Trek to Everest Base Camp

After a hotel breakfast we will explore the must see UNESCO sites of Kathmandu and its surroundings. The morning will spent with a sightseeing tour of the holy Hindus Temple of Pashupatinath  and the holy Buddhist Stupa of  Boudhanath.The Buddhists shrine of Boudhanath is one of the largest Stupas in the world and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage plus a tourist destination in Kathmandu. The area of Boudhanath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan Gompas or monasteries.Pashupatinath, which houses a sacred lingam, or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is one of the holiest temples in the Hindu religion and was first mention in 365 AD. The Aryaghat alongside Pashupatinath and on the banks of the Bagmati River is a famous funeral site for the Hindus. It is such an important pilgrimage site that any Hindu should visit it once in their life and there is a constant stream of sadhus coming and going from Nepal and India. Non-Hindu visitors are only permitted to view the temple from the east bank of Bagmati River, as entrance into the temple is strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus.

After Lunch;  We drive to the town of Ramechap. Ramechhap the located in the eastern side of Kathmandu.  Manthali airport which is situated in Ramechhap is only airport to where the flight to Lukla takes off.

According to the airline’s authorities, a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is diverted to Ramechhap airport because of heavy traffic and backups.

The Lukla flight is the most well-known and crowded flight journey among the top STOL flights in Nepal. Due to increased traffic congestion and gridlock caused by these STOL planes, they have a significant impact on both international and domestic flights.

The goal is to lessen and manage the overall traffic congestion, including construction-related delays. A Ramechhap to Lukla flight is substituted for the original Kathmandu to Lukla flight

A spectacular flight and hair raising landing on a steep mountain runway brings us to the start of our trek at the village of Lukla [2800m]. After meeting the crew, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail to our first lodge near the river at Phakding.

From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. We then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market – a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatising to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. Options for acclimatisation walks include a visit to Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.

From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now we get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an excellent lunch spot, and here we can rest before making the steep climb to Thyangboche. Although tiring, the hike up the zigzag path has numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. We stay near the monastery with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam framed in the doorway of the lodge.

We descend steeply through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite Ama Dablam [6,856 m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. Old Pangboche’s gompa is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, founded in 1667 and housing relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. A further two to three hours walking brings us to Dingboche.

Today you can enjoy another day for acclimatization. We will do an excursion to Chhukung valley via the Imja Khola valley to get some fabulous views including the stupendous, 3.600 meters high wall of Lhotse [8.501 m], neighbor to Everest, and the north face of Ama Dablam, with its fluted ice walls. The high ridge point of Chhukung Ri [5.560 m] will provide an incredible amphitheater view of the Chhukung area as well as the west face of Makalu [8.463 m].

We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and climb more steeply towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. Our path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.

To reach our next objective, Kala Pattar, the trail follows the Khumbu Glacier, and offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at our lodge for the night, Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon, when the sunset colours begin to appear on Everest, we make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar [5554m]. As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our lodge at Gorak Shep and have an early night in preparation for our trek to Everest Base Camp the following day.

To reach Everest Base Camp, a very early start is required, as it takes several hours on a trail which weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu Ice Fall and the route to the South Col. We return to either Gorak Shep or Lobuche to stay for the night.

Today is downhill most of the way, as we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association have a trekkers aid post here and it is quite interesting to visit.

This morning we head on down to the lovely twin villages of Pangboche. New Pangboche is where we’ll stay and Old Pangboche is home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, founded in 1667, which houses relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen.

From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back up from the valley floor before contouring around, with those incredible views, to Namche.

Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.

Today we wake up early and after the breakfast, we will fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you are free to spend your time relaxing, shopping, more exploring to the crazy town of Thamel! – The tourist bag backer’s districts and you will be amazed with such small place but so many shops. During the afternoon, we have little free time to search best souvenirs in Thamel.

After hotel breakfast, you are free until it is time to check out from the hotel. Later on we will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight home. (3 hrs before flight departure time)

Important Notes:
Your safety is of paramount concern whilst travelling in this Himalayan country. Please note that your guide has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, political condition, vehicle breakdowns and the health of fellow travelers can all contribute to changes. We will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!