A Week Below Everest
This week long trek takes you through the Khumbu region of Nepal, bringing you close to the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest. Throughout the trek you will have magnificent views of Mt Everest [8848m], Lhotse [8501m], Nuptse [7879m], Ama Dablam [6856m], Thamserku [6608m] and Kantega [6685m], as well as the great glaciers, snowfields and ice ridges. You will experience the culture of amazing Sherpa villages and have the opportunity to visit famous Buddhist monasteries.
Throughout the trek we stay in the best available lodges, they are very comfortable yet not five star resorts.
Note: You can also choose to do this trek and stay in the usual trekkers accommodation, the tea houses.
- Starts In: Kathmandu
- Ends In: Kathmandu
- Duration: 7 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Moderate
Highlights
- Beautiful mountain lodges
- Follow in the footsteps of the hundreds who summit Mt Everest each year
- The peaks of the Khumbu – Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kantega and stunning Ama Dablam – guard the trail from high above
- Pass through the mountain settlements of Lukla and Namche Bazaar on your gorgeous trek
Itinerary
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding [2656m]
Your trekking guide will meet you early in the morning and escort you to the domestic airport for your spectacular flight and exciting landing on the steep mountain runway. This brings you to the start of your trek at the village of Lukla [2800m]. After your guide organises the trekking crew and the gear, you head up the Dudh Kosi Valley on a well-marked trail to your first night near the river at Phakding.
Time permitting, we explore the two traditional villages of Sano Gumela and Thulo Gumela. We can also have a special visit to the little monastery which is home to 12-15 monks of the Gelugpa sect and is a centre of high Buddhist learning.
Walking time: Approx. 4 hours
Accommodation: The Beyul
Meals included:
Lunch, Dinner
Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche [3450m]
This morning we continue up the trail and from the neighboring village of Monjo we are inside the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment of the Everest region. We cross the river on a suspension bridge and then ascend quite steeply to Namche. Along the way, if the weather is clear, catch our first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance.
Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market – a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Yeti Mountain Homes
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tashinga
Today you have a few options for a short day’s trekking. The day’s destination is Tashinga and your group can either take the direct (and more gentle) route, contouring around from Namche, or you can make the climb up to Kumjung for a range of options. If going to Kumjung, you may visit the controversial Everest View Hotel (lots of good stories behind that!) on the way. Situated above the village of Khumjung in a spectacular position this huge development, although out of keeping with its surroundings, has really superb views from its terrace. You can enjoy a cup of tea or a hot lemon while looking out at Everest and other Himalayan giants.
On your way to the Everest View, do make sure to stop in at Sagarmatha Next. The mountain gallery and community movement promotes a deeper understanding of the Khumbu region and its people to inspire a positive impact. On your way back through Namche on your way down you may like to get involved with the Carry Me Back initiative, a crowdsourced waste removal system.
It might also be possible to visit the clinic in Khunde and the Khumjung school – both projects are supported by the well regarded Himalayan Trust and, if organized well in advance to prevent any disruption to the medical services or the kids’ school day, it is possible to visit and learn about health and education in the mountains.
The picturesque little Gompa (monastery) in Khumjung, set in a grove of trees above the houses of the village, is also well worth a visit. On payment of a small donation to the caretaker you may be allowed to see the so-called head of a yeti which is kept there.
From Khumjung the trail descends with chortens forming a dramatic frame to the superb view of Ama Dablam (6,696m), and Kantega (6,779m), flanked by the towering heights of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. You descend from the village, first through walled fields and then through rhododendron and blue pine forest to the village of Tashinga.
Walking time: Approx. 3 hours
Accommodation: Everest Summit Lodge Tashinga
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek from Tashinga to Pangboche [3908m]
This morning, looking across the valley, we will be able to see the path sloping diagonally up towards the famous monastery of Tengboche (3860m), but first we have to descend to the Imja Khola (river) before a final climb to reach Tengboche located on a ridge below the impressive north ridge of Kang Taiga. After visiting this famous monastery, we will continue our trek towards Pangboche the highest of the original permanent habitations in the valley via Deboche.
Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Everest Summit Lodge Pangboche
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar [3450m]
We enroute our way back to Namche. We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche and its famous monastery. There are magnificent views from here and Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants which can be seen. From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche.
Walking time: Approx. 6 hours
Accommodation: Yeti Mountain Homes
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek from Namche to Lukla [2800m]
Mostly downhill today following the fall of the Dudh Kosi River, but there’s a sting in the tail as we make the final short climb to our lodge accommodation in Lukla.
Walking time: Approx. 8 hours
Accommodation: Everest Summit Lodge Lukla
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Fly back to Kathmandu
Flights out of Lukla are usually in the morning and we should arrive in Kathmandu with plenty of time for further sightseeing or shopping. After checking in to our hotel in Kathmandu the rest of the day is free to relax or explore.
Accommodation: None
Meals included:
Breakfast
Gallery
Included In Price
- All accommodation on twin/double share basis as per itinerary
- Meals as per the itinerary (all meals while on the trek with filtered drinking water)
- Transport as per itinerary in private vehicle, flights to Lukla and Kathmandu, including airport transfers.
- Your trekking guide, sherpas, and porters, with all their transport, equipment, insurance, meals and accommodation
- A first aid kit with basic supplies appropriate for the group size and trek route – if you require or are taking specific medications it is critical that you discuss this with us prior to your trip departure
- Trekking permits and registration fees
The meal inclusions on the trek are breakfast (one set breakfast and tea or coffee), lunch (one main meal and tea or coffee) and dinner (soup, main and dessert with tea or coffee).
Not Included In Price
- Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice about gear to bring/buy/rent
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes
- Any excess baggage charges
- Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
- Additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itineraries above
- Single supplement
- Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
- Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
- Tips for your trekking crew, city guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, etc (please ask if you would like guidance about appropriate tips)
- Costs incurred due to changes in programs and reservations due to unforeseen events (eg landslides, strikes, fuel shortages, etc)
