Trekking with HCC in Nepal

Trip Itinerary

-Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu – March 15th

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, where you will be met and accompanied to the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in Naxal. Once settled, there will be a short briefing regarding the formalities and your trekking itinerary. Depending upon your arrival time, you may spend free time resting or visiting sites in Naxal, including Durbar Square, Thamel, and the Garden of Dreams.

Day 2: Sightseeing with HCC students – March 16th

Morning trek briefing at the Marriott Hotel in Naxal.

HCC university students will guide you around two UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley. 

   – Bhaktapur, an ancient city about 10 miles outside Kathmandu. A 14th century old town full of arts, intricate architecture, temples, and palaces: all   with remarkable history and culture. Experience pottery being made by local artisans, in the centuries old tradition.

   – Boudhanath Stupa, the largest and most important shrine for Tibetan Buddhists.

In the evening you will join HCC staff and students for traditional Nepali dinner at the HCC youth home, Khushi Ghar.

Day 3: Morning KTM, afternoon drive to Ramechhap – March 17th

On your third day in Kathmandu, we will visit two UNESCO World Heritage temples.

  – Swayambhunath Monkey Temple. In the morning, Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. This Buddhist stupa sits atop a hill overlooking the Kathmandu valley and is a prehistoric shrine much revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Feel the energy of worshippers around you, smell the burning incense, listen to the Buddhist chants, and watch the monkeys play.

  – After lunch, we will drive from Kathmandu to the airport of Ramechhap (4-5 hour drive), spend the night near the airport and fly to Lukla from there on the morning of day 4.

Day 4: Travel and trek – Lukla to Phakding (2610m) – March 18th

The day begins with a short morning flight to Lukla (from Ramechhap). At Lukla we will meet our porters and will head north from the airstrip to Chablung (2700m). Here we will cross the Tharo Kosi river on a local-style suspension bridge. Just past the bridge we can see the peak of Kusum Kangru (6367m). Beyond the Tharo Kosi the trail climbs a bit towards Ghat (2590m), we will cross a ridge marked with painted mani stones and climb to Phakding where we will stay overnight (3 hrs).

Day 5: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3420m) – March 19th

From Phakding we follow the valley of the Dudh Kosi river, staying on the west bank of the river. We’ll climb steeply over a rocky ridge towards Benkar (2710m). From here the trail continues alongside the river. All along this part of the trail, villages are interspersed with magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia and giant firs. In both the early autumn and late spring, the flowers on this portion of the trek make it a beautiful walk. We cross the Kyashar Khola river and climb out of the valley to Monjo (2840m). Just beyond Monjo the trek enters the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, which was established in 1976 to protect a 1148 sq km area surrounding Mt Everest. Beyond the national park entrance station, the trail makes a steep rocky descent and crosses the Dhud Kosi river on a 120m-long suspension bridge towards Jorsale (2830m). After crossing this river a few times while climbing our way up the valley we will reach Namche Bazaar (3420m). Namche Bazaar is the main trading center in this region and features numerous shops, hotels and restaurants (6 hrs). We will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

Day 6: Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar – March 20th

Acclimatization is important before proceeding higher. Today we will take a day hike through the villages of Khunde and Khumjung. We start with a steep one-hour climb to the Shyangboche airstrip (3790m), from where we will slowly ascend towards Khunde passing numerous chorten (stone Buddhist monuments). From Khunde we follow the trail eastwards to Khumjung, the largest village in Khumbu, at the foot of the sacred peak Khumbila. After enjoying lunch here we will follow a steep switchbacking trail descending to Chhorkung (3540m). Then the descent back to Namche Bazaar (5 hrs). We will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

Day 7: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860m) – March 21st

Our route of today to Tengboche weaves in and out of side valleys, making small ups and downs, to the tea shops of Kenjoma, and joins the trail from Khumjung just before a collection of mani stones. The views of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent from this part of the trek. We pass the small settlement of Sanasa from where the trail drops towards Phunki Thanga (3250m). From here the trail climbs steeply through forests and around mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3870m. The view from here is rightly deemed to be one of the world’s most magnificent. Kwangde (6187m), Tawachee (6542m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8501m), Ama Dablan, Kantega and Thamserku provide an inspiring panorama of Himalayan giants. We will spend the night in Tengboche village.

Day 8: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3789m) – March 22nd

Today we return back to Namche Bazaar from Tengboche and spend the night in Namche.

Day 9: Namche Bazaar to Lukla – March 23rd

Today we leave Namche Bazaar and descend steeply back down the valley to the Dudh Kosi river and continue our way past the national park checkpoint at Monjo. From Monjo we will go through forests of magnolia, giant firs and rhododendrons to Chomoa, the site of an agricultural project. We cross the Dudh Kosi river to its west-bank and continue our way down to Phakding and then Lukla. We will spend the night in Lukla.

Day 10: Lukla to Kathmandu – March 24th

This early morning flight to Kathmandu is one of the most interesting and scenic flights you’ll ever experience. Once arriving back in Kathmandu you will have the day to relax or sightsee before your flight home the following morning. You will stay at Kathmandu Marriott Hotel for your final night.

Day 11: Departure from Kathmandu – transportation provided. – March 25th or 26th

Transportation provided from the Marriott to Kathmandu airport.