Day 01:
Arrival in Kathmandu and trip preparation – 1,300m/4,264 ft. Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly greeted by a representative from Holiday Yeti Trekking. After completion of your custom formalities (Visa, etc), you pick up your luggage and look for our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the evening, you will be for the dinner with company representative, you will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country’s food culture.
Day 02:
Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation.
Today after breakfast you 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 where you can meet our trek leader and other team members. Romantic Trek briefs you regarding your trek as well as provides you opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding your upcoming adventure. Overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 03:
Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft): 3 – 4 hrs
After breakfast, you 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 your trek begins. After an adventurous 40 minute flight above the breathtaking green and white mountains, you 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, you meet your other crew members and after some packing and arrangements, you start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until you reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, you only have a short hike today. Hoyouver, if interested in additional activities you can take a side trip to a nearby monastery. Overnight in Phakding
Day 04:
Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3440 m/11,280 ft): 5 – 6 hrs
Walking through a beautiful pine forest, the track leads us along the Dudh Koshi River through many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, you catch wonderful prospect of the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). Through the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, you come to the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. you pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through the forests and bridges until you reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours you get first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Upon this juncture, you stop at Chautara to admire the view. you still need to hike about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region. you stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 05:
Acclimatization Day – Namche Bazaar: 3,440m/11,284ft.
This is the scheduled ‘acclimatization’ day for this trek. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day too instead of being idle. You either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazzar 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 you trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize.Our guide take you to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where you 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. You also take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung. You further climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the airstrip will be the Everest View Hotel, a Japanese scheme to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on Earth. The Khumjung valley is surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak Khumbila, hosts a youll known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. You also visit Hillary School which is located at the same site. After having lunch and spending some time in Khumjung, you walk back down to Namche Bazzar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 06:
Namche Bazzar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft) – 5 – 6 hrs.
After breakfast in Namche, you start your trek towards Tengboche enjoying superb view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. Our trek follows on the gradual trail with few ups and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great Himalaya. Along the way you can spot wild lives like pheasant, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The trail goes gradually down up to Kayangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sansa which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The track then follows through the pine forests and after you cross the prayer flags festooned bridge over Dudh Koshi River, you reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch at Phunki Thenga you then have a little tough climb steep up through the pine forests while before you reach Tengboche. Tengboche is a great place for close up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest and it has a biggest Buddhist Monastery all over in Khumbu region. You pay our visit to the monastery the same day at around 3 p.m. to witness the ceremony in the principal and popular monastery of Everest region. Overnight stay at lodge at Tengboche.
Day 07:
Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m/14,300 ft): 5 – 6 hrs
With mountains at its backdrop, the monastery at Tengboche looks more spectacular in the morning. At this juncture, you can take pictures of the monastery and the scenery around and as usual start the day journey. You choose the upper trail for better views on the way to Pangboche village. You pass through several Chortens and Mani walls and small villages. The place where you stop for lunch not only serves delicious food but also allows a fantastic close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. In the afternoon, you walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the toyouring north face of Mt Ama Dablam. From here onwards, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja Valley. The valley gradually unfolds as you approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. You descend into the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche. On arrival at Dingboche, you will see beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Overnight at Dingboche.
Day 08:
Dingboche – Lobuche (4940 m/16,207 ft): 5-6 hrs.
After the breakfast, You start with a climb to Duglha through the Khumbu Khola valley. The walk along the arid terrace is rewarding with ayousome views of mountains on all sides. As you come to a yak herder’s place called Dusa, the valley begins to narrow and you continue through Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Above Phulung Karpo is Chola Lake. As you move on, the majestic view of Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) comes into view. As the trail descends and curves, Mt. Pumori disappears from view and you come across a roaring stream. After crossing a small wooden bridge, you ascend to Duglha. You can see the tip of Mt Nuptse from here as youll as Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku, and several other magnificent peaks. You will take our lunch there in Dugla and after lunch you climb up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. You pass through boulder-strewn slopes as you ascend Chupki Lhara, an eerie ridge top with dramatic mountain views. At the top of the ridge, you will find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 10 times Everest submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa (a Nepali mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Everest. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, you find ourselves facing several great peaks – Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. You are now in the vicinity of Everest but the great mountain still remains elusive. Mt Nuptse toyours to the right as the trail crosses the Khumbu Glacier. As you pass along a murmuring stream leaving the Khumbu Glacier behind, you now begin to feel a little out of breath due to high altitude. Overnight at Lobuche.
Day 09:
Lobuche – Gorak Shep [5170 m/16,961ft]-Everest Base Camp [5364 m/17,594 ft]-Gorak Shep: 8 – 9 hrs
The trail to Gorak Shep goes ahead through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. You pass through the pyramid sign post. Ahead on the trail you see crest of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A small ascent would take us to Thangma Riju from where you perceive 360 degree vista of snowy mountains. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri Glacier, you catch our first glimpse of KalaPatthar, a rey-green knoll beneath the Mt. Pumori. As you reach GorakShep, you will find snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world – Mt. Everest. After a brief lunch and rest, you take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, you come through the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. Only upon reaching the Everest Base Camp do you really appreciate the Everest climbers who brave the hazardous route through the Khumbu icefall. Mountaineer’s tents stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings (especially in the spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains you can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now you have met the ultimate objective of our trip. However, the sunset view from Kala Patthar is more admirable than the sunrise view, so it is suggested to visit Kala Patthar today during sunset. As the setting sun’s rays strike the snow capped mountains the resulting scenery is indescribable. For those trekkers who wish to continue to Kala Patthar, our guides and Sherpas coordinate in hiking to Kala Patthar for amazing sunset view today rather than waiting until the next day. Overnight in Gorak Shep at a local lodge.
Day 10:
Gorak Shep – Kala Patthar – Pheriche [4280 m/14,070 ft]: 8 – 9 hrs
Today is the climax of our trip. You start early in the morning to catch the dramatic views from KalaPatthar witnessing the first light of day shining on Mount Everest. However, you need to get prepared for an early morning, dark and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C) departure beforehand. During the ascent to Kala-Patthar, you can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding view points to snap pictures. After several hours of an ascent, you reach Kala-patthar. From this juncture, you scramble to climb the rocky outcrop near to the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags. As you reach the top, you sit on the KalaPatthar where rocks our eyes taking unbelievable Himalayan Panorama, wandering from one mighty massif to another. You take as many pictures as you can and take the in view with our mind’s eye to last lifetime. On being back to Gorak Shep, you have breakfast and wait other participants to return back. Those participants who will visit Everest Base Camp today will have early breakfast to start early as Everest base camp hike takes longer time (4-5 hrs) than the Kala Patthar hike. Upon return back to GorakShep, the group will have lunch together; and afternoon time is taken to descend down to Pheriche for a good night’s rest.
Day 11:
Pheriche -Tengboche – Namche Bazzar (3,440 m/11,280 ft): 5 – 6 hrs
Today, you trek down through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees. If it is spring, pink and red rhododendron flowers ablaze our surroundings. Depending on our hunger and condition, you either have our lunch in Pangboche or wait until you reach Phunki Tenga for lunch. After crossing the prayer flag festooned bridge over the Dudh Koshi River trail then follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests. The path eventually reaches Sansa which is the major trail junction in the region. You stop at Kyangjuma (3570 m/11,710 ft) for a relaxed lunch. You unknowingly appreciate the gorgeous Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Nuptse with every bite. Following lunch, the trail to Namche Bazaar clings to the steep wooded slope beyond Kyangjuma, winding through several bends. You keep a lookout for wild life such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, etc., while passing through the forest by the trail. After passing a Chorten, you reach the army camp at Namche Bazaar. At this point, you would like to take a long last look (and picture!) back to Lhotse, the tip of Everest and Tengboche. On reaching our lodge, you take a nice hot shower and have very relaxed sleep in our room in Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 12:
Namche Bazaar-Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft): 6 – 8 hrs
The trail descends steeply downward so you need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. By today you start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as you pass through this charming mountain air. Although you are travelling the same route down, you feel completely different views. You snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. You walk through the Sherpa villages’ noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag while you walk through the villages. Upon arrival in Lukla, you stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of years. You experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile on faces! Overnight in Lukla.
Day 13:
Lukla – Kathmandu Flight
Today, you fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The early morning flight drops us in Kathmandu. You can rest and relax throughout the day at hotel. If you get interested to take some gifts home from Nepal for friends and relatives, you can visit to some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods. This short excursion either can be assisted by Romantic Trek’s guides or you can do it yourselves too. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, you will have a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 14:
Final departure to your home country
The journey within the mountains of Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but we just trade emails to travel companions and organize our photos. If we have more time we can do some shopping or sightseeing. At last approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight, our representative escorts us to the airport. On your way to home we will have plenty of time to plan your next adventure trip in the wonderful country of Nepal.
