-A journey of a lifetime to see the majestic Himalayan peaks, Sherpa culture and monastic life styles in the mountains of Nepal-
(Trekking with Deluxe lodging)
-A journey of a lifetime to see the majestic Himalayan peaks, Sherpa culture and monastic life styles in the mountains of Nepal-
Duration: | 16 Days |
Trek Length: | 11 Days including rest day |
Trek Level: | Moderate-Strenuous |
Altitude: | 14,465ft |
Activity: | Sightseeing and trekking |
Lodging: | Quality hotels and lodges |
Transportation: | by car, van, bus and flight |
Best season: | September-December and February-May |
Begins and ends: | Kathmandu, Nepal |
Trip Category: | Trekking with Deluxe lodging |
Introduction: This trip brings you close to the majestic Himalayan peaks with breathtaking views including Mount Everest and takes you through Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries to see the culture of Khumbu valley.
Our trek begins with a thirty-five-minute flight to Tenzing-Hillary Lukla Airport at 9300ft in Khumbu valley. From Lukla, we will trek along the Dudh Koshi River, a beautiful valley, sparsely inhabited area with patches of farmlands and forests. Our trek mainly travels through the Sagarmatha National Park in Khumbu Valley. Here are the best views of the mountain revered by many cultures and known as Everest worldwide, Sagarmantha in Nepali, and Chomolungma in Sherpa and Tibetan. Here the mountain forms a natural boundary in the northeast with Tibet. As we trek higher elevations, we can see Mount Kusum Kanguru, Kwangde (Nopla), Thamserku, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, Pumori, the grand peak of Mount Everest (the highest summit on earth) and other beautiful sister mountains that harmonize the scenery of Khumbu. We will experience multiple views of the above mountains as we continue our journey to the peak of Kala Pathar (5545m) opposite of Everest.
The following are short list of floras and faunas found in the Sagarmatha National park. We will see hemlock, rhododendron, birch, fir, juniper, oak and blue pine in the lower altitudes, and scrub alpine plant communities at higher elevations. There are 118 known species of birds inhabit in the park. Most seen ones are the Impeyen Pheasant (the national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, Tibetan snow-cock, jungle crow, red-billed and yellow-billed choughs, snow pigeon, swallows, magpies and kalij pheasant. Among rarer species are the Himalayan griffons, Lammergier, snow partridge, and skylark. The faunas we may see along the trail from around Namche are the Himalayan Tahr, Ghoral, Serow, Musk deer, Weasel, Marten, Himalayan mouse hare (Pika), jackals (rare), and wolves (rarer). Although these faunas inhabit the park and the chance of seeing one is a possibility, we cannot guarantee nor promise you sightings of wildlife along the trail.
Sherpa people are the indigenous inhabitants of Khumbu Valley and are followers of Buddhism. Khumbu is comprised of many villages of which Namche is the biggest and is the ancient trading post between Tibet and Nepal. Today, it is called Namche Bazaar, where mountain climbers, trekkers, traders and researchers alike stop to savor the fusion food of the Sherpa, Nepali and Western culinary delights. We make two-night stops in Namche to acclimatize and recharge. Then along the route, we will visit other Sherpa villages to explore their way of life and culture. Most people in Khumbu are blessed by the opening of Nepal for tourism since the 1950s, and their way of life and education have dramatically improved as a result of their work in the field of tourism. Apart from working in the field of tourism, many people here practice traditional lifestyles such as raising Yaks and farming.
Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu (4,400ft)
Meet, be welcomed and transfer to hotel. If you arrive during the day, remainder of the day is free to relax to get over your jetlag. Overnight at quality five-star hotel / 2 nights.
Lodging in Kathmandu Valley:
If quality in the ambience of nature surrounded by forests, birds, wildlife and golf course is your calling, then Gorkarna Forest Resort and Spa will be booked.
If luxury lodging close to and within the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu metropolitan city, we will provide Hotel Yak and Yeti, a well-designed and landscaped five-star property that can meet the standards of most discerning travelers to Nepal. If these properties are full, a similar standard property will be booked.
Day 2 Kathmandu World Heritage Site Tour
Breakfast will be served at hotel and then depart to visit various Cultural World Heritage Sites to see ancient Nepalese arts and architects of Kathmandu Valley. This is an easy day which allows you to overcome jetlag after a long flight. Lunch served at local restaurant. Afternoon return to hotel and remainder of the day free. Evening, we will do trip briefing with welcome dinner.
Day 3 Flight to Lukla (9,315ft) and trek to Phakdhing (8,561ft),
We will take a 35 minutes scenic flight to Lukla Airport (9,315ft) in early morning.
Meet our trekking crew as we arrive, and then trek to Phapkding or Monjo through the scenic trail along the Dudh Koshi River. We will hike through mix of downhill, straight and uphill trails today. Along the way, we will see scenic view of mountains and forests, village settlements and farmlands. We will also meet local people carrying out their daily chores.
Lunch will be served around mid-day along trail at a local inn cafe. Dinner and breakfast served at the lodge we spend overnight. Everest Summit Lodge, Lukla and Yeti Mountain Home in Phakding.
Relocation of Kathmandu to Lukla flights to Manthali (Ramechhap) to Lukla:
Option I: we travel as per the above original trip plan for Day 3:
Option II: Flight to Lukla, hike local attractions and overnight in Lukla,
(option II because flights to Lukla have been diverted from Kathmandu to Manthali, a four-hour drive away from Kathmandu which requires extra time to travel there. This may force us to modify how and when we travel to Lukla on Day 3 and return flight on Day 14.
Day 4 Monjo (9,299ft)
Breakfast at our lodge and then we will hike along the Dudh Koshi River passing through thin deciduous forest, small settlements and teahouses along the trail. We will have lunch in Mono and rest of the afternoon free to rest and explore the village or go for a hike to Thachok Danda (3000m/9840ft) to see Mount Kongde Ri, Thamserku and Numbur Himal. the roundtrip hike will be about 5-6 hours. Overnight at Everest Summit Lodge.
Day 5: Trek to Namche (11,283ft)
Today, we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park area, which is also Nature World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. We will hike through mixed deciduous forest and alpine scrub crossing three suspension bridges. It is an easy at the start of the trek and then uphill until we reach Namche. Today is your first big uphill for two to three hours, depending on your hiking experience and fitness. Overnight at Khumbu Lodge.
Day 6: Explore Namche and Trek to Mende (3,850m / 12,628ft)
After breakfast, we will walk up the hill to visit the Sagarmatha National Park Museum and enjoy an excellent panoramic view of snowcapped mountains including Mount Everest and Ama Dablam. We’ll have lunch in Namche and then trek north-west, along the Nangpo Drangpo valley on the trail to Thame passing through Rhododendron forest, alpine scrub and sparsely settled villages. We will enjoy scenic vistas that include Mount Kwangde on our left and peaks of Tashi Lapcha pass ahead and Mount Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru in the southeast. Himalayan Tahr, Musk seer, Himalayan Monal, and various other birds are seen along this trail. It is approximately 4 hours walk to Mende. Overnight Everest Summit Lodge /2 nights.
Day 7: Excursion to Thame (3,801m) and return to Mende
We will hike through scenic trails to Thame Village and monastery, the valley surrounded by massive snowcapped mountains. Thame village is situated along the way to Nangpa La (pass) Nepal-Tibet boarder through which Tibetans with Yaks and on foot have been trading with Namche for centuries. Thame is also home village of famous Everest summiteers, Tenzing, Ang Rita, and Apa Sherpa and many others. The roundtrip journey between Mende and Thame takes about 6 hours. Overnight Everest Summit Lodge, Mende.
Day 8: Trek to Khunde-Khumjung Villages and to Tashinga (3450m/11,316ft)
Today, we will walk down the valley following the same trail which later connects the trail to Syangboche Airport and then to the villages of Khunde and Khunjung. It is another scenic trail with fantastic mountain views such as Kwangde, Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Everest and Nuptse to name a few.
While in Khumjung, we will visit the village monastery and stop for a delicious lunch at its local restaurant. We will then hike downhill to Tashinga. Overnight Everest Summit Lodge, Tashinga.
Day 9 Trek to Tengboche (12,661ft) and then to Pangboche (3,985m/13,071ft)
We will trek downhill to Imja Khola (River), cross the suspension bridge where the uphill trek begins. Here, we will walk past Phungi Tanga, which has several teahouses, water spun prayer wheels and a national park check post controlled by the Nepal Army. From here, we trek uphill through mixed deciduous forest that is mostly Rhododendron which blooms beautifully in the spring. This is your second biggest uphill which will take two to three hours.
Tengboche Monastery and its compound is part of a flat ground surrounded by beautiful Rhododendron forest and mountains. It is an excellent viewpoint to see and enjoy Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Kwangde, Tawoche and many others with scenic vistas.
Here, we will enjoy delicious lunch and fresh coffee to recharge our energy. We’ll visit the famous Tyangboche Monastery and then hike to Pangboche Village on an easy trail which is downhill, straight, and short uphill after we cross the suspension bridge over Imja Khola.
Today’s trail goes past Mani walls which hold rock slates carved with prayers and boulders are carved with prayers.
Pangboche is a beautiful village with terraced and stone walled fields below the majestic mountains. Overnight Everest Summit Lodge, Pangboche.
Day 10 Hike to Dingboche (4,410m/14,465ft)
After a delicious breakfast, we will hike on the trail to Everest Base Camp and along the Imja Khola/River and below the shadow of Mount Ama Dablam. Other majestic peaks we can see on today’s hike are Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest, Island Peak, Makalu, Kangtega, Thamserku, Cholatse, Lobuche Peak and numerous other peaks.
We will relish a delicious hot lunch in Dingboche and hike back to our lodge.
Day 11 Trek to Tashinga via Tengboche
Today, we will hike on a quiet and scenic local herders’ trail and summer pastureland with stone houses opposite side of Pongboche and Imja Khola. This trail takes us through high altitude Rhododendron forest and off the main trail until we reach Tengboche. We will stop here for lunch, enjoy the awe-inspiring mountains views and then hike to down and up to our evening stop at Everest Summit Lodge, Tashinga.
Day 12 Trek to Monjo
After breakfast, we will trek to Namche on an easy trail. Along the way, we will stop at various viewpoints to enjoy spectacular mountain views. Along this trail, there is possibility of siting the Himalayan Tahr grazing on the slope. This area is also Musk deer habitat. Lunch stop will be in Namche. If you wish to take home some souvenirs from Khumbu, this is probably your best chance. Afternoon, we will hike downhill to Monjo. Overnight at Everest Summit Lodge, Monjo.
Day 13 Trek to Lukla
We will hike back on the scenic Dudh Koshi River valley trail through which we hiked up.
The advantage of hiking back is easy as we are hiking through downhill to straight trails mostly except for some small uphill trails in between.
Lunch will be served along the way at local inn café.
Overnight at Everest Summit Lodge, Lukla.
Day 14 Flight to Kathmandu
We will take a 35-minute scenic flight to Kathmandu.
Arrive and transfer to our hotel and remaining time at leisure.
Lunch is on your own.
Day 15 Kathmandu at leisure
Breakfast served at hotel and day at leisure.
Options of activities on your free day in Kathmandu would be shopping souvenirs, visiting sites you have not yet seen or treat yourself to a nice spa. Lunch is on your own. Farewell dinner will be served at local Nepalese restaurant.
Please Note: This leisure day is also your cushion day should there be a flight delay from Lukla to Kathmandu due to bad weather. All trekkers to the Everest region should have flexible return flight home as there is possibility that there might be a flight delay with the unpredictable mountain weather.
Day 16 Departure from Kathmandu
Our complimentary transfer service will take you to Kathmandu Airport for your connecting flight. International flights require three hours advance reporting in Kathmandu. Your guide or our office representative will accompany you to the airport.
Everest Nature Trek 16 Days
Trekking with Deluxe Lodging:
(Lodging in 5-star hotels in gateway cities and quality boutique lodges along the route, meals and professional services by caring staff).
Trip price per person on double occupancy:
Price: | US$4,333 (2-5 trip members) |
Price: | US$4,052 (6-15 trip members) |
Single Supplement: | US$1,160 |