The journey beings in Kathmandu, the heart of Nepalese culture and the countries’ largest and most interesting city. Here you will spend a day absorbing the bustling city streets taking in the environment where you pass by timeless shrines on one side of the road while a local peddles authentic handicrafts nearby. With a certain mystique, Kathmandu is a wonderful blend of Buddhist roots coupled with a strong Hindu influence that needs to be experienced to appreciate. You will see everything from the bustling backpacker hub of Thamel to the worlds ‘largest stupa to Hindu cremation sites and maybe spot a living Hindu Goddess in between. After a day exploring Kathmandu you will board your flight and begin the trek.The morning flight to lukla is a breathtaking experience as you are shuffled into a small plane seating at most 10 people. Make sure to stay awake to catch breathtaking views of the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding mountain scenery. Upon arrival in Lukla the journey truly begins as you begin your trip to basecamp.
From here on you will spend your days hiking and getting accustomed to the hospitality and warmth offered by the indigenous people inhabiting the small mountain towns. Each stop has its own charmes ranging from the bustling Namche Bazar to the quiet tranquil villages where you feel like living in a tiny bubble surrounded by the beauty that is the Everest Region. Here you will have a chance to speak with shirpas whose families have guided the trails for generations and experience first hand their wisdom about one of the worlds most popular trekking destinations. Couple this with home cooked meals of Daal Bhat and other authentic Nepali cuisines to truly give you a taste of Nepal
The trek passes along the traditional Route passing through Khumbu the capital of the region before passing along the scenic Imja Khola river passing through by daunting forests featuring local flowers such as the rhodedendrons, magnolia and countless other flowers whose colors truly illuminate your hike as you work you way to the valley that lies below Everest. The trek it self passes through an enchanting array of small villages each with their own story and opportunities for photos and fireside chats as you create memories that will last a lifetime. Along the path you will have the chance to visit a secluded mountain sanctuary in Thyangboche perched nearly 4 kilometers into the snowy mountain scenery. The stunning views provided a short hike from the monastery make for an unforgettable sunrise experience as you work your way up in the dark of the night making your way down the path under the banner of early morning stars and moonlight.Following a descent to Imja Khola and through the quaint villages of Pangboche and Pheriche you will arrive at the Khumbu Glacier. Past the glacier is Lobuche, an unparalleled vantage point supporting views of some of the worlds tallest and most impressive peaks. This leads to to Kala Pattar located 5554 meters above sea level. Every step of the journey is one step closer to the awe-inspiring sights that reward devoted trekkers. The views of Everest must be experienced to be described and there is a common bond amongst adventurers who make it to truly experience Everest.We then work out way down to Everest Base Camp where everyone who has ever climbed to the top of the world has stayed and you can literally walk in the footsteps of the most daring men and women in history including Sir Edmond Hillary. As you work your way back to Lukla you will as always form a strong bond with your guide as they give you insider secrets of the region, dazzle you with the complexities of the mountains, shirpa culture and maybe even teach you some Nepalese so you can haggle over souvenirs in the local language .
In Summary, the Everest trek is one of the worlds most popular for a reason. Few people can say they truly climbed the worlds highest mountain and saw the top of the world with their own eyes. At the end of the day you will realize that the true reward aside from the breathtaking views and photos is the bond you build with your travel partners and guide without the everyday modern distractions you take the time to form lasting memories and bonds with fellow travelers that along with the photos and souvenirs will last a lifetime.