SHERPA TRADITIONS OF NEPAL

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu

On arrival in the vibrant city of Kathmandu, you will be transferred to Dwarika’s Hotel, where you will spend the night. Dwarika’s Hotel is a sanctuary, tucked away from the buzz of the city center. Delicately and respectively modelled on centuries old Nepali design, the hotel is a curator of Nepalese art, culture and tradition, and is the perfect place to begin your Nepal vacation. When feeling rested, visit the Boudhanath Stupa, one of Kathmandu’s most iconic landmarks. A crown of golds, reds and whites, and adorned with fluttering prayer flags, pass by Buddhist pilgrims and worshippers on their path to enlightenment. That evening, indulge in a delightful Nepalese dinner overlooking this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to the hotel for a night of rest.

Overnight: The Dwarikas

Day 2 Fly to Phaplu

Wake up and enjoy a fresh and delicious breakfast before waving goodbye to Kathmandu as you are transferred to the airport for your private helicopter flight to Phaplu. Still relatively off the beaten track, Phaplu is in the heart of the Sherpa culture, and the home of The Happy House, loved dearly by Sir Edmund Hilary and many others. On arrival, drive past craggy ridgelines, and snow-capped peaks, breathing in the clean, crisp air. Sitting in delightful seclusion, The Happy House can be found floating among the clouds, encircled by towering pines and colourful prayer flags. A marriage of the spiritual and the physical, the inside of the house is adorned in Thangka paintings of fiery reds, golden yellows and blazing oranges, panted by Khapa Rinzi, a Sherpa master. Enjoy a lunch in the garden, surrounded by nature, tucking into hearty homegrown vegetables and fresh yak meat, before a gentle walk to stretch your legs and explore. In the evening prepare for a cosy traditional Sherpa dinner by the glow of the fireplace, where shadows dance off the painted walls. When ready, curl up in one of the ten en-suite bedrooms under the swathes of cashmere blankets that adorn the beds.

Overnight: The Happy House

Day 3 Explore Chiwong Monastery

Rise to your first full day at The Happy House, embracing the harmonious surroundings with some yoga below the peeping peaks of the Himalayas. Take a deep breath as you stretch and bend, finding inner harmony, before a refreshing breakfast. Today get your hiking boots on for a hike to the Chiwong Monastery, built in 1918, and founded by Sange Lama. It teeters on the top of a cliff just over an hour away, with sweeping views over the valley. Each year, the monastery hosts the Mani Rimdu festival, which is one of the oldest Tibetan festivals. During the festival, monks adorned in vivid robes and ornate headpieces quell the mythical demons of greed, ignorance and hatred, bringing harmony back. Learn more about Buddhism, beliefs and the culture, before settling down to a traditional lunch. After, take part in a gentle meditation session, listening to the hum of the monastery, before walking back to The Happy House for an afternoon at leisure. That evening, settle down for another delicious local dinner, chatting and getting to know your fellow guests.

Overnight: The Happy House

Day 4 Camping in the Solukhumbu Valley

This morning, enjoy another session of yoga, letting your worries and stresses disappear, and allowing the calm to settle over you. Get ready for the day ahead, and two nights of camping in the mountains in the Solukhumbu valley, packing lightly. Hike to Phaplu Dada, a ridge that sits comfortably at 3,300 m high, watching over the valley of the Sherpas below, and your camp for the night. As the shadows of the afternoon slowly creep over the mountain peaks, settle down in the central Ger tent – a traditional Mongolian/Tibetan tent – and tuck in to more delicious Sherpa cuisine by a glowing fire. Once dusk turns into dark, wander back to your private tent, taking a moment to gaze up at the night sky, untouched by light pollution. As the stars shine brightly, sparkling and twinkling above the mountains, you can see why so many have found their happy place here.

Overnight: Tented camp

Day 5 Walk to Suke Pokhari

Just like the mountaineers before, unzip your tent to staggering views of the deceptively smooth peaks of Everest and the Eastern Himalayas. Despite being 3,300m high, enjoy another morning of yoga on top of the world, before moving on your journey along an ancient yak trade route to Suke Pokhari. This ancient pilgrimage pond is nestled just below Pikey Peak, and is the perfect base before your climb to the top. Pass through flourishing Rhododendron forests, bursting over the hill into a sea of pink and red hues. The national flower of Nepal, these flowers blossom from March until early May, blanketing the hills in colour. Follow the winding paths, shaped from centuries of traders and mountaineers on a mission to conquer the peaks of Nepal, leading to your next camp. Once you have reached the camp, settle down, relaxing after another day of hiking. Explore the area outside and take in the striking views before indulging in another delicious Sherpa dinner by the warming fire in the Ger. Once again, make your way back to your tent settling down for another restful sleep.

Overnight: Tented camp

Day 6 Day to relax

Wake up early before sunrise, grabbing a warming cup of tea, hot chocolate or coffee to shake off the last fragments of sleep. Stepping in the footsteps of the great mountaineers before, wrap up warm and prepare to summit climb to Pikey Peak at 4,067m high. Watch the glorious sunrise lengthen over the Himalayas including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Ama Dablam mountains, wrapping them in a glow of light. These four peaks top 8,000m, dominating the horizon, their craggy peaks pointing to the sky. Breath in the air, and take a moment to reflect, before making your way back down to camp for a wholesome breakfast. Pack up, and cut through the dense forest back to the Happy House, passing the fields of Rhododendron, and the occasional yak, grazing peacefully in the chilly sun. Relax at the house before dinner, perhaps with a book in the snug library, or on one of the homely sofas once part of Count Guido Monzino’s 1973 expedition to climb Everest. One of the grandest summiteers of Everest, the Count brought with him 6,000 porters (and their luggage), including leather sofas, Italian pasta and cigars, leaving some behind to adorn the Happy House.

Overnight: The Happy House

Day 7 Camping at Ratnange Ridge

This morning, take it easy with some yoga and another charming lunch in the garden made using fresh, local ingredients, before packing your overnight bag and walking to Ratnange Ridge. This is a gentle hike, just two and half hours away through Chinakpu (Magic Forest). The forest is full of moss-covered trees and wildflowers, that coat the forest floor in a blanket of dazzling colours in spring. Gently walk through, listening out for the local birdlife and keeping an eye out for any curious yaks wandering past. The forest opens on to the ridge, with extensive views over the white tipped Himalayas, and where you will camp for the night for the last time on your adventure. Huddle up in the Ger, by the toasty fire for another evening up high in the mountains, before one last night tucked under the stars.

Overnight: Tented camp

Day 8 Explore Thupten Choeling Monastery

Awake to your last morning camping, opening your tent for the last time to a crisp and cool morning under the watchful eye of the Himalayas. Today you will walk to Thupten Choeling Monastery, one of the most important monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet. This monastery was once the largest monastery in Nepal, offering teaching and accommodation to almost 900 monks and nuns, and a sanctuary to Tibetan’s fleeing the Chinese occupation in Tibet. Once inside, you have access to the main prayer hall, where you can watch and listen to the gentle chanting of the monks and nuns in prayer, and where you can take part in the daily meditation and prayers with the monks themselves. When ready, amble over to the tables set up for lunch, chatting with the monks and learning more about the spiritual beliefs and life in the monastery, before driving back to Phaplu for your last traditional supper.

Alternatively, at an extra cost, you can take a helicopter to Everest Base Camp at 4,200 m and enjoy breakfast at Kongde within touching distance of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. When ready jump back into the helicopter, bringing you closer to Everest than ever before, as you fly over the domed tents of Everest Base Camp and the cavernous Khumbu Ice Fall. Return to Thupten Choeling Monastery and the Happy House.

Overnight: The Happy House

Day 9 Drive back to Kathmandu

Rise early for your last morning in Phaplu and at The Happy House after an extraordinary week traversing one of the world's most extraordinary places. The morning wouldn't be complete without yoga, followed by one last tasty breakfast in the warmth of The Happy House. Saying goodbye to the marvelous team that have created such a unique and magical journey, and transfer to the airport. Fly back to Kathmandu via private helicopter, where you have another night in Dwarika's Hotel, and a day exploring the bustling city. Visit Patan Durbar Square and the Nepalese art museum, stopping by local boutiques to pick up some souvenirs to take home. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the square, before continuing to explore the city. This evening you have a traditional Nepalese farewell dinner.

Overnight: The Dwarikas

Day 10 Fly home

Wave goodbye to Nepal and the incredible adventure you have had and depart on your International flight home.

Overnight: Home