Kick start your tour in the bustling capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Explore the narrow streets, and bazaars, and discover the temples and stupas in this fascinating city. After soaking up the atmosphere that is Kathmandu, we take the panoramic flight into the mountain airstrip at Lukla from where your trek to Everest commences. 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) to help adjust to the altitude, the trek continues deep into the Himalayas, through Dingboche, (set below the spectacular peak of Ama Dablam). All the while as you are trekking, the peaks of the Himalaya will loom above you, providing outstanding views as you walk.
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 - Jorsale(2810m) - 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 upto 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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Namche Bazaar(3440m) - Sanasa - Phunki(3250m) -Thyangboche(3867m) (5/6 hrs)
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Trekking
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Early Finish
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Day 7
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Thyangboche(3867m) - Pangboche (3860m) - Dingboche(4343m) (6/7 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 8
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Dingboche(4343m)
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Acclimatisation day - optional short Trek.
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Day 9
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Dingboche(4343m) - Lobuche(4930m) (6 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 10
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Lobuche(4930m) - Gorak Shep(5200m) (4 hrs)
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Trekking
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Free to relax
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Day 11
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Gorakhshep(5200m) - Kala Pattar (5545m) or Everest Base camp(5357m) - Lobuche(4930m) (6/7 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 12
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Lobuche(4930m) - Pangboche(3860m) (6/7 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 13
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Pangboche(3860m) - Khumjung(3790m) or Khunde (7 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 14
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Khumjung(3790m) - Syangboche (3720m) - Namche Bazaar(3440m) - Monjo (7 hrs)
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Trekking
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Trekking
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Day 15
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Monjo - Lukla(2860m) - reconfirm the flight tickets (5 hrs)
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Trekking
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Early Finish
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Day 16
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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 17
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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 18
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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. You can expect to trek for up to seven to eight hours per day whilst on trek, sometimes on tracks which are fairly steep. Physical preparation, particularly walking on hills and stairs, before your trek will be a definite advantage.
Pre and post 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)
Important Information.
A good quality sleeping bag and down jacket are required for this trip. These items are available for hire in Kathmandu.
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.