Tour Plan
1
Day 01 - Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu
Whatever time you arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our airport representatives. He will help you get transferred to your Hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you may check into your Hotel and relax. Tour plans and programs will be provided to you later.
Overnights stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
2
Day 02 - Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour
Kathmandu valley Sightseeing tour will start early in the morning. The holy Pashupatinath temple will be our very first visit. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva. Built in the 5th century and later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered here. It lies on the banks of the Bagmati River and is one of the most revered holy sites of the Hindu people. The Pashupatinath is built in the pagoda style architecture and contains many smaller shrines outside the main temple as well. It is also the cremation site of many hindu people and sometimes, it can be observed.
The nest site of the tour is the holy Bouddhanath stupa. The Buddhist stupa of Boudha Stupa dominates the skyline; it is one of the largest unique structure's stupas in the world.The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Gompas (Tibetan convent) around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.
The next site, in the tour, is the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the royal palace. The Durbar at the Durbar square was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and was where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, took place. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum are located here. Time and again the temples and the palaces in the square have gone through reconstruction after being damaged by natural causes or neglect. Presently there are less than ten quadrangles in the square. On 25 April 2015, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9 hit the region and severely damaged the Square, reducing several buildings to rubble. The oldest temples in the square are those built by King MahendraMalla (1560–1574). They are the temples of Jaggannath, KotilingeswaraMahadev, Mahendreswara and the Taleju Temple. More and more temples and statues were added to the Square under different ruling kings over the time. It is one of the most architecturally intricate showcases of Nepali art and the unique Newa architecture.
Then finally, the last site of the tour will be the Swayambhunath Stupa- an ancient religious architecture at the top of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. Swayambhunath is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites especially for Tibetans and followers of the Tibetan Buddhism. We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunderbolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this Vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period.
After visiting each site, we will head back to the Hotel.
Overnights stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu. Breakfast included.
3
Day 03 - Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2652m/8699ft) Duration: 3 hours
Today, you will be flying to Lukla. You will be dropped to the airport by an early flight to Lukla. The short flight presents attractive views of the mountain peaks. From Lukla, you will make your way to Phakding, a beautiful settlement situated at the edge of Khumbu’s Dudh Koshi River Valley. Along the way, you can catch amazing glimpse of the Kusum Kanguru Peak.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
4
Day 04 - Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283ft) Duration: 6 hrs
From Phakding, you will be travelling to Monjo, the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. On the way, we pass through thick woodlands of pine and rhododendrons. Following the trail, you will pass by small settlements along the way, like Tok Tok and Jorsale. Crossing Dudh Koshi River via suspension bridge, you will hike uphill towards the famous Himalayan town called Namche Bazaar. You will spend two days at Namche for acclimatization, visit local markets and spend time with your team. On the hike we capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
5
Day 05 - Namche Bazar - Everest View Hotel – Namche, 4-5 hrs
This day is reserved for acclimatization. Namche Bazaar is the commercial hub of Khumbu. From Namche, you can watch amazing views of the Everest peak and many other neighboring Himalayan peaks as well, like the Thamserku, the Kongdi RI and the Ama Dablam among others. You can visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and the Everest Photo Gallery here. Moreover, you can also hike up to the Syangboche Airstrip that is located above the town. From Syangboche, you can catch good views of Namche below as well as the Himalayan peaks that surround the town in the distance. Likewise, you can visit to the Everest View Hotel, which boasts views of Everest peaks through all of its windows.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
6
Day 06 - Trek to Tengboche (3860m/12660ft) Duration: 6-7 hrs
The uniform and easy trail leads us towards the view of Mount Everest, descending deep into the Dudh Koshi Valley at Pungki Thanka and from this point, it ascends the right flank of the Dudh Koshi valley to Tengboche Monastery (3860m). It is the spiritual center of the Khumbu.
The climb is lengthy, but is more than adequately compensated by gorgeous views of Mount Amadablam and on a clear day, views of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
7
Day 07 - Trek to Dingboche (4410m/14464ft) Duration: 4-5 hrs
Today’s destination is to reach to Tengboche village. For that you will then have a leisurely hike uphill through the rhododendron woodlands and pass by the Imja Khola to Tengboche- the spiritual hub of the region. All along the way, you will get the company of peaks like the Ama Dablam and the Everest Himal. At the village, you can also visit the famous Tengboche Monastery.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
8
Day 08 - Hike to Nagerjun (5100m/16728ft) and return Dingboche, 5-6 hrs
Today is reserved for acclimatization. Today, you will have a hike up the Nagerjun Hill that is situated near Dingboche. The hike uphill is rather strenuous, but the effort for the journey is worthy because of the panoramic views of the Imja valley which can be seen from the top. You can also enjoy majestic views of the Himalayan peaks like the Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and Everest among many others. After spending some time at the vantage point, you will hike back down.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
9
Day 09 - Trek to Thukla (4620m/15153ft) Duration: 3 - 4 hrs
We will follow the river up and then the valley which has the rocky end of a glacier, a natural dam for a crystal blue glacial lake. The path turns right and meets with the river. We cross a bridge over the river and head to the village named Thukla.
Overnight at a guesthouse, breakfast, lunch, dinner included
10
Day 10 - Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16105ft) Duration: 3-4 hrs
You trek along a broad valley to Dughla and on the way we pass the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche (4240 m). This post is run by western volunteer doctors and supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association, which offers treatment and consultation to trekkers. We come out of the valley to descend to the yak pastures to Lobuche which is a small settlement near the foot of the Lobuche peaks.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
11
Day 11 - Trek to Gorekshep (5180m/16994ft) Duration: 3-4 hrs
We will trek to Gorekshep today and prepare for tomorrow’s Everest Base Camp Expedition at 5400 meters in altitude. After a short climb through meadows you can watch beautiful Khumbu Glacier and straight ahead is Kalapattar – the best vantage point to view the entire south face of Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks during the sunrise.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
12
Day 12 - Hike to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17594ft) and return Gorekshep (5181m/16994ft) Duration: 6-7 hrs
From Gorekshep, you will hike along the Khumbu glacier moraine towards the base camp. There is not much elevation gain, but there are a lot of ups and downs and, combined with altitude, this can be a tiring portion- but the journey is worth it.
From the base camp, you can see the glacier as well as the Khumbu Ice Fall. This is the point from where the Everest expedition begins. After spending some time at the base camp of Everest, you will return back to Gorekshep.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
13
Day 13 - Hiking to Kalapattar (5545m/18188ft) - Gorekshep - Pheriche (4210m/13809ft) Duration: 6-7 hrs
The hike, from Gorekshep to Kalapatthar, will be started early in the morning. Kalapatthar is one of the best vantage points in the region. It presents panoramic views of the entire Mount Everest massif. You can catch the view of the sunrise amidst the Everest peaks from here. The phenomenon is quite ethereal. After viewing the breath-taking view of the Everest peak, you will have a hike back down to Pheriche village, following the same trail that you used for your ascend.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
14
Day 14 - Trek to Phorste (3680m/1270ft) Duration: 5-6 hrs
Today we trek down to Phortse. Though you trek back down, you may have to face some decent uphill.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
15
Day 15 - Trek to Namche (3440m/11283ft) Duration: 4-5 hrs
At first we descend to Phorste Thanka then climb steep up to Mong-la Danda and a short climb down to Kyangjuma then finally move a gentle trail to Namche.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
16
Day 16 - Trek to Phakding (2652m/8699ft) Duration: 4-5 hrs
Today we descend down to Phakding.
Overnight at the guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
17
Day 17 - Trek to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) Duration: 4-5 hours
We move along the Dudh Kosi River to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla, from where you will catch your return flight to Kathmandu.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
18
Day 18 - Fly back to Kathmandu
Today, you will have a short flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu. You can see the peaks once again for the last time before you land at the bustling city. You will be taken to your Hotel from the airport.
Overnight stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included.
19
Day 19 - Leisure day
This day is reserved for any delays in the Lukla flight. Today, you can spend the day as you wish. Shopping or visiting the city’s many restaurants and places of significance can be done.
Overnights stay at the Hotel. Breakfast included.
20
Day 20 - Farewell
Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be dropped off at the airport for your departure.
Breakfast included.
17 Days / 16 Night
Max People : 1
Everest Base Camp, Everest Region
