Day 1
Overnight international flight to New Delhi.
Day 2
Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3
Begin your morning tour of Old Delhi with a cycle rickshaw ride through the streets. You will visit the Red Fort, which was once the most affluent fort and palace of the once reigning Mughal Empire; Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Your final stop in Old Delhi will bring you to Chandni Chowk, a lively and colorful market that was once the commercial center of the city.
You will then drive to New Delhi which will provide a stark contrast between the old with the new, a recurring theme throughout India. In New Delhi you will visit the India Gate monument, followed by the Parliament House (from the outside) and other extravagant government buildings. Then continue onward to Humayun’s Tomb, built in honor of India’s second Mughal emperor, followed by a visit to The Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple), the house of worship. This temple, designed in the form of a lotus, offers a simple message of humanity as a single race and calls for the Oneness of Mankind. Later you will visit the world’s tallest brick minaret, Qutub Minar. In store for today are also several other modern day landmarks, as well as some good opportunities to do some shopping.
Note: Yampu recommends one of our optional tours (price not included) to enjoy a fine dinner at the Veda Restaurant, a lavishly designed nouvelle cuisine curry house that offers a fusion of traditional Indian food with a modern spin. A second option is a visit to Akshardham, a unique, yet stunning monument that boasts 234 elaborately carved pillars, 9 decorative domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars (towers of Hindu architecture), stone elephants sculptures and 20,000 murtis (Hindu images portraying Divine spirits). Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
Day 4
Begin with a drive to Agra that will take approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. You will then proceed for your sightseeing tour of the stunning Taj Mahal, India’s most picture perfect work of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
As you then drive through the city to the Agra Fort, you will get some good images of the local scene and bazaars and the everyday buzz of India. Once at the Agra Fort, you will be led through its regal chambers that were once home to some of India’s most powerful Mughal emperors
Note: We recommend an optional tour (cost not included) to a showing of Mohhabbat The Taj, a live show with a touch of Bollywood. This 80 minute presentation is a charming way to top off your day at the Kalakriti Auditorium. Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
Day 5
Drive approximately 4-5 hours to Jaipur. En route, you will stop to enjoy an excursion to the abandoned city of Fatepur Sikri, the once imperial city of the Mughal dynasty that was mysteriously deserted years after its inception. This ornate city was built with such grandeur that words do not do justice to the glorious atmosphere created by its buildings. Once arrived, you will check in and have some time to relax before a sound and light show at the city’s Amber Fort.
Day 6
This morning you will return to the Amber Fort for a half day excursion. As you stroll through the magnificent rooms and chambers, observe the various intricate ivory, mirror and glass work. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour that will begin at the City Palace Museum, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726), and great photographic opportunity at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds – a spectacular five storied, honeycomb styled building exemplifying superb Rajput artistry.
Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) of an evening elephant safari. After a chance to feed these gentle creatures, ride upon their backs through a private jungle area, passing many villages, fields and a medieval fortress as the sun sets. Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
Day 7
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you are free to spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 8
Enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu City beginning with Kumari Ghar – home to Nepal’s most important living goddess, and the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Then, enjoy a brief visit to Kasthamandap, a medieval temple said to be built from a single piece of wood, which also gives Kathmandu its name. Proceed to the Kal Brairab shrine, a colorful memorial to the Hindu God of destruction, followed by a visit to Taleju Temple, the city’s most magnificent temple.
Afterwards, embark on a sightseeing tour of the Swoyambhunath Stupa. Celebrated as one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, this majestic structure sits highly on a nearby hilltop overlooking Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, travel through Patan, the “City of Fine Arts”. Stroll through the famous Durbar Square, where you can see Krishna Mandir, a temple built in honor of Lord Krishna that is considered to be the world’s finest example of stone architecture. As you walk around, you can enjoy the many traditional artists and sculptors throughout the streets.
Note: Yampu recommends an optional one hour mountain flight for unforgettable aerial views of the Himalayas. Experience the thrill of seeing Mount Everest up close, as the plane flies two aeronautical miles in front of the Natural Wonder. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
Day 9
Morning visit to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s oldest and most holy Hindu temple. Situated upon the banks of the Bagmati River, this is an important ritual and cremation site, as the water flows into the Ganges. Proceed to Boudhanath, one of Asia’s largest stupas that has earned the nickname of “Little Tibet”, as it has become a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism. Standing tall at thirty-six meters (118 ft), this white mandala-shaped structure is a symbol of the universe that facilitates meditation for the local Tibetan Buddhists.
In the afternoon, go on an excursion to the medieval city of Bhaktapur, located about an hour’s drive outside of Kathmandu. In this “City of Devotees”, wander through the winding lanes lined with old homes and temples that date back to the 13th century. Beginning in the city’s Durbar Square, you will be able to marvel at the intricately carved deities and monsters of the richly molded Golden Gate before entering the Palace of 55 Windows that incorporates exquisite wood carvings into its medieval design.
Then, see the Lion’s Gate, with its huge guarding lion statues, before continuing to the Nyatpola Temple, a beautiful five-storied, 17th century pagoda. The last stop of the day will bring you to the splendorous Bhairab Temple, which is dedicated to the Lord Buddha. Before returning to Kathmandu, take some time to watch the skill of the traditional potters as they work at the Pottery Centre and the Dattratraya Temple.
Day 10
Kathmandu – Lukla - Phakding (2652 m, total 3 hour walk)
Transfer to the airport from your hotel in Kathmandu to board your flight to Lukla (2880m), the most renowned mountain airstrip in the world. Originally conceived by Sir Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust as an emergency evacuation runaway for casualties brought to the Trust's hospital at nearby Khunde, Lukla is now one of the busiest runways in Nepal. Surprisingly, this high-altitude trek begins by descending to the river at Phakding 2652. Overnight at village house.
Day 11
Phakding - Namche (3440 m, total 5 hour walk)
If the weather is clear the top of the south-west face of Mt Everest will be just visible behind the long Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Namche is the most prosperous and the largest town in the Khumbu. A bazaar is held here every Saturday. The goods on display include meat, grains and vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets as well as hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots. The Sherpas play host to trader from the foothills, as well as Tibetans from over the border. Thamserku 6648m, Kwangde Ri (6187m) and Khumbila (5707m) surround the natural bowl that Namche sits in. Overnight at village house.
Day 12
Namche
You will spend the day at leisure to get acclimatized to the altitude at Namche. Overnight at village house
Day 13
Namche - Tengboche (3860 m, total 6 hour walk)
The trail goes up through rhododendron trees and there is always good chance of seeing pheasants in this area. The emerging trail contours across the slope offering magnificent views eastwards to Tengboche and its surrounding mountains. Ahead lies Ama Dablam (6856m) the most beautiful of all Himalayan peaks and a great expedition favorite. To the east above the classically located Tengboche are the flutings and razor sharp ridges of Thamserku (6808m). Overnight at village house.
Day 14
Tengboche - Pangboche (3985 m, total 3.5 hour / 4 hour walk)
Today you will continue on gradual upwards slope through alpine meadow and sherpa villages to Pangboche. Pangboche Monastery has the famed Yeti scalp that was the cause of so much interest and controversy in the past years. Overnight at village house.
Day 15
Pangboche - Dingboche (4530 m total 4.5 hour / 5 hour walk)
You will get beautiful views of unclimbed Cholatse (6440m) across the valley. Continuing onward, the trail will be a steep uphill walk with several rough parts. Hiking upon ridgelines offer the opportunity to get close up views of Ama Dablam. Overnight village house.
Day 16
Dingboche - Lobuche (4930 m, total 6 hour walk)
Climb up to the nearby ridge and stay high, mesmerized by the views of Tawoche and Cholatse, until you reach the village houses at Lobuche. A steep stiff ascent to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier is now tackled. The top of the climb is marked by a series of stone monuments to commemorate some of the climbers that have not returned from expeditions to this region. The Lhotse ridge is simply awesome. Overnight at village house.
Day 17
Lobuche - Kala Pattar (5545 m) – Lobuche (total 3 hour / 4 hour walk)
Today will be a long day and you will start early. Trek along the rough path along the side of the Khumbu glacier to the tea shacks at Gorak Shep (5160m). Behind rises the attractive 7000m peak of Pumori which dwarfs the trek's summit of Kala Pattar. The route up is straightforward and takes most people between 90 minutes and 2 hours. All the peaks - Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam and scores of other lesser peaks can be seen from this wonderful vantage point. A trip to the actual Base Camp (BC) of Everest is usually omitted as the Khumbu Icefall blocks all view of the mountain and even when expeditions are on the mountain, a route to Base Camp is difficult to find. Return to Lobuch. Overnight at village house.
Day 18
Lobuche-Pheriche (4243m, total 6 hour walk)
Today you will scoot back across and down the moraine to Dughla, and then stay along the ridge, high above Periche. Then enjoy a gradual descent. There are great views here of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, the Amphu Laptsa and Cho Polu, a pretty pyramid peak, Island Peak 6139m the most popular of the "Trekking Peaks' stand by itself at the east end of the valley. Overnight at village house.
Day 19
Pheriche (4243 m)
Spend the day at leisure at Pheriche. Overnight at village house.
Day 20
Pheriche-Tengboche (3860 m, total 6 hour walk)
After an early breakfast you will head off down the valley to Tengboche. The walk is mostly through the rhododendron forest and scanty sherpa villages. Overnight at village house.
Day 21
Tengboche – Namche (3445 m)
From Tengboche trek down some steeps followed by a enjoyable climb that leads up the side of the valley and around to Namche Bazaar, the most well-known and written-about valley in the Khumbu. After the last few days, Namche appears to offer many of life's luxuries. Overnight at village house.
Day 22
Namche – Lukla (2880 m, total 6 hour walk)
Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart. There is something very special about the setting, the villages and the people of the high Khumbu hills and valleys. Your campsite is well located and offers a good final resting spot for the one night stay before the early morning departure. Overnight at village house.
Day 23
Lukla - Kathmandu
You will have another chance to enjoy this great flight. Please note that flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to un-flyable conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; be reassured that the staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience caused if this happens.
Upon arrival, continue with your onward travel arrangements or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Trek to Everest
Kathmandu
Red Fort, New Delhi
