The trek members meet in Kathmandu, capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. We are greeted at the airport by our Kathmandu representatives, who whisk you through the thriving city to your hotel.
Once everybody has arrived we have a team meeting where introductions and the trip outline are completed. You will be briefed on the trip preparations and we can sort out any queries you have.
Your guide will advise you on good shopping and the better restaurants to visit while you are in the city. There are plenty of shops and entertainment to suit all tastes. From excellent bookshops, to mountain bike hire, to CD shopping and bars; Kathmandu’s retail fraternity is waiting to meet you!
We use a full day in Kathmandu sorting out any equipment problems you may have, but don’t worry if you have forgotten anything, there are plenty of good outdoor shops in the city.
We fly from Kathmandu to the village of Lukla at 2,860m/9,383ft, the beginning of our trek.
The trek takes 22 days after our departure from Lukla until we return to this same point. The walking is mostly over gentle terrain, but there are some decent hill climbs required to get over our ‘Three Passes’. The trekking days are moderately strenuous and involve walking between 4 and 6 hours duration with plenty of scenic places to stop along the way. We place a lot of emphasis on maintaining health to enhance our trekking experience.
The trek has been specially planned to avoid the pitfalls of altitude illnesses and our experience in this field allows us to plan the best possible itinerary to avoid most of the associated issues. We have included rest days at the relevant elevations to allow our bodies to adjust to the thin air and we carry sufficient medication to deal with most altitude related problems. Experience has shown us that good hydration, rest days at significant elevations and good base fitness help avoid any significant problems during this trek.
From Lukla the trail contours the valley walls of the lower Khumbu valley with fine views through the stands of Himalayan pines, up to the high mountains above. We spend a night in the cosy Sherpa village of Phakding that is perched above the mighty Dudh Koshi River. The Dudh Koshi is the drainage for all the glaciers and mountains in the region, including Everest, therefore it carries a large volume of water. The following day we trek to the base of the Namche hill and after a solid climb up the zigzagging path we arrive in the cultural hub of the region, Namche Bazar.
Namche Bazaar 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 and there is always a level of hubbub with all the traders offering bargains from their stalls, shops selling every imaginable piece of copied climbing equipment, as well as the legitimate articles. There are internet cafes, bakeries, bars and much more. It is as if one has transcended back to the days of old and there is an honest magic and charm to the busy streets. When you can catch your breath and lift your eyes up from the bustling throngs, you can enjoy a reality check by viewing the dramatic views across the valley to Mount Kwonde, a wonderful backdrop to the unique Sherpa architecture of the houses and lodges here. We may even visit Sir Edmund Hillary's first hospital in Nepal, which is situated above Namche in the village of Khunde. On the way back to the lodge one can enjoy a freshly brewed coffee and a hot croissant at the bakery in Khumjung.
The Sherpa people are of Tibetan origin, having travelled over the high Tibetan passes including the Nangpa La, to settle in the Nepalese highlands. They developed trade between the two countries bringing gems, wool and salt from Tibet in exchange for the plentiful Nepalese products. The Sherpas brought their Buddhist religion with them, which they evolved to develop their own sect of the faith. They are very generous and spiritual people with a colourful lifestyle, and our trek allows us to spend time with them in their homeland.
The next stage of our trek takes us further up towards the head of the Khumbu valley, from Khumjung we follow a gradual incline skirting around the hillside to the Mong La Pass (3,970m/13,025ft), then a steep descent through rhododendron forest, which is in full bloom in April, to the river at Phortse Tenga. From here it is a short walk to the small village of Phortse, where we will overnight. The following morning our trail takes a high traverse around towards Pangboche. This route to Pangboche is one of the less frequently travelled trails in the Khumbu and, as a result, it’s not uncommon to see Himalayan tahr and danphe, the Himalayan pheasant near the trail. We cross the almighty Imja Khola River on a bridge high above a cascading gorge where we are likely to have to stand aside as yak drivers herd their laden beasts along the valley trails and over the bridge. These quiet yet deft-footed animals are an essential component of the transportation system in the Khumbu valley and their passage is always foretold by echoes from melodious yak bells they wear around their necks.
The trail then continues into the ancient village of Pangboche where we take lunch and visit the monastery in upper Pangboche, reportedly the very first monastery in the region built by Lamas after they moved into the region from Tibet some 900 years ago. Above Pangboche we say goodbye to the trees as we continue through to Pheriche and open mountainous country. Small stone walled fields protect potato crops that provide the staple diet for the regions people while yaks wander and graze at will on meagre forage. Small lodges and huts provide reference to the arid landscape giving scale to the backdrop of massive peaks behind. A rest day is had in this village to aid acclimatisation and gentle walks can be done to stretch the legs.
After the welcome rest we now continue up the Imja valley to the town of Chhukung. A slow hike up 5,500m/18,209ft Chhukung Ri ('Ri' means hillock, although some of their 'hillocks' are over 7,000m/23,000ft!) enhances our acclimatisation whilst it also provides incredible views of the Himalayan giants in the valley. The wall of Lhotse rises some 3,000m/9,800ft above while across the valley the views of the steep ice faces on Ama Dablam's north side are equally as compelling.
Next morning we leave early to embark on the first of the high passes, the Kongma La. Grassy slopes lead into green meadows before giving way to stony trails culminating in the pass that we cross into the upper Khumbu valley. It’s worth spending time here soaking up the views that are apt to leave one spellbound. An inclined descent brings us to the lower Khumbu glacier and on to the welcome lodge in Lobuche.
Everest is hidden from us at Lobuche by the precipitous ridges and slopes of Mount Nuptse even though we are very close, but Pumori, Nuptse, Lobuche and Taweche provide a classic Himalayan backdrop.
We follow the true right flank of the Khumbu on the same trails as used by the intrepid climbers that come to Everest every year, arriving into the last village in the Khumbu called Gorak Shep. Above Gorak Shep is the small peak of Kala Patar which has outstanding views of Everest from its summit. At sunrise or sunset the views of Everest can be even more magical and we hope to enjoy a photographic session with you there!
Our last hike in this region takes us to Everest Base Camp for lunch. It is here that the Everest climbers rest and recuperate when not actually up on the mountain. There is always plenty of activity as the Sherpas and climbers prepare for their next phase of climbing on the mountain. After our lunch with the expedition members, we descend back to Lobuche and the relative low altitude.
A short day takes us to Dzongla where we prep for our crossing of the Cho La pass. For the Cho La pass crossing day we'll start early. Taking our ascent rate steadily, we follow the main trail up rolling grassy slopes and then moraine to the glaciated Cho La pass where we are rewarded with expansive views such as the near vertical north aspects of Cholatse and Taweche, Ama Dablam, Makalu off in the distance and Lobuche East rearing up to our north. After we cross the pass we descend steeply as we enter the Gokyo valley and a whole new vista of peaks open up. We descend to Dragnag for the night on the flank of the Gokyo glacier.
Next, we have a short day from Dragnag across the Gokyo Glacier to the village of Gokyo. Here you will see a succession of azure blue glacial lakes set beneath towering, rugged peaks sometimes dusted in snow. A day is set aside to make a side trip up Gokyo Ri. The one and a half hour hike up Gokyo Ri takes us above the village and Gokyo lakes and is well worth the effort for an unsurpassed panoramic Himalayan view. In clear weather there are good views across to the 8,000m peaks of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and close by, Cho Oyu. If possible, we may time our visit for the sunset.
Our final pass, the crossing the Renjo La will be one of the more enjoyable days of the trip now that your body is conditioned to the altitude. From the pass there are excellent views of Everest and other 8,000m peaks to the east. As you descend into the valley on the far side of the pass you will be going back in time. The small village of Lungden was once frequently visited by travellers crossing over the Nangpa La from Tibet to peddle their goods at the Namche Bazar market held every Saturday. However today, with little traffic crossing the pass the villagers focus primarily on agriculture.
We descend through Marlung and on to Taranga. Sherpas consider Taranga to be the homeland of the yeti and Taranga potatoes are reputed to be the best in the world. Soon we pass through Chanakpa and on to Thame. We lodge the night in Thame which is situated in a large valley with good views of the snowy peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde to the south. About 150m/490ft above the town there is the Thame Gompa, a picturesque monastery set amongst the many homes of Lamas and lay people. This is the site for the spring celebration of the Mani Rimdo festival, held about the middle of May each year.
We are now descending along the Bhote Koshi River, a tributary to the Dudh Koshi River we initially travelled up two weeks ago. We arrive into the thriving and vibrant Namche Bazar for some 'creature comforts' and a night in the relative luxury of the Khumbu lodge. In the morning we descend again to Phakding to overnight to continue the descent of the Khumbu Valley with its many tea houses and trekkers, enjoying some re-discovered luxuries like the fresh bakeries, internet cafés, laundries and hot showers. We finish back in Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu and dinner out to celebrate our fine trip!