Landing at Kathmandu valley is an amazing experience, very much so, on a clear day. As the plane approaches from the southern west vector, the Himalaya are seen on the distant north. The approach beautifully navigates between low mountains, passing over picturesque views of small villages, terrace fields and lush forests, before the urban city and its intrigued network of roads and buildings is sprawled below us.

As you make your way through the formalities of the immigration and custom procedures, our Office Representative will be awaiting at the airport and assists during your hotel check-in. Hopefully, the long flight has not been too exhausting to enjoy a pleasant evening. 

Overnight: Four-star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast 

Our exciting day begins with a 30-40 minutes flight to a small hilly village of Lukla. On boarding the tiny plane, make sure to take the seats on the left of the aisle for they offer uninterrupted views of the high Himalaya as we fly east. The spectacular flight is made even more memorable as the plane negotiates over turbulences and fly above low mountain passes, giving us close sights of the trees and trails over the Lamjura Pass and Lumding Danda (hill) below. The approach to the Tenzing-Hillary airport may have you scanning the surroundings and nervously ask, “where’s the airport?” It arrives with a short sloping runway on a 11.7% gradient that rises to around 60 metres from one end of the runway to the other. At an elevation of about 2,845m / 9,334 ft, Lukla sees multiple air traffic of passengers and cargo flights, daily, as road accessibility is not yet available. 

We enjoy a cup of tea and breath in our first Himalayan air – fresh, crisp and cool, as our trekking team helps to collect and prepare our luggage. The descend to Dudh Koshi river lets us test our footings along the Himalayan pathways, warm up our muscles on the worn stone steps and our balances on many suspension-bridges. The trail is gentle, offering us views of tiny settlements scattered across the valley, and is often busy with everyone using the one trail for their commutes, including yaks and mules. The views of the mountains are quite here though, with the spear-headed Nupla Peak (5,885m/19,308ft) dominating the staggering walls of Lumding Danda rising from across the valley floor. We pass through dotted settlements that invite us in for warm drinks and minutes of rests, aside elaborately painted mani stones and concrete mani walls, before arriving at the villages of Nachi Pang and Thado Koshigaun, where we can take in the view of the summit of Kusum Khangaru (6,367m/20,890ft) rising over us. A small climb and a gentle contour later, we arrive at the village of Ghat with her small private chapel of the Rinpoche (honourable monk) of Phakding Monastery. An elegant mani stone hill marks a pass from where the trail descends down to Phakding (2,610m/8,569ft) for our first night in the Himalaya.

For those with enough tanks left in their legs after the first day hike, can take a short 40-50 minutes climb to the Gumela Monastery above the village for an evening of exploration. However, many prefers to visit the monastery on their return leg to Lukla and our itinerary, too, is designed as such.

Overnight: Mountain Lodges of Nepal, Phakding

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner 

After our first night of good sleep in the mountains we follow the Dudh Koshi river upstream, passing through conifer forests and small picturesque villages. Apart from the steep climb to Namche Bazaar, the trail stays gentle throughout the day. Having said that, it is the sudden rise in altitude that may play critical role in the afternoon. So, let’s take it is easy, drink plenty of fluids, and of course, the mountain scenery gets better as the day progresses. We cross the Dudh Koshi several times and pass tiny settlements with delightful names such as Zamfute, Toktok, Bengkar, Chhamuwa and Monjo. Thamserku Peak (6,623m / 21,729ft) stands proudly on our right as we reach the village of Jorsalle and the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. Shortly, hereafter, we arrive at the confluence of two rivers, Imja Drangka flowing from the east and Nango Drangpo flowing from the west, that forms the Dudh Koshi river. Just ahead the high hanging Hillary bridge has been a fascinating subject to many photographers and video bloggers. The bridge also marks the beginning of the steep climb to Namche. It is advised to take the climb slowly with plenty of rest stops, though one may not feel necessary to do so. Many hikers see the climb as their first worthy challenge in the Himalaya and rushes uphill in good shape, only to find themselves suffering from the onset of acclimatisation issues in the coming days. Midway up the climb, a rest stop offers a promise of our first view of Mt. Everest (8,849m/29,029ft) and Lhotse (8,516m/27,940) to our north, if not shrouded underneath the afternoon clouds. The gradient of the climb gently lessens as we arrive at a check post and enter Namche Bazaar, 3,440 m/11,290 ft, the trade centre of Khumbu region. 

Namche is the largest village and the epicentre of trading activities in the region. Thamserkhu Peak in the east, the huge walls of Kongde Ri ridge to the west, and the sacred mountain Khumbi Yul Lha (5,761m/18,901ft) in the north dominates the Namche skyline. Traditional and contemporary Sherpa homes line up in the narrow streets alongside businesses that houses everything from cafes to handicrafts stores, to locally grown vegetables from nearby farms to Tibetan wears from across the border, to renowned brands of mountaineering gears and outdoor equipment. A favourite night-stop in the region, Namche Bazaar may appear to give an impression of an international convention with travellers from all around the globe congregating and sharing their experiences. 

Overnight: Hotel Namche

Meal: Breakfast and Dinner  

A short climb to the village of Syangboche (3,841m/12,600 ft) and the Everest View Hotel, just above Namche, is a popular half-day excursion. The small but interesting village of Syangboche lies at the lap of Khumbi Yul Lha and boasts an unpaved airstrip that counts as one of the highest elevated airports in the world. Though not extensively used for its concern for reasonable acclimatisation elevation, the airstrip does welcome occasional helicopters carrying cargos and essential commodities. The Everest View Hotel, little higher up the village, offers an undulating view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam from the hotel terrace, all enjoyed with a cup of tea and splendid mountain surroundings.

If we wish to continue a little further up, a 30-minute walk, either to the village of Khunde or Khumjung, offers engaging explorations of the quaint communities and the often quite trails to reach them. Khumjung (3,790m/12,430ft) sits a little below and welcomes guests to its monastery where a purported "Yeti Scalp" is placed on exhibition. Kunde houses the Kunde Hospital, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1966. Both villages lie adjacent to each other in the valley at the foot of the sacred mountain Khumbi Yul Lha (5,761m/18,901ft), “God of Khumbu".

We return back to Namche Bazaar where a quick stop at the Sagarmatha National Park Museum offers insights into the history and cultural of the region. Taking time to explore the local farm market and inviting shops selling everything from Tibetan souvenirs to expensive mountaineering gears, we descend down to the Hillary Bridge. Little more than an hour later we reach the riverbed from where a gentle stroll alongside the Dudh Koshi takes us back to the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint at Jorsalle and to the quiet village of Monjo, where warmer climates welcome us back.  

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodges, Monjo

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

Our final day trekking in the Himalaya comes with a celebratory mood. Or maybe it’s the trail, that is now mostly downhill with easy climbs. A little detour to Gumela Monastery takes us across the Dudh Koshi river and into a secluded trail. It takes about 30 minutes or less to climb upto the small farming village of Gumela, on a hill right over Phakding. The Pema Chholing Gompa or the Gumela Monastery has around 20 monks and nuns in residence, and houses the learning centre for all Sherpa culture, languages and religion to the region. Do not be surprised when little children, on their studies at the monastery, are eager to guide you around the Gompa. There are views of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru (6,367m/20,899ft) on the rises directly before the hill of the monastery. 

We head back down to re-join the main foot trail at Phakding and head toward Ghat (2,530m/8,350ft) for our lunch. The final climb leading to Lukla is deceptively long, with collections of houses and mani stones playing their part in keeping our attention. One final climb later, the houses and hotels of Lukla slowly approaches and soon we are back in the noisy Lukla where trekkers are celebrating their final evening in Khumbu.

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodge, Lukla

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

An early breakfast provides us with ample time to make our way to the airport which is ... just across the lodge. The airport, in itself, is very small and gets crowded easily with few passengers, airport staffs and security.

Lukla is notorious for its unpredictable weather which may cause flight delays or even cancellations. We shall do the utmost to ensure best services are available. The extra day in Kathmandu should offer a cushion should our Lukla flight be cancelled overnight.

And of course, before we leave the Himalayan mountains behind, we are offered one last enthralling experience as the tiny plane gathers speed while awaiting stationary at the top of the short runway before launching a sudden acceleration to catch enough lift for an amazing take off. A quick climb over the Lamjura pass and then the plane descends slowly toward Kathmandu valley. 

Overnight: Four-star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast 

After an amazing adventure in the Himalaya, we reserve today to unwind, rest and take leisurely activities among the colourful crowds of Kathmandu. There are shopping and souvenirs to hunt and complete our travel memorabilia, or a city tour and sightseeing programs at the many cultural heritage sites, or just simply relaxing with drinks in our hands. 

There are numerous heritage sites, all with short distances of each other, inside the Kathmandu valley. None more significant than the Hindu pilgrimage complex of the holy Pashupatinath Temple and the serene Buddhist stupas of Bodhanath and Swayambhunath. The ancient royal courtyards of the three Durbar (Palace) Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, offers fantastic insights into the golden age of Newa cultures and their rich architectures and craftsmanship. The programs in Kathmandu are not included in the cost nor part of our itinerary. They are optional activities you can participate on your arrival. 

Our evening is shared with a one last hurrah. A celebratory farewell dinner in honor of you and the many more adventures to come.  

Overnight: Four-star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner  

Here we bid our farewell and wish you a nice flight back home. Our office representative will pick you up at the hotel for your transport to the international airport.