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Easy trek - 10 days
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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.
Facts of the Trek
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Duration: 10 Days
Trek type: Tea House
Max Altitude:
3875 m.
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Minimum Pax: 1 +
Mode of travel: Flight
Grade: Easy
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Itinerary in Detail
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Day 01 : |
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m.) which takes
30 minutes and trek from Lukla to Phakding
(2640m.) which takes approximately three hours.
You transfer to the domestic airport for your
flight to Lukla. It is a small town with an
airport. There are few tea shops, lodges, hotels
and general stores. You begin today’s trek from
Lukla following a gentle climb up the
mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi.
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, Kusum Kang
(6367m.) The Dudh Kosi approaches as you pass a
Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You
continue along a small path with many climbs and
descents following the left bank of Dudh Koshi
to Phakding.
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Day 02 : |
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.
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Day 03 : |
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.
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Day 04 : |
Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization
and excursion around the places.
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst
the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an
abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir
shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an
ideal place to spend a rest day for
acclimatization to the high altitude before
heading off towards Tyangboche. 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, Tawche, 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 Kusum Kangaru. .There is also good
views from the National Park Centre and Museum
just above the town. This museum exhibits Sherpa
culture.
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Day 05 : |
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3867m.)
which takes approximately five and half hours.
From Namche, you climb towards the park
headquarters and follow a contouring trail high
above the Dudh Koshi River. Above Namche the
route to Thyangboche becomes visible with the
monastery seen below the summit of Everest and
surrounded by Himalayan peaks. On today’s walk
there are opportunities to spot the local
wildlife, including the beautiful Danphe
Pheasant often seen among the birch and silver
fir forest between Shanasa and Trashinga, and
Himalayan Thar on the high ground above the
trail. After reaching the re-forestation nursery
at Trashinga, the trail drops steeply to cross
the Dudh Koshi at Phunkitenga (3250m), where you
take lunch. In the afternoon you pass
water-driven prayer wheels and ascend, initially
steeply, through pine, fir, black juniper and
rhododendron forest towards Thyangboche. The
monastery and lodge are located in a beautiful
meadow surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks in
a truly peaceful and tranquil setting. The most
notable peaks seen from here are Kantega, Ama
Dablam (perhaps the most beautiful peak in the
region) and, of course, Mount Everest.
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Day 06 : |
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.
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Day 08 : |
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.
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Day 09 : |
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.
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Day 10 : |
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1100m.) which takes
almost 30 minutes.
You rise early in the morning to be ready for
the flight back to Kathmandu
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Services
Included
National Park entry permit, Trekking permit,
Land transportation to and fro, Accommodation in
lodges during the trek, Food: three meals a day,
A guide & required number of porter(s),
Essential equipment.
Services
Excluded
Personal expenses, Insurance, Tips, Emergency
evacuation by Helicopter, Alternative
transportation in case of heavy rain, landslide,
strike, road blockade etc.
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