Namche Bazaar Trek

Receive you at Kathmandu aisrport on arrival and drive to hotel. Free time in the afternoon, and meeting guide and trip briefing. Stay night at hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, you’ll fly to Lukla (30 minutes) and land on a steep mountain runway, which brings you to the start of your trek. Try to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: The flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalaya on clear days. You’ll then trek a short distance today through local villages where you’ll likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks with their tinkling bells. An easy first day is intentional, allowing you time to get used to the higher elevation. Continue through the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and stay overnight in Phakding.

After breakfast in Phakding, you’ll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche. This is a challenging day as you’ll start to feel the altitude. The route also consists of a number of high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River that you need to cross. Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Everest. When you arrive at Namche, settle into your accommodations and explore the town. Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.

Today is a rest day, so feel free to sleep in and relax this morning. Namche, tucked between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu, is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatizing to the new altitude. There is an abundance of lodges, tea shops, and souvenir stands that you can visit. You can also head to the Khunde Hospital set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a highly-recommended one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for views of notable peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also good views from the Sherpa Culture Museum just above town.

Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river valley. It’s a long day, but it won’t be too difficult as it’s downhill and you’ll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking. You’ll make your way through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish. With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafes—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on your experience.

After breakfast in Lukla, you’ll take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu’s streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip. Other ideas include rewarding your muscles after the trek with a massage service. In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern dishes in Kathmandu.

It’s time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. We meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. It’s good to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.