The Luxury Trek

 ARRIVE KATHMANDU

It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The emotions conjured up by the views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. Our local RAW Travel support team will be waiting to greet you after your plane lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You will be escorted to your hotel where are welcome drink can be enjoyed before settling into your room.

KATHMANDU EXPLORATION

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. There will be a guided tour to Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, before continuing on to the most popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath. We take a tour to Patan or Lalitpur (the City of Artisans), which is 5km away from Kathmandu. We walk through Patan Durbar Square, and delight in the architectural wonders of Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions at the square.

Meals: B

FLY TO LUKLA (2850M) AND TREK TO PHAKDING (2656M; 3-4 HOURS)

A scenic 30-minute flight from Kathmandu takes us through valleys and alongside the Everest massif to Lukla airport. The airport is set spectacularly on top of a mountain making for a thrilling landing; have your camera ready! This is the gateway to the Everest region and after meeting your trekking team, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail to Phakding.

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO NAMCHE (3450M; 4-5 HOURS)

From Phakding, we criss-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. Continuing on we take a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, we get our first glimpse of Mount Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region and has a busy Saturday market – a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.

Meals: B, L, D

REST DAY IN NAMCHE

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatising to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To help you acclimatise, we suggest you visit Khunde Hospital, set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a 1 hour walk at sunset up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche, for a view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum located just above the town.

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO TENGBOCHE (3867M; 6 HOURS)

From Namche, the trail contours the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi river. Today we get much better views of the great peaks of the Khumbu, including Mount 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 ideal stopover for lunch. Here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although the hike up the zigzag path is tiring, it takes us through beautiful, rhododendron dotted scenery  with an epic mountain backdrop. This is also a good place for spotting birdlife – keep your eyes peeled! Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. A spectacular panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam dominating the horizon can be seen from our overnight accommodation.

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO PHERICHE (4252M; 6 HOURS)

Today we descend downhill through a forest, cross the Imja Khola tributary and climb steadily towards the village of Pangboche. This village is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6856m), and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls engraved with Tibetan Buddhist prayers, and scattered pine trees in the foreground. A further two hours walk brings us to Pheriche.

Meals: B, L, D

REST DAY IN PHERICHE

Pheriche is a popular spot for acclimatisation on the Everest trail and we will have time to relax and rest today. We will also have the opportunity to wander up the valley to look at the Tshola Tsho and the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. We can climb up onto the ridge overlooking Dingboche for a view of the Imja Valley and the incredible south face of Mount Lhotse.

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO LOBOUCHE (4930M; 3-4 HOURS)

After breakfast, we continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on our left. We then veer right and take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha is a good spot to enjoy our lunch. The trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier’s terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO KALA PATTAR (5545M) & TREK BACK TO GORAK SHEP (4930M; 6-7 HRS TREK)

Today we will make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar (5554m). We will follow the Khumbu Glacier on a trail that offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at tonight’s camping place, Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon we reach Kala Pattar (translates as ‘black rock’), a small peak that offers astounding views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our camp at Gorak Shep and have an early night in preparation for our trek to Everest Base Camp the following day.

*Please note that we may return back to Lobouche for the night instead of Gorak Shep, depending on accommodation availability

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP (5357M) AND BACK TO GORAK SHEP OR LOBUCHE (4930M; 6-7 HOURS)

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO PANGBOCHE (3985M; 5 HOURS)

Today’s trek is mostly downhill as we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend into Periche. Here we arrive at the Himalayan Rescue Association, a trekkers aid post. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche, our stop for the night.

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO NAMCHE (3450M; 5-6 HOURS)

Meals: B, L, D

TREK TO LUKLA (2800M; 7-8 HOURS)

Meals: B, L, D

FLY TO KATHMANDU

Meals: B

KATHMANDU

Today planned as a contingency day in the event that bad weather prevented you from flying into Kathmandu yesterday. The day in Kathmandu is at your leisure. This evening you will be treated to a farewell dinner and cultural show.

Meals: B,D

DEPART KATHMANDU

Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B