Mt. Everest, the highest peak on the earth lies in the Himalayas in eastern Nepal. Locally known as Sagarmatha ( Head in the Sky ) in Nepal and Chomolungma ( Holy mother goddess) in Tibetan language is the highest place on earth with a height of 8,848 m / 29,029 ft from the sea level. International border between Nepal and China runs from the right precise summit point of the Mt. Everest.
The region is known in Nepal as the Khumbu region where Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Pangboche, Pheriche, Dingboche, Gokyo towns are located. Famous Tengboche monastery is also located in Khumbu along with many other Buddhist monasteries. The region is rich with the most impressive concentration of towering Himalayan peaks over 8000 m such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, many peaks over 7000 m as Nuptse, Pumori, Shar -Tse, Baruntse and 6000 m as Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Kantenga, Kongde, Lobuche, Tawache, Chola -Tse and many others.
During the trek we walk in the Sagarmatha National Park which covers 1,184 sq km with Mt. Everest a jewel. The park was established in 1976 and in 1979 became the first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site of the country. The major flora of the park in the lower elevation are blue pine, birch, juniper, hemlock, rhododendron, bamboo etc and the higher elevation covers with shrubs such as lichens, and mosses. Above snow line ( 5,750 m / 18, 860 ft) all plant life come to an end. The forest shelters at least 118 species of birds which includes Himalayan Monal, Pheasant, Chough with major mammal species such as musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda, Himalayan thars, Monkeys, Wolves, Martens etc. The national park is listed in the Special Bird sanctuary by Birdlife International and included in the Sacred Himalayas.
Everest Panorama View Trek is one of the most beautiful way to get the glimpse of the world’s highest peak mt. Everest and the Khumbu Region. You experience and explore the Sherpa culture and lifestyle.The risk of suffering from high altitude sickness to spoil your holiday is quite low in this trek. Normally fit person with a capacity of walking 4 -6 hours a day can do this trek easily. The trek begins with a thrilling Kathmandu to Lukla flight and then walk to Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Khumjung and return after exploring and enjoying the region.
Day 01 & 02: Depart your home and arrive Kathmandu.
Depart your sweet home for lifetime adventure in the Himalayas and Nepal.
Arrive to Kathmandu international airport – the only international airport in Nepal. You may proceed for visa if you have not obtained in your home country.
Requirements for Visa: Two passport sized photographs and USD 40 for one month visa.
Upon completion of immigration formality, you will proceed to claim your baggage and then to arrival terminal. There is only one arrival terminal at the airport.
Once you reach the meeting and reception area, meet with our representative and then drive to your hotel.
It is about 20 -30 minutes drive to your Hotel. You will be amazed with hustle and bustle of the city management at first !
Based on your arrival time either participate in short tour of the Kathmandu City and Basantapur Durbar Square ( 18th century palace complex square) or stroll around the Hotel, do final shopping and relax before your great trek begins . Overnight stay in the Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly Kathmandu – Lukla (2,850 m ) & Hike to Phakding ( 2,652 m. / 8,700 ft.)
6 – 7 am : Your guide and other support staff meet you at your hotel lobby and transfer to the domestic terminal at the airport to board thrilling flight to Lukla. This half an hour flight is very adventurous from where majestic Himalayan ranges can be viewed. Landing in the Lukla Airport ( regarded as the most dangerous airport of the world) is always fun, adventure and thrill.
9 – 10 am : Hiking begins from Lukla after small breakfast. The day is comparatively easy and gentle uphill and downhill. We pass through various small towns, settlements, waterfalls, streams,hanging bridges, beautiful rolling midhill farming fields during hiking.
1 – 2 pm : We stop for Lunch, place our order of Lunch in some teashops, wait 30 – 40 minutes before they serve our delicious meal.
After the Lunch, we walk another good hour. The beautifully carved stone wall with Buddhist mantras ( sacred chanting ), colourful prayer flags, Dudhkoshi River valley are awe inspiring for the day.
3-4 pm: Arrive Phakding and overnight stay in the mountain lodge. We eat dinner in the same hotel where we stay.
Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar ( 3,440 m. / 11,286 ft. )
7.00 am: Breakfast in the hotel.
7.45 am: start hike for the day which is longer and tougher day of hike than the first day. We walk on the western bank of Dudhkoshi river towards north till Bengkar in the most beautiful gorge with pine forest, waterfalls, streams, little villages. We come across with first sight of beautiful Thamserku in the morning towards north – east.
12- 1.00 pm: We enter SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK from Jorsalle. After entry formality we cross high hanging bridge to the other side of the river and enjoy our lunch. We can adjust lunch place based on our group’s pace.
After lunch, we walk on the eastern bank of river till Larja Dobhan where Bhote Koshi flowing down from western corner and Dudh Koshi flowing down from eastern corner meet. We cross scary hanging bridge over the river Dudh Koshi and then walk steep uphill to Namche Bazaar for about 2 hours. We gain approximately 800 mtr height today and reach above 3,000 m from where precaution should be taken to avoid altitude sickness.
3 – 5 pm: Arrive beautiful and bustling town Namche Bazaar which is the gateway of the Everest Region. Namche Bazaar is the most popular town among trekkers for acclimatization stop prior to the hike to Base Camp and party after the Base Camp.. Bank and ATM service, grocery shops, restaurants, bakeries, world class climbing and hiking gears are available in the town. Overnight stay in the lodge in Namche.
Day 05: Hike to Khumjung Via Everest View Hotel – Overnight in Khumjung
8 am: Breakfast in the hotel.
8.45 am: Start hike. We visit National Park’s museum and information centre situated in the eastern ridge of the town, from where Mt. Everest along with various peaks can be seen.
After this, we walk steep uphill towards Everest View Hotel which is located at an altitude of 3800 mtr and the view of mountain peaks such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega are stunning.
We can drink coffee in the Hotel yard enjoying the view of majestic himalayan peaks and then walk about 30 minutes downhill to Khumjung valley, a large permanent settlement of Sherpa community.
1-2 pm: Lunch in Khumjung and walk through the Hillary School which was established by Sir Edmund Hillary and run by Sir Edmund Hillary Himalayan Trust. The establishment of this school is the milestone of academic development among Sherpa children.
Evening, we can visit Khunde Hospital, Monastery and overnight stay in the Hotel in Khumjung.
Day 06: Hike to Phakding
We just walk back to Monju, Jorsalle, and then to Phakding. If you want to party in Namche, you can stay overnight in Namche as well and walk all the way back to Lukla next day but will be extremely long day.
Day 07: Hike to Lukla
Walk to Lukla and then enjoy rest of the day in Lukla. Party after successful adventure trek to Everest Region for a lifetime.
Day 08: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu in the morning and transfer to your Hotel. The day is free for your to explore the City on your own.
Day 09: Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour | Extra day for contingency for the flight Lukla – KTM
After breakfast we set for sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. The major places to tour around includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Stupa and Swoyambhunath Stupa.
Kathmandu Durbar Square used to be a royal palace complex square of Nepal’s Malla and Shah King’s. They rule in Kathmandu from the palace from 14th Century till 18th Century. The palace complex is completely decorated with artistic temples, shrines , statues etc. Whole palace square reflects the opulence of Malla era and little from Shah dynasty. Most popular in the square is 9 storey royal palace complex built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in mid 18th century. King Prithvi Narayan Shah was the king of Gorkha and triumphed over Kathmandu kingdom after many attempts in 1768 A.D. Living Goddess “ KUMARI “ and beautifully crafted and decorated palace where she lives during her tenure is another attraction. Kumari is young girl ( prepubescent ) worshipped in Kathmandu valley as manifestation of goddess Durga ( a divine female energy) . You can have a glance of Goddess Kumari while she appears in the window of her palace upon request. Huge black Bhairab statue of 6th century, mask of white Bhairava, Shiva temple, Vishnu temple, Taleju temple, various courtyards are others to see and explore in the square.
Pashupatinath Temple is our next destination, which is the most prominent Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva ( God of destruction according to Hindu philosophy) . It is taken as one of the holy abode of Shiva among 275 on the continent. The present temple was erected in 17th century, though the history of site goes back to many centuries. Cremation in the bank of river Bagmati amazes you along with various shrines, temples, stories related to Hinduism.
We then visit Boudhanath Stupa, the most famous and the holiest stupa in Nepal and biggest in terms of its expansion and height. Present sky high stupa was erected and renovated in 18th century. It is located in ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet. With influx of Tibetan refugees in 1959, the area is home to many Gompas ( monasteries ) which follows tibetan buddhism.
In the afternoon, enjoy shopping in Nepal. You find Silk Carpets, Tibetan Carpets, Pashmina Shawls, Thanka Paintings, Statues, Handicrafts, Jewellery, Gurkha Knife, Garments and other various items either in a narrow street of Thamel or other shopping areas.
Overnight stay in the Hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening, enjoy farewell dinner with cultural dance.
We take this day as a reserve day as contingency. The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu can be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather. In this case, we can use this day to fly back.
Day 10 & 11: Departure Kathmandu – Arrive your sweet home
You will enjoy free time before we transfer you to the airport for your flight back to home or other destination. Arrive home with fond memories of the World’s Highest Mountain.
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Dipak Bastakoti helped us to prepare a customized itinerary on our request for our group of nine from Singapore and helped us on all required booking on airline ticketing, hotels, trekking and sightseeing and transport.
We really enjoyed every bit of itinerary. We toured around the cities of Kathmandu, visited Chitwan National Park went to Lumbini – the birth place of Buddha and finally two of us went for a trek which really turned out to be unforgettable and life changing. We did a short Everest View Trek and reached upto Khumjung valley – a heartland of Sherpa community. Our trek to Everest foothill – Namchebazzar and Khumjung was life changing and unforgettable holiday experience for our family.
I am sure I will be excited to see Dipak and render his service during my next visit to Nepal with friends from Singapore and I am planing for that. Once my date is confirmed I will let Dipak to handle rest as before.
Raju Sharma and Family, Singapore| Email: info@trek2himalayas.com