Stay guides
Before and After Your Trek: Sacred Trails as Your Kathmandu Base
How we help trekkers at the homestay — airport pickup, permits, gear checks, early transfers for Lukla and Pokhara flights, luggage storage and a hot shower when you return.
By Shiva GiriPublished 6 min read
Most of our guests come to Nepal to walk in the mountains. Sacred Trails is run by a family who knows the trails, and the homestay is set up for the days either side of a trek: a quiet night before an early flight, somewhere safe to leave your city clothes, and a hot shower and a real bed when you come back.
Before the trek
- Airport pickup: send us your flight details and we will meet you at arrivals and bring you to Budhanilkantha, about 12 km and 30–40 minutes away.
- Briefing and gear check: on our treks, your guide runs through the route and checks your equipment at the homestay before you leave.
- Permits: all permits for your route are included in our trek packages. We collect your passport details before you arrive and arrange them.
- Licensed guide: since April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must trek with a licensed guide. Every Sacred Trails trek includes one.
- Gear: we lend a duffel bag and trekking map for the trail. Down jackets, sleeping bags and poles can be rented in Thamel rather than bought for one trek.
Early starts for Lukla and Pokhara
Flights to Lukla for Everest Base Camp leave early and depend on the weather. In busy seasons they often depart from Manthali (Ramechhap), a pre-dawn drive of about 4–5 hours from Kathmandu. We arrange the early transfer and a packed breakfast so you don't have to organise anything at 2 a.m. For Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp, the journey to Pokhara is by tourist bus (about 7 hours) or a 25-minute flight.
While you are on the trail
Leave your spare luggage, valuables and city clothes with us and take only what you need — on our treks one porter carries the bags of two trekkers, so keeping your share light matters.
After the trek
- Hot water around the clock and a comfortable bed in hotel-grade linen.
- Laundry service for a small charge — useful after two weeks on the trail.
- A home-cooked breakfast in the morning and the rooftop for a slow afternoon.
- An airport drop-off timed to your onward flight.
Book the stay and the trek together
With a Stay + Trek combined booking we bundle your homestay nights before and after, permits, guide and airport transfers into one price — usually better value than booking them separately.
| Trek | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | 14 days | $1,500 |
| Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill | 12 days | $1,200 |
| Poon Hill | 6 days | $700 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave luggage at Sacred Trails while I trek?
Yes. Leave spare luggage, valuables and city clothes with us and collect them when you come back.
Are homestay nights included in your trek packages?
Yes. Our treks include nights at Sacred Trails Homestay in Kathmandu before and after the trek, plus airport pickup and drop-off.
Can you arrange an early transfer for a Lukla flight?
Yes. We arrange the early transfer — to Kathmandu airport or, in busy seasons, the pre-dawn drive to Manthali (Ramechhap) — and a packed breakfast.
