Arrival in Kathmandu. Check-in at the hotel. Free time, program presentation. Overnight at the hotel.

After a 30-minute flight along the Himalayan range, the plane lands in Pokhara, a city renowned for its Phewa Lake, in which the mountain peaks are reflected. A short transfer takes you to Phedi, meaning "foot of the hill." The trek begins with the ascent of this hill, partly via steps carved into the hillside and partly through wooded areas, before opening onto a plateau of rice paddies. One last climb leads to Dhampus, facing the Annapurna range.

Facing the Annapurnas, the trail crosses the long village of Dhampus and continues through the forest to Pothana. A little further on, you reach Deurali, a small pass at 2100m from where Dhaulagiri is visible. The trail then descends steeply at first, then gently through rainforest before emerging from the canyon and reaching Tolka at 1710m. The trail continues its descent to Landrung, a large Gurung village.

The trail descends to the Modi River at 1300m, which is crossed via a suspension bridge. The climb to Ghandruk is continuous, via a staircase. Fortunately, the stage is short. The village is typical, with its slate-roofed houses and cobbled lanes.

We reluctantly leave the beautiful village of Gandrung, with the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli in the background, to descend a flight of steps towards Kimche. The Modi River flows below, and we head towards it, descending to the village of Shyauli Bazar. The trail continues to follow the riverbed before a flat section leads to the small village of Birethanti, situated at a confluence. We board a local jeep to reach Pokhara and its airport for a flight to Kathmandu. This flight offers us another opportunity to admire the Himalayan range from west to east. We spend the night in the same hotel as when we arrived on the first day.

40mn de vol en Twin Otter de Kathmandu à Lukla, la porte d’accès au Khumbu. Nous retrouvons notre staff local à la sortie de l’aéroport et après une courte présentation et la répartition des charges avec les porteurs, le trek commence. Trek pour Phakding (2600m). 3h Le chemin traverse Lukla par la rue principale bordée de lodges et de magasins et à la sortie du village entame une descente raide en direction d’une rivière avec le Kusum Kanguru (6367m) en toile de fond. Puis le sentier monte un peu, contournant une crête pour arriver à Ghat sur les bords de la rivière Dudh Kosi « rivière de lait » du fait de ses couleurs blanchâtres. Le sentier fait une suite de montées et descentes à la népalaise pour déboucher à Phakding.

The trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley, climbing through cultivated fields to Benkar with its enormous carved boulder in the middle of the path. The trail then continues its ascent through a wooded area of ​​rhododendrons, magnolias, and fir trees. Soon, Mount Thamserku comes into view, and we enter Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale. Crossing a suspension bridge high above the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi rivers, the trail continues a long and steep climb to a ridge offering views of the Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse peaks. The trail continues its ascent through the forest to Namche, a protected settlement nestled in a natural amphitheater.

The trail leaves Namche to the west, winding through forests and past large Buddhist frescoes painted directly onto the rock. A superb path leads above the Bhote Kosi valley, passing through the small villages of Gangla and Phurte. After crossing a small tributary on a bridge, you arrive at Thamo. The trail now follows the left bank of the Bhote Kosi, passing through Samde, and a final climb takes you to Thame, the birthplace of the famous Himalayan mountaineers Ang Rita and Appa Sherpa.

We retrace yesterday's steps to reach Namche. From Namche, it's possible to go to Kyangjuma for a view of Everest in the distance.

The route follows the same path as the outward journey, with a steep descent to the confluence bridge. From there, it's along the left bank of the Dudh Kosi to Jorsale, where we show our permits at the checkpoint. The descent continues to Monjo, crosses the Monjo Khola on a bridge, and then the path continues to the right bank of the Dudh Kosi before Benkar. Before Phakding, the path crosses back to the left bank and continues downhill to Ghat and Cheplung. From this village, the path climbs steeply to the entrance of Lukla.

Early in the morning, we head to the airport for a 40-minute return flight on a Twin Otter to the capital. Planes come and go, bringing in new trekkers, supplying hotels, and taking trekkers back down. Back to the hustle and bustle of the capital, we transfer to the hotel for a nice hot shower.

Today we set off to explore the Kathmandu Valley, starting with the charming city of Bhaktapur, "the city of devotees," the jewel of the valley with its countless temples and scenes of rural life. After lunch, we return to Kathmandu, visiting the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, where all Hindus are cremated. Then we continue to the enormous Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath, where Tibetan pilgrims tirelessly circle the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and reciting their rosaries. What an atmosphere!

Depending on flight times, it will be possible to do some last-minute shopping before heading to the airport for the return flight.