DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU:
Arrival at Kathmandu, where our representative will meet you at the airport entrance. You will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Welcome dinner accompanied by Nepalese cultural show. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU – SIGHT SEEING:
The Great Stupa of Swayamvu, Ananda-Kuti Vihar and Kantipur Durbar Square including Hanuman Dhoka, the Malla Palace, Home of KUMARI---the Chaste Virgin Living Goddess. Lunch break. Afternoon: Lalitpur Durbar Squire, Golden Temple, Mahaboudha Shrine, Aksheshwor Mahavihar, Ashoka Stupas, Patan Industrial Estate, Tibetan Refugee Site and Woolen Carpet Center. Overnight in hotel at Kathmandu City. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03: KATHMANDU – LUKLA – PHAKDING:
We will receive you at Hotel after very early breakfast and transfer you to Kathmandu airport for exciting flight to Lukla, gateway of homeland of sherpas, Khumbu, Mt. Everest. After short trekking from Lukla, arrives to Phakding, a pleasant village on the bank of river. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 04: PHAKDING – NAMCHE BAZAAR:
The trail from Phakding continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley to Jorsale, where the trail officially enters the Sagarmatha National Park. Continue along the trail, cross the Bhote Kosi River and climb steeply to Namche Bazaar 3500 m. Remember to look out for first glimpses of Mt. Everest from trail before arrive Namche Bazaar, a commercial town of Khumbu. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 05: NAMCHE BAZAAR – FREE DAY:
A rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. This town, the hub of Sherpa society, is the administrative centre of the Khumbu region and has a police checkpost (we must all register there), the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park, a bank, several shops selling items of every description and a proliferation of Sherpa inns. Optional hiking toward Thame or day hike toward Syangboche and return to Namche Bazaar. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 06: NAMCHE BAZAAR – DOLE:
From Namche Bazaar the trail follows main route to Mt. Everest Base Camp for first hour then leaving the main trail to Mt. Everest, climb high on a ridge to 4000 m past a large chorten at the village of Mong, said to be the birthplace of the saint Lama Sange Dorje, the reincarnate lama of Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet who introduced Buddhism to the Khumbu. From there descend to the village of Phortse Tenga by the Dudh Kosi (river). From Phortse the trail climbs steeply through forests of rhododendrons and then stands of juniper and large conifers as the altitude increases. You will pass through Sherpa kharkas (high pasture) and the villages of Tongba 3950 m and Gyele 3960m to Dole. You have great views of Khumbila and Tawachee peaks throughout the day. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 07: DOLE – MACHHERMO:
The trail between Dole and Machhermo is short and fairly leisurely trek to allows to acclimatize to the altitude. In the morning there is a steep but beautiful climb through conifer and rhododendron forests and stands of juniper to Lhabarma 4220 m and Luza 4360 m. There are kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. Continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river to Machhermo 4410 m. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 08: MACHHERMO – GOKYO:
Considered as first real day at high altitude, this section of trekking route may be described as moderate to difficult. Climb a ridge from where the valley opens wide as the trail passes through Pangkha. Mt. Cho Oyu 8153 m dominates the skyline to the north as we climb the moraine on the left flank of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The climb is steep to the first of the four lakes that lie in the Gokyo area but the trail levels off towards the second lake, Longponga at 4690m. Finally ascend a path past the largest of the lakes Dudh Pokhari to Gokyo at 4750m. Gokyo is a typical kharka with stone houses and stone walled pastures. For enthusiasts a rigorous hike up Gokyo Ri 5360m, the small peak above Gokyo Lake. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 09: GOKYO – GOKYO RI HIKING:
This option of Gokyo Ri hiking is good way to acclimatization for crossing a high pass in the next few days. There is plenty to do here for this day though. For enthusiasts a rigorous hike up Gokyo Ri 5360m, and the really fit can climb to the top of a nameless peak 5800m overlooking the two lakes. There are spectacular views of the Everest trinity, Nuptse 7879 m, Lhotse 8511 m, and Everest 8848m, as well as Makalu 8463m looming to the east, Cho Oyu 8153 m to the north and the smaller but closer peaks of Cholatse and Tawachee to the south. There is a wonderful view of Gokyo and Dudh Pokhari spread out below. Return to Gokyo and overnight teahouse.
DAY 10: GOKYO – DRAGNAG:
This is most difficult and long journey, crosses over southern end Ngozumpa Glacier then pass some stone huts at Thagna Kharka. The trail climbs steadily up narrow and steep valley which opens up to a wide shallow valley leading to the Kharka Chhyugima 5170 m known as Dragnag. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 11: DRAGNAG – DZONGLHA:
The trail crosses over steep and challenging but, non-technical climb over rock, snow and perhaps ice to Cho La (pass) 5420m which links the glacial valleys of Cho Oyu and Everest and from where you have superb views. Descend from the pass, cross a small glacier, negotiate the ice fall at the end of it and descend via Leisyasa to Dzonglha Kharka 4730 m, a high altitude summer pasture directly beneath the north wall of Cholatse Peak 6440 m. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 12: DZONGLHA – LOBUCHE:
The journey follows the trail above Tsholo Lake and joins the main trail to Mt. Everest Base Camp at Dughla on the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From Dughla the trail ascents up the moraine past a row of stone monuments in memory of Sherpas who died on expeditions to Everest and on to Lobuche 4930m. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 13: LOBUCHE – GORAPSHEP:
After trekking along the Khumbu Glacier you will eventually cross it to reach the lodges at Gorak Shep. You will enjoy your time with beautiful view of Himalayas. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 14: GORAPSHEP - KALAPATTHAR – GORAPSHEP:
From Gorapshep the route takes you to the top of Kala Patar for (weather permitting!) a spectacular mountain panorama crowned by Mount Everest including other neighboring High Himalayas. Return to Gorapshep. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 15: LABUCHE – DINGBOCHE:
The journey to Dingboche from Labuche returns same journey till Dughla and continue the journey till Dingboche following just above Pheriche. Dingboche is in the midst of the Himalaya here, with spectacular views Himalayas all round. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 16: DINGBOCHE – CHHUKUNG:
From Dingboche the trail leads east towards the very head of the Imja Khola valley to bring you to the few scattered stone huts (some operating as tea-houses in the high season) at Chukhung. To the south is a superb close view of Ama Dablam and to the north the massive walls of the Nuptse ridge and the south face of Lhotse. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 17: CHHUKUNG – ISLAND PEAK BASE CAMP:
Another easy day, the trail crosses the river and follows the valley for approx 3 hours, passing beneath the magnificent south face of Lhotse. Base camp is by the side of the Imja glacier, below steep grassy slopes which mark the start of the climb on Island Peak. Overnight at camping.
DAY 18: ISLAND PEAK SUMMIT AND RETURN TO CHHUKUNG:
Crossing the gully above the camp the trail makes a climb for another hour to a narrow ridge, leading on to the glacier. Here it is time to rope-up and put on our crampons as the most interesting part of the climb begins with the glacier crossing. This is followed by the steep snow slope that leads onto the summit ridge. This ridge is wonderfully airy and on reaching the summit we have stunning close-up views of the south face of Lhotse looming over us whilst in the other direction, there are more dramatic mountain views. We descend along the same route, down to base camp and continue to Chhukung. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 19: CHHUKUNG – TYANGBOCHE:
The trail from Chhukung to Dingboche returns same trail. After Dingboche trail descends to Pangboche, an interesting Gompa site above the main village. This is the oldest monastery in the region and apparently dates from the first introduction of Buddhism in the Khumbu. You are in the midst of the Himalaya here, with spectacular views all round. Then ascend gradually the forests to Tyangboche. There is main monastery of the Khumbu area. The views from here are unforgettable. Thyangboche lies at the base of Kangtaiga and the spur of this ridge affords panoramic views of the main peaks of Khumbu including Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 20: TYANGBOCHE – NAMCHE BAZAAR:
The trail from Tyangboche descends through rhododendron forest till the riverbank of Dudh Koshi at Phungithanga and ascends through moss-covered rhododendron forest, blood pheasant and the Impayan pheasant are available in the trail. The trail offers spectacular view of Ama Dablam, and Kangtaiga, flanked by the towering heights of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Finally trail will bring back to Namche Bazaar. Overnight at teahouse.
DAY 21: NAMCHE BAZAAR – LUKLA:
This section of journey is totally return journey. Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart. There is something very special about the setting, the villages and the people of the high Khumbu hills and valleys and these memories will helps up the deceptively long, final climb into Lukla. Overnight at teahouse
DAY 22: LUKLA – KATHMANDU:
Once again chances to enjoy this great flight, offers spectacular view of Himalayas in clear day. Arrival at Kathmandu after 35 minutes flight. Receipt by our representative and transfer to Hotel. Free day. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 23: KATHMANDU – SIGHT SEEING:
Morning: Bhadgaon for Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Golden Gate, King Malla Statue, Fifty-Five Windowed Palace, Taleju Bhawani Temple, Titanic Bell, Toumadhi Square with NYATAPOUL Pagoda, Bhairav Temple, Pottery Square, Datta-Traya Square with Pujari-Math Temple and Peacock Window, Industrial Estate. Lunch break Afternoon: Boudha Stupa at Tibet Town, Charumati Shrine at Chabahil and Pashupati Nath Temple in Devpattan by the holy Bagmati River. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 24: DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU:
Breakfast at Hotel and free time. Transfer to Airport for departure as per your departure time.
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