Nepal: Everest Highlights
Mount Everest. To the Nepalese it is simply called Sagarmatha, the “sky head”. To the Tibetans it is Chomolungma, the “mother goddess of the earth”. To the rest of the world it is the most renowned mountain of all. When it comes to spectacular breathtaking mountain panoramas, the Everest Trek is without equal. The walk to Tengboche from Lukla takes you through lush valleys with abundant flora and fauna, past friendly Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries, and far above the treeline towards the earth’s highest mountains. Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and Mt. Everest tower above you on this challenging, but very rewarding trek.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Kathmandu Guest House. Day free to relax and get over your jet-lag.
DAY 2: We have an organized sightseeing tour of Kathmandu and Patan that will give you a basic orientation of the area for further exploration on your own.
DAY 3: This day is partly free but is used mainly to organize and prepare for the trek. There will be a major briefing on all the final details.
DAY 4: In the morning we take a spectacular 40 min. flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, perched at 9400ft (2865m) in the Khumbu region of Eastern Nepal. The flight is bound to be one of the most exhilarating you will ever take. Much of it is only a few thousand feet above ground and the views of the terraced landscape and river valleys below, as well as the closeness of some of the world’s highest mountains make it a truly memorable experience. In Lukla the porters load up and we proceed to Phakding (8700ft, 2650m), an easy afternoon’s scenic walk. Camp at Phakding.
DAY 5: Today there is a long, steep climb up to the town of Namche Bazaar (11300ft, 3440m), the main administrative and trading centre for the Khumbu region. The climb is, however, made easier by the distractions offered by the magnificent forests of blue pine, fir, juniper and rhododendron as well as our first views of Mt. Everest.
DAY 6: Acclimatization day at Namche. This day can be spent relaxing at camp, exploring the tiny shops in the bazaar or on an optional hike to Kunde or Khumjung.
DAY 7: Much of this day’s walk is along a trail with spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Kantaiga, and Ama Dablam. We camp at Tengboche (12700ft, 3875m), site of the Khumbu region’s most important Buddhist monastery.
DAY 8: Rest day at Tengboche, one of the most beautiful places on earth. The day can be spent relaxing and observing the lively scene: red-robed monks of all ages at prayer and at work. Or a day hike up to Pangboche, site of the oldest monastery in the region, for those who are especially keen.
DAY 9: From Tengboche we start the descent to Namche.
DAY 10: From Namche we continue on down to Jorsale.
DAY 11: An easy day’s walk brings us back to Lukla for our final night in the Khumbu. Although it may have looked primitive the first time through, Lukla will seem quite modern after the isolated villages up the valley.
DAY 12: An early morning flight takes us back to Kathmandu, and gives us a last view of the mountains we have just spent two weeks exploring.
DAY 13: Free in Kathmandu to continue exploring the valley and surrounding hill towns.
DAY 14: End of Everest Highlights Trek. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
PLEASE NOTE: On adventure trips of this type, weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.
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