The name "Everest" is magic in itself. Everest (8848m.) is called "SAGARMATHA" in Nepali - "Higher than the Sky" and "CHHOMOLUNGMA" in Tibetan - "Mother Goddess of the Earth".
The Mount Everest or Solu Khumbu region is one of the most popular trekking areas in Nepal - tinged with the romance of being so close to the highest mountain in the world. The route lies in the highest wildlife reserve in the world, the Sagarmatha National Park. It covers an area of 1,148 sq. km. of Himalayan ecological zone. The park altitudes range from 2,845m at Monju to the top of the world, UNESCO listed the park as a World Heritage Site in 1979 for its unique natural, cultural and landscape characteristics.
A trek in this region follows the course of the Dudh Kosi, the 'River of Milk', gradually climbing through forests of rhododendron and magnolia. It takes one to the foothills of the mightiest of the mountains in the world. En route, one traverses through rhododendron and pine forests, rivers, Sherpa villages and Buddhist Monasteries from temperate to snow line regions. The Himalayas are best seen on this trek as one traces the main route through the Khumbu region from the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. Trekkers get a close view of the world's greatest mountains, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawache and many other unnamed mountains and peaks.
For the people of this exotic region, the hard grind in the daily life in the high Himalayas is interrupted by seasons of feasts and festivals, marked by dancing and general merry making. Most festivals are of religious nature and centre on the temples and monasteries, with rites conducted by lamas (priests). These festivals are spread out through the full moon days of May, June, July, August and November in different sections of the Himalayas. While the Sherpas are the most predominant people of Solukhumbu, in the lower region of Solu, the Khaling Rai culture prevails as well. In Khumbu where agriculture land is limited, livestock raising and trade is more important, while Solu with less severe winters grows a variety of staple crops.
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Summary:
An existing flight to Lukla and walk to the Sherpa villages of Namche bazaar, the new and fancy monastery at Tengboche and on to Everest Base Camp. It is an important to allow enough time on this trek for acclimatisation. It can be very crowed in the high season.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01 :
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2846m.) then trek to Phakding (2652m)
3 hours, 300m descend , 100m ascend
You transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Lukla. Lukla is a quite big town with an airport. There are many tea shops, lodges, hotels, resorts, bank, monastery and general stores. You begin today’s trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the right bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Nupla (5885m) can be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop the Kongde Ridge. You descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusumkangaru (6369m.) The Dudh Koshi approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You continue along a small path with many climbs and descends following the right bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.
Day 02 :
Phakding (2652m) – Monjo (2840m)
2 hours, 200m ascend, 100m descend
From Phakding you cross the river and head up valley following porters from the south, ferrying supplies to Namche. The trail keeps close to the river valley and is lined with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest that is very spectacular in the spring months when the flowers are in bloom. You cross the Dudh Koshi at Benkar where there are tantalizing glimpses of the snow peaks Kusum Kanguru (6369m) and Thamserku (6808m). From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2840m) where you arrive in time for lunch. You spend the night in Monjo with the afternoon free, with the opportunity to do some exploring around the village. The day has been deliberately kept short to aid acclimatization, which is a very important process.
Day 03 :
Rest Day at Namche Bazaar or an excursion in and around Namche Bazaar.
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, resorts, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. Namche is the administrative center for the Khumbu region and has a police check post, Army post, the headquarters for Sagarmatha National Park, numerous shops, books shops, bakeries, bars, internet facilities. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khhumjung where you can visit monastery. Khhumjung is densely populated by Sherpa community. You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawache, Kwangde and so on. Or you can have an hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusumkangaru. .There is also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. This museum displays about the people, sherpa culture, forests, wildlife, mountaineering and the impact of tourism.
Day 04 :
Namche Bazzar (3440m) – Thame (3800m)
4 ½ hours, 360m ascend, 100m descend
From Namche the route turns west and the trail is almost level as you head up the Bhote Koshi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. Along the way you pass many prayer flags, mani walls and carved stones, all indicative of the Tibetan Buddhist culture of this area. After descending to the Bhote Koshi the trail climbs steeply to Thame. From here, there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde and to the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame Gompa is situated above the village overlooking the valley and is the site for the spring celebrations of the Mani Rimdu festival.
Day 05 :
Thame (3800m) – Khumjung (3790m)
5 hours, 400m descend, 350m ascend
You retrace your route down the Bhote Koshi Valley towards Namche and branch off to follow a quiet trail to Khumjung. It is a picturesque village which also has its own gompa at the top end of town. Here you can have excellent views of Thamserku, Kantega and Ama Dablam. The Khumjung village is said to have the largest settlement of Khumbu region. There is well-equipped high school built by Edmund Hillary in 1960. Not limited to this, there is an old monastery where the skull of Yeti is believed to have preserved. The neighboring village of Khumjung is Khunde where a well equipped Hospital is built by Edmund Hillary in 1964.
Day 06 :
Khumjung (3790m) - Tengboche (3860m)
4 hours, 540m descend,610 ascend
The trail descends gently for early one hour to Sannasa (3600m.). Now you have a glimpse of first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous teashops, the trail descends steeply to a bridge over the river Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga (3250m.).The village has an excellent place for lunch and you can take a short rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although exhausting due to the zigzag path, the trek has numerous attractions like rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds chirping and superb mountain scenery making your trek exciting. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region.
Day 07 :
Tengboche (3860m) – Namche Bazaar (3440m)
4 ½ hours, 750m descend, 350m ascend
The walk from Tengboche is mostly downhill on the main busy trail with a steep climbs for an hour from the bridge at Phunki Tenga (3250m), near to Sannasa. The walk to Namche is very scenic on a long winding path.
Day 08 :
Namche Bazaar (3440m) – Lukla (2846m)
6 - 7 hours, 950m descend, 250m ascend
The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for few short uphill climbs and then down to the Dudh Koshi River crossing it five times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, being offered chhang and Sherpa dance with a memorable trekking experience in mind.
Note: It's a long walk from Namche to Lukla, but you are probably in good shape by now. If not, break the trip into two days with a night at Phakding or Ghat.
Day 09 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu which takes 35 minutes. You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
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Facts of the Trek: