22-Day Everest Base Camp and Bhutan

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This morning, you'll leave early to head to the airport to catch your 25-minute flight to Lukla, the starting point of your Everest Base Camp trekking experience. Later in the morning, after you have fuelled up and prepared for your trek, you'll begin the journey to Phakding at 2,650 metres. You'll arrive there around lunchtime and have the afternoon to relax at your teahouse.

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Today, you will trek along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, passing through many forests and crossing the river over a number of long suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. You'll have stunning views across the mountains that stretch for miles, rewarding you for your hard work. After entering the Sagarmatha National Park and the settlement of Monjo, the trail gets very steep. You will eventually reach your destination for today, Namche Bazar, known as the gateway to Everest.

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When attempting a big trek like this, it is very important that you take days out to adjust to the high altitude. Today, you'll rest in Namche Bazaar. It is recommended that you take a gentle hike to Phakding and back, which is about four hours, as this helps with adjusting to the altitude.

Your route today to Tengboche weaves in and out of side valleys, with small uphill and downhill treks. You'll be trekking for a total of five hours before you reach your teahouse in Tengboche where a delicious dinner will be waiting for you.

From Tengboche, you'll start your day by descending through forests of birches, conifers and rhododendrons to the village of Dingboche. You'll arrive in Dingboche, which is a labyrinth of walls and pastures, after about five hours of trekking.

Once again, like in Namche Bazaar, is imperative that you spend an additional night at Dingboche to aid the acclimatisation process. To help with the adjustment to the altitude, you can do a small day hike around the village of Dingboche, which is about four hours in total.

From Dingboche, the trail goes directly up the meadow facing the Lobuche east and west Peaks and up after an hour's walk the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier. In total, you'll be trekking for around four hours today.

Today, the ascent becomes steeper and rougher as it crosses several side moraines. The trail leads to Gorak Shep and finally, the Everest Base Camp, also known as EBC. You'll be trekking for a total of six hours today.

It is amazing how quickly you'll retrace the trail that was a challenge to ascend en route to Everest Base Camp. You should be well acclimatised now and you'll head quickly back downhill to Dughla and then taking a different route following the wide alpine valley to Pheriche for a long tea break.

From Pheriche, you'll ascend a short steep trail to the top of a small ridge for great views of Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega, before taking lunch at Orsho. In the afternoon, you'll again descend to Shomare and later pass through Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River and retrace your steps to Debuche and on to Tengboche.

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From Tengboche, you'll descend steeply to the suspension bridge at Phunkitenga and after a break and a cup of tea, you'll cross the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Tashinga. From here, the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa before returning to Namche Bazar, where you'll stay and enjoy a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar. You'll be trekking for a total of five hours today.

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Today, you'll slowly head back to Phakding through the busy town of Namche. The trek will take three hours. You'll descend to the Jorsale bridge, through the jungle and rough trail and walk to Monjo crossing the long suspension bridge. A gradual up and down to Phakding. This is a short and sweet walk to have rest on your way back before getting to the Lukla the next day.

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It is a short and easy walk now as you head back to Lukla. You'll start your last day walking along the river following the bridges of Monjo. It’s about three hours walk to Lukla. You'll walk along the River Dudh Koshi again and take a final uphill walk from Chheplung to Lukla. You'll spend the last night of your trek in the town of Lukla. After arriving in Lukla, you'll say goodbye to your guide and porter.

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This morning, you'll have breakfast and take the early morning flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you'll be met by your driver who will take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. After checking in at the hotel, you'll have some free time to do some souvenir shopping, get a massage or go on an optional tour.

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Today, you'll fly to the Kingdom of the Dragon, Bhutan. After breakfast, your driver will collect you and take you to the airport to catch your flight to Paro. From here, your driver will take you to your hotel where you'll check-in and then have free time to explore. Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants.

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Today, with an English-speaking Bhutanese guide, you will be exploring be Thimpu Valley. You'll witness the colourful culture and peaceful landscape of Bhutan. Today, you'll drive to Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. You'll visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National Takin Research Centre, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Painting School, the Weekend Market and the National Memorial Chorten.

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Today, you'll drive to Punakha from Thimphu. The journey is around 3-4 hours with an essential stop at the Dochula Pass, a snowy mountainous pass at 3,100 metres altitude in the Himalayan Mountains. Here, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountains and surrounding areas. The landscape is exceptionally scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquillity of the 108 Chortens which grace the mountain pass.

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Today, you'll drive back to Paro city witnessing the amazing landscape, mountains and forests along the highway. You'll make a stop at Wangdue Dzong at 1350 metres on the way to make in the majestic view. You'll then continue on to Paro, arriving in the afternoon. You'll then have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish.

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Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger's Nest’, it's the jewel of Paro and one of the most sacred pilgrimages of Bhutan. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around an hour and a half, from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging precariously to the side of the cliff. You'll have the option to walk further up to the monastery which will take another hour. If you choose to continue the hike the views will be incredibly rewarding.

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today, your driver will pick you up after breakfast and take you to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the hotel where you'll check-in and relax for the rest of the day. If you want to head out and explore more of Kathmandu then it is up to you how you'd like to enjoy your last night.