9 Days Everest Experience

Destination: Khumbu Valley, Nepal
Difficulty: Relaxed (a few strenuous sections)
Trip Dates: Post Monsoon season (October – December)
Team Size: 4 – 10
Accommodation: Hotel (KTM) & Tea House (on trek)
Minimum Age: 16 Years

High-altitude trekking in mountainous regions calls for flexibility and adaptability to many conditions. In the wilderness, nature has the final say. For us to survive, we need flexibility and adaptability to circumstances as they unfold. This trip is relatively easy and will take you to where un-acclimatized people commonly start to feel the effects of altitude. Our itinerary allows a lot of rest time where we can explore the village we stay over at, and to acclimatize to the altitude. It is useful to conduct pre-acclimatization training beforehand if you have access to our gym where the altitude is similar to that of Namche Bazaar. During the trek, our blood oxygen will be monitored and your guide will advise you how to handle any issues that may crop up. With this in mind, we will have the best time on a trek that has unparalleled mountain views.

Trip Description

The Everest Experience trek takes part entirely in Sagarmatha National Park (also known as the Khumbu or Everest region). The Sagarmatha National Park area is 1,148km2 and is the home of the famous Sherpa people, as well as the highest mountains in the world. We start our journey in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, which is full of historic temples and bursting with culture. A guided tour is planned for after our trek to learn more about the city and religious sites. We then take a short flight to Lukla where the trek begins. Our trek takes us through the heart of the Khumbu region with Namche Bazaar as our final destination. As we head up, we will see incredible mountain views, including Everest, and cross some exciting suspension bridges. Namche Bazaar is the busy market town at the entrance to the Khumbu valley and we will take you on a day of exploration around this famous Himalayan village.

This trek involves significant altitude and a few days of trekking over five hours. We have plenty of rest breaks and certainly get overnight stays for complete recovery. Those who can get access to our gym can pre-acclimatize beforehand however we will go at an unhurried pace.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
A very warm welcome to the Kingdom of Himalayas. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport our representative welcomes you and assists with your transfer to your hotel close to the airport.

Day 2: Kathmandu / Lukla / trek to Phakding (2,630m)
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Lukla in a Twin Otter plane on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling around you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that will stay with you for a long, long time. This is an exciting flight which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet our trek staffs and porters and set off straightaway for our first night’s stop at Phakding, situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, which drains the whole of the Khumbu Region. This small hamlet is on the main trade route through the area and there are a number of clean, well-built lodges where we can spend the night.

Day 3: Free day to explore Phakding
Today serves as an acclimatization day – we will remain active and walk about to explore the surroundings.

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo where we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi River and the Bhote Kosi River on the high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up “Namche Hill” to reach Namche Bazaar (3,440m). This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artefacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.

Day 5: Free day in Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is the highlight of Everest Base Camp Trek and the heart of the Everest (Khumbu) region which has government offices, ATM’s, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest day instead of being idle. We can take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung and climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel (3,800m), a Japanese arrangement to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on earth. The Khumjung valley surrounded by the snow peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak the Khumbiyul-lha hosts a well-known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. Visit Hillary School which is at the same site and spending some time in Khumjung after having lunch, we walk back to Namche Bazaar. The rest of the day is free for exploration.

Day 6*: Trek to Lukla
The trail flattens out and we cross the river twice before rising traverse up the hillside past numerous tea houses to Lukla. Our last day of steady trekking will be a real joy as it is at lower altitudes, we can soak up the atmosphere in each of the villages we amble through. All excess energy is guaranteed to be exhausted at our evening party with our crew.
* Option to fly back directly to Kathmandu from Namche Bazaar available. Cost TBD

Day 7: Fly back to Kathmandu
Saying final goodbyes to our porters, we fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The flight time to Kathmandu are scheduled for the morning as Lukla experiences a lot of windy afternoons. Sometimes, flights can be delayed due to bad weather and other reasons. The early morning flight drops us at Kathmandu where we will be met and transferred to our hotel. You will have time to relax and have a long hot shower after this journey. Remember, we will be hosting a fantastic celebration dinner together in the finest restaurant in Thamel in celebration of successfully completing your trip in the Himalayas.

Day 8: Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley.
– Boudhanath Stupa with its 40m dome is one of the world’s largest Stupa and is generally acknowledged to be the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside of Tibet.
– Pashupatinath Temple is considered one of the holiest shrines of all the Hindu Temples. The temple has remained the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese Royalty.
– Swayambhunath 3km west of the city is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Stupas – it is said to be 2,000 years old. Visitors often call it the “Monkey Temple”.
The rest of the day is free for last minute souvenirs and gifts shopping, and general exploration of the city.

Day 9: Depart Kathmandu
Today we will be transferred to the airport for our departure flight or you may opt to stay extra nights in Kathmandu.

Inclusions:

  • Three nights’ hotel accommodation (4 Stars) in KTM including breakfast. Twin share basis. Single rooms at additional cost. Please inform us early if you wish to have a single room.
  • One day sightseeing tour in and around KTM.
  • Trekking permits, National Park entry fees, TIMS Card and all government taxes
  • Return domestic flight ticket KTM/Lukla/KTM in a twin otter plane. Please note: USD500 per person extra cost for chartering a private helicopter flight in case of bad weather disturbance on fixed wing twin otter flights.
  • All pickup and drop off transportation from airports to airport. All clients are kindly requested to international travel together. Individual transfer charge is USD20pp per trip.
  • One locally made waterproof duffel bag will be provided for the trek.
  • All lodging and meals during the trekking period. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all hot drinks plus 2 litres of boiled water per person per day while on trek.
  • A local Sherpa guide and an assistant Western guide
  • One porter between two trekkers.
  • Farewell dinner in KTM, local cultural music and dance show in a well reputed restaurant after trek.
  • All local staff and porters insured and equipped.
  • A comprehensive medical kit. All guests are requested to bring their own personal First Aid Kit with sufficient medication supplies for the trip.
  • Travel & Rescue arrangements.

Exclusions:

  • International airfares.
  • Personal Travel Insurance – medical, helicopter rescue and repatriation is obligatory.
  • Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, alcoholic beverages, mineral/bottled water, charges for showers, battery charging and wireless internet fee in tea houses.
  • Main meals (lunch & dinner) in Kathmandu apart from celebration meal.
  • Nepal Visa fees (USD40 available on entry and valid for 30 days) and two passport photos.
  • Excess baggage above 15kg will be charged at USD15 per kg.
  • Additional accommodation in KTM for early arrival, late departure or early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
  • Tipping to guide and local staff (recommend about AUD$10/day)
  • Personal Trekking Gear.

Price

$1,618.00

 

Trekkers can contact us at any time for any concerns that they may have about the trip.