Summary:
Follow the classic Everest Expedition route through hill villages where the scenery and way of life is typical of most of rural Nepal. Lots of climbing as the route crosses several ridges separated by deep river valley. An excellent treks that offers a chance to acclimatize before heading to Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Valley.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01 :
Drive from Kathmandu (1350m.) to Jiri (1905) about 188 km which takes about nine to ten hours. The first part of your journey drives eastwards from Kathmandu passing through Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Dolalghat, Lamasanghu, a part of the Araniko Highway and turn to right from Lamasangu for the Jiri road passing through Green Hills scenery as well as snow capped mountains. The road is quite narrow but it is smooth. Jiri is a town named after Jirel, the majority people inhabited in and around the town.
Day 02 :
Jiri (1905m.) - Deurali (2705m.)
6-7 hours, 1430m ascend, 630m Descend
The beginning of your trek is gently Ascend for the first two hours to Mali Danda (2440m.), view of Rolwaling Peaks and then it follows gently Descend path to Shivalaya (1800m.) where you could take lunch and hang around. After your lunch, the trail steeply goes up for an hour and rest of the day is gently up to the Deurali. You could enjoy the green scenery as well as some of the snow-capped mountains at a far distance.
Day 03 :
Deurali (2705m.) – Sete (2520m)
6-7 hours, 1100m Descend, 900m ascend
The starting of your trek is steeply Descend for early an hour to Bhandar (2400m.) and then gently Descend to Kenja (1600m.) where you could enjoy your lunch. After your lunch, your trek is steeply up to destination. En route, you could enjoy agricultural farm scenery where locals work hard. In addition to this, you could pass through Sherpa villages with beautiful mountain views.
Day 04 :
Sete (2520m) – Junbesi (2580m)
6-7 hours, 1000m ascend, 950m Descend
To begin your trek, you should climb steeply for an early two hours passing through Dagchu, Goyem, a small Sherpa settlements. Then your trek starts gently up to the Lamjura Pass (3500m.) through rhododendron forest. After the pass, rest of the trek is gently Descend to the destination. In this route, you could enjoy some of the snow capped mountains such as Numbur (6955m) the "God of the Solu". Besides this, you could see some wildlife such as monkey and many species of birds.
Day 05 :
Rest day at Junbesi and hang around or visit Thubten Chholing Monastery known as Nunnery Monastery on two hours side trip after 3 days harassing working.
Day 06 :
Junbesi (2580m) – Nunthala (2220m)
6 - 6 ½ hours, 900m ascend, 1250m Descend
The beginning of your trek is gently Ascend for early one and half hours to Phurtung (2900m.). From this place, you could see first view of Mount Everest including Thamserku (6608m.), Kantega (6780m.), Kusum Kangaru (6370m.) and Mera Peak (6650m.) Your trek is flat and gently Descend to Ringmo Khola (2500m.). Immediately, your trail is steeply up for one and half hours to the Takshindo La Pass (3100m.). From this point, you could see excellent mountain views. At the end of your trek is steeply Descend to the town Nunthala (2220m.) through small Sherpa settlement and forest.
Day 07 :
Nunthala (2220m) – Bupsa (2360m)
5 - 6 hours, 700m Descend, 850m Ascend
The beginning of your trek is gently Descend to the Dudh Koshi river at 1500m (Milk River) for an early two hours passing through agricultural farming land and small Sherpa and Rai settlements. From Dudh Koshi river, your trail is gently Ascend all the way to Kharikhola (2050m.) passing through Juving (1680m.) a pretty big Rai village and farming lands. From Kharikhola your trail follows flat path for 45 minutes and then steeply up to the camp (Bupasa) where you could visit 50 years old Buddhist Monastery in ruined state.
Day 08 :
Bupsa (2360m) – Surkhe (2300m)
5 ½ hours, 480m Ascend, 540m Descend
At the beginning of the day, you should ascend steeply for the early two hours to Khari La Pass (2880m.) passing through rhododendron and oak forest including a small Sherpa settlements and teashops. From this point, you could see excellent view of different mountains such as Numbur (6955m.), Cho-oyu (8201m.), Gyangchung Kang (7922m.), Khumbila (5761m) and Thamserku (6808m). Now, your trail is gently descend and flat to Chaubar (2730m.) passing through Bamboo forest and Puiyan (2770m.) with view of Khumbu Valley as well as beautiful mountains. At the end of the day, your trail steeply descends from Pakhepani up to the destination. Surkhe is a small Sherpa village at the bottom of the Lukla. In this town Nepalese Sherpa lady named Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, who was born and climb Everest for the first time in 1993 and lost her life on her way to back Base Camp.
Day 09 :
Surkhe (2300m) – Phakding ( 2652m)
3 ½ hours, 350m Ascend, 50m Descend
The first part of the trek is gently ascend for early 2 hours to Chhiplung (2700m.), a junction road to Jiri and Lukla passing through Mushe (2650m.). From this place, the road is quite broad and busy. Now, your trail is almost flat and gently descend and ascend to Phakding. This is a short trek after 3 long days trek. You could hang in and around Phakding village.
Day 10 :
Phakding (2652m) – Namche Bazzar (3440m)
5 - 6 hours, 850m ascend, 200m descend
From the Phakding, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi valley north, staying 100m and so above the river on its west bank as it passes through Zamphuti. A short distance beyond the water fall, there is an excellent view of to the east of the 6608m peak of the Thamserku. Climbs steeply over the rocky ridge, then traverse high above the river to Benkar (2710m). All along this part of the trail, villages are interspersed with magnificent of rhododendron, magnolia and gaint firs. Through a forest to Chumoa. You continue along a path with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and pass by the tiny village of Monjo (2840m). Now you descend the path of stone steps and return to the right bank over a wooden bridge. After a short climb you come to Jorsale’s teahouse and hotel, also stop at the National Park Entrance office where a park entrance fee is collected. After your departure from Jorsale, you enter a forested mountainside. You follow a short walk along the riverbed of this V-shaped valley where the river forks - the right is the Dudh Koshi and the left is the Bhote Koshi that leads to Nampa La. After short distance along the Bhote Koshi, begin the steep ascend to Namche Bazar. As the mountain path zigzags uphill, you will emerge at a ridge top rest area that offers excellent views of Tawache (6540m), Nuptse (7896m), Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8516m.) The climb eases somewhat, and Namche Bazar appears ahead as you travel along the path surrounded by pines. Pass the terrace where the Saturday bazaar is held and enter the village. Namche Bazar (3440m) is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges and opens out only where it faces the Bhote Koshi. The village is a central hub of the area and food, laundries and even mountain climbing equipment may be purchased here.
Day 11 :
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 12 :
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 13 :
Tengboche (3860m) – Dingboche (4410m)
5 hours, 180m descend, 700m ascend
Leave Tengboche and the Khumbu mountains as a backdrop-and descend a rhododendron forest area to emerge to a pleasant level area. Being welcomed by a long Mani stone wall you enter the village of Deboche, a Nunnery village and Monastery. You continue to Minlinggo and leave the mountain path to cross over a suspension bridge to the left bank of the Imja Khola. Climb the mountain path while looking up at Ama Dablam and Kantega (6779m) as they appear on the opposite bank. Ascend the chorten-lined route, come to a fork, the upper path passes Pangboche and a monastery, take the lower path to Pangboche Olin and its stone wall-enclosed potato field. Pass through the village and cross a stream to a path skirting a rocky area to terraced hills along the riverbank. The trails climb slowly, winding above the Imjatse River, to a big Mani Stupa. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with views of the eastern snow capped mountains including the Island Peak or Imjatse (6,189m). Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.
Day 14 :
Rest day at Dingboche (4410 m.) for acclimatization.
This is a remarkable day for acclimatization. There are some breathtaking views of the North face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge as you explore this beautiful valley that leads up to Island Peak. The walk is short with a good chance to relax in the afternoon. You have another option as you can hike upto Chhukum. From here you can enjoy the panoramic view of Island peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Tawache peak and others. On the same day you come back to Dingboche and have rest.
Note: There is a site trip to Nangkartishang Gompa, 300m ascend and it takes two hours round trip. There is also option to go Ama Dablam Base Camp too.
Day 15 :
Dingboche (4410m) – Louboche (4930m)
5 hours, 530m ascend, 50m descend
The onward journey leads north for up to 50-minutes until you come to a tiny Stupa. The trail is gentle looking down to Pheriche village below. Today's walk offers views of the Mt.Tawache, Cholatse, Lobuche Peak, Ama Dablam and to the north-Pokalde (5745m), Kongma-tse (5820m) and the great wall of Nuptse. After two hours walk, the trail from Pheriche joins near Dugla (4640m) before a small wooden bridge over the river of Khumbu glacier. You stop at Dugla, for lunch, before continuing for an hour up a steep hill to the top, where there are views of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. After a short break, continue trekking up to Lobuche, hidden and sheltered from the wind.
Day 16 :
Louboche (4930m) – Gorakshep ( 5180m) – EBC (5337m) and back to Gorakshep
7 hours, 400m ascend, 100m descend
Trek up the valley following the rocky moraine path, view of icy glacial ponds and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes, a short downhill walk brings you to Gorakshep, the flat field below Kala Patthar (5545m) and Mt. Pumori (7145m.) Gorakshep is the location of the original Everest Base Camp with the new camp being further up the valley. Now the trail winds through rocky path and Khumbu glacier. The view of Nuptse, Lho-La and Khumbutse appears at the front of you. Sometime the avalanche can be seen on the way. After a great moment, you retrace back passing through Khumbu glacier with magnificent views of Lobuche, Cholatse (6441m), Mt. Pumori and Tawache.
Day 17 :
Gorakshep ( 5180m) – Kala Patthar (5545m) – Pheriche (4245m)
6 - 7 hours, 400m ascend, 1300m descend
You accomplish an early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5545m.) and enjoy the view of sunrise. From Kala Patthar you can have a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and many other mountain peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more.
The first part of the trek is small ups and downs to Lobuche. Continue the flat trail upto the memorial place then steeply descend to Dugla. Now your trail gradually descend to Pheriche. You can see the mountain Yaks in Pheriche. Yaks are normally regarded as the porters in this area. The town of Pheriche is known as windy town. There you can see the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. There is located Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post and foreign volunteer doctors are to provide high altitude sickness lecture and medical treatment to trekkers as well as local guides and porters.
Day 18 :
Pheriche (4245m) – Phortse (3800m)
4 ½ hours, 200m ascend, 400m descend
The trail descends to Pangboche and now the trail starts turning up and down in every half an hour to Phortse. On the way there is an opportunity to see wild life in and around the area like mountain goat, musk deer and many species of Himalayan birds. There are village monasteries in Pangboche and Phortse rich in cultural heritage of Sherpa people. Along this, you see an old monastery in Pangboche which is believed to have been established during 16th century. The Pangboche Village (3900m) is known to have highest permanent settlement throughout the year.
Day 19 :
Phortse (3800m) – Khumjung (3790m)
3 ½ hours, 450m descend, 450m ascend
The trail here descends for early twenty minutes and ascends up steeply for almost one hour to Mong-La (4000m.). From this spot, you can see the panoramic view of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaru, Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. Now the trail descends and ascends frequently up to Khumjung. 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 20 :
Khumjung (3790m) – Thame (3800m)
5 hours, 400m ascend, 350m descend
From the beginning of your trek, you will gently ascend and descend to Syangboche then descend to Phurte then Thamo. From Thamo your trail is gently ascend and cross the bridge and shortly steep climb to Thame. Thame is a place where you can visit many ancient monasteries. You will be able to experience the real Sherpa culture and at the most, from Thame you can take a glance at the beautiful mountain peaks.
Day 21:
Thame (3800m) – Monjo (2840m)
6 hours, 960m descend, 200m ascend
While trekking from Thame to Monjo you come across many Sherpa villages and you will meet friendly Sherpa people. Trekking this day is little bit easier in comparison to other days. Monjo is a small village and the area is mainly for agriculture. You can see people being engaged in agricultural activities.
Day 22 :
Monjo (2840m) – Lukla (2846m)
4 ½ hours, 200m descend, 400m ascend
This day the trail gradually descends and ascends as well. You cross the Dudh Koshi river over suspension bridges. 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.
Day 23 :
You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla and it takes almost 35 minutes.
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Facts of the Trek: