Upon arrival in Kathmandu one of our staffs will meet you outside the immigration and customs area at the airport. He or she will transfer you to the hotel and will brief you on the immediate arrangements. In the late afternoon a trip briefing will be given at your hotel by your trip leader on what to expect on your trek. In the evening we will go for a welcome dinner.
Passing painted mani stones (Buddhist prayers carved on rocks) along the way we arrive at Phakding (2,610m/8,561ft), situated near the rushing Dudh Koshi. Continue north up the Dudh Koshi valley through pine and rhododendron forest to Monjo with views of Thamserku and Khumbi Yul Lha, the sacred peak of the Sherpa people, thus remains unclimbed. It also represents the ‘protector’ deity of Tibetan Buddhists. We arrive at our lodge in Monjo in the early afternoon and free to relax while acclimatizing. (4 – 5 hours hiking)
After a few minutes hike we officially enters Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. In order to protect this area of great environmental, religious and cultural importance, it was established in 1976 as the first national park in the Himalaya. The trail then descends to cross the Dudh Koshi and begins the steep climb through forests of rhododendron, fir and magnolia with a first glimpse of Everest to the Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar. It is beautifully situated in a horseshoe-shaped bowl with numerous lodges and shops facing the hanging glacier below Kongde Ri (6,086m/19,962ft). We will stay here tonight. After checking in into our lodge we will have the afternoon free to explore the town. The Khumbu region is inhabited by Sherpas who migrated from Tibet over 550 years ago and still practice Tibetan Buddhism, and also dress in the same style as Tibetans do. (4 – 5 hours hiking)
We hike up above Namche behind the visitors’ center and museum of the Sagarmatha National Park for terrific panoramic mountain views of Everest and other Himalayan giants. Then we visit the museum where there are numerous educational displays of the Everest area. After spending some time here our trail follows the classical route to Everest contouring high above the Dudh Koshi on almost level path to the trail junction at Sanasa (3,600m/11,808ft). From here we descend and make a detour off the main path about 15 minutes to arrive at our lodge. After check in, we will have the rest of the afternoon free. (4 – 5 hours hiking)
We continue to descend into the deep Dudh Koshi gorge and steeply ascend the other side through fir forest to reach the spectacular site of Tengboche monastery (3,860m/12,661ft). The original monastery was founded in 1919 but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934. Disaster struck again, as the replacement building was destroyed by fire in January 1989. The new monastery was rebuilt in September 1993 and has a school for young monks. Tengboche is the spiritual center of the entire Khumbu region and from here we get spectacular views of Ama Dablam and Everest. It is possible to see Himalayan Thar and Musk Deer on quiet mornings. There will be time to visit the monastery before making a short descent through rhododendron forest to Deboche (3,820m/12,530ft). After lunch at Deboche, we hike on a level trail to cross the Imja Khola (river) and gradually ascend past carved mani stones and chortens to the village of Pangboche with views of Ama Dablam. Our lodge in Pangboche is located right along the trail to Everest and almost at the base of Ama Dablam. (5 – 6 hours hiking)
Ama Dablam is one of most beautiful mountain in the Khumbu region. Descend for a short while to cross the Imja Khola and steeply ascend to a yak pasture. Continue ascending with views of the Nuptse/Lhotse wall, Everest and Pumo Ri (7,165m/23,501ft) to Ama Dablam Base Camp, set in a beautiful meadow beneath the west face. The Base Camp also has stunning views of Kangtega (6,783m/22,248ft), Thamserku and Tabuche Peak. If we are lucky we will find climbing group at Base Camp. The climbing route follows the southwest ridge moving onto the face above the hanging glacier three quarters of the way up. After a picnic lunch at the Base Camp we return to our lodge in Pangboche. This will be a long but rewarding day. (6 – 7 hours hiking)
Hike back down the Imja Khola valley with panoramic vista to Deboche and a short ascent brings us to Tangboche. We spend some time at Tengboche before making a steep descent to cross the Dudh Koshi and climb up to spend the night at Tashinga (4 – 5 hours hiking)
Today we trek via Khumjung to Monjo. We leave our Lodge to reach the main trail leading to the fields below Khumjung, which are a favorite feeding ground for the Impeyan Pheasant, the Nepalese national bird of nine colors. Then we ascend gently up to the lovely green roofed village of Khumjung, with views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku. We visit the Khumjung monastery that possesses the infamous skull of a Yeti and the school established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1960. After that we climb to a chorten atop the ridge at 3,870m/12,694ft and descend past Syangboche airstrip (3,720m/12,202ft) sometimes steeply on switchbacks to Namche Bazaar. We continue descending down the gorge of the Dudh Koshi, then a short climb to leave Sagarmatha National Park to Monjo. (7 – 8 hours hiking)
Retrace steps to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla passing through the villages of Phakding and Ghat en route. (6 – 7 hours hiking)
After bidding goodbye to the Khumbu region we take the morning flight back to Kathmandu (weather permitting) and transfer to hotel. Depending on our luck with the flight we will either be in Kathmandu or in Lukla on this day.
This extra day is specially included in the itinerary should there be delays due to bad weather conditions. If we are lucky enough to fly out of Lukla and return to Kathmandu on time we will have a morning tour of Pashupatinath temple with its ghats (crematory platforms) on the Bagmati River (the holiest Hindu shrine of Nepal) and Boudhanath (the largest stupa in the country and centre of Buddhist culture in Kathmandu). Both the sites are part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage site. Afternoon you are free to explore Kathmandu on your own. There are many touring possibilities like visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan, stroll Asan bazaar or go shopping. Or simply relax by the hotel’s pool. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant.
Depart Kathmandu – Tour ends
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