 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 :
Monjo (2840m) – Namche Bazaar (3440m)
4 hours, 600m ascend, 50m descend
Today the walking is a little tougher and includes the steep ascend to Namche Bazaar. From Monjo, it is a short walk to the entrance of the National Park before you cross the Dudh Koshi, to reach Jorsale (2805m). The trek continues upstream on generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank, to the confluence of the Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi rivers; it is here that you start the steep ascend to Namche Bazaar. After crossing a large and stable suspension bridge high above the river you slowly ascend at a steady pace towards Namche. There are some fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Tawache (6542m), Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse come into view for the first time. After arriving in Namche, you enjoy lunch, with the afternoon is free to bargain in the shops for 'Tibetan' artifacts, or relax and marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Day 04 :
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 05 :
Namche Bazzar (3440m) – Tengboche (3860m)
5 hours, 350m descend, 750m ascend
Leave the village for a climb to the top of a ridge and level mountain path that offers an excellent panorama of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kusumkangaru. To the right there is a steep cliff that drops down to the Dudh Koshi, faintly visible on the valley floor below. Make your way around a branch ridge, and Ama Dablam (6856m) Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse (7896m) and Tawache (6540m) suddenly appear. After a gentle descend the mountain path ends; you will come to the fork leading to Gokyo at Sannasa (3600m). You descend past two tea houses through the village of Tashinga. Though you cannot see it, you can hear the Dudh Koshi and soon you descend to the river and arrive at Phunki Tenga (3250m). It is a long climb to Tengboche (3860m); the first half part is especially steep then gradual ascend all the way to Tengboche. As you climb through the forested zone, the incline eases and a splendid view appears. You continue climbing the mountainside diagonally until you come to the stone gate built by lamas which marks your entry into Tengboche (3860m). You may use the large plateau in front of the splendid monastery as your campsite. There are a lodges and hotels managed by the National Park Department. Tengboche is an important lookout point on this course, and the sunset on Everest and Ama Dablam is especially beautiful.
Day 06 :
Tengboche (3860m) – Sannasa (3600m)
4 hours, 610m descend, 350m ascend
In the 17th century AD, the Lama Sange Dorjee, from Tibet’s Rongbuk Monastery, according to legend, founded the monastery here. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934, rebuilt and again badly damaged by fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992.
You have a full morning at Tengboche to visit the monastery and the nearby museum. There is a small entrance fee for the museum and a small donation to the monastery is appreciated. In the afternoon you retrace your steps down hill through the beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunki Tenga. After you cross the Dudh Koshi, you ascend steeply to Tashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley to Shanasa where you spend the night. Here Tibetan traders, resident in the area, have numerous ''artifacts'' and worthwhile traditional souvenirs for sale.
Day 07 :
Sannasa (3600m) – Monjo (2840m)
4 - 4 ½ hours, 750m descend, 150m ascend
The villages of Kunde and Khumjung are only a short trek off the main trail and are well worth a visit. Khumjung has a beautiful monastery and Kunde has a small hospital run by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust and you shall return to Namche via this route. The walk also heads past the Everest View Hotel and the Shyangboche airstrip before dropping into Namche where you take lunch. In the afternoon you descend steeply and then walk along the river bank back to Jorsale where you leave the national park before continuing on to your lodge at Monjo where you stay overnight.
Note: There is direct way from Sannasa to Namche Bazaar, which takes about two hours.
Day 08 :
Monjo (2840m) – Lukla ( 2846m)
4 - 4 ½ hours, 200m descend, 400m ascend
You re-trace your steps along the Dudh Koshi, crossing the western bank at Benkar. It is a beautiful and easy walk through blue pine and rhododendron forest, back-dropped with views of Kusum Kangaru. An early lunch will be taken at Phakding and in the afternoon you ascend out of the river valley back to the airstrip and you are offered lodge accommodation at Lukla. In the evening, a farewell dinner may be followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with Sherpa companions.
Day 09 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu which takes 35 minutes. You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
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