Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days

Day 2 of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days will be spent exploring the different sites of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Back in the 8th century, the base of Kathmandu Durbar Square was established by the Lichhavi rulers of the time. Fast forward to the 12th century, the Mallas were in control of the nation, and they did their best to grow this foundation into something meaningful.

They added multiple temples in the surroundings, built a royal palace (the Hanuman Dhoka Palace), and added gardens. It was a significant makeover to the previous generation.

The Mallas ruled Nepal back then, and they belonged to the Newari caste. Back then, Newari architecture was in full bloom, being the caste of the king of then-Nepal, their culture and tradition took off and are still well preserved in the valley of Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of them.

The buildings in the complex are typical pagoda-style architecture, while the main palace is entirely Newari style. The detailed woodworking on the doors and windows is one of the traits of Newari architecture.

There are over 50 different temples within the complex, and each and every one of them has its own importance, religiously speaking. The Taleju Temple, Jagannath Temple, Kasthamandap, etc. are some of the dominant temples in the complex, religiously, of course.

Kapan Monastery

The duo, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Thubten Yeshe, are credited with the construction of Kopan Monastery. They were both refugees who fled Tibet and traveled all the way to 1959’s Kathmandu.

Even amidst their life being turned upside down, their only mission in mind was to preserve the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which they could only do by establishing a monastic center in Kathmandu, a bustling city even back then.

Their efforts of perseverance gave birth to the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, which resulted in the construction of the present-day Kopan Monastery, the foundation’s first project. As you can tell by now, the Kopan Monastery follows traditional Tibetan architecture.

Over a decade after its inauguration, the Kopan Monastery started an annual event where devotees would take part in a month-long meditation program that focused on the teachings of Lam Rim and Tibetan Buddhism. International tourists who come to Nepal seeking tranquility often end up taking part in this program or at least visiting the monastery.

Unlike most of the monasteries that are only monks or nuns, Kopan Monastery is a mix of both; there are over 380 monks and over 350 nuns who live there currently. In the local community, the monastery is known for organizing community efforts towards cleaner and healthier living quarters.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum

The name Narayanhiti comes from the name of a Hindu god, “Narayana”, who is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Bishnu, and the Newari word “Hiti”, which translates to spout. So, the name Narayanhiti refers to a sacred spot that has been associated with Lord Narayana.

Under the commission of Bir Sumsher, the then-prime minister of Nepal, the Narayanhiti Palace was built the year was 1886. It was used as a royal palace for years until the end of King Prithivi Bir Bikram Shah’s regime.

However, the present standing building was built by King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah, who called in an American architect named Benjamin Polk to redesign the building. That is why the building has a modern feel to it, in addition to retaining the traditional Nepalese architecture.

The interiors of the building are influenced by the late Victorian era design, while the wooden part within it retains the detailed Newari architecture. The reception hall and the main throne hall are the best-designed rooms in the building; Chandeliers, intricate and stylish furniture, and tall pagoda-style roofing make them unique among all other palaces in Kathmandu.

Garden of Dreams

Escaping the heat of the bustling streets, we will enter the Garden of Dreams, which is one of the recent attractions in Kathmandu, not as in recently built but recently renovated to cater to the current trend.

The first foundation of this garden was laid out by Kaiser Shumsher Rana in the late 1920s. At the time, it was named “Garden of Six Seasons” since it was themed in a way that represented the 6 prominent seasons in Nepal.

Designed by Kishor Narsingh, this garden covers 4 acres of land and features six huts that are supposed to represent the 6 seasons as well. The design of the garden is a blend of Western gardening traits and those of Nepal.

There are plants and equipment that are not typically used in Nepalese gardens, which is what gives it a unique twist. The courtyards, the European-style fountains, and the birdhouses all add to the appeal of the garden.

After Kaiser Shumsher died, the garden fell into a state of carelessness. Turns out that only his authority kept the garden alive, and no one actually cared for the garden. Fast forward to 2007, the site was renamed to “Garden of Dreams,” and it was once again open to the public.

The local government made efforts to re-establish it while the Austrian government offered monetary support.

Today, the Garden of Dreams is a hip place. Hundreds of people visit the garden daily and spend hours looking at the beautiful plants, flowers, and birds.

Golden Temple

The concept for this temple was first introduced back in the 12th century. They started the construction soon after, but the present-day building was built in 1409. It was built under the commission of King Bhaskar Varman and has since been a religious hotspot for followers of Buddhism.

The architectural style of the temple is once again Newari, with a 3-story pagoda to top it off. The spire is made of copper, and under the light of the sun, it gives off a radiating golden glow, which is what sparked the name Golden Temple. The main temple is located in the center and is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha.

The temple houses a silver statue of Buddha that is covered in ornaments, and there’s also an 800-year-old Buddhist scroll that holds information on different teachings. As one would expect, the scroll is very fragile since it has lived multiple centuries.

Highly skilled artisans have been given the task of restoring it to its original texture. During festivals, monks from the local regions recite the mantras in the scroll.

In order to participate young people in religious activities, the Golden Temple elects an under-12-year-old boy to be the head priest of the temple for a month. He is accompanied by a young male or another teen boy to perform his daily duties.

Note: Some of the sites we visit require tickets that are not a part of our Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days package.

Activity: Sightseeing for 4-5 Hours

Max. Altitude: 1,324m/4,344ft. Kathmandu

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

The flight to Lukla leaves early in the morning since afternoon winds in the hills bring in clouds, which are not suitable for take-offs and landings. Around 8 AM, we will leave our hotel room and travel to the airport.

The flight lasts around 35 minutes and takes us to 2860 meters above sea level at Lukla. A private helicopter ride to Lukla is also an option that offers flexible timing and a scenic flight.

Another option is a trek to Lukla, while not that popular, it is a viable option that takes you on a 2-day trek to Lukla. The trek starts from Jiri, and we make our way through several villages before reaching Lukla. However, since this option requires 2 additional days and lots of trekking, people usually go for a flight.

After reaching Lukla, we will look around us, take in the scene, grab our gear, and get on the road to Phadking. Our porters will have your luggage on their backs, so you do not have to worry about the heavy things at all.

From Lukla, we will travel 7.6 km to reach Phakding. This day trek takes about 3 hours to complete. Today’s trek does not have any ascents, in fact, we will lose 230 meters of elevation by the time we reach Phakding.

The trail starts with a plain trail through several Sherpa villages and terraced farmlands. We will also cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River.

Activity: Fly & Trek for 4-5 Hours

Max. Altitude: 2,610m/8,563ft. Phakding

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

Day 4 of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days takes us to the famous Namche Bazaar, the vibrant hotspot of the Himalayas. It’s a 6-hour trek to Namche, covering a total distance of 7.5 km.

Unlike yesterday’s trek, the trail today ascends most of the time, and we will cross multiple suspension bridges. These hanging and swaying bridges are an inseparable part of any Himalayan trekking journey.

Starting the trek, we will follow the Dudh Koshi River upstream and cross over it several times via sturdy suspension bridges. Crossing Zamfute and Tok Tok, we will reach Monjo, also known as Jorsalle, the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. There, we will have our permits checked before we continue the trek. The entrance gate is decorated with traditional Buddhist scripts and prayer flags.

The Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a protected area of the Everest region. This means entry without the company of a licensed guide is strictly prohibited.

As we make our way through the park, we might get to see a couple of wild animals such as the rare red panda, monkeys, deer, etc. One thing you will surely see is the view of the Himalayas.

After crossing the Sagarmatha National Park, we will come across the Tenzing-Hillary Suspension Bridge, which stands to be one of the longest and highest hanging bridges in the region. Crossing this bridge is definitely a highlight of the day. By the end of the day, we will gain over 800 meters of altitude.

Following the crossing of the bridge, we will arrive at the final leg of the trek to Namche Bazaar. This section is deemed to be difficult as we have to climb a sharp ascent named the “Namche Hill”.

The climb is tough and hard to navigate, but with the proper instruction from our guide, it is very doable. We will take several breaks to rest our bodies and gather our breath.

After crossing this difficult passage, the colorful and charming town of Namche brings us a sigh of relief, knowing that all we do now is eat and rest.

Activity: Trekking for 5-6 Hours

Max. Altitude: 3,440m/11,286ft. Namche bazaar

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

Following a safe trekking pace, drinking enough water throughout, and taking rest days are the keys to keeping yourself away from altitude sickness.

Although we do not really have to worry about altitude sickness, it’s better to play it safe in such inaccessible regions. An acclimatization day lets our body adapt to the change in atmosphere and environment.

Sitting at an altitude of 3440 meters above sea level, Namche Bazaar offers several sites to explore and a couple of short acclimatization hikes to the nearby viewpoints. Among the several options to spend our rest day, our main priority is to hike to the Everest View Hotel. It is the most popular option and the most scenic one as well.

From Namche, we will trek a steep trail, passing pine forests and ultimately reaching the Everest Hotel in about 2 hours. Once we get there, we get to see a clean, wide, panoramic view of the Everest region Himalayas, including Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and more. The trek back to Namche takes about an hour, so in total, will take about 3 hours.

Another great option is to hike to Thame village. It is a less popular option but equally rewarding as the Everest View Hotel hike. The trek starts with a slight ascent following the Bhote Koshi River upstream. The trail is pleasant and we pass through pine and rhododendron forests with sightings of Himalayan pheasants if we are lucky.

The village of Thame is the oldest settlement in the region, and it’s home to Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, one of the first people to reach the top of Mount Everest. Tenzing was the guide who led Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of Everest, the first one to reach the top.

There’s a century-old monastery in the village that offers a peaceful aura of Buddhist chants. In total, we will spend about 7 hours getting to Thame and returning.

A hike to Kyangjuma viewpoint is yet another great option. This one is the easiest acclimatization hike you can choose, taking only 3 hours in total. The trail to Kyangjuma is not steep at all, in fact, we only gain about a hundred meters of elevation.

The viewpoint offers scenes of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam peak, and there are several tea shops at the viewpoint offering hot beverages.

After returning to Namche Bazaar, we will have plenty of time to explore the town. We will start the exploration by visiting the Sherpa Culture Museum. This establishment is located on top of a hill, offering a great visual insight into the culture of the local Sherpas.

There are historic items related to mountaineering pioneers, ancient Sherpa tools, and samples of different herbal plants in the region. Connected to the museum is a photo gallery that displays the best profiles of the Himalayas in the region.

Next up is the local monastery of the town. The Namche monastery follows the teachings of the Tibetan Museum and offers an insight into the local tradition. In addition to being a place of prayer, it also houses several monks who have dedicated their lives to Buddhism. It’s a relaxing site to visit, away from the eventful town of Namche.

Activity: Hiking for 3-4 Hours

Max. Altitude: 3,440m/11,286ft. Namche Bazaar

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

Day 6 of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days is a long trekking day as we cover a distance of 10 km. From 3440 meters at Namche Bazaar, the trail follows a leveled path for about 2 hours until we reach a steep descent down to the Dudh Koshi River. We will descend about 300 meters, passing a forest of rhododendron and pine. The trail can be muddy sometimes so be careful where you step.

Descending down also means that you will have to ascend to recover the elevation you lost. Most of the time, you have to ascend twice the lost altitude.

After we reach the Dudh Koshi River basin, we will arrive at Phungi Thenga (3250 meters), which will be our lunch stop. After lunch, we will cross a hanging bridge to pass over the Dudh Koshi River.

Sometimes these bridges are packed with yaks and other cattle passing in a line; at such times, you should step aside and let them pass through first before you get on the bridge. Sometimes, porters with a huge haul of goods on their backs also do the same.

After crossing the suspension bridge, we are up for an exhausting ascent to Tengboche. This is the last leg of today’s trek and covers about 4 km with an elevation gain of 617 meters. This section will definitely test your endurance and overall physicality.

At the end of the climb, we will reach Tengboche, sitting at an altitude of 3867 meters.

Activity: Trekking for 5-6 Hours

Max. Altitude: 3,860m/12,664ft. Tengboche

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

As the morning prayer fills the air with a relaxing vibe, we will have our breakfast and get ready for a day of descent. Day 7 of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days is our first day of descent as we trace our steps back to Khumjung.

Leaving Tengboch, we will first drop down to Phungi Tenga, losing over 600 meters of elevation. From there, we will cross the Dudh Koshi River over a suspension bridge and get on the road to Sanasa village, a divergence from our original route.

The trail now ascends for hours until we reach Sanasa at 3600 meters, a popular village of the region, given that it incorporates the Gokyo Lake Trek and the standard Everest Base Camp Trek.

From Sanasa, we will follow the EBC trek route and head to Khumjung village. It’s a combination of ascents and descents that takes us to Mong La Pass, a great viewpoint at an altitude of 3975 meters above sea level.

Prayer flags and chortens decorate the viewpoint. After a short break there, we will descend down till we get to an ascending trail that leads us to Khumjung.

The village of Khumjung is one of the biggest settlements in the region. The base of Khumbila Peak is where the village sits, and the traditional stone houses are very appealing. This village also has a school, which is unheard of in most remote villages.

The Hillary School was commissioned by Sir Edmund Hillary after his successful climb to Everest. Ever since this school has been operational, providing education to the children of the Himalayas.

Activity: Trekking for 5-6 Hours

Max. Altitude: 3,790m/12,434ft. Khumjung

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

Day 8 of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days takes us back to Namche Bazaar and eventually to Monjo. The trek starts with a descent to Namche Bazaar with beautiful scenes of the Kongde Ri and Thamserku peaks.

From Namche, the trail goes downhill yet again taking us from alpine vegetation to sub-alpine region. Following the downstream Dudh Koshi River, we will cross it over once at the Hillary Suspension Bridge to get to Monjo.

Activity: Trekking for 4-5 Hours

Max. Altitude: 2,835m/9,301ft. Monjo

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

Day 9 of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days is the last day of trekking. From Monjo, we will get down to Lukla which takes about 5 hours covering a distance of 13 km. By the end of today’s trek, we will have lost 420 meters of altitude.

Activity: Trekking for 4-5 Hours

Max. Altitude: 2,860m/9,383ft. Lukla

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guest House

After a week in the highlands of Everest, we will get back to Kathmandu via flight. Make sure to take a good last look at the Everest highlands from your plane.

Activity: Fly for 35 Minutes

Max. Altitude: 1,324m/4,344ft. Kathmandu

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

Day 11 is officially the last day of the Everest Panorama Trek 11 Days, we will have one last breakfast, carry out any unclosed transactions, and drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Meal: Breakfast