Everest Lodge Trek 18 Days
(Environment friendly trek with lodge accommodation along the route)

Best Season: September to November and February to early May.
Trek Grade: Strenuous

Fall 2003 Departures:
Sep.15- Oct. 2, Oct 6-23, Oct. 13-30, Nov. 3-20, Nov. 10-27,
Nov. 17-Dec. 5, Dec. 1-18, 8-25, Dec. 15-Jan.1, 2004.

Spring 2004 Departures:
March 1-18, 8-25, Mar. 15-Apr. 1, Mar. 22-Apr. 8, Apr. 5-22, 12-29, Apr. 19-May 6, 2004.

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 accommodation 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 the Himalayas!

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 trekking programs that use lodge accommodations are environment friendly treks because we use the lodges along the trek, and do not buy nor use anything that brings an impact on the environment. The lodge accommodation trek takes the traditional Everest expedition route where established lodges with clean rooms serve delicious Nepali and western cuisines.

Itinerary: Everest Lodge Trek 18 Days:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal:
Upon arrival, meet and greet and transfer to hotel, itinerary briefing, Nepali dinner with or without folk cultural show or at leisure. Last minute equipment pick up must be done today. (D).

Day 02: Kathmandu Valley Tour:
Early morning breakfast, and depart for Pashupatinath Temple-Bouddha Stupa-Patan and Kathmandu Durbar Squares tours. (BL).

Day 03: 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. Arrive in Phakding village, a scenic riverside camp. It is a small Sherpa village with resorts and camping grounds for the trek to and from the Everest Region. Dinner will be 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. You will have to bring your own. Beer and hard drink is available along the trek route including local beer (chang). As a caution, please do not drink too much and walk in the dark or drink during the day. Meals served at local inns and lodges along the trek route. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 04: 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 up hill in the afternoon.

Lunch break en-route at Jorsale near the Sagarmatha National Park entrance point. After lunch, you 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 up hill until you reach Namche Village, and you will begin to feel the thin air. So, walk slowly, taking small breaks and continue until you reach the lodge. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 05: Namche at leisure for acclimatization:
After breakfast, your guides will lead you to visit monasteries, personal homes, museums and trek around at ease to explore the Sherpa life styles here and the surrounding environment. Lunch break in Namche and dinner will be served at the lodge. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 06: Trek to Thame Monastery to Syangboche or Khmjung:
Today, we get up early, have breakfast and then begin trek to Thame Monastery on the way to Tibet border near Nagpala 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 there is enough time.

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 or in Khumjung, a Sherpa village. Dinner will be served at the hotel/lodge. Overnight at hotel or lodge. (BLD).

Day 07: Trekking to Tyangboche Monastery:
Early morning wake up and breakfast at the hotel. Then, begin trekking with your trek crew. Along the way, briefly visit the famous Everest View Hotel built by a Japanese in the early 70s. 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 08: Trek to Pheriche:
We get up early, have breakfast and start our trek early so that we reach Pheriche early to attend the lecture seminar given by doctors (at the Himalayan Rescue Association) on high altitude sickness. The trek is very scenic. Along the way, we can see towering peaks and low lying alpine scrub forests including high altitude rhododendrons to junipers. We pass through Pangboche Village. The last Sherpa village settlement in the Everest Region. Overnight in lodge. (BLD)

Day 09: Trek to Lobuche:
Early wake up, breakfast and start our trek. From here on, we will not experience a forest environment, but low lying alpine scrubs. The main attractions are the mighty towering Tawoche, Cholatse, Lobuche Peak, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse Shar, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and other neighboring peaks. These crystal razor edged peaks are the main scenery beyond Pangboche. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 10: Trek to Gorakhshep:
Today, we get up early again, have breakfast and carry a pack lunch. We mostly trek through boulders and moraine glacier that begins at Everest base camp. The environment here is rugged and adventurous. We camp at Gorakhshep, the last place where locals have set up inns, few hours before Everest base camp. NOTE: Here, you have choice of trek to Everest Base Camp or trek to Kalapathar peak to have mirror view of Everest. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 11: Trek to Kalapathar and trek back to Lobuche:
Today should be the most exciting day for everyone because we trek up the Kalapather Peak 19000 ft. above sea level to have a mirror view of Mt. Everest. To achieve this excitement, we get up 3.00 AM, have hot tea, coffee, snack and begin the trek. We stop at the top for about an hour to enjoy the stunning views of the mountans and Khumbu Glacier Valley. Then, we trek back to our camp, have lunch and trek back to Lobuche. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 12: Trek to Tyangboche:
We wake up around 6.00 AM, and begin trek around 8.00 AM. The views around Chhukung are spectacular. After breakfast, we trek to Tyangboche monastery. From today on, we trek back celebrating our achievements of trekking in high places. The entire trek is a celebration because we experience a different landscape at every step we take on these treks. Overnight in lodge. (BLD).

Day 13: 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 14: Trek to Phakding:
As usual, 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 15: 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 16: 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 17: At leisure in Kathmandu:
Explore the valley on your own.
Help to visit place will be provided upon request. Overnight in hotel. (B).

Day 18: Departure from Kathmandu.
We will provide airport transfers and assistance at the airports.

Cost for Everest Lodge Trek 18 Days:

Kathmandu-Lukla: Roundtrip airfare US$182 per person.

Trek Cost Includes:

1-Two nights accommodation in quality hotel in Kathmandu based on twin sharing and breakfast,
2-a half to full day Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour,
3-monument and national park entrance fees,
4-all ground transportation within Nepal including to and from start and end points of treks and airport,
5-trekking staff (guide (s) and porters/Yaks/horse),
6-all meals during the trek (three meals a day),
7-Nepalese staff insurance,
8-welcome & farewell dinners in Kathmandu.

Trek Cost Does Not Include:
Visa fees, international and domestic airfares (Kathmandu-Lukla/Roundtrip airfare US$182 per person),
airport departure tax,
Lunch and dinner not mentioned in the program,
All items of personal nature (personal clothing,personal insurance, alcoholic beverages, telephone, laundry),
Special permit fees for restricted areas, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control such as bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, and emergencies. Meal Abbreviations: B= Brekafast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner.

Booking Policy:
For all overseas bookings, we require advance confirmation with a booking deposit of US$200 per person or full payment of the tour upon making the reservation with us. Final payment for short tours must be received 60-120 days prior to trip departure; payment for long duration tours and expeditions must be paid in full 60-180 days before your trip departure. We also accept last minute bookings from clients upon making full payment of the tour being sought. Please carefully read our booking and payment policy on the trip application form or ask us for any question that you may have concerning how to make your payment for your tour with us.