Trekking In Nepal

Everest-Kala Patthar Trek (16 Days)

This trek is truly an incredible experience of this magnificent region and its fascinating people with their long held tradition. From Lukla (2,805m.) you trek to Namche Bazaar (3,436m.) for a day of acclimatization and optional hikes. From Namche you explore the Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung before heading for Thyangboche Monastery. After visiting Chukung Ri you trek to Lobuche for a day-hike along the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5,364m.) and a climb of Kala Patthar Peak (5,550m.) for a close encounter with Mt. Everest.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m.) and it takes about 30 minutes. Trek from Lukla to Phakding (2640 m.) which takes approximately three hours. You transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Lukla. Lukla is a small town with an airport. There are few tea shops, lodges, hotels and general stores. You begin today’s trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi river. Nupla (5885m) can be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop the Kongde Ridge. You descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m.) The Dudh Kosi approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You continue along a small path with many climbs and descents following the left bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.

Day 2
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about four and half hours. This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo (2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the village monasteries on the way of trekking to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.). Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region and holds a busy Saturday market. There is set a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have reached there by crossing the glaciated Nangpa La.

Day 3
Rest at Namche Bazar for acclimatization and excursion around the places. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk up to Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.

Day 4
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3867 m.) and it takes almost five hours. From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Koshi. Now you have a glimpse of first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, the trail descends steeply to a bridge over the river Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga (3250m.).The village has an excellent place for lunch and you can take a short rest before making the steep climb to Tyangboche. Although exhausting due to the zigzag path, the trek has numerous attractions like rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds chirping and superb mountain scenery making your trek exciting. Tyangboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region.

Day 5
Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche (4260m.) which takes about five hours. You gradually descend through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily up to the village of Pangboche. This is directly opposite to Ama Dablam [6,856 m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the Gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. As you gradually ascend, you find thick forests. This part of the trail is full of thorny and juniper bushes. A further two and half hour’s walk brings you to Dingboche. Here you can see Sherpa people working hard in the agricultural farm.

Day 6 :
Rest at Dingboche for acclimatization and excursion in and around the places. Here you can steeply climb up to Nakartsang Gompa for the rare outstanding view of Mount Makalu (8463m.) along with Lhotse, Island Peak, Baruntse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. The another option provided is a small side trip to Chhukung which takes about 2 and half hours to go up and 1 and half hours to come back to Dingboche. There are some of the lodges which serve you the delicious food items.

Day 7
Trek from Dingboche(4350m.) to Chhukung (4730m.) and it takes about four hours. The trail gradually ascends up to the Chhukung. On the way, you can see summer huts made especially for keeping the livestock’s in summer time. Along this, you enjoy the beautiful mountain views in and around the valley.

Day 8
Trek from Chhukung to Chhukung Ri (5546m.) to Lobuche (4930m.) via Dongla (4620m.) and it takes almost six hours. From Chhukung Ri you can have a view of Mt. Nuptse (7896m.), Mt.Lhotse (8511m.), Baruntse peak (6800m.),Ama Dablam peak(6856m.),Thamserku peak (6608m.), Konde Ri or peak(6187m.), Tawoche peak(6542m.), Cholotse peak (6441m.) and more. Now you begin your trek to Lobuche via Dongla which offers you panoramic view of the mountains along the way. The teahouse at Dongla is a good spot to have lunch, before zigzagging up through the boulders of the glacier's terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone caves, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.

Day 9
Trek from Lobuche (4900m.) to Gorakshep (5180m.) and retrace back to Gorakshep which takes about three and half hours. You will have lunch at Gorakshep, take rest and if the trekker feels fine, the participants can walk to Everest Base Camp (5486m.). You will spend about 4 and half hours trek up to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep. The trek is on glacier and snow capped rocks. You can also see many small frozen lakes around the Everest Base Camp and return back to Gorakshep.

Day 10
Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5545m.) and back to Pheriche (4243m.) and it takes about six hours. You accomplish an early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5545m.) to enjoy the view of sunrise. From Kala Patthar you can have a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and many other mountain peaks like Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more. Pheriche is the place where one can make phone calls to any part of the world. You can see the mountain Yaks in Pheriche. Yaks are normally regarded as the porters in this area. The town of Pheriche is known as windy town. There you can see the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. There is located Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post and foreign volunteer doctors are to provide medical treatment to trekkers as well as local people.

Day 11
Trek from Pheriche to Phortse (3750m.) and it takes almost four and half hours. The trail descends to Pangboche and now the trail starts turning up and down in every half an hour to Phortse. On the way there is an opportunity to see wild life in and around the area like mountain goat, musk deer and many species of Himalayan birds. There are village monasteries in Pangboche and Phortse rich in cultural heritage of Sherpa people. Along this, you see an old monastery in Pangboche which is believed to have been established during 16th century. The Pangboche village is known to have highest permanent settlement throughout the year.

Day 12
Trek from Phortse (3750m.) to Khumjung (3790m.) which takes almost three and half hours. The trail here descends for early twenty minutes and ascends up steeply for almost one hour to Mongla (4000m.). From this spot, you can see the panoramic view of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaru, Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. Now the trail descends and ascends frequently up to Khumjung. The Khumjung village is said to have the largest settlement of Khumbu region. There is well-equipped high school built by Edmund Hillary in 1960. Not limited to this, there is an old monastery where the skull of Yeti is believed to have preserved. The neighboring village of Khumjung is Khunde where a well equipped Hospital is built by Edmund Hillary in 1964.

Day 13
Trek from Khumjung to Thame (3800m.) and it takes about four hours. Thame is a place where you can visit many ancient monasteries. You will be able to experience the real Sherpa culture and at the most, from Thame you can take a glance at the beautiful mountain peaks.

Day 14
Trek from Thame to Monjo (2835m.) which takes about six hours. While trekking from Thame to Monjo you come across few Sherpa settlements and you will meet friendly Sherpa people. Trekking this day is little bit easier in comparison to other days. Monjo is a small village and the area is mainly for agriculture. You can see people being engaged in agricultural activities.

Day 15
Trek from Monjo to Lukla (2800m.) and it takes about four and half hours. This day the trail gradually descends and ascends as well. You cross the Dudh Koshi river over suspension bridges.

Day 16
You take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla and it takes almost 30 minutes.