Trip Highlight:
“Exciting cultural and scenic walks on high beautiful Khumbu valley with awesome views Marvelous journey to Everest Base Camp with daily views of high snow-capped peaks Explore nice traditional Sherpa villages blended with local culture of Buddhist religion Into lovely alpine green woodland of tall rhododendron-magnolia and pine trees Stunning panorama from Kalapathar top of world’s high mountains with close views of Everest Starting and ending our wonderful adventure at Lukla with short panoramic flights”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge on walks.
Trekking Grade : Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Altitude : On top Kalapathar 5,545 m and 5,364 m at Everest base camp.
Activities : Sightseeing tour, exciting flights and trekking. Populated by Sherpa the highlanders of Everest with Buddhism religion and colorful culture and custom.
Area of Trekking : Nepal Mid-East around high Khumbu and Everest region.
Trekking duration : 12 Nights and 13 Days (Lukla to Lukla).
Total Trip : 16 Nights and 17 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Season : Almost all year round except the monsoon months of June to mid September, March to May wild-flowers rhododendron and magnolia in full bloom.
Introduction:
Everest Base Camp Trekking will be one of the best memorable adventures with Mountain Challenger Treks & Expeditions, as all staff and guides are native of Everest region which will be great support feeding you with local culture and custom. Everest Base Camp Trekking leads you to world’s highest Mt. Everest base camp at an altitude above 5,364 m close to tumbling great block of Khumbu Ice Fall and glaciers surrounded by giant peaks of Lhotse and Nuptse. The high altitude adventure a combination of cultural and scenic walks with daily views of snow-clad peaks and exploring local Sherpa immense culture and age-old aditions of Buddhism religion and visiting its interesting monasteries on route Everest base camp. Everest Base Camp Trekking starts with a scenic short flight to Lukla in a smaller Dornier or Twin Otter aircraft with an array if Himalayan peaks views with Mt. Everest then landing at Lukla airstrip known as Tenzing-Hillary airport. From here heading on moderate tracks past many Sherpa farm villages adorned with prayer walls and spinning bells of Buddhism religions, as walk heads into serene woodland to reach Namche Bazaar, a place with facilities of ATM-Banks-Post Office and many good restaurants and hotels to stay. Namche a perfect place for acclimatization and rest days, and this town-large villages holds a big colorful Saturday market once a week, at Namche one take a short hike around at scenic viewpoints of grand views of Everest-Amadablam and series of peaks, after Namche heading towards higher areas to reach at beautiful Thyangboche and its impressive monastery. Thyangboche surrounded by lovely woodland and peaks with views of Everest-Lhotse-Nuptse and Amadablam with other series of peaks, with time visiting its interesting monastery then our adventure leads towards dry and barren terrain as tree lines fade for mountainous terrain. Finally after few overnight stops at Dingboche and Lobuche on route Everest Base Camp where you will be in the midst giant peaks and massive Khumbu Ice-Falls and glaciers, on reaching our highlight and major destination, return journey leads back to Lukla with last climb on top Kalapathar for sweeping panorama of mountains with Everest at close distance. Our last journey heads downhill on the same trail and past Pheriche to reach at Lukla for the super scenic flight back to Kathmandu after a memorable and exciting adventure of a lifetime experience on Everest Base Camp Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m (35 mins) and walk to Phakding 2,640 m - 04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
Day 05: At Namche Bazaar for rest and acclimatization day.
Day 06: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery 3,867 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,340 m - 05 hrs.
Day 08: Rest day at Dingboche for acclimatization and short excursion.
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche 4,980 m - 05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep 5,180 m and walk to Everest base camp 5,364 m - 06 hrs.
Day 11: Climb to Kalapathar 5,545 m and walk to Pheriche 4,230 m - 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Kyanjima 3,560 m via Thyangboche - 06 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Monjo 2,875 m via Namche Bazaar - 05 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Lukla - 04 hrs. Afternoon free for walks.
Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel with a free afternoon.
Day 16: Free and contingency day in Kathmandu and for individual activities.
Day 17: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief regarding Everest Base Camp trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
The morning after breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which are listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. After an exciting and enjoyable tour back to the hotel with free afternoon preparation for Everest Base Camp treks.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m (35 mins) and walk to Phakding 2,640 m - 04 hrs.
Early start from the hotel after having breakfast with short drive to Kathmandu domestic air- Terminal for a scenic flight to Lukla of 35 mins in small aircraft either Dornier or Twin Otter facing panorama of Himalayan peaks with Everest. After saw it a flight of 30-35 minutes landing at Lukla airport known as Tenzing and Hillary airport (after a legendry mountaineers first two to summit Mt. Everest in May 29 th 1953). At Lukla with rea refreshing break, a nd then walk through Lukla Sherpa town, the gateway to high Khumbu valley and to various adventure around Everest region, as walk leads downhill for short-while and then on the dual winding path past nice Sherpa farm villages and tended crops and vegetable fields and terraces. As walk encounters several Buddhist monuments Mani (prayer walls) and rows of spinning bells and into the other shade of woodland to reach our overnight stop at Phakding village located by the Dudh Kosi River.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
Morning walks follows Dudh Kosi River upstream crossing bridges few time to reach at Monjo nice village with views of Kongde and Tharmasarku peaks with holy Mt. Khumbila towards the north. After Monjo enter into Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepalese while Sherpa Calls Chomolungma which means Great Mother in both languages), a short downhill and over a bridge to Jorsalle the last village before Namche Bazaar. From Jorsalle walk on river bed with a climb up after crossing the last high bridge and into the cool shade of pines and rhododendron woods with views of peaks as winding uphill walks takes you at famous Namche Bazaar for two full overnights.
Day 05: At Namche Bazaar for rest and acclimatization day.
A full rest and acclimatization day at Namche, an interesting big village and a town with many facilities of ATM-Banks-nice restaurants and bakeries with many stores and shops, at Namche once a week Saturday Market is held which will be active and colorful to witness. On this day one can hike on top Namche for grand views of Everest-Lhotse-Amadablam and other series of high peaks and visit its interesting museum with full information of Khumbu and Sherpa culture with various flora-fauna. Other side hike to Everest View Hotel a climb above Namche for few hours rewards you with stunning views of Everest and other high peaks, for energetic people can take walk around Khumjung and Khunde villages to observe the culture and traditional life of Khumbu Sherpa, located on the glacial valley.
Day 06: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery 3,867 m - 05 hrs.
After an enjoyable and pleasant time at Namche with rest days, morning walk leads to scenic walks on gradual wide winding trails with views of Everest and other giant peaks, as walk leads downhill to Imjatse river at Phunki Tenga, a small place with few lodges an ideal spot for a refreshing break or lunch stop. Afternoon walk leads to uphill climb into the cool shade of a pine forest to reach beautiful surrounding at Thyangboche Monastery facing panorama of mountains with Everest and Amadablam at close distance, here with time for a tour into monastery and witness monks and priest on prayer. Thyangboche holds an important ‘Mani-Rimdu’ a colorful religious festival where monks perform mask dance to wade evil spirits, the festival falls in the month of October as per the Buddhist lunar calendar.
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,340 m - 05 hrs.
Morning enjoy views of Everest, our route descends into forested areas reaching a metal bridge, from here a slow climb encountering mani (prayer) walls along the walks to Pangboche village, last permanent village on route to Everest base camp. From here walk leads around the barren and windswept country where tree lines fades for small bushes of juniper and dwarf rhododendron (azalea). Walk leads uphill into a river gorge and then finally opens up into a wide glacial valley on reaching Dingboche with many good lodges around facing views of Imjatse or Island peaks towards east.
Day 08: Rest day at Dingboche for acclimatization and short excursion.
Another pleasant rest day for good acclimatization, on this lovely scenic spot within beautiful Imjatse valley, where one can take a short walk uphill for best views of the valley and high mountains with views of Mt. Makalu towards east past Island peak. At Dingboche enjoy the afternoon relaxing and marvel the surrounding scenic mountains and high landscapes.
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche 4,980 m - 05 hrs.
From Dingboche climb to a ridge festooned with prayer flags and stupas, then walk on the nice gradual path heading to slow uphill with marvelous scenery to reach at Thugla, where Khumbu glaciers melts into a raging river. At Thugla with possible lunch stop and rest, afternoon walks leads to steep climb on top Thugla hill where you will witness memorials of unfortunate climbers who died on climbs around mountains of Khumbu and Everest. Walk continues for another few hours on nice gradual up to Lobuche for an overnight stop, a place with several nice lodges with views of Nuptse and Lobuche peaks.
Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep 5,180 m and walk to Everest base camp 5,364 m - 06 hrs.
Final day of the adventure heading towards our main highlight and final destinations to Everest Base Camp, morning starts on the wide valley with a slow climb to reach above Khumbu glaciers, walking past moraine dunes reaching at Gorakshep, a place with few lodges on the junction of Everest base camp and Kalapatthar route. Gorakshep was an early Everest base camp till the 1970’s before the route moved further away to present base camp. From Gorakshep few hours walk over moraine and glacier to reach our ultimate destination at base camp with sweeping views of giant peaks of Nuptse-Lo la, Nuptse with notorious huge Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers. In high mountaineering season, this place will be active with climbers and crews with many camps set on top of moraine and glaciers. After a grand time then head back to Gorakshep for the highest overnight stop of the adventure with fantastic memories of the day walks to Everest base camp.
Day 11: Climb to Kalapathar 5,545 m and walk to Pheriche 4,230 m - 06 hrs.
Morning a steady climb to Kalapatthar at 5,545 m, the highest spot of the adventure offers a super panorama of mountains with Everest at close distance. After an amazing time head back to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue downhill walk past Lobuche and Thugla, as our route leads to windy Pheriche valley a place with many good lodges for an overnight stop at Pheriche. Pheriche with health post run by HRA .
Day 12: Trek to Kyanjima 3,560 m via Thyangboche - 06 hrs.
After Pheriche walk leads down with a short climb and then a long descend to Pangboche village with unique views of Amadablam at close distance. From Pangboche morning walk on the downhill to a bridge over Imjatse Rive, and then climb to Thyangboche Monastery within green vegetation and tree lines. At Thyangboche time to relax and enjoy the scenic views, as walk lead downhill to Phunki Tenga with a climb for an hour to reach a small place at Kyanjinma for an overnight stop, which is on route to Namche, a pleasant and peaceful place with superb views of Everest-Amadablam and Tharmasarku with other range of peaks. Here chances of spotting some wild-life like musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar and pheasant Danfe (national bird of Nepal).
Day 13: Trek to Monjo 2,875 m via Namche Bazaar - 05 hrs.
After a nice morning with views of Everest and adjoining peaks, leads to Namche with time for a lunch break and stroll around its bazaar with stores and shops, afternoon walk downhill to Dudh Kosi River to reach at Monjo village for an overnight stop before Lukla.
Day 14: Trek to Lukla - 04 hrs. Afternoon free for walks.
Our last walk of the adventure, morning short trek of few hours following the same trail back to Lukla past Phakding and Ghat villages crossing over Dudh Kosi, and then with last final climb to reach Lukla town for last overnight stop around high scenic Khumbu and Everest region.
Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel with a free afternoon.
Early morning get transferred to Lukla ‘Tenzing and Hillary’ airport for short scenic flight back to Kathmandu overlooking mountain panorama with green hill landscapes as flight reaches at Kathmandu airport and then transfer back to your hotel, with a free afternoon at leisure.
Day 16: Free and contingency day in Kathmandu and for individual activities.
A free and spare day in Kathmandu for contingency, in case of flight delay and cancellation at Lukla, which happens sometimes due to Himalayan unpredictable weather. To be safe with an extra day in Kathmandu, if all goes well as per our itinerary days, enjoy the rest day with individual activities or join in for another exciting sightseeing tour around Kathmandu- Patan or Bhaktapur.
Day 17: International departure for homeward bound.
Last day in Nepal, a country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfers you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Everest Base Camp Trekking.
