Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 days
If you want to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself with a trek of a lifetime, the 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek is an awesome option for those who enjoy adventure, nature and culture all rolled into one. This iconic expedition is the most popular trekking route in the Himalayas and is unlike any other in the world.
In addition to completing the mighty journey to Everest Base Camp, you will learn about Sherpa life and their rich culture, visit an ancient monastery in Tengboche, and have stunning views of Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu, and Cho Yo. Amidst all the rugged mountains vistas, you will also see the Khumbu Glacier and ascend the famous Kala Pathar for a close, unobstructed view of Mt Everest.
The 14-day Trek costs US$1545 and includes:
- Accommodation at a hotel in Kathmandu for 2 nights (one night prior to departure from Kathmandu and one night on arrival back to Kathmandu post trek)
- Return transfers to airport
- Return Flights (KTM to Lukla - Lukla to KTM)
- Accommodation in tea houses during the trek
- All meals
- All required documentation and trekking permit (TIMS)
- Guide fees and their insurance
- National Park fee
- Equipment of trekking guides
- All government and local taxes
Please contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager to sign up or to get more information about this trip.
Click here to see a full itinerary of the Everest Base Camp Trek
Day 1: Arriving at The Capital – Kathmandu (1400 m), where you will spend the night in a local hotel
Day 2: Fly to Lukla (2860 m) and Trek to Phakding (2610m)
Trek duration 3-3.5 hours
Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazar (3440 m)
Trek duration 5.5 hours
Day 4: Acclimatization at Namche Bazar
Day 5: Trek to Tengboche (3860 m)
Trek duration: 5-6 hours
Day 6: Trek to Dingboche (4350 m)
Trek duration: 5 hours
Day 7: Acclimatization at Dingboche
Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (4910 m)
Trek duration: 5 – 5.5 hours
Day 9: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5180 m) – Everest Base Camp (5365 m)
Trek Duration: 8 hours
Day 10: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5545 m) and to Pheriche (4243 m)
Trek duration: 3 hours + 4 hours
Day 11: Pheriche to Namche Bazar
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Day 12: Namche Bazar to Lukla
Trek duration: 7 hours
Day 13: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu and stay the night in a local hotel
Day 14: Departure Day
Expect the unexpected - The weather and health of fellow trekking members can impact the number of days it takes to complete the trek, therefore we recommend to allocate 1-2 days extra to ensure you will make your international flight home.
Accommodation - You can expect to stay in local run lodges known as tea houses which are simply furnished with a bed and occasionally a small table. Bathrooms are typically shared and are in a separate area of the teahouse or in some tea houses will be outside. Staying in a teahouse is a great way to support these local businesses and boost the local economy in the Everest Region.
Meals - You will be doing “teahouse trek,” meaning there are villages with lodges and restaurants to eat and stay in along the entire route. You are expected to eat breakfast and dinner in the same lodge where you are spending the night.
Typical food available for lunch and dinner is Nepali rice and lentils, pasta, potato dishes, soups or pizzas. Delicious pancakes, porridge, toast and eggs are the main breakfast fare, while tea, coffee and hot chocolate are always available. You will probably be pleasantly surprised at the variety of food at the lodges.
Level of fitness required - There are a lot of steep ascents and descents on the trek and a good level of fitness is required. Some days you may be required to walk up to Seven hours. Please note that the estimated walking time each day will vary according to the overall fitness of the group and weather conditions.
Footwear and clothing - Bring well broken-in hiking shoes, suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, camp shoes, down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and pants, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton or polypropylene pants or jeans, shirts and T-shirts; shorts, long underwear, wool hat, sun hat, gloves, bathing suit, comfortable track/gym suit.
You will be responsible for:
- Personal expenses (alcoholic beverages, laundry, tips, phone calls, hot showers, extra snacks, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Medical evacuation in case of emergency
- Trekking gear (available to hire)
- Unforeseen costs due to flight cancellation, weather conditions, illness, political unrest, etc.
- Meals in Kathmandu
Poon Hill Trek - 5 days
If you’ve got your heart set on seeing the famous Himalayan Range and experiencing Nepali mountain culture, but only have limited time in Nepal or high altitudes are not for you, we would highly recommend the 5 day trek to Poon Hill!
This trek is a fastastic opportunity for those who want to experience their first taste of trekking in the Everest region and is also suitable for families with children.
The trailhead is only a 1.5 hour drive from Pokhara which is where some of our volunteer projects are based. Along the way, you’ll follow ancient trails that connect local communities, visit quaint villages, pass through rhododendron forests (full bloom in March, April and May), trek through terraced slopes, paddy fields and lush vegetation. You’ll be staying in local tea houses where you’ll get to experience the warm hospitality of the local Gurung villages.
You’ll end up at the summit viewpoint of Poon Hill itself at a final altitude of 3,200 m with views of the tallest mountains in the world including Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna and Lamjung.
The 5 day Trek costs US$470 and includes:
- Private, round-trip overland transportation between Pokhara and Nayapul (start of trek)
- Accommodation in tea houses during the trek
- All meals during the trek
- All required documentation and trekking permit (TIMS)
- Guide fees
- National Park fee
- All government and local taxes
Please contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager to sign up or to get more information about this trip.
Click here to see a full itinerary of the Poon Hill Trek
Day 1: Pokhara to Naya Pul (Drive) and trek to Tikhe Dhunga
Trek duration 6-7 hrs
Day 2: Tikhe Dhunga to Ghorepani
Trek duration 5-6 hrs
Day 3: Ghorepani to Tadapani (Morning hike to Poon Hill)
Trek duration 4-5 hrs
Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk
Trek duration 3-4 hrs
Day 5 Ghandruk to Naya Pul and drive back to Pokhara
Expect the unexpected - The weather, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and health of fellow trekking members can impact the number of days it takes to complete the trek, therefore we recommend to allocate 1-2 days extra to ensure you will make your international flight home.
Accommodation - You can expect to stay in local run lodges known as tea houses which are simply furnished with a bed and occasionally a small table. Bathrooms are typically shared and are in a separate area of the teahouse or in some tea houses will be outside. Staying in a teahouse is a great way to support these local businesses and boost the local economy in the Annapurna Region.
Meals - You will be doing “teahouse trek,” meaning there are villages with lodges and restaurants to eat and stay in along the entire route. You are expected to eat breakfast and dinner in the same lodge where you are spending the night
Typical food available for lunch and dinner is Nepali rice and lentils, pasta, potato dishes, soups or pizzas. Delicious pancakes, porridge, toast and eggs are the main breakfast fare, while tea, coffee and hot chocolate are always available. You will likely be pleasantly surprised at the variety of food at the lodges.
Level of fitness required - There are a lot of steep ascents and descents on the trek and a good level of fitness is required. Some days you may be required to walk up to six hours. Please note that the estimated walking time each day will vary according to the overall fitness of the group and weather conditions.
Footwear and clothing - Bring well broken-in hiking shoes, suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, camp shoes; down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and pants, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton or polypropylene pants or jeans, shirts and t-shirts, shorts, long underwear, wool hat, sun hat, gloves, bathing suit; comfortable track/gym suit.
You will be responsible for:
- Personal expenses (alcoholic beverages, laundry, tips, phone calls, hot showers, extra snacks, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Medical evacuation in case of emergency
- Trekking gear (available to hire)
- Unforeseen costs due to flight cancellation, weather conditions, illness, political unrest, etc.
Hatha Yoga and Meditation Retreat - 7 nights
If you’re looking to disconnect from the hectic pace of the western world and practice mediation and yoga to clear your mind, this retreat is for you! Hatha yoga originates from the Himalayas of Nepal where gurus and saints practiced for over hundreds of years, making Nepal an ideal destination to join a meditation/yoga retreat.
This course is designed for beginner yogis and those who wish to further deepen their practice. The 7 night retreat is based in Nepal’s paradise, Pokhara which is where some of IVHQ’s volunteer projects are based.
The 7 night retreat costs US$475 and includes:
- Morning and evening yoga and meditation classes
- Accommodation in a Yoga Retreat Center
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Herbal tea (unlimited)
- 3 days of hiking, traveling around local villages and sightseeing
Please contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager to sign up or to get more information about this trip.
Click here to see a full itinerary of the Hatha Yoga and Meditation Retreat
Day 1:
- Arrival and check in
- Lunch at the yoga center
- Rest/free time
- 5.30pm - 7.30pm: Welcome evening yoga class
- 7.30pm: Dinner
- 8.15pm: Satsang Bhajan Kirtan (a traditional Hinduism activity)
- 9:30 pm: Bedtime
Day 2:
- 5.30am: Wake up
- 6.00am - 7.30am: Morning yoga class
- 8.00am: Breakfast
- 9.30am - 11.30am: Karma Yoga and self-study or relax
- 11:30am: Lunch
- 12.15pm - 5pm: Sightseeing, hiking and exploring the local village followed by meditation in a sacred area
- 5.30pm - 7.00pm: Pranayam Yoga and Meditation Class
- 7.30pm: Dinner
- 8.15pm: Satsang Kirtan
- 9.30pm: Bedtime
The schedule of Day 3-7 will be the same as the schedule of Day 2.
Day 8:
- 5.30am: Wake up
- 6.00am - 7.30am: Morning yoga class
- 8.00am: Breakfast
- 9.30am: Check out
Please note that this itinerary can change according to the instructors preferences.
Clothing - Please dress comfortably. For both females and males - long or short sleeved shirts/t-shirts covering the upper body and shoulders, yoga pants or long shorts. The organizers respectfully ask that you do not wear: attire that is seeing-through, skin tight, offensive language or messaging. Please no spaghetti straps, shoulder free dresses, miniskirts, tights, shorts above the knee or low cut trousers/pants. Mediation and yoga halls require you to remove your shoes.
You will be responsible for:
- Personal expenses (laundry, tips, phone calls, extra snacks if needed)
Paragliding
Would you like to soar through the skies at one of the world’s best paragliding destinations? Do you want to see aerial views of Pokhara City, Phewa Lake and the Annapurna Himlayan range? If the answer is yes and you are a lover of adrenalin, this excursion is for you! With a take-off point 1500m above sea level and a short runway before you take flight, this is not for the faint hearted but you will be rewarded for your bravery with breathtaking views!
You will be flying 500m above the take-off point which is located upon Sarangkot Hill, with a professional pilot to assist you. The fly duration is approximately 25-30 minutes however you will need to allocate 2-3 hours for the whole experience.
The paragliding excursion costs US$125 dollars and includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation (3-4km radius from the Lakeside)
- Flying 25-30 min in tandem flights with a professional instructor
- Photos and video of your flight
Please contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager to sign up or to get more information about this trip.
