The life of mountain dwellers is vastly different from one we lead in the city and is worth having a look at. To look into the heart of the villages of these people we offer an exceptional trek featuring a wide range of spectacular scenery combined with unique cultural encounters with the Sherpa people who inhabit these high altitude regions.
The journey begins in the medieval city of Kathmandu, from where a short flight to the beautiful village of Lukla (2800m) will drop us to the heart of the Solu Khumbu region. The trek continues through the lush vegetation of Sagarmatha National Park, with pine forests, rhododendron flowers and an abundance of wildlife, to Namche Bazaar (3440m).A day of rest is necessary in Namche in order to get acclimatized to higher altitudes. The following days trekking will bring us to the village of Tengboche (3930m), home to the highest Buddhist monastery in the world (4100m) and also reputed by photographers as one of the best places to capture the awesome beauty of Mt. Everest (8848m) and its neighboring peaks.We follow the trail to the Sherpa village Khumjung, Edmund Hillary built a hospital nearby in the 1960s and you can see the famous Yeti scalp… and draw your own conclusions as to its authenticity! Then it’s back to Phakding, before descending to Lukla and the spectacular return flight to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.After your checkin the group leader will set a time for your trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organise a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Today, you will visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the Hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the “ghats”. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be handed over with your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given. Meals included: B, L, D
In the early morning you will take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m) with breath taking views of the Himalayas. The flight time is about 40 minutes and you will land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing you will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load your trekking equipment. You will begin the trek by walking through the Lukla village and join the main trail to the Everest Valley. The walking is easy today with great views of KusumKhanguru. We trek through small villages of Thadokoshi andGhat. After passing through Ghat (2550m), it is only a short walk to Phakding. (Trekking: approximately 3 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
From Phakding you will headtowards the valley for Monjo following the DudhKoshi river. You pass through thevillages of TokTok and Benkar.Youget spectacular views of Mt.Thamserku from Benkar.After crossing through the suspension bridge it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m), the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park for lunch and camp.In the afternoon your trek leader will allow some time for rest and take you for an acclimatization walk.(Trekking: approximately 4 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
From Monjo you will head towards the Park Headquarter where you get your Trekking permits checked and start following the DudhKoshiriver. Its fairly an easy walk till we get to the last suspension bridge. The views of Lhotse, Nuptse and Tawache come into views for the first time .You now make a steep ascent to get to Tope Danda where you have photo opportunities of Nuptse , Lhotse and Everest dominating the skyline. We now make a gradual climb to get to Namche Bazaar (Trekking: approximately 4/half hours). Meals included: B, L, D
(Acclimatisation Day) You have an extra day today for you to Acclamatise.You can either go for a hike to Syangboche or do other optional walks around Namche Bazaar.The hike includes a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest.The afternoon is free to wander through Namche. You can enjoy the bakeries, surf the internet or buy souveneirs,etc.(Trekking: approximately 4 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
On today’s walk there will be opportunities to spot local wildlife including the beautiful Danfe pheasant, himalayanthar (mountain goat) and musk deer. From Namche Bazaar, you will climb towards the park headquarters and follow a contouring trail high above the DudhKosiriver. Above Namche the route to Thyangboche becomes visible and is a fairly easy hike to PhungiTanga.This is where we have lunch .After lunch you will ascend, initially steeply, through pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron forests to get to Thyangboche. According to legend, the Lama SangeDorjee from Tibet’s Rongphu Monastery founded Thyangboche Monastery in the 17th century. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992. You will visit the monastery and the nearby museum. There is a small entrance fee for the museum and a small donation to the monastery is also appreciated.(Trekking: approximately 7 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
You wake up in the morning for sunrise or go and visit the Monastery .After breakfast you will retrace your steps and descend steeply through a beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga. After a welcome break and perhaps a cup of tea, you will cross the DudhKosi River and ascend to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa and on to the village of Khumjung, where you will spend the night. Sitting 3850m above sea level is the small village of Kunde. It is about 20km from the base of Mount Everest and a 6-day walk from the nearest road. For over 40 years, the Kunde Hospital has served the health needs of around 8,000 people living in the community. It was built in 1966 by Sir Edmund Hillary and a team of local and overseas volunteers, and is well respected by the local Sherpa community. Following the trail to the Sherpa village Khumjung, near to where Edmund Hillary built a hospital in the 1960s. You will have opportunity to see the famous Yeti scalp – and draw your own conclusions as to its authenticity(Trekking: approximately 5 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
Today our trekking route along the western valley of Khumjung and Namche follows the ancient trade route north of Tibet. Fir and rhododendron forest harbour the rainbow colored Danphe Pheasant, Nepal’s national bird, while Himalayan Thar graze undisturbed in the mountain slopes. After crossing across Bhote Kosi river we start ascending towards the Thame hydro power and enter the village of Thame, a lovely walled village famous for its delicious potatoes, also home to some of the most renowned mountaineers. We spend evening or morning visiting the beautiful Thame monastery, perched on the rocky hillside above the village, one of the three oldest monasteries in Everest region. (Trekking : approximately 4 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
Today we will trace back the trail back to Namche Bazar and on the way at Thamo village, we visit the nunnery and we leave the trail which leads you towards Khumjung. (Trekking : 5 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
You will enjoy a leisurely departure from Namche Bazaar with a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar before descending steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the DudhKosi RiverYou will follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where you will stop for lunch.In the afternoon it is only a short walk via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest,with great views of KusumKangaru, back to the lodge in Phakding. (Trekking : approximately 5 hours). Meals included: B, L, D
This is your last day of trekking, where it is only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla. You will then have lunch at the lodge and the afternoon is free to wander around, relax. In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with your Sherpa companions (Trekking:4 hours).Meals included: B, L, D
You will rise early in the morning today for your flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred back to the starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do some souvenir shopping or further sightseeing. Located in the south of the city, Patan is also worth a visit with its own Durbar Square full of historic structures and statues of past kings. Your final night in Kathmandu offers you the chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with your travelling companions and newfound friends. Meals included: B
Today you are free to do any optional activities or further preparation for onward journey. Meals included: B
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST
Head:
Lower Body:
Feet:
Upper Body:
Hands:
Accessories:
Toiletries:
Personal Hygiene:
Extras/Luxuries:
Swimming costume (for Kathmandu & Pokhara)
Please note:
The gears with an asterisk (*) sign are handed out by Himalayan Hikers as a part of service
You can use your personal gears if you prefer to do so i.e. sleeping bag, liner, down jacket
We would like to inform you that the weight limitation for Everest treks is 33 pounds or 15 kg approximately
