Trekking in the Khumbu, Everest region, Nepal

Views are spectacular in all directions in the Khumbu, center of Sherpa culture below Mount Everest. We trek beautiful trails through rhododendron forests to Tengboche Monastery and enjoy the hospitality of the Sherpa people.

Photo by Brian McGilloway

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The legendary peak of Everest is epic in many ways, from its legacy as mountaineering’s ultimate prize to the spiritual esteem in which the Sherpa people hold it. This spectacular lodge-to-lodge trek takes us through a landscape of ancient villages nestled below the highest mountain in the world to thriving Tengboche Monastery, from which Everest’s triangular diamond summit is unmistakable amid a cirque of breathtaking peaks. But the experience of this wondrous Himalayan realm extends far beyond the peaks. Our newfound friendships with the Sherpa people, whose warm welcome and spirited nature are a match for their majestic mountains, are an unexpected—and highly cherished—aspect of the entire Himalayan trekking experience.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a spectacular trek among majestic giants of the Himalaya
  • Stay in comfortable trekkers’ lodges—no camping!
  • Visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, experience Sherpa culture

Details

  • 14-day trip begins and ends in Kathmandu
  • 4 nights in first-class hotels, 9 nights in trekkers’ lodges
  • All meals included except 3 lunches and 2 dinners
  • 9-day trek on moderate to steep trails, 3-6 hours a day, altitudes between 9,000-12,660 feet

Tour Costs

$3295 (9-15 members)
$3695 (6-8 members)

Single supplement: $430
Internal airfare: $295 (subject to change)

Taj Mahal Extension from: $1925
Scenic Everest Flight from: $235
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Extension from: $1925
Tiger Tops: Royal Chitwan National Park Extension from: $235
Lhasa Extension from: $985

Prices are for 2010 dates

Departures & Leaders

Mar 26-Apr 8, 2010  Pemba Rita
   Devendra Basnet
Oct 17-30, 2010  James Fuss
Nov 1-14, 2010
Nov 16-29, 2010  Leila Thompson

Note: November 16-29, 2010 departure has been added to include the Mani Rimdu Festival

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
Everest Adventure route-map

Days 1-2
Kathmandu

We explore the labyrinth of the city’s famed bazaars and visit golden temples where Buddhist and Hindu iconography mix in fantastic ways.

Days 3-6
Lukla / Namche Bazaar / Khunde / Khumjung

After flying to the “airstrip in the sky” at Lukla (9,350'), we trek up to Namche Bazaar (11,270'), a famous Sherpa market town set in a dramatic U-shaped amphitheater. We enjoy an exploration day here for acclimatization hikes and to soak up the atmosphere of this friendly Sherpa town. Hiking higher to the classic twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung (12,400'), we enjoy views of the sacred peak of Khumbila (18,800') and the stunning spire of Ama Dablam (22,494'), an icon of the Khumbu. Many of our Sherpa friends live in these villages, and we may have a chance to visit their homes as well as the school built by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust. Along the way, our selection of lodges, owned by local Sherpa families, offer you the comfort of private rooms.

Days 7-9
Phortse / Pangboche / Tengboche

Passing a Buddhist stupa with fantastic views of the high peaks and steep valleys of the Khumbu, we continue through rhododendron forests to tranquil Phortse, at the mouth of the beautiful Gokyo Valley. Farther up is Pangboche (12,660'), where the oldest monastery in the Khumbu is located and where we may see Himalayan tahr (wild goats). On Day 9, we reach famous Tengboche Monastery (12,650'), spiritual center of the Khumbu, where the view of Everest’s striking summit pyramid is unmistakable. Climbing expeditions traditionally stop here to receive the blessing of Tengboche’s high lama.

Days 10-14
Return Trek / Kathmandu

Bidding farewell to our Sherpa friends, we hike back to Lukla through lovely forests where we might catch sight of Nepal’s national bird, the danphe, a brightly colored pheasant. On Day 12 we fly to Kathmandu and have an additional day to explore this exotic city before departing on Day 14 (or joining one of our post-trip extensions).

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to extend your adventure, we offer the following options:

Shangri-La Hotel

Days 1 to 2 (2 nights),
Days 12 to 13 (2 nights),
Kathmandu, Nepal

Set within a beautiful garden, this well-regarded hotel is renowned for its friendly staff and for having two of the better restaurants in town. ...
Click here for full description and more photos

Everest Trekkers' Lodges

Days 3 to 11 (9 nights), Khumbu Region, Nepal

These rustic but comfortable and cozy trekkers' lodges are owned by the local Sherpa families of the Khumbu, and are a wonderful way to ...
Click here for full description and more photos

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.