Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,300m /4,264ft).
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative from Volunteer Society Treks. After sorting out your custom formalities (Visa etc) you will be then transferred to the hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel and give you some time to freshen up. After this, we will attend an orientation about your trek led by our Trekking leader over a typical Nepali welcome dinner that will include a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles. You then return to your hotel for your first overnight in the valley of the gods! *Included Meal Dinner.

Day 02: Kathmandu: sightseeing and trek preparation (1,300m /4,264ft).
Kathmandu is the cultural heart of Nepal and has been a famous destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its borders to visitors. The city displays an interesting combination of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, the two important neighboring cities bear much cultural and religious significance to Nepal’s landscape. There will be a full day guided tour to the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, unique architectures and Kumari (living goddess), the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambunath) and Buddhists shrine (Buddha Nath), in the evening, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we meet our trek leader and other stuff for your adventure trip.Overnight at hotel, included meal: (B)

Day 03: Flight to Lukla (2,800m.) Trek to Phakding (2,652m.) 3-4 hours trek.
Early morning transfer to the domestic airport for about 40 minutes scenic flight to the tiny airstrip at Lukla (2,800m), a getaway destination from where our trek starts. This is an amazing air routes in the world surrounded by high mountain peaks. After reaching at Lukla we will have time for tea while our guide sort out and divide the load baggage to be carried by porters. We begin our trek through the pretty well-off Sharpa village and crosses several tributary streams and we have some tantalizing views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2650m).We could get warmed up for some acclimatizing with a short hike to a nearby monastery or just stroll around to get a feel of the land. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 04: Trek Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3,440 m.) 5-6 hours trek.
From Phakding the trail l leads us through a beautiful forests of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia trees along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing the river on high suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set up in order to protect and preserve the mountain fragile environment .We then ascend pretty steeply to Namche. If the weather is clean, we catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Thamserku, and Mt. Kongde-Ri and Mt. Tawache peak, we can also visit some of the village, monasteries on our trail to Namche Bazaar. Namche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region (3440m). We stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar.
Acclimatization is important before proceeding higher. This even mentally prepares us for what to expect as we hit the trails in the real wild in the days ahead. This is first of two scheduled “acclimatization” days”.Namche Bazzar is the main centre of the Everest region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, a bakery and local markets .Namche is an ideal place to spend a day for rest to acclimatize with the higher altitudes before heading off towards Khumjung. To prepare you for the tough climbing to come in the days ahead, you can spend the day taking a day walk hike to Khunde hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary or you can take a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt.Lhotse, Mt.Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and Mt.Kusum Kangaru. Oovernight in bustling Namche which is a real happening town hereabouts (B, L, D)

Day 06: Trek Namche Bazaar – Dole (4,040m.) 5 hours trek.
The path is easy in the beginning up to Kyangjuma & climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming. The trails pass many Kharkas, {summer settlements used when Sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high pastures}. The route passes through the settlements of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there’re few hotels. The views of Khumbila and Tawache (6542m) are just fantastic throughout the day!! We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

Day 07: Trek Dole – Machhermo (4, 480m.) 4-5 hours trek.
The trail climbs to Lambara at (4220m) and Luza at (4360m) and is steep in most places as it climbs through brush junipers. There are Kharkas whenever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. The trails continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to Machhermo at (4410m). It was believed that here in Machhermo in 1974 that Yeti killed three yaks and attacked a Sherpa woman. This is the most credible yeti incident ever reported till date. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

Day 08: Trek Machhermo – Gokyo (4,750m.) 5-6 hours trek.
Today, we energize ourselves with a good b/fast before the trail takes us for our ascending to Gokyo. We will climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first and second of the holy lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La – our route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the colorful settlement of Gokyo. As we trudge by the side of the lake, the scenery is just so wonderful with the summits of Cho- Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. We stay overnight at lodge (B, LD)

Day 09: Extra rest day at Gokyo; explore the Gokyo valley and fifth lakes.
Today is full day rest or an acclimatization day to give the lungs a chance to respiration well; our shaky knees also need some readjusting for the fluctuating hikes ahead, but we know we should not stay idle & the body’s system just collapses & this could cause joint pains. If the weather is good, we grasp the opportunity to climb Gokyo RI today instead of next day to enjoy the scene from the best viewpoint of Everest Region. Or, as we know Gokyo is not only popular for its grand views from Gokyo Peak but is also home to the best six lakes ever imagined. Definitely we would not miss the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thaknak Tsho) and fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho). About 3 km north of Gokyo is the fourth lake with its high cliffs and peaks rising above it, giving it an aura of mystery. The trail continues to fifth lake. Gokyo is a trade centre where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide their best services to the trekkers going through this area. Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumpa glacier, said to be the biggest glacier in Nepal. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 10: Trek Gokyo – Renjo–La Pass (5, 345m.)-Marlung (4,400m) via Remo Pokhari (4,875m.) 7-8 hours trek.
Today’s walk leads to a climb towards Renjo-pass. The first hour is a steep tow then coming to a gradual portion for 40 minutes, coming again to a steep climb to the top of the Renjo-pass where the prayer flags flutter in the wind? From here it’s a steep descend on black rocks and boulders (very similar to rocky portion at Kalapatthar) till the walk leads to the Remo lake (Pokhari). From here onwards an hour and half brings us to the overnight camp en route or just an hour before Marlung. After the rocky portion from the lake it is an easy downhill on the grassy slope all the way to Marlung. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

Day 11: Trek Marlung – Thame (3, 800m.) 5-6 hours trek.
The walk leads downhill most of the way to the laid back village of Thame as the trek passes through several yak pasture and grazing area with the Sheppard’s shed on this beautiful easy going walk downhill offering grand views of the nearby snow capped peaks. After a good walk of nearly 5-6 hrs we clobber into Thame village for the overnight stop. Thame is quite a large village with scattered houses around this valley, & is a gate way to Tibet side through the Nangpa-la north of Thame where the west route leads to Tashi-Labtsa pass as well. This place has an old important Monastery where the festival of masked dance takes place every year around the end of May or the first week of June as per the Tibetan lunar calendar. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

Day 12: Trek Thame – Namche Bazaar (3,440m.) 5-6 hours trek.
After breakfast, we trek down from Thame as more amazing snow peaks creep up before us. We may meet Tibetan trader encampments along the way for pictures of unusual lifestyles. About 150 meters above Thame, there is a Thame Monastery, a picturesque monastery set among the many homes of monks and lay people. It’s cutely perched on the side of a hill overlooking the picturesque valley. This is the site for the spring celebration of the Mani Rimdu festival, held about the middle of May each year. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

Day 13: Trek Namche Bazaar – Lukla (2,804m.) 6-7 hours trek.
This is going to be our last day on these amazing mountains that have been home to us all of these days. And this is the last day of our trek which takes us out of the bustling outpost of the Everest Region; Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The latter end of our trek is a pretty nice hike, except for a few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote Koshi River crossing it three times in different areas. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring us to Lukla where we have enough time to rest our weary bones & begin a celebration with the crew whom we’ve got close to over the weeks. Altogether it’s been a merry trip & we taste some ‘chhang’ {locally brewed mountain beer made from fermented rice}, we do a dance to a Sherpa jig & have a hearty meal. We then go to bed under a starry moonlit sky & reminisce on the wonderful things we experienced on this trip. It’s been awesome all the way! .We stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day14: Fly to Kathmandu and we go for a farewell dinner in the dinner.
This is an early morning flight back to Kathmandu which takes about 40 minutes. Your day is free, however, at eventide; you will be taken to a well known Nepali kitchen for a delicious farewell dinner of the original Nepalese cuisine. As you enjoy your meal, you will also be entertained to an exciting cultural dance performed by the local belles. You will enjoy this experience which is complimentary on behalf of the Volunteer Society Nepal. Over night at your hotel in Kathmandu (B, D)

Day 15: Transfer to airport for your onward flight home sweet home.
Our office representatives will escort you to the airport for your connecting flight home. It’s been wonderful meeting you & knowing you all of these weeks. We are doubly sure you’ve had the vacation of a lifetime & we hope you will pass on your experiences to the generations to come. We will remember you & also hope you will remember us in the days ahead. Bon Voyage!! (B)

Thank you for doing this venture with the Volunteer Society Nepal. You counted on us & we didn’t let you down. We’ve got to know each other well over the weeks. Please do stay in touch & we wish you a wonderful journey back hom.

Note of above itinerary: B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast, B.L.D = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Note: The above-mentioned program itinerary is a sample. The period and cost of tour, trekking, volunteering or internship can be changed or extended as per travellers or volunteers' availability of duration.