Everest Treks in Comfort

Begin your adventure in Kathmandu, the start point for countless Himalayan adventures and the capital of Nepal. You're met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Around 6pm, bid namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Nepalese welcome by arranging dinner at a great local restaurant. Want to explore Kathmandu further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Hotel Yak & Yeti (or similar).

Leave very early (approximately 3am!) for the four-hour drive to Manthali Airport, where we catch one of the first morning flights to Lukla. The hotel provides us with packed breakfasts, which we eat en route. Our flight takes us to the newly resurfaced mountain airstrip, and we enjoy a refreshing welcome tea at a Lukla lodge before commencing our first trek.

Pass through several villages before stopping for lunch at a beautiful riverside spot, below the base of the Kusum Kanguru mountain. Passing a majestic mani stone at Thada Kosi river, we reach our Phakding lodge. After, enjoy free time at the riverside lodge or opt for a short trip to a higher village and a delightful tiny gompa perched on the valley side.

In the evening, we gather for drinks by the fire, followed by a delightful meal at a newly built restaurant overlooking the Dudh Kosi river. Stay: Mountain Lodge of Nepal, Phakding (8,701ft/2,652m) (B/D).

Heading out of Phakding, we follow the Dudh Kosi north. Today's walk is one of the toughest of the trip, but we take it slowly, enjoying the scenery as we climb slowly up to Namche Bazaar. The trail is well marked and comfortably broad, while walking in the cooler part of the morning means it is easier to breathe and gradually get used to the increasing altitude. Along the way, there are two suspension bridges to cross as we zig-zag along and across the Dudh Kosi, passing through the Sherpa villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale.

A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up the ascent, we may get our first glimpse (cloud permitting) of the Everest summit behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 985ft (300m) climb brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. It always bustles with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear and Tibetan souvenirs. Stay: Mountain Lodge of Nepal, Namche (11,285ft/3,440m) (B/D).

In the morning, there's time to visit the Sagarmatha National Park Museum and Tenzing Norgay Memorial before heading to Tashinga. Our route follows the classic approach to Everest and along the way there are excellent opportunities to view the world's tallest peak (weather permitting). We keep to the almost-level winding trail for about 2hr 30min before taking a slight detour off the main trail; after a short walk, we arrive at our lodge for the night. There is time to relax in the afternoon and enjoy views of Ama Dablam, Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku. Stay: Everest Summit Lodge, Tashinga (11,319ft/3,450m) (B/D).

Looking across the valley from the lodge, we can see the path sloping diagonally upwards to Tengboche Monastery. Begin the trek by descending to the small hamlet of Phunki Tenga, which lies beside the Dudh Kosi. Cross the suspension bridge before beginning a steep ascent for about an hour. This part of the trail passes through fairly heavy forest of rhododendron and pine, so it is well shaded and cool. Once out of the forest, the trail becomes gentler and more gradual all the way to the monastery. The setting of Tengboche is magical, backdropped by some of the most brilliant peaks in the Himalaya. Here, we enjoy a magnificent view of Everest, a great photo opportunity. The monastery itself was accidentally burned down in 1989 but was rebuilt thanks to the expertise of local Sherpa communities and support from international organisations.

After a leisurely lunch and tour of the monastery and its surroundings, we retrace our steps to Tashinga. Stay: Everest Summit Lodge, Tashinga (11,319ft/3,450m) (B/D).

Leaving Tashinga, we retrace part of our route to Namche Bazaar for about an hour. Then we detour off the main trail, taking the path to Khumjung village, which heads gently up the shallow valley and into Khumjung, the education centre of Khumbu. Time permitting, we visit the Khumjung Monastery and Kunde hospital. From here, we continue to take the high trail above Namche Bazaar, bypassing Syangboche airport.

The valley ahead is extremely rugged but beautiful; as we wander along the forest track, look out for monal pheasants and small herds of thar. At the small village of Tesho, we turn off the main trail and head slowly up a closed valley. The last half hour of the climb to Mende is short, steep and guaranteed to take your breath away. This is where the past few days of hiking will be appreciated! At the lodge, the awesome views make the effort of getting there well worth it. Stay: Everest Summit Lodge, Mende (12,257ft/3,736m) (B/D).

Before beginning the descent to Monjo, we visit Laudo Monastery, 15 minutes' walk above Mende. The main temple is only 40 years old and was used until recently as a meditation school for Western students of Buddhism. It has a remarkable meditation room built underneath a huge rock, where people go on retreat for three years, three months or three days. The friendliest caretaker in the whole of Khumbu will be more than happy to serve butter tea and explain a little about the monastery.

Following our visit, we begin the decent, retracing our path to Phurte; from there, we take the lower trail to Namche. After three hours of easy walking, we arrive at Namche Bazaar for lunch. The rest of the trail is an easy descent to Monjo. Stay: Everest Summit Lodge, Monjo (9,314ft/2,839m) (B/D).

The return trek to Lukla follows a slightly different route to avoid walking through Phakding again. Keeping to a trail high above, on the other side of the Dudh Kosi, we visit the old Gumila Monastery before descending to the main trail.

After a short lunch break at Thada Kosi, we continue for a further two hours or so before we reach Lukla. Stay: Everest Summit Lodge, Lukla (9,317ft/2,840m) (B/D).

Fly back to Manthali Airport on one of the first flights of the day (approximately 7am to 7. 30am) to allow for the five to six-hour bus transfer back to Kathmandu, arriving in the city mid to late-afternoon. That gives you time to enjoy the excellent hotel facilities, perhaps with a post-trek spa treatment or dip in the garden pool. There are also two excellent restaurants to enjoy or speak to your tour leader for their local recommendations. Stay: Hotel Yak & Yeti (or similar) (B).

This morning, we meet our local city guide and visit Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, a great introduction to the rich history and spiritual significance of Kathmandu. It's perched on a hill, offering panoramic views of the city and Kathmandu Valley. The site is known not only for its religious importance but also for the playful rhesus macaque monkeys that roam around, adding to the charm and unique atmosphere of the place. It's a peaceful spot to take in both the natural beauty and religious devotion of Nepal. Then, moving to Kathmandu Durbar Square, we dive into the history and architecture of the city.

Despite damage from the 2015 earthquake, this World Heritage site still showcases incredible buildings, temples and statues from the Malla kings era. The restoration efforts are ongoing, so it's fascinating to see the blend of old and new. The square is also home to the Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Kumari, the Living Goddess, who is believed to be the earthly manifestation of the goddess Taleju. Visitors often catch glimpses of her from the balcony. From Durbar Square, we walk to the buzzy Thamel district via the old market for your last chance to pick up souvenirs. Stay: Hotel Yak & Yeti (or similar) (B).

The tour ends after breakfast, so it's time to start your return journey home. If you'd like a little more time to explore Kathmandu, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay. Alternatively consider joining Annapurna to Chitwan: Walks & Wildlife which can be combined with this trip (B).