Everest Base Camp

Early in the morning you transfer to the airport to board your flight. This sometimes involves a period of waiting around, so remember to pack a book in your daypack! Once up and away, your destination on this breathtaking flight is the Sherpa village of Lukla, perched above the Dudh Kosi or ‘River of Milk’; so named because glacier melt-water makes it appear pale. Years ago, Lukla was a herding pasture (its name actually means ‘Place for Sheep’), but it is now the gateway to the Everest region and many trekkers pass through this prosperous village.

After a lunch you commence your trek with an afternoon’s downhill walking to reach Phakding. One of the first things you’ll notice as you start trekking are the differences between the Newari people of the Kathmandu Valley and the local Sherpa people, who migrated from Tibet 500 years ago. Sherpas dress similarly to the Tibetans and their language is closely related to, though not easily understood by the remaining ‘true’ Tibetans.

Along the trail are mani stone walls, made from hundreds of stone tablets and giant carved boulders, brilliantly decorated with brightly-coloured paints. Buddhists hold these sacred and believe they gain merit in their next life by praying as they go past. As a sign of respect to the local people, you must always pass these in a clockwise direction.

We stop at local lodges, better known as teahouses, where accommodation is comfortable without being luxurious, toilets and washing facilities are shared and rudimentary, and the food is plain and filling. In a teahouse, you are provided with small private rooms with twin beds, mattresses and pillows. At times, in high seasons, and in places where there’re limited number of teahouses, passengers have to make do with dormitories. In some places, teahouses don’t have access to electricity and depend on solar powered lighting. In remoter regions, teahouses don’t have running water and toilets can mean just a hole in the ground. Hot shower facilities are available in the majority of the teahouses for a price and in most of the places, hot shower means a bucket of hot water, barely enough to wash your body. Teahouse - 1 night (B)

NB: See our ‘Walking and Trekking’ leaflet for more information about walking at altitude. Anyone suffering adversely from the effects of altitude will have an assisted descent with a Sherpa guide until they feel more comfortable and wait for the group to rejoin them. 

Today you veer off the popular and oft used path to take the ancient Tibet trade route which is still in use, mostly by the Tibetan nomad traders whom you’ll have seen plying their trade in Namchhe’s open market, crossing over to the Nepal side by the way of Nangpa-La pass. It is said that the waft of the North wind from the monastery at Thame brings with it the smell of Tibet. A gradual ascent which has the white-water of the Bhote Koshi on the left while the centuries old trail negotiates rocky outcrops and takes us through forests of fir and juniper. Trek duration: 5hrs approx.

Thame’s claim to fame is its brave sons who went on to become veritable Who’s Who of Everest summiteers. Tenzing Sherpa's house is still standing intact at the top end of the village, so is that of Ang Rita Sherpa, better known as the ‘Snow Leopard’ and Appa Sherpa, who has left his footprint on the Everest summit more than any other living being in the world.

Tonight, in homage to Hillary and Tenzing's pinoneering summit of Everest, you'll celebrate their achievement in Tenzing's home town with a sherpa themed dinner and festivities. Teahouse - 1 night (B,D)

Today you will visit two of the other fascinating landmarks of Kathmandu; the Buddhist stupa sitting on top of the hill at Swoyambhunath and the "City of Living Art" at Patan Durbar Square. The remainder of the day is then left free for you to explore this fascinating city by foot, auto-rickshaw or bicycle. Much of old Kathmandu is centred around the Durbar square. A medieval feel still pervades and there are temples at every turn. The streets all around the central square are full of colour. Market traders spread their wares before them, from vegetables and spices to pans and farming equipment. If time allows, and if you want to visit a picturesque, medieval town, then a short trolley bus ride to Bhaktapur is a must. (B)

NB: This day in Kathmandu may be lost if inclement weather delays your departure from Lukla; however this is unusual.