Exploring Everest and Kathmandu Adventure Tour

Nepal simply put….is a magical kingdom with ancient traditions and it’s seclusion from the rest of the world adds to that mystery with it being surrounded by the snow capped Himalayan mountains. It’s culture has influences dating back centuries to it’s neighbouring countries of China and India. Nepal to this day still remains a mystery and a enigma to most. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time. It boasts some of the greatest architectural monuments like Pashupatinath Temple and also includes the holy cities of Bhaktapur a UNESCO World Heritage site and Boudhanath.

For those adventure enthusiasts you’ll find this area provides ample opportunities to seek out thrills and excitement as this is considered the trekking mecca.The difficult part is trying to fit everything in once you’re here.

Highlights

Experience the sights and sounds of Kathmandu. Have a guided tour of most the historical sites.This includes the World Heritage Sites of  Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ or Swayambunath and Buddhists shrine of Bouddhanath which is one of the largest Stupas in the world.

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary- The Lodges we are using on this particular trek are at a standard far better than anything else available in the area. The lodges provide the highest level of service with landscaped gardens, comfortable lounges and bedrooms as well as hot showers and western toilets.

This is one of the classic treks of the world with stunning mountain scenery including Everest and Ama- Dablam while staying in high quality lodges of the Khumbu region. The trek starts with an exciting flight in a Twin Otter plane to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, from here we follow in the footsteps of famous mountaineers for the walk into Everest Base Camp. We are now in Buddhist Sherpa country where you will see colourful prayer flags, mani walls and monasteries along the way. We have designed our Everest Base Camp trek with plenty of time for the necessary acclimatization. Our route takes you to the prettiest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu and to Namche Bazaar the colourful and vibrant heart of Sherpa country. You have the opportunity to visit the main monasteries of the Khumbu region at Tengboche and Thame. The high points of our itinerary are the walk up to Kala Patar for the panoramic viewpoint of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse and also the hike from Gorak Shep along the Khumbu glacier to Everest Base Camp.

Here’s a fantastic video from our friends at Wilderness Medicine CME Course giving you a great overview of what to expect on your trek to Everest Base Camp.

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Kathmandu and join the tour at the hotel.
You will be met on arrival at Kathmandu airport and driven back to the hotel. Here you’ll join the tour and meet the rest of your group if you haven’t already. Overnight Shangri- La Hotel or similar.

Day 2. Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Today we explore Kathmandu with a local guide,
• Pashupatinath is a Hindu temple with burning ghats on the banks of the Bagmati river.
• Swayambhunath, also known as the monkey temple, can be climbed by a long set of steps and has great views of Kathmandu.
• Boudhanath stupa has many traditional gompas hung with strings of multi coloured prayer flags, it attracts many Sherpas and Tibetans for the circumambulations of the stupa (koras).
• Durbar square, which is one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples

Day 3. Fly to Lukla (2,840m) & Trek to Monjo (2,850m)– 6 to 7 hours walking.
After an exciting flight to Lukla, start the trek along the beautiful Dudh Kosi river valley. We reach Monjo which is the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, our first evening is at the Everest Summit Lodge in Monjo village. This lodge is beautifully designed with a natural wood dining area and bedrooms with private bathrooms. It is a great place to relax and take in these beautiful surroundings.

Day 4. Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,445m)– 4 to 5 hours walking.
After crossing the Hilary suspension the trail starts uphill to Namche Bazaar. There is a good excuse for a break half way up when Everest becomes visible for the first time. On reaching Namche we check into Hotel Sherpaland, this is the best hotel and centrally located.

Day 5. Day walk to Thame village (3,800m). 7 to 8 hours walk
Today we follow a trail high above the Bhote Khosi river through rhododendron forests and then open pasture to the village of Thame. This is a pretty village overlooked by a famous monastery with views of Teng Kangpoche (6,500m) and Kwangde (6,500m).

Day 6. Trek to Tashinga (3,450m)– 4 hours walking.
This morning we leave Namche on the trail contouring the hillside high above the Imja Khosi. There are spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse and also the beautifully shaped Ama Dablam known as one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

Day 7. Trek to Pangboche (3,875m)– 6 to 7 hours walking.
Today we set out for Pangboche village and pass the important Tengboche monastery along the way. The Tengboche monastery is the most important gompa in the Sherpa region, and home to the abbot and about eighty monks and novices following Nyingmapa Buddhism, the predominant Sherpa sect. There is a good view of Everest from here. After a visit to the monastery we will carry on walking to the village of Pangboche.

Day 8. Trek to Pheriche (4,240m)– 4 to 5 hours walking.
From Pangboche the trail climbs steadily upwards passing through broad open alpine pastures and as you reach the crest of each short section of climbs the views before you open up again. Once you cross the river it’s a nice easy walk along to the village of Pheriche where we spend two nights to help with the acclimatization process.

Day 9. Acclimatization day.
Today there are a number of options for interesting day walks, we could go for walk towards Island Peak and have lunch at one of the teahouse lodges at Chukhung then walk back to Dingboche in the afternoon. There is also a good walk with superb views on the hill behind Pheriche. Going for a walk will help your acclimatization by following the golden rule of “climbing high and sleeping low”.

Day 10. Trek to Lobuche (4,931m)– 6 hours walking.
The panorama of all the peaks from this point is beautiful.

Day 11. Trek to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep (5,160m)– 7 to 8 hours walking.
After an early start we follow the trail along the western side of the broad Khumbu valley. After lunch we will reach Everest Base Camp. There is a dramatic view of the infamous Khumbu icefall from Base Camp.

Day 12. Ascend Kala Patar (5,545m) and return to Lobuche (4,931m). 6 to 7 hours walk
In the morning we climb up to the summit of Kala Patar, it is definitely worth it for the great views of Everest (you cannot see Everest from Base Camp) plus the other Himalayan giants of Pumori, Changtse, Nuptse and Lhotse.

Day 13. Trek back to Pangboche (3,875m)– 6 hours walking.
From Lobuche we descend past the Sherpa memorials to Dughla and then follow the lower trail to Pheriche. Overnight in Pangboche

Day 14. Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3,445m)– 6 to 7 hours walking.
After a climb through the rhododendron forest to Tengboche we descend to the river at Phunki Tenga. After crossing the bridge there is a steady ascent then the trail contours to Namche Bazaar.

Day 15. Trek back to Lukla– 7 to 8 hours walking.
From Namche we desend and reach Lukla. On getting to the Sunrise Lodge you can relax and enjoy your last evening with the Sherpa guides and wonderful porters.

Day 16. Fly to Kathmandu.
If the weather is fine in Lukla then we will get an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day you are free to relax in Kathmandu or to go shopping Overnight at Shangri-la Hotel.

Day 17. Day at leisure (Volunteering Opportunity)

Day 18. Another optional day of volunteering or fly back home. Transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight back home.
End of trip