Everest Panaroma

Half-day sightseeing tour of UNESCO Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, including Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalized. In the evening, sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu

Early in the morning, you will be picked up by your guide to go to the Kathmandu airport, from where we will take the airplane to Lukla, which will take us about 30 minutes of flight time. At Lukla, we will meet our porters and head north from the airstrip to Chablung (2,700 m). Here we will cross the Tharo Koshi river on a local-style suspension bridge. Just past the bridge, we can see the peak of Kusum Kangru (6,367 m), which is the most difficult of the so-called “trekking peaks." Beyond the Tharo Koshi, the trail climbs a bit towards Ghat (2,590 m), where we will cross a ridge marked with painted Mani stones and climb to Phakding, where we will stay overnight (3 hrs).

From Phakding, we follow the valley of the Dudh Koshi river, staying on the west bank of the river. We climb steeply over a rocky ridge towards Benkar (2710m). From here the trail continues alongside the river. All along this part of the trail, villages are interspersed with magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia and giant firs. In both the early autumn and late spring, the flowers on this portion of the trek make it a beautiful walk. We cross the Kyashar Khola river and climb out of the valley to Monjo (2840m). Just beyond Monjo the trek enters the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, which was established in 1976 to protect a 1148 sq km area surrounding Mt Everest. Beyond the national park entrance station, the trail makes a steep rocky descent and crosses the Dhud Kosi river on a 120m-long suspension bridge towards Jorsale (2830m). After crossing this river a few times while climbing our way up the valley we will reach Namche Bazaar (3420m). Namche Bazaar is the main trading centre in this region and features numerous shops, hotels and restaurants (6 hrs).

Acclimatization is important before proceeding higher. Today we will take a day hike through the villages of Khunde and Khumjung. We start with a steep one-hour climb to the Syangboche airstrip (3,790 m), from where we will slowly ascent towards Khunde, passing numerous chorten (stone Buddhist monuments). We take the trail east from Khunde to Khumjung, the largest village in Khumbu, at the foot of the sacred peak Khumbila. After enjoying lunch here, we will follow a steep switchbacking trail descending to Chhorkung (3,540 m). It's a quick descent back to Namche Bazaar (5 hours) from here.

Our route today to Tengboche weaves in and out of side valleys, making small ups and downs, to the teashops of Kenjoma, and joins the trail from Khumjung just before a collection of Mani stones. The views of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent from this part of the trek. We pass the small settlement of Sanasa, from where the trail drops towards Phunki Thanga (3250 m). From here, the trail climbs steeply through forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3,870 m. The view from here is rightly deemed to be one of the worlds most magnificent. Kwangde (6187m), Tawachee (6542m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8501m), Ama Dablan, Kantega and Thamserku provide an inspiring panorama of Himalayan giants. We will spend the night in Tengboche village (5 hrs).

Today we return halfway back to Namche Bazaar before starting our hike up to the largest Khumbu settlement in the valley, Khumjung village. From Khumjung village, a great view of Mt. Everest can be seen (4-5 hrs).

Today we descend first to Namche Bazaar and then continue our way back down the valley and descend steeply back to the Dudh Koshi River and continue our way past the national park checkpoint at Monjo. From Monjo, we will go through forests of magnolia, giant firs, and rhododendrons, the site of an agricultural project. We cross the Dudh Koshi River to its west bank and continue our way down to Phakding (5 hrs).

Today we retrace our route from day 1 back to the transit village of Lukla. There, we have to confirm our flight tickets for the next day. Overnight stay in Lukla (3 hours).

Today we fly back to Kathmandu. This early morning flight is, because of the location of the airstrip and the often clear morning views from the plane, one of the most interesting flights you’ll ever experience. Staying at a hotel for the night

You will depart from Kathmandu.