Sherpa Half Marathon Itinerary
March 16 - 26, 2027 (Core Package)
Arrival into Kathmandu (March 16). Meet your local guide and driver.
Upon arrival into Kathmandu Airport, you will need to pay for your local Nepal Visa ($50USD). Locate the payment kiosk, just to the right, inside the Arrivals Terminal to secure your visa. (You can also secure visa online, prior to arrival). Provide proof of your payment to the Register on the left. Proceed to Passport Control. Once cleared, proceed to baggage claim. With nothing to declare, proceed outside where you will be met by your local guide and driver. The drive to the hotel is 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. Check in at the Hotel Yak & Yeti.
Day 2 (March 17) Exploring Kathmandu
After breakfast, we will visit Bouddhanath Stupa. We will visit around Pashupati Nath Temple before visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Today we will enjoy a local lunch at Kathmandu Durbar Square before returning to the hotel for some free time. This evening, we will meet for the official Trip Briefing and Welcome Reception followed by dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 3 (March 18)- Kathmandu
Today will present the optional opportunity to experience the Himalayas from the air (extra cost). For those interested, an early wake up call will get you to the airport for a flight to see Mount Everest, and any other of the mountain peaks. You will be back in time for breakfast before heading out to Soyambhunath (monkey temple). We will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square where we will have lunch at a local restaurant. The balance of the day at your leisure. Dinner on your own. (B,L)
Day 4 (March 19) Welcome to The Terraces Resort & Spa
If you didn't do the optional Everest flight (extra cost) yesterday, you have an opportunity to do so this morning. (optional). After breakfast today we will make our way to Patan. Here we will visit Krishna temple and Golden Temple. We will have lunch in Patan today before making our way to The Terraces Resort & Spa, our home for the next three nights. You will have the day to explore the property, book a spa treatment, and just relax. Tonight, we will gather for our pre-race dinner and race briefing. (B,L,D)
Day 5 (March 20) - RACE DAY!!!
After an early breakfast (starting at 4:30AM), make your way outside the front door to the start line. With an 8:00AM start time for the half marathon and an 8:30AM start for the 10KM race and a six hour (6 hours) time limit, you should be back to the hotel in time for lunch. The course is a mix of inclines and declines that will challenge you. The terrain is on local dirt roads and can best be described as a trail race. Shower up and enjoy a massage, soak in the jacuzzi or a swim the pool. Tonight, you enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner. (B, L, D)
*There is a 6 hour time limit for the half marathon and a 5 1/2 hour time limit for 10K race.
Day 6 (March 21) - Enjoy The Terraces Resort & Spa
Today is a free day to relax and savor the finish. Book and enjoy one of the many activities in the area, such a spa treatment, explore the area on a mountain bike, or book a ride on the local zipline. Tonight, you enjoy an al a carte dinner at the restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 7 (March 22) - Onward to Pokhara
After breakfast, we will make our way to the airport for our 25 minute flight to Pokhara. A city famous for its natural beauty and views of stunning mountains, such as the revered peak, Machapuchare (Fish Tail) as well as Annapurna. We will spend two nights at the FishTail Lodge. (B)
Day 8 (March 23) Full day to Explore Pokhara
This morning we will have an early morning visit to Sarangkot for a sunrise and mountain view. We will experience a sightseeing tour that includes Davi's Fall, Gupteshower Cave, and Tibetan Camp. We will enjoy a local lunch followed by a boat ride on Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal. Dinner is on your own. (B,L)
Day 9 (March 24) Pokhara
After breakfast we will depart for a visit to the White Peace Stupa, followed by visits to Pumdi Ghuumdi to see the Shiva Statue. We will enjoy lunch lakeside, with an allowance to enjoy the lakeside area. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B,D)
Day 10 (March 25) Pokhara to Kathmandu - Grand Dinner and Cultural Program
After breakfast today we will fly back into the city of Kathmandu. We will check back into the Hotel Yak & Yeti. Lunch is on your own today. Perhaps a visit to Thamel for lunch and last minute shopping for trekking gear.
Tonight, we gather in the lobby for our Farewell Dinner in Patan. We will depart the hotel as a group. Enjoy a cultural show and entertainment.
Reconfirm your flights today if you are departing for home.
For those that have chosen to extend their stay, we will have one more night at the Yak & Yeti before setting off for the start of our trekking extension to Namche Bazar and onward to Tyangboche. You may consider leaving some of your luggage behind that you will not need during the trek. We will return to the Hotel Yak & Yeti at the end of the trekking. (B,D)
*For those interested in trekking to Everest Base Camp, additional arrangements will need to be discussed and confirmed.
Day 10 (March 26) End of the Tour OR Commencement of Trekking
Day 10 (March 26) End of the Tour OR Commencement of Trekking
Today we bid you safe travels and send you off with memories of a lifetime OR we start creating new memories with an optional trek to Namche Bazar and Tengboche (onward to Everest Base Camp).
For those not on the Himalayan Trek Extension, you will be picked up at hotel and transported to the airport (expect 3 hours prior to departure).
For those on the Himalayan Trek Extension, after breakfast today, we will fly via helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla. Upon arrival in Lukla, we will start our trek. Expect about a 3-4 hour trek before we reach our accommodations at the tea house for the evening in Phakding. (B,L,D)
Day 11 (March 26) End of the Tour OR Beginning of Trekking Package
Today we bid you safe travels and send you off with memories of a lifetime OR we start creating new memories with an optional trek to Namche Bazar and Tengboche.
For those not on the Himalayan Trek Extension, you will be picked up at hotel and transported to the airport (expect 3 hours prior to departure).
For those on the trekking extension, we have the day at leisure. Perhaps use this day to check your trekking gear one last time. (chocolate, mittens, water bottle, hat, extra pair of socks, etc). If you are planning the trek to reach Everest Base Camp, ensure that you have the proper jacket, mittens, hand warmer, Diamox, and all around warm gear. There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate gear.
Accommodations: Yak & Yeti
Day 12 (March 27) Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla - Onward to Phakding
This morning we will check out early and make our way to the Kathmandu airport. The flight to Lukla is famous for its short landing strip on the side of the mountain. Lukla is the gateway to the Everest Trail Trek. We will have time upon arrival to do last minute shopping before we begin our trek to Phakding. Grab you last minute supply of chocolate, mittens, neck gaiter, trekking poles, etc. We will trek for between 3-4 hours today before we reach our destination of Phakding. We will enjoy a local lunch midday. In the afternoon we will reach the Himalayan Lodge, our lodging for the evening. (B, L, D).
Day 13 (March 28) Namche Bazaar
After breakfast in Phakding, you'll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche. This is a challenging day as you'll start to feel the altitude. The route also consists of a number of high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River that you need to cross. Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steep along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get the first glimpses of Mount Everest. When you arrive at Namche, settle into your accommodations and explore the town. Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies, such as chocolate, as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. (B,L,D)
Overnight: Namche Terrace
Trekking time: 6-7 hours Trekking distance: 4.7 miles (7.6 km)
This is what you came for. Today, you will have views of some of the most famous mountains in the Himalayas including Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and when clear, Everest. (B,L,D)
Day 14 (March 29) Namche - Acclimitization Day
For those ambitious, we will wake early to make the hike up to the Everest View Hotel. On a clear morning, for those lucky early risers, you will be granted the view of a lifetime of Mount Everest. The view is entirely dependent upon weather. After a while, we will make our way back to the Namche Terrace for breakfast. You've still got free time to explore Namche a bit more. (B,L,D)
Day 15 (March 30) Trek from Namche to Tengboche
After breakfast, we will trek to Tengboche. Our journey with provide the scenery that trekking in the Himalayas is known for. Expect views of Ama Dablan, Nuptse, Loptse, and once to Tengboche, perhaps even Everest herself. (B,L,D)
Lodging: Himalyan Lodge Tengboche
Day 16 (March 31) Tengboche to Lukla
After breakfast, we will make our way back to Lukla via helicopter.
With an afternoon arrival back into Lukla, you will have some leisure time to explore Lukla. We will have dinner onsite at the Hikers Inn. (B,L,D)
Accommodations: Hikers Inn Lukla
Day 17 (April 1) Lukla to Kathmandu
After breakfast in Lukla, you'll take an early morning helicopter back to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip. Dinner will be on your own. (B)
Accommodations: Yak & Yeti Hotel
Day 18 (April 2) Kathmandu
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. You have the entire day to explore Kathmandu on your own. Perhaps relax by the pool? (B)
Accommodations: Yak & Yeti
Day 19 - (April 3) Farewell
Enjoy your last Nepalese breakfast before being picked up for your ride back to the airport. Grab your last minute gifts. Be sure you collected your passport. (B)
Safe travels! Namaste!
