Tour Overview
The Everest region has been a magnet for trekkers for decades, but physically getting there has traditionally been a long, tiring and even uncomfortable journey. However, recently, with the building of a series of luxury lodges, we can walk among the world's highest mountains and retire to a proper bedroom with en suite facilities each evening. The traditionally-built lodges are beautifully situated amid pretty Sherpa villages and offer magnificent views. We visit the famous monastery at Thyangboche and the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar, as well as exploring temples, palaces and bazaars in Kathmandu Valley, all in comfort!
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1Start Kathmandu.
Day 2
Today there is a half-day tour of Kathmandu, led by a trained local guide. The tour visits the Durbar Square in the heart of the old city. Here is the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving and four fine towers. All around is a maze of temples and images, such as the terrifying Black Bhairab. Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing – you may like to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. There will also be a full trek briefing today.
Day 3
We take the short but spectacular mountain flight to Lukla (2,800m.), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'Milk River'). We descend from the small plateau, which only just manages to hold Lukla airstrip, down into the forested valley. The trail crosses several tributary streams and we have some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m.). Here we cross the Dudh Kosi by the first of several bridges built by the Himalayan Trust. Continuing gradually up the valley the trail undulates through the forest through Benkar and Chumoa before reaching Monzo where we spend the night. The Everest Summit Lodge at Monzo is perched above the village at 2,850 m. at the base of Mount Thamserku and overlooking the Dudh Kosi River. (Today's walk is about 5 hours. If the Lukla flight is delayed we may have to stay in Lukla tonight and walk to Monzo tomorrow).
Day 4
This morning there is an acclimatisation walk to Thakcho Hill, which lies a little above 3,000m. From this vantage point there are spectacular views of Kongdi Ri, Karyolung, Numbur and Thamserku. The walk will take about 4 hours.
Day 5
We follow the Dudh Kosi further north, crossing from one bank to the other. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia trees, and both in spring and autumn the ground is bright with flowers. After Jorsale (2,805m.) the trail climbs over a spur and alongside a dripping moss-grown cliff, to cross the west fork of the river, the Bhote Kosi, and start the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. About 300 m. up this ascent we should have a first view, cloud permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. Another 300m. of climbing brings us to Namche Bazaar, administrative centre of the Khumbu region and headquarters for the Mount Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre with a weekly market at which fresh foodstuffs brought up from lower villages are exchanged for the money which many Sherpa families earn from their work with mountaineering and trekking groups. The narrow streets are a mix of souvenir shops, some of the highest cyber cafes in the world and places where you can rent or buy any piece of equipment under the sun!
Day 6-7
We have a day walk today to the famous monastery at Thyangboche, which we can see high up on a ridge across the valley from our lodge. To get there we first have to descend through the woods to the Dudh Kosi and the small settlement of Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m. Here the flow of the river is used for both secular and sacred tasks, turning several flour mills as well as a series of prayer wheels. Climbing steeply beyond these we enter forest again and continue climbing, passing a number of Mani stones. These rocks, carved with Buddhist inscriptions, most often the invocation Om Mane Padme Hum 'O hail the jewel in the lotus', are to be found along all the trails in this region. We continue climbing up to the saddle of a hill where in a clearing surrounded by rhododendrons and conifers we come to Thyangboche at 3,867m. The fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us includes Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Thyangboche has long been a sacred spot. The Lama Sange Dorje, who first brought Buddhism to the region, is said to have flown from his monastery in Tibet over the Himalaya, landing and leaving his footprints here and at Pangboche. Visitors should be careful to respect the spirit of this special place, particularly by observing the ban on killing or hurting any living creature in the area. Because of the ban the wildlife is unusually unafraid and previous groups have spotted musk deer in the area. Although the monastery was burnt down a few years ago, the reconstruction has progressed very quickly, thanks to a magnificent fund raising effort on the part of Sir Edmund Hillary. We will have lunch at Thyangboche with time to enjoy the views and there will be time to look round the monastery and Visitors' Centre before returning the same way to our lodge at Tashinga for the night.
Day 8-9
Today we have a day walk to Thame, the village where Sherpa Tenzing Norgay lived with his first wife. The trail descends at first to cross a bridge across the roaring Bhote Kosi. From the river the trail climbs again, zig zagging across ancient moraine at first and then passing the inviting pools of an icy side stream. Finally we reach Thame where we will have lunch in the teahouse owned by Apa Sherpa, who in 2007 summited Everest for the 17th time. The village consists of scattered houses and enclosed fields with a backdrop of huge snow and ice peaks. The energetic can visit the monastery, which sits about an hour's walk above the village. Over 600 years old, it is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. The Mani stones on the way up are particularly interesting and the temple has a lovely atmosphere. In the afternoon we return to our lodge at Mende.
Day 10-11
We retrace our steps through rhododendron and pine forests, past Benkar and Phakding to Chaunrikhara. Here we leave the main trail and climb the short distance to Lukla where we stay in the last Everest Summit Lodge.
Day 12
We fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for shopping or sightseeing.
Day 13
End Kathmandu after breakfast.
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