YANTRA TOURS & TRAVELS

DETAIL ITINERARY DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: On arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal you will warmly welcome and received by us and transfer to your hotel where you will spend one overnight, but before that, we will discuss our itinerary and other details. DAY 02: Flight to Lukla: Early flight to Lukla (2886M) is about a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu. You spend some time in Lukla re-arranging your backpack and sharing your other burden with a local helper (Porter) once you’re ready to walk you walk about 2 hours to Phakding the trail is easy, mostly downhill. An easy walk of day one gets you to a small village on the bank of Dudh Koshi River. You spend overnight in a tea house. DAY 03: Trek to Namche Bazar: It is about a 5hrs trek from Phakding. You cross the bridge over Dudh Koshi river passing through the Toc-Toc, Bhenkar, and Manjo, You arrive at the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park where your travel detail would be transfer to the local authority further you will have your lunch somewhere before you cross the Dudh Koshi River once again and start steep uphill to the Namche Bazar. At Namche, you will spend the rest of your evening in a café or a restaurant if you like. Overnight in a hotel. DAY 04: Acclimatization in Namche Bazar: A perfect place for rest, before you head to a higher altitude, in the morning you head out a short hike to Everest view-point at the mountain museum. From here you can have your first sight on Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam, and Thamserku, Back in town, you spend the rest of your day exploring Namche or go for a hike on the other part of the hill. Overnight in a hotel. DAY 05: Trek to Dole: Breakfast in Namche and about 5 Hours walk to Dole (4040M.) A long day walk starts with a climb of Namche northern wall towards Kyandjuma where you can have an additional cup of Himalayan coffee and apple pie just before a steep high climb leaving one trail on the right that leads to Tangboche. You go steep high and suddenly flat (Mostly) through the mountain edge to Mong Village (4000m.), from here, you can see panoramic views of various mountains. You trek steeply descending the pass through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. You can enjoy a delicious meal at Phortse Tenga (3650m.). Overnight in a tea house lodge. DAY 06: Trek to Machhermo (4150M): Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4150m) which takes about five hours. From Dole, you climb steadily along the side of the valley, where small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements, which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch. Overnight in a tea house lodge. DAY 07: Trek to Gokyo (4750M): Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4750m) which takes about four and half hours. Today you head for the lakes at Gokyo. You follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the icy-water Rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes named Longponga at an elevation of 4710M. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes the Taugung Tsho (4740), crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5420m.). The third lake is known as Gokyo Tsho (4870M) and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. Overnight in a tea house lodge. DAY 08: Hike to Gokyo-Ri and Rest: You start your hike early in the morning at around 3:30 (Depending upon a sunrise time) to Gokyo Ri which is at an elevation of 5360 M it is about 600 meters to hike which a steep hike takes little more than 2 hours. As you climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri, is one of the finest in the Everest region, down below the Turquoise Lake Gokyo. The rest of the day is free and you spend it exploring the lakeshore or hiking surrounding mountains or simply reading the book back in your hotel. DAY 09: Crossing Ngozumba Glacier and trek to Dragnag: After having your breakfast you move slowly east to the Gokyo village uphill in initial and then downhill into the glacier it’s a crumbling lose ground with many sink-hole of icy glaciers scatters all around, sometimes you may hear bang sound of falling ice into the sinkholes nearby but you walk slowly and carefully for several hours, Ngozumba Glacier is Nepal’s longest as well as largest glacier once you step on to solid ground once again you head further east through the long valley for an hour and a half to another settlement called Dragnag. You stay overnight in the teahouse. DAY 10: Cho (Chhugyuma-Pass)-La (5420M) and to Dzong-La (The Fort): A very long day starts early in the morning about 4 AM you leave the teahouse through back door and head upward toward the Cho-La Phedi it is about 5 and a half-hour long trail. As the sun comes up you will realize the beautiful snowcapped mountains around, Ascending to Cho-LA from Phedi is mostly through the rocky path, The Chola pass is most of the time covered with blue ice giving you a chill feeling. Here you can also enjoy the panoramic view of various mountains and the beautiful white carpet of thick ice. You take the path with the right-hand side until the very end of the valley. You walk further right downhill to Dzong-La. You stay overnight in a Tea House. DAY 11: Trek to Gorakshep and hike to EBC: Trek from Dzongla to Gorakshep (5180m.) via Lobuche is about 5 hours long trail. You start descending at initial for about 30-40 minutes and then up-hills for another one and half hours, a beautiful mountain on your right side with Turquoise Lake of Dudgla Glacier it is just fantastic, a very good start of the day. You take left to the basecamp leaving the beautiful view of Firiche valley with mighty Amadablama standing just above it. Now you heading towards Gorakshep with the view of Nuptse-Lhotse and other mountains neighboring Everest further you come to the meeting point of the trail coming from Firiche from here the trail becomes one to the base camp. You are reaching Gorakshep crossing one more steep hill and an old rocky glacier. You can take a short tea break in the guest house and head to the base camp (5200M) leaving your backpack in the lodge except for the Camera, it is about 3 and half hour walk two way in the base camp you get just enough time to take pictures of the scattered tented camp of those who waiting to summit the Mt. Everest. Overnight in Tea House in Gorakshep. DAY 12: Kalapatthar hikes and ascend to Firiche: It is around two and half-hour before sunrise you start hiking to the Kalapatthar with headlamps the trail is demanding you go slowly to the very top of the rocky atop, the sun comes up behind the Everest and lit it’s tip first and gradually it drink by all the surrounding mountains you stay for few hours taking the picture and then start descending. Kalapathar is on the elevation of 5545 Meter and this is your maximum elevation climbed in this trip. You come down for breakfast and after breakfast, you descend slowly to Firiche via Lobuche. The Majestic view of Amadablam can be seen from the Firiche valley and for sure it will stay the best shot for many years until you travel back to Himalaya in the future. Overnight in a teahouse. DAY 13: Trek back to Namche Bazar via Tangboche Monastery: It is about a five-hour walk from Firiche to Namche Bazaar via Tangboche once you cross River at the end of firiche valley you ascend to the higher flat ground and then go almost flat to the suspension bridge over Imja Khola Passing Deboche and other scattered settlements now you entered into rhododendron forest with a gradual high trail to Tangboche monastery. You have lunch here in a fine restaurant and then you will visit the Monastery a well famous furry skull is preserved inside the Tangboche monastery is locally believed to be of a “Yeti” legendary Snow Man from Himalaya. You might see it if are lucky. In a while, you descend once again to the very bank of the River to cross and again hill up to a very good hike before you catch up the cross trail between Gokyo and Everest Base Camp trail just passing a small commercial settlement of Chhatyang Kharka just before Khyangjuma and from here you go further mostly flat with small UPS and down to the edge of Namche Bazar and with the final downstairs you end your day in your hotel. In Namche, you still get some hours to celebrate the success of your trip with friends and a supporting team. Overnight in a hotel. DAY 14: Trek back to Lukla: You start descending soon after breakfast after some leveled slope you catch the stairs that lead to the suspension bridge and further with many ups and downs and lunch break you cross the last bridge at Phakding and with the last minute's effort you start your last ascend to Lukla you pass through Rhododendron forest and entre into Lukla. Here you can relax with a nice cup of coffee and say goodbye to your supporting team. DAY 15: Fly to Kathmandu: Early flight to Kathmandu about 30 minutes, back in Kathmandu you will visit some of the historical monuments, you will visit Patan Durbar square which is located on the south to the Kathmandu city Patan is the second oldest settlement in the valley after Bhaktapur and stupa. DAY 16: Fly out from Nepal: You have your breakfast in the hotel. Noon you check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for final departure from Nepal.

PRE-TRIP ESSENTIALS: HEALTH: A visit to Nepal does not require special vaccination, however, we recommend consulting with the attending physician and to stock up with necessary drugs before you depart Medical services in Nepal are limited in mountainous areas. If you wear glasses, it is better to have at itself a spare couple. MOUNTAIN SICKNESS: Any person traveling above 2500m can get easy symptoms of a mountain illness. The first signs are headache, increased fatigue, sleeplessness, appetite loss, liquid loss by an organism, and puffiness. At the emergence of such signs, it is necessary to remain at this height before full acclimatization of an organism. It is necessary to use from 2nd to 4 liters of liquid a day. If symptoms don't pass and the state worsens, it is necessary to go down immediately. Sometimes even 300m can play a crucial role. Planning the travel, leave spare days on acclimatization at height 3700m and 4300m. After 4000m try not to rise more than 500m in one day. You can inadequately estimate the condition therefore always follow the advice of the accompanying guide or locals. WEATHER: Weather conditions on the mountain are unpredictable. It might be sunny during the day and cold as well as windy at night, especially at the high altitudes. Sudden rainstorms or snow flurries are always possibilities. Better be prepared! PACKING: Choosing the right clothing for your trip is very important. You always want to pack everything, but that could make a hassle. Keep in mind that in almost every mountain region in Nepal the days are warm and nights are cool. Usually, we recommend people bring warm jackets either fleece or down, long underwear, and worm shocks. Pair of pants and comfortable boots for the long day while sports shoes/sandals for hiking or during the less active period. The boots are another important factor while on trek make sure that they are waterproof. The basic principle of packing is comfort not luxury. In Kathmandu and Pokhara you can get any necessary gear at a very comfortable price. But if you just enquire before you start packing things we provide you better advice depending upon present weather conditions. Do not pack unnecessary things like hairdryers, lots of and lots of cosmetics, and electronics, while a battery power bank (Backup) for your mobile phone, iPod is recommended. Another important factor is that the porter/support you hire for the trip has a certain limitation of how much weight he will carry on his back. THINGS THAT YOU BEAR: Baggage, backpack you give to a porter shouldn't exceed 15 kg. Your small backpack for day transitions has to be designed for the most necessary in the way: the camera, water, additional clothes on a case of rain or a cold snap, cream from suntan, toilet paper, and other personal accessories if any. EMERGENCY AND YOUR SUPPORT TEAM: All our guide are well trained in first aid and can handle most of the basic illness that occurs at high altitude or in the jungle. Every group is equipped with a basic first aid kit, every traveler must have full travel insurance before coming to Nepal. And should make available a copy of the policy at our office in Kathmandu. If an emergency occurs, we will evacuate you from the mountain to one of the internationally recognized hospitals/clinics in Kathmandu and contact your insurance company.

YANTRA TOURS & TRAVELS

DETAIL ITINERARY DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: On arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal you will warmly welcome and received by us and transfer to your hotel where you will spend one overnight, but before that, we will discuss our itinerary and other details. DAY 02: Flight to Lukla: Early flight to Lukla (2886M) is about a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu. You spend some time in Lukla re-arranging your backpack and sharing your other burden with a local helper (Porter) once you’re ready to walk you walk about 2 hours to Phakding the trail is easy, mostly downhill. An easy walk of day one gets you to a small village on the bank of Dudh Koshi River. You spend overnight in a tea house. DAY 03: Trek to Namche Bazar: It is about a 5hrs trek from Phakding. You cross the bridge over Dudh Koshi river passing through the Toc- Toc, Bhenkar, and Manjo, You arrive at the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park where your travel detail would be transfer to the local authority further you will have your lunch somewhere before you cross the Dudh Koshi River once again and start steep uphill to the Namche Bazar. At Namche, you will spend the rest of your evening in a café or a restaurant if you like. Overnight in a hotel. DAY 04: Acclimatization in Namche Bazar: A perfect place for rest, before you head to a higher altitude, in the morning you head out a short hike to Everest view-point at the mountain museum. From here you can have your first sight on Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam, and Thamserku, Back in town, you spend the rest of your day exploring Namche or go for a hike on the other part of the hill. Overnight in a hotel. DAY 05: Trek to Dole: Breakfast in Namche and about 5 Hours walk to Dole (4040M.) A long day walk starts with a climb of Namche northern wall towards Kyandjuma where you can have an additional cup of Himalayan coffee and apple pie just before a steep high climb leaving one trail on the right that leads to Tangboche. You go steep high and suddenly flat (Mostly) through the mountain edge to Mong Village (4000m.), from here, you can see panoramic views of various mountains. You trek steeply descending the pass through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. You can enjoy a delicious meal at Phortse Tenga (3650m.). Overnight in a tea house lodge. DAY 06: Trek to Machhermo (4150M): Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4150m) which takes about five hours. From Dole, you climb steadily along the side of the valley, where small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements, which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch. Overnight in a tea house lodge. DAY 07: Trek to Gokyo (4750M): Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4750m) which takes about four and half hours. Today you head for the lakes at Gokyo. You follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the icy-water Rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes named Longponga at an elevation of 4710M. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes the Taugung Tsho (4740), crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5420m.). The third lake is known as Gokyo Tsho (4870M) and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. Overnight in a tea house lodge. DAY 08: Hike to Gokyo-Ri and Rest: You start your hike early in the morning at around 3:30 (Depending upon a sunrise time) to Gokyo Ri which is at an elevation of 5360 M it is about 600 meters to hike which a steep hike takes little more than 2 hours. As you climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri, is one of the finest in the Everest region, down below the Turquoise Lake Gokyo. The rest of the day is free and you spend it exploring the lakeshore or hiking surrounding mountains or simply reading the book back in your hotel. DAY 09: Crossing Ngozumba Glacier and trek to Dragnag: After having your breakfast you move slowly east to the Gokyo village uphill in initial and then downhill into the glacier it’s a crumbling lose ground with many sink-hole of icy glaciers scatters all around, sometimes you may hear bang sound of falling ice into the sinkholes nearby but you walk slowly and carefully for several hours, Ngozumba Glacier is Nepal’s longest as well as largest glacier once you step on to solid ground once again you head further east through the long valley for an hour and a half to another settlement called Dragnag. You stay overnight in the teahouse. DAY 10: Cho (Chhugyuma-Pass)-La (5420M) and to Dzong-La (The Fort): A very long day starts early in the morning about 4 AM you leave the teahouse through back door and head upward toward the Cho-La Phedi it is about 5 and a half-hour long trail. As the sun comes up you will realize the beautiful snowcapped mountains around, Ascending to Cho-LA from Phedi is mostly through the rocky path, The Chola pass is most of the time covered with blue ice giving you a chill feeling. Here you can also enjoy the panoramic view of various mountains and the beautiful white carpet of thick ice. You take the path with the right-hand side until the very end of the valley. You walk further right downhill to Dzong-La. You stay overnight in a Tea House. DAY 11: Trek to Gorakshep and hike to EBC: Trek from Dzongla to Gorakshep (5180m.) via Lobuche is about 5 hours long trail. You start descending at initial for about 30-40 minutes and then up-hills for another one and half hours, a beautiful mountain on your right side with Turquoise Lake of Dudgla Glacier it is just fantastic, a very good start of the day. You take left to the basecamp leaving the beautiful view of Firiche valley with mighty Amadablama standing just above it. Now you heading towards Gorakshep with the view of Nuptse-Lhotse and other mountains neighboring Everest further you come to the meeting point of the trail coming from Firiche from here the trail becomes one to the base camp. You are reaching Gorakshep crossing one more steep hill and an old rocky glacier. You can take a short tea break in the guest house and head to the base camp (5200M) leaving your backpack in the lodge except for the Camera, it is about 3 and half hour walk two way in the base camp you get just enough time to take pictures of the scattered tented camp of those who waiting to summit the Mt. Everest. Overnight in Tea House in Gorakshep. DAY 12: Kalapatthar hikes and ascend to Firiche: It is around two and half-hour before sunrise you start hiking to the Kalapatthar with headlamps the trail is demanding you go slowly to the very top of the rocky atop, the sun comes up behind the Everest and lit it’s tip first and gradually it drink by all the surrounding mountains you stay for few hours taking the picture and then start descending. Kalapathar is on the elevation of 5545 Meter and this is your maximum elevation climbed in this trip. You come down for breakfast and after breakfast, you descend slowly to Firiche via Lobuche. The Majestic view of Amadablam can be seen from the Firiche valley and for sure it will stay the best shot for many years until you travel back to Himalaya in the future. Overnight in a teahouse. DAY 13: Trek back to Namche Bazar via Tangboche Monastery: It is about a five-hour walk from Firiche to Namche Bazaar via Tangboche once you cross River at the end of firiche valley you ascend to the higher flat ground and then go almost flat to the suspension bridge over Imja Khola Passing Deboche and other scattered settlements now you entered into rhododendron forest with a gradual high trail to Tangboche monastery. You have lunch here in a fine restaurant and then you will visit the Monastery a well famous furry skull is preserved inside the Tangboche monastery is locally believed to be of a “Yeti” legendary Snow Man from Himalaya. You might see it if are lucky. In a while, you descend once again to the very bank of the River to cross and again hill up to a very good hike before you catch up the cross trail between Gokyo and Everest Base Camp trail just passing a small commercial settlement of Chhatyang Kharka just before Khyangjuma and from here you go further mostly flat with small UPS and down to the edge of Namche Bazar and with the final downstairs you end your day in your hotel. In Namche, you still get some hours to celebrate the success of your trip with friends and a supporting team. Overnight in a hotel. DAY 14: Trek back to Lukla: You start descending soon after breakfast after some leveled slope you catch the stairs that lead to the suspension bridge and further with many ups and downs and lunch break you cross the last bridge at Phakding and with the last minute's effort you start your last ascend to Lukla you pass through Rhododendron forest and entre into Lukla. Here you can relax with a nice cup of coffee and say goodbye to your supporting team. DAY 15: Fly to Kathmandu: Early flight to Kathmandu about 30 minutes, back in Kathmandu you will visit some of the historical monuments, you will visit Patan Durbar square which is located on the south to the Kathmandu city Patan is the second oldest settlement in the valley after Bhaktapur and stupa. DAY 16: Fly out from Nepal: You have your breakfast in the hotel. Noon you check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for final departure from Nepal.

PRE-TRIP ESSENTIALS: HEALTH: A visit to Nepal does not require special vaccination, however, we recommend consulting with the attending physician and to stock up with necessary drugs before you depart Medical services in Nepal are limited in mountainous areas. If you wear glasses, it is better to have at itself a spare couple. MOUNTAIN SICKNESS: Any person traveling above 2500m can get easy symptoms of a mountain illness. The first signs are headache, increased fatigue, sleeplessness, appetite loss, liquid loss by an organism, and puffiness. At the emergence of such signs, it is necessary to remain at this height before full acclimatization of an organism. It is necessary to use from 2nd to 4 liters of liquid a day. If symptoms don't pass and the state worsens, it is necessary to go down immediately. Sometimes even 300m can play a crucial role. Planning the travel, leave spare days on acclimatization at height 3700m and 4300m. After 4000m try not to rise more than 500m in one day. You can inadequately estimate the condition therefore always follow the advice of the accompanying guide or locals. WEATHER: Weather conditions on the mountain are unpredictable. It might be sunny during the day and cold as well as windy at night, especially at the high altitudes. Sudden rainstorms or snow flurries are always possibilities. Better be prepared! PACKING: Choosing the right clothing for your trip is very important. You always want to pack everything, but that could make a hassle. Keep in mind that in almost every mountain region in Nepal the days are warm and nights are cool. Usually, we recommend people bring warm jackets either fleece or down, long underwear, and worm shocks. Pair of pants and comfortable boots for the long day while sports shoes/sandals for hiking or during the less active period. The boots are another important factor while on trek make sure that they are waterproof. The basic principle of packing is comfort not luxury. In Kathmandu and Pokhara you can get any necessary gear at a very comfortable price. But if you just enquire before you start packing things we provide you better advice depending upon present weather conditions. Do not pack unnecessary things like hairdryers, lots of and lots of cosmetics, and electronics, while a battery power bank (Backup) for your mobile phone, iPod is recommended. Another important factor is that the porter/support you hire for the trip has a certain limitation of how much weight he will carry on his back. THINGS THAT YOU BEAR: Baggage, backpack you give to a porter shouldn't exceed 15 kg. Your small backpack for day transitions has to be designed for the most necessary in the way: the camera, water, additional clothes on a case of rain or a cold snap, cream from suntan, toilet paper, and other personal accessories if any. EMERGENCY AND YOUR SUPPORT TEAM: All our guide are well trained in first aid and can handle most of the basic illness that occurs at high altitude or in the jungle. Every group is equipped with a basic first aid kit, every traveler must have full travel insurance before coming to Nepal. And should make available a copy of the policy at our office in Kathmandu. If an emergency occurs, we will evacuate you from the mountain to one of the internationally recognized hospitals/clinics in Kathmandu and contact your insurance company.