Your tour will start exploring the narrow streets, and bazaars in the bustling capital Kathmandu. We will visit Nepal’s holiest Hindu pilgrimage site, Pashupatinath, straddling the Bagmati River, with its cremation ghats, temples, and exotic sadhu’s or holy men.
After soaking up the atmosphere that is Kathmandu, we take the panoramic flight into the mountain airstrip at Lukla from where your trek into the Everest National park commences.
Arriving at Lukla, we meet up with our trek guide and porters and head for Phakding, a relatively easy walk for your first day.
The trail follows the course of the Dudh Kosi, the ‘River of Milk’, gradually climbing through forests of rhododendron and magnolia. Stopping at Namche Bazaar (the delightful Sherpa capital). Be alert to the ringing of Yak’s bells, and trains of up to 20 of these amiable beasts heading out and down the path.
During your rest and acclimatization day in Namche, there is the option to take a day trek to Khumjung and visit the School funded by Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust, and the renowned German Bakery for a well earned treat. Throughout, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.
Day 6; the path climbs up out of the amphitheatre in which the town nestles, heading North East to Thyangboche, and its show stopping views. The Buddhist monastery at Thyangboche, was burnt down in 1989, when its newly installed electricity shorted out. The monastery has since been rebuilt to its former glory.
Past Thyangboche, we pass above the tree line and into alpine valleys surrounded by the high mountains. We will pass by small settlements on the physical limit of farming, and seasonal mountain settlements with their stone enclosures, and slate roofed huts, reminiscent of old Scottish crofts.
Stopping at Pangboche (3860m), for lunch and refreshments, before heading back to the monastery, Namche Bazaar, and our return journey to Lukla and onto Kathmandu.
Included.
Experienced Big Canvas Adventures tour leader, trekking staff and porters, first-aid kit, transportation, twin-share accommodation and meals as indicated in the detailed Trip Notes. The following sightseeing trips are included: Kathmandu - guided tour to Bodhnath and Pashupatinath including transport and entrance fees.
Not Included.
International flights, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, fully comprehensive travel insurance (obligatory on all trips and must include helicopter evacuation and repatriation), tips, items of a personal nature, laundry, cost of showers on trek (if available).
Local Payment.
Your tour leader will collect US$240 from each person on Day 1.
The local payment is the final part of your overall tour cost. It is to be paid in cash, in the currency indicated, to your tour leader at the start of your trip. Having a local payment helps us to pass cost savings on to you. Please note that the Local Payment is non-refundable.
Route / Itinery.
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Day
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Route
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Activity
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AM
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PM
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Day 1
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Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel, and check-in. No organised activities.
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None
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Day 2
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Kathmandu, day experiencing the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, with some time left to sort out any of those last minute hitches, or key pieces of kit forgotten of left behind.
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sightseeing
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Day 3
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Kathmandu - take the breath-taking flight into the mountain airstrip at Lukla(2860m), start trek to Phakding(2800m) (3/4 hrs)
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Flying
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Trekking
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Day 4
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Trek Phakding - to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar(3440m), nestled in a natural amphitheatre high in the mountains. (6/7 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 5
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Acclimatisation day in Namche, with optional day trek to Thami(3505m) or Khumjung(3790m),with spectacular views up to Everest and Ama Dablam, returning to Namche (3/4 hrs)
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Acclimatisation day - optional short Trek.
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Day 6
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Trek to Thyangboche (3867m), and its Buddhist monastery, on the way look out for Tahr on the slopes below you, and Golden Eagles in the sky above. (5/6 hrs).
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 7
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Day trek to Pangboche (3860m), walking through Blue pine and fir trees, taking in the panorama of the high mountains all around you, returning to Thyangboche (5/6 hrs))
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 8
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After an opportunity to view around the monastery, return trek to Namche Bazaar(3440m) (5 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 9
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Namche Bazaar(3440m) - Lukla(2860m) - reconfirm the flight tickets (8 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 10
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After an early breakfast, take the return flight to Kathmandu.
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Flying
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PM Free
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Day 11
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Kathmandu, a further days sightseeing, Durbar Sq and the monkey temple, or choose an optional scenic flight around Mt Everest itself.
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sightseeing
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Day 12
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End of tour and return home.
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None
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Meals.
All Breakfasts are included in tour price. Other meals will need to be paid for. The choice of food in Kathmandu is quite varied, and by UK standards very affordable. Whilst in the mountains, the choice is more limited, however the ingenuity of your hosts, always means that you will enjoy a hot, nutritious and thoroughly enjoyable meal.
Fitness.
A reasonable level of fitness is required for this trekking holiday and you should be in good health. On average you can expect to trek for up to five to six hours per day whilst on trek, sometimes on tracks which are fairly steep. The longest day is on day 9, by which time you will be fully acclimatized and trek fit. Some physical preparation, particularly walking on hills and stairs, before your trek will be a definite advantage.
Important Information.
A good quality sleeping bag and down jacket are required for this trip. These items are available for hire in Kathmandu.
Pre and post tour accommodation.
You may wish to extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask Big Canvas Adventures for details and prices when you book your trip.
Optional extras and sightseeing.
Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur entrance US$11
Half Day tour to Bhaktapur & Patan US$12
Mt Everest scenic flight - including transfers. approx US$135
Patan entrance US$4
Namche.
Sherpa House Museum US$2 ( small donation also appreciated)
Single travellers.
Most of our travellers are single and like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. As part of Big Canvas Adventures' core philosophy, we do not charge a single supplement. You'll probably be sharing your accommodation with a travelling companion of the same gender. You can choose to have your own room whilst in Kathmandu, however because of the limited facilities available in the mountains, separate rooms are generally not available whilst trekking. Because many of our travellers come on their own, your tour will probably have a strong social element and you'll almost certainly come home with some great new friends.