Foothills of Everest Trek

It is an absolute thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you begin a whole chain of memorable experiences that will stay with you for a long, long time.

Your Big Journey Company representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After check in, there will be a welcome meeting with your Big Journey Company Tour Director and the rest of the trekking group. Here you will be briefed further on this adventure and discuss the plan for the next few days.

Later in the afternoon we'll walk a short distance from the hotel to visit Boudhnath Stupa. Boudhnath, less than eight kilometres from central Kathmandu, is a sacred place home to a large number of Tibetan exiles. It is noted for its sixth-century Buddhist stupa, one of the largest in the world. The stupa is surrounded by monasteries, which attract pilgrims and devotees from all over the Indian subcontinent.

Today will be a day spent sightseeing in Kathmandu and acclimatising to the high altitude before exercise.

Also known as Kantipur, the capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's art and culture. We will walk throught the centre of old Kathmandu to experience the city's eclectic mix of cultures.

The UNESCO World Heritage Monument Swayambhunath Stupa is just one of the highlights today. Said to be around 2,000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hillock which is 2 km west of Kathmandu overlooking the valley.

Next we'll head to Kathmandu Durbar Square with its highly-detailed wooden temples and courtyards of the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace. We'll see the magnificent Taleju Temple towering more than 40 meters high; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess (we may even be lucky enough to view the Living Goddess from her window that overlooks the courtyard), Kumari; the temple of Ashok Vinayak dedicated to Lord Ganesh, and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath.

Our last stop today is a visit to the famous city of Patan. Patan, located 5 km southeast of Kathmandu, is popularly known as ‘the city of artisans’ and accommodates a magnificent square housing the palace buildings of the then royals, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples – a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign of the Malla kings. It is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, and ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1,200 monuments.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening

After an early breakfast we drive to Kathmandu Airport where we will board our flight to Lukla. Please note that the luggage allowance on the plane is 10kg per person and the cabin bag is 5kg! 

After lunch, we embark on a three-hour walk to Phakding. This starts with a gentle descent beside the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River, with distant views of the peaks of Nupla and Kusumkang.

Later, we will enjoy an hour’s walk to Rimijung Gompa, the monastery of Sano Gomila. This is home to a small idol made from the branches of a white tree that once grew here and housed in a metal casket. Reaching the village of Sano Gomila, you will enjoy views of Thamserku and Kusumkang, before returning to our Mountain Home for the night.

We have a full day of walking ahead of today through some splendid and breathtaking scenery.

Phakding to Monjo (approximately 5 km: 3 hrs walking)
After breakfast, we trek to the village of Monjo. The route follows a level path along the right bank of the river. The peak of Thamserku, 6,623 metres high, looms skyward on the opposite bank. After crossing a stream and climbing the terraced hill from the Dudh Koshi route, our group will arrive at Banker.

Continuing through a forest, we arrive at Chumow, where we can visit the vegetable farm. Walking along a path with numerous ups and downs, we cross a stream and enter the small village of Monjo.

Monjo to Namche (approximately 6 km: 4 to 5 hrs walking)
After lunch, we will start the walk to Namche. Descending stone steps out of the village, the path comes to a suspension bridge, and, after a short climb we will reach Jorshale, the entrance to the National Park. Here the group will rejoin and our guide will pay the entrance fee as we enter.

Walking beside the river, we reach a forested mountainside and pass a rocky area. After crossing a high, winding path, we will descend to the riverbed and reach a V-shaped valley. The river forks here: the right stream is the Dudh Koshi and the left is the Bhote Koshi that leads to Nangpa La. Crossing another suspension bridge and walking a short distance alongside the Bhote Koshi, we ascend to Namche Bazaar - and one last push up the hill to reach our welcoming Mountain home for the evening.

After breakfast together, today you have the option of either a day at leisure or for those with lots of life left in their legs, awalk to the village of Khumjung. Taking approximately five hours’ of walking, we'll cross Syangboche airfield and through a small forest to the village of Khumjung, which covers the largest area in Khumbu.

After lunch, we make a short but very interesting stop at Khunde Hospital. Both the hospital and school here were built with funds raised by the late Sir Edmund Hillary.

From here, if luck is on our side, we should be able to enjoy views of majestic mountains including Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Lhotse and Everest itself.

After breakfast, our group begins the walk to Thame, which should take approximately 5 hours. This trail forms part of the entry route to Tibet, which passes near the 8,012m peak of Cho Oyu, first climbed in 1954.

We will stop for lunch in Thamo, the home village of Ang Rita Sherpa, who holds the record for scaling Mt Everest ten times without oxygen.

After lunch we'll ascend gradually, passing a convent, and finally reach the village of Samden. From here you descend to the bridge and cross Bhote Koshi River. A final half an hour ascent leads us up to Thame Village, our final destination for today. 

We'll head back to Namche today, enjoying a visit to the upspoilt monestery of Thame and the fascinating Nangpa La Valley.

For those who would like to get closer to Everest, we can arrange the unique experience of a helicopter tour (at a supplement). The helicopter will collect you from near to our accommodation and return you to the helipad near Namche, and we'll all meet up again this evening for dinner.

After breakfast, we will begin our trek back down to Phakding. This should take us between 5-6 hours, taking in teh stunning scenery as we go and stopping for lunch along the way. 

Today is our final day of trekking, as we hear back to the town of Lukla.

Walking through Manjo and by the Tiktok waterfall, the final day's trekking should take us around 3hrs.

We'll have some time at leisure this afternoon in Lukla before we meet up for dinner and bid a fond farewell to our sherpas and local walking guides. 

Rising early this morning, we depart the high peaks and fly from Lukla to Ramechap.

From here, we then continue by road to Kathmandu. We will stop to break the journey en-route and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. On arrival in Kathmandu late afternoon we check into our hotel and you have the rest of the day free.

For those who still have plenty of energy after the trek, there will be a guided tour of Pashupatinath, a temple dating back to 400 A.D. and one of the oldest Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is to the Hindus what Mecca is to the Muslims. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple is built in Pagoda Style with gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. You’ll also be able to see cremation grounds that lie on the bank of Bagmati behind the temple, but please note, non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

After breakfast, we head out to explore Boudnath and Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath is a temple dating back to 400AD and is one of the oldest Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is for the Hindus what Mecca is for the Muslims. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple is built in Pagoda Style with gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. It is the center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. You’ll also be able to see cremation grounds that lie on the bank of Bagmati behind the temple. Please note, non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

Afterwards, we'll visit Boudhnath Stupa, one of the oldest and the largest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal ; Boudhnath is one of the holiest structures imposing a height of 36 meters with three massive level Mandala style platforms. It is surrounded by colorful buildings housing families creating a friendly enclosure. The Stupa is visited every year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

We'll return to our hotel after the tour for our farewell dinner and final night in Kathmandu.

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Kathmandu Airport in time for your flight home.