The Grand Adventure
The ultimate Nepal adventure for experienced trekkers. This 3-week itinerary includes cultural immersion in Kathmandu, then a choice of two epic mountain treks: Everest Base Camp Trek (highest altitude) or Annapurna Circuit (most scenic). Both offer authentic mountain village experiences, extreme altitude challenges, and unforgettable Himalayan encounters.
Difficulty
Challenging
Total Cost
USD 2,500 - 3,500 (~NPR 330,000 - 465,000)
Estimated all-inclusive guide & permitsDuration
21 days
Best For
Serious trekkers, Mountain enthusiasts, Adventure seekers, Photography professionals
Overview
The ultimate Nepal adventure for experienced trekkers. This 3-week itinerary includes cultural immersion in Kathmandu, then a choice of two epic mountain treks: Everest Base Camp Trek (highest altitude) or Annapurna Circuit (most scenic). Both offer authentic mountain village experiences, extreme altitude challenges, and unforgettable Himalayan encounters.
What to Expect
Extreme altitude challenges (up to 5,500m), daily 5-7 hour treks, potential altitude sickness, basic tea house accommodations, minimal facilities, life-changing mountain experiences. Requires good fitness and altitude acclimatization strategy.
Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu
📍 Kathmandu
Activities
- →Arrive Tribhuvan International Airport
- →Hotel check-in
- →Rest and acclimatize to 1,300m
- →Light evening walk
L: At airport
D: Hotel restaurant
Hotel in Kathmandu
Kathmandu Cultural Day 1
📍 Kathmandu
Activities
- →Swayambhunath Stupa
- →Kathmandu Durbar Square
- →Pashupatinath Temple
- →Evening prayers at Boudhanath
B: Hotel
L: Local restaurant
D: Restaurant
Hotel in Kathmandu
Kathmandu Cultural Day 2 + Trek Briefing
📍 Kathmandu
Activities
- →Bhaktapur or Nagarkot day trip
- →Evening trek briefing with guide
- →Finalize trek details
- →Early dinner and rest
B: Hotel
L: En route
D: Early dinner
Hotel in Kathmandu
Fly to Lukla - Enter Everest Region OR Fly to Pokhara - Annapurna Start
📍 Lukla (5,200m) or Pokhara (800m)
Activities
- →Choose trek: Everest Base Camp OR Annapurna Circuit
- →For EBC: Early flight to Lukla (dramatic mountain landing)
- →For AC: Flight to Pokhara, drive to Besisahar, trek begins
- →Trek orientation
B: Kathmandu hotel
L: Lukla or Pokhara
D: Tea house dinner
Tea house in Phakding (EBC) or Besisahar area (AC)
EBC Trek Day 1: Lukla to Phakding OR AC Day 1: Besisahar to Chyamche
📍 Phakding (2,600m) or Chyamche (1,550m)
Activities
- →EBC: Easy 3-hour trek to Phakding via Monjo
- →OR AC: 5-hour trek through subtropical forest
- →Check into tea house
- →Meet fellow trekkers
B: Lukla/Pokhara tea house
L: Tea house en route
D: Tea house dinner
Tea house (basic)
EBC Trek Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar OR AC Day 2: Chyamche to Jagat
📍 Namche Bazaar (3,440m) or Jagat (1,520m)
Activities
- →EBC: Challenging uphill trek to Namche Bazaar
- →OR AC: Gradual ascent through forest and villages
- →Arrive early afternoon
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar (EBC) OR AC Day 3: Jagat to Chamje
📍 Namche Bazaar or Chamje
Activities
- →EBC: Rest day in Namche - explore village, climb Sagarmatha View Point (3,880m)
- →OR AC: Continue trek to Chamje
- →EBC guide briefing on remaining trek
B: Tea house
L: Restaurant in Namche
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 3: Namche to Tengboche OR AC Day 4: Chamje to Isor
📍 Tengboche (3,860m) or Isor (1,950m)
Activities
- →EBC: Trek to Tengboche, visit famous monastery
- →OR AC: Continue toward higher elevations
- →Stunning mountain views beginning
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 4: Tengboche to Dingboche OR AC Day 5: Isor to Dharapani
📍 Dingboche (4,410m) or Dharapani (2,000m)
Activities
- →EBC: Trek through rhododendron forest
- →Altitude increasing significantly
- →OR AC: Continue steady ascent
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 5: Dingboche Acclimatization OR AC Day 6: Dharapani to Besisahar
📍 Dingboche (4,410m) or Besisahar (820m)
Activities
- →EBC: Acclimatization hike to Nagjuma La or Chukkung (4,730m)
- →OR AC: Trek continues toward Manang
- →More extreme altitude for EBC
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 6: Dingboche to Lobuche OR AC Day 7: Besisahar to Manang
📍 Lobuche (4,940m) or Manang (3,540m)
Activities
- →EBC: Trek above 4,500m—severe altitude
- →OR AC: Rest day in Manang for acclimatization
- →Extreme altitude exposure beginning
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 7: Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp OR AC Day 8: Manang to Tanki Gyu
📍 Gorak Shep (5,160m) or Tanki Gyu (3,600m)
Activities
- →EBC: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364m)—TREK HIGHLIGHT
- →Sunrise views of Everest from base camp
- →Return to Gorak Shep by afternoon
- →OR AC: Begin higher altitude section
B: Early tea/coffee
L: Tea house en route
D: Tea house
Tea house at Gorak Shep
EBC Trek Day 8: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche OR AC Day 9: Tanki Gyu to Thorung Phedi
📍 Pheriche (4,280m) or Thorung Phedi (4,540m)
Activities
- →EBC: Pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m)
- →Sunrise over Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse
- →Descend to Pheriche
- →OR AC: Trek to Thorung Phedi for next day's pass
B: Very early breakfast
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 9: Pheriche to Namche OR AC Day 10: Thorung Phedi to Thorung La to Muktinath
📍 Namche Bazaar or Muktinath (3,760m)
Activities
- →EBC: Long descent back to Namche Bazaar
- →OR AC: Cross Thorung La Pass (5,416m)—MOST CHALLENGING
- →Early start required for AC pass crossing
- →AC descend to Muktinath on far side
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 10: Namche to Lukla OR AC Day 11: Muktinath to Jomsom
📍 Lukla (2,600m) or Jomsom (2,720m)
Activities
- →EBC: Trek back down to Lukla
- →Prepare for flight back to Kathmandu
- →OR AC: Trek continues through Mustang region
B: Tea house
L: En route
D: Tea house
Tea house
EBC Trek Day 11: Lukla to Kathmandu OR AC Day 12: Jomsom to Tatopani
📍 Kathmandu or Tatopani (1,190m)
Activities
- →EBC: Scenic flight back to Kathmandu
- →Rest day after trek
- →OR AC: Trek continues toward lower elevations
B: Lukla tea house
L: Airport or en route
D: Restaurant in Kathmandu
Hotel in Kathmandu (EBC) or Tea house (AC)
Rest & Recovery in Kathmandu OR AC Day 13: Tatopani to Pokhara
📍 Kathmandu or Pokhara
Activities
- →EBC: Full rest day in Kathmandu
- →Massage, shopping, local restaurants
- →OR AC: Final trek descent to Pokhara
B: Hotel (leisurely)
L: Restaurant of choice
D: Special dinner
Hotel in Kathmandu (EBC) or Pokhara hotel (AC)
Optional: Day Trip OR AC Day 14: Pokhara Rest Day
📍 Kathmandu area / Pokhara
Activities
- →EBC: Bhaktapur, Nagarkot, or Changu Narayan
- →OR AC: Pokhara rest day—Sarangkot sunrise, paragliding
B: Hotel
L: En route or restaurant
D: Restaurant
Hotel in Kathmandu (EBC) or Pokhara (AC)
Final Cultural Day OR AC Transition
📍 Kathmandu or Pokhara
Activities
- →EBC: Final shopping, temple visits
- →OR AC: Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu
B: Hotel
L: Restaurant
D: Farewell dinner
Hotel in Kathmandu
Kathmandu Final Day
📍 Kathmandu
Activities
- →Final souvenir shopping
- →Last meal with trekking group
- →Reflection on adventure
B: Hotel
L: Restaurant
D: Farewell celebration
Hotel in Kathmandu
Depart Nepal
📍 Tribhuvan International Airport
Activities
- →Transfer to airport
- →International departure
B: Hotel (if time)
None (departure)
✓ Included in Cost
- +All accommodation (hotels and tea houses)
- +All meals on trek
- +Internal flights
- +Trek permits and guides
- +All cultural tours
- +Park entrance fees
- +High altitude porters
✕ Not Included in Cost
- -International flights
- -Travel insurance (critical with altitude)
- -Personal expenses
- -Optional activities
- -Alcoholic beverages
- -Tips and gratuities
Essential Packing List
Pro Tips
- ★Acclimatize minimum 3-4 days in Kathmandu
- ★Choose trek based on fitness level (EBC more altitude, AC more distance)
- ★Take Diamox as prescribed—consult doctor before trip
- ★Drink 3-4 liters daily at altitude
- ★Never hike through severe altitude sickness symptoms
- ★Travel insurance must cover altitude to 6,000m+ and evacuation
- ★Hire experienced guide familiar with altitude response
- ★Ascend slowly—'climb high, sleep low' strategy critical
Required Gear, Peaks & Connected Travel Planning
22 connected resources
800-Fill Goose Down Expedition Jacket
Apparel & Insulation
Gore-Tex Waterproof Mountain Trekking Boots
Footwear
Four-Season Down Sleeping Bag (-20°C / -4°F)
Sleeping & Shelter
12-Point Mountain Crampons & Alpine Ice Axe
Technical Climbing
UIAA Mountaineering Helmet & Alpine Sit Harness
Technical Climbing
Carbon Fiber Anti-Shock Trekking Poles
Trekking Accessories
Himalayan Expedition Medical & Altitude Sickness Kit
Health & Safety
Two-Way Satellite Messenger & Global SOS Tracker
Electronics & Lighting
Everest Base Camp Trek
Journey to the World's Highest Mountain
Annapurna Circuit Trek
The Classic Himalayan Trek - Diverse Landscapes and Cultures
Upper Mustang
The Forbidden Kingdom of Lo Manthang
Mount Everest (Sagarmatha)
8,848.86m (29,031.7ft)
Annapurna I
8,091m (26,545ft)
Ama Dablam
6,812m (22,349ft)
Tea Houses
Authentic Trekking Accommodations
Luxury Resorts
Exclusive Experiences in Nature
Trekking in Nepal
Walking Through Himalayan Dreams
White Water Rafting
Ride Himalayan Rivers
Bungee & Canyon Swing
Free-Fall Over Raging Himalayan Canyons
Safety & Health
Travel Safety and Essential Health Information
Safety & Health
Travel Safety and Essential Health Information
Visa & Entry Requirements
Essential Travel Documents and Procedures
Ready for Your Adventure?
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