TREK OVIERVIEW: Mt. Everest is a mountain of superlatives.
The experience of gazing on the world's highest peak is an indescribable
thrill - for many, the realization of a long held, sometimes
impossible, dream.
We visit all the major Sherpa villages including Namche Bazaar,
Thame, Khumjung, and beautiful Tengboche Monastery. The climax
of the trek is a very early morning climb of the 18,450 ft.
Kala Pattar for one of the most awesome views as the sun rises
on Everest.
Day 1 - Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport. Your Bhutanese representative from Raven Tours and Treks
will greet you on arrival and drive you to the hotel where you
will be staying.
Later Sightseeing tour of Swayambunth & Kathmandu Durbar
Square.
Swayambunath is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaitya.
It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the foursides of
the spdire bases are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It
is three kilometeres west of Kathmandu city and is situated
on a hillock about 77 m. above the level of the Kathmandu Valley.
Kahmandu Durbar Square is the historic seat of ty. The Durbar
Square, with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religious
and cultural life of the people. It is here that Kings of Nepal
are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things
to seek here are; Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla
in 1549 A.D., Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle
Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue
of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Drum and the Jagannath Temple.In
the evening welcome meal with Nepali traditional dance.
Later in the evening you will be taken to the typical Nepali
restaurant (Bhojan Grihia) for dinner and will be hosting traditional
dances.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2 - In Kathmandu
After breakfast proceed for city tour of Kathmandu visiting
Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
Pashupatinath Temple is situated 5 km east of Kathmandu,
the temple of Lord Shiva, Pathupatinath with two tierd golden
roof and silver doors is considered one of the holiest shrines
of Hindus.
The stupa of Boudhanath lies 8kms east of Kathmandu.
This ancient colossal stupa is one of the biggest in the world
and the center of Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the
UNESCO Heritage Monument in 1979.
Later proceed for city tour of Kathmandu visiting Patan Square,
complex of palaces, courtyard and temples, built between
the 12th and 18th centuries, use to be the seat of the ancient
Malla kings of Kathmandu.
Later stroll around the city of Thamel.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3 - Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
After breakfast, we will drive to the doemstic airport and take
the short but spectacular mountain flight to Lukla (2.800m.)
and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards
up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'Milk River').
We descend from the small plateau, which only just manages to
hold Lukla airstrip, down into the forested valley. The trail
crosses several tributary streams and we have some tantalising
views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding
(2.650m.). In Phakding we will spend the night.
Overnight in Phakding
Day 4 - Phakding to Namche bazaar
We cross the Dudh Kosi by the first of several bridges built
by the Himalayan Trust. Continuing gradually up the valley the
trail undulates through the forest through Benkar and Chumoa
before reaching Monjo where we will have lunch.
After lunch we enter the Sagarmatha National Park and
we follow the Dudh Kosi further north, crossing from one bank
to the other. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests
of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia trees, and both in spring
and autumn the ground is bright with flowers. After Jorsale
(2.800m.) the trail climbs over a spur and alongside a dripping
moss-grown cliff, to cross the west fork of the river, the Bhote
Kosi, and start the steep climb to Namche Bazaar.
About 300 m. up this ascent we should have a first view, cloud
permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing behind the great
ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. Another 300m. of climbing brings us
to Namche Bazaar, administrative centre of the Khumbu
region and headquarters for the Mount Sagarmatha (Everest)
National Park. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town
and an important trading centre with a weekly market.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 5 - Halt in Namche bazaar We spend today acclimatising to the altitude, exploring
fascinating Namche Bazaar and its surrounding villages
like Khumjung, a chance to introduce ourselves properly
to the Sherpas and their way of life.
But we start the day with a visit to Thame monastery,
set high on a hillside above Thame. This is the first Tibetan
Buddhist monasteries that we will visit on this trek. The
paintings and frescoes that adorn the inside of the temple are
spectacular, seconded by only the amazing scenery of the mountains
surrounding us.
Return to Namche and if there is time in the afternoon
visit the National Park museum.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Day 6 - Namche bazaar to Thengboche Monastery
Start to walk up to the spectacular situated Everest View
Hotel where we have tea. We will be rewarded with excellent
views of the Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam
and many other magnificent Himalayan peaks.
The fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us includes
Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Thengboche (3.860m)
has long been a sacred spot. The Lama Sange Dorje, who
first brought Buddhism to the region, is said to have flown
from his monastery in Tibet over the Himalaya, landing and leaving
his footprints here and at Pangboche.
Visitors should be careful to respect
the spirit of this special place, particularly by observing
the ban on killing or hurting any living creature in the area.
Today from Namche Bazaar the trail climbs up and down to Sanasa
where the trail descends gradually to Teshinga and then it drops
steeply to Phunki Thanga. Climbing two hours from Phunki Thanga
you will reach Tengboche. Tengboche is a religious place for
the Sherpa people and the entire Solukhumbu area. Here you will
see the Tengboche Monastery which is one of the oldest monasteries
in Nepal. Maybe you can get a chance to see the monks chanting
and singing.
Overnight in Thengboche.
Day 7 - Thengboche to Pangboche to Dingboche
Very early wake up call and visit the impressive morning puja
ceremony in Thengboche Monastery.
Breakfast after the PUJA and start trekking to Pangboche.
Pangboche, at 3.985m is the highest permanent settlement
on the approach to Everest and in the upper village there is
a gompa (monastery) founded by the lama Sange Dorje.
Pangboche offers great views on what many people consider as
the most beautiful moutainpeak in the Himalayas, Mount Ama
Dablam.
We descend throughout most of the morning into the Imje Khola
only to once again gradually ascend as we follow the river northward,
past more mani walls and through a few small villages. The valley
ahead will begin to open up as we approach the confluence of
the Lobuche Khola, descend into the khola and begin the last
and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche (4400m).
We are now on the northwest side of Ama Dablam and despite
the fact that we have changed our view by 90 plus degrees over
the last few days, it still appears as monstrous tooth with
incredibly steep sides tapering up to a near perfect pointed
peak.
Overnight in Dingboche
Day 8 - Halt in Dingboche We spend a day at Dingboche (4.400m) to continue
our acclimatisation. Those adapting well to the altitude can
climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5.100m for great views of Chalotse,
Tawoche and Mount Ama Dablam.
Overnight in Dingboche
Day 9 - Dingboche to Lobuche Back on the trek again, the trail from Dingboche ascends,
emerging onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier
from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on
the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow
the valley to Lobuche (4.900m) a tiny hamlet with a few
teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed.
Overnight in Lobchue
Day 10 - Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Pheriche Another long day and again we leave very early. Trekking
across a glacier, the trail winds up and down through fascinating
ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, where,
usually in spring, we may see some of the expedition teams as
they prepare to climb the mountain. From the Base Camp
we get fantastic close up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall
and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate
a route through the huge blocks of ice.
We descend from the Base Camp to Gorak Shep and then further
down to Lobuche. Retracing our steps along the terminal moraine
we descend into the Pheriche valley with spectacular views of
Ama Dablam.
Overnight in Pheriche
Day 11 - Pheriche to Pangboche to Thengboche to Namche Bazar We join the main Imja Khola Valley, which we follow down
to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape with
superb views looking back to the great ridge of Lhotse-Nuptse
that hides the lower slopes of Everest.
We drop down to the rushing Imja Khola and then walk through
the peaceful rhododendron forests, to the village of Devoche
and then Thengboche at 3.860m.
From Thengboche we descend off the ridge and walk back
to Namche Bazaar along a beautiful undulating trail high
above the Dudh Kosi from where we still can see Mount Everest.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar
Day 12 - Namche Bazar to Phakding to Lukla We descend from Namche Bazaar and will have lunch
in Monjo, where we finally leave Sagarmatha National
Park again. After Monjo last part of the trail, pass Phakding
and just before Lukla climb the short distance to the famous
Lukla airstrip.
Overnight in Lukla.
Day 13 - Lukla to Kathmandu We fly back to Kathmandu and then you will be transferred
to our hotel.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Occasionally the flight
back from Lukla is cancelled. In this case we would try to fly
back to Kathmandu on the morning of the next day.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 14 - Depart from Kathmandu International Airport.
Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport to
board the flight. Your escort from Raven Tours and Treks will
assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.
“Raven Tours
and Treks” is a member of the following organizations:
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