Tour Plan
1
Day 01 - Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (KTM) Kathmandu
Any 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 - Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283ft) Duration: 6 hours
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 Bazaarwhich is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat and textiles. Besides being a splendid destination to shop for traditional crafts, Namche remains the central trading post in the Khumbu that attracts Himalayan and lowland merchants. You will spend two days at Namche for acclimatization.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
5
Day 05 - Namche Bazar and Everest View Hotel
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 - Namche to Dole (4200m/13776ft) Duration: 5 hrs
The trail is easy up to Kyangjuma but starts a steep climb and we go through rhododendron forests which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons bloom. The trails pass many Kharkas, summer settlements used when Sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high pastures. The route passes through the settlements of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there’re few hotels and we stay one of them. The views of Khumbila and Tawache (6542m) are incredible throughout the day!
Overnight at hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
7
Day 07 - Dole to Machhermo (4400m/14432ft) Duration: 5 hrs
We climb to Lambara which is at the height of 4220 m and Luza at 4360m. The tails is steep in most places as it climbs through bush junipers. There’re Kharkas on the way. You will continue climbing along the side of the valley; high above the river, crossing sandy spurs until you reach Machhermo at 4410 m. Yeti killed three yaks and attached a Sherpa woman in 1974. This is the most shocking incident ever reported.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
8
Day 08 - Machhermo to Gokyo Lake (4700m/15416ft) Duration: 4 hrs
There is an excellent view of the valley and Cho-Oyu (8201m) from the top of the ridge where we climb today. Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at (4390m) then descends to the river bank and begin a steep climbing on to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We also pass by small Lake where green Brainy ducks resides.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
9
Day 09 - Hike to Gokyo RI (5360m/17880ft) Duration: 4 hrs
To watch the panoramic view of Mahalangur Himalayan range, we wake up early in the morning and climb up to the Gokyo-Ri. The climb takes approximately 2 hrs to reach at the top of the peak. There we can watch a panoramic view of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawache & a great looking of Ngozumpa glacier the largest glacier in Nepal.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included
10
Day 10 - Trek back to Dole (4200m/13776ft)
We trek back to Dole (4200m/13776ft) again. It takes nearly 5 hrs to reach Dole.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
11
Day 11 - Trek back to Namche
We trek back to Namche (3440/11283ftm) and the trail takes nearly 6 hrs.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
12
Day 12 - Trek back to Lukla (2800m/9184ft) Duration: 7 hours
The trek continues along the Dudh Kosi River to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla, where you will catch your return flight to Kathmandu.
Overnight at guesthouse, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
13
Day 13 - 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.
14
Day 14 - 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.
15
Day 15 - Farewell
Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be dropped off at the airport for your departure.
Breakfast included.
15 Days / 14 Night
Max People : 1
Everest Gokyo Lake Trek, Khumbu region
