bridge. We will cross the few teahouses, the trail ascend one hour to top hill. We can take time here for picture. We will reach in Luza(4,390 m) after 1 hour 50 minutes walk from Dole. Here we can take rest and tea. From Luza trail becomes a ups along the side of valley than cross the more high pastureland and chorten with prayers flags. Many writers saying yeti killed the Sherpa women and Yak here. Form this hill enchanting view of eastern part Gokyo valley, Mt. Taboche and Mt. Cholatse. Then walk down to Machhermo valley.
The trail climbs the ridge of valley excellent view of Kantaga and big Mountain Cho-oyu. The tail becomes more ups to Kharka. Here few stone hoses, then trail will be easier to Pangka at 4,380 m. From here the tail will be narrow and steep climb close to the Ngozumpa glacier. The end of hard ascends cross the bridge over the stream which is flow from Gokyo Lake. This is the first small lake of Gokyo. From here the trail almost in level appears second lake at 4,720 m. It called Taujun Lake. Finally we will climb to the last lake of Dudha Pokhari at 4,750 m in Gokyo Lake (4,790 m).
Have a breakfast early in morning. Before climbing make sure we have water, some snacks and plenty of warm clothes. The trail climb steep ups directly above the Gokyo lake 2 and half hour hard climb to Gokyo-ri at 5,340 m. From the top great Himalayan views of world highest mountain with Makalu range better than Kala Pattar above the Gorkhashep. After taking picture all the way downhill to Gokyo Lake. Have lunch and rest two hours. If we’re feeling good we can hike to the oldest and longest glaciers of Khumbu valley.
From Gokyo the trail descends, looking at the views of the fine mountains and natural beauty, towards Thangna which is consider as the base of Cho -La Pass. Today is a long trek starting before sunrise at 4-5 am to reach the pass by 9-10 am otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect your journey. We cross over at an altitude of 5,300 meters. We could be exposed to strong winds if crossing too late. We start to climb steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. As we reach the top, we are rewarded by the magnificent views then you descend to the Dzongla at noon.
The trail continues along the moraine from Dzongla affording us splendid views of Kala Pattar and Pumori before we reach Lobuche. Today we walk around 4-5 hours.
From Lobuche in beginning we walk along the flat trial through yak pasture trail (50 minutes). Then we have to walk in glacier. The trail is rough and icy in some part. And we arrive to Gorak Shep (5,140 m). At this time the temperature is nearly 10 to 15 degree Celsius. We might feel fatigue. Have lunch and rest in Gorak Shep.
After light lunch we will start to trek to the Everest base camp (5364 m). The trail is narrow and rocky so that we suggest trekkers to concentrate their mind in trail before stepping. The Everest base camp is moving up and down every year because Khumbu glacier is moving to the down. In Everest base camp you can’t spend your overnight because there is no facility of tea houses. Only people stay at night in camp who are climbing to Mt. Everest. Trek back to Gorkhashep.
After breakfast around 5:00 am we will start to climb Kalapatthar (5,550 m). This morning we might feel chilly because temperature may go down -2 to -3 degree Celsius. After nearly two and half hour climbing, we will reach on top of the Kalapatthar (5,550 m). There we get little bit strong wind. Kalapatthar is one of the prime points for the massive view of Mount Everest (8,848 m). Enjoy the view of Mt. Everest and other towering mountains. Here we can see people sharing exciting moments each other. From here we also can see Everest base camp just below. After a while return back to Gorak Shep. Then return to Gorak Shep and have a tea and coffee. Trek back to Pheruche (4,240 m). 10h walking.
From Pheriche we will cross River which is origin from Everest base camp. The trail descend through the Yak pasture land with spectacular view of the Amadablum, Khantega and Thamserku mountains. After 4 hours walking you we arrive in Tengboche Monastery. The Monastery is the biggest monastery in mountain region in Nepal it is situated at 3,880 m. The trail decend to the Phungi Thanga through the rhododendron and pine forest after crossing suspension bridge over the Dudhakoshi river the tail ascend to the Sannasa. From here the trails gradually descend to the Namche Bazaar. 9 hrs walking.
We retrace your steps southwards with a final climb to the airstrip at Lukla.
We should pack up early in the morning. Then have a breakfast and hike down to Lukla airstrip. We fly back to Kathmandu and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Today is free day in Kathmandu. It is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to/or from Lukla.
In evening we can stroll around Thamel, the major tourist destination of Kathmandu. We can do some last minute shopping of souvenirs for our family and relatives followed with farewell dinner in one of the classical restaurants in the Valley.
Transfer to airport and depart for your homeward-bound flight.
Price: US$ 2,050 per person
Single Supplement: US$ 185
The best seasons are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for clear skies and stable weather.
Yes, due to the high altitudes. The itinerary includes acclimatization days to minimize risk, but it’s important to trek slowly and stay hydrated.
Yes, but both are limited and may require additional costs. Solar-powered charging is available in most teahouses.
Yes, insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency helicopter evacuation is mandatory.
While prior trekking experience is helpful, it’s not mandatory. You should have a good fitness level and be prepared for multi-day trekking at high altitudes.