Please note: Be prepared for possible changes as we go. We will run through the daily activity after breakfast every day.
You can download a PDF of the 2022 Lawudo Trek itinerary here.
ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
Our meeting point for the trek is Kathmandu.
We recommend that you arrive one or two days earlier to settle in at Kopan, recover from jet lag, do some sightseeing in Kathmandu and prepare for the trek.
We can organise your earlier arrival at Kopan, so let us know. If you are arriving by plane, our local staff will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to Kopan.
There will be daily meditation, teaching and discussion sessions. A five-day retreat is planned at Lawudo Gompa.
AT THE AIRPORT
Visa: First you will go through immigration to obtain your visa. A one-month single entry visa will cost you USD50. You can apply for this online or upon arrival. If you do a visa-on-arrival, you can pay using different modes at the counter, but we advise you to have some cash to be on the safe side.
Read more about Nepal visas here
Baggage: Then you will go upstairs to claim your baggage.
Read more about what to pack here
Meet our representative: Proceed through customs and exit into the public area of the airport.
When you’re outside, look for a sign with your name on it. If you do not see anyone at the airport, or if there has been a last-minute change in your flight details, contact Amber Tamang, our local guide, or Kristina Mah, trek organiser. There is a free phone in the arrivals area of the airport.
- Amber’s phone/ WhatsApp: +977 98510-84961
- Kristina’s phone/ WhatsApp/ FaceTime: +61 455 951 274
A TIP FROM AMBER
Be aware that there will be people at the airport who will ask for money to help you with your bags.
You can use a use a free luggage cart if you wish. If you prefer to use somebody, have a small bill (US or AU $1 or 100 rupees per bag) handy in your pocket to give to them. Keep your wallet well-hidden as you exit the airport.
Our staff will find you and we will make sure you and your baggage are safely transported to Kopan Monastery.
Download a PDF of the Lawudo Trek 2022 Itinerary here.
Day 1, October 3
• Meet in Kathmandu (1400m)
• Kopan Monastery (or other hotels if Kopan is closed)
If you haven’t already arrived, we will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to Kopan.
5:00pm: We will all meet at afternoon tea in the dining room, and be briefed about what to expect for the coming days.
6:30pm – 7pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 2, October 4
• Kopan Monastery (or other hotels if Kopan is closed)
7:00am: Meditation with Ven Robina
7:30am-8am: Breakfast
11:30am-12:15pm: Lunch
After lunch, you are free to relax in the afternoon.
After lunch, you are free to relax in the afternoon.
If they’re accepting visitors, you can visit Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery (Kopan’s sister nunnery) at the bottom of the hill. You can also shop at Thamel or Boudha districts if you need to buy anything for the trek.
6:30pm-7pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 3, October 5
• Travel from Kathmandu to Menthali
7:00am: Meditation
7:30am-8am: Breakfast
9am: Depart Kopan
Lunch upon arrival at Menthali.
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 4, October 6
• Kathmandu to Lukla flight
• Trek Lukla (2860m) to Phakding (2650m)
• Day’s walking: about 4 hours
4:15am: Meet at reception office for 4:45am departure from Kopan (or hotel) for the first flight out of Kathmandu to Lukla.
7:00am: The flight time is 40 minutes. If the flight is on time, we will have breakfast at Lukla. If there’s a delay (because of weather, for example), we will have a light breakfast at the airport as we wait for the flight.
7:40am: At Lukla, we will meet our porter staff. We will have breakfast on arrival and start walking.
Our first day’s trekking is mostly downhill and flat, with just a little being uphill. A few short up hills will be involved over the course of the day.
Our journey will start on a popular route.
Highlights of the day’s walk are two suspension bridge crossings.
We will pass the Sherpa villages of Choplung and Ghat.
Day 5, October 7
• Phakding (2650m) to Monjo (2835m)
• Day’s walking: about 4 hours
7:00am: Wake up, tea or coffee
7:30am: Meditation with Ven Robina
8:00am: Breakfast
8:30am: Ready to hit the road
The first part of our walk involves crossing over Dudhkoshi River (The Milky River) and following the river canyon, passing many small tea houses and shops. This section of the trek is on the Everest Base Camp trail and is walked by many every day. Some short up and downhills involved.
We cross a bridge over the river to to reach the village of Monjo.
6:00pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 6, October 8
• Monjo (2835m) to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
• Day’s walking: about 4 hours
6:30am: Wake up, tea or coffee
7:00am: Meditation with Ven Robina
7:30am: Breakfast
8:30am: Ready to hit the road
Today we will enter the Everest National Park.
From Monjo to the base of Namche Hill, where we cross the river once again, is mostly flat.
From the river it is a steep uphill walk all the way to Namche Bazaar. We will be walking for about 3 to 4 hours.
Namche Bazaar is the main trading hub for the Khumbu region. It is a bustling village, popular with Tibetan Buddhist practitioners and tourists.
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 7, October 9
• Namche Bazaar (3440m)
• Rest Day
It’s highly recommended to have a rest day while trekking in this altitude.
7:00am: Wake up, tea or coffee
7:30am: Meditation with Ven Robina
8:00am: Breakfast
You can use the rest day to visit one of the local monasteries, explore the market, coffee shops and local lookouts.
Have lunch at your leisure.
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 8, October 10
• Namche Bazaar (3440m) to Theshyo
• Theshyo to Lawudo (4270m)
• Day’s walking: about 3.5 hours
6:30am: Wake up, tea or coffee
7:00am: Meditation with Ven Robina
7:30am: Breakfast
8:30am: Ready to hit the road
After a nourishing rest day at Namche Bazaar, we will trek mostly flat or downhill to Thamo towards the Tibetan border. This section will be full of spectacular views of the mountains and valleys.
12 noon: Lunch along the way
This last section from Theshyo to Lawudo is more physically challenging. You can expect a straight and hard uphill along a tree-lined and rocky trail.
We will make our way along it slowly. Although it will be more steep, it is not long and should take us about 3 hours.
We will be greeted by Rinpoche’s sister, Ani Samten.
6:30pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Lawudo retreat commences
Day 9 to Day 12, October 11—14
• Lawudo retreat with Ven Robina Courtin
We will stay at Lawudo for 5 nights in total.
Day 13, October 15
• Lawudo to Namche Bazaar
• Namche Bazaar to Monjo (2835m)
• Day’s walking: about 6 hours
6:30am: Wake up, tea or coffee
7:00am: Meditation with Ven Robina
7:30am: Breakfast
8:30am: Ready to hit the road
On our return from Lawudo, we will trek back to Namche Bazaar on the same route, via Mende (3840m).
12 noon: Lunch at Namche Bazaar
After lunch, we will continue to Monjo.
Day 14, October 16
• Monjo to Lukla
• Day’s walking: about 5 hours
6:30am: Wake up, tea or coffee
7:00am: Meditation with Ven Robina
7:30am: Breakfast
8:30am: Ready to hit the road
Day 13 is the last walking day of our journey. We will stop for lunch on the way and stay the night at Lukla.
6:30pm: Dinner and farewell to our porters and guides
7:30pm: Teachings with Ven Robina
Day 15, October 17
• Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
• Hyatt Regency, Boudhanath
7:00am: Breakfast
8:00am: Ready to hit the road
Our flight will be before 9:00am unless there is a delay due to weather.
At Kathmandu, we will be picked up and
transferred to the Hyatt Regency overlooking the Boudha stupa.
You can buy your own lunch and dinner today.
We can relax in the afternoon and evening.
Day 16, October 18
• Kathmandu
• Hyatt Regency, Boudhanath
Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency at your leisure.
Relax today and explore Kathmandu, Boudha or surrounding districts.
You can buy your own lunch again today.
4:00pm: Meet at the hotel lobby for our last teaching and prayers together, at the blessed Boudha stupa.
6:30pm: Farewell dinner in the Hyatt Regency dining room.
**End of Lawudo Trek**
Day 17, October 19
• Depart
Breakfast at your leisure in the Hyatt Regency dining room.
After breakfast, we will organise your transfers to the airport, or you may choose to continue exploring the region.