Day 01: Kathmandu, Nepal
On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight.
Hotel Yak and Yeti, is a premier five-star deluxe oasis in the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal. Modern day sophistication greets cultural heritage in the ample grounds of the 100-year-old palace and newly designed structure of the hotel. Find refuge among antique fountains, gilded temples and emerald gardens as you remain just moments away from all the shops and adventure of the Kathmandu city, located at Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal.
This afternoon, you will 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. Yak & Yeti Hotel (D)Day 02: Kathmandu (4,265 FT ELEVATION)
Today you will enjoy a half-day of sight seeing in Kathmandu, followed by a briefing and last minute shopping for your Everest Base Camp trek.
The Kathmandu Valley is the historical center of Nepal, and each of its three cities Kathmandu, Patan and Bhakatapur - has a strong artistic and architectural tradition. Today’s sightseeing tour of Kathmandu will include the following:
The Temple of the Living Goddess - The Kumari Devi: Chosen at the age of four or five, the Kumari Devi is the most important of the several living goddesses in Nepal. Selected using very strict criteria, she moves into the temple with her family, leaving only to attain a few festivals each year Durbar Square: ‘Durbar’ means ‘palace’, and takes its name from the old Royal Palace (no longer inhabited by the King). The center of the old city, there are number of other interesting temples including Kasthamandap, (house of wood) which give the Kathmandu city its name.
Swayambhunath: Perched on a hill, this is one of the most popular symbols of Nepal. Its great stairway leads up to the temple complex dominated by the soaring central stupa, with the all - seeing eyes of Buddha gazing out over the valley in each direction from the four sides of a block on top of the spire. Believed to be over 2,000 years old, Swayambhunath was an important Buddhist center by the 13th century. Yak & Yeti Hotel (B)Day 03: Kathmandu - Lukla - Monjo (9317 FT)
Private transfer to the domestic airport for your (40-minute) flight to Lukla. Enjoy views of the Langtang and Jugal ranges surrounding the Kathmandu Basin. Fly over Rowling Himal where Gaurisankar and Menlungtse are particularly striking, and upon entering the Khumbu Region, the nose of the plane dips down for a thrilling, but safe, landing at Lukla.
Begin today’s (3-hour) trek in Lukla. As you pass through Lukla, with its hotels, teahouses and general stores, you begin a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Kosi. Nupla (5885m), which can be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop the Kongde Ridge. Descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m). The Dudh Kosi approaches; pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. Continue along a small path with many climbs and descents following the left bank of Dudh Kosi to Phakdingma. Start along a level path along the right bank of the river, Thamserku (6623m) looms skyward on the opposite bank. Cross a stream and climb the terraced hill from the Dudh Kosi route, to arrive at Bengar. Climb from the riverbed on the left bank into the mountain, through a forest to Chumoa. Continue along a path with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and pass by the tiny village of Monjo. Everest Summit Lodge – Monjo (B,L,D)Day 04: Monjo - Namch Bazaar (11,286 FT ELEVATION)
Descend the path of stone steps and return to the right bank over a wooden bridge. After a short climb you come to Josare’s teahouse and hotel, also stop at the National Park Service where a park entrance fee is collected.
Depart Josare, and enter a forested mountainside. Following a short walk along the riverbed of this V-shaped valley where the river forks - the right is the Dudh Kosi and the left is the Bhote Kosi that leads to Nampa La. After short distance along the Bhote Kosi, begin the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. As the mountain path zigzags uphill, you will emerge at a ridge top rest area that offers excellent views of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m). The climb eases somewhat, and Namche Bazaar appears ahead as you travel along the path surrounded by pines. Pass the plateau where the Saturday bazaar is held and enter the village. Namche Bazaar (3440m) is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges and opens out only where it faces the Bhote Kosi. The village is a central hub of the area and food, sundries and even mountain climbing equipment may be purchased here. Zhamling Guest House – Namche Bazaar (B,L,D)
Day 05: Namche Bazaar - Tashinga (11800m)
Leave Namche Bazaar, a short climb towards National Park headquarter, then there is a pleasant walk with switchbacks. Spectacular views of Thamserku, Amadablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and Everest are seen from the trail. A short descent will takes you to a pleasant village of Sanasa with few teahouses and souvenirs shops. Then the trail makes a short descent to Tashinga. Everest Summit Lodge – Tashinga (B,L,D)Day 06: Tashinga - Pangboche (13123 ft)
Descend past two teahouses and through the village of Trashinga. Though you cannot see it, you can hear the Dudh Kosi and soon you descent to the river and arrive at Phunki Tenga.
It is a long climb to Tengboche; the first half is especially steep. As you climb through the forested zone, the incline eases and a splendid view appears. Continue climbing the mountainside diagonally until you come to the stone gate built by lamas which marks your entry into Tengboche (3860m). There are a lodge and hotel managed by the National Park Service.
Tengboche is an important lookout point on this course, and the sunset on Everest and Ama Dablam is especially beautiful. Leave Tengboche and the Khumbu mountains as a backdrop-and descend a rhododendron covered area to emerge to a pleasant level area. Pass a long main stone wall to enter the village of Deboche. Go on to Minlinggo and leave the mountain path to cross over a suspension bridge to the left bank of the Imja Khola. Climb the mountain path while looking up at Ama Dablam and Kantega (6779m) appears on the opposite bank. Ascend the chorten-lined route, come to a fork, the upper path passes Pangpoche Terin and a monastery, but you will take the lower path to Pangpoche Olin and its stone wall-enclosed potato field. Everest Summit Lodge – Pangboche (B,L,D)Day 07: Pangboche - Dingboche (14469 ft)
Pass through the village and cross a stream to a path skirting a rocky area to terraced hills along the riverbank.
The trails climb slowly, winding above the Imjatse River, to a big main Stupa. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with views of the eastern snow capped mountains including the Island Peak or Imjatse (6,189m), Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Local Lodge - Dingboche (B,L,D)Day 08: Dingboche (14,469 FT ELEVATION)
Today is a very important acclimatization day. The day is spent visiting the monastery in Dingboche, famous for its Yeti scalp and hand, and then exploring the Imja Khola. There are some breathtaking views of the North face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge as we explore this beautiful valley that leads up to Island Peak. The days walk is usually short with a good chance to relax in the afternoon and either do some washing photography, reading, writing, etc. or just laze in the sun. Local Lodge - Dingboche (B,L,D)Day 09: Dingboche - Loboche (16,175 FT ELEVATION)
Our onward journey leads north, and the path heads up for about 50 minutes until you come to a main-prayer stupa. The trail is gentle looking down to Pheriche village below. Today's walk offers views of the Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north-Pokalde (5,741m), Kongma-tse (5,820m) and the great wall of Nuptse. After a walk of 1 ˝ to 2 hours the trail from Pheriche joins near Dugla (4595m) before a small wooden bridge over the river of Khumbu glacier. You will stop at Dugla, for lunch, before continuing for an hour up a steep hill to the top, where there are views of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. This is a good spot for a short break. There is another 1 ˝ to 2 hours of trekking up to Loboche, hidden and sheltered from the wind. Himalayan Chain Resort – Loboche (B,L,D)Day 10: Loboche – Everest Base Camp - Gorakshep (16,959 FT ELEVATION)
The trek to EBC (Everest Base Camp – 5360m/17,585ft) from Loboche to Gorakshep follows the Khumbu glacier, sometimes on the moraine and sometimes on the glacier itself. The walk is especially intriguing for the views it has of the 15m high seracs of ice, a feature peculiar to Himalayan glaciers. EBC is not actually a specific site. Various expeditions have selected different locations as their semi-permanent camp during their assault on Everest. Infact the base camp is a small tented city by itself especially during the spring climbing season which is from April to May. From here walk is gradual till you reach the rocky spot after an hour walk. The views will be beyond your wildest imagination, with Everest seeming within a stones throw distance between the summit of Mt. Nuptse and Lho-La and Lhotse on the back. The panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish and you feel it’s worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world. With all the higher snow capped giants that dominate all around, it is truly a magnificent spot to be at on a clearer sunny day. After a great moment, an hour and half hours descent takes you back to Gorakshep. Local Lodge - Gorakshep (B,L,D)
Day 11: Gorakshep - Kalapathar - Pheriche (13,920 FT ELEVATION)
After a hot cup of tea, Coffee or hot chocolate we cross over the sandy basin of Gorakshep before we ascend steeply to Kalapathar (5545/18,192ft) , a small, rocky peak on the south west ridge of Pumori - a slow, steady pace, once again, being the best attack. Avoid rushing. Stop- and turn around; the scenery is fantastic! It is a hard climb, but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. Huge creaking glaciers surround us. The mountains of Khumbu are laid out in front of us; an incredible panorama comprising Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Tawache, Kangtega and Everest (Sagarmatha) - the highest mountain in the world. Hard work, yes, but the rewards are fantastic! After spending some time at the top we then descend to Goraskhshep for a warm breakfast. After our breakfast we then begin our long descent to Pheriche.
The descent to Pheriche is long because of the many uphill climbs from Gorakshep but fairly easy. Pheriche has become famous for its high altitude research center run by Himalayan Rescue Association. The center attracts world-renowned physicians who acquire data to analyze the effects of high altitude on human physiology. You will have time to visit the research center during our stay here and chat with the staff. Local Lodge - Pheriche (B,L,D)Day 12: Pheriche - Tengboche (12,687 FT ELEVATION)
Enjoy a morning visit to the research center (if you did not have time yesterday.) Then, trek back to Tengboche, an easier descent passing through rhododendron forest, continue walking Tengboche. Local Lodge - Tengboche (B,L,D)Day 13: Tengboche – Namche Bazaar (11,286 FT ELEVATION)
The walk from Tengboche is mostly downhill on the main busy trail with a few steep climbs for an hour from the bridge at Phungitenga, near to Shanasha. The walk to Namche is very scenic on a long winding path. Enroute you will visit traditional villages of Khumjung and Kunde, an opportunity to visit one of its monastery, the only monstery that has a Yeti Scalp. From Khumjung village another 30 minutes walk brings to the village of Kunde, where you can visit the Kunde Hospital funded by Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. After Kunde, a scenic and pleasant walk brings you to Namche for the overnight. Overnight in Guesthouse Zhamling Guest House – Namche Bazaar (B,L,D)
Day 14: Namche Bazaar - Lukla (9,186 FT ELEVATION)
The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote-Koshi River crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay. Overnight in Guesthouse Everest Summit Lodge – Lukla (B,L,D)Day 15: Lukla - Kathmandu
Transfer to Lukla airport for return flight to Kathmandu. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight. This evening, you will enjoy a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant. Yak & Yeti Hotel (B,D)Day 16: Kathmandu
A full day visit to Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and Patan, the city of art.
Pashupatinath: The temple of Shiva with a two-tiered golden roof situated on the banks of sacred Bagmati. This is the most important Hindu temple in Nepal and is also a cremation site for Hindus.
Boudhanath: The largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world, Boudhanath is the religious center for Nepal’s Tibetan community, and is in one of the few places in the would where Tibetan culture is unrestricted and accessible to outsiders. One of the major trade routes from Lhasa came through here, and Boudhanath lies at the Tibetan Traders entry to Kathmandu, where traveler’s still pray for a safe journey across the Himalayas or give thanks for a safe return.
Patan: also known, as Lalitpur is the second major city of the Kathmandu valley. This medieval city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, Guardian deities and wonderful carving. It is also known as the city of arts. The major attractions of Patan are Durbar Square, Krishna Mandir, and Kumbheshwor. Yak & Yeti Hotel (B)Day 17: Kathmandu - Depart
Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for your departure flight. (B)
