Arrival at Kathmandu airport,
pick up by our correspondent and transfer to the hotel. (At the foot of the
Himalayas, where they assure that their gods live, Nepal stands, a land of
spectacular landscapes, temples and cities with a rich cultural heritage. These
seem to transfer the traveler to medieval times on their walks through
KATHMANDU, BHAKTAPUR and PATAN, the three urban cities that represent the
backbone of the country. Stay overnight at hotel.
After breakfast
we will head towards airport for the early morning flight to Lukla. This is a
mountain flight that depends greatly on weather conditions, therefore the
flight could be delayed until more favorable situations. After arrival in
Lukla, we will begin the trek. After about two and a half hours of walking we arrive
at Phakding. Stay
overnight at lodge.
After breakfast
we will head towards Namche Bazar which will take around 5 hours. At the
beginning of the stage, the road is up-down and we will cross the Dhud Khosi
River several times. Upon reaching the town of Monjo (3000 m), after completing
the required paperwork and permits, we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park
(Everest), to continue with a strong zig-zag climb, and where we will not cut
short since in one of the curves we will observe Mount Everest. After almost 5
hours of walking we will arrive at Namche Bazar, capital of the Sherpa people. Stay overnight at lodge.
In the morning we
will make a circuit of about 4 hours, which will help us to acclimatize and
where we will enjoy magnificent views of Everest. In the afternoon free time to
wander around and visit the Tibetan markets. Stay overnight at lodge.
Today, we will start the day with a strong climb
until we reach Mon la Pass (3972 m). This is a wonderful place and from where
we can see the Ama Dablan and the Tiamboche Monastery. Here we will stop for a
while to acclimatize, and continue downhill to Phortse Tenga. Stay overnight at lodge.
After breakfast
we head towards Machermo which takes about 4 and half hours. As soon as we leave
Phortse Tenga, there is a steep climb up to 4000 m. where it softens. After passing
through the towns of Labharma and Luza we will arrive at Machermo. Stay overnight at lodge.
From Machermo we
head towards Gokyo. After our arrival in Gokyo, we will continue to Gokyo Ri,
where we will enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Himalayas, we will be
able to observe Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and other himalayas. Then we will
descend to Gokyo. Stay
overnight at lodge.
In the morning, if the previous day, the weather
conditions were adverse and we couldn't, we will ascend to Gokyo Ri, and then
we will continue to descend Thagnag. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day is very important. We start the day with a steep
climb, and after an hour and a half we reach a pass at 5000 m from here we can
see the Chola Pass. We continue climbing for 3 hours and if the snow allows us,
we will pass the Chola Pass (5,400 m) from where we will see the panoramic
views of Cho Oyu and several mountains over 7,000 m. We will then descend
through a long valley until we reach Dzonglha. Stay overnight at lodge.
After breakfast, we leave from Dzonglha to reach
Gorakshep. After 2 hours and a half we will arrive at the town of Lobuche. We
continue up the left bank of the glacier until we reach Gorakshep. After next 2
hours of walk we will reak Gorakshep. Stay overnight at lodge.
This is the big day of the Everest trek, in which we are
going to enjoy, if the weather allows it, the best views of Everest and its surroundings.
We will go to Gorakshep (5,150 meters), a settlement inhabited only in season.
After regaining strength here, we will climb the 400 meters that separate us
from the top of Kala Pattar (translated as "Black Stone"). The views
of both the Everest massif and the south face of Pumori are spectacular. Stay overnight at lodge.
We enter the spectacular Imja Tse valley to reach the
base camp of Island Peak in two days. In about 3/4 hours we will reach Chukung
(4,700 m), a small group of old shepherds' huts, and we will begin to enjoy the
spectacle offered by the silhouettes of Ama Dablam (6,812 m) and Lhotse (8,516
m). Stay overnight at lodge.
We will continue ascending to the base camp of Island
Peak (4/5 hours), located at an altitude of 5,050 meters at the foot of the
mountain in a comfortable area. Stay overnight camping tent.
Ascent to the summit, going down to the base camp to collect the material and continue to Chukung. Stay overnight at lodge.
We reserve this day for any weather setback that prevents
us from attempting the climb, or for another reason in previous days. Extra day
for unforeseen events.
The route descends through Dingboche, the Imja Khola Valley,
then we will cross a wooden bridge and the path turns uphill until we reach
Tiamboche. We will take advantage of this day to visit the famous Tyangboche
Monastery, an emblematic place of local Buddhist culture. We will be able to
visit it in the afternoon and meet the lamas that live in it. Stay overnight at lodge.
We will start the day with beautiful views of Everest and
Lhotse. It begins with a strong descent until crossing the river in the town of
Phumki. We continue climbing to Namche Bazar for about 3 hours. We will head to
Namche Bazar. We will have the afternoon free. Stay overnight at lodge.
We will continue along the path that we already know
until Phakding. From here we will continue to Lukla. Stay overnight at lodge.
We will take a small plane from the dizzying airport of
Khumjung (an “eagle's nest”) to fly to Kathmandu. The time of the flight will
depend on the weather conditions. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.
We will get visit the different places which are listed in
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath
and Pashupatinath today. Stay overnight at hotel.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: (World Heritage Site): Kathmandu
Durbar square is one of the popular place which is liked by many visitors due
to its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishment. It consists of Huge
Royal Palace with different temples dating back from the 15th to the
18th century. The house of the living goddess, the ferocious Kal
Bhairav, the red monkey god, the Hanumandhokha palace, the Ashok Binayak
temple, Kasthamandap, the Temple Taleju and hundreds of erotic carvings are
some few examples of the sights at the square. All woodcarvings, statues and
architecture in this area are exceptionally fine.
Swoyambhunath: Swoyambhunath is one
of the most glorious Buddhist stupa. It is said to be 2000 years old.
Swoyambhunath is, perhaps, the best place to observe the religious harmony in
Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and it’s
worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and Brahman Priests to
lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhunath provides an excellent view of the
Kathmandu valley.
Bouddhanth: Boudhhanath stupa is one of the
largest Buddhist stupa in the world. The Stupa 100 meters in diameter, was
built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels by the Lichchivi King Mana
Deva in the 15th century. The pinnacle of this stupa represent the
stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana.
There are many myths about the origins of the Stupa. Early morning and evening
are the times to visit Bouddha to join the local residents in Kora. There is an
enclosure with several monasteries of the different schools of Tibetan
Buddhism.
Pashupatinath: Pashupatinath
is one of the most sacred temples in Nepal. The temple of Pashupatinath is a
large double roofed pagoda of brass and gilt gold; the gateway is plated with silver.
There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines and temples
dedicated to other deities in the temple complex. There are rows of Shiva
shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering worship to Shiva,
the Lord of Destruction. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the
Hindus only. However, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities
performed in the temple premises from the vantage point across the bank of the
Bagmati River.
Enjoy your last day on Kathmandu before departure. At your mentioned departure time our correspondent will pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport and depart you with warm hearts.