Everest Annapurna
5
Day Itinerary •
Nepal
Five days in the Everest and Annapurna region gives you the most extraordinary mountain experience achievable in Nepal without a full multi-week trek, combining the remarkable Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu with two days on the actual Everest Base Camp trail reaching the extraordinary Tengboche Monastery at 3,867 metres, then transferring to Pokhara for the Annapurna viewpoints and the fine Ghandruk village walk. This extended route covers both the Everest region and the Annapurna. Everest mountain flight and Lukla landing on Day 1, the extraordinary EBC trail to Namche Bazaar and first Everest view on Day 2, the remarkable Tengboche Monastery trek on Day 3, the fine Pokhara transfer and Annapurna Sarangkot sunset on Day 4, and the extraordinary Ghandruk walk and Annapurna farewell on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
October to November and March to May for both regions
Getting There
Fly into Kathmandu (KTM), then flights to Lukla and Pokhara
Getting Around
Mountain flights throughout. Trek on EBC trail.
Budget Per Day
Approx 150 to 400 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Challenging, 2 days on EBC trail reaching 3,867 metres altitude
DAY 1
LUKLA AND EBC DAY 1
MORNING
MOUNTAIN FLIGHT OVER EVEREST
The extraordinary Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu, the finest aerial mountain experience in the world, passing alongside the extraordinary summit of Everest at 8,849 metres and the remarkable Himalayan chain. The fine 45-minute flight is the finest accessible view of the world's highest peaks for those without time for the full Everest Base Camp trek. Approx 200 USD. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
FLY TO LUKLA, THE GATEWAY TO EVEREST
prep + 40 min flight The extraordinary 35-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla, 2,860 metres, consistently ranked the most dangerous airport in the world where the remarkable 527-metre runway ends at a cliff edge and begins at a rock face. The extraordinary landing at Lukla with the remarkable Himalayan peaks directly above and the fine Dudh Koshi river valley visible below is the finest airport arrival on earth. 2 hours walk
AFTERNOON
TREK LUKLA TO PHAKDING
The extraordinary first day on the Everest Base Camp trail, descending from Lukla through the remarkable Chaurikharka village and the fine suspension bridges crossing the extraordinary Dudh Koshi river gorge to Phakding at 2,610 metres. The remarkable first views of the Himalayan peaks above the fine pine and rhododendron forest and the extraordinary mani stones and prayer flags marking the Khumbu valley trail give the finest introduction to the most famous trekking route in the world.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla, built by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1964 on a tiny mountain shelf donated by local Sherpa families, is the most remarkable airport construction in history. The fine runway gradient of 11.7 percent and the extraordinary cliff-edge termination mean that no go-arounds are possible. The remarkable pilots who fly into Lukla daily are the finest mountain aviators in the world.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kathmandu hotel Substantial breakfast before the Lukla flight. Lukla flights are weather-dependent and can cancel without notice. | Lunch: Lukla teahouse Fine hot noodle soup and remarkable dal bhat at a Lukla teahouse after the extraordinary landing. | Dinner: Phakding teahouse Outstanding dal bhat and remarkable Sherpa stew at a fine Phakding teahouse on the extraordinary EBC trail.
DAY 2
NAMCHE BAZAAR
MORNING
TREK PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
The most extraordinary single day's trekking on the Everest Base Camp route, climbing from Phakding at 2,610 metres to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 metres through the remarkable Sagarmatha National Park entrance gate and up the extraordinary steep final hill to the fine horseshoe-shaped Sherpa capital. The remarkable Hillary Suspension Bridge at 156 metres is the highest suspension bridge on the EBC trail. The first extraordinary view of Mount Everest from the fine Hillary Viewpoint above Namche is the most remarkable initial Everest sighting.
MIDDAY
NAMCHE BAZAAR SATURDAY MARKET
The extraordinary Namche Bazaar Saturday market, the finest high-altitude market in the world at 3,440 metres, where the remarkable Tibetan traders cross the border with the extraordinary yak trains and the fine Sherpa community trades the finest highland goods including extraordinary yak butter, remarkable Tibetan silver and the fine handicrafts of the Khumbu valley. The outstanding Everest view bakeries serving the finest apple pie and remarkable yak cheese in the Himalaya are the best teahouses on the trail.
AFTERNOON
ACCLIMATISATION HIKE TO HOTEL EVEREST VIEW
The extraordinary acclimatisation hike from Namche Bazaar to the remarkable Hotel Everest View at 3,880 metres, giving the first extraordinary clear view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and the fine Ama Dablam simultaneously. The remarkable Sherpa village of Khumjung above Namche contains the extraordinary monastery holding what is claimed to be a yeti scalp, the finest Himalayan curiosity. The fine acclimatisation at this altitude is essential before any higher trek.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Syangboche airstrip above Namche Bazaar at 3,780 metres, the highest airstrip in the world accessible by fixed-wing aircraft, is served by tiny Pilatus Porter aircraft connecting to Kathmandu and Lukla. The remarkable STOL operations from this extraordinary altitude by the fine Sita Air pilots are the most extraordinary aviation in Nepal. Helicopter transfers to Namche are also available.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Phakding teahouse Outstanding dal bhat and remarkable Sherpa bread before the extraordinary Namche ascent. | Lunch: Namche Bazaar teahouse Fine hot soup and extraordinary Sherpa stew at the finest teahouse in Namche Bazaar. | Dinner: Namche Bazaar restaurant Outstanding dinner at a Namche Bazaar restaurant. Extraordinary yak steak, fine pasta and remarkable Everest beer.
DAY 3
TENGBOCHE MONASTERY
MORNING
TREK NAMCHE TO TENGBOCHE MONASTERY
The extraordinary trail from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche at 3,867 metres, passing the remarkable Kyangjuma viewpoint with the finest Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam panorama on the entire EBC trail. The extraordinary Tengboche Monastery, the most important Sherpa Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region, sits on the finest hilltop position in the Himalaya with the remarkable Everest massif directly above and the extraordinary Ama Dablam rising like a throne to the southeast.
MIDDAY
TENGBOCHE MONASTERY PUJA AND HIGHLAND LANDSCAPE
The extraordinary Tengboche Monastery puja ceremony, the finest Buddhist religious ritual accessible on the Everest trail, where the remarkable monks chant from their extraordinary texts in the fine monastery hall with the incense smoke and the outstanding butter lamps creating the most extraordinary high-altitude spiritual atmosphere in Nepal. The remarkable monastery garden gives the finest direct Everest view accessible without further altitude gain.
AFTERNOON
RETURN TREK TO NAMCHE AND DESCENT
The extraordinary return trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar in the afternoon, with the remarkable play of afternoon light on the extraordinary Himalayan peaks and the fine Khumbu valley revealed in a completely different character. The outstanding descent back through the remarkable pine and juniper forest gives the finest wildlife encounters on the EBC trail including the extraordinary Himalayan thar, the fine musk deer and the remarkable Danphe pheasant.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ama Dablam at 6,812 metres, visible from almost every point on the Everest trail above Namche Bazaar, is considered the most beautiful mountain in the Himalaya by most climbers and trekkers. The remarkable hanging glacier on the fine southwest ridge gives the extraordinary mountain its necklace appearance. The finest single mountain view on the entire Khumbu valley trail is Ama Dablam from the Tengboche hillside at dawn.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Namche Bazaar lodge Substantial breakfast before the Tengboche trek. Dal bhat and remarkable Sherpa omelette. | Lunch: Tengboche teahouse Outstanding hot soup and fine tsampa porridge near the extraordinary monastery. | Dinner: Namche Bazaar on return Fine yak steak and remarkable pasta dinner at the best Namche restaurant on the return.
DAY 4
POKHARA TRANSFER
MORNING
FLY LUKLA TO POKHARA VIA KATHMANDU
total The extraordinary departure from Lukla on the remarkable mountain flight back to Kathmandu, with the extraordinary final views of the Khumbu Himalaya from the aeroplane window as the fine peaks recede. Then the remarkable connecting flight to Pokhara along the Himalayan foothills for the fine Annapurna experience. The extraordinary contrast between the wild Khumbu and the remarkable Pokhara lakeside on the same day is the finest single-day journey in Nepal. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
POKHARA PHEWA LAKE ARRIVAL AND REST
The extraordinary Phewa Lake of Pokhara and the remarkable Annapurna reflection after the extraordinary exertions of the Khumbu Valley. The fine lakeside restaurants, the remarkable rest and the extraordinary view of the Annapurna South face from the Pokhara waterfront, a completely different angle from the Khumbu peaks, give the finest recovery afternoon in Nepal.
AFTERNOON
SARANGKOT SUNSET OVER ANNAPURNA
The extraordinary Sarangkot sunset above Pokhara, the finest evening mountain panorama in Nepal, where the remarkable Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif turn extraordinary shades of gold and pink as the sun descends behind the remarkable ridgeline and the fine Machhapuchhre summit catches the last extraordinary alpenglow of the Nepalese evening.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary altitude warning: Namche Bazaar sits at 3,440 metres and Tengboche at 3,867 metres. Acute Mountain Sickness can affect anyone regardless of fitness. The remarkable rule is to ascend slowly and descend if symptoms develop. Never ascend with a headache. The extraordinary EBC trail has teahouses every hour for rest. Diamox prophylaxis recommended.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lukla teahouse Last extraordinary Himalayan breakfast before the Lukla flight. Fine Sherpa bread and remarkable butter tea. | Lunch: Kathmandu transit or Pokhara Light lunch on the transit or at the fine Pokhara lakeside on arrival. | Dinner: Pokhara lakeside Outstanding dinner at the finest Pokhara lakeside restaurant. Extraordinary Annapurna view and fine local fish.
DAY 5
ANNAPURNA FAREWELL
MORNING
GHANDRUK GURUNG VILLAGE WALK
The extraordinary Ghandruk village at 1,940 metres, the finest classic Gurung hill village in the Annapurna region, with the remarkable Annapurna South face directly above and the fine stone-paved lanes of the traditional Gurung community. The extraordinary Heritage Museum and the remarkable view of the complete Annapurna sanctuary entrance with Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and the fine Machhapuchhre are the finest Annapurna mountain views accessible on a day walk. 1 hour drive + walk
MIDDAY
WORLD PEACE PAGODA AND LAKE FAREWELL
The extraordinary World Peace Pagoda hilltop above Pokhara with the finest combined view of the remarkable Phewa Lake and the extraordinary Annapurna range simultaneously from a single point. The fine 45-minute hike through the forest gives the most extraordinary elevated farewell to the finest mountain panorama in Nepal. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO KATHMANDU AND DEPARTURE
flight The extraordinary final flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, the fine farewell to the remarkable Himalayan foothills and the outstanding return to the Kathmandu Valley before departure. The remarkable view of the Annapurna massif from the aeroplane window disappearing into the clouds as the fine flight turns east towards Kathmandu is the most extraordinary farewell in Nepal.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Begnas Lake 15km east of Pokhara, the finest and most overlooked lake in the Pokhara valley, is completely free of the tourist development that surrounds the remarkable Phewa Lake. The fine rowing boats on the extraordinary quiet lake, the remarkable mountain views of the Annapurna range from the opposite shore and the fine Begnas lakeside fishing community are the finest hidden experience near Pokhara.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pokhara hotel Good breakfast before the Ghandruk trailhead drive. | Lunch: Ghandruk teahouse Outstanding last dal bhat on the extraordinary Annapurna trail. The finest trekking lunch in Nepal. | Dinner: Kathmandu farewell Outstanding farewell dinner in Kathmandu at Bhojan Griha or Dwarika's.
Where To Stay
EBC Teahouses Namche Bazaar teahouses. Approx 15 to 50 USD per night. Basic but extraordinary. Pokhara Temple Tree Resort or Summit Hotel. Approx 60 to 200 USD per night. Budget EBC teahouses approx 10 USD, Pokhara budget guesthouses 15 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book all mountain flights as early as possible. Lukla flights cancel for weather with no notice.
2. Acute Mountain Sickness is serious. Never ascend with symptoms. Descend immediately if they develop.
3. TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit are mandatory. Get both in Kathmandu or Lukla.
4. Lukla flights are the most weather-dependent in Nepal. Build a buffer day into your schedule.
5. Namche Bazaar acclimatisation day is not optional. Altitude sickness at Tengboche without it is dangerous.
6. The EBC 5-day option reaches 3,867m only. The full EBC at 5,364m requires 12 to 14 days from Lukla.
Total Budget
150 to 400 USD/day