Classic Everest Panorama Lodge Trek
- 9 days
- moderate
- Up to 12
- Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Sep–Dec)
We guide you through Sherpa villages, pine forests, and high suspension bridges to the foot of Everest without ascending above 3,880 m.
At a glance
Trip overview
Our Everest Panorama Trek is designed for hikers who want to experience the high mountain scenery of the Khumbu region without the physical strain and risk profile of reaching Everest Base Camp. Over nine days, we lead you along the Dudh Koshi river valley, through native forests of pine and rhododendron, and into traditional Sherpa settlements where Buddhist prayer walls and mani stones line the paths. We maintain a steady, measured pace to allow for proper altitude adaptation as we approach the regional capital of Namche Bazaar and the high ridge of Tengboche.
This route suits hill-walkers and moderately fit travellers who are comfortable with consecutive days of uphill and downhill hiking on stone steps and dirt trails. We stay in local teahouses run by Sherpa families, eating hearty meals of dal bhat, noodles, and fresh garlic soup to maintain our energy. While the daily walking hours range from three to seven hours, our lead guide monitors oxygen saturation levels with an oximeter each evening to ensure everyone adjusts safely to the thinning air.
The cultural heart of the journey lies in the monasteries and villages we visit. We stop at Tengboche Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu, and walk through Khumjung to view the historic school established by Sir Edmund Hillary. Throughout the trek, the horizon is dominated by major Himalayan peaks including Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest itself, offering clear photography opportunities during the stable autumn and spring months.
Why this trek
Trip highlights
Everest View Hotel Vista
We hike up to 3,880 m to take in uninterrupted views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
Tengboche Monastery Visit
We observe monks during evening prayer inside the largest Buddhist gompa in the Khumbu region.
Sherpa Culture in Namche
We spend time exploring the market town of Namche Bazaar and interacting with local Sherpa families.
Sagarmatha National Park
We walk through protected pine and rhododendron forests past waterfalls and roaring glacial rivers.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Meals: B
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Meals: B
Our team meets you upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Kathmandu. We use the afternoon to check your trekking gear and brief you on the logistics of the upcoming days in the mountains.
Day 2
Kathmandu to Lukla and Phakding
Meals: B / L / D
Day 2
Kathmandu to Lukla and Phakding
Meals: B / L / D
We take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to the mountain airstrip at Lukla. After meeting our porters and organizing our packs, we begin our descent along stone-paved trails towards the Dudh Koshi river, eventually reaching our lodge in Phakding.
Day 3
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Meals: B / L / D
Day 3
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Meals: B / L / D
Our trail crosses several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river before entering Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. We tackle the long, sustained uphill climb past the Hillary Bridge to arrive at the bustling trading hub of Namche Bazaar.
Day 4
Acclimatisation Day in Namche Bazaar
Meals: B / L / D
Day 4
Acclimatisation Day in Namche Bazaar
Meals: B / L / D
We spend today letting our bodies adjust to the elevation by taking a morning hike up to the Everest View Hotel and the ridge above Khumjung. We return to Namche in the afternoon to visit the local museum and rest.
Day 5
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Meals: B / L / D
Day 5
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Meals: B / L / D
We contour along a magnificent trail overlooking the Dudh Koshi before dropping steeply to the river at Phunki Tenga. A steady afternoon ascent through pine forests brings us to the grassy plateau and famous monastery of Tengboche.
Day 6
Tengboche to Namche via Khumjung
Meals: B / L / D
Day 6
Tengboche to Namche via Khumjung
Meals: B / L / D
We retrace our steps down to the bridge and climb towards the quiet village of Khumjung, where we visit the Hillary School and the local monastery. From there, we traverse the hillside back into Namche Bazaar for our final evening in the upper valley.
Day 7
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Meals: B / L / D
Day 7
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Meals: B / L / D
We make a long, continuous descent down the steep stone staircases, crossing suspension bridges over the roaring river through Monjo and Phakding. Our final stretch brings us back to Lukla, where we celebrate the conclusion of our trekking route with our support crew.
Day 8
Lukla to Kathmandu
Meals: B / L / D
Day 8
Lukla to Kathmandu
Meals: B / L / D
We board our morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, enjoying one last aerial view of the Himalayan foothills. Our team transfers you to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free for rest or independent sightseeing.
Day 9
Departure from Kathmandu
Meals: B
Day 9
Departure from Kathmandu
Meals: B
Our representative escorts you to Tribhuvan International Airport three hours prior to your international flight home, concluding our services.
Inclusions
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop-off in private vehicle
- Two nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Lukla
- Twin-share teahouse accommodation during the trek
- Full board meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- English-speaking licensed trekking guide and porters
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and local levies
- First aid medical kit with oximeter for daily monitoring
Not included
- International airfare and Nepal entry visa
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude emergency evacuation
- Lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu
- Hot showers during the trek except in Phakding, Namche, and Lukla
- Personal trekking gear and bottled drinks
- Tips and gratuities for guides and porters
Before you go
Good to know
Altitude & acclimatisation
Our highest sleeping altitude on this trek is 3,860 m at Tengboche, with daytime excursions reaching 3,880 m at the Everest View Hotel. We include a dedicated acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar to help prevent altitude sickness, and our lead guides carry oximeters to check your oxygen levels every evening.
Teahouse accommodation
We lodge in family-run mountain teahouses along the route. Rooms are basic on a twin-share basis with wooden beds and foam mattresses. Private bathrooms and hot showers are available in Phakding, Namche, and Lukla, while higher facilities share communal spaces.
Luggage and porters
We provide one duffel bag per pair of trekkers for the porters to carry, with a weight limit of 12 kg to 13 kg per trekker. You will carry a lightweight daypack containing your water bottles, rain shell, camera, and personal valuables while walking.
Mountain flights
Flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are subject to weather conditions and visibility. During peak spring and autumn seasons, flights frequently operate out of Ramechhap rather than Kathmandu, requiring an early morning overland transfer which our team arranges.
Route
Route overview
Altitude
Altitude profile
Pack list
What to pack
Sturdy hiking boots with ankle supportEssential
Footwear
Must be broken in prior to arrival.
Waterproof outer shell jacketEssential
Clothing
Gore-Tex or equivalent breathable fabric.
Down jacketEssential
Clothing
We provide a complimentary one for the duration of the trek.
Sleeping bag rated to -10°CEssential
Camping
We provide a complimentary one for the duration of the trek.
Trekking polesEssential
Safety
Useful for saving knees on long descents.
Valid passport and insurance documentsEssential
Documents
Keep physical copies in your daypack.
Woollen beanie and sun hatEssential
Clothing
For cold mornings and intense sun exposure.
Reusable water bottles or hydration bladderEssential
Safety
Minimum 2-litre capacity.
Paperwork
Permits & paperwork
We arrange
Handled in Kathmandu — nothing for you to do.Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
PermitRequired for entering the protected national park area.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit
PermitLocal government levy supporting regional infrastructure.
Tengboche Entrance Fee
PermitContribution for visiting the monastery grounds.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the Everest Panorama Trek?
We rate this trek as easy to moderate. It involves walking between three and seven hours a day on stone and dirt paths with sustained uphill sections, but it stays below 4,000 metres and does not require technical mountaineering skills.
What happens if Lukla flights are delayed?
Mountain weather can cause flight delays. We advise adding two or three buffer days to your international travel schedule to account for potential wait times at Lukla or Ramechhap.
Can I charge my electronic devices on the trail?
Yes, most teahouses offer device charging and Wi-Fi access for a small hourly or per-device fee, though power can be unreliable at higher elevations.
What drinking water options are available?
You can buy bottled mineral water in villages or fill your bottles with tap water and treat it using purification tablets or UV drops provided by our team.
Do I need travel insurance for this trek?
Yes, you must carry comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers emergency helicopter evacuation up to 4,000 metres.
What food is served in the teahouses?
Teahouses offer a varied menu including traditional dal bhat (rice, lentils, and vegetable curry), noodles, momos, soups, fried rice, and pancake breakfasts.
Still have a question? Message us and our trip planner will reply within a working day.
Book your trip
Pick any start date on the calendar. We block the trip out over 9 days and confirm the plan with you before payment.
Start dateTrip runs
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