Always wanted to explore fascinating Nepali culture, see Mt Everest and visit Bhutan? Then this exotic adventure is for you! You do not need to be a mountain climber to enjoy panoramic views of Machupucharia, Ama Dablam, Lhotse or Mt. Everest. Explore west Nepal and enjoy hot springs and relaxing by the lakeside after your introduction to Himalayan trekking. Fly over the Himalayas to see spectacular mountain views before heading to the top. Conclude your cultural and mountain adventure with a visit to the exotic and mysterious land of Bhutan. Valleys & Peaks with Bhutan is for the traveller who sets his sights high!
Day 1 – KathmanduArrive in Kathmandu where you will be met and driven to your hotel. Brief introduction to the valley visiting Durbar Marg and Swayambunath. Overnight Hotel
Day 2 – Kathmandu
After breakfast you will be met at your hotel and driven on a tour to Pashupatinath, sacred to Hindus, and Bouddhanath, the Tibetan community. Visit the Newari town of Patan. The rest of your day is free to shop for any additional trekking items such as yak cheese, nuts and biscuits. Overnight Hotel
Day 3 – Kathmandu/Pokhara/Tikhedhunga
Fly to Pokhara where you will be met and driven to the trail head at Nayapul to begin your trek. Walk along the bank of the Modi Khola until you reach Birethanti (1065m) a large village that has many shops & teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village and follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola. From there, the trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Tikhedhunga (1525m). This trek offers a short & relatively easy day and introduces you to trekking in Nepal. Overnight Guest House
Day 4 – Tikhedhunga/Ghorepani
Begin your journey with steep climb to Ulleri, a large Magar village (2070m). The trail continues to ascend more gently, through forests of oak & rhododendron towards Banthanti (2250m). Trek onward to Nangethanti (2460m). After an hour you reach Ghorepani (2775m) .Overnight Guest House.
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Day 5 – Ghorepani/Poon Hill/Tadopani
Early morning hike to Poon Hill (3170m). From here you will see superb view of the sunrise, and panoramic view of Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Macchupucharia or “Fishtail”. Hike back to Ghorepani for breakfast, and continue walking to Tadapani. Overnight Guest House
Day 6 – Tadopani/Ghandruk
Leave Tadapani and descend steeply through forests until you reach Ghandruk (2000m), a Gurung village. This village offers the beautiful mountain views. Overnight Guest House
Day 7 – Ghandruk/Birethanti/ Nayapul/ Pokhara
The hike from Ghandruk offers easy “downhill” walking to Nayapul where you are met and driven to Pokhara. Overnight Hotel
Day 8 – Pokhara/Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu where you will be met and driven onward to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore as you wish. Overnight Hotel
Day 9 – Kathmandu/Lukla
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lukla (2850m). Your trek from Lukla begins with an easy ascent up a mountainside along the left bank of the Dudh Khosi River. Nupla (5885m) can be seen in the distance. Descend to a path that has fantastic views. You continue along a small path with many short climbs and descents to Phakding (2650m). Overnight Guest House
Day 10 – Phakding/Namche BazaarThe trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m.) takes about five hours. You cross the river on high suspension bridges. You come to the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. Ascend quite steeply to Namche Bazaar and catch your first glimpse of Mt Everest. Visit some of the village monasteries on the way. Namche Bazaar is the main trading village in the Khumbu region where the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La meet. Overnight Guest House
Day 11 – Namche Bazaar
Today is an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar, a colorful Sherpa village with interesting shops, good food, but most of all stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early morning hike gives you a chance to see a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam. You can take a day hike to Khumjung where Sir Edmund Hilary started his school. Overnight Guest House
Day 12 – Namche Bazaar/Thame/Namche Bazaar
Day hike to Thame, a Sherpa village near Nepal’s border, which is on the old Tibetan salt trade route from Tingri via Nangpa La. Thame’s monastery is one of the oldest in the Khumbu region. This is a great hike to acclimatize and off the main tourist route. Overnight Guest House
Day 13 – Namche Bazaar/Phortse Tenga
Trek Namche Bazaar (3440m) to Phortse Tenga (3680m)
Short hike today to the small village of Phortse to ascend to Gokyo Lake slowly. Overnight Guest House
Day 14 – Phortse Tenga/Dole
Trek Phortse Tenga (3680m) to Dole (4040m)
From Phortse Tenga the trail climbs steeply to Dole through rhododendron and birch forest with hanging mosses and lichens. Overnight Guest House
Day 15 – Dole/MachermoTrek Dole (4040m) to Machermo (4480m)
The trail climbs steadily along the side of the valley, where the rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases on your hike to Machermo. Excellent views of Cho Oyu (8210). Overnight Guest House
Day 16 – Machermo/Gokyo
Trek Machermo (4480m) to Gokyo (4750m)
Hike a steep rocky incline into the valley along the side of the glacier and passing the first of the holy lakes. You then come to the second of the lakes and finally the third lake known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore the settlement of Gokyo. The scenery is breathtaking with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in emerald green waters. Overnight Camp
Day 17 – Gokyo/Gokyu Ri/Gokyo
Exploration day trip to Gokyo RI (5483m) and back to Gokyo
Rest day. Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake and you can climb a steep path to catch views of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu as well as the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself. Overnight CAMP
Day 18 – Gokyo/ Thangna
Trek Gokyo (4750m) to Thangna (5140m)
Leave Gokyo and cross the Ngozumpa Glacier. Descend to the second lake and drop down onto the glacier. The route across the glacier is marked by cairns and is generally quite well defined. We climb off the glacier by a small dwelling known as Thangna. Overnight TBD
Day 19 – Thangna/Chola Pass/Dzongla
Cross Chola Pass from Thangna (5300m) to Dzongla (4800m)
Leave very early morning to cross the Chola Pass. From the pass there are excellent views, across to the Rolwaling Valley in the west and Ama Dablam to the south east. The descent from the pass involves the crossing of a small glacier [often snow covered] which is fairly straightforward. Descend to the small village of Dzongla. Overnight Camp
Note: This is a long day. Descend to Dzongla. May continue onward to Lobuche.
Day 20 – Dzongla/Lobuche
Trek Dzongla (4800m) to Lobuche (4910m)
The trail flattens out and follows the valley on the west side of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche. Overnight Guesthouse
Day 21 – Lobuche/Gorekshep
Lobuche (4910m) to Gorekshep (5180m) Exploration day trip (optional) to Everest Base Camp & back to Gorekshep
The trail continues to follow the valley beside the Khumbu Glacier, and offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. Continue to Gorakshep. Overnight Guesthouse
Day 22 – Gorekship/Kala Patar/Gorekshep/Dingboche
Trek to Kala Patar (5545m) to Dingboche (4345m)
Hike to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Khumbu, Kala Patar [5549m] for spectacular vistas. Trek on to Dingboche, a village in the Chukyung Valley. Overnight Guest house
Day 23 – Dingboche/Tengboche
Trek Dingboche (4345m) to Tengboche (3890m)
Trek to Tengboche and see the newly rebuilt monastery which is reknown in the Khumbu region.
Overnight Guest house
Day 24 – Tengboche/Namche Bazaar
Trek Tengboche (3890m) to Namche Bazar
Keep descending to Namche Bazaar.
Day 25 – Namche Bazaar/Lukla
Leave early morning and trek to Lukla.
Day 26 – Lukla/Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu where you will be met and driven to your accommodations. Overnight Hotel
Day 27 – Kathmandu
Your day is free to shop before returning home.
Day 28 – Depart Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
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Bhutan Extension
Day 1 – Kathmandu/Paro/Thimpu
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Paro. Upon arrival, after completing customs and immigration formalities, you will be met by your guide and driver and driven to Thimphu (approx. 2 hrs). Your afternoon is free time to explore around town. Overnight at Druk Hotel. (L,D)
Day 2 – Thimphu Valley
In the capital of Bhutan, you will be taken to visit the Memorial Chorten (Stupa/temple built in memory of Late King), the nunnery at Zilukha, Painting School, national library, the silver and gold smith, handicraft centers and Simtokha Dzong. Hotel Wangchuk/Jumolhari (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Thimphu/Punakha/Wangdi
Morning drive to Punakha (3 hrs) via the Dochula pass,10,000ft, from where you will get panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas. Punakha valley is relatively on lower altitude (4430ft above sea level) and it is semi tropical in climate. In the afternoon you will be taken to see the town and Dzong situated on the confluence of two rivers. Time permitting,you will be taken on a short excursion to visit the sacred Chimi Lhakhang– the Divine Mad Monk’s temple. Hotel Dragon Nest (B,L,D).
Day 4 – Punakha/Wangdi/Paro
Early morning drive to Dochu la pass (10,000ft) for tea/breakfast and panoramic sunrise views over the eastern Himalayas (clear day). Continue drive to Paro to visit National Museum, (the only one in the country), Rinpung Dzong, ramparts of Drugyal dzong at the end of Paro valley and if time permitting visit local village homes. Hotel Pelri Cottages (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Paro/Taktsang Monastery/Paro
Today we drive part way to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, then begin the ascent to its rocky ledge. It was said that this was where the legendary Guru, Padmasambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat the demons who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. The walk is long and can be steep in places but the views are stunning. Return to Paro. Hotel Pelri Cottages (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Depart Paro/Bangkok
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
