This is a 17-day itinerary but due to the fragile nature of domestic air services in Nepal which are impacted by the weather as well as other problems related to developing countries, we strongly advise travellers to add an extra couple of days at the end to allow for delays. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this further by email: info@monkeymountaineering.com or phone: 01765 773015
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu. Once you have collected you luggage and made your way out of the airport terminal building you will be met by one of our local representatives and transferred to your hotel in the busy Kathmandu district of Thamel.
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour. After breakfast you will be collected for your sightseeing tour. Highlights include:
- Durbar Square – This ancient location has been the home to Kings throughout different dynasties and is also the home to some of the finest Hindu and Buddhist architecture in the region.
- Swayambhunath – Set on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. The site itself is a collection of small stupas and a pagoda temple built over different periods by a succession of kings and noblemen. The main structure of is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a conical spire of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides on the base of the spire are the “All Seeing Eyes” of Lord Buddha. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple.
- Bouddhanth - This colossal and ancient Stupa is one of Nepal’s most unique monuments and is said to be the world biggest Stupa. Baudhanath Stupa is said to hold the remains of Kasyapa - the Buddha of the previous time. One hundred meters in diameter this Stupa is 36 meters high. Its pinnacle represents the stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana.
- Pashupatinath – With its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors this temple is famous for its superb Newari architecture. Situated near the banks of sacred Bagmati River only Hindus are permitted to enter, however visitors can clearly see the temple from the eastern bank of the river.
After the sightseeing tour you can relax before we take you to a traditional restaurant for a welcome dinner and live Nepali cultural show.
Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m). After breakfast in your hotel you will be transferred to Kathmandu’s Domestic Air Terminal for a morning flight to Lukla[1]. On arrival you will meet your Sirdar and the rest of the crew. We will take lunch in Lukla whilst your baggage is being sorted into loads before trekking above the Dudh Kosi to our overnight accommodation in the village of Phakding (2610m). Flight Time: approx. 35 mins. Trekking Time: approx. 3 hrs
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m). Leaving Phakding we follow the banks of the Duhd Koshi through pine forests and across suspension bridges to the village of Monjo and the entrance to the Sagarmartha National Park. After the formalities of park entry, we continue our journey to the junction of the Duhd Koshi and Bhote Koshi before the final ascent, which provides you with your first brief glimpse of Mount Everest, up to Namche Bazaar (3440m), the gateway to Everest and a bustling ancient trading centre. Overnight accommodation in Namche Bazaar. Trekking Time: approx. 6 hrs.
Day 5: Acclimatisation day around Namche Bazaar. To help with your acclimatisation today will be spent on a gentle walk to the Everest View Hotel, Khumjung (3780m) and Khunde (3840m). Lunch will be taken on the trail and we will return to Namche Bazaar for dinner and overnight stay. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Sherpa museum.
Day 6: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860m). As trekking days in Nepal go, this is up there with the best of them! Spectacular views and beautiful rhododendron forests are the order of the day as the trail cuts its way around huge hills. We’ll take a lunch break at Phunki after crossing the Imja Kohla before climbing steeply up to the meadows that are home to the impressive Buddhist Monastery at Tengboche. There is an opportunity to visit the Monastery before we take the short journey down-hill to finish our day in Deboche. Trekking Time: approx. 5 hrs
Day 7: Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m). A day of steady ascent with stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Kantega, Thamserku, Ama Dablam and Nuptse. That said, we start with a short descent to cross the Imja Khola which we then follow on a steadily rising trail first to Pangboche at 4000m, where we will break for lunch, and then on to Dingboche (4410m). Dingboche sits to the edge of a large flat area containing a mosaic of small fields for growing barley, buckwheat and potatoes, all protected by stone walls. Trekking Time: approx. 6 hrs.
Day 8: Acclimatisation day around Dingboche. This is our second acclimatisation day and it is important that we rest and allow our bodies to get used to the altitude. That said, it is also of enormous benefit if we take a gentle walk and gain some additional altitude – climb high sleep low as the saying goes! To achieve this, we will take a steady walk up the ridge to the north of Dingboche towards the summit of Nangkar Tshang, stopping at a viewpoint at just over 5000m. Descending back to Dingboche the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the village.
Day 9: Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m). Getting close now. After breakfast we start with a short climb up the hill to the north of Dingboche before reaching a fairly level plateau that takes us all the way to Dughla with views of the Chola Lake and Pumori. After lunch we climb up to the Thokla Pass, an eerie place full of monuments to those who have perished whilst attempting Everest. After some moments of contemplation, we continue along the trail to Lobuche (4910m) and a well-earned rest. Trekking Time: approx. 6 hrs
Day 10: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5144m). The actual distance covered today isn’t that far. The trail takes us from Lobuche on a gentle climb up to the Lobuche Pass (5110m) before dropping down to cross the terminal moraine at the end of the Changri Nup and Changri Shar glaciers and then gently climbing up to Gorak Shep. Trekking Time: approx. 4 hrs.
Day 11: Morning ascent of Kala Patthar (5644m) followed by a visit to Everest Base Camp before returning to Lobuche (4920m). With a very early start we will head out to climb Kala Patthar. This is a tough climb in the cold and dark but more than worth the effort to witness the splendour of sunrise over the highest mountains in the world. Surrounded by giant mountains of Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m) and Khumbutse (6,623m) separating us from Tibet and just over the Lho La pass, the huge rock of Changtse (7,750m) in Tibet itself. But Sagarmatha, or Mt. Everest the queen of them all towers over everyone. This is the roof of the world. After a short time to take in the splendour of the views we retrace our footsteps down and head towards Everest Base Camp before picking up the trail back to Lobuche for our overnight stay.
Day 12: Lobuche to Upper Pangboche (4000m). Avoiding the crowds and making best use of little used trails, today we will make our way to Upper Pangboche. As we descend you will start to feel the benefit of increased oxygen in the air. The route, dominated initially by Taboche (a 6367m peak that is directly in front of you for the first part of the descent), takes us back down through Dughla and then on quieter trails passing through Pheriche, crossing the river and winding our way across the hillside on a little used trail to Upper Pangboche. Trekking Time: approx. 6-7 hrs
Day 13: Upper Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m). On-route today you will catch glimpses of the busy trail you followed on the way up including the village of Deboche as well as spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Kantega, Thamserku and the Monastery at Tengboche. You might also be fortunate enough to see Himalayan Tahr or the mighty Lammegeier with its 3m wingspan and other wildlife before re-joining the busy trail and descending into Namche Bazaar. Trekking Time: approx. 6 hrs.
Day 14: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2840m). Our final day of trekking. We retrace our steps back down the trail to Lukla stopping at Phakding for lunch and taking in completely different views and getting a different perspective than that gained on our way up. We overnight in Lukla. Trekking Time: approx. 6 hrs.
Day 15: Return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. After breakfast we make our way around to the airfield terminal building and catch our flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for your final night with us.
Day 16: Contingency. This is a spare day that we will use during the trek if required to cater for bad weather etc. or if not used during the trek it will be a free day in Kathmandu.
Day 17: Departure. A private transfer will take you to the international airport in time for your flight home.
[1] Flights to and from Lukla are very dependent on weather and often delayed or cancelled. We ask for your patience through what may appear to be a chaotic system when compared to airports in developed nations. There is a system and we have a contingency which involves flying from a different airfield if it looks like our flight will be cancelled. Your Guide will endeavour to keep you informed.