• Day 1 - 27th March - Arrival in Kathmandu.

• Day 2- 28th March - Sightseeing and preparation for the trek

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites; including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (BouddhaNath) which is one of the large Stupas in the world. At the noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion. Back to Top

Budish stupa at Chabil chok.  Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. Photo Elselien te Hennepe

The temple is an oddity among temples in Nepal as it opens its doors to the public only once a year, on Maha Navami during Navarati.  Photo Christina Kristensen. Kali - Hindu Goddess - ferocious form of Devi  at Dhoka Durbar Square. Photo Christina Kristensen

• Day 3- 29th March - Flight to Lukla (2886mts) and trek to Phakding (2640 mts)

After breakfast, we will be escorted to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway destination from where our trek begins. After an adventurous 30 minute flight above the breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet our other crew members and after some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. Over night at Phakding. Back to Top

Good weather at 8AM on the Lukla Heli Pad. Maybe I will get to be on one of these planes...

 

Tea houses at Phakding. Photo by Hyker. Our trek is one of the most beautiful trips in the world (Bruce Manning).

• Day 4 - 30th March - Trek to Namche (3340mts)                              
  

The track leads us along the Dudh Koshi River through many suspension bridges. First, we catch wonderful prospect of the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). Through the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, we come to the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours we get first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Upon this juncture, we stop at Chautara to admire the view. We still need to hike about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region. We stay overnight in Namche. Back to Top

Dudh Koshi .  Photo Nate Jenega First Bridge of the Day. Photo Nate Janega

 

Last Bridge of the Day 1. Photo Nate Janega. Prayer in Stone. Photo Nate Janega 

• Day 5 - 31st March - Acclimatizing day at Namche (3440 mts)
  

Today is an important acclimatizing day. Health experts recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day's hike to Everest view hotel or relaxing and exploring Namche itself. Namche is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. Back to Top

The Bazar at Namche. Photo Nate Janega. Namche! Photo Nate Janega 

Animal seen in Namche hill. Photo by Stephanie. Animal seen in Namche hill. Photo by Stephanie. View of Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest  just 15 minutes walk from Namche. Photo by Deha

• Day 6 - 1st April - Trek to Thame (3820 mts)
  

The trail to Thame is also main trail to Tibet through Nangpa la pass. The trail stays high above Bhote Koshi River most of the time. On the left we have the Kongde Ri (6187 m) and the river that flows down into a ravine. On the right is the rocky Khumbi Yul La (5765 m) and behind us is clearly visible on Kusum Kanguru (6,373 m). The trail goes through beautiful forest and passes through small Sherpa settlements. The trip continues: the steep rise of about 50m in altitude to reach a ridge around it. The river bed becomes closer and wider. We reach the village of Thamo and then the small town of Samde. Along stretch halfway up a slight slope leading to the bridge over the Bhote Koshi (3650 m). Upon crossing Bhote Koshi River and about a half hour climb's bring us to Thame. Over night at Thame. Back to Top

Thame. Prayer flag ridge. Photo Mingma tenjing sherpa

• Day 7 - 2nd April - Trek to Thyangbo (4230 mts)

The trail goes gradual uphill to the Chorten ridge from where you will have a beautiful view of Nangpa valley, Cho Oyu, Nangpai gosum, Langmuche ri. The trail splits for Tibet and Rolwaling valley. We will follow the main trail to Tashi lapcha pass. From Thame monastery the trail goes gradual with beautiful mountains (Kongde, Tenkhangmuche, Pharchamo,) scenery to the left hand side. Trail passes through small summer yak pastures. The small river coming from Thyangpo valley looks beautiful along the trail. Thyangpo is a small village very close to mount Tenkhang muche, during the summer people from Thame comes there along with their cattle. Even during the peak season we barely see tourist around there. Back to Top

• Day 8 - 3rd April - Visit Parechomuche Lake back to Thame (3820 mts)
  

After breakfast we start hiking up higher toward Tashi Lapcha pass and then trail goes higher toward left hand side through a narrow Yak trail. After hour or two we will get to a beautiful lake. Known as secret lake, during monsoon festival (Yaar Chhang) people worship this lake. Trek back to Thyangpo, have lunch and trek back to Thame.

• Day 9 - 4th April - Trek to Khumjung (3790 mts)

Today, we retrace the track back to Namche until Phurte village then the trail splits gradual uphill to Syangboche airstrip. Just above the airstrip the trail descend down to the Khumjung village. Beautiful village surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the scared peak Khumbila, hosts a well known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. We also visit Hillary School which is at the same site. We make today's overnight stay at Khumjung. Back to Top

• Day 10 - 5th April - Trek to Phortse (3950mts)

From Khumjung we take higher off trail to Mongla. The first part goes uphill through narrow rocky gulley. Then the trail goes gradual to Mongla. Upon crossing the lower slopes of Khumbila, we enjoy the mesmerizing views of Phortse, Cholatse and Taboche along with the views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kangtanga among others. Phortse village lies in the Khumbu area south of Mt. Everest, off the main trekking routes. After lunch with beautiful views of surrounded mountain, the trail goes down to the river and then back up to Phortse through old forest of Rhododendron, paperbirch, fir trees. This forest is also very important habitat for endanger animal musk deer. We often see musk deer there.   This is one of the oldest Sherpa village. Overnight at Phortse. Back to Top

Phortse. Photo Mingma tenjing sherpa

• Day 11 - 6th April - Trek to Deboche (3820mts)

 Beautiful off trail, from Phortse the trail goes down to the Dudhkoshi River then back up to Deboche through a beautiful forest. After Lunch visit Deboche nunnery.

 

Approaching Deboche. Beneath the bridge

 

 

Chorten. Kumbu covered in Laligurasn

• Day 12 - 7th April - Morning hike to Prayer flag ridge and rest day at Deboche

Early morning after breakfast we hike up to prayer flag ridge above Tengboche. Beautiful view of surrounded mountains. We will hang our prayer flags on the ridge. Back to Debouche and Visit the nunnery. Back to Top

 

The oldest Nun's Monastery in Nepal. The main building

• Day 13 - 8th April - Visit Marcia’s Secret valley back to Deboche

After attending early morning Puja at Nunnery, we will have breakfast and follow the Everest classic trail for a while then turn to the right and gradual climb through a beautiful forest with view of mount Thamserku, kongde, khumbila and Tabuche. The trail goes level through beautiful forest of Paper birch, Juniper, Rhododendron, fir. It is the habitat for Musk deer, Himalayan thar and lots of different pheasants. End of the forest there is an open pasture land with beautiful river, end of the valley there is a glacier from Malangphulang and Khangtega.  Back to Top

Secret valley. Photo Mingma tenjing sherpa

 

 

Article of Deboche Nunnery. Photo Murari Sharma. Flower. Can you tell us this flower name.  Photo Murari Sharma.

Marcia Macdonald, one of the Deboche Nunnery project's biggest supporters, sitting on the steps of the convent with the nuns. Photo Marcia Macdonald. Overhead view of Deboche. Photo Mingma Sherpa.

View from the South-East. West Face of Gompa.

One of the Deboche convent houses which requires refurbishment. Team with Marcia MacDonald

Ani Nawang Pema, the oldest and most famous of the Deboche nuns, has been meditating for 50 years (Marcia MacDonald). Anis work in the kitchen preparing a meal around their wood cook stove (Marcia MacDonald)

• Day 14 - 9th April - Trek back to Namche (3440mts)
  

After breakfast the first part goes uphill to Tyangboche.From Tengboche, a steep descent of about1500ft/500m leads through rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Koshi River. We cross the first bridge over Dudh Koshi on our return trip at Phunki Tenga. Further we pass the village of Tashinga and Sansa,Kyangjuma before finally reaching to Namche. Back to Top

One of the many diverse species of grouse pheasants that populate Everest National Park. Photo Valerie Hovland. Namche as seen from above.

• Day 15- 10th April - Trek to Lukla (2886 mts)
  

Trek back to Lukla

• Day 16 - 11th April - Flight back to Kathmandu.
  

• Day 17 - 12th April - sightseeing in Kathmandu.
  

• Day 18 - 13th April - Further extension or departure home. Back to Top