Kathmandu, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuje and Gorak Shep

Day 1: Arrival into Kathmandu.
Meet upon arrival with traditional garland ceremony and transfer to your hotel. We will have a short brief meeting at the hotel and rest a while and in the evening cultural program depicting the folk dances of the various tribes of Nepal followed by an authentic Nepali dinner. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Phakding (2652 m)
During peak seasons, (March, April, May, September, October and November) the flight to Lukla will be operated from Ramechhap/Manthali due to air traffic expansion. The Manthali/Ramechhap airport is about a 5 hours drive away from Kathmandu.
We may fly directly to Lukla from Kathmandu with helicopter option with extra fare in 5 people sharing basis. On other option we wake up around 2:00 AM take an escorted shuttle to Manthali Airport in a tourist vehicle, and board a 20-minute flight to Lukla. The flight from Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla (2804 m) has to be one of the most spectacular in the world! After luggage claim and a cup of tea, the trail leads northwest and descends to the Bhote Koshi river. Campsite at Phakding (2652 m) a 3 hours walk.

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (Nauje) (3440 m.)
Leaving our Phakding lodge early in the morning, we proceed upward toward Sagarmatha National Park gate. Passing through Benkar (2700 m.), and Jorsale (2850 m.), the trail crisscrosses the Dudh Kosi by means of long swaying bridges. After Jorsale it’s a demanding uphill hike up to the edge of the tiny plain of Namche Bazaar. About 6 hours.

Day 4: Rest Day in Namche Bazaar (Nauje)
In the days of the Sherpa kings, Namche Bazaar [Sherpa = “Nauje”] was the capital of the Khumbu. Through trade with India & Tibet, the Sherpa village of Nauje became a prosperous bazaar on the cold, dry Himalayan frontier. When the Tibet border closed in 1959, Nauje (and most Sherpa trading villages) went into decline. But trekking & climbing services soon replaced mercantile trade as major income producers, and Namche Bazaar bounced back to health in the late ’60’s.
Peopled by world-traveled climbing Sherpas, Nepalese government officials, and scores of international tourists, Namche is beginning to resemble a Swiss resort village! You will find good food, hot showers, moneychangers, peddlers, and many tales of adventure. A day hike west to Thame Gompa [Monastery], while optional, is much recommended for benefit of acclimatization.
Tea House Style: Linger in lodge. Buy meals in lodge kitchen. Private rooms, if available, have a padlock for securing your gear. Dormitory accommodations… Listen to many trekking stories told by westerners. Few local Nepalese frequent tourist lodges.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche Gompa [Monastery] (3870 m.)
Leaving Nauje in the morning, we walk gradually uphill toward the flat helicopter landing zone called Syangboche (3720 m.). Walking across the Syangboche ridge, we continue across a relatively flat trail to the twin Khumbu villages of Khunde & Khumjung, hosts of the first Hillary school & hospital for Sherpas. Then, a definitely steep hour’s climb through dense blue pine forest bring us to Tengboche. About 6 hours.
Tengboche Gompa was built by Sherpa merchants in the early part of this century; it collapsed once after an earthquake in the 30’s, and burned to the ground in an electrical fire in 1989. The gompa, an important center of Sherpa Buddhist learning, has been splendidly rebuilt. Lodging at offers stunning views of Mt. Everest [Sherpa = Chomolungma] & Ama Dablam [Mother’s Necklace].

Day 6: Tengboche to Dingboche (41840 m.)
Gradual but persistent uphill walking through yak pastures above and fields of ripening barley below. Visit the Sherpa Culture Center started by Frances Klatzel & the Tengboche Rinpoche, just north of the gompa. Devoche Nunnery’s gate can also be seen along the trail, and donations can be made if you are inspired. However, these hardy Sherpa & Tibetan Buddhist nuns prefer to remain in seclusion. Reach the stone yak & sheep enclosures at Pheriche after walking all day – about 7 hours.

Day 7: Rest day in Dingboche (41840 m.)
Today in Dingboche we rest & allow our bodies to acclimatize. After the luxury of a slow morning sipping tea in the lodge kitchen, we can hike to Dingboche ridge and enjoy the himalayan views.

Day 8: Dingboche to Lobuje (4930 m.)
The trail climbs from Dingboche up a series of treeless glacial moraines to the yak herder’s huts at Phalang Karpo (4340 m.) and Duglha ( 4620 m.). Begin to see many chorten, ritual stone-piles representing travelers’ prayers to the gods for a safe mountain crossing. Lodge at Lobuje. Walking day about 5 strenuous hours. Nights can be very, very cold up here.

Day 9: Lobuje to Gorak Shep (5160 m.) & EBC (5385 m.)
Today’s plan depends entirely on the trekkers’ comfort. If people are feeling good, the best possible day involves waking at 6:30 a.m. – not difficult since you will not have slept much at this altitude! Then walk three hours up to Gorak Shep. If we still feel comfortable, we can continue another two hours up on the strenuous hike to Everest base camp and stay overnight in Gorekshep.

Day 10: Goreshep to Pheriche (4910 m.)
We hike up to Kalapather early morning around 5:00am and enjoy the panaromic view of the high Himalaya including, Mt. Everest, Choyu and others. We the descent down following short ascent to Lobuje continue to down to Pheriche

Day 11 -13: Lukla-Kathmandu
The last few days – mainly downhill! – follow the trail through, Tengboche Monastery, Namche Bazaar, and finally to Lukla Airstrip board an airplane for the 40-minute trip back to Kathmandu.

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu
Here we come to the end of our memorable trip. We will conclude our Everest Base Camp Trekking in Kathmandu and proceed to airport for outbound flight back from Nepal. If we have time before our flight back we will explore local markets of Kathmandu on our own if not we will proceed to airport straightaway. We are sure that it’s not our last time in Nepal, see you again !

Please contact us for pricing and details.