Namaste! Welcome to Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4pm today. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe check out the storied stupas and pagodas of Swayambhunath (AKA the 'monkey temple') or take a walk around the local Durbar Square. If you’ve got limited time in the city, consider an immersive Urban Adventure like Spiritual Nepal Experience - learning about Buddhism in Boudhanath, meeting holy Hindu “sadhus” in Pashupatinath and more.
ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY DUE TO FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS:
Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly, which can result in the need for changes to be made to our intended itineraries. Flights throughout Nepal – particularly in high mountain areas – are often delayed or cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are particularly prone to these delays which has the potential to vary the itinerary of our tour departures. Our contingency plans in case of bad weather preventing the fixed wing aircraft flight from Kathmandu to Lukla are as follows:
Day 2 – We will attempt to board our booked fixed-wing plane as per the itinerary. If this flight is cancelled, we will return to our hotel in Kathmandu for an additional night.
Day 3 – We will again attempt to board our booked fixed-wing plane. If this flight is cancelled we will endeavour to charter a helicopter to transport the group, provided helicopters are available and weather does not prevent them from flying to Lukla.
Travellers will need to use their emergency fund to cover the cost of the chartered helicopter. The exact cost will depend on how many travellers are in your group and could be up to US 500. It is common practice for the helicopter company to charge varying prices, so you may pay different amounts to others on the flight. If we reach Lukla on day 3 by either fixed wing aircraft or helicopter we will then follow the same itinerary to Everest Base Camp but descend over one less day in order to take our return flight from Lukla on day 14.
Day 4 – If both fixed-wing planes and helicopters are unable to reach Lukla on the morning of day 3, then on day 4 we will travel by road to Phaplu (an approximately 9-hour drive by private vehicle) and then trek to Tengboche on the Everest Base Camp route via Lukla. While we will not be able to reach Base Camp itself on this altered itinerary, but our travellers have still found it a highly enjoyable trek with superb views of the ranges and Everest itself.
We also advise allowing a few extra days in Kathmandu at the end of your trip should your return flights from Lukla be delayed due to weather conditions.
Early this morning you’ll jump on a plane for a quick journey from Kathmandu to Lukla. This ain’t no regular flight though – you’ll be flying parallel to the giants of the Himalayas and, if the weather’s good, make sure to grab a seat on the left and stick your face up against the window for amazing views of the mountains bordering Nepal and China. Touch down on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. Then it’s time to meet your porters and take some time to warm up with an exploration of the village of Lukla. After a safety talk, gear up and begin your trek to Phakding. You’ll descend towards the milky white waters of the Dudh Kosi River, where you will join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka. The walk is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat, it’s only a short walk to Phakding. Enjoy some time to relax this evening and perhaps dig into some traditional Dal bhat (rice/lentil stew/vege) or momos (dumplings) to fuel up before tomorrow's trek.
Trek to picturesque Namche Bazaar, where you’ll spend a couple of days acclimatising to the altitude. Here, you’ll also get your first look at Everest itself – yeah, no big deal! From Phakding, cross the river and head up the valley, following in the footsteps of the porters loaded with supplies for Namche Bazaar. The trail, lined with blue pine forest, follows the river valley and is especially spectacular in spring when the rhododendron flowers are bright in bloom. Cross the Dudh Kosi River at Benkar, and look way up above 6000 metres/19,700 feet to see the peaks of snow-capped Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku. Press on to Monjo, a good place to break for lunch. From here the walk starts to get a little tougher, with a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. Enter into the national park, cross the river through the village of Jorsale, and then continue upstream. Cross another spectacular suspension bridge and begin the ascent to Namche Bazaar. Get your camera out as now there will be your first glimpse of the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche. Namche will be your last chance to check your equipment and hire any additional gear for the high altitudes from Dingboche onwards. We should also let you know that Namche Bakery has quite possibly got the best sweet treats on the mountain, you can either sit with a coffee and a brownie or take some baked goods away with you for your hike. Namche Bazaar is also the last chance for a hot shower, to enjoy the local nightlife or take to the pool hall and video parlours.
Stay at Namche Bazaar for another night so you can properly acclimatise to the altitude. One of the best ways to do this is to take a walk up to a high altitude then come back down to sleep. Remember, it doesn't matter how fit you are, anyone can be affected by the altitude, so have a chat to your doctor before you leave to talk about the symptoms and what to expect. Taking an optional walk towards Thami to see the sunrise or sunset views from the national park headquarters is also a great option. This stunning vista includes a super panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest. The national park headquarters are home to interesting displays about Sherpa lifestyle and culture, and the local flora and fauna. Rugs, clothing, salt and dried meat all do a roaring trade in the village centre, so haggle for any extra supplies you might need. Dried goat meat, anyone?
You might come to appreciate the term ‘short walking day’. Today will be just that on the way to Khumjung, the largest village in the region. Stop by the National Park Museum, a walk along the route marked by well-laid stone steps to the Everest View Hotel (at one time said to be the highest hotel in the world), and a visit to a hospital built by Sir Edmund Hilary. Continue the ascent alongside Everest panoramas of towering Himalayan snow peaks. Perhaps visit the nearby small hospital run by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust. Through a maze of narrow lanes you’ll reach the oldest monastery in the Everest region. For a small donation, the resident monk will proudly show a Yeti skull that is kept securely locked inside the monastery – yep, a yeti! Tonight you’ll stay in a lodge in Khumjung and dream of snow monsters.
Hit the Everest trail again and keep your eyes peeled for the Danphe pheasant (pretty bird) and Himalayan tahr (goat-like thing). Push on to super-chill Thyangboche. As far as monasteries go, this one takes the cake. If you don't feel a sense of calm sitting at 3,860 metres/12,664 feet in Nepal's spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism while looking at Mt Everest, then you might be a robot. Perhaps stop off for a hard-earned coffee and cake from the Khumjung bakery. Rejoin the trail to Everest, enjoying views of Kantega and Ama Dablam along the way!
Everest is so close you could touch it. We know you're excited but pace yourself because altitude sickness can sneak up when you least expect it. Rise above the tree-line and gradually climb to the village of Pangboche, indulging in lunch where the peak of Ama Dablam dominates the skyline. Follow the trail high above the Imja Khola, passing the tea houses at Orsho, before again crossing the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines to a lodge in Dingboche. Here you’ll find a beautiful patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. These walls protect crops of barley and potatoes from the cold winds. The scenery is once again spectacular and although Everest will be hidden behind the Lhotse-Nuptse Ridge, the huge peaks that tower above the eastern end of the valley are more than worthy. If the weather’s right, then there will be ridiculously gorgeous sunsets illuminating the peaks – Ama Dablam, the south face of Lhotse to the north, and also Island Peak in the centre of the valley. Looking for a cute and cosy cafe to unwind in on arrival? Look no further than Cafe 4410, they even screen daily sherpa docos and you can learn more about the community here.
Today is another acclimatisation day, and you’ll stay in Dingboche for another night. There are a few different trails that you can hike, with day hikes to Ama Dablam base camp, Nagarjun Hill or Chukkhung. Ama Dablam is a peak that dominates the route towards Everest base camp, and it’s an opportunity to get off the main trail and explore a quieter area in the Khumbu below one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Nagarjun Hill (5100 metres/16,730 feet) offers amazing views of Makalu, Island Peak and Ama Dablam. The Chukkhung (4750 metres/15,580 feet) walk might be a short one, but it’s the views of surrounding peaks and snowy terrain that’ll have you short of breath.
You’re almost there! Look out for expedition groups on their way to the summit. They're the rock stars of the climbing world (without all the groupies). From Dingboche, ascend the small ridge behind the village above the Pheriche Valley. From the stupa at the top, Taweche and Cholatse (6440 metres/21,128 feet) make for a pretty striking scene; they seem to lean forwards from across the valley in the west. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119 metres/20,075 feet) and the snowfields of the Cho La are the kings of the skyline. The walk will now be fairly flat on wide-open fields, but remember that there’s no rush – take your time and ensure you’re well hydrated. Late in the morning you will cross the Khumbu Khola at Dughla and take a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines (stuff pushed along by the glacier) of the Khumbu Glacier flowing off Everest. In the afternoon, there will be a solid and quite steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, you’ll pass a line of memorial cairns (stacks of stones), built in memory of the Sherpas and climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last fifty or so years. From here the view is downright spectacular once again, with Pumori (7145 metres/23,440 feet), Lingtren (6697 metres/21,970 feet), Khumbutse (6623 metres/21,730 feet), and across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550 metres/24,770 feet), surrounding you. Then follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuje, arriving early afternoon. No doubt you’ll be tired today, but remember that the big one is happening tomorrow – Everest Base Camp.
This is it people, the BIG day of Everest Base Camp. First, you’ll trek to Gorak Shep (where you’ll start the round trip to Base Camp). From Lobuje, follow the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier, with a gradual ascent enabling you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep – reached after about three hours of walking. Now’s the time to grab a quick bite, gear up appropriately, and then head off towards Everest Base Camp. The trek to the base camp can be achieved in around three hours, and if trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, you will almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here. From Everest Base Camp you will not get views of Mount Everest, but you are able to see glorious glaciers, lakes, caves, and the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm. It's regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain. Then you’ll return from Base Camp to Gorak Shep for the evening.
Wake really early for the trek to Kala Patthar, where you’ll experience sensational sunrise views from this amazing vantage point. Don’t be surprised if you get a little tear in your eye when you soak up the views of Everest. Embrace that emotion and spend as long as you like here to savour this extra special moment. To get there from the lodge the ascent is quite steep, so start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady rhythmic pace. Kala Patthar is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It’s a tough walk because of the altitude, but the view from the top will surpass your wildest imagination. It will probably take a good hour and a half to reach the summit from Gorak Shep, although lower viewpoints can provide views that are almost as good. Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest – they’re all here. About three kilometres away and some 200 metres below, the area of the Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Then it’s all downhill from here – the descent to Gorak Shep is easy, then you’ll cross the Khumbu Khola and head down the valley below Cholatse to Pheriche for the night.
Cross the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River, where there’ll be great views of the Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega. Re-trace your steps to Debuche and Thyangboche, then descend steeply through a beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron, and fir to Phunkitenga. Cross the Dudh Kosi River and ascend to Trashinga. From here, the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa and on to Namche Bazaar, where you’ll spend the night.
You’ve done it, your last day of trekking! Set off on the last, steady 7 hours of the trek. Descend steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. You’ll follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo. Walk via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kangaru, through Phakding, then it’s only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla, where you’ll say goodbye to your Sherpa crew. Get together with the rest of your group and pool your tips if you haven't already. Celebrate with a hot shower, a sleep, or with a few drinks with your group. You earned it – you conquered Everest!
Take the short flight from Lukla to Kathmandu this morning (approximately 45 minutes). Return to your accommodation and then enjoy some free time during the afternoon for further sightseeing or shopping. Before dinner, your leader will take you on a walking tour to the colorful Asan Bazaar. Then it’s time to celebrate with a tongba (hot millet beer) and a plate of ziva (pastry fingers filled with cheese), while you relax your weary but incredibly toned legs. You don't need to carb-load anymore but surely another plate of dal bhat power couldn't hurt?
The trip ends this morning, but there's plenty more to see in Kathmandu for those who wish to stay on. If you choose to hang around, we can help organise accommodation for you, subject to availability. And if you're stayin in the area you might like to check out one of our Intrepid Urban Adventures, like our Rickshaw Night Explorer: https://www.urbanadventures.com/en/kathmandu/kathmandu-rickshaw-night-explorer
