Itinerary
Day 01 – Upon your arrival at the airport, our representative will meet and transfer you over to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Trip briefing in the evening.
Day 02 – Morning sightseeing of Patan – an ancient city of fine arts. The city was founded in 250 AD. Renowned for its fine arts in Bronze, Sliver and Copper, sometimes called ‘The town with a thousands golden roofs.’ This city remains a center for craftsmen and artists anxious to preserve tradition. We also visit the Tibetan handicraft center for watching the people weaving the beautiful, fine quality rugs.
Afternoon sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley’s most medieval city Bhadgaon also known by its alternate name Bhaktapur. Here are ancient temples and palaces that show off the Newar craftsmanship of intricately carved wooden windows and latticework. We get to visit the Lion gate, Picture Gallery, Palaces of windows, etc. On a way back we visit Pashupatinath – the most sacred of all Hindu temples, where thousands of Hindus come together every year. We also visit Boudhnath; the biggest Stupa in the world. Transfer to the hotel for the overnight.
Day 03 – Phakding (8700ft.)
After breakfast we fly Kathmandu / Lukla about 30 minutes. The views of the northern Himalayan peaks are spectacular. After lunch at Lukla, we walk northwest following the Dudh Koshi valley we pass a series of well built teahouses and emerge at Phakding.
Day 04 – Namche Bazar (11,300ft.)
The trail follows the right bank of Dudh Koshi through pine forest to cross a wooden bridge at Bhote Koshi. Below it joins the Dudh Koshi, before a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar is a fascinating Sherpa settlement, and was a trade center where grain low regions was exchanged for salt and wool from Tibet. Many government offices, police check posts and national park headquarters are in Namche Bazaar. It is interesting to note that the people from the terai walk all the way to Namche Bazaar to sell their produce of grain as the people in the Everest region depend for their main supplies upon those from the terai and their weekly supplies must be brought from the Saturday weekly market.
Day 05 – Namche Bazaar
Rest day is important for high altitude acclimatization, while exploring the Sherpa culture, visiting the Buddhist Gomba and Sagarmatha National park Museum. There the view of Everest (29,028 ft.), Lhotse (27,890 ft.), Nuptse (25,842 ft.), Ama Dablam (22,994ft.), kang Tega (22,340ft.), Twawoche (21,463 ft.) and Dwangde (20,300 ft.) all are spectacular.
Day 06 – Tangboche Gomba (12,700 ft.)
The trail climbs above the open ridge towards the National park headquarters and then follows the contour until it joins the trail from Khumjung at Sanasa where there are teahouses; from here the track gently sinks to Trasiga before a Sharp descent to Phunki through a beautiful rhododendron forest. Crossing a suspension bridge at Dhud Koshi the trail climbs above Phunki through another rhododendron forest to Tengboche Gomba.
Day 07 – Dingboche (14,025 ft.)
The trailheads east towards Everest through lovely alpine forest to cross a suspension bridge at Imja Khola and then climb to reach Pangboche. We visit Pangboche Gomba where a Yeti scalp can be seen. Entering an alpine meadow, the trail follows along the right bank of Imja Khola to reach Dingboche.
Day 08 – Lobuche (16,175 ft.)
The trail climbs gradually northwest above Dingboche on an open ridge and then slight descend to cross a glacial stream at Dhaghla. From here the trail climbs up the terminal moraine and then contours.
Day 09 – Gorak – Shep (Kala Pattar)
The trail follows north along alternate stretches of meadow and glacial moraine. Crossing a wide stretch of glacial moraines and boulder moved down by Changri glaciers, we descend to Gorak Shep. Now the trail climbs up the ridge of Kala Pattar offers magnificent view of Everest and other adjacent giant peaks. This is a most demanding and rewarding day of the trip. Descending to Gorak Shap we return to Lobuche.
Day 10 – Lobuche
An easy day.
Day 11 – Tangboche
Return to Tangboche Gomba.
Day 12 – Khumjung (12,400ft.)
Return to Sanasa and then ascend to Khumjung village. We visit Kunde Hospital built by Sir Edmund Hillary. Kunde and Khumjung at the foot of the Khumbila, sacred peak, are the largest settlement in the Everest area.
Day 13 – Phakding
Passing the Hillary Kumjung School and series of Mani walls and big Stupas, the trail climbs above the valley through forest to reach a pass and then descend to Namche Bazaar through the government livestock farm and Syangboche airstrip. Return to Phakding.
Day 14 – Lukla
Return to Lukla.
Day 15 – Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 16 – Full day free for individual activities.
Optional tour of Bhaktapur/ Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
Day 17 – Free
Day 18 – Transfer to TIA for final departure.