Tenzing Hillary Marathon - 16 Days

Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the international airport in Kathmandu and transferred to the hotel by our airport representative. After refreshments, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel for a half-day sightseeing tour to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Later this evening you will be picked up from your hotel for a cultural dinner. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Today you have a full-day guided sightseeing tour to the Buddhist and Hindu sights in Kathmandu, probably to Durbar Square, then visit “Swyambhunath” a Holy sight of Hinduism and Buddhism also known as “the monkey temple” as a large number of holy monkeys are living in the north-west part of the temple. Next, you will be taken to “Pashupatinath a sacred Hindu temple situated on the bank of the Bagmati River. You will then be driven to “Boddhanath Stupa” one of the biggest and oldest stupas in the world. Later in the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip meeting with your trekking guide in your hotel. Our office representative will brief you regarding the trek as well as provide you the opportunity to ask any questions about the upcoming trip. Second overnight in Kathmandu.

Today an early morning transfer to the airport for 35min short but scenic flight to the Himalayan foothills where we begin our trek into the Everest region. The views from the plane are stunning, providing dramatic sights of terraced hills and the distant Himalayan giants. After landing at Lukla airport, we walk for 3 hours to the town of Phakding with a few up and downs along the Dudh Koshi River. Stay overnight at the tea house in Phakding.

Today after breakfast, we continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, crossing this majestic river numerous times on exciting suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags. After entering Sagarmatha National Park, from Larja Dobhan the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Everest region. Stay overnight at a tea house In Namche Bazaar.

Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colorful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, rewards trekkers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, the beautiful Ama Dablam, and many more. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum which houses an exhibit on the traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. Stay overnight at the tea house.

The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Koshi with magnificent views of the mountains. We spend the night next to the Tengboche monastery, the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. With luck, our group will see the Lama perform a ceremony and hear the mystical chanting and music. Stay overnight at the tea house.

Today we depart Tengboche. The trail drops to Debuche crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imia Khola through a rhododendron forest and climbs to Pangboche among thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche with its exciting views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Stay overnight at a tea house.

Today we take another rest and acclimatization day. There is the option of taking a light hike up the valley for a wider variety of photos of the valley and mountains of the Khumbu region.

From Dingboche, the trail diverts north, and the path is gradual up for about 40 -50 minutes as you come to a mani-prayer Stupa, from here the trail begins gently, with a nice view of Pheriche village.  Today’s walk offers a beautiful view of Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam, and to north Pokalde, and many more mountains. Thugla is the only place with teahouses before Lobuche. From Thugla, an hour steep up brings you to the top, where you can view Mt.Pumori and other peaks west of Everest, the spot here is a good place for a few minute's break after the strenuous climb, close to this spot you can also see a number of the memorial of the unfortunate climbers, who died in expeditions around the mountain of this region. Finally, reach Lobuche for an overnight at a tea house.

After an early morning start, we ascend through the glacier to Gorkashep. You have a full afternoon to Acclimatization/rest. Later in the afternoon, you have a day walk to Kalaphattar, one of the most famous Everest View points in the area. Stay overnight at the tea house.

Today after breakfast we begin trekking to Everest Base Camp which is located at the foothills of the Khumbu Icefall. Back to Gorakshep and stay overnight at the tea house.

Today is the rest day at Everest Base Camp and Preparation day for the race. Later in the afternoon Marathon Briefing and Mock Race. A quick check by the doctor to ensure runners don’t have altitude sickness.

Today, in the early morning the race will be started and you will participate in the rest. The race goes downward to Namche Bazaar. You have to run as fast as possible to complete the fastest run. The recorded fasted run up to now is 2 hours 56 minutes. The winner will be chosen and the certification distribution program will be held. Overnight stay at Namche Bazaar.

Re-trace our steps back to Lukla with a big descent till Monjo along the Dudh Koshi River then the trail continues with gentle ups and downs to Lukla. Stay overnight at a tea house in Lukla.

Today an early morning breakfast then fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the airport you will be transferred to the hotel.

Today we will transfer you to the international airport for your departure back home.