Luxury Everest Panorama Trek

Overview

Home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, Nepal is blessed with spectacular mountain vistas. The Everest Region (or Solukhumbu, Khumbu for short) itself is famous, not only as home to the world’s highest mountain, but also for its friendly Sherpa people, colorful festivals, and Buddhist monasteries. But probably the Khumbu’s best known inhabitant is Mount Everest. Called Chomolunga, meaning “Mother Goddess of the World” by the local Sherpa communities, and known as Sagarmatha by Nepalese, Everest is indeed mother to the world as she rises majestically above the clouds. And because of Mother Nature that created this wonder at 8,848m, and more recently because of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norbu’s ascent, this region is perhaps the most celebrated climbing and trekking area in the world. Also found in this region is the Sagarmatha National Park, with its unique flora and fauna, and the fabled and mysterious Yeti. Just more reasons to trek, climb or simply visit the Everest Region of Nepal

Our Everest Panorama Trek visits the deep, lush valleys of the Khumbu Region, where you will have time to explore villages and monasteries and sample the incredible Sherpa hospitality. The adventure begins with a beautiful, scenic flight to Lukla, which is the closest fixed wing planes can get to Mount Everest. On landing you will trek slowly to Phakding where we overnight before heading on to Namche Bazaar, capital of Sherpa life. From here the adventure really begins!

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrive at Kathmandu (1300m) and Transfer to Hotel

  On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our staff, who will escort you to the hotel. After some refreshments our Sherpa guide or other representative will give you a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu itself, trekking, and the do's and don’ts of the area. They will also review any additional information that you might require while in Nepal, including an overview of the next day's sightseeing tour. In the evening, you will enjoy a complimentary welcome dinner at one of the finest traditional Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu. Transfers by private vehicle. Overnight : Hotel Hyatt Regency

• Day 2

  Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu

  After breakfast, precede to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Here we take in the ancient palace, the temple of the Kumari, known as the living goddess, Hanuman Dhoka, and Kasthamandap Temple. From our knowledgeable guide, you will learn about Nepalese history, architecture and religion. From here, proceed by private vehicle to the Buddhist site of Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as the "Monkey Temple" because of its lively troops of resident monkeys. From Swoyambhunath you can look down over the city while learning about the local Buddhist culture. Then visit Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest shrine for Hindus, situated on the banks of the Bagmati River. Being that the Bagmati is considered a holy river, many funeral cremations take place along its banks. Before returning to the hotel, visit Boudhnath Stupa, a Buddhist pilgrimage center and home to many colorful gompas, or monasteries. The area is particularly vibrant and colourful in the early evening when locals come out to circumambulate around the stupa, reciting prayers as they walk. Once back at the hotel, you will receive a briefing about the trek and have a chance to meet your guides and ask any last minute questions before the next morning's departure. Overnight : Hotel Hyatt Regency

• Day 3

  Fly to Lukla(2840m) and Trek to Phakding(2610m)

  This morning you will be transferred to the Kathmandu airport for the flight to Lukla. The flight itself will give you a sense of awe as you have your first views of the Himalaya mountains as you fly parallel to the snowcapped peaks bordering Nepal and Tibet/China. On landing there will be time to explore Lukla while the Sherpa crew sort and load equipment. Lukla, whose name means ‘place of sheep’ lies at an altitude of 2,850m. From Lukla, you descend northwest on a wide trail to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Koshi Valley. The valley is covered with beautiful pine and rhododendron forests where the walking is easy as you follow the river’s course, passing through the village of Ghat. Your destination today is the small village of Phakding. Overnight : Yeti Mountain Home Lodge (Phakding)

• Day 4

  Trek to Namche Bazaar(3,440M) 5 HRS

  After crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, the walk is pleasant, with a few short ups and downs, until you re-cross the Dudh Koshi from the village of Benkar. On the way, take in in the magnificent view of Thamserku (6,608m). Crossing another suspension bridge, again over the Bhote Koshi River, you reach Monjo, situated below the spectacular peak of Thamserku and a few minutes' walk from the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park. Here your trekking permit and park entrance ticket will be checked to ensure a safety record is kept of all trekkers entering the area. From here, a short descent brings you again to another suspension bridge, over the Bhote Koshi River, after which you reach the bridge to Jorsalle village, the last village before Namche Bazaar. The walk from Jorsalle village is pleasant, following the river until coming to the last bridge over the Imjatse River. The trail to Namche Bazaar traces a winding, uphill path, with a magnificent view of Kwangde Peak and its sister peaks in the east and Kusum Kangru behind you. As you climb higher, view the Mt. Everest-Nuptse wall, Lhotse, and Taweche Peak, all the way up to Thop Danda. From here, another one to two hours walk takes you to Namche Bazaar, where the colorful houses are laid out amphitheater style. Overnight : Yeti Mountain Home Lodge (Namche)

• Day 5

  Acclimatization day at Namche

  We stop today in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize to the high altitude. You can either rest around the lodge and explore the town or take some short treks. A short walk uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters is a magnificent spot with breathtaking views of the surrounding snowcapped giants and the deep valleys way down below. Another walk will take you to the Hotel Everest View (3,880m) where you can eat lunch while enjoying a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and other mountains. Return to your lodge via the Khumjung Valley. Overnight : Yeti Mountain Home Lodge (Namche)

• Day 6

  Trek to Phortse (3,810M) 5 HRS

  After a 20 minute climb to the top of the ridge over Namche Bazaar, the trek follows an easier, gradual trail with a few short up and downs overlooking the magnificent view of the great giant snow peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde-Ri. After approximately two hours we come to Shanasha where the trail climbs up to Mong La where we stop for lunch. From Mong La the path descends steeply down to the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing the river, we again ascend for about 30 minutes to reach the beautiful village of Phortse where we overnight. Overnight : Lodge/Teahouse

• Day 7

  Trek to Tengboche (3,930) via Pangboche 6 HRS

  With no tea shops between Phortse and Pangboche (3.5 hours) we suggest today you carry plenty of water with you. From Phortse the path rises slightly, leaving Tengboche village and Kangthenga mountain on the right. Today the trek is extremely pleasant, with no settlements, only grazing yaks and blue sheep on the trail. On reaching Pangboche we have lunch. Another two hours walk takes us to Tengboche, home of the famous Buddhist monastery, largest in the region, with breathtaking panoramic views. Overnight : Lodge/Teahouse

• Day 8

  Heli Flight back to Kathmandu (Including Mountain Flight)

  Today we enjoy an early champagne breakfast in the lap of the snow-capped mountains, after which a private charter B3E helicopter will land near the monastery to take you back to Kathmandu. On route, experience a short tour over Mt. Everest and the valley below. The flight back to Kathmandu follows the Dudh Khosi River, and takes a total of around 1.5 hours. Please note: the helicopter may stop at Lukla airport for about 15 minutes for re-fueling purposes. On arrival at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our tour officer will escort you back to Hotel Hyatt Regency. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. We bid you a safe trip home. Overnight : Hotel Hyatt Regency

• Day 9

  Final Departure

  Today our staff will take you to the airport for your international flight. Please advise us in advance of your flight time and please ensure your ticket is confirmed. We can do this for you.