Self-Launched Everest Panorama Trek: Khumbu Valley & Tengboche

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Take a pre-paid taxi from the arrivals hall to Thamel, the backpacker hub of Kathmandu (~£5–8). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel in Thamel. Spend the evening exploring Thamel's lively streets, grab a dal bhat at a local restaurant (~£3–5), and pick up any last-minute gear from the excellent trekking shops. Sort your TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit logistics for tomorrow — these can be arranged in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office on Bhrikutimandap.

🚌Pre-paid taxi from KTM airport to Thamel (~£5–8)

🛏Thamel hostel dorm or budget guesthouse — e.g. Zostel Kathmandu or similar (~£8–12/night)

• →Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
• →Transfer to Thamel by pre-paid taxi (~£5–8)
• →Explore Thamel neighbourhood
• →Begin permit arrangements (TIMS card + Sagarmatha National Park permit — can be done Day 1 or 2 at Nepal Tourism Board)

Head to the Nepal Tourism Board early to collect your TIMS card (£7) and Sagarmatha National Park permit (~£25). Then board a public or shared tourist bus from Kathmandu to Ramechhap/Manthali (~7 hrs, ~£6–10). Most Lukla flights during peak trekking season (spring/autumn) now depart from Manthali Airport. Budget accommodation is available near the airport — basic guesthouses charge £8–15/night. Hire a local Sherpa guide (~£25–35/day) and porter (~£18–22/day) either in Kathmandu through a reputable agency (e.g. 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking or Himalayan Glacier) or on arrival in Lukla.

🚌Public tourist bus or shared jeep Kathmandu → Ramechhap (~£6–10)

🛏Basic guesthouse near Manthali/Ramechhap airport (~£8–12/night)

• →Collect TIMS card at Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap (~£7)
• →Collect Sagarmatha National Park permit (~£25)
• →Public tourist bus or shared jeep from Kathmandu to Ramechhap/Manthali (~£6–10, ~7 hrs)
• →Arrange Sherpa guide and porter hire if not already done in Kathmandu

Take your early-morning flight from Manthali (Ramechhap Airport) to Lukla (~20 mins). Book independently through Tara Air or Summit Air — prices vary but budget ~£140–160 return per person. Lukla sits at 2,840m and is the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. After landing, begin your trek through Lukla village and descend through forests and suspension bridges to Phakding (2,610m) on the Dudh Kosi River (~4 hrs, 7.5km). Visit the local monastery for your first taste of Sherpa culture. Settle into a teahouse for the evening; most offer free accommodation if you eat your meals there (~£0–5/night bed, meals ~£6–12).

🚌Tara Air / Summit Air flight Manthali → Lukla (~£70–80 one way)

🛏Teahouse in Phakding — free or ~£2–5/night if eating meals there

• →Morning flight Manthali → Lukla with Tara Air or Summit Air (~£70–80 one way, book direct at tara-air.com)
• →Trek Lukla to Phakding (~4 hrs, 7.5km, 610m up / 830m down)
• →Visit Phakding Monastery
• →Evening in teahouse with herbal tea by the yak-dung stove

An exciting and challenging day — one of the most dramatic on the trek (~6 hrs, 10.5km). Follow the Dudh Koshi River through pine forests, cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge with its jaw-dropping views of Thamserku (6,618m), pass through Jorsale (where your National Park permit is checked), then make the steep 600m climb up to Namche Bazaar. At 3,440m, Namche is the bustling Sherpa capital, packed with bakeries, gear shops, Wi-Fi cafes and even a small museum. Get your first glimpse of Everest from the town's upper ridgeline.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar (~£2–8/night)

• →Trek Phakding → Namche Bazaar (~6 hrs, 10.5km, 1,670m up / 880m down)
• →Cross Hillary Suspension Bridge
• →Sagarmatha National Park entry checkpoint at Jorsale
• →Explore Namche Bazaar on arrival — bakeries, shops, Sherpa museum

A vital acclimatisation rest day — don't skip it. The golden rule at altitude is 'climb high, sleep low': take a morning hike up to the Everest View Hotel viewpoint (~3,900m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku, then descend back to Namche to sleep. In the afternoon, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum (free), browse the Saturday market (if timing works), watch classic Everest films at one of the café-cinemas, or simply rest and hydrate. Stay a second night in the same teahouse.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar (~£2–8/night)

• →Acclimatisation hike to Everest View Hotel viewpoint (~3,900m) and back (~2–3 hrs)
• →Visit Sherpa Culture Museum (free or small donation)
• →Explore Namche bakeries and gear shops
• →Rest, hydrate and acclimatise

A shorter, rewarding day (~4 hrs, 5km) climbing above Namche to one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the entire Himalayas. Pass through the twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung, visiting the Khunde Hospital and the Khumjung Hillary School — both built by Sir Edmund Hillary. Don't miss the Khumjung Monastery, said to house a 300-year-old yeti scalp. The afternoon is free to explore the village and chat with locals. Meals and accommodation at a Khumjung teahouse.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Khumjung (~£2–5/night)

• →Trek Namche → Khumjung (~4 hrs, 5km, 510m up / 160m down)
• →Himalayan panoramic viewpoint above Namche
• →Visit Khunde Hospital and Khumjung Hillary School
• →Visit Khumjung Monastery (yeti scalp relic)

A spectacular day trekking northeast into the Imja Khola valley (~5 hrs, 5km) to reach Tengboche, home to the highest Buddhist monastery in the world. The route rewards with increasingly dramatic views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Everest. Tengboche Monastery (Thyangboche Gompa) is free to visit and a genuinely awe-inspiring place — attend an evening puja ceremony if timing allows. This is the highest point of the trek at ~3,860m. Stay in a teahouse in Tengboche village.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Tengboche (~£2–5/night)

• →Trek Khumjung → Tengboche (~5 hrs, 5km, 580m up / 500m down)
• →Visit Tengboche Monastery / Thyangboche Gompa (free entry)
• →Attend evening puja prayer ceremony if available
• →Views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam

Begin the descent back down the valley (~4 hrs, 9km). The going is easier now you're acclimatised — enjoy the views at a relaxed pace and make the most of photo opportunities. Pass through Phunke Teng and cross the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi. Return to the familiar comforts of Namche Bazaar for a final evening in the Sherpa capital — treat yourself to a slice of cake at one of the famous bakeries.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar (~£2–8/night)

• →Trek Tengboche → Namche Bazaar (~4 hrs, 9km, 540m up / 1,000m down)
• →Cross Phunke Teng suspension bridge
• →Final evening in Namche — bakeries, cafés, souvenir shopping

The longest descent day (~6 hrs, 18km) following the Dudh Koshi valley back through rhododendron and pine forests to Lukla. The trail is well-marked and the altitude is decreasing, so most trekkers find this easier than expected despite the distance. Say your goodbyes to your porter and guide (tip customarily ~£60–80pp total split between guide and porter — this is genuinely important to them). Celebrate your final trekking night in a Lukla teahouse.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Lukla (~£2–5/night)

• →Trek Namche → Lukla (~6 hrs, 18km, 1,354m up / 1,995m down)
• →Trek through Sherpa villages and rhododendron forests
• →Farewell to your local guide and porter team — tip ~£60–80pp
• →Celebratory dinner in Lukla teahouse

Take the early morning flight from Lukla back to Manthali (~20 mins). Flights are subject to weather delays — be flexible and have a buffer day if your international departure allows. From Manthali/Ramechhap, take a shared tourist bus or jeep back to Kathmandu (~7 hrs, ~£6–10). Arrive in time for a well-earned hot shower, a proper meal and celebratory drinks in Thamel. Book your return Kathmandu accommodation in advance — Thamel is well-served with budget options.

🚌Tara Air / Summit Air flight Lukla → Manthali (~£70–80); shared bus/jeep Manthali → Kathmandu (~£6–10)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Thamel, Kathmandu (~£8–15/night)

• →Morning flight Lukla → Manthali with Tara Air / Summit Air (~£70–80)
• →Shared bus or jeep Manthali → Kathmandu (~7 hrs, ~£6–10)
• →Celebratory dinner in Thamel (~£5–12)

A relaxed final morning in Kathmandu. If time allows, visit Boudhanath Stupa (£2 entry) or Pashupatinath Temple — both UNESCO World Heritage Sites within easy reach of Thamel by taxi (~£3–5). Alternatively, browse Thamel for last-minute souvenirs, or grab brunch at one of the many excellent cafés. Take a pre-paid taxi to KTM airport for your international flight home (~£5–8).

🚌Pre-paid taxi to KTM airport (~£5–8)

🛏Check out — no accommodation needed

• →Visit Boudhanath Stupa (£2 entry) or Pashupatinath Temple
• →Final brunch or coffee in Thamel
• →Pre-paid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5–8)