Day 01: KATHMANDU ARRIVAL
You will be met and assisted at the airport and transferred to your Hotel– Transfer to Hotel Vaishali.
Day 02: KATHMANDU (Sightseeing Day)
After breakfast, sightseeing to Pashupatinath and Budhanilkanta with guide and transportation.
Pashupatinath, the most sacred of all Hindu temples in Nepal situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Non Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple precincts but may observe from the opposite bank. Pashupatinath draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and devotees from Nepal and India during the festival of Mahashivaratri (the night of Lord Shiva).
Budhanilkantha is situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the valley. It is about 9 km from the city center. The hub of the temple complex is a pond in which lies a 5 meter (17 feet) long great stone figure of Hindu God Bishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. The figure has been estimated to have been buried in the ground in its original state for more than a thousand years. It is also known as Bhuijasi. Hindus throng to this sacred pilgrimage almost every day to perform pujas but a great number of worshippers can be seen in various festivals, especially on Haribodhini Ekadashi that falls between October/November, the day believed that the sleeping Lord Bishnu wakes up.
Day 03: KATHMANDU – LUKLA (FLIGHT) – CHUMAO (9000'/2743m)
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla has to be one of the most spectacular in the World. Small aircraft fly this route which is a contrast of the rugged foothills of Nepal to the south and the snowline of the Himalayan range to the north. The landing at Lukla airstrip (9184'/2800m) adds considerably to the general excitement and expectation. After a sort out and a cup of tea the trail leads northwest and descends to the river at Phakding (8698'/2652m).The trail leads to the attractive fir forested areas near the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park and we overnight at Chumoa. Time 5 and half hours.
Day 04: CHUMAO (9000'/2743m) –NAMCHE (11300'/3445m)
Another good reason for the longish first day is that the plod up the steep hill to Namche is better done when fresh and fit in the early morning. Near the halfway point up the hill views of Everest (29028'/8848m) and Lhotse (27938'/8516m) come into sight. Namche is the most prosperous and largest town in Khumbu. A traditional trading center, the Bazar is held every Saturday. The wares on display include grains and vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets as well as hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots. Thamserku (21806'/6648m) and Kwangde (20417'/6224m) loom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila (18729'/5707m) dominates the skyline to the north behind the village. Time: 6 hours.
Day 05:NAMCHE (11300'/3445m) ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
We take a rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimation and to possibly enjoy one of the local excursions. We can hike up above Namche to the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor's Center and Museum, where there are terrific views of the Everest region and numerous educational displays on the culture, geography, geology, climatology, and wildlife within the park and the Khumbu region. It is also possible to make a short but steep hike up to Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel. For those up to it, a full-day trek to the village of Thame through the picturesque valley of Nangpo Tsangpo leading to Cho Oyu is also possible.
Day 06: NAMCHE (11300'/3445m) - THYANGBOCHE (12670'/3863m)
Today we descend into the deep Dudh Kosi gorge and come to a fir forest where we begin to climb steeply to the site of the famous Tengboche Monastery, destroyed by a fire in early 1989, but now rebuilt. Arriving at the top of the ridge, Ama Dablam (24,494') and the great massif of Everest (Sagarmatha or Chomolungma – 29,028') hover majestically above us. Tengboche Monastery, a training center for new monks is the spiritual center of the Khumbu,. The Rimpoche of Tengboche reside here and the area is considered holy; nothing may be hunted or killed. Expeditions to the world's highest peaks have traditionally stopped here to receive the blessing of the high lama. We will overnight at a lodge nearby.
Day 07: THYANGBOCHE (12670'/3863m) - PHERICHE (13946/4252M) / DINBOCHE (14,000')
The descent from Thyangboche leads through fir and rhododendron up to the spectacular little bridge across the Imja Khola leading to the village of Pangboche. The ascent continues through more open country now as the tree line is left behind. Down and across the river again leaving the main Everest trail and gradually climbing up to the attractive village of Dingboche possibly the highest spot in the world where barely anything grows. The Himalayan Rescue Association has an aid post just over the hill at Pheriche. Time: 5 hours.
Day 08:PHERICHE (13946/4252M) / DINBOCHE (14,000') ACCLIMATIZE DAY
A day's walk up to Chukung is highly recommended. The route gradually extends to the few scattered stone huts that make up the settlement. To the south are ever changing views of Ama Dablam and to the north the massive wall on the Nuptse ridge and the south face of Lhotse. With an early start, the energetic can climb Chukung Ri. Time: 5 hours (return trip).
Day 09:PHERICHE (13946/4252M) / DINBOCHE (14,000') – LOBUCHE (16175'/4931m)
The route traverses across the slopes over a ridge staying above the village of Pheriche and joins the main trail below Thugla. There are fine views of Cholatse (21129'/6442m) across the valley. Turning east the trail climbs steeply up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier. Once on top it is a steady plod along the side of the moraine. Stark and rugged beauty almost creates a moonscape. Tawache and Nuptse are particularly spectacular from Lobuje, towering almost 2 kilometers directly overhead. Time: 5 hours.
Day 10: LOBUCHE (16175'/4931m) - GORAKSHEP (16863'/ 5140m)
Today an early start is essential. We will travel along the Khumbu Glacier through jumbled moraine and shattered rock to climb Kala Pattar (18188'/5545m) for views of the giants of the earth Pumori (23436'/7145m), Everest, the Tibetan peak Changtse (24764'/4501m) Nuptse, Lhotse, countless other needles and snow fluted ridges. Time: 6 hours.
A trip to the actual Base Camp of Everest is usually omitted. Views are obstructed by the Khumbu ice fall. Unless an expedition is actually at base camp a route can be difficult to find.
Day 11: GORAKSHEP (16863'/ 5140m) - LOBUCHE (16175'/4931m)
Hike to the Everest Base Camp and return to Lobuche for overnight. Views are obstructed by the Khumbu icefall.
Day 12: LOBUCHE (16175'/4931m)- PANGBOCHE (13005'/ 3965M)
After breakfast, descend down to Thugla across the valley via Pheriche, which takes about 1 and half hours. The Himalayan Rescue Association office is situated there. A two hour walk, after lunch at Pheriche crossing the Dudh Koshi River via Churo and Somare the trial reaches Pangboche village, where the oldest monastery in the whole of Khumbu area ia located.
Day 13: PANGBOCHE (13005'/ 3965M) - NAMCHE (11282'/3440m)
Today another early start is essential. We travel along the southeast gorge to Phortse, where the trial drops down to the Dudh Koshi River, which we cross and stop at Phortse Tenga. After lunch, the trial climbs up to Mongla and gradually drops down to Kyangjuma and then back to Namche.
Day 14: NAMCHE – CHUMOA
Drop down to Chumoa after lunch – a very short day of only 3 hrs.
Day 15: CHUMOA – LUKLA
Four and a half hour walk
Day 16: LUKLA – KATHMANDU BY FLIGHT 30 mins
One of the most thrilling take –offs in the world above the Dudh Koshi for the 30 minute flight back to Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
DAY 01. CHUMOA (9000'/2743m):
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla has to be one of the most spectacular in the World. Small aircraft fly this route of rugged foothills of Nepal immediately below and stretching away to the south contrasting with the snowline of the Himalayan range to the north. The landing at Lukla airstrip (9184'/2800m) adds considerably to the general excitement and expectation. After some time to organise and a cup of tea the trail leads northwest and descends to the river at Phakding (8698'/2652m).
The trail leads to the attractive fir forested areas near the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park and we overnight at Chumoa .Time 5 and half hours.
DAY 02. NAMCHE (11300'/3445m):
Another good reason for the longish first day is that the plod up the steep hill to Namche is better done when fresh and fit in the early morning. Near the halfway point up the hill views of Everest (29028'/8848m) and Lhotse (27938'/8516m) come into sight. Namche is the most prosperous and largest town in Khumbu. A traditional trading center the Bazar is held every Saturday and the wares on display include grains, vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets as well as hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots. Thamserku (21806'/6648m) and Kwangde (20417'/6224m) loom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila (18729'/5707m) dominates the skyline to the north behind the village. Time: 6 hours.
DAY 03. REST DAY IN NAMCHE BAZAAR FOR ACCLIMATION:
We take a rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimation and to take advantage of a number of local excursions. We can hike up above Namche to the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor's Center and Museum, where there are terrific views of the Everest region and numerous educational displays on the culture, geography, geology, climatology, and wildlife within the park and the Khumbu. It is also possible to make a short but steep hike up to Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel. For those up to it, a full-day trek to the village of Thame through the picturesque valley of Nangpo Tsangpo leading to Cho Oyu is possible.
DAY 04. THYANGBOCHE (12670'/3863m):
Today we descend into the deep Dudh Kosi gorge and come to a fir forest where we begin to climb steeply to the site of the famous Tengboche Monastery, destroyed by a fire in early 1989, but now rebuilt. Ama Dablam (24,494'), and the great massif of Everest (Sagarmatha or Chomolungma – 29,028') hover majestically above us as we arrive at the top of the ridge. A training center for new monks, Tengboche Monastery is the spiritual center of the Khumbu. The Rimpoche of Tengboche resides here and the area is considered holy; nothing may be hunted or killed. Expeditions to the world's highest peaks have traditionally stopped here to receive the blessing of the high lama. We will overnight at a lodge nearby.
DAY 05. PHERICHE (13946/4252M) / DINBOCHE (14,000'):
The descent from Thyangboche leads through fir and rhododendron trees up to the spectacular little bridge across the Imja Khola leading to the village of Pangboche. The ascent continues through more open country as we leave the tree line behind. Down and across the river again we leave the main Everest trail and gradually climb to the attractive village of Dingboche - possibly the highest spot in the world where hardly anything grows. The Himalayan Rescue Association has an aid post just over the hill at Pheriche. Time: 5 hours.
DAY 06. DINGBOCHE: A day for acclimatization and rest:
A day's walk up to Chukung is highly recommended. The route gradually extends to the few scattered stone huts that make up the settlement. To the south are ever changing views of Ama Dablam and to the north the massive wall on the Nuptse ridge and the south face of Lhotse. With an early start the energetic can climb Chukung Ri. Time: 5 hours (return trip).
DAY 07. LOBUCHE (16175'/4931m):
The route traverses across the slopes over a ridge staying above the village of Pheriche. It joins the main trail below Thugla where there are fine views of Cholatse (21129'/6442m) across the valley. Turning east the trail climbs steeply up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier. Once on top it is a steady plod along the side of the moraine. Stark and rugged beauty create a moonscape. Tawache and Nuptse are particularly spectacular from Lobuje, towering almost 2 kilometers directly overhead. Time: 5 hours.
DAY 08. GORAKSHEP (16863'/ 5140m):
Today an early start is essential. We travel along the Khumbu Glacier through jumbled moraine and shattered rock to climb Kala Pattar (18188'/5545m) for views of the giants of the earth Pumori (23436'/7145m), Everest, the Tibetan peak Changtse (24764'/4501m) Nuptse, Lhotse, countless other needles and snow fluted ridges. Time: 6 hours.
DAY 09 . LOBUCHE:
Hike to the Everest Base Camp and return to Lobuche overnight. Views are obstructed by the Khumbu icefall.
DAY 10. PAGBOCHE (13005'/ 3965M):
After breakfast, we descend down to Thugla across the valley via Pheriche, which takes about 1 and half hours and where the Himalayan Rescue Association office is situated. After lunch, a two hour walk takes us to Pheriche, where we cross the Dudh Koshi River via Churo and Somare. We finally reach Pangboche village, where the oldest monastery in the whole of Khumbu area is located.
DAY 11. NAMCHE (11282'/3440m):
An early start is essential. Our walk to day starts as we travel along the southeast gorge to the small but beautiful village of Phortse. The trial drops down to the Dudh Koshi River, where we cross and stop at Phortse Tenga for lunch. The trial climbs to Mongla before gradually dropping to Kyangjuma and then back to Namche.
DAY 12. CHUMOA:
Drop down to Chumoa after lunch – a very short day of only 3 hrs.
DAY 13. LUKLA (9200'/ 2804m):
Four and half hour walk.
DAY 14. KATHMANDU:
One of the most thrilling take–offs in the world above the Dudh Koshi for the 30 minute flight back to Kathmandu.
