The Happy House is everything the name implies! A truly delightful house on the edge of the enchanting village of Phaplu in the Everest / Solukhumbu region. A short walk from the airstrip leads to a wonderful old, stone house surrounded by towering pine trees, a grassy garden, vibrantly painted doors, and fluttering prayer flags. This glorious place was Sir Edmund Hillary’s ‘happy place’ for many months of his life and this legacy continues.

A grand Sherpa House it has been stunningly well restored by the current generation of owners and it exudes warmth, comfort and joy. A place of stories, where writers, painters, walkers, trekkers and those who just love the mountains, come for their ‘fix’ of peace, solitude, hospitality and wilderness life. The main sitting room walls are covered with exquisite hand painted Buddhist Thangka paintings which come alive at night when softly lit by candles and the light of the roaring log fire – where better so sit, read, write, drink or chat whilst feasting on scrumptious canapes!

The Happy House is a delight and is home to 10 wonderfully comfy, rustic, spacious bedrooms and huge suites, over 2 floors – all replete with heating, gallons of piping hot water and light streaming in. The staff are all divine and make your stay here a veritable treat. The food is outrageously good; the guides are fit, fun and knowledgeable; the ladies of the house are gentle and smiling – it’s all about good vibes, making friends and enjoying the Himalaya. Whilst here treat yourself to a massage in the cosy yurt, a sound spa or take yourself off on vigorous walks and cycle rides up into the surrounding hills.

Overnight or longer treks up to nearby peaks are easily arranged and I’d urge you to do one – everything is tailored to what YOU want here. If not into walking then spend time exploring the wonderful, welcoming Tibetan monasteries in the neighbouring valleys – what is better that to climb up to a cliffside monastery than to be greeted by a grinning monk and offered a cup of tea! Immerse yourself in Buddhist and Sherpa culture, religion and tradition in a region rich in history, art, craft and culture. It is sustainable in every way… local, local, local!

The Happy House is a Beyul – a beautiful, sacred valley or place where Buddhists believe the physical and the spiritual converge. This is exactly what The Happy House is –an oasis of calm and comfort. Come here to stop, to breathe, to take stock of life, to relish the calm, the peace and slowness of life in the remote valleys and hills of East Nepal.