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, AmaDablam, 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.
Kathmandu arrival (1300m)
Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel; here you will be formally introduced to your Guide and the activities to be enjoyed over the next few days. We will also ask for your passport photographs and any other details required for your trek permits, at this stage.
Kathmandu sightseeing.
After breakfast, you start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. We will arrange a guide of your chosen language to give you a tour and introduction to our rich culture amongst our ancient and fascinating history and religion. In our sightseeing tour you go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. There is an intriguing 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums. Swayambhunath, situated on a hillock 6.5 kilometres west of Kathmandu, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days. Day 3: Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m) Trek to Phakding (2652m) Your early flight to Lukla today will take approximately 30 minutes; from here you will trek to Phakding, descending 200m over 3 hours. You will catch a glimpse of some great mountains such as Nupla (5885m) above Kongde Ridge, Kusum Kang (6367m appears on the right a little later. All along you will be following the northern (left) bank of the Dudh Kosi River. It is important to take these first few days slowly to enable your body to acclimatise and to enjoy the passing scenery and culture.
Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m) Trek to Phakding (2652m)
Your early flight to Lukla today will take approximately 30 minutes; from here you will trek to Phakding, descending 200m over 3 hours. You will catch a glimpse of some great mountains such as Nupla (5885m) above Kongde Ridge, Kusum Kang (6367m appears on the right a little later. All along you will be following the northern (left) bank of the Dudh Kosi River. It is important to take these first few days slowly to enable your body to acclimatise and to enjoy the passing scenery and culture.
Phakding to Monjo (2835m.)
Trek from Phakding to Monjo (2835m.) and it takes approximately two hours. 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 (6623m). From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2835m) 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.
Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3440m.)
Trek from Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3440m.) which takes about three hours. Today the walking is a little tougher and includes the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. From Monjo, it is a short walk to the entrance of the National Park before you cross the Dudh Kosi, 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 ascent 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 Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Tawache (6542m) 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.
Rest day in and around Namche Bazaar
The main aim today is to allow your body to acclimatise, it is important to drink lots of water and take some gentle exercise. Namche is a growing town tucked into a neat little valley, there is lots going on in the centre with market days on Friday and Saturday. There are some interesting museums and shops. There is also internet and a sauna! You could venture further afield, take a visit to Khumjung where the Hillary school sits and Khunde nearby, on the way back to Namche you could visit the Shyangboche airstrip, (3790m) the highest in the world nearby is the Everest View Hotel for stunning views.
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3867m)
There are various trails leading out of the village of Namche, your guide will show you the most appropriate, you are most likely to enjoy excellent views of Ama Dablam and Everest amongst others along the way though. From Sanasa trail descends to Phunki Thanga from where you have a 2 hour climb to Tengboche steeply at first but soon levels out. You will come to a stone gate which marks the entrance to Tengboche, the religious centre of the Khumbu region. Overall today will take approximately 5 hours.
Tyangboche to Shanasa (3670m.)
Trek from Tyangboche to Shanasa (3670m.) and it takes almost two and half hours. 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 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992.You have a full morning at Thyangboche 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 Phunkitenga. After you cross the Dudh Koshi, you ascend steeply to Trashinga. 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.
Shanasa to Monjo (2835m.)
Trek from Shanasa to Monjo (2835m.) which takes approximately five and half hours. 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.
Monjo to Lukla (2886m.)
Trek from Monjo to Lukla (2886m.) and it takes about four hours. 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.
Lukla to Kathmandu (1300m)
You will be on an early flight back this morning, on arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Day free in Kathmandu
Enjoy a day exploring some of the quieter streets of Kathmandu, stocking up on souvenirs and presents for those back home. This evening you have a farewell dinner, you will be picked up in good time
Final Departure.
All too soon it's time to bid Nepal farewell and one realizes that we can never be intimate, only acquainted with this amazing adventure kingdom.
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