Hike to heaven's doorstep, otherwise known as Everest Base Camp. It is often said that the Base Camp at Everest is arguably the highlight of any Everest trip. Explore this novice-friendly trip through the Khumbu Region in Nepal for close-up views of dozens of Himalayan giants without the dangers and technical requirements of an actual summit.
Sleeping mainly in tea houses along the path, ease yourself into the vibrant Sherpa culture. Take the opportunity to pose alongside friendly herds of yaks, breathe in the aromas of hedgerows and Rhododendrons bursting to life, and run your fingertips through the rush of glacial water as you approach that most illustrious of giants, Mt. Everest. Allow the people and mountains of the Khumbu valley to envelop you physically and emotionally. At the same time, you feel the pull of and connection to Everest from the most famous base camp in the world. Join in the hustle and bustle of the busy Namche Bazaar and get lost in the famous remote trading post high in the Himalayas.
Welcome to Kathmandu! Upon arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met by our Nepalese representatives. They will transport you to your hotel. You are free to explore picturesque downtown Kathmandu.
This will be a full day of sightseeing with a tour of Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath Stupa. For 2,000 years, Kathmandu has been a center of trade, culture, and religious life in Nepal. We will visit several of the city's best-known sites, starting with the Pashupatinath temple, a World Heritage Site, which is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu and one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. We will also visit the 5th Century Boudhanath stupa, the largest in the valley, known for its all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The more than 50 Buddhist monasteries nearby have earned Boudhanath the nickname "Little Tibet." The ancient stupa is one of the largest in the world. Hundreds of Buddhists spend their days praying at the various temples in the area.
Our trek begins today with an early morning flight to the mountain town of Lukla, in the heart of the Khumbu region. The Dalai Lama named our route to Everest "the steps to Heaven," Once in Khumbu, we enter a place where the mountains reign supreme. After our arrival, we finish the day with the downhill trek to our night's lodging in Phakding. Tonight, and all nights on the trek, we stay at Nepalese "tea houses." These are simple lodges often run by Sherpa families, which provide rooms, meals, and a taste of local life. Bedrooms are not heated, so sleeping bags are required. Tonight, and all nights on the trek, we stay at Nepalese "tea houses." These are simple lodges often run by Sherpa families, which provide rooms, meals, and a taste of local life. Bedrooms are not heated, so sleeping bags are required. You can bring your own or rent one in Kathmandu.
Today we continue north up the valley of the Dudh Kosi river to Namche Bazaar. Namche is an ancient market center now prospering as a tourist hub and a center of Sherpa culture. Despite its use as a generic term for porter, "Sherpa" refers to a distinct ethnic group originally from the mountains of eastern Nepal. Their reputation as mountain guides has made their name synonymous with the Himalayas, especially Mt. Everest.
We spend this day in Namche for acclimatization. Before breakfast, we can hike to a monument to the great Sherpa climber Tensing Norgay for great views of distant Mt. Everest and surrounding 8,000-meter peaks. In the afternoon, we may visit neighboring villages, such as Syangboche or Khumjung, for a closer view of Sherpa life, or we may spend time browsing the many local shops in the colorful trading town of Namche Bazaar.
The day starts with the trail descending to the Dudh Khosi river, crossing at the village of Phunki Tenga. There, we will eat lunch before ascending the long, steep ridge to Tengboche, passing through Rhododendron and pine forests and enjoying the views of the snow-clad mountains. We stop for the night in Tengboche, where we will visit a Tibetan Buddhist monastery considered to be the largest monastery in the Khumbu region.
Depending on the weather, we may spend this night at either Pheriche, a charming but sometimes chilly village at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier, or slightly more sheltered Dingboche, around the corner in the adjoining valley of the Imja Khola, but both at relatively the same elevation.
Another day spent resting to fully acclimatize, with options to explore either of these charming villages, visit a local bakery, or hike to a nearby medical clinic to learn about high-altitude/remote medical facilities.
After breakfast, depending on whether we are in Dingboche or Pheriche, we climb uphill, traverse around a high ridge, or ascend the alluvial plain of the river. Eventually crossing it in either event, we continue our route to Lobuche by ascending the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier at the village of Dughla and continue along the lateral moraine to our destination for the night, the high village of Lobuche.
A short but challenging day spent traversing the rocky shoulder of the Khumbu glacier. We will arrive in Gorak Shep by lunchtime. Optional afternoon summit of nearby Kala Patthar, a somewhat taller peak that allows you to see the top of Mt. Everest and all its surrounding mountains.
We start early again today, and after about a two-hour walk, the sun welcomes us to Everest Base Camp with its world-famous views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, and the jumble of lesser peaks that surround us. At 17,300, this is the highest and grandest point on our trek. Saturated with beauty, we return to Gorakshep for lunch. We continue our rapid descent past the village of Lobuche into the Imja Khola Valley, completing the long descent to the very quaint village of Thukla- sometimes also referred to as Dhugla.
We descend below the tree line and pass a series of small villages. Our return to relative civilization and lower elevations continues today. Still, first, we must climb back up the ridge to Tengboche.
We head down again to the Dudh Kosi, then back up to Namche Bazaar. It's a roller coaster of a day but ends once again in that colorful market town, only one day from the end of our journey.
Today will be a long but rewarding day as we return to Lukla via the Dudh Kosi valley. From this direction, the views will be entirely different, though still satisfying. We descend back below the tree line today. Eventually, we reach the large town of Lukla. We overnight in Lukla before our morning flight back to Kathmandu.
In the morning, we fly to Kathmandu. You can roam the city, pick up souvenirs, or sleep!
You leave Nepal, taking your unforgettable memories with you.
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