Everest Panorama Adventure

We will welcome you at the international airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to get you settled into your cosy hotel.

In the afternoon (depending on your arrival time) we can take you on a bazaar walk exploring the secret alleys and courtyards of old Kathmandu that most visitors don’t get to experience. Add to this a visit to the ancient Kathmandu Durbar (palace) Square and it’s a great introduction to Kathmandu!

We begin by exploring the old city with its small alleyways, myriad of hidden temples belonging to both Hinduism and Buddhism (in some cases, both!) and make our way through local bazaars of fruit, vegetables, spices and stunning wares made of brass, bronze and copper. Not only exotic produce, but a fascinating mix of people are everywhere; along with the brightly clad locals of the Kathmandu Valley, you’re likely to see ‘Gurkhas’, Sherpa women in their striped aprons, traders from India, and sadhus – Hindu holy men – perhaps on pilgrimage to one of the many temples and shrines of the valley.

We make our way on foot to the centre of old Kathmandu; The Durbar (Palace) Square with its array of stunning temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient palace of the Nepalese Royalty. Also known as Kantipur, this is one of the three ancient cities of the Kathmandu Valley, the others being in Patan and Bhaktapur. Here we can not only learn about the history and the temples, but we also have the chance to visit the residence and temple of a Living Goddess. Accommodation at Nepali Ghar.

After breakfast today, you guide will meet you at your hotel and you will head out on a full day of exploring! The city of “Kathmandu” is actually made up of 3 ancient cities that lie within the valley of “Nepal” as this valley was known in ancient times – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Patan is located across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu city. Patan is also known as Lalitpur, the city of fine arts. According to legend the founding of Patan dates back to Pre-Christian times. As opposed to the old cities of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur that were mainly influenced by the Hindu religion, Patan was for many years a major Buddhist city. It is believed that it was founded in the third century B.C. by the famous Buddhist emperor, Ashoka, who visited the town while on a pilgrimage from Northern India and built four stupas that enclosed the centre of the old town. This would make it the oldest continuing Buddhist town in the world…and in a very different style from the style of Buddhism practiced by the mix of high Himalayan cultures you see in the Boudhanath area.

From Patan, we’ll drive out of town to Mulkot, a small village around 4 hours’ drive from Kathmandu. This is only one hour’s drive from Ramechhap where you will catch the flight to Lukla early in the morning. Accommodation at Kwality Beach Resort.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 500m

A spectacular flight and landing on the tiny mountain runway brings us to the start of our trek at the village of Lukla [2800m]. After your guide organises the trekking crew and the gear, you head up the Dudh Kosi Valley on a well-marked trail to your first night near the river at Phakding.

Time permitting, we explore the two traditional villages of Sano Gumela and Thulo Gumela. We can also have a special visit to the little monastery which is home to 12-15 monks of the Gelugpa sect and is a centre of high Buddhist learning. Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking time: Approx. 4 hours
Altitude: 2850m

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Approx. 6.5 hours
Altitude: 3450m

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend our rest day, which is crucial for acclimatising to the new altitude before heading on upwards to the stunning Gokyo lakes. Options for acclimatisation walks include a visit to Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Rest Day (Altitude Acclimatisation)
Altitude: 3450m

This morning after breakfast we will head towards the beautiful old village of Thame with snaking rock walls, yak paddocks and the gorgeous, traditional slate-roofed Sherpa houses. Thame Gompa, perched up to the north of the village, is one of the oldest in the Khumbu, so it’s well worth while to take the afternoon to climb to the Gompa and wander around this old, walled village. In Thame we can also see the Advanced Mountaineering Training School and their hydro power station.

On our way we have the option for a side-trip to Lawudo Gompa (3790m). Nestled in the mountainside above Thamo and Mende villages and affiliated with the famous Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, this Gompa was built at the site where Guru Rimpoche meditated in a small cave en route to Tibet. The cave has been turned into a tiny cave chapel, and there is a fascinating library which we may be permitted to see. It’s a beautiful and serene place, with Khumbila, the sacred Sherpa peak from which the Khumbu region takes its name, soaring overhead and the Gompa prayer flags framing the perfect Himalayan foreground. Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Approx. 4 hours
Altitude: 3800m 

We retrace our route down the Bhote Kosi Valley towards Namche and branch off to follow a quiet trail to Khumjung. It is a picturesque village which also has its own gompa at the top end of town. From our lodge we have excellent views of Thamserku, Kantega and Ama Dablam. Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Approx. 5 hours
Altitude: 3785m

This morning, looking across the valley, we will be able to see the path sloping diagonally up towards the famous monastery of Tengboche (3860m), now we get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga.

The village is an excellent lunch spot, and here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although tiring, the hike up the zigzag path has numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery.

Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. You stay at a teahouse near the monastery with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam in full view (weather permitting). Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Approx. 5 hours
Altitude: 3846m

Another largely downhill day today, after having breakfast we descend from Tengboche to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back up from the valley floor before contouring around, with those incredible views, to Namche.

We then continuous descending towards downhills, where we can also have a special visit to the little monastery on the way. On the way to Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. Here we spend our night in a much bigger tea house than we have been used to earlier in the trek. Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Approx. 6.5 hours
Altitude: 2835m

Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable week. Accommodation at local teahouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Time: Approx. 5 hours
Altitude: 2875m

This morning we enjoy a final, hearty trekking breakfast we bid farewell to the incredible vistas of the Khumbu area and take our flight back to Ramechhap. Flights out of Lukla usually depart early in the morning so you should arrive in Ramechhap early and back into Kathmandu by early afternoon with plenty of time for further sightseeing, shopping, getting a massage, or taking in the life of town from a street side cafe. Accommodation at Nepali Ghar.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 1250m

This morning is free to relax and get packed up before taking a reflective moment with a cuppa overlooking the stupa…or you can head out and do some more exploring if you like. Please let us know if/how we can help.

When it is time, we will escort you to the airport for your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Altitude: 1250m