This trip is our attempt to offer fresh insight, little trod trails and new visual perspectives on this area of greatest Himalayan peaks. You begin a three-week trek that will explore some of the least visited valleys, villages and passes of Khumbu. For much of the trek you will probably encounter few, if any, other trekkers. These trails offer startling vistas, extraordinary solitude and a fair measure of high altitude hiking challenge. Prospective participants can expect challenging hiking. This is a Grade III trek reaching altitudes over 18,000'. Previous hiking or trekking experience at high altitude is highly desirable, though mountaineering experience is not necessary. If you have made a previous visit to the Everest area, you may still wish to join this trip, which focuses substantially on areas previously off limits to foreign trekkers.
Brief Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu.
Days 3-5: Kathmandu/Lukla/Trekking.
Day 6: Lukla/Thame.
Day 7: Day Hike to Thengpo/Yak Settlement.
Day 8: Thame/Maruluna.
Days 9-10: Approaching Nangpa La.
Day 11: Lungden.
Day 12: Relmo Lake.
Day 13: Gokyo (via Renjo Pass).
Days 14-16: Gokyo/Namche (via Thangboche).
Day 17: Namche/Lukla.
Day 18: Kathmandu.
Day 19: Kathmandu.
Day 20: Kathmandu/Onward.
Detailed Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu.
On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our staff member at the airport and transferred to your Western-style hotel. Your guides will be available for advice on everything from how to bargain to choosing restaurants to learning a little bit of the Nepali language. You will have some time to just relax, or to nibble at the feast of new experiences in this exotic city. Brief orientation. Includes: (D)
Day 2: Kathmandu.
Your second day in Kathmandu includes guided visits to famous temples of Swayambhunath, Pasupatinath or Boddhanath. You will see life going on as it has for hundreds of years against a background of sacred peaks, terraced hillsides and an exotic culture. In Kathmandu, and throughout your trip, we encourage you to interact with local people either through your guide as interpreter, or through participation in the activities that are all around you. While you explore, your staff gets all your food supplies and logistical requirements in order. Includes: (B)
Days 3-5: Kathmandu/Lukla/Trekking.
Depart on an early flight to the newly paved Lukla Airstrip. Trekkers flying into Lukla to begin their trip find themselves breathing deeply due to the spectacular beauty and the rarefied air at 9,000m. Upon arrival in Lukla, you will meet your porters or yaks and begin trekking towards Namche Bazaar, the economic center of the Sherpa homeland. Starting the trek from Lukla, you proceed up the deep valley of the Dudh Khosi. You can pause frequently to admire the mani walls, long rows of stones with "Om Mani Padme Om" meticulously carved in Tibetan script. Prayer flags fly above every house and large wooden or metal prayer wheels sanctify the trail. You?ll cross and re-cross the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Khosi (literally translated as "milky river"). You'll camp by the river near Phakding or Chumoa (8,700m), just outside the Sagarmatha National Park boundary. These three days of trekking are important for your acclimatization. Once in Namche (11,300m), you will stay at a lodge run by one of our Sherpa staff. You will be welcomed with great views of the town and surrounding peaks. Nearby you?ll find the National Park Museum and headquarters, and the location of an excellent viewpoint towards Everest and the upper Khumbu region. Includes: (3B, 3L, 3D)
Day 6: Lukla/Thame.
Today you'll hike through blooming rhododendron and pine forest and pass several small villages Phurte, Samshing, Thesho and you reach Thamo for lunch. You may visit the Austrian Hydroelectric Project office during your lunch break. There is a nunnery monastery in Thamo and you can visit it on the way to Thami after lunch. This is an excellent area to look for Musk Deer, Impeyan Pheasant and Himalayan Tahr. After Thamo you reach the small village of Samde and cross the Bhote Koshi to climb gradually to Thame village (13,000m). You'll camp there by a home of a Sherpa friend/family of your guide. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 7: Day Hike to Thengpo/Yak Settlement.
Today you can take a day hike towards the Tashi Lapcha pass up to Thengpo the last yak settlement of the region. You can take a packed lunch and trek along the Thame Khola as far as you want. This is a marvelously isolated and beautiful area for contemplation of the high peaks and sanctified solitude. Return to Thame village in the evening. You can also go to Thame Monastery and visit with the Reincarnation Lama (Rimpoche). Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 8: Thame/Marulung.
The road lead from Thame Teng through several small villages such as Chanakpa (13,087m) Tarnga (13,202m) Marlung (13,500m) and Lungden (14,235m). All except Chanaka are only seasonally occupied in the spring and summer. Taranga is famous among the Sherpas for two things. First, it is known as the homeland of the Yeti and second, the Tarangas potatoes are reputed to be the best potatoes in the world. You'll stop here for lunch and your cook will prepare a meal from these most famous potatoes. Camp at Marlung. Includes: (B, L, D)
Days 9-10: Approaching Nangpa La.
Above Marlung settlements and vegetation become very sparse. We will allow two days to head toward the Nangpa La as your stamina, acclimatization, weather conditions and interests permit. It is unlikely to reach the top of the Pass, but there should be excellent views of the Nangpa Glacier and the surrounding peaks. You may camp at Sumna Phug at the convergence of the Sumna and Lunag Glaciers before a venture up the valley to Lunag or Kangchung at the base of Nangpai Gotaya, a spur of the 24,500m Nagpai Gossum Masiff. The pass is usually open at this time of year and you may encounter yak caravans or traders who are making the Nangpa La crossing. Includes: (2B, 2L, 2D)
Day 11: Lungden.
Today you will head back down the valley to Lungden (14,235m). From here, pick up the trail that will lead you to the Gokyo Valley. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 12: Relmo Lake.
Follow the contours of the landscape still higher to camp at Relmo Lake (16,000m) a high cirque. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 13: Gokyo (via Renjo Pass).
This may be one of the more difficult days of the trip, but you should be well acclimatized. Typically the weather is clear at this time of year and the prospects for favorable pass crossing conditions are excellent. The pass at 17,466m will afford excellent views of Everest and other 26,000m peaks to the east. Descend into the Gokyo Valley, cross the Gokyo Glacier and set up camp at Gokyo Lake. Includes: (B, L, D)
Days 14-16: Gokyo/Namche (via Thangboche).
Over the next three days you will descend through very interesting terrain. Pass several high lakes that often hold migrating Brahminy ducks and pochards. You will again encounter blooming rhododendron forests occupied by sunbirds. You are almost certain to see the elusive Musk Deer and Himalayan Tahr prior to reaching the sacred forests of Thangboche. Travel some of the most picturesque paths in Khumbhu on these three days. At this point you will have intersected the main expedition route to Everest Base Camp. Make a brief visit to Khumjung before completing the great circuit trek at Namche for a final night in the comfortable Moonlight Lodge of Natang Sherpa. Includes: (3B, 3L, 3D)
Day 17: Namche/Lukla.
Depart Namche in midmorning for the trek to Lukla Airstrip saying your final goodbyes to the Upper Khumbhu with a last glimpse of Everest and Ama Dablam before leaving the Sagarmatha National Park. Includes: (B, L, D)
Day 18: Kathmandu.
Early morning flight to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free for some final exploration and last minute shopping. Includes: (B)
Day 19: Kathmandu.
Today is a contingency day in case the flight from Lukla gets delayed. Free time in Kathmandu for your own explorations. Includes: (B)
Day 20: Kathmandu/Onward.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or further traveling in Nepal. Includes: (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Cost Includes:
- Meals as noted
- Each night in double occupancy accommodations
- Land transfers between components
- English speaking guides
- Park or site entry fees
- Surface transport
- Equipment other than personal gear
- Government tax
- Airport transfer assistance
- In-country ticket reconfirmation & check-in assistance (where permitted)
- Complete pre-departure packet, toll-free pre-departure phone assistance
Cost Excludes:
- Meals not noted as included
- Gratuities
- Beverages (except tea or coffee at meals)
- International or domestic airfare unless specified
- Airport departure taxes not included with air tickets
- Visas
- Itinerary changes after confirmation
- Any services not included in itinerary
- Any costs incurred due to canceled or delayed flights
- Acts of nature or other happenings beyond our control
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Hiking & Trekking
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