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 most realistic option.

Overnight (until 2am) at a hotel in Kathmandu. 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 it’s often known) 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 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.

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.

Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu. Included meals: breakfast.

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.  We 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 descents till Phakding where you overnight.  This is where your climbing adventure begins!

Today the trail takes you upwards over steep inclines and across high suspension bridges. If you come in the springtime, your journey through the rhododendron forests will be filled with red and pink flowers. On the way you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of Mt Everest from the viewpoint on this part of the trail.  But don’t worry if the clouds are hiding the view – you will have plenty more opportunities.  Tonight sleep in the famous Namche Bazaar.

Today’s acclimatization day is designed to allow your body to get used to the altitude.  It also gives you a chance to explore the town or hike to Khumjung Village to visit the school and hospital set up by Sir Edmund Hillary as a thank you to the Sherpa people.  You can also visit Khumjung Monastery, where they have an (alleged) Yeti scalp!  Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere in Namche.  In the past this was the last stop for mountaineers to stock up on goods before setting off to scale Everest.  It still is a good place to purchase any chocolate or snacks you forgot to bring with you. 

Debuche lies 30 minutes from Tengboche, where the highest monastery in the region can be found. To reach Debuche, pass through rhododendron forests and along the Dudh Koshi River.  The trail is steep but the views of the mountains are spectacular! Passing Tibetan prayer flags and smaller gompas on the route just adds to the flavor.   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.  You can choose to relax around the village or hike up to Nangkartshang Hill.  It is a bit of a challenge to climb the rocky ridge so if you are feeling tired, perhaps it’s better just to stroll around less vertically challenging trails!

The landscape has now lost any vegetation and the route becomes rocky and dry.  You really get the feeling of being a dwarf in a land of huge mountainscapes! Perhaps visit Memorial Hill, where there are flags and mani stones in memory of those who have lost their lives in the mountains.  Tonight overnight in 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 Kalapattar, 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 three 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 Step in preparation for a dawn ascent of Kalapatthar.

While trekkers are attracted by the fact they will visit Everest Base Camp, the real spectacular views of Mount Everest are from the top of Kalapatthar. At 5,545m this is the highest altitude we can trek in Nepal without requiring climbing permits. Its name means black rock and it is not so much a mountain but a ridge. But what 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.  For most people, this is the closest they will get to Mount Everest.  And this is quite an achievement in itself! Sunrise and sunset from Kalapatthar are equally as spectacular, and which you see may well depend on weather conditions that day.  However, we are aiming for sunrise so will set off early in the morning. After spending some time basking in Nature’s glories, descend Kalapatthar, return to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then head to Pheriche where you overnight.

Although you are descending considerably today, this is the Himalayas – so expect some uphill parts also! As you get closer to Namche the forests and greenery returns, while overhead the mountains are still shining against the blue sky.  This is a long day, particularly after a hard day yesterday, but the satisfaction of knowing you made it to Everest Base Camp will keep you going.  Back at Namche Bazaar, tonight enjoy are really good dinner, with perhaps some real coffee or a beer!

Set off after breakfast to reach the airport town of Lukla where you will stay overnight before your early morning flight the next day.

Overnight at a lodge. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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.

Please also ask if you would like us to arrange some culture sightseeing in Kathmandu for you. Or feel free to explore on your own. Tonight there is a farewell dinner. But please do come back again!

Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the airport three 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!

Included meals: breakfast