Nepal boasts eight of the world's tallest mountains and the world's oldest Hindu and Buddhist sites. While Kathmandu Valley is made of three ancient cities filled with enchanting medieval palaces, pagodas, temples, statues, and stupas, the rest of the kingdom offers unparalleled adventure options with an abundance of flora and fauna. As for its people - From the Tharus that share their land with the splendid Asian tuskers in the plains to the brave Yak herders of Dolpo, they are as amazing as the land itself. Here in its tropical jungles the Royal Bengal Tiger prowls, higher up the legend of the Yeti lives on. Although modernization has set in, the quintessence of ancient Nepal remains amongst its people.

Upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel as booked.

Overnight at Hotel [-/-/-]

After breakfast visit Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swyambhunath Stupa. 

Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal is the political as well as the cultural capital of the country. Like any big city, Kathmandu has rapidly expanded over the last decade but despite the hustle and bustle of the city, its people have remained as friendly as ever. 

Durbar Square: ‘Durbar’ means ‘palace’, and takes its name from the old Royal Palace. This is the center of the old city, and there are several interesting temples including Kasthamandap, and the House of Wood, which gives the city its name. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Temple of the Living Goddess: Kathmandu is blessed by a living goddess. The Kumari Devi is the most important of several living goddesses in Nepal. She is seen on the temple’s balcony regularly. A mere sight of her is considered very auspicious by throngs of devotees who seek her blessings. 

Then drive to Swyambhunath Stupa which is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site. Legend has it that when Kathmandu Valley was a lake 2000 years ago, a single lotus flower grew at the center of the lake. When Saint Manjushree, the Bodhisattva drained the lake with a single slash of his sword, the lotus settled on top of a hill and magically turned into a stupa. Hence, Swayambhunath is also known as a Self-Created stupa. 

This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrines in Nepal. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities, and numerous other religious objects. There are many small shrines with statues of Tantric and shamanistic deities, prayer wheels for the Tibetan Buddhists, Shiva lingams, and a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Harati, the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemics.

The afternoon is at leisure for the last minute checking for the trek.  Drive to Ramechhap 3 to 4 hours

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Flight duration: 25 to 30 min

Maximum altitude (Lukla): 2860 m

Trek distance: approx. 6.5 km

Trek duration: 3 to 4 hours

Maximum altitude (Phakding): 2652 m

Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from the hotel to the domestic airport, a short drive of 10-15 minutes, and board a small twin-otter or similar type of aircraft for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla and trek to Phakding which will take about 3-4 hours. The walk is along a pleasant trail most of the way, with a few steep climbs from Tarhe Khola, where you have a superb view of the Kusum-Kangru (6,369m) crossing. Then after a short climb, you reach Ghat village, and another 1½ hours of trekking brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop near the bank of the Dudh-Koshi River.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek distance: approx. 8 km

Trek duration: 5 to 6 hours

Maximum altitude (Namche Bazar): 3440 m

Today, we will walk from Phakding after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Koshi River, the walk is pleasant with a few short uphill climbs and then downhill, re-crossing the same river again, with magnificent views of Thamserku (6,608m). From the village of Benkar, you will cross the long suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River once more, and then continue on this busy trail of trekkers, Ghopkyo, and porters, before finally arriving at the small village of Monjo-where you can see an interesting water mill grinding roasted corns and barley for Tsampa, one of the staple foods of the Sherpas, Tibetans, and other mountain people. Monjo is situated below the magnificent peak of Thamserku and near the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. After a few minutes walk from Monjo, you will reach the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, where your trekking permit and especially the parking ticket are checked to keep a record of all trekkers going in and out including the local trekking staff. 

From here there is a short descent to Jorsalle village, the last village and the only place to shop before Namche Bazaar. You will continue to trek by the river until the last bridge over the Imja Tse River is reached. From here the walk is along a winding uphill path to Namche Bazaar, with views of Kwangde Peak and its other sister peaks to the east, with Kusum Kangru behind you as you climb higher. There are also views of Mt. Everest and Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, and a closer view of Taweche Peak, which can be seen up to Thop Danda, where there’s a resting stone wall for the porters and trekkers. There is still another 1-2 hour walk, which brings you to the famed Namche Bazaar, with its colourful houses situated in an amphitheatre U-shaped bowl.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Suggested activities include a short walk uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, a magnificent spot perched on top of Namche Bazaar with spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped giants and the valleys way down below. There is also an interesting museum with all kinds of information regarding the history of the Himalayas, its geography, culture, mountaineering history, and information on the flora and fauna of this region. You can then enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek distance: approx. 9.5 km

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude (Tengboche): 3867 m

The trail leads along a winding path with great views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and a close-up view of Thamserku. You will come to a busy place called Sagnasa, and in this area, there is a much higher chance of seeing the beautifully colored Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant) the national bird of Nepal, and the elusive musk deer, and sometimes even a herd of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). From Sagnasa, the trail descends to the Imja Tse River at Phungitenga (3250m), a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small Royal Nepalese Army barracks amid the alpine woods of mostly silver fir blue pines, rhododendron, and some magnolia and birch trees. At Phungitenga there's an interesting prayer wheel propelled by water, from the nearby streams. The walk from here is strenuous for an hour on a winding trail through shaded woods until a small religious monument of prayer stones covered with rhododendron leaves and junipers is reached. From here the walk is uphill for another hour, with views of Thamserku and Kangtenga (which from this angle looks more like an icy Sphinx or a big cat). As you reach Tengboche, you will be assured by a religious Buddhist gate that the walk for the day is almost over. Tengboche is one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas, and the first thing that you will see is a big Gompa (monastery), before a large field with campsites and teahouses, lodges beneath the peak of Ama Dablam with Everest looming above, and the Nuptse wall to the North with Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar to the North East and many more peaks all around you.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek Distance: approx. 11 km

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

Maximum altitude (Dingboche): 4358 m

The trail descends through a forest of birch, fir, juniper, and rhododendron and comes out at a lovely spot at Deboche (4358 m) with further views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt.Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. From Deboche you will walk past the long prayer Mani wall, the path is gradual until you reach a small bridge over the narrow gorge of the Imja-Tse River. The walk continues gradually uphill most of the way, as you come to a large Mani wall gate. A little further from here the route diverts two ways; the upper one goes to the upper Pangboche village, where the old Monastery is located, and the lower route is the straightforward main trail to Dingboche, Pheriche, and beyond. It will be better to go on the upper trail, for the views and to visit the upper Pangboche village 3,900m, and its Monastery which had a Yeti scalp and a skeleton believed to be a Yeti's hand, it was stolen in the early ‘90s, and has never been recovered. After a visit to the Monastery, there is a gradual walk downhill which brings you back to the main trail, from here Kangtenga peak looks different from its northern face. After a pleasant break here your journey continues eastwards, after an hour’s walk, before a small wooden bridge the road splits two ways again; the north going to Pheriche and the second leading east beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. The trails climb slowly, winding above the Imja Tse River, until you come to a big Mani Stupa. From here onwards the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja Tse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse with views of the eastern snow-capped mountains including the Island Peak or Imjatse (6,189m), which is a popular trekking peak in Nepal. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Today is a very important acclimatization day. The day is spent visiting the monastery in Dingboche, famous for its Yeti scalp and hand, and then exploring the Imja Khola. There are some breathtaking views of the North face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge as we explore this beautiful valley that leads up to Island Peak. The day’s walk is usually short with a good chance to relax in the afternoon and either do some washing etc. or just laze in the sun.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek distance: approx. 7.9 km

Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude (Lobuche): 4928 m

Our onward journey leads north, and the path heads up for about 40-50mins until you come to a mani-prayer stupa. The trail is gentle looking down to Pheriche village below. Today's walk offers views of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam, and the north-Pokalde (5,741m), Kongma-Tse (5,820m), and the great wall of Nuptse. After a walk of 1 ½ to 2 hours, the trail from Pheriche joins near Dugla (4595m) before a small wooden bridge over the river of Khumbu glacier. You will stop at Dugla, for lunch, before continuing for an hour up a steep hill to the top, where there are views of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. This is a good spot for a short break. There is another 1 ½ to 2 hours of trekking up to Lobuche, hidden and sheltered from the wind.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

To Gorakshep

Trek distance: approx. 4.5 km

Trek duration: 2.5 to 3 hours

Maximum altitude (Gorakshep): 5190 m

To EBC (round trip)

Trek distance: approx. 7.2 km

Trek duration: 4 hours

Maximum altitude (EBC): 5364 m

After an early breakfast, you will prepare for your final destination at the foot of Everest Base Camp. You will trek up the valley following the rocky moraine path. You can see the icy glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes, a short downhill walk brings you to Gorakshep on the flat field below Kalapathar (5545m) and Mt.Pumori (7,145m). Gorakshep is the location of the original Everest Base Camp.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

To Kala Patthar (round trip)

Hike distance: 3.7 km

Hike duration: 3 to 4 hours

Maximum altitude (Kala Patthar): 5554 m

To Pheriche

Trek distance: 11.5 km

Trek duration: 5 to 6 hours

Maximum altitude (Pheriche): 4230m

Another 1.5/2.5 hours walk to Kalapathar from Gorakshep, with refreshment, continues towards Kalapathar. The walk is gradual till you reach the rocky spot after an hour’s walk. From here another uphill climb for ½ hour brings you to Kalapathar, 5,288m. From Kalapathar Top, the views will be beyond your wildest imagination, with Everest seeming within a stone’s throw distance between the summit of Mt. Nuptse and Lho-La and Lhotse on the back. The panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish and you feel it's worth the hard climb up to here and to feel at the top of the world. With all the higher snow-capped giants that dominate all around, it is truly a magnificent spot to be on a clearer sunny day. After a great moment, an hour’s descent takes you back to Gorakshep and then back to Pheriche for the night.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek distance: 19 km

Trek duration: 7 to 8 hours

Today we will walk back from Pheriche to Khumjung which lies at an altitude of 3867 m/ 9499 ft. We will walk about 7-8 hours to reach Khumjung then transfer to the lodge and get relaxed.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek distance: approx. 9 km

Trek duration: 5 to 6 hours

Today we walk on an easy high trail before descending to Namche from here we retrace our steps back to Phakding which will take about 6 hrs.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

Trek distance: approx. 6.5 km

Trek duration: 3 to 4 hours

Today we trek along the Dudh Koshi River through Jorsalle and Chourikharka On the trail there are ups and downs and flats as we ascend to Lukla, which will take about 3-4 hrs.

Overnight at Simple Lodge [B]

The journey from Lukla to Ramechhap and then on to Kathmandu involves a combination of flight and road travel

The quick yet beautiful flight from Lukla to Ramechhap provides breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Depending on air traffic and meteorological conditions, the journey takes between thirty and forty minutes.

The vehicle is waiting for you to take a ground transfer to Kathmandu once you arrive at Ramechhap. Depending on traffic and road conditions, the roughly 130-kilometer trip from Manthali to Kathmandu takes approx. 4 to 5 hours. 

Overnight at Hotel or Similar [B]

After having, breakfast drive to the airport for your final journey. 

[B]