Following breakfast, you will be introduced to the Places Nepal team. Today, we will try to cover every nook and gullies of this ancient city, starting with temples and stupas. We will adjust our lighting and move into the Palace Squares, where we will find fine, detailed architectural masterpieces, carved on stone and wood, even in the most unexpected places.

You can choose where to have lunch, and we will continue to capture as much of this magical land as possible before heading for trek briefings.

Your adventure continues with a scenic flight to Lukla, tucked away in the heart of the Himalayas. After landing, you'll have some time to acclimatize by exploring the charming village.

From Lukla, we begin a picturesque trek towards Phakding, passing through traditional Sherpa villages and soaking in stunning mountain views along the way. Tonight, we’ll stay in a cozy teahouse in Phakding, resting and preparing for the journey ahead.

ⓘ Important Note: During peak trekking seasons (March–May and September–November), flights to Lukla are often rerouted via Manthali Airport. If this happens, we'll pick you up from your hotel around 12:30 AM for a 5-hour drive to Manthali, followed by a short 20-minute flight to Lukla.

After an early breakfast, we set out for Namche Bazaar (3,440m), trekking through the villages of Thulo Gumela, Tok Tok, Benkar, and Manjo — the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park.

We’ll cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge and climb toward the Everest Viewpoint, where we'll catch our first breathtaking glimpse of Mt. Everest (8,848m). With the Dudhkoshi River by our side and several suspension bridges along the way, there will be plenty of chances for incredible photos.

After a final photo stop at the viewpoint, we continue our ascent to Namche Bazaar, where we'll wrap up the day's journey.

We’ll start our day early with breakfast in Namche before setting off towards the famous Hotel Everest View, perched at 3,880 meters above sea level and offering one of the best panoramic views of Mt. Everest.

The hike from Namche to the hotel usually takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on pace and stops. We'll take our time, allowing for photography breaks along the way. The trail is rich in biodiversity, with vibrant flora and occasional sightings of wild yaks, Himalayan sheep, and Himalayan Tahr, especially during grazing seasons.

Along the route, we’ll visit the National Park Museum, where exhibits highlight the natural history of Sagarmatha National Park, Sherpa culture, and the unique Himalayan wildlife. Nearby, the Viewpoint by the Nepal Army camp offers breathtaking mountain vistas — perfect for more unforgettable photographs.

Unlike most travelers who visit the Hotel Everest View just for breakfast, we will stay overnight, giving us extra time to explore and soak in the incredible surroundings. Fun fact: the hotel, opened in 1971 by Japanese adventurer Takashi Miyahara, holds the title of the highest-placed hotel in the world.

After breakfast, we set out for Tengboche (3,860m), a small yet sacred village home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. Founded in 1923, Tengboche Monastery has been a spiritual center for decades, offering peace and tranquility to both locals and trekkers.

We have two route options today: either return briefly to Namche and head onward or start directly from Hotel Everest View. Regardless of the path, breathtaking scenery will accompany us throughout.

Along the way, we’ll pass through charming villages like Sanasa, Lami Schyasa, and Phungi Thenga before reaching Tengboche. These villages offer a rare glimpse into the authentic lifestyle of Himalayan communities, perfect for capturing portraits and scenes of everyday life. Today’s trail also treats us to sweeping views of rolling hills crowned by the majestic Mt. Everest. In the soft light of morning and evening, the Dudh Koshi River glows golden, making for some truly unforgettable photos.

We'll end the day at a cozy lodge in Tengboche, where hot meals, a warm bed, and charging ports await to prepare us for tomorrow’s journey.

Waking up in Tengboche feels surreal, with the monastery and surrounding peaks glowing under the crisp morning light — perfect for some early photography.

After breakfast, we continue toward Dingboche (4,400m), trekking past Deboche, crossing the Imja River, and moving through Milinggo, Pangboche, Shomare, and Worshyo. Towering Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m) will guide us along the way.

Today’s hike gets a little tougher as we climb higher, but with a slow, steady pace, it’s nothing to worry about. Expect suspension bridges, rocky trails, and breathtaking views. We’ll break for lunch at a scenic spot and may even spot Himalayan tahr, colorful Danphe, or, if lucky, a snow leopard.

Reaching Dingboche, we’ll settle in for a warm meal and a good night’s rest, ready for the adventures ahead.

Today, there’s no rush for an early breakfast since we're staying in Dingboche for acclimatization.

Situated 9.1 km from Tengboche, Dingboche is the last permanent village in the Everest region. For acclimatisation, we have two exciting hiking options: Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m) or Chhukung Ri (5,546m).

A 2–3 hour hike to Nangkartshang rewards us with sweeping views of Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lhotse, Everest, and Pumori. Alternatively, exploring Chhukung Ri offers a higher climb with spectacular close-ups of Nuptse and surrounding giants.

Both locations are perfect for panoramic photography — truly a dream setting for capturing the vastness of the Himalayas.

After an early breakfast, we bid farewell to Dingboche and continue our journey towards Lobuche. With acclimatisation behind us, it feels exciting to get moving again through the Khumbu region.

Heading northwest, we’ll pass beautifully placed Manes and Stupas, with one particular Stupa offering stunning views of where we've been — and a glimpse of what lies ahead. Along the way, we’ll trek through the villages of Pheriche and Dugla, with Mt. Ama Dablam dominating the skyline in all its glory.

After crossing small Yak herder settlements, we’ll ascend to the Khumbu Glacier moraine — a tough climb made even harder by the thinning air. Reaching Thokla Pass, we’ll pass memorials dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on Everest, a sobering and powerful moment on the trail.

From there, a short hike brings us to Lobuche (4,900m), a small settlement offering basic comfort before our push towards Everest Base Camp. Lobuche also gives us incredible views of Mt. Nuptse and Lobuche Peak (6,119m).

We’ll spend the night here, resting and preparing for the next stage of our adventure.

Today brings another challenging but rewarding hike as we head to Gorakshep, situated at 5,164m — the last human settlement before Everest Base Camp and the base for Kalapathar Peak (5,550m). Gorakshep is only active during the trekking and mountaineering seasons.

We start the day early and trek to Everest Base Camp, passing a creek and a meteorological station along the way. After a steady climb, we reach Gorakshep for lunch and some rest before the final ascent to Everest Base Camp. 

Once at Everest Base Camp, we’ll take some time to capture the moment and create lasting memories. The feeling of standing at the foot of the world’s highest peak is truly unforgettable. After soaking in the experience, we’ll return to Gorakshep for the night.

Once at Gorakshep, we’ll enjoy peaceful spots to relax and appreciate the surrounding beauty, and an evening stroll around the village will be the perfect way to wind down.

Tomorrow, we’ll rise early to catch the sunrise from Kalapathar Peak. We’ll rest here tonight to recharge for another exciting day ahead.

Today, we rise before the sun to witness its first rays paint the Himalayas from Kalapathar Peak. We’ll have breakfast at 4:00 a.m. and aim to start our trek by 4:30 a.m.

The hike to Kalapathar from Gorakshep is only 1.3 kilometers, but it’s a steep ascent. It will be cold and windy, so be sure to wear warm clothes and keep your camera batteries protected, as the cold can drain them quickly. The 3-hour hike will be tough, but the stunning views of the mountains at sunrise will make every step worth it. From the summit of Kalapathar, we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramas of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Changtse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Tawache, Mt. Kantega, and the mighty Mt. Everest.

After capturing the perfect shots and soaking in the incredible landscapes, we’ll begin our journey to Zhongla (4,830m). The trek takes about 4 to 5 hours, with some ascents and mostly descending terrain. We’ll settle in a cozy lodge for the night to rest and recharge.

Today, another rigorous day of trekking awaits as we cross one of the three famous passes of the Khumbu region — Cho La Pass. This challenging section will require much focus, so we’ll keep photography to a minimum.

After an early breakfast, we’ll head northwest from Zhong La towards Cho La Pass. The ascent is steep, gaining around 600 meters, and reaching the highest point of the pass is a significant accomplishment. From here, we’ll begin our descent towards Gokyo.

The walk to Gokyo will be windy, but the views of the stunning Gokyo Lakes will remind us why we’re pushing ourselves. We’ll stop for lunch at Dragnag village before continuing towards Gokyo.

Situated on the eastern shore of Dudh Pokhari (the third Gokyo Lake), Gokyo village lies at the foot of Gokyo Ri. To the southeast, the village of Chharchung adds to the scenic harmony of the landscape.

We’ll set up camp at Gokyo for the night, taking in the beauty of the surroundings and resting for the next stage of the journey.

Today marks our final early morning breakfast! After we fuel up, it’s time to dress warmly and prepare for the climb to Gokyo Peak. The hike will take around 2 to 4 hours, depending on the pace.

From the summit, we’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of towering peaks like Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu. The panoramic mountain vistas are incredible, but the view of the Gokyo Lakes below is equally mesmerizing — it will feel like they’re posing for the perfect shot.

After taking in the stunning scenery and capturing the moment, we’ll descend back to Gokyo to rest for the night.

Today marks our final day high in the mountains, though the Himalayas will still be all around us. After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Gokyo (4,750 meters) and begin our descent towards Dole.

The trail winds downward alongside the Dudh Koshi River, and as we lose elevation, the return of trees and forests will signal the approach of lower hills. Along the way, we'll pass through Machhermo, a small Sherpa village, before finally arriving at Dole.

Photography stops will be minimal today as we focus on the steady descent. We’ll spend the night at Dole (4,038 meters), resting up for the journey ahead.

Another day of downhill trekking lies ahead as we leave Dole behind and make our way to Monjo.

Descending steadily, we’ll pass through familiar landscapes, stopping for lunch at Lukla before continuing toward Monjo. Along the way, we'll check out at the Sagarmatha National Park office — a moment to celebrate our journey so far.

Monjo (2,835 meters) is a quiet mountain village nestled between Phakding and Jorsale. We’ll spend the night at a local lodge, resting well for the final stages of our adventure.

All great adventures must eventually come to an end. Today, we bid farewell to the high mountains and re-enter the rolling hills of Nepal.

Retracing our steps, we’ll pass through the villages of Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, Chuthuwa, and others, with the Dudh Koshi River flowing alongside us. The trail is gentle, allowing us to enjoy some final farewell photography sessions along the way.

We’ll arrive at Lukla (2,860 meters) in the afternoon and settle in for our last night in the Everest region.

We take a scenic flight back to Kathmandu/Manthali after breakfast. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to our hotel. We spend the rest of the day exploring Thamel, relaxing, or maybe getting a massage. We also visit the Places Nepal office to share our experiences.

In the evening, we have a farewell dinner hosted by Places Nepal. We spent our last night in Kathmandu.

ⓘ Note: During the busy trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights from Lukla might sometimes be redirected to Manthali Airport.

A Places Nepal representative will escort you from your hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure.
Thank you for choosing Places Nepal to be part of your adventure — we hope to welcome you back again soon!