Pre-Monsoon Treks (Trips #1 and #2)
From Kathmandu, we fly into the village of Lukla at 2,800m/9,383ft, the beginning of our trek. The trek takes 15 days from our departure from Lukla until we return to that point. The walking is over mostly gentle terrain with a couple of long hill climbs that follow very well formed tracks through the Sherpa homeland.
Each day you will walk 4 - 5 hours at a casual pace with plenty of scenic breaks, and an extended lunch stop at one of the lodges along the way.
From Lukla the trail contours the valley walls of the lower Khumbu valley following the Dudh Kosi River, with fine views through the stands of Himalayan pines, up to the high mountains above. We spend the first night in Phakding and the next morning you follow the valley and river to the base of the Namche hill.
A long climb brings us to the famous village of Namche Bazaar, which is the centre of trade for the Sherpa people as it has been for hundreds of years. There are many sights to delight in Namche Bazaar with the dramatic views across the valley to Mt Kwonde, a wonderful backdrop to the unique Sherpa architecture of the houses and lodges here. On our rest day, we explore the local Sherpa Museum and bustling Namche markets. On our rest day, we explore the local Sherpa Museum and bustling Namche markets, or for those feeling energetic there is the possibility of a hike to visit to Sir Edmund Hillary’s first hospital in Nepal, which is situated in the village of Kunde and sample high altitude croissants at the bakery in Khumjung.
The next stage of our trek takes us towards Tengboche Monastery, the biggest of the monasteries in the Khumbu Valley, which we visit and spend peaceful time within. The ascent of the long Tengboche hill takes us through a rhododendron forest, which is in full bloom during April.
From Tengboche we have splendid views of the world’s highest mountains. Mt Everest pokes its head out above the high ridges of Mounts Nuptse and Lhotse whilst Ama Dablam stands omnipotent over the valley. We gradually climb above the tree line into the sub-alpine regions and our next stop, either Pheriche or Dingboche, small villages situated on a green plain with yaks grazing contentedly. A rest day here allows us the opportunity to walk about and enjoy the views.
We then continue on to Lobuche village and the base of the Khumbu glacier. Mt Everest is hidden from us even though we are so close, but Pumori, Nuptse, Lobuche and Taweche provide plenty of scenic splendour.
Then we move to Everest Base Camp! It is here that the climbers rest and recuperate when not actually up on the mountain and our group will have the privilege of spending some time at the Adventure Consultants Base Camp. There is always plenty of activity as the Sherpas and climbers prepare for their next phase of climbing on the mountain. Loads of food, fuel, tents and oxygen cylinders are carried through the spectacular Khumbu Icefall to the camps high on the mountain. We enjoy a night here which this gives us a chance to explore Base Camp and see the inner workings of an expedition.
We say goodbye to Base Camp and begin our descent to lower altitudes, down to our Gorak Shep Camp. Above Gorak Shep is Kala Patar, which is the highlight of the trek up the Khumbu. At sunrise or sunset, the views of Everest can be magical and we hope to enjoy a photographic session with you there! After an attempt on Kala Patar we descend to Pheriche or Dingboche and then on to Namche Bazaar. From Namche, we trek back to Lukla and the following day we fly back to Kathmandu and the finish of the trek.
Post-Monsoon Trek (Trip #3)
From Kathmandu, we fly into the village of Lukla at 2,800m/9,383ft, the beginning of our trek. The trek takes 15 days from our departure from Lukla until we return to that point. The walking is over mostly gentle terrain with a couple of long hill climbs that follow very well formed tracks through the Sherpa homeland.
Each day you will walk 4–5 hours at a casual pace with plenty of scenic breaks, and an extended lunch stop at one of the lodges along the way.
From Lukla the trail contours the valley walls of the lower Khumbu valley following the Dudh Kosi River, with fine views through the stands of Himalayan pines, up to the high mountains above. We spend the first night in Phakding and the next morning you follow the valley and river to the base of the Namche hill.
A long climb brings us to the famous village of Namche Bazaar, which is the centre of trade for the Sherpa people as it has been for hundreds of years. There are many sights to delight in Namche Bazaar with the dramatic views across the valley to Mt Kwonde, a wonderful backdrop to the unique Sherpa architecture of the houses and lodges here. On our rest day, we explore the local Sherpa Museum and bustling Namche markets. On our rest day, we explore the local Sherpa Museum and bustling Namche markets, or for those feeling energetic there is the possibility of a hike to visit to Sir Edmund Hillary’s first hospital in Nepal, which is situated in the village of Kunde and sample high altitude croissants at the bakery in Khumjung.
The next stage of our trek takes us towards Tengboche Monastery, the biggest of the monasteries in the Khumbu Valley, which we visit and spend peaceful time within. The ascent of the long Tengboche hill takes us through a rhododendron forest, often full of local wildlife.
From Tengboche we have splendid views of the world’s highest mountains. Mt Everest pokes its head out above the high ridges of Mounts Nuptse and Lhotse whilst Ama Dablam stands omnipotent over the valley. We gradually climb above the tree line into the sub-alpine regions and our next stop, either Pheriche or Dingboche, small villages situated on a green plain with yaks grazing contentedly. A rest day here allows us the opportunity to walk about and enjoy the views.
We then continue on to Lobuche village and the base of the Khumbu glacier, where Mt Everest is hidden from us even though we are so close, but Pumori, Nuptse, Lobuche and Taweche provide plenty of scenic splendour.
Then we move on to our Gorak Shep camp, for our camping night, utilising Adventure Consultants private camp complete with heated dining tent and comfortable stand-up sleeping tents. The camp is stunningly located to allow a glimpse of Everest from the comfort of our tents. Above Gorak Shep is Kala Patar, which is the highlight of the trek up the Khumbu. At sunset, the views of Everest can be magical and we'll make the climb in the hope of enjoying a photographic session from the summit!
The following morning we rise early and enjoy a hearty breakfast before making our day trip to Everest Base Camp! It is here that the climbers rest and recuperate when not actually up on the mountain and although the camp itself is quieter during the post-monsoon season there is much to see, and we have plenty of time to explore and absorb the magic of the place. We trek close to the base of the spectacular Khumbu Icefall, where loads of food, fuel, tents and oxygen cylinders are carried through to the camps high on the mountain. The icefall and surrounding mountains make perhaps our most extraordinary lunch stop of the trek and it's with some reluctance that we say goodbye to Base Camp and begin our descent to lower altitudes, returning to the comfort of our Lobuche lodge.
The following morning we descend to Pangboche, home of the Khumbu's oldest monastery and then on to Namche Bazaar the next day. From Namche, we trek back to Lukla and the following day we fly back to Kathmandu and the finish of the trek.