Join us on a unique photography trip to Nepal, trekking among the world’s highest peaks and capturing the spectacular light of the Himalayas with Tobias Hägg (Airpixels), one of Sweden’s most renowned photographers.

We begin in the bustling streets of Kathmandu and continue with a flight to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu Valley. From there, we follow the spectacular trail toward Gokyo and the turquoise lakes at the foot of Cho Oyu, one of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.

We then trek over Cho La Pass, where the views of Ama Dablam, Lobuche, and Cholatse make both camera and heart race. These are landscapes that literally take your breath away and offer endless photographic opportunities.

Along the way, we climb two classic peaks: Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) and Kala Patthar (5,644 m), where we witness the first rays of the sun over the Everest massif.

The journey concludes along the historic Everest trail to Namche Bazaar and further down to Lukla before returning to Kathmandu.

This is more than a trekking trip – it’s a creative expedition through the heart of the Himalayas, where, together with Airpixels, we explore light, composition, photography, and storytelling in one of the world’s most photogenic landscapes.

From famous viewpoints to hidden gems, every step offers new subjects and fresh perspectives.

Nepal is one of our absolute favorite places on Earth. Here, you trek among the world’s highest peaks, where the mountains rise like cathedrals and the light shifts from golden to icy blue in minutes. It is grand, powerful, and unbelievably beautiful – yet also deeply human. Above all, you will encounter a people whose warmth, kindness, and humility leave as strong an impression as the landscape itself.

During the journey, we hike a few hours each day at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time for photography and experiences along the way. The expedition is suitable for those in good health with average fitness, who want to explore one of the world’s most spectacular mountain regions together with Airpixels and Topo Travel.

We stay in charming mountain lodges with simple accommodations, where the warm dal bhat and the open community around the table become part of the experience. All meals are included during the trek – you just need to focus on enjoying, discovering, and creating.

Before the trip: Online meeting to go through the packing list, practical information, and a chance to ask questions. This takes place a few weeks before departure.

Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu
The journey begins in Nepal’s vibrant capital, where colors, sounds, and scents blend in a whirlwind of life. We meet in Thamel, Kathmandu’s liveliest district, for a welcome dinner and an overview of the adventure ahead. There will also be opportunities to photograph street life, temples, and the bustling chaos typical of Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast & welcome dinner (shared double room)

Day 2 – Journey to the mountains
We travel by jeep to Ramechhap, passing green valleys, rice fields, and small villages where life follows its own rhythm. Here you get your first glimpses of the Himalayas on the horizon, and the feeling of heading toward something greater.

Accommodation: Hotel with full board (shared double room)

Day 3 – Lukla to Phakding
A short flight over the clouds takes us to Lukla (2,800 m), the gateway to the Everest region. We hike along the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding, passing stone houses, prayer flags, and curious children playing along the trail. The play of light in the valley and village life make it impossible not to stop for photos.

Phakding – 2,600 m | 7–8 km | +300 m / -500 m | 3 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 4 – Towards Namche Bazaar
The paths get steeper and the suspension bridges higher as we enter Sagarmatha National Park. Here you’ll see your first views of Everest, often framed by clouds and prayer flags. The day ends in Namche Bazaar, a lively mountain town with views stretching for miles.

Namche Bazaar – 3,400 m | 10 km | +1,200 m / -400 m | 6–7 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 5 – Acclimatization and views in Namche
A day for acclimatization and exploration. We hike to Everest View Point at dawn to see the first light on Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam – an unforgettable sight for both eyes and camera. The rest of the day is free for rest, editing, or a coffee at one of the village’s small cafés.

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 6 – Towards Dole and the tranquility
We leave the main trail and follow the path toward Gokyo. The terrain opens up, and the air feels clearer. We pass villages with terraced fields and see snow-capped peaks dominating the horizon. The light here is fantastic – long shadows and pure colors.

Dole – 4,050 m | 12 km | +1,000 m / -600 m | 6 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 7 – Shorter day to Machermo
A shorter section through open mountain meadows with grazing yaks and small stone houses scattered along the trail. Mountains rise around us, and in the distance Cho Oyu, an 8,000-meter peak, feels close.

Machermo – 4,400 m | 5 km | +400 m / -100 m | 3–4 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 8 – Gokyo and the turquoise lakes
We reach Gokyo, greeted by an almost surreal landscape. The turquoise lakes lie still between snow-covered peaks, reflecting the clouds. We arrive at midday, perfect for capturing reflections in the water before the wind disturbs the surface.

Gokyo – 4,750 m | 7 km | +450 m / -100 m | 4 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 9 – The higher lakes
Day trip to Gokyo Lake IV & V. The world feels silent and untouched. Everest rises in the distance, and on the right day its silhouette is mirrored in the upper lakes.

12 km | +300 m / -300 m | 4–5 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 10 – Sunrise on Gokyo Ri & onward to Dragnag
We start before dawn and reach the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) as the sun turns the Everest massif golden. The morning light is crystal clear, and the view is breathtaking. After lunch, we cross the glacier to Dragnag – a hike through a lunar-like landscape of stone and ice.

Dragnag – 4,700 m | 6 km | +700 m / -750 m | 7 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 11 – Across Cho La Pass
One of the most spectacular days of the trip. We cross Cho La Pass (5,420 m) – a dramatic ascent over stone, snow, and ice, with views of Ama Dablam and Cholatse. It feels like walking on top of the world.

Dzongla – 4,700 m | 8 km | +800 m / -600 m | 8–10 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 12 – Towards Gorak Shep

We continue along the trail following the glacier toward Everest. The terrain is rugged and dramatic, with large ice blocks and moraine ridges. Moving clouds create ever-changing shadows – a natural lightroom for photographers.

Gorak Shep – 5,100 m | 13 km | +850 m / -500 m | 6 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 13 – Everest Base Camp & Kala Patthar
We reach Everest Base Camp – a place buzzing with history and dreams. From here, you see the Khumbu Icefall where climbers begin their journey to the world’s summit. In the evening, we climb Kala Patthar (5,644 m) for sunset, when Everest glows in the evening light.

9 km | +630 m / -630 m | 6 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 14 – Down to Dingboche
We start the descent, passing the Climbers Memorial, where cairns and prayer flags honor mountaineers who have left their mark here. A quiet, beautiful, and contemplative moment.

Dingboche – 4,410 m | 12 km | +150 m / -1,000 m | 4 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 15 – Tengboche Monastery
We continue to the iconic Tengboche Monastery. Here we encounter monks, incense, and prayers blending with views of Ama Dablam – a scene as powerful as the stillness itself.

Tengboche – 3,860 m | 11 km | +300 m / -800 m | 5 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 16 – Back to Namche Bazaar
We return to Namche Bazaar, now with new perspectives. The light is softer, the mountains feel closer. A day to enjoy, photograph village life, and experience the contrast between civilization and solitude.

Namche Bazaar – 3,400 m | 10 km | +500 m / -1,000 m | 5 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 17 – Final stage to Lukla
A long but beautiful hike through forests, over bridges, and past villages that now feel familiar. Light filters through the trees – a final farewell to the Himalayas.

Lukla – 2,800 m | 18 km | +900 m / -1,500 m | 8 h

Accommodation: Lodge with full board (shared double room)

Day 18 – Back to Kathmandu
Short flight back to civilization. After days in silence, Kathmandu’s bustle feels almost unreal. Evening free for rest, editing, or dinner in the city lights.

Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast (shared double room)

Day 19 – Free day in Kathmandu
Extra day for rest, reflection, or adventure. Optional excursions to Patan, Boudhanath, or Pashupatinath – three places full of life, color, and character.

Accommodation: Hotel with breakfast (shared double room)

Day 20 – Departure
Transfer to the airport. You leave Nepal with a full memory card – and above all, a full heart.

Please note that the program may be adjusted due to weather and local conditions.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a challenging but entirely achievable journey for most people with good basic fitness. No previous high-altitude or technical climbing experience is required, but you should be accustomed to longer hikes over varied terrain and have normal balance. With the right preparation and a positive mindset, it will be an unforgettable experience.

For more information, feel free to contact us at: info@topotravel.se

Included

• Participation of Tobias Hägg as your photo coach

• Online meeting before the trip

• 20 days of adventure in Nepal

• Local certified trekking guides

• Porter carrying 15 kg per participant

• Accommodation in hotels in Kathmandu (3 nights, shared double room)

• Accommodation in hotel in Ramechhap (1 night, shared double room)

• Accommodation in lodges in the Khumbu Valley (shared double room)

• Full board in the Khumbu Valley (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

• Welcome dinner in Kathmandu

• Farewell dinner in Kathmandu

• Airport transfer in Kathmandu

• Flight from Ramechhap to Lukla round trip

• All permits and National Park fees

• Better working conditions for local guides & porters

• 16-week training program

Not included

• Travel to and from Kathmandu

• Travel insurance with evacuation coverage

• Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu

• Drinks beyond coffee/tea in the Khumbu Valley

• Charging mobile phones and cameras in lodges in the Khumbu Valley

• Wifi in lodges in the Khumbu Valley

• Nepal visa

• Tips for local guides and porters

Full booking terms can be found here.

Trekking at high altitude can sometimes feel challenging due to the thinner air. To join this trip, you should be able to hike a couple of hours per day for three weeks. However, we always include easier hiking days or rest days after more demanding stages, so the itinerary remains manageable. The trip is designed for anyone in normal good health and fitness. Some trails can be rocky, so good balance is also helpful.

We hike at a slow pace, stopping frequently to photograph or simply take in the scenery and views.

Acclimatization
We will be trekking at high altitude, which affects the body. We have a careful acclimatization plan, ascending at a pace that allows everyone to feel well enough during the trek. Common symptoms before the body adjusts include headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite. We will monitor the group daily, checking how everyone feels, and also measure pulse and blood oxygen levels to track acclimatization.

It is important to hike slowly, avoid overexertion, drink plenty of water, and eat regularly to support your body’s acclimatization process.

You may wish to consult your doctor about Diamox before departure. We will carry Diamox and Dexamethasone for emergencies. You also need travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation if required.

Your porter
You will have a porter to carry 15 kg of your gear. This should be packed in a duffel bag, which you will have access to at each lodge. During the day’s hike, you will carry only a daypack with essentials.

Lodges
We stay in lodges along the trail in the Khumbu Valley. They are not insulated, so nights can be chilly, and temperatures drop the higher we go. We recommend bringing a sleeping bag in addition to the blankets provided.

Lodges get simpler in standard at higher altitudes. Early in the trek, toilets are normal, but higher up you will encounter squat toilets. Toilet paper is not provided, so bring your own or purchase it in the lodges.

In dining rooms, a fire is often lit in the evenings, providing warmth before bed. If you get cold easily, you can purchase hot water for your water bottle to keep in your sleeping bag. A wide-mouth Nalgene bottle is recommended for this.

Showers are available but may not always provide hot water. They are basic, sometimes “bucket showers.” Laundry can be done by hand, preferably on rest days or when arriving early so clothes have time to dry.

Charging for phones and cameras is possible, but laptops cannot be charged in the lodges. Wifi is available in most lodges, but service may be unreliable in bad weather.

Earplugs are recommended at night, as lodges have thin walls and can be noisy.

Packing list for the trek:

Backpack approximately 30–40 liters
Duffel bag approximately 90–120 liters
Sleeping bag
Water bottle or thermos
Snacks (can also be purchased in lodges along the way, but favorite snacks from home are nice to bring)
Trekking poles
Headlamp with extra batteries

Shell clothing for rain protection
Hiking pants
Thick down jacket
Light down jacket
Base layers x 2
Fleece
Socks x 3
Hat
Thick gloves
Thin gloves
Everyday clothes for Kathmandu (left in Kathmandu)
Underwear
Hiking boots
Microspikes
Slippers for lodges
Sunglasses
Buff

Personal hygiene items
Personal medications
Personal first aid kit including blister plasters/tape, painkillers, rehydration salts
Plastic bags
Sunscreen
Power bank and charger
Mobile phone and charger
Camera, lenses, memory cards, batteries
Optional: sitting pad
Optional: solar panel

Note: Do not bring a laptop during the trek as it cannot be charged due to limited electricity in the lodges.