Everest Short Trek – 08 Days

The adventure starts in the morning, with a brief but extraordinarily picturesque flight from Kathmandu (or Ramechhap, in the off-season) to Lukla Airport dramatically situated at 2,840 meters. This 30–35 minute flight is a hair-raising experience of the Himalayas from the air, meandering through snow-capped mountains and then making an exciting touchdown on the narrow mountain airstrip—one of the smallest airstrips in the world and the most famous.

When you get to Lukla, you will be introduced to your local trekking crew—guides and porters who will keep you company all throughout the journey. After a quick break and gear check, the trek starts officially. The trail descends gradually from Lukla, passing through beautiful Sherpa settlements such as Chaurikharka and Ghat. The way is adorned with mani walls (these are stone walls with Buddhist prayers inscribed on them), fluttering prayer flags, and chortens (stupas), which gives a very profound feeling of local culture and spirituality. The roaring sound of the Dudh Koshi River can be heard in the background as you go through your first suspension bridges while breathing in the clean mountain air.

After just 3 to 4 hours of walking on a track that is not very steep, you will reach a riverside village, Phakding, in a quiet pine forest. At 2,610 meters, it is a perfect spot to relax and start the process of acclimatization. You will usually be accommodated in a small teahouse and have a hot meal, and maybe take a short walk around the village or along the river before retiring for the night.

The first day is more of an introduction to the delights of walking in this region—partly manicured paths, smiling faces, and the constant tug of the blue-hued mountains.

Following a peaceful night's rest in Phakding, the sound of the Dudh Koshi River will wake you up near the crisp Himalayan air filling your lungs. First, you enjoy a hearty breakfast to wait for an action-packed day-- today you get the chance to enter the core of Sagarmatha National Park, reaching the vibrant mountain village Namche Bazaar, the main gateway to Everest. Firstly, the route starts and gently fluctuates through the thick forest of pine, fir, and rhododendron where bright villages can be found such as Benkar and Monjo. For the first time, you can be seen passing over the prayer flag-laden suspension bridges which are about to fall and swing above the river. After some time, we exited Monjo with diversified feelings. Take a short walk or even a longer one if you feel like it to either Monjo or Tomolung. Monjo is where you notify the park entrance with your permits and from here levels begin to elevate. You can see the mountain peaks far better, and the path is steep gradient. The section of the hike that is definitely the most interesting segment today happens after you crossed the Hillary Suspension Bridge, the most famous and the highest over the mountain region. It is a very strenuous and steep part of the route which is about 600 meters upwards along the zigzag track with thin air and rising altitude. Try to go slowly, drink plenty, and admire the 360 views. If the skies are clear, you might be lucky to see your first sight of the mighty Mt. Everest from a distance. Moving on, approximately 6 to 7 hours after, you are going to get to Namche Bazaar that is surrounded by high mountains and shaped like a horseshoe—the village is the economic center for the Solu-Khumbu district, and generally, the trade with Tibet at the border to China took place here. The banks of the village are ritually painted in 5 colors against the 5 spirits; Sherpas perform their sustainable farming in those five fertile areas of the mountainside. You will go to a teahouse, eat a hot meal, and enjoy and see the many wonders around. Namche, which is at an altitude of 3,440 meters, not only a place of break, but the most important acclimatization stage for all the treks in the Everest region.

Today it’s all about getting the body used to the high altitude and enjoying the mountain’s charm. Even though it’s a day off, as if! The strategy called “climb high, sleep low” is the most effective method of acclimatization, and such a short walk is made for that day for you to get used to the air at higher altitudes. Following breakfast, you will undertake an acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m), it is the highest in altitude, in the world. Situated in the Khumbu region of Nepal, above the bustling market town of Namche, it offers a walk to remember, especially when done in the early morning. . When you come to the viewpoint, you are presented with the marvelous view of Mount Everest (8,848m) in the distance which is flanked by Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and other prominent peaks of the Khumbu Himal. It is one of the must-see mountain panoramas, in addition to the Poon Hill viewpoint, every traveler should visit in Nepal on a clear day. Regarding the viewpoint visit, once every two years or so, for a longer time to have a chance, if you hear that the weather is going to be good, is something we expect. During your way back, if you want, you can make brief stops also for a visit at the Sherpa Culture Museum and Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center, There you will be able to get to know in detail about local traditions, climbing history, and unique biodiversity of the region. Tengboche Monastery is another place you can visit on your way to Namche, where you will gain a better understanding of the Sherpa culture and history. After lunch, Namche Bazaar, the mountain town with the most action and character, is all yours to wander around! There is a rich variety of shops and facilities, ranging from cozy cafes and lovely shops to gear stores, art galleries, and even an Irish pub. Engage with the local market vendors (especially if it is a busy Saturday) to experience the Sherpa culture in full already in the vicinity of the bustling Namche Bazaar street market. Later in the day you can come back to your lodge where a warm meal and a bed to lie will be waiting for you and then have a good night's sleep. You will be much more used to the low oxygen level of the environment, more vigorous, and the coming journey will be ahead of you now. You are ready for the higher parts of the Himalayas.

After a good night's sleep in Namche, you will then take one of the most spectacular parts of the hike. Today's leg to Tengboche does not only promise majestic mountain views but also allows you to have an enthralling spiritual experience at one of the most important monasteries of the Khumbu region. Along with the way, it is a short climb at the beginning of Namche that provides you with the wonderful vistas of the Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and Thamserku peaks which decorate the skyline. During the trip, the path nestles among yaks that are grazing in lush meadows, trees of mani engraved with sacred mantras, and colorful prayer flags flying in the alpine breeze. In the approximate 2 hours it takes for the relatively easy walk, the trail will first go down steeply to Phunki Tenga, a riverside village in the woods. This is where the lunch break will be, in the cacophony of the Imja Khola whirring, where you could replenish your energy for the challenging climb that lies ahead. Exerting yourself from the bottom of Phunki Tenga, you will walk up a forest of rhododendron, pine, and fir trees and if you are trekking in the spring when the flowers are in bloom, the experience will be even more magical. The climb is not very sharp but it is persistent and the whole section lasts around 2 hours. Reaching the top of the ridge, you will see Tengboche (3,860m), which is the well-known Tengboche Monastery—the most sacred place in the Khumbu region. That place is so peaceful and beautiful with the 360-degree view of the mountain. The sunlit backdrop of Ama Dablam looms over the monastery and makes it an indelible memory. It is possible to go to the monastery where the monks meet in the afternoon to perform prayer rites. The sound of the low hum of the prayer and the incense scent in the air, and the magnificent presence of Everest are the three aspects of this experience that you will remember. Most probably, this evening you will be accommodated at a nearby guesthouse, being warmed by the burning yak dung, and the silent joy of your presence at a unique spot of the trail.

As the morning sun uncovers Tengboche's virginity, shining it straight onto the ridges of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Thamserku and coloring them in gold, you head back to Namche Bazaar, walking along the route you came from. The return will be as thrilling and tiring as the way to Tengboche for sure. The descent in the altitude and the way itself make the trek an emotional and a physical up-and-down even today. Along the way you have passed the peaceful, spiritual altitude of Tengboche and are now back on course to the vibrant heart of Namche. The way starts with a very steep descent in rhododendron and juniper forests, spiraling down to Phunki Tenga from where the sound of the river greets you once more. This section is quite tricky and requires a balancing act at the best of times and is particularly treacherous in the event of the paths being wet or dusty. From Phunki Tenga, the trail goes uphill back to Sanasa, where there is a well-known junction and the mountains Ama Dablam being the center of attention. The path seems like a clockwork, as yaks, porters, and fellow trekkers keep passing each other, creating a rhythm of movement and camaraderie. Finally, besides the small Sherpa settlements, prayer wheels, mani stones, and sometimes even a stupa, you can notice the trail’s features; they remind you that even going through the entire journey for the second time, there’s still so much to explore. Approx. 5-6 hours later i.e. around the time that the path is turning back and you are reaching Namche Bazaar, you may realize that the place now seems similar to your home. At the teahouse, first, you’ll shower before you check in, and later, if you want, you can relax by having some delicious local food like hot apple pie from a bakery or a warm drink at a café. When the town is soft and drenched in the evening blues, you sleep tight, having known the great journey of the Everest region, where the scenery is from the highest level, life is very Himalayan, and the stories with locals you’ll keep like a treasure.

With today being the last day of the trek, you'll have to travel a rather long but nevertheless a very interesting route back to Lukla from Namche Bazaar, where the trek started just a few days ago. As you make your way through the Everest region for one last time, there is an unspoken mix of feeling proud, nostalgic, and happy in the air. The descent from Namche begins with a stiff drop, as you negotiate rocky switchbacks that necessitate careful footing—especially in the case of knees. The Hillary Suspension Bridge will soon be your way to cross the river once more, and from there, the track will start to resemble the path you have already walked by the Dudh Koshi River. Walking through Monjo, Benkar, and Phakding, you'll see the pine forests, chortens, prayer wheels, and the scattered Sherpa villages. Every nook and cranny of the trail has become a repository of the memories of your climb, the first sighting of Everest, and the moments in between. Most of it is downhill, but the sections of undulating terrain still throw in a few more climbs, with the ultimate ascent into Lukla being especially significant. The total time taken to trek would be around 6 to 7 hours, finally reaching the town that was always full of life, where the journey all began. In Lukla again, you’ll be filled with the sweet taste of success. You’ll get a chance to meet your porters (in case they took the separate route), share interesting stories with other trekkers, and probably have dinner together by raising a toast to the mountains. Most of the travelers will be this night with their guides and crew—enjoying, recalling and breathing in the last night of this memorable journey. One last night you'll get to spend in the Khumbu, the energy of the town and the silence of the mountains will be your companions while you sleep.

You will end your adventure in the Himalayas today, but not without one last bit of excitement: the flight from Lukla. The first thing to do will be to get up early to take the morning flight when the sky is usually clear and the wind is calm. As the small plane takes off from Tenzing-Hillary Airport, do not miss the opportunity to take a look at the pointed mountain summits that have been with you during the trip. The flight gives you one final glimpse over the valleys and ridges of the Khumbu region– a surreal goodbye to the mountains that have filled your days with awe. In a short span of time, say 30–35 minutes, you will be in Kathmandu (or Ramechhap, depending on the season). From the mountain trail hustle to the noisy streets of the capital, the change will be huge. You will be taken to your hotel, where a hot shower, a soft bed, and the pleasures of urban life are waiting for you. You are free to do whatever you want during the rest of the day. Relax, refresh, or walk around the cheerful streets of Thamel, buy souvenirs or enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee. Some hikers take this time to do some reminiscing, write in their journals or look through their photos-believing what they have been through was not only a challenge, but also a dream. Perhaps, you would like to have a farewell dinner tonight as a way of celebrating your successful journey. Whether you are alone or with your group, it is a great time for cheering on new friendships, high trails, and the unforgettable experience of being around Mount Everest.

Your epic journey in the Himalayas region might very well be over, but today still offers loads to do. Whether it is saying goodbye because of your flight or you decide to check out more of Kathmandu, there is still a lot of reflecting and enjoying to be done before you leave the place. If today is your last day, you will have an early transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport where you will embark on your journey home or fly to your next destination. When the road that leads to Nepal is left behind, you will carry with you the memories of the high peaks you have seen, the prayer flags and their rustling in the wind, and the kindness of the Sherpa people. Take a short time to turn around and take a last look at the horizon, knowing that Everest and the Himalayas are still there in your heart. For Those Staying a Little Longer: In case you have lots of free hours, Kathmandu is good to experience the culture of the place. You might want to visit some of the ancient temples and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): A hilltop stupa offering sweeping views of the city, surrounded by playful monkeys. Boudhanath Stupa: One of the largest stupas in Nepal, it is a spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism in the valley. Pashupatinath Temple: The holiest Hindu site in Nepal, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Durbar Square: A historical gem, rich with architecture, palaces, and temples, showcasing Nepal's royal history. Most likely, you would wander through the vibrant, energy-filled streets of Thamel, with numerous colorful shops, cozy small cafes, and endless restaurants, where you could eat and/or relax after your trek. Partake in a local Nepali dal bhat, or go for something a bit fancier with an international meal—either way, it is an excellent way to close your visit to this intriguing place.