Option 1:

Morning Sightseeing to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.  Then Drive to Ramechhap: 4 hours drive at 2.00 AM in the morning of Day 3.

Today your Nepal adventure begins!  After breakfast, at around 9.30am, our tour guide and private vehicle will collect you from your hotel to take you to some of the most historical and interesting heritage sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Valley has no less than seven world heritage sites; today we will cover two of them:

Pashupatinath: Pashupati Temple is the most holy and significant temple among worshipers of Lord Shiva.  Non-Hindus are not allowed into Pashupatinath Temple itself but by standing on the opposite banks of the Bagmati River, visitors can view the ghats where worship and ritual bathing takes place.  A few metres downstream the burning ghats often present a horrific fascination. If that is too intimate, there are plenty of small shrines and trails to explore.

Boudhanath Stupa:  Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.  Here in the early morning and late afternoon, hundreds of Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists come to circumnavigate the stupa in prayer with the sound of spinning prayer wheels and the ringing of bells filling the air. It is possible to eat in one of the many good restaurants around the stupa. 

Note: The rest of this afternoon is at your leisure.  We will leave from Kathmandu at 2am in the morning to reach Ramechhap for the flight to Lukla for the following reason:

The Government of Nepal has announced that until further notice most flights to and from Lukla will be from Ramechhap (Manthali Airport).  This will avoid heavy traffic congestion in Kathmandu airport.  The airport in Ramechhap is located 130km from Kathmandu (approximately 3-4 hours drive).  As Ramechhap is a very small town and off the usual tourist route, accommodation facilities are basic and limited.  It is likely that given this new situation, accommodation will be hard to find.  Thus driving direct from Kathmandu to Ramechhap in the early morning is the only realistic option.

Overnight (until 2am) at a hotel. Included meals: breakfast.

Option 2:

Entire day sightseeing to Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu and fly next day from Kathmandu directly to Lukla via helicopter.

Today your Nepal adventure begins!  After breakfast, at around 10.00 am, our tour guide and private vehicle will collect you from your hotel to take you to some of the most historical and interesting heritage sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Valley has no less than seven world heritage sites; today we will cover three of them:

Swayambhunath: Swayambhunath Stupa (or Monkey Temple as its often know) has great importance to the Valley’s indigenous Newar population whose religion is a unique blend of Buddhism and Hinduism.  We reach the top by a long staircase from the east. In addition to devotees, visitors can see many monkeys on the climb up to the stupa (please do not feed or pet them), and have a wonderful view over Kathmandu.

Boudhanath Stupa:  Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.  Here in the early morning and late afternoon, hundreds of Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists come to circumnavigate the stupa in prayer with the sound of spinning prayer wheels and the ringing of bells filling the air. It is possible to eat in one of the many good restaurants around the stupa. 

Pashupatinath: Pashupati Temple is the most holy and significant temple among worshipers of Lord Shiva.  Non-Hindus are not allowed into Pashupatinath Temple itself but by standing on the opposite banks of the Bagmati, visitors can view the ghats where worship and ritual bathing takes place.  A few metres downstream the burning ghats often present a horrific fascination. If that is too intimate, there are plenty of small shrines and trails to explore.

There will be time for exploring the tourist hub of Thamel and doing last minute shopping for essential trekking snacks etc before dinner. 

Note: With this option you will avoid the middle of the night drive to Ramecchap and will fly directly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla on the morning of Day 03.

Depending on your choice, today we fly from Ramechhap or from Kathmandu to Lukla. Estimated arrival time in Lukla is the same for either option. After your arrival in Lukla, your guide and porters will meet you and from here we trek to Phakding. The trail starts by descending to Cheplung village.  You may be able to catch sight of Mt Khumbila from here.  This is a sacred mountain which, as such, has never been climbed.  From here the trail descends till Phakding where you overnight.  This is where your climbing adventure really begins!

Today the trail takes you upwards over steep inclines and across high suspension bridges. You pass through rhododendron forests which in the spring time will be filled with red and pink flowers. Now you are in Sagarmatha National Park.  Compared to other national park in Nepal, due to its geographical location, this park has less wildlife. Although home to the majestic Snow Leopard and Himalayan black bear, it is unlikely you will see one. But you never know. There is, however, plenty of bird life – so keep your eyes open. Tonight sleep in the famous Namche Bazaar.

Today’s acclimatization day is designed to allow your body to get used to the altitude.  You can take the opportunity to explore the town or hike to Khumjung Village to visit the school and hospital set up by Sir Edmund Hillary.  If you do go to Khumjung, do remember to visit the Khumjung Monastery where you can ask the heavens for a safe journey.  You can even see a Yeti scalp - if you can believe it!  Back at Namche you can buy any snacks that you might have forgotten to bring from Kathmandu. In the past this was the last stop for mountaineers to stock up on goods before setting off to scale Everest.  It still offers a wide range of goodies not found in other villages in the region. 

On our way from Namche to Debuche, we visit Tengboche monastery - the largest monastery in the region.  It is also perhaps the monastery with the best views of the surrounding mountains!  We explore this monastery for a while and then head towards Debuche which is 30 minutes walk from Tengboche. The entire trail switches back and forth, along rushing rivers and through lush woods. Then almost abruptly the vegetation gets less and the scenery becomes rockier. Overnight in Debuche.

Today follow the switchback trails along rushing rivers and through lush woods before the landscape becomes more barren and rocky.  The picturesque trail from Debuche, crosses the Imja River and takes us to Pangboche. On the Pangboche trail we gain pristine views of the Himalayas and of Pangboche Monastery. Trekking towards the Imja Valley and Lobuche River we begin climbing up to Dingboche. Overnight at Dingboche.

In order to acclimatize to the increasing altitude, an acclimatization day is taken at Dingboche.  If you are feeling fit and energetic you can hike up Nangkartshang Hill.  This hill is a bit of a challenge as it is a rocky outcrop. But it is also good preparation for what is to come. Overnight in Dingboche.

By now we feel the rugged mountains and landscape are towering over us!  The land is dry and there is little vegetation.  You might want to visit Memorial Hill, where there are flags and mani stones in memory of those who have lost their lives in the mountains. Or simply push on to the overnight stop at the small village of Lobuche.

Gorak Shep is the name of a small, seasonal settlement which is the best place to set off for the ascent of Kalapatthar, also known as the ‘Everest view point’. Gorak Shep was base camp for the 1952 Swiss expedition to Everest.  Although unsuccessful, on that climb was Tenzing Norgay Sherpa who the following year made the first summit of Everest with Edmund Hilary.  Its takes approximately two hours to reach Everest Base Camp from Gorak Shep. From this vast open vista you will be able to see mountaineers setting up camp in the distance (it is not possible for trekkers to enter the exact same EBC area) and take in the magnificent and treacherous beauty of the Khumbu Icefall. Overnight at Gorak Shep in preparation for a dawn ascent of Kalapatthar.

Many people come to the Everest Region after hearing about Everest Base Camp. But somewhere along with way they realize that actually the best views of Everest are not to be found at its base. The really spectacular views of Mount Everest are from the top of Kalapatthar at 5,545m. Meaning black rock, Kalapatthar is not so much a mountain but a ridge. Outstanding views can be seen and photographed from here! Everest, Changtse and Nuptse mountains are so close you feel you can just reach out and touch them.  Unless you are planning to try to summit Everest at some future point in time, this is as close are you will get. And for non-mountaineers, the challenge is almost Everest like!  Setting off before dawn, you can witness sunrise over Everest – a mystical sight. After spending some time basking in Nature’s glories, descend Kalapatthar and return to Gorak Shep for breakfast. Here the next part of your adventure is waiting for you. While others are facing a two day trek back to Lukla you will board our helicopter for a short 15 minute flight to Lukla. And what a trip!  You will have the chance to see Everest and the other mountains from a totally different vantage point!  After this exciting ride you can celebrate in Lukla while you wait for your fixed-wing flight. 

After breakfast fly out of Lukla. Take in your final views of the mountains from your plane window.  You can either fly to Ramechhap and drive (3-4 hours) to Kathmandu or take a helicopter from Lukla to Kathmandu.  Please ask us about the helicopter option.

To be prudent, we keep one extra day at the end of the trek just in case there is a flight cancellation out of Lukla (due to bad weather).  You can use this day to explore on your own or ask us about arranging sightseeing to other cultural heritage sites. Please let us know and we can arrange this for you. Tonight a farewell dinner will give you the chance to relive your adventure! But first, perhaps you want to do a little souvenir shopping?

Depending on your flight time, you  will be transferred to the airport there hours prior to the departure time. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel which will incur extra charges as the check out time is usually 12 pm. Your airport representative will pick you from your hotel accordingly and take you to the international airport for your onward flight.

 Bon voyage and pheri bhetaula!