Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Welcome to Nepal! On arrival in Kathmandu you’ll be met at the airport by your representative (they’ll have YMH signboard if you’ve booked direct or the logo of your travel agent if you are through your agent)
There’s a short drive to your hotel. You’ll be served with welcome drink and given the keys to your rooms. Rest of the day is for you to prepare for the trek. We have group welcome dinner where you will be introduced to your other members joining the adventure with you. Your leader will be briefyou on your programs. If you have any question on the trip, it is the right time to ask.
Meals: BD
Hotel:
Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 2: Flight to Lukla (2850m/9317ft) & trek to Phakding (2610m/ 8562ft) 3 hours trekking.
We make an early start to take a spectacular, short mountain flight to Lukla, the start point for our trek. Watch out for the Langtang and Jugal ranges then the RolwalingHimal, Gaurisankar and Menlumtse before getting your first glimpse of Everest on the flight. Our trekking crew meets us at the Lukla airstrip and we’ll spend a few minutes sorting out bags etc before setting off through this winding village to the trek start proper at the Khumbu ‘gateway’. It’s gently downhill on pitched stone trails through low rhododendron forest, small ‘garden’ farms and old and new hamlets to the banks of the foaming DudhKoshiriver. There will be plenty of short stops to meet the locals, take photographs and just soak up the scenery and the clear mountain air as we meander along, the undulating trail glimpsing views of 6000m snow-capped peaks high above. Passing the enormous mani stone at ThadoKosi we meander up through the many chortens and prayer wheels of Sano and along to our destination of YMH Phakding in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is free to rest in the riverside gardens or sun lounge. For those who wish to we’ll make a short trip up to the higher village and delightful tiny gompa perched on the valley side. Gather again for pre-dinner drinks round the fire followed by evening meal.
Meals: BLD
Hotel:
YMH Phakding
Day 3: Trek to Namche (3440m/11286f) 6 hours trekking.
After breakfast at lodge, we trek to Namche following with the left bank of DudhKoshiRiver.
While following the level path along the right bank from the resort, Thamserku 6623m looms skyward on the opposite bank. After crossing a stream and climbing the terraced hill from the DudhKoshi route, you arrive at Banker. Walking on the riverbed on the left bank, through a forest you arrive at Chumow where you can visit the Vegetable Farm. Walking along a path with many ups and downs, crossing a stream you pass by a small village located at 2840m gaining with 230m from Phakding named Monjo. You stop for lunch here.Then from Monjo, descending stone steps you come to a suspension bridge, and, after a short climb you reach Jorshale. This is the entrance to the National Park, and you must wait here while your guide pays the entrance fees.
Walking beside the river, you reach a forested mountainside and pass a rocky area.After crossing a high, winding path, you descend to the riverbed and reach a V-shaped valley. The river forks here: the right stream is the DudhKoshi and the left is the BhoteKoshi that leads to Nangpa La. Crossing another suspension bridge and walking a short distance alongside the BhoteKoshi, you ascend to Top Dhara where youwill get the first view of Mount Everest. From here you ascend gradually up to Namche Bazaar (The Sherpa capital). Dinner at the evening is included.
Meals: BLD
Hotel:
YMH Namche
Day 4: Namche Excursion
Today we’ll take a gentle walk to gain a little height and then have the afternoon free to explore the shops and cafes of this delightful little town.
Your guide will take you to a couple of wonderful viewpoints to see the ‘rockstars’ of the mountain world spread out before you: Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, AmaDablam... they ring the deep valley sides in a magnificent arena. You should also be able to see the monastery at Tengboche and the trails to Everest. If you’re feeling energised we’ll continue on to the delightful villages of Kumjung and Kunde with their health post and school both started by the Sir Edmund Hilary Fund.
After lunch you are free to head down to the Namche market to browse the shops, chat to the locals and maybe pick up a souvenir or two. You may also see the Tibetan traders who make a yearly journey over the high passes from the Tibetan plateau with their yaks laden with goods to sell at the markets. Late in the afternoon there’s an option to visit Namche Monastery. The monastery is about 80 years old and has beautiful Thanka paintings of Tibetan deities. You are most welcome to burn a butter lamp for your loved ones. Dinner at the lodge.
Meals: BLD
Hotel:
YMH Namche
Day 5: Trek to Debuche(3,770m/12,369ft). 6/7 hrs trekking.
The walk from Deboche to Namche is a beautiful one. A moderate walk for about 6 hours starts with great views of Everest and Lhotse in the morning and following the ridge until you take a drop down to a valley for a lunch stop. After lunch we continue the walk towards Tengboche Monastery – a 17th century monastery with a close view of Thamserku along with AmaDablam facing towards the monastery. Stop by the monastery for a quick view of the monastery and receive a blessing from the Lama, if they are praying.
You take a short dropped from here to reach Debouche where our newly built Yeti Mountain Home, Deboche will be ready with some warm welcome drinks for you where you spend your comfortable night.
Meals: BLD
Day 6: Debuche excursion
Deboche is basically a small Sherpa settlement that lies between Tengboche and Pangboche with few hotels including Yeti Mountain Home that is newly built. It also has a small nunnery in the area and is mostly covered by the rhododendron forest and birch trees. You can visit the nunnery and have some chats with the nuns living there. You will also make a day hike to Phortse which is a beautiful farming village at an altitude of 3950 meters above sea level. The hike to Phortse Village takes about 2 hrs where you can spend about 1 hour visiting the local and seeing local culture after which you return back to Deboche in 1 hour.
Meals: BLD
Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4,410m / 14,469ft). 4 hrs trekking.
With a magnificent view of a rhododendron forest followed by a bridge over the raging Imjakhola (River), we ascend towards Dingboche. We’ll pass the valley wall and then the plain to Pangboche village, the biggest settlement of the Sherpa in the region. This can be a great opportunity to have a lunch with the Sherpa locals and talk about their life in the Himalayas.
Meals: BLD
Day 8: Dingbohce– Acclimatisation Day
Today an acclimatization hike to the valley of Chukkung will pay off with rewarding views, but taking it easy for today is the important. You start off to Chukkung Valley from where the base camp to Islang Peak goes through. If you are feeling good you can also climb a ridge located behind the village and see six of the world’s tallest peaks including Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.
Meals: BLD
Day 9: Heli: Dingboche- short flight to Everest-Lukla; Flight :Lukla-Ktm
After breakfast, you will be taken to the helipad. It is also the best time to bid farewell to your trekking crew and pay gratitude for their service. The helicopter will go for a short flight around Everest Base Camp and drop you to Lukla. From Lukla, you will be boarded on your flight to Kathmandu.
Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport. He will drive you to your hotel Arriving in the bustling city after trek is always a bit of a shock but you are soon in the tranquillity of the hotel. . The rest of the day is free for your to rest and recall the adventure. Lunch & dinner included.
Meals: BLD
Hotel:
Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 10: Freeday. Hotel on Full Board
This is an important contingency day in case of delays to the flights from Lukla. If we have experienced no delays this is an opportunity to explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. You can explore the city and ask if you require a guided tour. We have farewell dinner tonight where all the group members will join for dinner. Please give your reviews to the leader on the trip and share your experiences. Lunch and dinner included.
Meals: BLD
Hotel:
Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 11: Final Departure, Transfer to International Airport.
We’ll transfer you to the airport in good time for your international flight. Your breakfast is included in the hotel.