Tour of temples, monasteries, old palace, royal courtyard, scenic mountain view and world heritage sites Buddhanilkantha, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Patan / Lalitpur with tour of medieval Bhaktapur city, scenic mountain flight to Lukla
Trekking around world’s highest hills and valleys in Everest region,panorama of Mt. Everest and adjoining mountains from Thyangboche monastery,in traditional Buddhist country enrich with culture and custom”
EncountersNepal grand sightseeing tour of famed and renowned places leads you to various scenic and cultural sites in and around Kathmandu beyond to picturesque Everest region with panoramic flight to Lukla and trekking onwards to famous Namche Bazaar and wonderful spot at Thyangboche Monastery with awesome panorama of high Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and adjoining peaks.
On arrival in Kathmandu with authentic Nepali cuisine dinner with local folk and cultural dance program, Kathmandu a historical, cultural, scenic valley and capital of Nepal with Multi party government a Republic Nation.
Kathmandu Valley, a unique valley with exotic setting 25 centuries back it stood as a large lake. It is completely surrounded by a level of Green Mountain walls above which to the north tower the mighty snowcapped peaks during the winter.
It consists of four major cities carrying great historic, artistic and cultural interest.
Kathmandu city with its wonderful green valley slowly emerging into a metropolitan city and towns, however old temples, monasteries, old palace, royal courtyard and world heritage sites still retains its past time glory and artifacts with ancient culture, traditions, religions and way of life as it was in past earlier old periods.
Kathmandu city and the surrounding valley has much more to offer our guests and travelers to taste our rich culture and traditions with warm friendly hospitality of Nepali people showing you the wonders of Kathmandu arts, historic monuments with colorful festivals.
All our guided sightseeing tour offering from half day, a day to a week or more at places of main attraction and interest in and around Kathmandu valley.
Beside Kathmandu being a bustling city but steeped in history with amazing terracotta artifacts, pagoda temples and dome stupa Buddhist monuments with ancient royal king courtyard with various impressive tours within Kathmandu valley where one ca marvel day to day.
Next day starting after breakfast with short drive to famous Hindu Pashupatinath Temple with golden tier pagoda roofs with four silver sided doors, the temple is busy every day with pilgrims and disciple from all over Nepal and India the main occasion is in mid February “Shiva Ratri” birth anniversary of lord Shiva.
From here a short drive to Little Tibet at Bouddhanath, declared as the largest Buddhist shrine of South Asia. The ancient colossal chortens built in the 6th century A.D. by King Man Deb. With series of three terraces and from the bird's eye view it takes the relevant shape or of a lotus flower which indeed remains a very holy object for all the devout Buddhists of the world.
The chortens surrounded by a circular market of Tibetan influence, the chortens embraces the authentic philosophy of Mahayana faith of Buddhism known as Lamaism in Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan and Tibet.
EncountersNepal Tour continues with short drive to Patan city, situated south of Kathmandu separated by a bridge over the River Bagmati. Patan also known as Lalitpur meaning city of Arts, visit the old palace courtyard (Durbar) fascinating tall terracotta house with intricate window carvings, and stone temple of Krishna with a pillar of Garuda the vehicle of Lord Vishnu and as well of Lord Krishna.
Then heading back with a drive to Kathmandu with a tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square with full of arts and culture. There are many monuments of historical significant places to see over here are five storey Temple Nytapola, 55 Windows Palace, Golden Gate, Lion Gate and many more. After a grand interesting time here drive back to Kathmandu with rest of the afternoon free at leisure.
Encounter Nepal includes the old 2,550 years old Swayambhunath (monkey temple) located on a hillock west of Kathmandu city with awesome views of the Kathmandu valley and the city with snow capped mountains towards north beyond the green hills that surrounds Kathmandu valley.
On the third day where the trekking begins with a short scenic flight toLukla with awesome mountain panorama during 30 minutes flight, on reaching Lukla starting the trek with first day moderate and gradual walk with downhill’s and short ups in between 3-4 hours of good to overnight stop at Phakding village by the Dudh Kosi river, next day walk leads past several traditional Sherpa villages with many series of prayer monuments and Mani walls following the Dudh Kosi upstream into enchanting woodland of rhododendron, oaks, pines and fir tree lines overlooking magnificent views of Kwangde, Tharmsarku and Kusum Kanguru peaks then reaching the famous Sherpa capital at Namche Bazaar with modern facilities Cyber Café, Banks, many restaurants, lodge, hotels, stores and shops with fresh bakeries, Here with two night stops for good acclimatization before heading higher elevation to Thyangboche, here at Namche optional short hike to the view points or towards Everest View Hotels which is about 2 hrs walk uphill at 3,880 meters with fabulous views of Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam peak with other adjoining mountains.
Next day trek leads to another highlight of this trip to Thyangboche monastery walking on the gradual winding path with glamorous views of high snow capped mountains with Mt. Everest, after a good walk for few hours then a strenuous uphill climb to Thyangboche Monastery through enchanting forest of rhododendron, pines, oaks, birch and fir tree lines after a hard climb of 2 hours the magnificent spot at Thyangboche with amazing panorama of mountains that surrounds this wonderful spot overlooking view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and the majestic Mt. Ama Dablam that towers high into clear blue sky.
In Thyangboche for overnight stop with a visit to the famed monastery where monks and lama on prayer with interesting and impressive time here head back to Lukla on the same route with another overnight stop at Namche and then to Lukla after a marvelous and memorable time in the high places of Everest and concluding this lovely adventure with a short scenic flight to Kathmandu after an awesome and enjoyable time around Everest region with wonderful and great service of EncountersNepal.
DAY 01
Arrival Kathmandu, reception at the airport by a representative of Encounters Nepal, transfer to a Hotel in Kathmandu. Welcome drink. Meet the Manager from Encounters Nepal for tour briefing.
DAY 02
After breakfast, guided city tour to the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu such as Swoyambhunath (Oldest Buddhist Stupa in the World), Pashupatinath (Hindu’s Temple), Boudhanath (One of the biggest Monastery in the World), Patan Museum, Golden Temple (Buddhists’ Monastery), Tibetan Refugee Camp. Transfer to Hotel for overnight rest.
DAY 03
Kathmandu-Lukla-Phakding: This morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the Kathmandu airport for our domestic flight to Lukla. The flight itself is awe-inspiring as we fly parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibetan China. Flying time to Lukla is approximately 35 minutes. Upon arrival in Lukla, there will be time to explore the village whilst the Sherpa crew sort and load equipment. Lukla lies at an altitude of (2,850m.) (Luk-la= place of sheep). From Lukla we descend on a wide trail northwest to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Koshi valley. The valley is covered with beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. The walking is easy as we follow the river’s course passing through the village of Ghat. Our destination today is the small village of Phakding where accommodation is provided in the teahouse lodges. It is approximately three hours, walking distance from Lukla to Phakding. Stay overnight at Phakding.
DAY 04
Phakding-Namche Bazaar (3446 m): From Phakding we head up valley on a busy trail. Porters here from the lower Solu district in the south ferry supplies to Namche, while Sherpa with their Zopkio (half yak, half cow) take trekking or climbing expedition equipment to the higher valleys. We continue beside the Dudh Koshi amongst beautiful alpine scenery, through fragrant blue pine and fir forest, glimpsing spectacular views of Kusum Kangru (6,369m) and Thamserku (6,608m) along the way. We again cross the Dudh Koshi to the western bank at Jorsale prior to reaching the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. Continuing upstream along the banks to the confluence of the Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi, we begin our first sustained ascent to Namche Bazaar after crossing the large suspension bridge. Walking at a slow pace, we have fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,511m), Nuptse (7,879m), Ama Dablam (6,856m), and Taweche (6,542m) come into view for the first time. Climbing again, the path takes us through pine trees to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped bowl containing the town of Namche Bazaar. It is approximately four hours, walking distance from Phakding to Namche. Stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.
DAY 05
Namche Bazaar excursion / rest: Today is a full day of rest to acclimatize. As the name suggests, Namche is famous for its local market or Bazaar (held on Saturday). Each week Sherpas from the surrounding villages come to buy food and to socialize. Any food not grown locally, such as rice, corn and some vegetables, is brought in from the lowland villages, which can be up to a six to ten days walk from Namche Bazaar. Rising early, those who climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks. Spend the morning exploring this colorful and lovely spectacle. Perhaps walk along the Thame valley in the afternoon or visit the national park headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture and photographic displays of famous mountaineering expeditions. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
DAY 06
Namche Bazaar-Tengboche (3867 m): After breakfast, our trek leads to Fungi Thenga for lunch. After lunch we ascend another two hours to reach Tengboche where we pay a visit to the Monastery with our guide. It is approximately five hours, walking distance from Namche to Tengboche. Stay overnight in Tengboche.
DAY 07
Tengboche-Namche Bazaar: The route descends to Phunki Thangka, and then ascends the ridge towards Namche Bazaar. It is approximately three hours walking distance from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.
DAY 08
Namche Bazaar-Phakding-Lukla: Trek all the way back to Lukla, an air step.
DAY 09
Lukla-Kathmandu: The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu takes 35 minutes. Transfer to Hotel and rest.
DAY 10
Rest day and shopping in the afternoon. Stay overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11
Farewell and transfer to international airport for onward flight.