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Everest
Kalapathar Trek
Trip profile:
15 Days Trip
03 Nights in Kathmandu
12 Days Everest Trekking |
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 With
eight of the worlds ten highest peaks, Nepal is loaded with
spectacular mountains vistas. Everest trek in justifiably famous,
not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain (
8848m ) but also for its friendly Sherpa people, picturesque
villages great variety of cultures and traditions, colourful
festivals and monasteries. The flora and fauna are other ornaments
of the Sagarmatha National Park. The story of the yeti is still
a mystery to the world from the Kahumbu region. Itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive
in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu
you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and
shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted
on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many
charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional
Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years
stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then
processed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit
Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three
major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu
temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones
and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. O/N in KTM.
DAY 03: KATHMANDU - LUKLA - PHAKDING
This morning we will be transferred from your h otel to Kathmandu airport for
our domestic flight to Lukla. The flight itself is awe-inspiring as we fly
parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibetan China. Flying time
to Lukla is approximately 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Lukla, we will be met by
our local guides and porters. There will be time to explore the village whilst
the Sherpa crew sort and load equipment. Lukla lies at an altitude of 2850m
("luk la" = place of sheep). From Lukla we descend on a wide trail
northwest to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Kosi Valley. The valley
radiates energy through beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. The walking is
easy and we follow the river's course, passing through the village of Ghat. Our
destination is the small village of Phakding where accommodation is provided in
the form of Tea House Lodges.
DAY 04: PHAKDING - NAMCHE BAZAAR
From Phakding we head up valley on a busy trail: porters from the lower Solu
district in the south ferrying supplies to Namche, Sherpas with their Zopkio
(half yak, half cow) taking trekking or climbing expedition equipment to the
higher valleys. Continue along beside the Dudh Kosi amongst beautiful alpine
scenery, through the fragrant blue pine and fir forest, glimpsing spectacular
views of Kusum Kangru (6369m) and Thanserku (6608m) along the way. We again
cross the Dudh Kosi, to the western bank at Jorsale prior to trekking through
the entrance to the Sagamartha National Park.
Continuing upstream along the
banks to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi, it is here we begin our
first sustained acsent to Namche Bazar after crossing the large suspension
bridge. Walking at a slow pace, we have a fantastic photographic opportunities
as the peaks of Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8511m), Nuptse (7879m), Arna Dablam
(6856m) and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time. Climbing again,
the path takes us through pine trees to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped
bowl containing the village of Namche Bazar. Stay in the heart of the village.
O/N in Namche Bazaar.
DAY 05: NAMCHE BAZAAR - KHUMJUNG
Breakfast served in your Tea House Lodge. From Namche, we trek out of the
village bowl and follow a small trail high above the Dudh Kosi River, where the
views are incredible; behind to the west, the ridge of Nupla and Kwangde Himal
(6194m); across the valley to the south, the towering ice-fluted walls of
Thamserku (6623m), and to the east at the head of the valley, the Lhotse and
Nuptse wall, towering a full three and a half thousand metres above the valley
at Dingboche. Everest looms above the ridge, a black, triangular rock;
Sagarmatha, "Goddess Mother of Earth", is a truly magnificent sight.
On a small ridge across the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a
small speck against the gigantic mountain background. We descend to Khumjung,
and after staying in the more westernised town of Namche Bazar, these villages
make a welcome change. Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpas.
It is possible to take the opportunity to sample the Sherpa speciality, Riki Kur
- a type of potato fritter enriched with yak butter.
The afternoon has been left free to assist with further
acclimatization. O/N
in Khumjung
DAY 06: KHUNJUNG - THENGBOCHE (THYANGBOCHE)
In the morning we descend to the village of Shanasa and then contour to
Trashinga where the trail drops steeply to cross the Dudh Kosi at Phukitenga
(3250m). A break is taken here by a series of water-driven paryer wheels. In the
late morning we initially climb steeply before the trail levels out to ascend
gradually towards Thyangboche. It is a steady ascent of approximately 2 ½ hours
through pine fir, black juniper and rhododendron forest. Thyangboche is set in a
beautiful meadow, high on a ridge surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks. A
peaceful, tranquil position, surely one of the wonders of the world and the
Thyangboche Monastery is spectacularly situated. The monastery dominated by the
gompa with its prayer flags and mani stones was founded in 1916 as a meditation
centre. O/N in Thengboche.
DAY 07: TENGBOCHE - DINGBOCHE
From Thyangboche, we descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper and
rhododendron, to the nunnery at Deboche. Keep an eye open for Blood and Danphe
Pheasant and high on the steep slopes of the valley, Himalayan Thar (wild
goats). We cross the Imja Khola, ascending gradually, with the beautiful Ama
Dablam dominating the skyline, to visit the monastery. The afternoon walk
follows a trail high above the Imja Khola. A little further upstream we cross
the tributary stream and ascend over glacial moraines to our lodge in the
'summer settlement" of Dingboche. O/N in Dingboche
DAY 08: DINGBOCHE - LOBUCHE
We are now well above the tree line and your journey todays brings you to
Dusa from where you descend to a stream at 4850m. We begin our climb of the
Khumbu Glacier en route to the tea shops at Dughla. Continue along the moraine
of the glacier, with views of Kalar Pattar and Pumori to reach Lobuche at 4930m
for your evening stay. This will be your last stop before your climb to the base
camp tomorrow. Take time to rest and acclimatize for this unforgettable day. O/N
in Lobuche
DAY 09-10: LOBUCHE - KALAPATTER - GORKSHEP - EBC - LOBUCHE
Early this morning you begin your trek, which will prove to be both mentally
and physically demanding. Above Lobuche, we follow the path running through a
trough alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Continuing on over rough ground we reach
Gorak Shep, where a short break is offered to replentish fluids. A walk for a
further hour and a half reaches Kala Pattar, a small, rocky peak on the
southwest ridge of Pumori - a slow, steady pace, once again being the best
attack. Avoid rushing. Stop and turn around: the scenery is fantastic. It is a
hard climb, but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. Huge
creaking glaciers surround us and classic views of Everest are available.
The
views from the summit of Kala Pattar (5630m) are truly outstanding. Here you are
directly below Pumo Ri's light granite and slanted snow channel. The
surroundings have an awesome and unnatural brilliance. To the south, the Khumbu
Glacier sweeps below you; northwards rise several border peaks including the
vertical Lho La, reached from the Tibetan side in 1921, the first time
foreigners had seen the Khumbu Glacier. Mt Everest rises above them all. Known
as "Chomolungma" (Lady Goddess of the Wind) by the Nepalese, the
mountain was initially called Peak XV. In 1852 it was recognised as the highest
peak on earth and four years later was given the name Everest in honour of Sir
George Everest, the early surveyor general. After some time out to contemplate
this view, we return to Lobuche. O/n in Gorkshep and Lobuche
DAY 11: LOBUCHE - TEHGBUCHE
After our tiring ascent to Kala patar, today is an easier walk to the lower
altitudes. Following the same route back to the terminal moraines at Dughla, we
then take a different return trail. We follow the wide alpine valley covered in
scrub juniper through the temporary settlement of Phulung Karpo (4343m), then on
to Pheriche. A small settlement, Pheriche has a number of welcome tea house that
often have "left overs" for sale from various climbing expeditions. It
may be possible to find imported chocolate, tinned prawns or smoked oysters:
even vegemite! The town consists of several low stone buildings and is
considered a "years" - summer settlement. Continue down to Orsho, then
on through Lower Pangboche and down to Deboche, reaching our lodge at
Thyangboche in the afternoon. O/N in Thyangboche
DAY 12: TENGBOCHE - MONJO
Follow a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to
Phunkitenga, you continue on to cross the Dudh Kosi for a steep descent to
Trashinga. After lunch at Shanasa you make you way back to Namche Bazar.
Following a steep descent passing the Bhote Kosil, crossing the river, follow
the bank to Jorsale, then to Monjo for overnight. O/N in Monjo
DAY 13: MONJO - LUKLA
This morning you will depart Monjo and continue your descent along the Dudh
Kosi, before making a final ascent to reach the Lukla plateau by mid afternoon.
On arrival in Lukla you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of
your trek. O/N in Lukla
DAY 14: LUKLA - KATHMANDU
This morning you will be transferred to Lukla Airport for your flight back to
Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and conveyed to the Hotel
Shanker. The remainder of the day has been left free. O/N in Kathmandu
DAY 15: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, you're free as your own before drop to airport
for your final destination.
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