Quiet Trails of the Solukhumbu

📍 Kathmandu, Nepal

🏔️ Himalaya               

     📅 6 - 21 November 2027

🥾 Moderate               

Price per person   

€ 2395

What to expect

• Off the beaten track: Explore quiet trails away from the crowds of the Everest region.
• Diverse landscapes: Trek through traditional villages, peaceful pine forests, and hillsides glowing with autumn colours.
• Spectacular mountain views: Enjoy sweeping Himalayan panoramas, with Everest dominating the skyline.
• Varied trekking: Follow easy mountain trails with steep climbs, descents and scenic ridge walks.
• Sherpa culture: Stay with local families, enjoy home-cooked meals and discover Sherpa traditions and village life.
• Settling into Nepal: Spend two days exploring the city and visiting a local NGO that supports and empowers women 

Trekking Together

I organise my Nepal treks in partnership with a local travel agency that employs and empowers women in tourism. Throughout the whole trip, we'll be accompanied by a wonderful Nepali team who take care of the local arrangements, show us around the historic towns and on the trek share their knowledge of local culture, traditions, plants, wildlife and everyday life in the Himalayan villages. My role is to help bridge cultural differences, offer insights from my years of travelling in Nepal and look after your wellbeing, pace and acclimatisation along the way. Together, we want you to feel well cared for while experiencing Nepal in a personal and meaningful way.

Why trek with us

• Two guides: A local guide with in-depth knowledge of the Himalaya and a UIMLA-certified International Mountain Leader.
• My Experience: Over 150 days trekking in Nepal, long-standing local friendships and an MSc in South Asian Studies.
• A trusted local team: Experienced Nepali guides and porters, treated with respect and provided with fair pay, insurance and proper equipment.
• Your wellbeing comes first: Careful acclimatisation, a flexible pace and two guides to ensure everyone feels safe and supported.
• Personal support: Practical advice and individual guidance before and throughout the trek, whenever you need it.
• Empowering women in Nepal: Supporting aspiring female guides through mentoring and partnerships with local organisations.

Programme

Saturday – Arrival
I highly recommend arriving in Nepal a few days before the tour officially begins, giving you time to settle in and explore at your own pace. On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you'll be picked up and transferred to our guesthouse in Bhaktapur, a historic town known for its beautiful temples, traditional architecture and lively squares. If you're already in Nepal, you're welcome to arrive at the guesthouse in the morning and explore Bhaktapur. In the evening, we meet for our first group dinner and get to know each other before our adventure begins.

Sunday – Visit Akasha Academy
We drive to the outskirts of Kathmandu to visit the Akasha Academy, where the women that are interested in becoming mountain leaders are attending their one-year traineeship. They will show us their project and its beautiful premisses, we have lunch at their artisan bakery, and they will take us for a gentle hike in the surrounding hills.

Monday - City Tour 
In the morning, we'll explore the city together on a guided walking tour. The afternoon is all about getting ready for our trek. We'll meet in the hotel's garden for a detailed briefing, go through the packing list and answer any last questions. Afterwards, you'll have plenty of time to pack your bags and pick up anything you still need from the local market.

Tuesday 4 – Drive to start of the trek 
We start very early to take private jeeps to a small town in the Himalaya and the starting point of our trek (8-10 hrs). 

Day 5 – Bhandar (2075 m)
10 km, ↑ 900 m, ↓ 650 m, 5 hrs 
The trail begins with a steady climb out of town, winding through terraced fields, small settlements, and patches of forest. As we gain altitude, views open up over rolling green hills and distant mountain ridges, offering a first sense of the vast Himalayan landscape. After reaching the small settlement of Deurali on the ridge, where we stop for lunch, the path gradually descends toward Bhandar, passing through rhododendron and pine forest. Note: Walking times given do not include breaks. Unless otherwise stated, we usually set off around 8:00 am and reach our accommodations between 3:00 and 4:00 pm.

Day 6 – Chaulikharka (2015 m)
10 km, ↑ 650 m, ↓ 650 m, 4 hrs
From Bhandar, the trail follows a gently descending dirt road through small villages and along green meadows and cultivated fields toward a suspension bridge that crosses the Likhu Khola. From the river, a steady ascent begins through terraced farmland, eventually leading to the small settlement of Chaulikharka.

Day 7 - Mu Gumba (2985 m)
4 km, ↑ 1000 m, 4 hrs
The day begins with a steep climb, rewarded by increasingly spectacular views of snow-capped peaks in the distance. After lunch in a family-run teahouse, we continue uphill until we reach a ridge with views of Pikey Peak and the coming days’ route. We overnight in a ridge-top village on a beautiful sunlit plateau, with three monasteries nearby to visit.

Day 8 – Ngaur (3390 m)
7 km, ↑ 580 m, ↓ 150 m, 4 hrs
A lovely ridge walks through lush rhododendron forests with panoramic views in every direction. Nagur is a remote hamlet with only two houses and a monastery. Our teahouse, run by a friendly woman, offers simple dormitory rooms. Meals are shared around the kitchen hearth – an authentic glimpse into local life in this isolated region.

Day 9 – Pikey Peak Basecamp (3730 m)
3 km, ↑ 400 m, 4 hrs
After enjoying breakfast and the sunrise views from the monastery, we ascend gradually through ancient forest to the tree line and on to Pikey Peak Basecamp. Though not far, the thin air makes the climb slower than expected. In the afternoon, we leave our daypacks behind and embark on a short acclimatisation walk offering a glimpse of tomorrow’s peak and the first snow-peaked mountains in the distance.

Day 10 – Pikey Peak (4065 m) & Takor (3496 m)
8 km, ↑ 600 m, ↓ 850 m, 8-10 hrs
Today we will be on our legs from before dawn until almost dusk, but the effort is richly rewarded. The hike up the grassy slopes to the summit of Pikey Peak seems short yet will take us about 2.5 – 3 hours. The panorama is unforgettable, with sweeping views of eight-thousand-meter peaks stretching from Kanchenjunga in the east to Annapurna in the west, including Everest. After taking time to absorb the view, we descend to Jase Bhanjyang at 3,800 meters for a well-earned brunch. By then, much of the day feels complete, and the morning’s excitement slowly gives way to a quieter awareness in our legs on the way down. The second half of the day begins with another steady ascent to a high plateau dotted with herders’ huts. From there, we continue climbing through rhododendron forest until the open grassy fields of Thakor finally come into view.

Day 11 – Tupten Choling Monastery (3045 m)
10 km, ↑ 500 m, ↓ 550 m, 4 hrs
Our trail winds mostly downhill along forest tracks to Junbesi, a small village with shops selling chocolate and treats, where we stop for lunch. We pass Serlo Monastery, a vibrant learning center for about 100 monks, with an exhibition well worth a visit. From Junbesi it is not far to reach the beautifully located Monastery of Tupten Choling. We check into their newly renovated guesthouse and have time to relax, as we stay for two nights here.

Day 12 – Rest day at the Monastery
The day is entirely free to shape according to your own rhythm, whether you prefer gentle guidance or quiet time on your own. Those who are interested are welcome to join informal discussions where I share insights from my master’s degree studies on Buddhism and Himalayan architecture, helping to place the monastery and its rituals into a broader cultural and historical context. You may also like to join the monks and nuns during their prayer sessions, gaining insight into daily Buddhist practice while enjoying a peaceful and grounding moment for meditation. There is also time to explore the surrounding area, walk through the peaceful monastery grounds, or simply rest and enjoy the calm atmosphere.

Day 13 – Phurteng (3010 m) 
8 km, ↑ 400 m, ↓ 450 m, 4 hrs
We follow the trail back to Junbesi and continue gently uphill through forest to reach Phurteng, a tiny hamlet with just two houses. One is Pemba’s organic farm and teahouse, where we stay and enjoy freshly harvested vegetables and taste the region’s famous yak cheese. 

Day 14 – Phablu (2480 m) 
18 km, ↑ 500 m, ↓ 1300 m, 7 hrs
A beautiful panoramic trail with views of Mount Everest through small agriculture-based villages leads us to Ringmu (2810 m), where we arrive in time for an early lunch. From here a dirt road leads all the way to Phablu, the final destination of the trek.

Saturday – Drive back
After breakfast, the private jeep will take us back to the Bed & Breakfast in Bhaktapur (9-11 hrs), where you arrive just in time for dinner. 

Sunday – Departure
You are free to depart at any time today. However, as you arrive late the night before after a long jeep ride, I recommend beginning your journey home or onward travel the following day instead. Note that our hiking days may differ from the described programme due to weather and path conditions or the physical ability of the group.

Physical requirements

This trek is quite different from hut-to-hut hiking in the Alps. Although we follow non-technical trails, the main challenges are the length of the trek, the altitude and the basic facilities along the way.

You should be comfortable with:

• Long hiking days: Previous multi-day trekking experience, good fitness and the stamina to hike steadily for several days in a row.
• High altitude: Spending much of the trek above 3000 m and sleeping at elevations of up to 3600 m.
• Physical resilience: Being in good health, and able to cope with the combined demands of trekking and basic living conditions.
• Simple accommodation: Modest rooms, limited amenities, shared washing facilities and toilets that are sometimes outdoors
• Limited choice: Less variety and fewer fresh ingredients as we climb higher.
• Cold temperatures: Chilly mornings and evenings, with unheated bedrooms that can drop to 5°C at night.

Please keep in mind that you're in the best position to decide whether this trip is the right fit for you. Multi-day hikes in the Alps can sometimes feel more challenging than expected, especially if you're new to Alpine hiking. If you haven't hiked with me before, or you're unsure about your fitness level or equipment, I'd be more than happy to have a chat with you beforehand and help you decide whether this tour is a good match for you.

Altitude & Health

Your safety is our priority. Our experienced guiding team takes a gradual, cautious approach to acclimatisation and closely monitors everyone's wellbeing. Yet, even with careful acclimatisation, altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness or experience. With multiple guides on the trek, one of us can accompany you individually if problems arise, whether that means descending to a lower altitude or getting you to the nearest suitable medical facility if necessary.

There are generally no special vaccination requirements for travellers arriving in Nepal directly from Europe or the Americas, although requirements depend on your travel history. 

You'll receive more detailed information on altitude, health precautions and preparation after signing up.

Service included

Framework & Organisation

• Small group of 4–12 guests
• Tour organised and insured by a registered travel company
• Experienced Nepali guiding team and a Europe-based International Mountain Leader (UIMLA)

Personal support prior to the trip

• Practical advice on flights, visas, vaccinations and packing
• Detailed travel information and an online group meeting before departure
• Individual support by email, phone and a WhatsApp group chat

Accommodation & Meals

• Guesthouse in Bhaktapur, including breakfast
• Accommodation in locally run teahouses and homestays throughout the trek
• Welcome and Farewell dinner on the first and last night
• All meals and hot water on the trek

Transport & Trekking

• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• All scheduled group transport, including private jeeps to and from the trail
• Trekking permits
• Porter service for up to 10 kg of luggage per guest

Extra costs

• International flights to Kathmandu
• Nepal visa (approximately €50)
• Lunches and dinners outside the trek (approximately €5–20 per meal)
• Tips for local guides, porters and drivers
• Personal travel and health insurance
• Optional extras on the trek, such as drinks, hot showers, Wi-Fi and device charging (approximately €1–5 each)

Additional costs may vary and are for guidance only.

Practical Information

Travel

Our journey begins and ends in Bhaktapur, a historic town in the Kathmandu Valley. We'll arrange your airport transfers, so you can settle in without worrying about transport.

We travel between Bhaktapur and Pokhara by tourist bus (approximately 6–8 hours), while private jeeps take us to and from the trekking route. Roads in Nepal can be slow and unpredictable, so some flexibility is part of the adventure.

I recommend arriving a few days early if possible, giving you time to recover from your flight and explore at your own pace.

Accommodation

In Bhaktapur, we stay in comfortable, family-run guesthouses. During the trek, we sleep in local teahouses, homestays and community lodges. While accommodation is simple, we know all our hosts personally and are always welcomed with genuine warmth.

Rooms are usually shared and become more modest at higher altitudes, with unheated bedrooms and shared bathrooms. Hot showers, Wi-Fi and charging facilities may be available for an extra fee. The communal dining room is often heated and provides a cosy place to relax after a day's walking.

Food

On the trek, we'll enjoy freshly prepared Nepali meals, especially dal bhat – rice, lentils and vegetable curry. Teahouses also offer dishes such as soups, noodles, pasta and porridge. Food choices become more limited at higher altitudes, but meals remain hearty and filling. Hot water will be our main drink on the trek, as boiling is a reliable way to make water safe to drink. Start collecting a variety of your favourite teabags to add some flavour to your hot water along the way!

Payment Information

A deposit of €150 is required within seven days of booking, with the remaining balance due 30 days before the start date. Payment in instalments is possible; please contact me directly at info(at)shantitreks.com. Please note that the cancellation policy applies as outlined in the T&Cs.