It’s not a dream. You really can see Everest, the world’s highest mountain in style. Just imagine waking from the comfort of a warm and cosy, proper comfortable bed in a proper private bedroom. Head to your private en-suite bathroom, take a hot shower then draw back the curtains to a mind blowing view of Everest and the Himalayas.
Even better you’ll have WiFi, as surely you’ll not be able to resist showing all your friends via social media your view of mighty Mount Everest.
Yes, you really can go trekking in the Everest region of Nepal and stay in luxury* trekking lodges every night.
Basic teahouse trekking and sleeping on a wooden plank bed in a dormitory room with a boat load of strangers this ain’t. Sleeping bags are most certainly not required and neither is sharing rudimentary washing and toilet facilities. The luxury lodges of the Everest region afford comfortably appointed private en-suite bedrooms, with proper beds and comfy mattresses, clean linen and blankets etc. Not too different to a decent hotel, except these luxury lodges are many weeks walking from the nearest road, slap bang in the heart of the Khumbu region of Nepal, homeland of the cheerful Sherpa people and of course Everest too.
You really have to stop and marvel at just how these luxury lodges were built in such remote, spectacular locations. It’s not only the views that are breathtaking.
But, the views are most certainly breathtaking. Firstly there’s Everest and her iconic black, pyramid summit rising above the Nuptse ridge. To the right of Everest is Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world as well as the beautiful towering peak of Ama Dablam too.
Everest and the snowy Himalayas without having to rough it.
What’s the catch? Well, as mentioned previously there are no roads (yet) in the Everest region of Nepal, so trekking between the luxury lodges is a necessity if you want to get deep into the heart of the Khumbu and closer to Everest. But, if you’ve got few thousand dollars to spare you can always charter a private helicopter as most of the luxury lodges have heli-pads.
But, surely part of the satisfaction of seeing the highest mountain in the world is knowing that you’ve earned it by hiking and to be honest, walking in the Everest region is all part of this wonderful experience of simply ‘being there’.
Whilst there are various trail possibilities for a luxury lodge trek in the Everest region, perhaps one that has great appeal is to follow the world famous Everest Base Camp Trek as far as the tiny village of Pangboche and to a height of over 3900 metres above sea level.
This trek begins by flying from Kathmandu to the mountain airstrip at Lukla. It may be a short 40 minute flight, but it’s pretty spectacular in itself. Once airborne the mighty wall of the Himalayas soon presents itself and the mountains themselves rise far, far higher than the small STOL plane flies at. Passing the rock towers of Gauri Shankar the plane soon makes a left turn into the main valley that ultimately leads to Everest.
Landing at Lukla is always a relief and if you’re now able to open your eyes when alighting the plane you’ll notice that the unfeasibly small runway at Lukla is actually quite a steep slope and seemingly ends at a cliff that plummets down to the river valley below.
Still, you’re here now and the good news is that your first day of walking in the Everest region is mostly downhill. So, once your guide has introduced you to your porters (you’re not going to carry your own bag are you on a luxury trek?) it’s time to hit the trail and head down to Phakding (2610m). Here there’s a very good lodge sitting astride the river, with it’s own private gardens and from Lukla it’s only a 2-3 hour walk down to Phakding. So, plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon sun and relax, particularly as tomorrow involves an uphill climb.
But, suitably rested and after a hearty breakfast you hit the trail once more. The walk begins in a straightforward manner as you follow the path alongside the river and through pine forests to Jorsale. You’ll cross the river a couple of times by suspension and plank bridge and in around 2hrs you’ll hopefully get your first glimpse of Everest’s summit poking over the Nuptse ridge in the far distance. It’s then a stiff climb of 2-3 hrs as the Everest Base Camp trail winds it’s way up and up to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. Here you check into a luxury lodge, with great views across the valley and as with every night on this trek, enjoy a dinner prepared to a very good standard in a dining room. But, you’ve certainly earned your supper tonight after a walk of around 5-6 hours and gaining around 850 metres in height along the way.
Now at 3440m you really have to have an acclimatisation day the following day and let your body take it easy. Namche is a fascinating place to explore with plenty of souvenir shops, cafes and bars, as well as a particularly good German bakery too! If you like you can take an acclimatisation walk up to the Museum of Sherpa Culture. Near to the museum is an excellent Everest viewpoint and magnificent views of the iconic peak of Ama Dablam.
The next day begins with a steep climb up from Namche, but before long as you turn into the main valley you’ll be treated to a spectacle of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Reaching the Everest View Hotel (3880m) it’s de rigeur to stop for a cuppa and soak up the magnificent vista of giant Himalayan peaks and study ‘in the field’ your next couple of days trekking which by and large stretches out before you. The trail now descends steadily to Khumjung and it’s a nice place to stop for a leisurely lunch. Your descent down the Dudh Khosi Valley then continues for a couple of hours and to the village of Tashinga (3400m), from where there are particualy good views across to Thamserku and Kantaiga. It’s a bit of roller coaster ‘up and down day’. Walking time is approx. 5-6 hrs with around 570m ascent and 500m descent. Altitude loss 40m.
For much of the next days walk there are breathtaking views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest’s summit. Across the valley and upwards you’ll also see where you’re heading first, the village of Thyangboche which astrides a forested ridge. It’s downhill to start though to cross the Imja Khola via a footbridge. The trail then climbs steadily up to Thyangboche, which lies at an altitude of 3860m. From here as well as the impressive peak of Kantaiga looming above, there are classic views of the Everest/Lhotse Massif. The village is home to the famous Thyangboche Monastery, where many an Everest climbing expedition has visited to gain blessings for their summit attempts. From here you now walk down to the Imja Khola River and cross a bridge to the oposite side and head upstream before a final, shortish climb up to the spectacularly located lodge at Pangboche (3930m) and arguably one of the best views in the world you can have getting out of a proper bed in the morning! Walking time approx. 6 hours with around 850m ascent and 700m descent. Altitude gain 500m approx.
Pangboche is the literal high point of this trek, as well as the turnaround point too. Although we’d recommend not heading back the next day, but to spend an extra night in Pangboche. You could walk further up the Everest Base Camp trail to get closer views of Everest and then head back to Pangboche, or explore locally and visit Upper Pangboche village and the Gompa there. Or, if you’re feeling good and strong take the very stiff hike up to Ama Dablam Base Camp. It’s hard going, but the mountain views are seriously spectacular. The round trip take a good 6-7 hours and with around 1000 metres of both ascent and descent you’ll surely have an appetite at dinner in your luxury lodge tonight!
Time to turnaround and begin the 2 day walk back to Lukla. Today you would retrace your footsteps as far as Namche. Walking time approx.6 hrs.
Remember the start of your trek at Lukla was a welcoming downhill? Today from Namche you would hike back up the same trail. However, it is a down to begin with and a rather steep descent to Chaurikharka. Here begins the final climb, and no doubt reaching Lukla you’ll be glad it’s all over. Walking time approx. 7hrs. Of course you could break up todays walk and overnight at Phakding, and make the ascent back to Lukla the next morning adding an extra day to the trip.
Your final day in the Himalayas ends with an adrenalin filled take off from Lukla for the short flight back to Kathmandu.
But, there you have it. You’ve walked amongst the highest mountains, indeed you’ve seen the highest of them all and although you’re legs will no doubt be telling you they’d like a bit of rest now, you’ve enjoyed comfort every night in some most improbable locations.
You’d certainly be forgiven if you pinched yourself to make sure that those wonderful experiences in the Himalayas were all real. But, you’ll have the photographs to prove it.
See Our Everest Luxury Lodge Trek for more.
- * Use of the word “luxury” is in itself subjective and in this instance perspective and context need to be taken into consideration. In respect of the “luxury” trekking lodges, in Nepal they are referred to as “comfort” lodges as they do indeed provide a great deal more in the way of comfort, higher standards of service and meals etc when compared to the usual tea houses that are numerous throughout the Everest region. Rather the phrase “luxury trekking lodges” is one that was adopted and used by western tour operators as marketing tool. The “comfort/luxury” lodges in the Everest region should not be considered as similar to a deluxe 5 star hotel. That would unrealistic. That these “comfort/luxury” lodges exist at all in remote and isolated location high in the Himalayas and days from the nearest road is pretty amazing itself. The lodges provide private bedrooms, proper beds and mattresses, clean linen and blankets, private en suite facilities etc perhaps more akin to a 2*-3* hotel standard. So, “comfort” they most definitely are and given their remote locations, comparisons to the usual more basic accommodation and indeed the simplicity of the homes of the locals it is not unreasonable to consider their very existence “a luxury”.
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