Jiri to Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar trek is known throughout the world as the trail that Sir Edmund Hillary and Mr Tensing Nogey Sherpa took on their historic quest to reach the summit of Everest in 1953. The major attraction of the area and this particular trek has to be the majestic mountains, the high mountain villages, the isolated monasteries, innate hospitality of the local people, ever smiling faces of the Sherpa. The region itself holds the highest mountain of the world, Everest at 8,848 m and many of the world’s over 8,000 m peaks such as Lhotse, Cho-Oyu, and Makalu. And because of the availability of such high mountains in the area the region has gained its popularity as a rewarding trekking region in the world. Following in the footsteps of Hillary and Tensing this trek offers an insight into the hardships that they faced before ending with an ascent of the Kalapathar for an excellent view of Everest. The trekking in Nepal
experience starts with an eight hour scenic drive from Kathmandu to Jiri where you will spend you first night. The following morning you start up the trail passing through the lower parts of Everest region that are relatively undeveloped compared to the northern side of the district around Namche Bazaar. This will enable you to experience many of the traditional aspects of culture and local people which gives you an insight to daily Nepali life in the villages. You pass through numerous villages of different ethnic groups including Tamang, Jirel, Rai, Brahmin, and Chettri and of course the Sherpa’s. Walking along this trek on your trekking in Nepal experience involves many ups and down hills with the trail being well serviced with tea houses and good campsites in most of the villages. And as you hike farther up the trail you will see it becomes a combination of two treks that passed from Namche Bazaar, the main trading village of the Khumbu area continuing via Gokyo valley, Chola pass, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp and up to Kalapathar then back down to Tyangboche monastery and all the way to Lukla.
Day 01 Arrival at Kathmandu (1350 m)
On arriving at the Kathmandu international airport you will be greeted by one of our representatives who will welcome you and assist in your transfer to a hotel. They will be available for any questions along the way and will make sure you have the chance to refresh before briefing you on the upcoming trekking in Nepal experience.
Day 02 Kathmandu valley sightseeing
No one should come to Nepal and not have a guided tour of the Historic city of Kathmandu. With so many world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley its worth spending the day walking round, taking photos and basking in the mixture of cultures that make up Kathmandu. You will get chance to visit such pilgrimage sites of
Hindus Pashupatinath temple, the world biggest Bouddhanath Stupa, Swoyambhunath Stupa also known as monkey temple and historical Kathmandu Durbar Square with temple, unique architectures and Kumari
(living goddess) in central Kathmandu. Then back to the hotel to prepare for the next morning to head for the mountains and begin your trekking in Nepal.
Day 03 Kathmandu to Jiri (2,370 m) 8-9 hrs drive
Early in the morning you will be met by your guide who will escort you to the Old Bus Park station for the trip to Jiri. The journey will follow the Araniko highway as it meanders it way through scenic countryside to Lamosangu whilst passing the old Newar towns of Banepa and Dhulikhel. Before taking the bus once more as the road descends to Panchkhal and climbs over a ridge behind Dolalghat to reach the Sun Koshi (river) and continue north to Lamosangu. At Lamosangu you can see excellent views of the Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung and Dorjee Lakpa in the Easter Himalayas. Continuing on past several villages you will reach Charikot which is a district capital of the Dolakha and a little further to reach Jiri for the overnight at the Guest house getting ready to start your trekking in Nepal experience.
Day 04 Jiri trek to Shivalaya (1800 m) 5 hrs
After breakfast it’s time to hit the trail on your first day trekking in Nepal with an easy hike up the paved road before crossing a stream onto a track that climbs uphill through the trees to several wooden bhattis at the tiny settlement of Bharkur. From here you will keep climbing to Mali Danda (2440 m) from where there are good views of the peaks near Rowling. Beyond Mali Danda you begin to descend into the Khimti valley through the sparsely populated Sherpa settlement of Mali at 2220 m and continue to the crossing of the Yelung Khola River at 1800 m. Crossing the Khimti Khola River on another suspension bridge to reach Shivalaya where you spend the night.
Day 05 Shivalaya trek to Bhandar (2190 m) 5 hrs
The day start starts with a steep ascent towards the pass at Deurali (2710 m). On the passing numerous streams and walking through the villages of Sangbadanda (2180 m), Khasrubas (2330 m) and Mahabhir (2590 m). Before reaching Deurali pass and then descending steeply on stone steps through fields and pastures to Bhandar and an overnight stay at Guest house.
Day 06 Bhandar to Sete (2,575 m) 7 hrs
Today starts from the village square at Bhandar where the trail descents through the lower fields of the village. Along the trail you pass the small settlements of Doharpa and Baranda before crossing the Tharo Khola River
on a steel bridge at 1480 m. From here you follow the east bank of the river before climbing towards Kenja (1600 m) a settlement inhabited by Newars and Magars. Passing through Kenja you ascent steeply towards Chimbu (2170 m) and continue on towards Sete where you will spend the night at Guest house.
Day 07 Sete to Lamjura pass (3,530 m) to Junbesi (2,680 m) 6 hrs
Today starts with a gradual climb on the good path passing through few small scattered farm houses and teahouses. A few hours of good walking through beautiful rhododendron forests and you will reach the Lamjura Pass (3,530m) (highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar). Before descending through fir and rhododendron forest and emerges after approximately 1.5hrs at Taktor. Here you traverse on to the north side of the valley round a notch before dropping down to the Sherpa village of Junbesi for an overnight stop.
Day 08 Junbesi to Nunthala (2,330 m) 6 hrs
After breakfast it’s time to head down the trail in order to cross a wooden bridge over the Junbesi Khola. Where just beyond is a junction in the trail with the left fork heading to Khumbu and it leads uphill turning north before descending through Salung. From here on a clear day it’s possible to see Mt. Everest towards the north east. Walking past Salung you follow the trail down to the stream before crossing another bridge which is followed by a short climb to reach Ringmo and onto the Tak-Shidno Pass. And from here it`s mostly downhill through the alpine forest of oaks, rhododendron, pines and hemlock trees that lie on both sides of the trail. Along the way it’s possible to see a few of the shepherd huts hidden in the dense forest giving you an understanding just how hard it must be to survive here. The trail crosses several picturesque streams on wooden bridges just before reaching Nunthala (Mani dingma) at 2,320 m and overnight stay here.
Day 09 Nunthala to Bupsadanda (2300 m) 5 hrs
The morning will bring a descent to the Dudh Koshi (‘Milk River’) and a crossing using a 109 m long suspension bridge (1510 m). From here the trek climbs out of the river valley through fields of barley, wheat and corn to the sprawling Rai village of Jubing (1680 m). From where you will continue to climb up a ridge to a Sherpa village named Khari Khola (2010 m). Beyond this village you can see some naturally powered water mills which you pass before arriving in Bupsa for the evening.
Day 10 Bupsadanda to Surkhe (2,290 m) 6 hrs
From Bupsa the trail ascends as you head towards Bhumsing (2,300 m) and will continue to climb through a tributary valley filled with prickly leaned oak and rhododendron forest where languor monkeys may occasionally be seen. From here you have to descend approx. 300 metres in order to cross the next tributary and continue on the north side of the valley to reach Puiyan (2,796 m) a small place in the middle of the trail to Surkhe, an ideal spot for lunch stop. After lunch it’s an easy walk on a long winding trail with a few small ups and downs just before the long downhill Surkhe, one can view the Lukla airstrip and the town at Lukla.
Day 11 Surkhe to Phakding (2,610 m) 5:30 hrs
The trail will now leave the tributary valley and take a direct route north towards Chaurikharka, another dispersed village. But before ascending to Chaurikharka (2,713 m) the main trail crosses a spectacular deep gorge with a high waterfall (2,408 m). The village of Chaurikharka is a large scattered one with a monastery and high school and known throughout the district as the bread basket for the Khumbu area as the land is fertile and harvest crops like barley, wheat and enough green vegetables. After here the trail from Lukla joins Phakding, making the path quite busy with more trekkers, porters and pack animals but a few hours of good scenic walk brings you at Phakding for the overnight.
Day 12 Phakding to Namche Bazzar (3440 m), 6 hrs
Today’s part of the trek on your trekking in Nepal experience starts with a gentle walk to cross the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Koshi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill and re-crossing the same river again with magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m) from the Benkar village. Here you enter the National park where you descend down to another suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi River which will bring you to the Jorsalle village, the last village till Namche Bazaar. The walk itself is pleasant until you reach the last bridge over the Imjatse River where its starts to head uphill on a long winding path to Namche Bazaar where a magnificent view of Kwangde peak and it other sister peaks towards east with Kusum Kangaru can be seen. A little further up the trail and it’s possible to see Mt. Everest, Lhotse and the closer view of Tawache peak in the distance.
Day 13 Acclimatisation at Namche Bazzar
Today it’s advisable to take an acclimatisation day & its needed when trekking in Nepal at this altitude and this is the best place because there are a number of things you can do. A trip to the Khhumjung monastery, visit the small settlement of Sherpa community and enjoy the splendid view of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, Kwangde and so on from here. Here it’s an ideal time to prepare for the future days on the trek.
Day 14 Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3867 m) 5 hrs
After a relaxing breakfast it’s time to head for the Tyangboche (3867 m) Monastery. With a trail that goes ahead on a relatively flat gradient with panoramic view of the Himalayas such as Ama Dablam (6812 m), Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse (7855 m) and Tawoche (6501 m) to be had. Along the way you can visit Trashinga, Phunki Tenga before finally reaching Tyangboche which will offer a great view of sun rise and sun set at Everest and Ama Dablam.
Day 15 Tyangboche to Dingboche (4260 m) 5 hrs
Leaving Tyangboche at the backdrop its time to descend through a through a rhododendron forest on the trail to Dingboche (4260 m) village. Along the way you cross a suspension bridge at Imja Khola & head towards Minlinggo and the inter Imjatse Valley which lies beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse before arriving at Dingboche.
Day 16 Acclimatisation at Dingboche (4260 m)
Here it’s time to acclimatise for a day in order to give your body time to adjust to the lack of oxygen in the air. It’s a perfect time to familiarize you with the local culture because after breakfast there is plenty of time to go around the village and even take a hike up to Chhukung which provides you with a majestic view of Island peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Tawoche peak and others. Then in the late afternoon it’s time to come back to Dingboche and take rest and chat with trekkers from other countries.
Day 17 Dingboche to Lobuche (4930 m) 5 hrs
The early morning will bring you out on the trail to hit the gentle ascent towards Pheriche village. Along the way if you’re lucky there will be chance to see panoramic views of the Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam, and Pokalde (5741 m), and Kongma-tse (5820 m) and the great wall of Nuptse. The plan is to lunch at Dugla (4595 m) before continuing your trek to Lobuche village.
Day 18 Lobuche to Gorakshep (5180 m) Everest Base Camp (5364 m) 7 hrs
Nearing the final destination trekking in Nepal you will rise early to hit the trail after breakfast of course. And it’s the most rewarding section of the trek as the trail winds up through rocky path and the Khumbu glacier. Along the trail you will pass Gorakshep (5140 m) before continuing your hike to the Everest base Camp. Note the views of Nuptse, Lho-La and Khumbutse appear less than a kilometre in the distance before visiting the Everest Base Camp and then back to Gorakshep to spend the night.
Day 19 Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5545 m) and then to Pheriche (4243 m) 6 hrs
The reason for spending the night at Gorakshep becomes clear as the plan is to rise early in the morning to trek up the Kala Patthar (5545 m) in order to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas. From her you will see Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more. Then it’s time to start the trek down the trail towards Pheriche (4243 m) and you first night heading back down. Here there is a Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post with foreign volunteer doctors are there to provide medical treatment.
Day 20 Pheriche to Tyangboche (3867 m) 4:30 hrs
Heading back down the trail towards Tyangboche where if you didn’t get chance to visit its time to do so. Along the way you can enjoy the leisurely walk through rhododendron forests via a research centre before reaching your night’s stay at Tyangboche famous for the oldest monastery in Nepal. Here there are fantastic views of Ama Dablam, green hills and pristine rivers where you will be walking the next day.
Day 21 Tyangboche to Namche Bazaar (3440 m) 5 hrs
The day begins with following the trail you came up towards Namche Bazaar via several Sherpa villages. As it’s a little easier walking down you can visit these traditional villages which are called Khhumjung and Khunde. On the way you can also visit another monastery that has become famous for having a Yeti Scalp before reaching Namche Bazaar in the late afternoon
Day 22 Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2886 m) 7 hrs
Breakfast at Namche Bazaar before setting off down the trail towards Lukla, it’s the last day of the trek on your trekking in Nepal experience so its an easy walk with a stop for lunch on the way before arriving in Lukla where you can rest and take a rest.
Day 23 Lukla to Kathmandu
Up early the next day to catch the early morning flight to KTM where on arrival you will be met by a member of the team who will help you transfer to the hotel. This should all be done by late morning so you will have time to rest before heading out for a shopping trip in the afternoon for souvenirs.