| Day |
Route |
Duration |
Highest Point/m |
Grade |
| 1 |
Arrival Kathmandu transfer to Hotel |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Meet with our representative at the
airport. Drive to hotel. |
| 2 |
Kathmandu |
All day |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Sightseeing Day see Kathmandu Day Trips for ideas
of what to do. |
| 3 |
Kathmandu – Jiri |
7 to 10 hours |
1905 |
Easy |
| |
Public or private
vehicle to Jiri. If you leave Kathmandu early enough then
you can combine today with the trek to Shivalaya. |
| 4 |
Jiri – Shivalaya |
3 hours |
2400 |
Easy |
| |
The trek begins by winding up through
rhododendron forests to a small pass at Chitre. After the pass
the trail descends past some cliffs where locals collect honey
from the enormous beehives that hang in sheltered spots. |
| 5 |
Shivalaya – Bhandar |
7 hours |
2713 |
Easy |
| |
There are a couple of route options
today and if time permits we will visit the Swiss cheese factory
and Gompa (Tibetan monastery) at Thodung. This is a very pleasant
day on the trail with lush forests and mountain views combining
to create just the right amount of photo opportunities to
keep us going. Gauri Shankar, on the Tibetan border, is one
of the main mountains we can see from the pass; it was once
thought to be the highest mountain in the world! |
| 6 |
Bhandar – Sete |
5 hours |
3575 |
Easy |
| |
Another great day! Our trail wanders
through the fertile Likhu Khola (river) valley passing many
tea stops on the way. |
| 7 |
Sete - Junbesi |
7 hours |
3530 |
Easy |
| |
Today we crest the Pamjung La (pass)
which doesn't offer any great mountain views. So we quickly
move on through Tragdobuk to one of the major trading centres
of the region, Junbesi. |
| 8 |
Junbesi - Ringmo |
4 hours |
3048 |
Easy |
| |
We have a short trek today that allows
us time to go and explore one of the largest working Gompas
in the region, Thubten Chholing Gompa with 150 monks and 350
nuns in residence. The trail up to the Sallung Danda (ridge)
is through prickly-leafed oak, a very common tree in this part
of the world, to a point where we will see Everest in the distance
if we're lucky! |
| 9 |
Ringmo – Jubing |
6 hours |
3072 |
Easy |
| |
We now climb the Tragsindho
La which is marked by shorten (memorials), mani walls (prayer
stone walls), and prayer flags. Below us is the Tragsindho
Gompa but we will not stop. We are now in Sherpa and Rai country
that are frequently recruited into the Gurkhas as they are
a brave and loyal people.
|
| 10 |
Jubing - Surkhe |
6 hours |
2347 |
Easy |
| |
Today we descend into the
Solu Khumbu region proper and are rewarded with views of Cho
Oyu and Gyachung Kang as the trail seems to always be going
up or down. |
| 11 |
Surkhe – Phakding |
5 hours |
2695 |
Easy |
| |
We now enter an easier region
to walk in as we follow first meet and then follow the well
worn trail from Lukla to Phakding. We immediately notice the
difference in the lodges which are bigger and fancier than
anything seen so far - and of course all the trekkers that
we pass on the trail. It is great to be walking fit and a
little acclimatised as we pass then huffing and puffing arrivals!
|
| 12 |
Phakdhing - Namche Bazaar |
6 hours |
3450 |
Easy |
| |
Criss-cross several bridges
over the Dudhkosi River we then begin the long climb up to
Namche Bazaar. During the climb there are views of Everest
through pine forest. Namche is the main trading spot of the
Khumbu region and has bakeries, Email service, money exchange,
equipment shops, Sherpa Museum, and the National Park Headquarters.
|
| 13 |
Namche Bazaar |
all day |
3450 |
Easy |
| |
Acclimatization day. Use
today to rest and explore the surrounding villages of Khumjung
and Kunde, take in the sights and sounds of this famous bazaar,
or check out the schools and hospitals set-up by Sir Edmund
Hillary. |
| 14 |
Namche Bazaar - Tengboche |
6 hours |
3860 |
Easy |
| |
Early morning views of Mt
Everest with breakfast before a flattish walk and then downhill
to Phunki Tenga where we then climb up to Tengboche.
|
| 15 |
Tengboche |
all day |
3860 |
Easy |
| |
A day to explore the views around
Tengboche and to visit the stunning monastery. This World Heritage
site was originally built in 1916 but was destroyed by an earthquake
in 1934. The rebuilt Gompa was then again destroyed in 1989
by fire, but the new buildings are true to the original designs
and form an idyllic setting for the 30 or so young monks who
live here.
|
| 16 |
Tengboche - Dingboche |
6 hours |
4343 |
Easy |
| |
Onwards towards Everest! A downhill
section to Pangboche (the highest year-round settlement) takes
us through stone walled villages to Dingboche where there is
a high altitude clinic. |
| 17 |
Dingboche – Lobuche |
5 hours |
4910 |
Moderate |
| |
This is what trekking is all about,
amazing views, laboured breathing, and the prospect of a comfortable
camp with some delicious food inside you. Take your time and
pace yourself, rushing here will reduce your reserves for later
stages, and why not stop and take an extra few pictures anyway? |
| 18 |
Lobuche - Base Camp - Ghorakshep |
9 hours |
5190 |
Moderate |
| |
The trek up to Ghorakshep takes us
on to visit Everest Base Camp where we relax and imagine having
to spend months here on an expedition! Back down to Ghorakshep
for the night. |
| 19 |
Ghorakshep - Kalaptthar - Pheriche |
8 hours |
5560 |
Moderate |
| |
An early start to catch the sunrise
views from Kalapattar of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori is
just above us, and the Khumbu Glacier in front. From here we
head down to Pheriche and a relaxing afternoon. |
| 20 |
Pheriche - Phortse |
6 hours |
3810 |
Easy |
| |
A longish walk through Tengboche,
down to Phortse where we should be able to see Musk Deer and
the Dhaphe (Himalayan) Pheasant. |
| 21 |
Phortse - Khumjung - Namche Bazaar |
7 hours |
3550 |
Easy |
| |
A lovely walk though rhododendron
and birch forest up to the Mong La which has a great view of
Ama Dablam. The on to Khumjung to check out the Himalayan Trust
projects, or a pizza from the German bakery if you are so inclined! |
| 22 |
Namche Bazaar - Phakding |
6 hours |
2610 |
Easy |
| |
Leaving Namche Bazaar we then have
a very easy day retracing our steps, enjoy stopping off at tea
shops and perhaps do a little shopping for souvenirs along the
way. |
| 23 |
Phakding - Lukla |
4 hours |
2850 |
Easy |
| |
Take your time and perhaps plan your
next trip to the Himalaya on our final day in the mountains.
At Lukla we celebrate the end of the trek! |
| 24 |
Lukla - Kathmandu |
35 minutes |
1300 |
Easy |
| |
Early morning fly to Kathmandu and
drive to Hotel |
| 25 |
Kathmandu |
all day |
1300 |
Easy |
| 26 |
Free day shopping in Kathmandu |
|
|
|
| 27 |
Final Day end of trek debrief
and departure. |
