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) – 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 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) – Dole (4085m)
4½ - 5 hours, 450m Descend, 750m Ascend
Soon after leaving Khumjung the trail climbs to a large chorten on top of a ridge. This ridge descends from Khumbila, a 5761m peak, said to be the abode of the patron God of the Khumbu region. The trail descends slightly towards the Sanasa and then trail ascends up to Mongla (4000m.). From here, you can see panoramic views of various mountains. You trek steeply descend passing through Phortse Tenga (3680m) and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens. You can enjoy delicious meal at Phortse Tenga (3680m.).
Day 07 :
Dole (4085m) – Machhermo (4410m)
3 hours, 350m Ascend, 50m Descend
From Dole you climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements, which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch.
Day 08 :
Machhermo (4410m) – Gokyo (4750m)
4 hours, 350m Ascend, 50m Descend
Today you head for the lakes at Gokyo. You follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the melt-water rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky inclined into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5420m.) -your route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters.
Day 09
Rest day at Gokyo and excursion in and around Gokyo valley Gokyo is a trade centre where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide the best services to the trekkers. Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumpa glacier, the biggest glacier in the world. This day you can make a side trip to Fifth Lake via Forth Lake.
Day 10 :
Gokyo (4750m) – Gokyo Ri (5360m) – Machhermo (4410m)
5 – 5 ½ hours, 610m Ascend, 940m Descend
First you climb to Gokyo Ri for the sunrise and panoramic view in 360o. The climb Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake and you leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As you climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is one of the finest to be had in the Everest region - some say it is even better than that from Kala Patthar. After lunch it is a short walk to the village of Machhermo.
Note: An Alternative routs from Gokyo to Phortse (3800m) via Na (4400m)
6 -7 hours, 950m Descend, 350m Ascend.
And then phortse to Namche Bazaar the next day.
4 ½ hours, 680m Descend, 400m Ascend.
Day 11 :
Machhermo (4410m) – Namche Bazaar (3440m)
5 ½ - 6hours, 1100m Descend, 350m Ascend
The trail gently descends to Dole and then starts descending steeply to Photse Tenga (3680m.) passing through rhododendron forests. Then the path immediately ascends steeply to Mongla Danda (4000m.) and gently descends up to Kyanjoma (3600m.) following small ups and down to the destination.
Day 12 :
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 13 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu which takes 35 minutes. You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
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