The Himalayas. A place for dreamers and doers. Where fearlessness and endurance are rewarded with achingly beautiful scenery and a local culture unlike any other. So much rugged, natural beauty—snow-capped mountains as jagged and sharp as a Yeti’s jawbone. Columned monasteries clinging to the cliffs. Buddhist stupas and prayer flags scattered randomly (or so it seems) along the trails. Crystalline skies, views for miles, raging rivers.
NextTribe is thrilled to offer our travelers a chance to experience the land of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. We’ll spend 10 days trekking in the Khumbu region of Nepal, the area that Everest climbers must pass through to begin their ascent. We’ll stay in Sherpa tea houses along the way—no tent camping for us—with porters carrying our gear on the trails.
Watch a recording of a recent Trip Preview.
We’ll reach a maximum altitude of 14,000 feet, where we’ll find the famous and fabulous Tengboche Monastery. We’ll be guided by an all-women trekking company, and by NextTribe founder, Jeannie Ralston, who spent five weeks hiking throughout the region when she was younger, single, and in love!
We have easy, interest-free payment options.
Jeannie is eager to return, to share the astounding mountain scenery and Sherpa culture with a small group of adventurous souls.
For more details about the trip including food, tea house accomodations, trekking chart and more, click here.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary. Accommodations and activities may change but we will always replace them with something of equal or better value.
The mountain views and air. These towering peaks are the highest mountains on Earth, making you feel both small and profoundly grateful to be in their majestic presence.
The Sherpa culture. While “Sherpa” has become synonymous with porter, there is so much more to these incredible people. They are warm, welcoming, hard-working, and cheerful.
Walking in great footsteps. For anyone who has read about the many attempts to summit Everest throughout history, this is a chance to view the storied mountain and experience its powerful allure first-hand.
Kathmandu. Our trip starts and ends in this legendary city, which boasts an exquisite blend of Hindu temples, Buddhist monuments, and vibrant prayer wheels.
Personal growth. Walking for 10 days at elevation presents a challenge that will sharpen your mind and boost your confidence. Trekking alongside fellow adventurers is sure to forge enduring friendships.
In 1991, Jeannie Ralston had the chance to accompany her then-fiance to Nepal as he photographed a story for National Geographic on the first all-Sherpa ascent of Everest. They stayed mainly in the Buddhist chapel of a traditional Sherpa home in the town of Khunde and once at the weirdly wonderful Everest View Hotel. They attended colorful ceremonies and festivals at monasteries across the region. They met Sir Edmund Hillary at one of the schools he founded in the area.
The experience had such a profound impact on her life that Jeannie has long dreamt about going back. She feels very fortunate that this opportunity has come up and hopes that any woman who has ever been enthralled by the stories of Everest and Sherpas will join her.
We’re very proud to be partnering with Three Sisters Adventure Trekking, an outfitter owned by women that trains women to be guides and porters so that they can improve their lives and feed their families. Their mission is to “combine practical skill-based training programs with gainful employment opportunities. [Their] goal is to encourage fellow Nepali sisters to become self-supportive, independent, decision-making women."
International airport pickup and transfer to Hotel Manaslu. After check-in, we’ll get to know each other over a welcome dinner.
Kathmandu Valley Tour
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel to begin a full-day exploration of the vibrant Kathmandu Valley. Highlights of the day include:
Boudhanath Stupa – one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) – a hilltop temple with sweeping city views
Patan Durbar Square – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its stunning architecture and rich cultural history
Women’s Artisan Souvenir Shop – a special visit to a local shop supporting skilled female artisans
Lunch
Enjoy lunch in the heart of Patan Durbar Square, soaking in the ambiance of this historic site.
Trek Orientation at the Hotel
Meet with your guide and a representative from our office for a trek briefing. At this time, you’ll receive your trekking gear, including an 80+lb backpack and a sleeping bag.(which will be carried for you...don't worry!)
Dinner in Thamel
Wrap up the day with dinner in the lively Thamel district.
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you around 10 a.m. for the drive to Ramechhap, which takes approximately 4-5 hours, depending on traffic. Along the way, we'll stop for lunch. We'll have dinner together at the hotel in Ramechhap.
In the morning, after a quick breakfast, we drive to the airport, which takes about 10-15 minutes, and then fly in a small twin-engine plane to Lukla (2840m) a 45 minute flight.
We start the trek with a descent to Ghat (2490m) in the valley of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River). Then we continue to Phakding (2610m), where we will stop for the night.. Hiking hours: 4
A big day awaits us. In total, we will climb about 900 meters to reach Namche Bazaar. At Monjo, we enter the Sagarmatha National Park, where Thamserku (6608m) towers above us.
Following the Dudh Kosi for the fifth and final time, we face a challenging ascent high above the river to Namche Bazaar.
With clear skies, we can see Mount Everest and Lhotse in the distance. We will stay in a comfortable lodge in Namche Bazaar (3500m).
Namche Bazaar is a vibrant commercial hub, and on Saturdays, a bustling market fills the streets as lodge owners stock up on supplies. Hiking Hours: 5.5 hours
We stay one day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization, during which we will take a short hike with stunning views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Everest. We venture around the corner towards Kenjoma, where we enjoy lunch and adjust to the altitude. This acclimatization is essential, as the following days will involve continuous uphill trekking.
Today, we stroll at a leisurely pace through Thamo to the village of Thame (3800m). We take our time, as the altitude will be noticeable. Enjoy breathtaking views across the valley, with the majestic peaks of Nupla, Shar, and Lho Nup towering above us as we walk along the Bhote Kosi river. In Thame, a visit to the monastery is highly recommended.
East of Thame lies the stunning Rolwaling area, featuring beautiful high peaks with captivating names like Bigphera Go Shar, Panayo Tippa, and Tengi Rai Tau. Hiking hours: 5
We walk nearly the same route back to Namche Bazaar, enjoying views of Kangtaiga and Thamserku. Beyond Phurte, we travel through Syangboche to the charming village of Khumjung (3800m). However, from the junction, there's an hour of climbing before reaching the top of Syangboche village.
From the nearby hill, you'll be treated to stunning views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains. In Khumjung, a delightful German bakery awaits, offering delicious oven-fresh bread and authentic coffee. The village boasts excellent educational facilities, thanks to the efforts and generosity of Sir Edmund Hillary.
A visit to the upper village of Khunde is an optional side trip. Hiking hours: 5
From Khumjung, we descend for less than one hour to Phunki Tenga (3250m). After this, we face a long climb of 600 meters to Tengboche.
On the other side of the valley, the towering Thamserku (6608m) and Kangtega (6685m) loom high above. The Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the region, was destroyed by a fire in 1989 but has been lovingly rebuilt.
While enjoying delicious treats from the bakery, we'll take in breathtaking views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. Here, we can also visit the monastery and the museum. Hiking hours: 7/8
Tengboche village hosts the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Everest region. Located in Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it provides stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam. If we arrive at the right time, we may witness a captivating Buddhist ceremony.
Kyangjuma (3500m) is a scenic Sherpa village, often used as a rest or acclimatization stop on the Everest Base Camp trail between Namche, Tengboche, and Monjo. It offers stunning views of peaks like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Thamserku, and Mount Everest.
The trail is scenic and forested, winding gracefully down slopes, often offering glimpses of wildlife—the likes of mountain goats, pheasants, and maybe even a red panda if you’re lucky. The descent includes crossing one or more suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River, plus meander near the confluence with the Bhote Kosi. As you descend into Monjo, you pass through increasingly lush vegetation and enter a more tranquil village setting. Monjo sits just below the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park—at the park gate. Hiking Hours: 4
The trail gently undulates through verdant forests and peaceful Sherpa villages like Phakding, interspersed with iconic suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. While largely moderate in difficulty, the hike includes a final climb up to Lukla that adds a satisfying finish to the journey. Hiking hours: 5
We'lll take a morning flight from Lukla to Ramechhap Airport, followed by a drive to Kathmandu, where we'll check in at Hotel Manaslu in Lazimpat and have dinner in Thamel.
Today is yours to enjoy, with a final dinner together at Hotel Manaslu, Lazimpat.
Wishing you a heartfelt farewell and safe travels!
All of our trips are rated for activitiy level 1-5. This trip is a solid 5 with daily trekking at elevation so you must train and be in good physical condition for this adventure.
Getting There: You will need to arrive in Kathmandu on or before Saturday, Nov. 7th. Your flight from the US will depart the day before, so please double check your arrival date when booking.
Fly into and out of Kathmandu (KTM) Tribhuvan Intl. Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Our first activity is dinner together, so please arrive by 3:00 pm so you will have time for some R & R before dinner.
Your departure flight may leave at any time on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Passport & Visa: Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after the last day of the trip. A visa is required for entry into Nepal. There a couple of ways to get a visa and we will walk you through the process closer to the trip.
You will be receiving periodic communications from us leading up to departure with other important details included. If you have any questions, you can contact our travel manager, Marcy, at [email protected]
Inclusions:
Airport pickup & drop off and transfer to the hotel
14 Nights Lodging
All Ground Transportation (Private)
14 Dinners
14 Lunches
14 Breakfasts
Afternoon Tea & Snacks
Internal Flights
Hiking Permits and Fees
Porters for the Trek
Backpack and Sleeping Bag
Exclusions:
Roundtrip Airfare
Passport and Visa Fees
Early Arrival Hotel Rooms
Travel Insurance
Battery Charges/WIFI
Beverages - soft & hard
Desserts
Any entry fee during cultural (monastery/temple heritage visit)
Tips and Gratuities (we will provide a tipping guide)
Any costs incured outside of the stated NextTribe trip dates
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email [email protected]. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
On this trip, we require evacuation insurance. We are also an affiliate of Global Rescue. They offer comprehensive evacuation insurance if you feel you need more than what your standard policy will cover. This is extra coverage, in addition to your travel insurance.
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We do that by informing, promoting and connecting women–through our magazine, through our member community and through the transformative experiences of travel.
So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
This video will tell you if you’re a good fit for a NextTribe trip. We are proud that we’ve become known for how quickly and deeply our groups of women bond on our trips. One of our rules: No divas, please.
For more information, please contact our travel manager at [email protected]