DAY 1

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel

It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu (1400m) on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling below is the beginning of a whole chain of memorable experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by our waiting support team and escorted to your hotel where welcome drinks will be served. Spend the night at the hotel.

DAY 2

Sightseeing tour of Boudhanath, Pashupatinath & Patan

Kathmandu is the historic and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since the country first opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, fused with Western influences. Today you will enjoy a guided tour, first to the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath, and then to Pashupatinath, the most popular Hindu shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afterwards, we drive to historic Patan, modern day Lalitpur. We stroll through Patan Durbar Square and take delight in the architectural wonders of the Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions in the square and there is so much to explore besides. We spend a second night in our Kathmandu hotel.

DAY 3

Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla & trek to Phakding

We take a short flight to Lukla (2850m), landing on the famous steep mountain runway at Tenzing-Hillary Airport. After meeting our guide and porters, we begin our trek by heading up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail as far as Phakding (2656m) where we spend the night. Overnight at a local lodge.

27 minutes’ flight & 4 to 5 hours walking.

DAY 4

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

From Phakding, we continue up valley, crossing and re-crossing the river via high suspension bridges. Once beyond Monjo, we reach the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set up in order to help protect the fragile Himalayan environment. From here, we take a steep hike to Namche Bazaar (3450m), gaining our first glimpse of Mt Everest, if the weather is clear. Namche, with its busy Saturday market, is the main trading village in the Khumbu Valley – a meeting place for Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La to the north. We spend the night at Everest Inn Lodge.

5-6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 5

Sightseeing in and around Namche Bazaar

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu Valley and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatising to the new altitude, before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatise, you visit Khunde Hospital, set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and a museum just above the town. Sleep a second night at Everest Inn Lodge.

DAY 6

Trek from Namche Bazaar to Thame

From Namche the route turns west and the trail is almost level as we head up the Bhote Kosi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. Along the way we pass many prayer flags and mani stones, all indicative of the Tibetan Buddhist culture of this area. After descending to the Bhote Kosi, the trail climbs steeply to Thame (3739m). From here there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde. To the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame, popularly known as the village of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the first man ever to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest, is a small picturesque village with closely built houses and a beautiful monastery, perched on the slope of a steep cliff overlooking the village. We spend the night at Thame.

4 to 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 7

Trek from Thame to Khumjung

We retrace our route down the Bhote Koshi Valley towards Namche, then branch off to follow a quiet trail to Khumjung (3786m). The village is popular for Hillary School founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961 and a gompa at the top end of town. The Monastery displays a scalp considered to be of a yeti. From the village, we can have the excellent views of Thamserku, Kantega, Ama Dablam and Everest. We spend the night at Khumjung.

4 to 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 8

Trek from Khumjung to Phortse

Now we descend from Khumjung back along the valley to Phortse (3452m), a village which seems unaffected by the advent of trekkers. We can witness the quiet rhythm of life continuing at its usual pace without a care in the world.

4 to 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 9

Trek from Phortse to Pangboche

From Phortse, the trail leads through fields, a stream and two white chortens to reach Pangboche (3985m), our highest point on the trek, where the highlight is its charming and unspoiled monastery. This monastery, famous for its yeti scalp and hand, is believed to have been founded around 1667 making it the oldest Sherpa gompa in the Khumbu.

5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 10

Trek from Pangboche to Tengboche

While descending from Pangboche to Tengboche (3864m), we see many rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its monastery, the largest in the Khumbu, standing sentinel on a high ridge with the stunning backdrop of Ama Dablam. Every year, during the November/December full moon, the monastery hosts the Mani Rimdu Festival, one of the liveliest festivals in the Khumbu region. The spectacular panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam can be seen from this village.

4 to 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 11

Trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar

From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche (3450m). We spend the night at Namche.

4 to 5 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 12

Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Our final day’s trek from Namche Bazaar follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla (2860m). Our last evening calls for a celebration. We have a party with our Sherpa guides and porters. We sample some Chang, try out some Sherpa dances, and end a memorable trip on a merry note. Overnight at Everest Inn Lodge.

6 hours walking, approximately.

DAY 13

Flight to Kathmandu

We depart early for the airstrip to catch our morning flight back to Kathmandu.

On touchdown, the rest of the day is free for us to explore this wonderful city. You might choose to do some last-minute shopping, or perhaps stroll through the city’s historic narrow lanes to enjoy the attractions of Thamel.

27 minutes flying time.

DAY 14

Transfer to the airport and depart Kathmandu

Our Nepalese support team will greet you one last time and transfer with you to the airport in good time for your flight home.