This is a very comfortable hotel situated to the north of Thamel, the tourist district of Kathmandu. It has a lovely garden with a swimming pool and several excellent restaurants. The bustle of Thamel, with all its restaurants, shops and bars, is a 20 minute walk or 10 minute taxi ride away. Overnight at the Yak & Yeti Hotel.
Experience has shown that taking time to relax after the long flight to Nepal is important preparation for the strenuous trek to come. You will have time for some exploration of Kathmandu with its wonderful mixture of crowded bazaars, Hindu and Buddhist temples, shrines and stupas, ancient architecture and more modern buildings.
In the morning there is a half-day guided walking tour. Your transport will drop you at Kathmandu Durbar Square with its many temples and palaces, and from here you will walk to the ‘monkey temple’ at Swayambhunath, visiting Asan Tol, Kathmandu’s busy main bazaar, and Thamel en-route. In the afternoon you might like to visit the important Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Baghmati River. You could also take a taxi (hotel reception can help you organize this) to visit one of the two old towns of the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur or Patan.
Overnight at the Yak & Yeti Hotel. (Meals: B)
Experience has shown that taking time to relax after the long flight to Nepal is important preparation for the strenuous trek to come. You will have time for some exploration of Kathmandu with its wonderful mixture of crowded bazaars, Hindu and Buddhist temples, shrines and stupas, ancient architecture and more modern buildings.
In the morning there is a half-day guided walking tour. Your transport will drop you at Kathmandu Durbar Square with its many temples and palaces, and from here you will walk to the ‘monkey temple’ at Swayambhunath, visiting Asan Tol, Kathmandu’s busy main bazaar, and Thamel en-route. In the afternoon you might like to visit the important Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Baghmati River. You could also take a taxi (hotel reception can help you organize this) to visit one of the two old towns of the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur or Patan.
Overnight at the Yak & Yeti Hotel. (Meals: B)
A principal benefit of walking as far as Monjo on the first day is that you can walk up the steep hill to Namche when fit and fresh in the early morning. You leave Monjo and continue to the park gates of the Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale where you complete entry formalities. You then walk on alongside the river to arrive at the confluence of the Imja Drangka and the Nangpo Drangpo, which combine to form the Dudh Khosi. Crossing the river on a high bridge you start the steep climb to Namche. Near the halfway point up the hill, if the sky is clear, your first views of Everest and Lhotse come into sight. You then continue the climb, less steeply now Namche is the largest and most prosperous village in the Khumbu. Thamserku (6,618m) and Kwangde (6,224m) loom to the east and west and the sacred mountain Khumbila (5,707m) dominates the skyline to the north behind the village. The narrow streets at its centre are a mixture of traditional and modern, with Sherpa homes mingled with cafes, handicraft shops and
shops selling or renting trekking and climbing equipment, foodstuffs and vegetables, tennis shoes and Tibetan boots. Don’t be surprised if, after the exertion of the climb and the rise in elevation, you feel a little tired and head-achey. You will feel better after a cup of tea and a rest.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
‘Climb high, sleep low’ is the mantra for good acclimatization. To aid acclimatization it is a good idea today to, at the very least, walk up the hill to the Park Headquarters and visit the interesting Sagarmatha National Park Museum. From here there are the first really good views of Everest and Ama Dablam – a wonderful panorama. If you are feeling energetic you might also make the worthwhile excursion to the Everest View Hotel, situated above the village of Khumjung. Although rather an ugly building and out of keeping with its surroundings there are very good views from its terrace and you can have a cup of tea or a glass of hot lemon there and take in the scenery.
Overnight tea house in Namche. (Meals: B, L, D)
Today you head north-west, up the Nangpo Drangpo valley (Bhote Khosi). As you walk up the valley, to your left you have fine views of Kwangde (6,343m) and the waterfalls cascading off its flanks. You continue high above the river, on a contouring trail through fine rhododendron forest. Watch out along here for colourful Impeyan Pheasant, the Nepalese national bird, and small deer. Just before the village of Thamo you cross a side valley (Kyajo Kola) and from there you can look back for fine views of Thamserku (6,648m) and Kusum Kangru (6,370m). You might choose to visit the little nunnery passed just as you leave the village. Leaving Thamo you continue up the valley, still staying high above the river before descending to cross the river near some rock paintings of Buddhist figures. For the final part of the walk you climb alongside a small stream to arrive at the cultivated fields in front of Thame village. This is where Tenzing Norgay, the first Sherpa ever to climb Mt. Everest, lived for many years with his first wife.
If you are still feeling energetic on arrival you could make the short climb of about 1 hour to Thame monastery clinging to the cliff side above the village in a truly spectacular location. The monks here have a Mani Rimdu festival every year in the late spring. You climb to the top of the ridge above the village and then ascend left to the monastery. From the monastery terrace there are fantastic views back down the valley of the mountains beyond Namche. As you descend from the monastery it is worth while walking to the end of the ridge to look up the valley towards the Nangpa La, a pass leading to Tibet and a principal trade route between Nepal and Tibet for many hundreds of years.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
In the morning, if you did not have time yesterday, you may visit Thame Gompa. You then descend back down the valley. Crossing back over the Kyajo Khola you will take a high, scenic trail up to the left which by-passes Namche and ascends past the high airstrip at Syangboche and continues over the top of the ridge before descending to Khunde. Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
The trail descends through Khumjung with chortens forming a dramatic frame to a view of Ama Dablam (6,696m), and Kangtaiga (6,779m), flanked by the towering heights of Sagarmatha (the Nepalese name for Everest), Lhotse and Nuptse. You might have time on the way to visit the ancient gompa situated in a grove of trees near Khumjung. This is where they keep locked in a case the scalp of a Yeti! As you descend from the village first through walled fields and then through moss-covered rhododendron forest watch out for blood pheasant and beautiful Impeyan pheasant scratching in the undergrowth. You then descend through forests of rhododendron and blue pine to the village of Trashinga and on down to cross the Dudh Kosi at Phungithanga (3,250m/10,663ft) with its water driven prayer wheels. Finally, you climb through beautiful forests to reach Thyangboche, the main monastery of the Khumbu area, situated on a high saddle.
Thyangboche lies on the forested ridge at the base of Kangtaiga and this position affords panoramic views of the main peaks of Khumbu including Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. It will probably be cloudy by the time you arrive in the early afternoon, but should normally be clear first thing in the morning so it will be well worthwhile getting up early tomorrow morning for the sensational views. There should be time this afternoon to visit the monastery. Remember that a small donation is expected when you visit monasteries.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
You will probably be woken in the early hours, while it is still dark, by the sound of horns and cymbals as the monks have their first prayers of the day. You will have time to visit the monastery in the morning if you did not go yesterday.
Leaving Thyangboche, your path descends through trees to Deboche where the small and atmospheric nunnery is well worth a visit. You pass further houses and ‘mani’ walls as the path continues along the river valley amongst the trees. After crossing a bridge over a picturesque gorge, the path gradually climbs, with stunning views of Ama Dablam ahead. There are numerous fantastic photo opportunities in both directions, and frequent chortens and mani walls are passed, as height is gained to reach the village of Pangboche. This is a very picturesque village with stone walled fields and there is a very interesting monastery set in trees at the top of the village. This is probably the oldest monastery of the Khumbu region, possibility dating back as far as the first introduction of Buddhism into the Khumbu. There used to be a ‘yeti’ scalp and claw kept here but they were stolen some years ago. You continue from Pangboche and the path ascends above the village with the sparse landscape now reflecting the height.
You pass some yak herders’ cottages and walled fields at Orsho before crossing a stream and making a final steep ascent to Dingboche. The village of Dingboche is set in a stunning position, surrounded by high peaks. In summer months they grow barley here – possibly the highest altitude in the world at which this crop is grown. For acclimatization you need to spend two nights around the 4,000m level at Dingboche, lying in a sheltered spot above the Imja Khola is generally more attractive for this than Pheriche, another settlement situated on the other side of the ridge.
Overnight tea house.(Meals: B, L, D)
There are several opportunities for interesting acclimatization walks from Dingboche. It is possible to walk up the ridge behind the village to make an energetic ascent of Naga Dzong Ri. This is a steep but not technically difficult ascent to a summit at 5,083 meters, from where there are stunning views of Makalu and Amphu Laptse. You can take in the small temple of Nagartsang Gompa on the way down – there is a nice sheltered terrace here from where you can enjoy the views. You will descend in time for lunch in the village.
In the afternoon you might care to walk across to the village of Pheriche to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic – one of the doctors there often gives a talk about high altitude acclimatization in the afternoon. If these options don’t appeal it is possible to walk up the valley to the yak grazing pastures at Chukhung (4,730m) – a 4-5 hour round trip.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
This morning you ascend the ridge to a large chorten above Dingboche village and it is then an easy walk up a wide, grassy plateau. The peaks of Tawoche and Cholatse tower above you and it is possible to see Pheriche village in the valley below to your left. At the tiny hamlet of Duglha you reach a jumble of rocks which marks the terminal moraine at the base of the Khumbu glacier. You ascend steeply up this moraine to reach the top where there are many memorial cairns to those who have died on Everest. The landscape is now wild and rocky and there is a real feeling of being high in the mountains.
Following the often frozen stream at one side of the moraine you soon reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche. This rather bleak spot was once a yak grazing settlement and was then inhabited only during the summer months but now it is open throughout the winter serving trekkers and climbers and is the jumping off point for Everest Base Camp and Kala Pathar. Sunset over Nuptse is particularly spectacular from here. It is worth walking over to the moraine to view the moraine covered glacier behind it. Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
This is the big day for the trek to Base Camp. An early start is essential to get there before any cloud comes down and it will probably be very cold when you set off. Make sure to have something for breakfast even if you don’t feel like it as you will need the energy! You are at high altitude so take some snacks to keep you going along the way and be sure to have your water bottle filled when you set off.
Leaving Lobuche you head north-east, along the side of the Khumbu Glacier through jumbled moraine and shattered rock. There is almost no vegetation here. Even so, small coveys of the delightful Tibetan Snow Cock can often be seen along the way or heard calling from the hillsides. You make several energetic ups and downs across the moraine and descend to Gorek-Shep where it is worth having a reviving cup of tea and a snack.
From Gorek-Shep it is still a long, fairly arduous trek to base camp, initially following the top of the moraine and then descending onto the boulder-strewn glacier. In the climbing season you may follow mountaineering groups, or yaks carrying supplies, but at other times there are just a series of small cairns along the route. After a couple of hours you reach the base camp area from where, although you do not have views of the actual summit of Everest, there are sensational close-up views of the terrifying Khumbu ice-fall and the surrounding scenery of ice seracs and tumbled rocks. At this altitude the return to Gorek-Shep will feel like quite a long way and will use up your remaining reserves of energy.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
At Gorek-Shep you will be ideally placed for an ascent of Kala Pathar in the clear of the morning before cloud comes in to obscure the summit of Everest. Although not far this is a tough ascent of approximately 2-3 hours until you finally reach the rocky summit of Kala Pathar at 5,545m – quite literally the high-point of your trek! From the summit of Kala Pathar there are great views of the summit of Everest as well as other Himalayan giants - Pumori (7,145m), the Tibetan peak Changtse (4,501m), Nuptse, Lhotse and countless other needles and snow fluted ridges. You can also look down on the Khumbu glacier where base camp is located during the climbing season in late spring.
You will then descend to Gorek Shep and take the trail back down to Lobuche. From Lobuche you follow the path down as far as Tughla and then instead of taking the trail back to Dingboche you descend to the flat valley bottom. It is then quite a short distance on the flat to reach Pheriche where you will stay for the night.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
This morning will seem much easier as you are descending at a lower altitude than you have been at for the last five days. From Pheriche you descend to join the valley of the Imja Khola and retrace your steps past Orsho and down the pleasant trail to Pangboche. If you did not have a chance to visit the Gompa in Pangboche on the way up it would be worth a quick visit now.
Leaving Pangboche you descend to cross a bridge over a terrifying gorge before making a short climb in forest to Thyangboche – watch out for musk deer and pheasants in the woods along here. From Thyangboche you descend to the river at Phungithanga and then make the final
climb of the day up through pine forest to reach the Tibetan traders at Tashinga. There is a short final ascent to reach your tea house for the night in either Sanasa (3,580m) or Kyangjuma (3,600m). It will seem delightfully warm at this altitude and the air positively packed with oxygen.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
From Kyanjuma you take a delightful undulating trail with some of your last high altitude mountain views of the trek, looking across to the summits of Thamserku and Kangtaiga. You reach a corner in the trail and then will find Namche below you. You descend into Namche before making the knee crunching descent back down to the valley. The warmer climate should offer a good opportunity to finally shed a layer or two. You will still have wonderful views, and the chance to relax in slightly warmer valley surroundings. Trek back down the Dudh Kosi valley for a short way past the checkpoint at Jorsale to Monjo.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart. There is something very special about the setting, the villages and the people of the high Khumbu hills and valleys and these memories will help you up the deceptively long, final climb into Lukla.
The trail to Lukla follows the main trail as far as Chablung, and then turns off above the village of Chaunrikharka towards Lukla. There are signs beyond the stream at Chablung pointing you in the direction of Lukla. The broad trail, leading uphill to the left, climbs steadily past a few bhattis and the school, then through scrub forests above the school and houses of Chaunrikharka. After a steep final climb there is a collection of houses and bhattis in Tamang Tole, a new settlement a short distance from the airport. As you approach the airstrip the houses and hotels rapidly proliferate. On arrival you can finally relax and enjoy a celebratory beer.
Overnight tea house. (Meals: B, L, D)
Please note that flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to weather conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; be reassured that our staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience caused if this happens. Your patience in the trying circumstances, which can occur, will be greatly appreciated. Your final day of leisure in Kathmandu does of course provide a valuable ‘cushion’ against missing your flight home should the Lukla flight be delayed.
On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred to the Yak & Yeti Hotel. (Meals: B)
An opportunity to relax and reflect on your adventures and to complete any sightseeing and last-minute shopping. Overnight Yak & Yeti Hotel. (Meals: B)
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Important note: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary but as this is Adventure Travel, we cannot guarantee it! By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected, particularly in remote and/or mountainous regions. A variety of factors such as adverse weather conditions, difficulties with transportation and the health of group members can all contribute to the need to make changes, often at the very last minute.
Changes can affect any part of the itinerary including overnight stops, duration of walking days, choice of accommodation and routing. Your trek leader will make every effort to maintain the integrity of the original itinerary and minimize the impact of any changes, but an easy-going and flexible nature is a real asset! Please note that all timings and distances given are approximate.
END OF OUR SERVICES
