Everest Lodge Trek 13 Days

Trek grade: Moderate to Strenuous.
Best season: September to November and February to early May.

Why Lodge Trek?

Because lodge trek is cost effective and do not have to carry a lot of camping equipment. Moreover, the money you spend on lodges stays in the local community that contributes to the improvement of the local economy. Also, it is environmentally low impact trekking and is the ideal way to trek, particularly on the popular trek routes where established lodges are readily available. Itinerary provided below is a typical program. However, we can be flexible to trek a little bit off the main trek routes and explore the local lifestyle bit more in detail whenever possible. Discover Asia Travel is committed to preserve the nature and culture wherever it leads tours and treks as well as present the best travel options to its clients. We find the lodge accommodation more comfortable and affordable to our clients as well as meet the eco-tourism theme. Therefore, we request visitors to join us on our Nepal Himalayan treks that uses the lodge accommodation on the popular trek routes and help us promote environmentally sound tourism in the Himalayas.

Everest Lodge Trek Helps The Local Economy.

The Everest Lodge Trek is unlike other camping trek because we stay in the lodges, eat at the lodge restaurants, inns and trek along the traditional Everest expedition route with our guides and porters. Lodge to lodge trek is often called "Tea House Trek" in Nepal. The lodge accommodations with basic comfort are clean, hygienic and can cater delicious meals of local Nepali and international cuisine to the guests. All lodge operators are trained by the Ministry of Tourism Training Institute for lodge operation and practice of hygiene in preparing food. Thus, you are sleeping on clean beds and eating healthy food while on the trek. All you need to bring to go on this lodge trek is a complete personal trekking gear, a good sleeping bag, a well broken in trekking boot, and all your personal needs. Then, you are ready to trek. To join this trek, you do not have to be a "Hippie or Backpacker", but anyone who plans to spend less and achieve the same goals that other camping trekkers can do. Whether you are a seasoned up-market traveler, scholar, student, Hippies or Backpackers, you are welcome to join Discover Asia Travel trekking team.See you in Kathmandu.

Everest (Khumbu) Region Introduction:

Welcome to Discover Asia Travel - Everest Region Adventure Trekking! Sagarmatha National Park in Solu-Khumbu District is commonly known as "Khumbu" or "Everest Region". It is the home of the Sherpa people and the legendary Yeti. The Khumbu region features unique natural and cultural landscapes and the unsurpassed Sherpa-Nepali hospitality. Visitors are also blessed with magnificent views of the towering peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, Tamserku, Kwangde, Khumbi-ila, Kangteiga, Ama Dablam, Tawoche, Cho Oyu, and Pumori.A forty five minutes to an hour scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Syangboche or Lukla will take place early in the morning. You will be enlightened and energized by the stunning views of the Himalayas from the airplane window! Your trekking staff will greet you at Lukla airport at 9,300 feet. From here you will be guided through Sherpa villages and patches of farmland. This route traces a scenic traditional expedition and trade path along the Dudh Koshi (Milk River). Along the way, you will encounter walls of carved rock slates with Buddhist prayer inscriptions and prayer wheels. You may spin the prayer wheels as you walk along, but always to the left. Along the Khumbu trek route, you will encounter thousands of different botanical species. If travelling in the fall you may not see many of these plants in blossom, but in all seasons they are attractive enough to catch your attention. In the spring you will see rhododendron, Primulas, Iris and many spring flowers in blossom. At lower altitudes hemlock, rhododendron, birch, fir, juniper, oak and blue-pine grow while scrub and alpine plant communities will be seen higher up. 118 species of birds inhabit in the park. Most commonly seen ones are the Impeyen Pheasant (the national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, jungle crow, red-billed and yellow-billed coughs, snow pigeon, swallows, magpies and kalij. Among rarer species are the Himalayan griffon, Lammergier, snow partridge, and skylark. From around Namche and onward, we may see the most commonly seen faunas of the Sagarmatha National Park, the Himalayan Tahr, Ghoral, Serow, Musk deer, Weasel, Marten, Himalayan mouse hare, jackals, wolves, and Impeyan Pheasants. Namche village is the largest Sherpa settlement in the region. We will stop here for one day to explore the Sherpa culture, and to acclimatize for the higher elevation treks. We will visit a Buddhist monastery, and experience the Saturday local market (if we timed to be here during the market) where lowland and highland merchants come together to buy and trade variety of hand made and manufactured goods. The Sherpa Cultural Museum has collections of traditional artifacts and a photographic exhibition reflecting the Sherpa culture. The natural scenery of the majestic mountains and valleys are the blessed resource for the people of Khumbu, and the tourism industry is the region's main income source. The region has very limited arable land, forest resources and limited growing season. Nevertheless, many local people still do practice potato and seasonal vegetable farming, and raise Yaks as their main live stocks between and in the valleys of these towering peaks.Discover Asia Travel Co., Ltd. founders and its crew has organized and guided many treks and expeditions to the base of Mt. Everest and its neighboring areas. Thus, we have gained hands-on-experience of this region's mountains, flora, fauna and the cultures. We are proficient in three languages (Nepali, English and Sherpa) and can share with you an in depth experience of our Sherpa and Nepali cultural heritage throughout the trek. Our shorter treks (2 to 7 days) are operated from our resort hotel in Syangboche, where a one-way or two-way helicopter rides are required. The longer treks (8 to 18 days) are operated from Lukla Airport at 9300 ft., and require fly in and out by domestic flights while the 27 day trek begins in Jiri and flight out from Lukla.Our Everest Lodge Trekking is an environment friend trek because we use the lodges along the trek route to and from Everest Base Camp. The lodge to lodge trek takes the traditional Everest expedition route where there establish lodges with clean rooms and delicious Nepali and western cuisines are served.

Itinerary: Everest Lodge Trek 13 Days:

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal:
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel, itinerary briefing, Nepali dinner with or without folk cultural show. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 Pashupati Temple, Swayambu, & Kathmandu Durbar Tour:
Early morning breakfast at the hotel.
0700AM pick up at the hotel and drive to Pashupatinath Temple tour to catch some of the glimpse of the morning worshipers at the most sacred Hindu Temple in the world. Then, drive to Swayambu Stupa, the oldest Buddhist Stupa in the valley. After Swayambu Stupa tour, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square (the old Palace of Nepal).
Lunch break en-route tour: Tour will end after Kathmandu Durbar Square tour and drive to hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (BL).

Pashupati Temple:
This temple is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. The shrine of Lord Shiva has existed for at least fifteen hundred years in the Kathmandu Valley. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in 879 AD. However, the present temple was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold-plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction.

Rajrajeswari Temple built in 1407, Kailash with lingas more than 1,400 years old, Goraknath temple, the courtyard of Biswarup, rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering worship to Shiva, the Hindu cremation grounds known as Arya Ghat along the Bagmati River are some of the attractive sites that we visit on this tour. You may encounter cremation along the bank of the river. Please refrain from taking pictures of such scene as you might offend the mourning relatives.

Swayambu Stupa:
It is said that the history of the Kathmandu Valley began with Swayambu, "selfcreating". According to legends, the Buddhist saint Manjushree came across a beautiful lake during his journey in the Valley. He discovered a lotus that emitted brilliant light at the center of the lake. So, he cut a gorge in the southeastern hill (known as Chobar gorge) and drained the water to worship the lotus. People settled in the dried up lake and called it Kathmandu, while the hilltop of the selfcreating Lord has become a holy place. The Valley being a lake bed is actually not only a fable, but a geologic reality. Clay mines and rich soil bear evidence of the valley's under water past. Swayambu is not only the major landmark of the Valley but also one of the best places to observe the religious harmony of Nepal. Ancient mini stupas and shrines of both Bhudhists and Hindus fill up the stupa complex. This stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse. A monastery adjecent to the stupa houses the largest image of Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal and many stone sculptures of different deities. There numerous monasteries in the vicinity of the stupa with huge prayer wheels, fine Bhuddhist paintings, and special butter lamps which can be lite after offering a monetary donation. Since we will not spare time to visit all the monasteries, we will visit the main monastery in the stupa complex. On a clear day, this hilltop stupa complex offers excellent views of the Kathmandu Valley and the towering snow-capped peaks in the background.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:
The numerous monuments in Kathmandu's Durbar Square are almost too much for the eye to take in. The fearsome Kal Bhairab, the Red Monkey god, the house of the living Goddess Kumari, not to mention hundreds of erotic carvings-only begin to catalog the square's cultural imagery! The buildings here are the greatest achievements of the Mallla dynasty. They resulted from the great rivalry between the three realms of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. According to legend, the Valley was divided among the children of Yaksya Malla. His children and grandchildren began an artistic warfare trying to outdo each other in ever grander styles. As a result, the architectures of these cities look similar. But the wood carvings, statues-and architecture in particular-of Kathmandu's Durbar Square are exceptionally fine. Then, we visit the fine collections of the Royal Museum inside the old palace of Kasthamandap from which the name Kathmandu was derived. Then, our tour ends and drive back to the hotel.

Day 3 Bhaktapur and Patan World Heritage Tour:
7:30 AM depart to Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Tours.
Today, we explore two major cultural world heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley, the city of devotees and the city of artistry.

Bhaktapur, the city of Devotees.
Here, we walk through the Palace square, visit the palace museum, monuments and the pottery kiln. The name Bhaktapur, means the "city of devotees", and was founded in 889 AD by King Anand Dev. It is the most enchanting of Kathmandu Valley's three ethnically Newar cities. Newar art and architecture of the Malla periods from about 12th to 18th century are among the best attractions here. The palace complex in the middle of the city portrays the prosperity of the Malla years and the detailed craftsmenship of the period. The Palace of fifty-five Windows stands in the square and was home to many of Bhaktapur's kings. The square's gate was erected by King Bhupatindra Malla (1696- 1722) and was among the biggest in the Valley. Among other monuments in Bhaktapur, the big bell, the Nyatapola, the golden Gate, the Bhairab Temple, the five-tiered temple, the Dattatreya Square with its wood-carving, and metalwork museum are the most interesting places. Bhaktapur is not as modernized as Kathmandu and Patan and stands in sharp contrast. Therefore, visitors can still observe people making clay sculptures and utilities in the city alleys. Its elaborate ancient monuments and the surrounding valley with beautifully terraced farmlands make Bhaktapur a unique destination to visitors. After Bhaktapur tour, we drive to Patan. Lunch break, we take our lunch in Patan.

Patan City and Durbar Square-The City of Beauty & Artistry:
We drive to Patan, the ancient city, also known as "the city of Beauty", is situated on the southern bank of the Bagmati River about five kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, a city of artists, craftsmen and metal workers. Full of Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Patan's Durbar Square has many famous sites and unique architecture. Krishna Mandir in the Square was built to honor an incarnation of Vishnu and is Nepal's best example of stone architecture. The best place to see fine metal sculpture is Hiranya Varna Mahabihar, the "Golden Temple", a Newar monastery, which contains wall paintings, fourteenth century statues, and scriptures. Its facades is mostly covered in bronze. We take a leisurely walk and tour through this peaceful city with full of attractions to keep us busy. After Patan tour, we drive back to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. (BL).

Day 4 Kathmandu-Lukla flight & trek to Phakdhing:
Early wake up, have breakfast, check out from the hotel and depart to Kathmandu airport for a flight to Lukla. This 45 minute scenic flight will take to the most busy Himalayan airport at 9,300 ft. above sea level. Our trekking crew will greet us at the airport. Then, meet and introduce each other. Once all your luggage is identified and handed over to your Sherpa guides, they will load the men or Yak porters and follow you. Every couple to several people, an assistant guide will be assigned and will trek with you all along trek to assist you. Today's trek is gradual and easy and no difficult up hills. You will experience small and scattered Sherpa villages along the valley and trekking here is quite scenic. Do not be shy to peek into a teahouse along the way. A teahouse cum lodge is actually a regular home. So, you will see more than just a teahouse atmosphere when you get inside to explore it. People are using their homes for dual purposes at strategic points to generate extra income as well as continue their village style living.

Caution: Along the way, you may encounter Yaks (pack animals) carrying loads. Wherever you approach Yaks, stay away from their way and always against the mountain, but never at the edge of the mountain or cliff. Do not make noise or shout, it can frighten the animals and create unpleasant situation. Also, please do not consume any alcoholic beverage or take medication that make you feel unsteady while trekking. Lunch break at or near ChauriKharka. After lunch, take a little break and begin trek to Phakding village. It is a small Sherpa village with resorts and camping grounds. Dinner will be served at the lodge. At the end of the dinner, the next day's itinerary will be briefed and will continue the same until the end of the trek. Since alcoholic beverage will not be served on the trek. Beer and hard drinks are available along the trek route. As a caution, please do not drink too much alcohol and walk in the dark or drink alcohol during the day. Overnight stay at lodge (BLD).

Day 5 Trekking Phakding to Namche Bazaar:
Breakfast, and begin trek around 7.00 AM. We will be trekking along the Dush Koshi river in Zigzag between two cliffs. The trail is scenic, mostly fir, pine, oak and rhododendron forest on both sides of the slope and pass through scattered villages. The trek is easier in the morning part, but gets harder uphill in the afternoon. Lunch break will be at Jorsale near the Sagarmatha National Park entrance point. After lunch, we cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi from where you can have a quick peek of Mt. Everest if the weather is clear. From here, the trail is almost straight uphill until you reach Namche Village, and you will begin to feel the thin air. We advise you to walk slowly, taking small breaks and continue until you reach Namche. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
Overnight stay at lodge (BLD).

Day 6 Namche exploration at leisure:
After breakfast, your guide will lead you to visit monasteries, personal homes, museums and trek around at ease to explore the Sherpa life styles and the surrounding environment. Then, lunch break in Namche and dinner will be served at the lodge. This break is for you to acclimatize before trekking any higher. Overnight stay at lodge (BLD).

Day 7 Trek to Thame Monastery and Syangboche or Khumjung:
We spend the night at Syangboche Panorama Hotel or trek to Khumjung Vollage. Today, we get up early, have breakfast and then begin trek to Thame Monastery on the way to Tibetan near Nangpala pass. This monastery is in fact the oldest in the region and has the complete set of texts concerning the Buddhism text and the religious mask dance performed by the Lamas. Near the monastery is also the Thame villlage with over one thousand people in the valley. Trek to Thame is very scenic. You can easily spot mountain goat such as the Himalayan Tahr, Serow, musk and pheasants. Once we reach Theme, we visit the monastery and a couple personal homes if time permits. We will have lunch break in Thame. After lunch, we will trek back the same way for few kilometers and spend the night at Syangboche Panorama Hotel or another lodge in Khumjung. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Alternative program is to trek straight to Syangpocheor Khumjung. Overnight at lodge. (BLD).

Day 8 Trekking to Tyangboche Monastery:
Early morning wake up and breakfast at the hotel. Then, begin trekking with your trek crew. You are likely to see Himalayan Tahr, Serow, Musk deer, Impeyan Pheasant, and other wildlife along the way to Tyangboche not to mention the superb views of the towering peaks. After trekking few kilometers down the slope, you will get on the traditional Everest route. The morning trek is rather easy.

Lunch break will be at Phungki Tyanga at the base of Tyangboche by the Dudh Koshi, a scenic place surrounded by forest. Take a short break after lunch. Then, trek up hill through the fir, pine, juniper, rhododendron and high altitude scrub forest until you reach Tyangboche Monastery compound. Tyangboche Monastery is the biggest in the Everest Region and is surrounded by towering icy peaks. From here, we can see sunset and sunrise over Everest if the weather is clear. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 9 Trek to Namche:
Today, we get up early to catch the sun rise over the towering peaks. From here, we can view Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, Ama Dablam, Kangteiga, Thamserku, Kwangde, Khumbila, Tawoche and much more. Then, breakfast and visit the monastery and the head Lama (called Tyanboche Chawi Lama) to receive blessings. The old murals inside the monastery was destroyed by the 1989 fire. However, all the interior and exterior design and decoration is almost as close as the old one. While at Tyangboche, look around the monastery in the bushes, you will most likely encounter a musk deer or variety of colorful pheasants. Then, we trek back the same way we trekked up.

Today, our lunch will be served at Lhawishasa, nearby the forestry nursery. Then, trek the remaining small up hill. Then, the rest of the trek to Namche is easy. Along the trail here, above or below, you will most likely see wild animals such as Serow, Himalayan Tahr, Musk deer, and colorful pheasants. Stop in a safe spot and look around. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 10 Trek to Phakding:
We get up early, have breakfast and begin the trek. Today, you will find the trek much easier as it is mostly going down hill. We will have our lunch at Monjowa village, where the Japanese have a vegetable plantation to produce fresh vegetables for its hotel, mentioned earlier. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 11 Trek to Lukla Airport:
Trekking back to Lukla is easy and short. Thus, we will get to Lukla early and explore bit of Lukla. You farewell with your trekking staff. Overnight in lodge (BLD).

Day 12 Lukla to Kathmandu flight:
Early wake up, pack up all the gear and be ready before breakfast is required as flying out of Lukla is done early in the morning. Your trekking crew will help you to transfer everything to the airport. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be received by our staff, and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in hotel. (BL).

Day 13 Departure from Kathmandu.
We will provide airport transfers and assistance at the airports. (B).

VISIT NEPAL FOR LESS 2004-2005!
Trek Cost Per Person In US Dollars:

Trek Price Includes:
Four nights accommodation in Kathmandu at two star boutique hotel or similar quality,
Eight nights accommodations in lodges with basic comfort along the trek route (best available lodges) with hot and cold shower,
All meals while on trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner),
Trekking guide and porters,
Transfers on arrival and departures and to domestic flights,
Entrance fees to monuments and parks visited,

Trek Price Exclude:
Personal travel equipment, personal travel insurance, and beverages, Kathmandu-Lukla roundtrip Airfare US$190 per person,
Staff insurance as per government regulation,