Everest BC Yoga Trek

introduction day to meet our representative in Kathmandu. Full trek briefing will follow about any necessary formalities and program itinerary, appropriate gear to pack, time for last-minute shopping. This is a day of preparation for your trek. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding 2,650m/8,700ft After breakfast, we take an early morning flight to Lukla. After an adventurous 40 minute flight above breathtaking mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountain peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet our other crew members and after some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short trek today. Overnight at Phakding.

3,440m/11,300ft treks We cross the Dudh Kosi by the first of several bridges built by the Himalayan Trust. Continuing gradually up the valley the trail undulates through the forest through Benkar and Chumoa before reaching Monjo where we will have lunch. After lunch, we enter the Sagarmatha National Park and we follow the Dudh Kosi further north, crossing from one bank to the other. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests of rhododendron, giant fir, and magnolia trees, and both in spring and autumn the ground is bright with flowers. After Jorsale the trail climbs over a spur and alongside a dripping moss-grown cliff, to cross the west fork of the river, the Bhote Kosi, and start the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. About 300 m. up this ascent we should have a first view, cloud permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. Another short climb brings us to Namche Bazaar, the administrative center of the Khumbu region and headquarters for the Mount Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading center with a weekly market.

This is the day for acclimatization to altitude. We spend the day taking a hike to Thame valley and Thame Buddhist Monastery or just walking around the village itself. Namche Bazzar is the main center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery, and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. We can visit the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazar - Tengboche Monastery 3,870m/12,700ft trek Start to walk up to the spectacular situated Everest View Hotel where we have tea. We will be rewarded with excellent views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and many other magnificent Himalayan peaks. The fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us includes Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Tengboche has long been a sacred spot. The Lama Sange Dorje, who first brought Buddhism to the region, is said to have flown from his monastery in Tibet over the Himalaya, landing and leaving his footprints here and at Pangboche. Visitors should be careful to respect the spirit of this special place, particularly by observing the ban on killing or hurting any living creature in the area. Tengboche is home to the region's largest monastery, a destination for monks of all ages throughout the country to practice and study Buddhism. The public is invited to witness their puja ceremonies, where they chant prayers and perform rituals inside the ornately decorated gompas.

Tengboche - Pangboche - Dingboche highest permanent settlement on the approach to Everest and in the upper village, there is a gompa (monastery) founded by the lama Sange Dorje. Pangboche offers great views on what many people consider as the most beautiful mountain peak in the Himalayas, Mount Ama Dablam. We descend throughout most of the morning into the Ijma Khola river only to once again gradually ascend as we follow the river northward, past more mani walls and through a few small villages. The valley ahead will begin to open up as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche Khola, descend into the Khola and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche (4,400m/14,430ft). We are now on the northwest side of Ama Dablam and even though we have changed our view by 90 plus degrees over the last few days, it still appears as a monstrous tooth with incredibly steep sides tapering up to a near-perfect pointed peak.

Dingboche - Rest day or day Trek We spend a day at Dingboche (4,400m,14,430ft) to continue our acclimatization. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang at 5,100m/16,730m for great views of lotse, and Mount Ama Dablam.

Dingboche - Lobuche 4,900m/16,070m 5hr trek Back on the trek again, the trail from Dingboche ascends, emerging onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuche (4,900m/16,070m) a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed.

Lobuche - Gorak Shep - Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar This trek Another long day and again we leave very early. Trekking across a glacier, the trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, where, usually in spring, we may see some of the expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. From the Base Camp, we get fantastic close-up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate a route through the huge blocks of ice. From here we can climb up to Kala Pattar. We descend from the Base Camp to Gorak Shep.

Gorak Shep - Pheriche 4,370m/14,340ft Retracing our steps along the moraine we descend into the Pheriche valley with spectacular views of Ama Dablam.

Pheriche - Pangboche - Tengboche 3,870m/12,700ft 6hr trek Retracing our steps along the terminal moraine we descend into the Pheriche valley with spectacular views of Ama Dablam.join the main Imja Khola Valley, which we follow down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape with superb views looking back to the great ridge of Lhotse-Nuptse that hides the lower slopes of Everest. We drop down to the rushing Imja Khola and then walk through the peaceful rhododendron forests, to the village of Devoche and then Tengboche.

Tengboche - Namche Bazar 3,440m/11,300ft From Tengboche we descend off the ridge and walk back to Namche Bazaar along a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi from where we still can see Mount Everest.

Namche Bazar - Phakding - Lukla 2,860m/9,380ft We descend from Namche Bazaar and will have lunch in Monjo, where we finally leave Sagarmatha National Park again. After Monjo, last part of the trail, pass Phakding and just before Lukla climb the short distance to the famous Lukla airstrip.

Lukla - Kathmandu We fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.