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Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
(1200m)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport and brought to
your downtown hotel. While in Kathmandu we will take you on a fascinating
tour of the city, visiting Buddhist and Hindu shrines reflecting ancient
local traditions. There will be time to explore the city's many charms on
your own as well. A traditional Nepali welcome dinner will follow shortly
after a pre-trek briefing by the trekking staff manager. Overnight in the
hotel in Kathmandu.
Day-02: We take flight
from Kathmandu to Lukla (2800m), then
take an easy walk to Phakding (2550m) Over night in lodge.
Day-03: Phakding to Namche
Bazaar (3445m)
After breakfast in the morning, you walk north up Dudh Kosi valley with
gentle ups and downs up to the benker village where one can see a
beautiful stone carved prayer wall. Then the trail is interspersed with
magnificent rhododendron trees and old growth forest. The trail follows
gradually up to the village of Jorsale where an Army check point is
located and the national park entrance ticket is issued. The trail goes
gradually up to the confluence of two rivers, Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi.
Crossing the bridge, the trail goes steeply about 3 to 4 hours till Namche
Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is situated in the lap of Khumbu Himal range, about
241km north-east of Kathmandu. This is the home of the legendary Sherpas
who have won international renown as being the sturdy climbers to scale
the highest peaks with their indomitable will.
Day-04: Acclimatization day in
Namche Bazaar (3445m)
This day rest for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar and
excursion around the places. After breakfast, we may take a side trip onto
a ridge and to the Everest View Hotel offering some of the best views of
the high Himalayas including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Ama
Dablam, and Thamserku. We then come down to Namche Bazaar to enjoy our
rest day to allow for maximum acclimatization on our way up to the Everest
area. A pleasant day can be spent exploring the surrounding areas, talking
to the friendly Sherpa people and simply enjoying the incredible scenery.
Day-05: Namche Bazaar to Dole
via Phortse Tanga (3500m)
After having breakfast, the trail climbs gently up to Sanasa and continue
towards to the large Chorten on the ridge top at 3973m. Near the Chorten,
there are some teahouses at the settlement of Mong (Mohang). This is said
to be the birthplace of the Saint Lama Sange Dorje, the reincarnate lama
of Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet who introduced Buddhism to Khumbu. From the
ridge at Mong, the trail descends in a series of steep switchback down a
sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi river. There is an excellent camping spot
along the river at Phortse Tanga where we stop for lunch. After lunch the
trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which
gives way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the
elevation increases. This portion of the trek is especially beautiful in
spring when the rhododendrons are blooming (late April and early May at
this elevation). The trail passes through many yak pastures and summer
settlements that are used when sherpas bring herds of yak to graze. The
views of the Khumbila and Tawache (6542meters) are tremendous throughout
the day.
Day-06: Dole to Machhermo
(4410m)
From Dole the trail climbs to Lhabarma at 4220m and Luza at 4360m. The
trail climbs steeply through scrub junipers to Lhabarma. The trail
continues to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river to
Machhermo at 4410m. It was in 1974 that a Yeti killed three yaks and
attacked a sherpa woman. This is the most credible yeti incident ever
reported in Khumbu, so be watchful as you visit this region. There are
good camping places at Machhermo.
Day-07: Machhermo to Gokyo
(4800m)
From Machhermo to Gokyo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view
both down valley to Kangtega and up towards to Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the
ridge, the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m then
descends to the river bank before beginning the climb onto the terminal
moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb up the moraine,
switch backing alongside the stream to the first small lake at 4650m where
a family of Brahmin ducks has resided for many years. The trail now
becomes almost level as it follows the valley past a second lake known as
Longponga. We finally reach Gokyo on a boulder-strewn path at 4750m. It
sits lakeside, a veritable Himalayan resort!
Day-08: This day early in the morning we
have a steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri
(5480m) – ample rewards to ones that attempt this trip. There are
stunning views of the Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an
incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, such giants as
Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu (8481m), Cho-Oyu (8153m) and Gychung Kang
(7922m). This day we have for acclimatization, back to the camp in the
afternoon and have some tea and biscuits. Hiking up the valley to see the
fourth and fifth lakes is great as well.
Day-09: Gokyo to Lunde
(4300m) 5 hours walking
After taking breakfast in the morning at 7:30, trek begin around 8:00am to
cross Renjo La (5340m) on the other side
of the lake form Gokyo. After cresting the pass, we will all drop down by
the rope and then walk down to Lunde. This beautiful alpine valley is a
trade route for Tibetan yak caravans heading to Namche Bazaar and was just
recently opened up for trekkers in 2003. Rocky spires and glaciers loom
beautifully above, often with wispy fast-moving clouds against a blue-blue
sky.
Day-10: Lunde to Thami
(3800m) 5 and half hours walking
After taking breakfast in the morning, we trek down to Thami more amazing
snow peaks. We may meet Tibetan trader encampments along the way for
pictures of a rare lifestyle. About 150 meters above Thami is the Thami
Gompa, a picturesque monastery set among the many homes of lamas and lay
people. It's perched on the side of a hill overlooking the valley. This is
the site for the spring celebration of the Mani Rimdu festival, held about
the middle of May each year. Overnight in tented camp.
Day-11: Thami to Namche Bazaar
(3445m) 5 hours walking
After taking breakfast in the morning around 7:30 am our trek start at
8:00 am for Namche Bazaar.
Day-12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
(2800m)
You will retrace your steps to Lukla leaving your footprints in Yeti's
country.
Day-13: Lukla to Kathmandu
by flight.
Today, you have to take your breakfast early in the morning, and have a
short walk onto the Lukla airstrip and fly back to Kathmandu. After
arriving in Kathmandu, you will transfer to the hotel and overnight in the
hotel.
Day-14: Free or transfer to the Int'l
airport for journey out.
Everest
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