Tour Overview
Shrouded in clouds and steeped in tales of tragedy and triumph, Mt. Everest is a more than a mountain; it is the stuff of legends. On this trek through the foothills of Everest, you have the opportunity to experience the majesty of this massive peak without risking life and limb to climb it!Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu, NepalOn arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, enjoy an early afternoon exploratory walk in the old part of Kathmandu; wander past the vegetable and spice markets, beautifully carved old houses, stupas and temples, cows pestering the vegetable vendors and more. The Shangri-la Hotel is a luxury 4* hotel located in the quiet diplomatic enclave, just 7 kilometers from the airport and 2 kilometers from the heart of the city. The rooms are furnished in contemporary elegance, fully air-conditioned and heated with individually controlled thermostats, complimented by an excellent variety of dining, sports and recreational facilities, Shangri-La is the perfect blend of international standards and grateful tradition. The Hyatt Regency resort hotel is situated about 10km from the city center on the road to the Boudhanath Stupa- the most holy of Tibetan Buddhist shrines outside Tibet. The hotel is only 4km from the airport and very close to shopping areas. The Boudhanath Stupa is within 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel. The hotel is also host to the Club Oasis Spa, a sanctuary of calm in Kathmandu.
Hotel Shangri-La Kathmandu or Hyatt Regency Day 2: Kathmandu- Lukla- Monjo
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and the landing at the small mountain airstrip is something you will be talking about for many years to come. The scenery is fantastic and as you fly like an insect up the vast valleys towards Lukla, the giants of the world appear on the horizon. After landing on the newly resurfaced airstrip, you will probably have a cup of tea in one of the lodges in Lukla before starting your trek. It is about a 2-hour trek to Phakding (8,692 feet) where you will stop for lunch. After lunch we trek down a steep, stony path to meet the trail coming up through Chaurilkarka. You will encounter porters, local Sherpa villages, trekkers and the ‘dzo’ (a cross between a yak and a cow) that is normally used to carry the trek supplies. The path contours the mountainside, past lodges and the small hamlets of Ghat, a couple of new, large suspension bridges, and under large cliffs with trickling Chumoa. Before you get to Monjo, have tea at Benkar at a lovely lodge in a wild spot. Memories of the day will include the sounds of porters with transistor radios, a cacophony of different languages, and strange sounding birds, the sights of porters and loads resting on sticks outside tea houses, panting, sweating, tired Westerners on their way back to Lukla, prayer flag poles, the gaudy colors of the tea houses and of course, the dramatic scenery. Monjo is a picturesque small village comprising of about 25 houses and located at a small, narrow valley at the base of the Thanserku Mountains (21,730 feet) and Kaysaro and lies at an altitude of 9,350 feet. It is also at the junction between the Thamserku and Dudh Kosi Kholas and is just on the edge of Sagarmatha National Park.
Breakfast, lunch, Dinner
Everest Summit Lodge Day 3: Trek to Namche
This will be one of the harder days physically on your trek but take it slow; the path itself is full of interesting sights. Not least of these will be your first view of Everest, as you get higher up the trail. After about 15 minutes walk from Monjo, you will reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking permits, and especially the park ticket is checked to keep a record of all trekkers going in and out including the local trekking staff.
From here there is a short descent to Jorsalle village, the last village until Namche Bazaar. You will continue to trek by the river until the last bridge over the Imjatse River is reached. From here the walk is along a winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with views of Kwangde peak and its other sister peaks to the east, with Kusum kangru behind you as you climb higher. There are also views of the Mt. Everest-Nuptse wall, Lhotse and a closer view of Taweche peak, which can be seen all the way up to Top Danda, where there’s a resting stonewall for the porters and trekkers. There is still another 1-2 hour walk approx, which brings you to the famed Namche Bazaar, with its colorful houses situated in an amphitheatre U-shaped bowl. The narrow streets at its center are a mixture of Internet cafes, souvenir shops and places where you can rent/buy any piece of equipment under the sun. You have the afternoon to explore this little mountain town, visit the local monastery or just lay back and relax. The narrow streets at its center are a mixture of Internet cafes, souvenir shops and places where you can rent/buy any piece of equipment under the sun. Approx. 3-4 hours
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Zhamling Guest House- Namche Bazaar Day 4: Rest Day at Namche
Acclimatization in Namche for further trek. Suggested activities include a short walk uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, a magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped giants and the valleys way down below. There is also an interesting museum with all kinds of information regarding the history of the Himalayas, its geography, culture, mountaineering history and information on flora and fauna of this region. You can then enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Zhamling Guest House – Namche Bazaar Day 5: Trek to Tashinga
After leaving Namche and climbing to the top of the ridge, you come to a level mountain path that offers an excellent panorama of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kusum Kangrib. To the right there is a steep cliff that drops down to the Dudh Kosi, faintly visible on the valley floor below. As you make your way around a branch ridge, Ama Dablam (6812m), Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse (7855m), and Tawetse (6501m) suddenly appear. The path to Tashinga is almost level, ahead and undoubtedly you will be passing trains of yaks, dzos and porters. En route you will visit traditional Sherpa villages of Kunde and Khumjung. In Khunde you can visit the Kunde Hospital funded by Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. After 30 minutes walk you come to the beautiful village of Khumjung and an opportunity to visit one of its monastery, the only monastery that has a Yeti scalp. After this the path moves down into the forest and after a few more teahouses, traverses across to the village of Tashinga. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the surroundings with the option of taking a short hike in the area.
Approx. 3 hrs.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Everest Summit Lodge – Tashinga Day 6: Trek to Tengboche and back to Tashinga
This morning, looking across the valley, you can see the path sloping diagonally up towards the famous monastery of Tengboche, but first you have to descend to the river. This takes half an hour to an hour, descending steeply in a series of zigzags to the Dudh Kosi River. Here you cross a suspension bridge in the lee of a gigantic overhanging cliff (10,498ft-3200m). A little way further on is a small hamlet, Phunki Thangkha, where you could stop for a cup of tea. It is 2-3 hours from the bridge to reach the monastery at a slow, even pace. At first you climb steeply up through a pine forest, thankfully in the shade, and then emerge to walk up a long gentle straight path that rises like a ramp to the monastery. Emerging at the top, there is a mandala gateway and a huge chorten, which are passed before your first sight of the gompa. The setting is nothing short of magic and it is incredible to think that the temple was burnt down only a few years ago and was re-built largely through the efforts of the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. There is a very good Visitors Center and in the afternoon it is possible to sit down inside the temple for afternoon prayers. Conch shells are blown, the monks arrive and visitors are expected to sit quietly on the right hand side of the temple. Then sadly it is time to leave and return down the trail and back up through the forest to Tashinga. Approx. 6hrs.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Everest Summit Lodge- Tashinga Day 7: Helicopter to Everest Base Camp- Kala Patthar- Kathmandu
In the morning you will board the helicopter and fly further towards Everest. You can see Everest Base Camp and Kala Pathar and of course a close up of Mt. Everest. You also have a good view of the icy-glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier and the rocky moraine dunes. The helicopter will fly back to Lukla for refueling and back to Kathmandu in time for lunch. This journey will leave you with everlasting memories of the majestic Himalayas. Afternoon: Free/at leisure in Kathmandu.
Breakfast
Hotel Shangri-La Kathmandu or Hyatt Regency Day 8: Kathmandu
In the morning, visit Swayambhunath and Kathmandu City. Afternoon is free for you to do last minute shopping or rest. Swayambhunath: It is one of the world's greatest Buddhist Stupas. Painted on the four-sides of the spire bases, are the never sleeping eyes of Lord Buddha, always keeping a close watch over the Valley from the top of a hillock. It lies 3 km west of the city and situated about 77m above the level of the Valley. It is said to be 2000 years old. The stupa, which forms the main structure, is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gild. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagodas temples. Kathmandu City: Here you will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. Kasthamandap – the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree. Evening: Farewell dinner at one of Nepal’s finest restaurant.
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Shangri-La Kathmandu or Hyatt Regency Day 9: Depart Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for the final departure.
Breakfast
