The Khumbu region in eastern Nepal is the home of the Sherpas, the world’s most famous mountaineers. The Tengboche Monastery, center of Sherpa Buddhist culture, holds pride of place in Himalayan iconography.

There is also the famous village of Namche Bazaar, a meeting place for Himalayan traders and yak caravans. The greatest prize of all is of course the view of Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Your Everest experience begins at Lukla airport (2850m). The trail follows the course of the Dudh Koshi River (the ‘river of milk’) as it charges down the narrow gorges. On the trail, you feel dwarfed by the mountains all around.

Sacred stones, Chortens, mani walls (boulders marked with Buddhist prayer inscriptions) and prayer flags mark the route. Yak caravans are frequently encountered and the precarious suspension bridges make you pause. You may not meet a Yeti, but Barking Deer, Musk Deer and the Himalayan Tahr or mountain goat can be seen grazing on the steep slopes. The shaggy –coated Yak is the most famous animal around here.

Namche Bazaar is an enchanting settlement set in a horseshoe-shaped mountain amphitheater. Its Saturday market is a social event where merchandise of daily use, meat, yak trail and butter are traded. Mountaineering souvenirs left behind by expeditions to Everest can also be found in the shops of Namche.

Tengboche Monastery sits at an altitude of 3,870m in a clearing surrounded by firs and rhododendrons. The view from here is a magnificent close-up of Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m), Lhotse (8500m), Ama Dablam, Kwangde and Thamserku. A day at Khumjung will fill you with tales of the legendary Yeti and a view of Yeti’s scalp at the local monastery.

Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m.) and it takes about 30 minutes. Trek from Lukla to Phakding (2640 m.) which takes approximately three hours. You transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Lukla. Lukla is a small town with an airport. There are few tea shops, lodges, hotels and general stores. You begin today’s trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi river. Nupla (5885m) can be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop the Kongde Ridge. You descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m.) The Dudh Kosi approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You continue along a small path with many climbs and descents following the left bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.

Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about five and half hours. The trail starts through a level path along the right bank. Thamserku (6623m) looms skyward on the opposite bank. You cross a stream and climb the terraced hill from the Dudh Kosi route, to arrive at Bengar. The trail now climbs from the riverbed on the left bank into the mountain, through a forest to Chumoa. You continue along a path with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and pass by the tiny village of Monjo. Now you descend the path of stone steps and return to the right bank over a wooden bridge. After a short climb you come to Jorsale’s teahouse and hotel, also stop at the National Park Service where a park entrance fee is collected. After your departure from Jorsale you enter a forested mountainside. You move on following a short walk along the riverbed of this V-shaped valley where the river forks - the right is the Dudh Kosi and the left is the Bhote Kosi that leads to Nampa La. After short distance along the Bhote Koshi, you begin the steep ascent to Namche Bazar. As the mountain path zigzags uphill, you will emerge at a ridge top rest area that offers excellent views of Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m.) The climb eases somewhat, and Namche Bazar appears ahead as you travel along the path surrounded by pines. You pass the plateau where the Saturday bazaar is held and enter the village. Namche Bazar (3440m) is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges and opens out only where it faces the Bhote Koshi. The village is a central hub of the area and food, sundries and even mountain climbing equipment may be purchased here.

Day 03: Rest at Namche Bazar for acclimatization and excursion around the places. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization at the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or an hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. This museum exhibits Sherpa culture. 

Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar (3440m.) to Thame (3800m.) and it takes about four and half hours. From Namche the route turns west and the trail is almost level as you head up the Bhote Koshi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. Along the way you pass many prayer flags, mani walls and carved stones, all indicative of the Tibetan Buddhist culture of this area. After descending to the Bhote Koshi the trail climbs steeply to Thame. From here there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde and to the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame Gompa is situated above the village overlooking the valley and is the site for the spring celebrations of the Mani Rimdu festival. There is a monastery in Thame believed to have incarnated monks.

Day 05: Trek from Thame to Khumjung (3790m) and it takes about five hours.
You retrace your route down the Bhote Kosi Valley towards Namche and branch off to follow a quiet trail to Khumjung. It is a picturesque village, which also has its own Gompa at the top end of town. Here you can have excellent views of Thamserku, Kantega, Tawache and Ama Dablam.  

Day 06: Trek from Khumjung to Tyangboche (3867m.) which takes about five hours. The trail descends gently for early one hour to Sanasa (3550m.). Now you have a glimpse of first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous teashops, the trail descends steeply to a bridge over the river Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga (3250m.).The village has an excellent place for lunch and you can take a short rest before making the steep climb to Tyangboche. Although exhausting due to the zigzag path, the trek has numerous attractions like rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds chirping and superb mountain scenery making your trek exciting. Tyangboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region.

Day 07: Trek from Tyangboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m.) which takes about four and half hours. From Tyangboche, the trail descends steeply and slightly towards Phunki Tenga (3250m.) crossing the Dudh Koshi. Now you have a glimpse of panoramic views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous teashops, the trail ascends steeply to Sanasa where local Sherpa people sell the Tibetan goods. The way from Sanasa to Namche has small ups and downs with view of forests, scenery and mountains.

Day 08: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2886 m.) and it takes about six hours. The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote- Koshi River crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay.

Day 09: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu which takes 30 minutes. You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.

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