Everest Trekking Tour

In Delhi's 3000 years of existence, seven cities stood where the present capital of India stands. Here you'll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary - where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist besides a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.

After breakfast sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.
Visit the 7th city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1639-48 AD) after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. Red Fort – the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656. It is India's largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. Visit Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words "Hey Ram". An eternal flame burns 24 hours.

Afternoon visit New Delhi.
Visit the Humayun's Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The Qutub Minar – the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy's residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles - the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chattris Hindu and the graceful colonnades very British. It has 340 rooms. The Government Buildings designed by Baker, are topped by baroque domes and decorated with lotus motifs and elephants, while the north and south gateways are Mughal in design.

The northern building has an inscription with "Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be enjoyed". The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter. Inside is the library and chambers for the council of state, chamber of princes and legislative assembly. The India Gate (42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces' losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Transfer to the airport to connect flight to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu transfer to the hotel.

Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, nestled in the cradle of the Himalayas, the highest mountains in the world.Kathmandu Tour It is the world's only Hindu Kingdom, unified by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in the late 18th century. Nepal is known as the kingdom where deities mingle with mortals. It is a blend of the best of China, Tibet and India, squeezed between the vastness of China to the north and India to the south, east and west, and the staircase to the forzen heights of "the roof of the world. Nepalese people are perhaps the friendliest in the world, with kind and spiritual nature. The scenery is simply without parallel.

After noon visit Kathmandu city, a city which looks like a living museum. Visit the Durbar Square, the highest concentration of at least 48 buildings of unique architecture, palaces, monuments and temples are found here. We continue to the Kumari Bhal, or the Temple of the Living Goddess. A young Buddhist girl whom the locals believe is a living goddess appears in a window of the temple courtyard. However, you will not be allowed to come any closer to this deity, as only Hindus are allowed an audience with her. Overlooking the Durbar Square is the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, built by King Pratap Mall in the 17th century, which means the "gate of the Monkey God". At the entrance there is a huge statue of the Monkey God Hanuman from the Ramayan epic. Shiva-Parvati Temple, a three storey temple famous for its erotic stone carvings. visit to the world's most glorious Buddhist Also visit stupa of Swayambunath. It is said to be 2000 years old and is situated 70 m above the level of valley. Often referred to as the `Monkey Temple'. This temple is believed to be famous in the tantric cult.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast visit the second sister city of the capital, Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur), which means "the City of Devotees". It is the 3rd largest in the valley, which has preserved its medieval character, said to have been founded by King Ananda Deva in the 9th century. The houses with artistic stone cutting work, as well as the beautiful wood carving date back to the time of King Bhupatindra Mallas (17th century). The city was constructed in the shape of a conch shell – an object of religious significance to Hindus and Buddhist. Visit Durbar Square with King Palace specially its golden gate and 55-Windows-Palace (15th century), the 5 storey Nyatopala-Temple, the highest and probably the finest temple in Kathmandu Valley, built by King Bhupatindra. The 2 storey Bhairabnath-Temple (18th century) as well as the Dattatraya Temple dedicated to God Vishnu and the Pujahari Math with its famous Peacock Window. Apart from the usual temples and palaces, the added attractions are the Big Bell, the bell of the Barking Dog, the lion gate, and the picture gallery.

Afternoon visit the ancient town of Patan also known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty and Fine Art) .It was an important Buddhist centre, that flourished under the Malla kings. Patan is an ancient city filled with exotic pagodas, intricate gateways, fabulous deities, and endless carvings. Stroll through the city, visiting Durbar Square with the Old King's Palace. Visit Krishna Temple with its depictions of ancient Hindu epics and the Ashoka Stupa, and the mythological bird Garuda with spread wings on the peak of a pillar sits. Also visit Taleju Temple (17 century), the 3 storey Bhimsen Temple. Further you see the Shiva Temple with two stone elephants and artistic, erotic stone cutting work, and the Mahabuddha Temple (14th century), the temple of 1000 Buddhas, similar to the one in Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained Nirvana. Next we visit the Tibetan Refugee Settlement. This is an interesting slice of culture and history contained in a relatively small area. In 1957 the Chinese invaded Tibet, causing thousands of Tibetans to flee their country. The Tibetans crossed the Himalayan Mountains on foot and many settled in Nepal. This camp was formed with the help of the United Nations and provides a place for the people of Tibet to work and live self-sufficiently, while they await the opportunity to return to their homeland.

Overnight at the hotel.

Drive to Jiri, 1860 m where begins your trekking Tour, which is a relatively new town by the look of the small hotels and restaurants that have sprung up. Dinner and overnight in tents at Jiri.

The trek starts with a climb to the ridge top at 2400 m then drops down to Shivalayas at 1800 m. From Shivalaya one again climbs to Sangbadanda at 2150 m and one begins to see the mani stone walls which an indication of the region being Buddhist. As always mani walls and most holy Buddhist structures in the mountains have to be crossed from the left and in a clockwise direction with your right always to the structure, which could be a flag, chorten (stupa), shrine or monastery etc. Trek continues to Kosaribas at 2500 m and onto a pass at 2700 m before descending to Bhandar at 2200 m. There is a diversion to Thodong if one is interested to see the cheese factory established in the 1950s with Swiss aid.

Overnight at Bhandar in tents.

The trail drops down to the Likhu Khola and crosses the river at 1580 m. One then has to climb through Kenja and then rise steeply yo a fork where you choose the route to Sagar at 2440 m. These are mostly Sherpa villages here.

Overnight at Sagar.

Today you will cross the Lamjura pass at 3530 m after a long and gradual climb. This region is full of rhododendrons in spring. Goyem at 3300 m on your way to the pass is good lunch stop. The pass is the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar and from the top you descend to the Tragdobuk at 2860 m then to the pretty Sherpa village of Junbesi at 2675 m. There is monastery and restaurants here and good spot to do small walks and hikes around the region.

Overnight at Junbesi.

Today the trek has a downward route initially to Phaphlu and then a climb to a ridge at 3060m and from here you can get the first views of the Everest. The route then descends to Salung at 2980 m and the Ringmo Khola at 2650 m. Take a dip in the river if you wish as the waters of the Dhudh Kosi is much colder. Around the Ringmo you have apple and other fruit trees. One has to again ascend to the Trakshindo pass at 3071 m and descend to the monastery that you can visit here. Further down one comes to the camping place for the night called Nuntale.

Overnight at Nuntale.

Toady we trek down to the Dudh Kosi right down to 1500 m. As in most treks in the Nepal Himalayas it is a series of climbs and descents and again one climbs to Jubing at 1680 m and continue upto Khari Khola at 2070 m.

Overnight at Khari Khola.

The trail drops to 2010 metres then climbs to Bupsa at 2300m . The trek all along gives one the interesting view of the Dudh Kosi river 1000m below the steep side. This view ends once we get close to Puiyan at 2730 m that is off the Dudh Kosi valley.

Overnight at Puiyan.

The trek today is a steady walk up the ridge at 2800 m and a drop down to Surkhe after that there is a turn towards the Lukla airstrip. Phakding Tour From here follow the route to Phakding at 2650m.

This is where you spend the night at camp.

First ascend to Benkar at 2700 m and then onto Chomoa. Here is a lodge that was built by a resident Japanese and like many other foreigners who spent long months in a country faraway from their own fascinated by its simplicity and awe inspiring beauty. This is also where you enter the Sagarmatha national park that is a protected zone. Once again one has to make a steady climb to Namche Bazar at 3440 m. This is the main settlement of the Solu Khumbu region and the has a post office, police station, national park office and a colourful market.

Overnight at Namche bazar.

One begins the walk today to Khumjung or takes the direct route to Dhudh Kosi at 3250 m where there are water driven prayer wheels. Then asteep ascent brings one to Thangboche at 3870m. The phographers favourite with the beautiful Ama Dablam peak in tNamche Tourhe background. Thangboche temple was founded 50 years ago by Lama Gulu. The main temple was earlier destroyed in 1933 by and earthquake and was one of the early shrines of this Khumbhu region when Buddhism was introduced here by the Rinpoche of Ronbok in the 17th century. They were not called monasteries as initially there were no monks and nuns with formal organization and this was introduced much later. Thangboche is also famous for the annual Mani Rimdu festival which is held every November- December where they have masked dances dramatizing the victory of Buddhism over Bon, the ancient animistic religion.

Over night at Thangboche.

From here on the altitude is something one has to come to terms with. After an initial drop down to Devuche the climb is steadily upward crossing excellent mani stones to Pangboche at 3860m. There is monastery here with a yeti scalp and normally a good lunch stop. The trail further climbs to Pheriche at 4240 m. There are several good restaurants here catering to mountain expeditions with a a lot of its imported food in use all the time of the year.

Overnight at Pheriche. Another night at Pheriche is recommended as an acclimatization stop.

Trek to Lobuje 4930m is via Phalang Karpa at 4340m and Dulgha at 4620m. Nepal being a rather well organised trekking country and the local populace depending so much on it has managed to build small trekking huts and lodges in all these farflung villages. However they tend to be crowded and noisy sometimes but the views of the mountains are superb Trekking to Melemchingaon.

Dinner and overnight in tents.

This day is going to be when you encouneter the highest parts of the trek. However this is not without reward for those who love mountains as the best views of Everest are possible from here. Gorak Shep one reaches 5160 m and the highest point on the tek. If one is energetic enough to Trek to Kala Pattar at 5545 m the best view of Everest is possible without climbing it ! The night is spent at Gorak Shep or for those who do not like the altitude one can come down to Lobuje but downhill can be tiring in these altitudes.

Overnight Camp.

Trek to Pheriche.

Trek to Tengboche.

Trek to Namche.

Trek to Lukla.

Fly to Kathmandu. Arrival transfer to the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for flight to back home (Check out time is 1200 hrs).