Day 01: Kathmandu City Tour
Today, let’s explore the ancient richness of Kathmandu valley which stands shoulder to shoulder with the modern lifestyle of the city. Listed in the UNESCO World heritage site list, Kathmandu valley hosts some very sacred pilgrimages for Hindus (the Pashupatinath Temple) and the Buddhists (Swayambhunath Stupa or the Monkey Temple and Boudhanath Stupa). The Royal complex, better known as Durbar Square, host historical palaces, temples and statues, museums, intricate carvings on monuments, and so on. These heritages provide you the feeling of ‘time travel’ and a sense of relaxation. Today’s tour simply reflects the outstanding cultural and historical significance of the Kathmandu valley. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu to Shivalaya by Local Bus.
Our trek commences today as we take a drive to Shivalaya. After a succulent breakfast at the hotel, you shall be accompanied by our guide. Our vehicle maneuvers through the busy and noisy streets of Kathmandu, past the Newar dominated towns of Banepa and Bhaktapur. The driving route follows the Bhote Koshi River all the way up to a Tamang village. From here, we drive alongside the Tama Koshi River until we finally arrive at Jiri. Owing to its splendid natural beauty, Jiri is often given the nomenclature of “Switzerland of Nepal” and is gradually becoming the start off point for most of the treks on the Everest region. From Jiri we head onwards Shivalaya which is our last destination of the day. The residents here comprise of the ethnic mix of Gurungs, Sherpas, Brahmins, and Magars etc. Stay overnight at Shivalaya.
Day 03: Trek from Shivalaya to Sete 2575m (5/6 hrs)
Today we start our adventurous trek and this trails offers us beautiful country side scenery as we pass many down hills and uphill’s till reach to a Sherpa village with huge Tibetan Buddhist monuments situated on the meadow and terrace field. Our trek leads to a downhill at Likhu Khola, after crossing the bridge at 1580m, the winding path leads us to a small nice village at Kinja. After lunch we make a slow long uphill climb to Lamjura pass with great excellent views of the surrounding landscapes and distance villages and after few hours of long haul, finally reaching at Sete, a small Sherpa village which is situated on the ridge in the middle of the rhododendron forest. Stay overnight at Sete.
Day 04: Trek from Sete to Junbesi 2670m (6/7 hrs)
Today’s walk leads to a long but gradual climb to Lamjura Pass at 3,530m. There you are rewarded with the frost and often snow along the trail in winter or with flowering rhododendrons in the spring. Goyem pass at 3300m is the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar. Now from the top we shall descend to Taktor and then to the Sherpa village of Junbesi. Stay overnight at Junbesi.
Day 05: Trek from Junbesi to Nunthala 2220m (6/7 hrs)
As we cross the stream beyond Junbesi & climb up the forest slope, after an hour’s trek, the mesmerizing views of the Himalaya Mountains appear before our eyes. The mountains that can be seen include Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Thamserku, Mera Peak, and many other high mountains. This is the first view of Everest on our trek, although the lower peaks look closer and higher than the distant 8,000 meter high mountains. Continue the trail to Salung and descend to Ringmo Khola. Ascend to Ringmo, cross the Takshindo La pass and descend to Takshindo. After another hour’s descent through conifer and rhododendron forests, and terraced fields, we finally arrive at Nunthala. Stay overnight at Nunthala.
Day 06: Trek from Nunthala to Bupsa 2360m (6/7 hrs)
From Nunthala our path descent which continues to the Dudh Koshi River Bridge and the trail lead through terraced fields and yards of houses. Walk continues through forests then climb on the terraces to reach the Rai village of Jubing (1,667m/5467ft). From Jubing the path took us a slow climb to the village around a ridge, and continues to the village of Khari Khola to push on up the steep hill to Bupsa. Stay overnight at Bupsa.
Day 07: Trek from Bupsa to Surke 2290m (6/7 hrs)
The trail moves up from Bupsa which heads onward to Bhumsing (2,300m). Before, we climb through a tributary valley filled with prickly oak and rhododendron, where languor monkeys may sometimes be seen. We then move downward 305m and cross the next tributary one hour later. To reach Puiyan (2,796m), we need to continue walking on the north side of the valley. The small village on the midway to Surke is an idol spot for lunch stop. From Surke, we can view the Lukla airstrip and the town of Lukla. An hour walk downward will bring us at Surke for the overnight stop. Stay overnight at Surke.
Day 08: Trek from Surke to Phakding 2610m (5/6 hrs)
After breakfast we start to climb to north to Chaurikharka (2,713m/8898ft) a large scattered village with monastery and high school. Chaurikharka is also the bread basket for the Khumbu area because the land is very fertile for barley, wheat and enough green vegetables. Today our trail joins from Lukla towards Phakding, making the path quite busy with more trekkers, porters and pack animals and few hours of good scenic walk brings you at Phakding for the overnight. Stay overnight at Phakding.
Day 09: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazzar 3440m (5/6 hrs)
Walking through a beautiful pine forest, the track leads us along the Dudh Koshi River through many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, we catch wonderful prospect of the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). Through the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, we come to the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours we get first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. We stop at Chautara to admire the view. We still need to hike about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Day 10: Rest Day
Starting early in the morning, we can have a short walk uphill’s to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarter, a beautiful spot perched on the top of Namche bazaar, with some breathtaking views of the surrounding and the deep valleys way down below. We can enjoy the beauty of Namche’s quaint village as well as friendliness and hospitality of its local people. We will spend time by resting and trekking high altitudes, this will allow our bodies to become acclimatized to the altitude of 3,450m. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Day 11: Trek from Namche Bazzar to Tengboche 3860m (5/6 hrs)
Today after breakfast we start our trek with pleasant walk through the forest with magnificent view of mountains. The great view of the mighty peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde peak with view of the eastern snow capped mountains. The trail leads uphill through the forested path and the hardly walk to get to Tengboche. One of the most beautiful place in the Himalaya and the first thing that comes to your eye is the big Monastery, then the large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the towering majestic beautiful peak Ama Dablam. Stay overnight at Tengboche.
Day 12: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche 4410m (5/6 hrs)
Mountains as a backdrop, the monastery in Tengboche looks spectacular more in the morning. We snap pictures of the monastery and the sceneries around and as usual start the day journey. We choose the upper trail for better views to visit Pangboche village and its ancient Monastery. We pass through several Chorten and Mani walls and small villages. We enjoy lunch with fantastic close-up views of Ama-Dablam. In the afternoon, go north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. From here onwards the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley. The valley ahead will begin to open up as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River, we descend into the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche On arrival in Dingboche, we enjoy the beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect the barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Stay overnight at Dingboche.
Day 13: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche 4910m (4/5 hrs)
Leaving Dingboche, the trail leads us uphill to a small prayer monument and past the village down below with awesome views of surrounding snow-capped peaks. After a walk for about two hours, we reach Duglha. There’s a short steep climb on the moraine to a row of stone monuments, established in the memory of six Sherpas and climbers who perished as the result of an avalanche at Lobuche. Stay overnight at Lobuche.
Day 14: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5140m) (2/3 hrs) and hike to EBC 5364m (2.5 hrs)
After breakfast we continue our trek in a windy and rocky path with the wonderful view of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Nuptse and other magnificent peaks. After check in the hotel at Gorakshep we continue climb to the top of Kala Patthar (the famous view point). This small peak offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Pumori and Ama Dablam you can get without climbing and later on stroll back to Gorakshep for the night. Stay overnight at Gorakshep.
Day 15: Early morning hike to Kala Patthar for sunrise then trek back to Pheriche 4240m (5/6 hrs)
Today is the climax of our trip. We start early in the morning to catch the dramatic views from Kala Patthar witnessing the first light of day shining on Mount Everest. However, we need to get prepared for an early morning, dark and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C) departure beforehand. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself emerging between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse. During the ascent to Kala Patthar we can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding view points to snap pictures. After several hours of an ascent, we reach Kala Patthar. From here we scramble to climb the rocky outcrop near to the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags. As we reach the top, we sit on the Kala Patthar rocks our eyes taking in the unbelievable Himalayan Panorama, wandering from one mighty massif to another. We take as many pictures as we can with our camera and take the in view with our mind’s eye to last lifetime. On being back to Gorakshep, we have breakfast followed by a gradual descend down to Pheriche for a good night’s rest. Stay overnight at Pheriche.
Day 16: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazzar 3440m (5/6 hrs)
Today you feel much better when you descent already from the Everest Base Camp. You have to back the same way passing through the Pangboche, Tengboche, Fungethanga, Lausasa and Kyanjuma. You may see some wild animal and birds if you are lucky. Himalayan Thar, Blue Ship and Musk Deer can see around. The national bird of Nepal Lophophorus (Danphe) also can see near to the Namche Bazaar. You can explore sometimes in Namche Bazaar again if you arrive earlier and manage your time. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Day 17: Trek from Namche Bazzar to Lukla 2840m (6/7 hrs)
Finally we return to Lukla where we started our trek, which might seem like a lifetime ago. We’ll spend some time enjoying and reflecting on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. We also have some spare time to explore the town some more. Stay overnight at Lukla.
Day 18: Lukla to Kathmandu by Air and transfer to hotel.
Most of the time you have a morning flight so you should be prepared to go to the airport on time. You should have very nice and 45 minute’s scenic flight to Kathmandu. After an early morning flight to Kathmandu our guide transfer you to your hotel. You may have time to relax after long journey and take back your breath and rest at your hotel with ending your Himalayan trip with us. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
