Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival, we will welcome you in the terminal hall in Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your  hotel and introduce you to your trekking guide, and together you can enjoy a hot cup of masala tea and have an in depth discussion about your trek, including the trekking route, anything you need, the necessities for the trek, and any general suggestions for preparing for your upcoming adventure. 

Sightseeing & trek preparation in Kathmandu

Today you will take a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with our appointed City Guide! Kathmandu is rich with Hindu and Buddhist history, so with an early morning start, you will visit places such as: the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the Buddhist shrine of Boudhanath, the “city of fine arts - Patan Durbar Square, Krishna temple, Kumbeswore Temple, Golden Temple, the 2000 year old “Monkey Temple” - Swayambunath Stupa, and Basantaur Durbar Square - home to the living goddess Kumari. In the afternoon you can get acquainted with the local area around Thamel market, as we help you finish your final trek preparations with a spot of gear hire and/or shopping. In the evening we will officially greet you with a Welcome Dinner serving traditional authentic Nepali food in Kathmandu. 

Kathmandu (1,350m) to Lukla (2800m: 30 min) then Phakding (2,651m: 4 hours)

Are you ready to start your adventure? Today we begin with an early morning flight to Lukla. With the air strip located on the side of the mountain, we guarantee this is going to be the most adventurous 30-min flight you ever take! Upon arrival, we will stop for a short tea break while we meet and organise our porters, and then we begin trekking Winding our way through the forest as we follow the bank of the Dudh Koshi River, passing through several traditional Sherpa villages, and climbing over an old landslide at Chhuthawa, we trek for about 3-4 hours as we make our way to Phakding, a quiet little village set on a plateau and overlooking the valley. We love it here because it is largely untouched by large trekking crowds!

Phakding (2,651m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m: 6-7 hours)

On our way to Sagarmatha National Park, we will be passing through beautiful pine forests and local settlements, and at the entrance your TIMS card and National Park Receipt will be checked. Beyond the National Park checkpoint, the trail passes across the bank of the Dudh Kosi river along another suspension bridge. As we take a steep, zigzagging ascent through dense pine forest towards Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt Everest, and our home for the next two nights, you will get your first partial glimpse of Mt Everest, the holy mountain of the Sherpa people. 

Acclimatization and rest day in Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Acclimatisation is an important part of every successful trekking adventure, and Namche is a popular rest place as it gives you plenty of exciting and rewarding opportunities to explore! It is known as the “tourist hub” and is the most popular resting stop in the Khumbu region. With an abundance of hotels and lodges, Namche also boasts three small museums, a stupa, a monastery, several bakeries/cafes, and many well-stocked stores. A hilly settlement, the town is shaped like a horseshoe and positioned in a very unconventional location.

Today, we’ll be rising early for a side trek to Everest View Hotel (3,780m) which will take us about 4 hrs. This acclimatisation trek is worth it for the  gorgeous views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, AmaDablam, Thamserku, Kongde and others. We’ll also take a short descent into Khumjung, also called Green Valley for the sea of green rooves of the houses that are settled here, where we can visit Khumjung monastery and potentially view the famous “Yeti’s Scalp”!

Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,870m: 6-7 hours)

We descend towards the Dudh Koshi river and travel along a forest trail near the riverbed to reach the largest monastery in the Everest region; the Tengboche Monastery. The path is lined with Stupas, prayer flags and mani walls, and as we climb the dusty, but panoramic switchback to Tengbhoche, you will be welcomed by the superb spectacle that is the Himalayas. If we are lucky, we may be able to attend a service as we explore the monastery, and ask for a blessing for our journey (for which a small donation would be appreciated).

Tengboche (3,870m) to Monjo (2,835m: 6-7 hours)

Today’s trek is going to offer us even more beautiful views of green highlands, snowy mountains, monasteries and mani walls, which we know is something you can never get tired of! Our 7-hour day of trekking starts with a narrow descending trail alongside the Dudh Koshi river, a beautiful river so called for it’s milky appearance (in Nepali, Dudh means milk). Climbing from Phunki Tenga we’ll follow a flat trail that will lead us back up to Namche Bazar, before descending to Jorsalle and crossing a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river to exit the Sagarmatha National Park and lead us to our destination for the day - Monjo!

Monjo to Lukla (5-6 hours)

Our final day of trekking delivers us different beautiful villages like Ghat, Chumoa, Benkar and Phakding. We retrace our route with an easy downhill walk from Monjo, and a slight ascent at the end takes us to Pasang Lhamu Memorial gate which represents the end of the trek. On reaching Lukla, we can take some time to rest, freshen up, and explore the place that is the gateway to Everest. We’ll stay here overnight as we prepare for our early morning flight back to Kathmandu.

Lukla to Kathmandu

Get ready for one final adventure flight, as we fly back to Kathmandu. The runway at Lukla ends abruptly at the edge of the mountain, as we lift up and take one final journey through the Himalaya mountains. The flight will take about 45 min, and as you say goodbye you will get a different view of the changing landscapes, and the colourful and crowded villages and bazaars. With an afternoon in Kathmandu to yourself, you can choose to wander the bustling tourist district of Thamel to finish up your souvenir shopping, or rest up in your hotel. Join us for a final meal together, as we enjoy a Nepalese farewell dinner with traditional live music and dance.  

Drop off at the airport

As today is your last day in the country we appreciate your decision to choose us as your travel companion. We are honored to be a part of your beautiful memories and hope that we met your expectations. We will accompany you to the airport for a traditional Nepal farewell, and we wish you a safe flight back home.