Overview
The Eastern Nepal Camping Retreat spans six days, offering a blend of cultural immersion and scenic experiences in the Solukhumbu region. Starting with a flight from Kathmandu to Phaplu, you will check into The Happy House, your base for the trip. Daily activities include gentle hikes through rhododendron forests, visits to local monasteries like Chiwong and Thupten Choeling, and a unique overnight camping experience at Ratnange Ridge at 3,200 meters. Engage in traditional meals with monks and participate in guided meditation sessions, enhancing your connection with local Buddhist culture. Each day allows for steady acclimatization and exploration of the surrounding villages, culminating in a sunrise breakfast with views of the Eastern Himalayas, including Everest. This trip emphasizes a relaxed pace, allowing for genuine interactions with the Sherpa community and appreciation of the serene mountain landscape.
Highlights
- Scenic flight to Phaplu, far from the busy tourist circuit
- Stay at The Happy House with relaxed garden meals and cozy downtime
- Beautiful acclimatisation hikes through villages, wildflowers, and rhododendron forests
- Traditional monastery lunch with monks at Chiwong
- Prayer session, guided meditation, and Buddhist teachings with scholars
- Visit Thupten Choeling, a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery outside Tibet
- Sunrise breakfast on the ridge with panoramic Himalayan views, including Everest
Your Guide for the Trip
The Eastern Nepal Camping Retreat is guided by local Sherpa experts from The Happy House. Over the course of six days, you will explore the stunning landscapes of the Solukhumbu region. Your guides possess deep knowledge of Sherpa culture, ensuring a rich experience as you visit monasteries and engage in local traditions. They focus on safety throughout the trek, leading you along well-trodden paths and overseeing camping experiences. Expect a blend of cultural insight and trail expertise, making this retreat both enjoyable and enriching. Your journey includes visits to significant sites like Chiwong and Thupten Choeling monasteries, along with hikes that suit varying energy levels.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Phaplu | The Happy House
Phaplu
Check in to The Happy House. Lunch in the Happy House garden. After lunch, we will take a short walk around the village to help your body acclimatise.
Airport transfer:15 minutes | Flight to Phaplu: 40 mins
Overnight at The Happy House.
Day 2: Hike to Chiwong Monastery
Phaplu - Chiwong Monastery
Breakfast in the garden. Today we do our first hike up to Chiwong Monastery, a great acclimatisation walk. We pass small settlements with wildflowers near the trail and rhododendron forests on the way up.
Traditional lunch at the monastery with monks. After lunch, there is an opportunity to join the prayer session and guided meditation led by the monks. Introduction to Buddhism and short teachings on the life of Buddha and the Four Noble Truths led by our Buddhist scholars. Option to walk or mountain bike back down to The Happy House. Vehicle transfer is also available.
Walk to Chiwong Monastery: 2.5 hours | Return walk: 2 hours
Driving: 45 minutes
Overnight at The Happy House.
Day 3: Thupten Choeling Monastery | Junbesi
Thupten Choeling Monastery
After breakfast, we drive to Thupten Choeling Monastery, one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet. It was the seat of the late Trulshik Rinpoche, one of the teachers of the Dalai Lama. Visitors can access the main prayer hall and join daily prayers and meditation sessions.
We also visit the monastery school where young monks study, and the Tibetan medicine hospital. Then walk down to Junbesi, considered the first Sherpa village in Nepal and the cradle of Sherpa culture. Lunch at a local family home in Junbesi. Option to drive or walk back to The Happy House.
Driving distance: 2.5 hours round-trip | Walk to Junbesi: 45 minutes
Drive time from Junbesi to Phaplu: 1 hour
Overnight at The Happy House.
Day 4: Hike to Ratnange Ridge | Camping Night
Thupten Choeling Monastery - Ratnange Ridge
Morning yoga. Breakfast in the garden. Late in the morning, visit Phaplu hospital, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, meet the doctors, and learn about mountain health services.
Return to The Happy House for lunch. After lunch, walk up to Ratnange Ridge (3,200m) for a peaceful overnight camping experience. It takes about 2.5 hours, passing friendly villages and beautiful views. Enjoythe sunset over the Himalayas from camp.
A traditional Mongolian yurt will be set up for communal space and dining. Sleeping will be in expedition-style tents. Fully cooked dinner will be served by The Happy House kitchen. Option to mountain bike, or drive back to Phaplu.
Hiking time (Happy House to Ratnange): 2.5 hours
Overnight at camp.
Day 5: Walk to Chyalsa | Return to The Happy House
Ratnange Ridge - Chyalsa
Early morning wake up for sunrise over the Himalayas. Breakfast on Ratnange Ridge with a panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas, including Everest.
After breakfast, walk south along the ridge toward Chyalsa, a settlement formed by Tibetan refugees. Picnic lunch in Chyalsa. After lunch, drive back to The Happy House.
Hiking time: 2 hours
Overnight at The Happy House.
Day 6: Fly to Kathmandu
Chyalsa - Kathmandu
After breakfast, we take the flight back to Kathmandu.
Flight from Phaplu: 40 mins
