VVIP EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

Our airport representative will be there to meet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you by private car to your preferred hotel. You have the option to stay at either Kathmandu Marriot hotel, Hyatt Regency or Dwarika’s Hotel where your deluxe room has would be pre-booked based on your choice of accommodation. We offer you a welcome dinner on your arrival day at the hotel. The Kathmandu Marriot Hotel and the Hyatt Regency are two of Kathmandu’s finest five-star hotels, with the Hyatt being a little closer to the UNESCO World Heritage site- Bouddhanath; where you can enjoy the displays of unique works of art. You also have views of the stupa from your hotel room. The Dwarika’s Hotel is a luxury heritage style hotel built in the style of the historical Malla period of Nepal. Dwarika’s is near to the UNESCO World Heritage site- Pashupatinath Temple. We will collect a copy of your travel medical insurance, passport, Nepali visa and 2 passport sized photos for permits and documentation required by the Nepali government before heading into Sagarmatha National Park. Enjoy your welcome dinner and have a comfortable stay at the hotel of your choice.

Today is the beginning of your journey into the Himalayan Mountains as we take a scenic helicopter flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. You will have the closest aerial views of the massive Himalayan Mountains while in the comfort of a helicopter. From Lukla, the leg-work begins as we trek along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River on a picturesque trail passing through several villages. On the trail expect to have some jaw-dropping views of Mt. Khumbila and Kusum Kanguru. Half an hour later we arrive at Ghat village and then continue to Phakding where we stay at the plush Yeti Mountain Home. It’s a peaceful and relaxing environment sitting on the banks of Dudh Koshi River. You can relax and enjoy your dinner with many choices from their extensive menu. Your room is furnished in traditional décor. Accommodation: Yeti Mountain Home (YMH), Phakding Meals: Breakfast at the hotel in Kathmandu, lunch and dinner at YMH Phakding.

After a relaxing breakfast in the fresh mountain air we will head off to Namche Bazaar. The trail runs parallel to the Dudh Koshi River before heading through a pine forest. We then come to the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park where we will be asked for our trekking permits. We continue along a zigzag trail and then have our first striking views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse before arriving at Namche Bazaar Village. Namche Bazaar is the historical capital of the Khumbu region and is a popular place where trekkers stop to acclimatize. Namche Bazaar is a semi-circular shape and is enclosed by mountains. From Namche you have amazing mountain views of Kongde Ri directly in front, Khumbila to the rear and the peaks of Khangtega, Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru in the east. Along the trail we will stop for lunch at the Everest Summit Lodge at Monjo Village. Tonight we will stay at the Yeti Mountain Home (YMH) Namche Bazaar. Accommodation: Yeti Mountain Home, Namche Meals: Breakfast at YMH Phakding, lunch at Everest Summit Lodge, Monjo and dinner in Yeti Mountain Home, Namche.

Today is set aside to acclimatize, necessary before heading to higher altitudes. Health experts emphasize the need to stay active during this period of acclimatization. This morning we will explore this thriving town and hike up to Khumjung Village. Along the trail, we will stop at the Sagarmatha National Park Museum. The museum displays a statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa along with other interesting information about the ecology, flora, fauna, history and various cultures in the Everest region. Next, we will head to Syangboche Airport that holds the title of being the highest altitude airstrip in Nepal. We continue above the airstrip through the hills until we come to a point that offers some fantastic views of Khumbila, Taboche, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Khangtega, Kusum Kanguru, Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Heading down from here we come to Khumjung Village, a typical Sherpa village where you can observe their unique lifestyle and culture. Khumjung village is located in the foothills of Mount Khumbila. Sir Edmund Hillary established the Khumjung School and the Khunde Hospital in the 1960’s. Our next stop is at the oldest Khumjung monastery where they celebrate the yearly Dumje festival. It is said that there is a Yeti scalp locked inside a box in the monastery!. The Hotel Everest View is one of the highest altitude hotels in the world and is a perfect place to view the spectacular landscape in this region, with views over Mt. Everest and other nearby peaks. Every room offers these amazing views. We stay overnight at Hotel Everest View. This evening you can enjoy your dinner in a peaceful and quiet setting before heading to your room for a good night’s rest in comfort. Accommodation: Hotel Everest View Meals: Breakfast at YMH Namche, lunch and dinner at Hotel Everest View.

There can be no better view as you enjoy your breakfast while taking in the panoramic views of many snow-capped Himalayan mountains. We then head off to Pangboche Village along an undulating trail and across suspension bridges until we arrive at the relatively small village of Tengboche. Tengboche Monastery is well known in the Khumbu Valley and is where they hold the vibrant Mani Rimdu festival every year. Tengboche sits perched on a clifftop and is surrounded by rhododendron forest rich in wildlife and alive with the sound of birds calling. The views are once again breathtaking. After a lunch break at Tengboche we head north through lush forests and cross several suspension bridges over the Imja Khola (river). We now have the first steep one hour ascent of the trek until we come to the traditional village of Pangboche. Along the trail you will glimpse ahead of you the Everest Summit Lodge where it is time to sit back and take in the sunset views over Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. After dinner and taking time to relax and reflect on your day you can then head to your room and get into a warm electric-blanket bed. Accommodation: Everest Summit Lodge. Meals: Breakfast at Hotel Everest View, lunch in Tengboche and dinner in Everest Summit Lodge.

This morning we head up the valley and follow the Imja Khola and then onto wide yak trails. Just past the intersection to Pheriche we cross a swinging bridge and follow the trail heading to Dingboche. Dingboche is a charming village surrounded by the snow-covered Himalayas on the trail leading to Everest Base Camp, Ama Dablam and Island Peak. It is also another favorite place for trekkers to acclimatize. We stay at Hotel Bright Star which has superbly decorated rooms, beautiful mountain views and is equipped with modern amenities. Enjoy your delicious lunch and dinner and then relax in the comfort of your warm snug bedroom. Accommodation: Hotel Bright Star. Meals: Breakfast at Everest Summit Lodge, lunch and dinner in Hotel Bright Star.

Today is our second day dedicated to acclimatization. To stay active we will head take a two to three hour trek up to Nangkartshang Peak which is a great way to improve your oxygen intake at higher levels. From the summit you will again have some memorable views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Kantega, Makalu and the terrain surrounding Dingboche. This evening is yours to relax at your hotel or wander around Dingboche Village. Another fantastic dinner awaits you before you retire to your room. Accommodation: Hotel Bright Star. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Hotel Bright Star.

Today we literally fly by helicopter over and through the mountains and have a birds-eye view of the Himalayas and of large glacial lakes and glaciers. We board the helicopter at Dingboche and fly towards Everest Base Camp (5,365m). You will be standing at the base of the world’s highest peak and have time to admire the surrounding terrain. This is a place to stand in awe of those mountaineers who nearly 70 years ago pondered and waited for the right conditions before ascending Everest. From EBC we fly to Kala Patthar (5,555m), known as the best vantage point for panoramic views of Everest and other snow covered surrounding peaks. We will stop for about 5 to 10 minutes at Kala Patthar and take a short walk along the trail while gaining another perspective of these mountains. We won’t stay too long here as the helicopter cannot shut off its engines at this altitude and there is also a probability of getting altitude sickness at this altitude. We then fly to Kongde via Gokyo Valley. We will fly low over the pristine aquamarine Gokyo lakes (4,790 m) while taking in the beauty of Gokyo Valley. Gokyo and other nearby lakes are some of the world’s highest freshwater lakes. Our next destination is to Yeti Mountain Home at Kongde for lunch while looking over the glorious Himalayan peaks. We will have a champagne lunch to celebrate our finest moments in the Himalayan Mountains. We then head skyward for around one hour at this relatively high altitude and take in these amazing mountains, snow, and the incredible landscape of the Khumbu Valley. Finally we will head back to Lukla then on to Dwarika’s Resort in Dhulikhel where we will stay the night. Again you will enjoy a delicious five-star meal and a tastily furnished modern room. Accommodation: Dwarika’s Resort, Dhulikhel. Meals: Breakfast at Hotel Bright Star, lunch at Yeti Mountain Home Kongde and dinner at Dwarika’s Resort in Dhulikhel.

After a five-star breakfast at Dwarika’s Resort we leave Dhulikhel by private vehicle for Kathmandu on the Araniko Highway. On the way we will stop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its unique architecture that represents some of the palaces, temples and monuments in the medieval period of Nepal’s history. Some of the major attractions of Durbar Square, in Kathmandu, are the Nyatapola Temple, the 55 window palace, Golden Gate, Dattatreya Temple, and museums. Our next stop is for a guided sightseeing tour of the UNESCO World heritage sites in Kathmandu valley that includes Bouddhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a personification of rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. The streets are filled with prayer flags, monasteries, stupas and monks wearing their traditional red robes. There are many shops where you can purchase related items, such as Thangkas. There are also a number of restaurants selling local foods. As you walk around Bouddhanath Stupa you may spin the prayer wheels while participating in the calming yet vibrant mood that pervades this place. Next your guide will take you to Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest of all Hindu temples and an significant cremation site of Hindus. The Pagoda style temple and architecture is unique and is built with gold gilded roof, silver doors and decorated with rich wood carvings. One thing you will notice at these temples are the sadhus (ascetic yogis) in their colorful clothing and bodies smeared with ash who have discarded all material things in order to achieve Moksha, meaning the liberation from the cycle of birth and death. If time permits we will stop for lunch at Bhaktapur Durbar Square or Bouddhanath Stupa. Back at Dwarika’s Hotel we will have dinner at its Krishnarpan Restaurant. Later in the evening we will host an after dinner party at the International level club in Kathmandu. You may decide to celebrate in the night life of Kathmandu or alternatively head back to your boutique style room at your hotel. Accommodation: Kathmandu Marriot Hotel, Hyatt Regency or Dwarika’s Hotel Meals: Breakfast at Dwarika’s Resort in Dhulikhel, Lunch at Bhaktapur Durbar Square or Stupa View Restaurant Bouddhanath and dinner in Dwarika’s Hotel – Krishnarpan Restaurant.

After a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel, we will take you to the airport for your international flight home. We wish you a safe journey home and hope to see you again in Nepal when we can again plan another exciting and memorable tour.