Trek the Everest Panorama Trail: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and make your own way to a guesthouse in the Thamel district — the budget traveller hub of Kathmandu. Taxis from the airport cost around £5-8; negotiate before you get in or use a prepaid taxi counter. Spend the afternoon exploring Thamel's gear shops — a great place to hire or buy any last-minute trekking kit. Head out for a solo dinner at one of the many excellent Nepali restaurants lining the backstreets.

🚌Prepaid taxi from KTM airport to Thamel (~£5-8)

🛏Thamel eco-resort or mid-range guesthouse (e.g. Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar) — budget £15-25/night

• →Explore Thamel neighbourhood and gear shops
• →Pick up or hire trekking equipment if needed
• →Arrange your trekking permits (TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit) — can be done at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu for ~£30 total
• →Dinner at a local Nepali restaurant in Thamel

During peak season (March–May, Oct–Nov), most Lukla flights depart from Manthali Airport near Ramechhap to ease congestion at Kathmandu. Take a shared jeep or tourist bus from Kathmandu to Manthali — the journey takes around 5-7 hours. Book via a local travel agent in Thamel the day before (around £8-15pp). Budget guesthouses near Ramechhap Airport are basic but comfortable. Alternatively, book a spot at a local lodge or simple guesthouse in the area for the night.

🚌Shared tourist jeep or local bus from Kathmandu to Manthali (~£8-15, book in Thamel)

🛏Simple guesthouse near Ramechhap Airport — budget £8-12/night

• →Early morning departure from Kathmandu
• →Scenic drive through rural Nepal
• →Rest, rehydrate and prepare your daypack for the trek ahead
• →Check in for your Lukla flight at Manthali Airport for tomorrow morning

Catch your early morning flight from Manthali to Lukla (one of the world's most dramatic mountain airstrips, at 9,317 ft). Flights with Tara Air or Summit Air cost around £120-150 return — book in advance online or through a Kathmandu travel agent. On arrival in Lukla, meet your freelance Sherpa guide (pre-arranged in Kathmandu — recommended, ~£25-30/day) and begin your trek. The trail descends through the prosperous village of Lukla before following the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding. Visit the nearby monastery for your first taste of Tibetan Buddhist culture before settling into your teahouse for the night.

🚌Manthali–Lukla flight with Tara Air or Summit Air (~£120-150 return, booked in advance)

🛏Teahouse in Phakding — budget £5-10/night (room cost, meals extra)

• →Dramatic 20-minute flight over the Himalayas to Lukla
• →Trek ~5 miles from Lukla to Phakding (approx. 4 hours)
• →Visit the monastery near Phakding
• →Evening tea by the yak-dung stove in the teahouse

A longer, more demanding day's hiking through stunning pine forests along the Dudh Koshi River. Cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge — named after the first man to summit Everest — for epic views of Mount Thamserku (21,712 ft). Pass through Jorsale before the steep, lung-busting climb up to Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa capital. On arrival, check into your teahouse and reward yourself with a hot dal bhat and herbal tea. Your first glimpse of Everest awaits at the viewpoint above town.

🚌Trekking on foot (~7 miles, 6 hours)

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar — budget £5-12/night

• →Cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge
• →Views of Mount Thamserku (21,712 ft)
• →Steep climb to Namche Bazaar
• →First glimpse of Everest from the viewpoint above town

Take a mandatory acclimatisation rest day in Namche — essential at 11,290 ft before ascending further. Namche is surprisingly lively for such a remote location: browse artisan craft shops, stock up at the bakeries (a real treat after the climb!), watch an old Everest documentary at the famous Café cinema, and pop into what claims to be the world's highest Irish pub. In the afternoon, hike up to the Everest View Hotel viewpoint for panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Thamserku — a short but rewarding hike that also helps with acclimatisation.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar — budget £5-12/night

• →Morning hike to Everest View Hotel viewpoint (~1-2 hours)
• →Panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Thamserku
• →Explore Namche's bakeries, craft shops and gear stores
• →Everest film screening at the Café cinema
• →Visit the 'world's highest Irish pub'

Climb above Namche Bazaar to one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the entire Himalayas. Trek through the Khumjung Valley, visiting the remote mountain communities of Khunde and Khumjung. Pass the Khunde Hospital and the Khumjung Hillary School — both built by Sir Edmund Hillary after his historic Everest summit. Don't miss the Khumjung Monastery, which claims to house a 300-year-old yeti scalp. This is a shorter, quieter day — enjoy the pace and soak up the mountain views.

🚌Trekking on foot (~3 miles, 4 hours)

🛏Teahouse in Khumjung — budget £5-10/night

• →Panoramic Himalayan viewpoint above Namche
• →Visit Khunde Hospital and the Hillary School
• →Khumjung Monastery and the legendary yeti scalp relic
• →Stroll through the remote villages of Khunde and Khumjung

Today's trail forks northeast into a spectacular tributary valley, climbing steep slopes toward the spiritual highlight of the trek: Tengboche Monastery — the highest Buddhist gompa of its kind in the world and an extraordinary place to spend a night. The monastery is surrounded by yak grazing meadows and offers breathtaking views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Everest. Arrive in time for the afternoon puja (prayer ceremony) if timing allows. Spend the evening in quiet reflection at your teahouse.

🚌Trekking on foot (~3 miles, 5 hours)

🛏Teahouse in Tengboche — budget £5-10/night

• →Trek through dramatic tributary valley scenery
• →Visit Tengboche Monastery (highest Buddhist gompa in the world)
• →Attend the afternoon puja prayer ceremony if timing allows
• →Views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Everest

Begin the satisfying descent back down the valley, passing through the village of Phunke Teng and crossing a large suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. The descent is far easier now you're acclimatised — use the extra energy to pause for photos, chat with passing yak herders, and really absorb the scenery you may have been too breathless to appreciate on the way up. Return to Namche Bazaar for a final afternoon exploring the Sherpa capital, picking up souvenirs, and enjoying a well-earned celebratory meal.

🚌Trekking on foot (~6 miles, 4 hours)

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar — budget £5-12/night

• →Descent through Phunke Teng with suspension bridge crossing
• →Final afternoon exploring Namche Bazaar
• →Souvenir shopping and celebratory meal
• →Stunning Himalayan views throughout the descent

The final long descent of the trek — a full day's hike back to Lukla through forests of rhododendron and pine. Pass through Sherpa villages and take in the trail one last time before saying farewell to your guide and porter team (remember to tip generously — budget $80-100pp). Lukla has a surprising number of cosy teahouses and small bars to celebrate your achievement. An early night is advisable as Lukla flights depart early.

🚌Trekking on foot (~11 miles, 6 hours)

🛏Teahouse in Lukla — budget £5-10/night

• →Final descent through rhododendron and pine forests
• →Pass through traditional Sherpa villages
• →Farewell to your guide and porter team (tip ~$80-100pp)
• →Celebratory drinks in Lukla

An early morning flight from Lukla back to Manthali, followed by the 5-7 hour shared jeep or bus ride back to Kathmandu. You'll arrive back in the capital in the late afternoon or early evening — tired, elated, and smelling of teahouse smoke. Check back into your Thamel guesthouse, shower off the trail dust, and head out for a celebratory dinner and well-earned cold beer in one of Thamel's lively rooftop restaurants.

🚌Lukla–Manthali flight (included in return ticket) + shared jeep/bus Manthali–Kathmandu (~£8-15)

🛏Thamel guesthouse — budget £15-25/night

• →Early morning flight from Lukla to Manthali
• →Scenic drive back through rural Nepal to Kathmandu
• →Celebratory dinner and drinks in Thamel
• →Hot shower — a luxury after 7 nights in teahouses!

Enjoy a leisurely lie-in and breakfast at your guesthouse before checking out. If time allows before your flight, visit the stunning Boudhanath Stupa (one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, ~£3 entry) or the Pashupatinath Temple complex. Take a taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your onward flight home.

🚌Taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport KTM (~£5-8)

🛏Check-out from Thamel guesthouse

• →Leisurely hotel breakfast
• →Optional visit to Boudhanath Stupa (~£3 entry)
• →Optional visit to Pashupatinath Temple
• →Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for departure