EVEREST TREK in 2011

With eight of the world ten highest peaks, Nepal is located with spectacular mountains vistas. The Everest trek is justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world’s highest mountain but also for its friendly Sherpa people, picturesque villages, great variety of cultures and traditions, colourful festivals and monasteries. The Sagarmatha National Park is rich with Flora and Fauna, but the existence of the yeti remains a mystery.

Day 1 Kathmandu - Jiri
Drive to Jiri, 187 km from Kathmandu.

Day 2 Jiri - Deorali
The trek begins with a steady climb through cultivated fields and tiny Tamang villages. Climbing diagonally, we cross forested areas and open pasture land, before again descending to Shivalaya. From here it’s steady climb to the top of the Deorali pass (3000m) where we spend the night.

Day 3 Deorali - Sete
From Deorali, it’s a short walk to the Sherpa village of Bhandar, which is littered with prayer walls and small gompas (Buddhist Temples). Descending to the valley floor at the riverside town of Kenja, the trail climbs steeply up a ridge richly forested with oak and rhododendron to Sete (2575m) whose beautiful hilltop monastery is worth a visit.

Day 4 Sete - Junbesi
We climb through fragrant pine and oak forest to the Lamjura pass (3500m) for our first glimpse of Everest. Then it’s downhill again to the large Sherpa village of Junbesi. From here there are good views of Gaurishanker, Numbue Himal and Dudh Kunda.

Day 5 Junbesi - Nuntala
From here we walk up the Solung ridge, from where Everest is again visible and then descend to Ringmo Khola, ringed with apple orchards. The trail crosses the Traksindo La (3071m) before descending once again through the forest to Nuntala.

Day 6 Nuntala - Khari Khola
From Nuntala the descent continues to Dudh Kosi (milk river) the larges river on the trek. Then ascend through several Sherpa and Rai villages, terraces fields and forest to the spread out village of Khari Khola.

Day 7 Khari Khola - Puiyan
The path ascends through Sherpa village and a forest inhabited by monkeys, and then winds steeply up down through the Dudh Koshi canyon to Puiyan.

Day 8 Puiyan - Phakding
The trail climbs for about an hour after Puiyan to a ridge at 2800 meters, then up to another ridge, passing the path to Lukla airport, after which we climb on to Phaking.

Day 9 Phakding - Namche
Beginning with a slight climb to Jorsale, the trail passes a waterfall. All day, we pass villages interspersed with magnificent forest - rhododendron, magnolia trees and giant firs. The path climbs steeply to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Day 10 Namche (Acclimatization day)
Acclimatization is most important before proceeding to a higher elevation. You can set off on a short day hike to Thame, Kunde or Khumjung or relax and explore the Sherpa culture of Namche.

Day 11 Namche - Tengboche
From Namche a steep one-hour climb to Syangboche (3720m) provides excellent views of Everest and AmaDablam. From there we decend to Punki Thanka via Khumjung, then the trail climbs through forest where you can spot musk dear. Tengboche sits on a saddle at 3870m in a clearing surrounded by dwarf fires and rhododendrons. Kwangde (6187m) Tawacche (6542m) Everest (8848m) Nuptse (7855m) Lotse (8618m) AmaDablam(6856m) Thamserku (6608m) provide an inspiring panorama of Himalayan giants. We visit the monastery at Tengboche, the largest in Khumbu region.

Day 12 Tengboche - Dingboche
It is a short, steep and muddy descent to Deboche through a forest of birches, conifers and rhododendrons. We then cross the bridge and ascend through the forest, past magnificently carved mani stones to Pangboche at 3860m. Then the route enters alpine meadows above the tree line before reaching Dingboche at 4240m.

Day 13 Dingboche - Lobuche
The trail ascends the broad, gently sloping valley and climbs steeply into the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glaciers. It then crosses the bridge and climbs higher on the moraine to a row of stone monuments erected in memory of many Sherpas and foreign mountaineers who have died climbing Everest before reaching Lobuche (4930m)

Day 14 Lobuche - Gorak Shep - Kala Pattar - Lobuche
The trail from Lobuche follows the grassy ablation valley with great views of Pumori then crosses a tributary glacier to reach the dry lakebed of Gorak Shep. We then climb the 5545m Kala Pattar for incredible views of Everest and Everest Base Camp.

Days 15 - 19 Lobuche - Tengboche - Monjo - Lukla
Return trek by the same route. An alternative is to stay at Syangboche after Tengboche and fly out a couple of days later.

Day 20 Lukla - Kathmandu
Fly to Kathmandu