Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal
Film and folk festivals, well-trodden trails and secret scenic routes, a deep-end dive into Nepal’s gods, spirits, prayers and rituals: Kathmandu’s culture is everywhere you look. Temples, monasteries and elaborate courtyards built by Newar artisans have endured; Durbar Square and Teleju Temple give way to a bustling bazaar and the old city’s labyrinthine backstreets. Patan, famous for its fine bronze, silver and copper works, features museum exhibits of intricate metalwork sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities.
Meals:
2 Kathmandu | Holy Temples And Private Meditation
Experience a meditation session guided by a monk or a nun at Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu, and gain insight into the Thangka paintings it houses.
Meals:
3 Kathmandu | Stupas And Temples
The 1,500-year-old stupa and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Swayambhunath, sits atop a hill, offering pilgrims and visitors alike inspiring views. Behold the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari) and stroll the bazaar and labyrinthine old city. Prep for your Everest sighting with a firsthand account by an Everest summiteer.
Meals:
4 Lukla & Monjo | Mountain Air And Sherpa Culture
Monjo is a small village on the path to Everest Base Camp and the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park, a protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Dalai Lama called this part of the trail “the steps to heaven,” and the ascent to Namche offers a first glimpse of Everest itself.
Meals:
5 Monjo | Acclimatization Day-Hike
Surrounded by an amphitheater of towering peaks — Thamserku (21,711 feet), Kwangde Ri (20,297 feet) and Khumbila (17,724 feet) — Namche is the largest and most prosperous town in the Khumbu region. Its buzzy Saturday bazaar sells everything from livestock and vegetables to traditional crafts such as hand-woven aprons and Tibetan boots.
Meals:
6 NamcHe Bazaar | Glimpsing Everest
Cross the Dudh Koshi River into Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale and set out on a short walk along the riverbed. Make the steep, switch-backing ascent to Namche Bazaar, catching your first glimpse of magnificent Mount Everest about halfway up. Rest at Namche Bazaar before hiking on to Tashinga, a small village at an altitude of 11,400 feet amid breathtaking views.
Meals:
7 Tashinga | Spectacular Mong-La Pass
Reaching Tashinga involves crossing the Dudh Koshi (Milk River) from Monjo, entering Sagarmatha National Park and passing through the valley’s riverbed and onto the steep ascent to Namche, with eyes on Namoa, Everest and various peaks.
Meals:
8 Pangboche | Immersed In Nature
Mong-la is a small settlement on the ridge, heading toward popular trekking routes. Look out for Nepal`s national bird, the Himalayan monal, a colorful member of the pheasant family, along with musk deer and Himalayan vultures. Then, hike back down to Tashinga, for a restful afternoon at leisure.
Meals:
9 Pangboche | Sherpa Village Beneath The Peaks
Pangboche is your next base. Follow a steep descent down to the Dudh Koshi river, crossing a suspension bridge in the lee of a gigantic overhanging cliff and climbing through pine forests to find Tengboche Monastery. The trek ends with a climb to Pangboche, home to Khumbu’s oldest monastery and spectacular views of Ama Dablam.
Meals:
10 Kala Patthar & Dhulikhel | In The Presence Of Everest
Situated amid hills and valleys and surrounded by greenery, Dhulikhel is one of the ancient Newari towns that have preserved the Newari tradition and culture. The hour’s drive from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel offers the finest views of the northeastern Himalaya along with beautiful pagoda-style temples.
Meals:
11 Dhulikhel | Preparing Nepalese Cuisine
Hike to an organic farm and explore the terraced fields with the small team of farmers, picking vegetables and herbs for your next meal. Later, at your resort, a chef demonstrates traditional Nepalese cooking, with a chance to taste the results.
Meals:
12 Depart Kathmandu
Meals:
