Everest, Pike Peak and Trekking in the Sherpa Country
Itinerary
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Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. You are welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Enjoy some free time to rest and recover or to explore the city.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals not included -
Day 2 Katmandou - Patale (2850 m)
After an early breakfast, take public transport towards Solukhumbu in the Everest Region. You can enjoy beautiful views of the Himalayas as you leave the Kathmandu valley to travel along the Sunkoshi River. In Hilepani, you leave the Sunkoshi Valley and drive along mountain roads to Patale, the starting point of your trek through pristine Sherpa country. Soak in beautiful panoramic views of Numbur Himal (6959 m) and Everest (8848 m).
Accommodation: Lodge
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Day 3 Patale – Sisa Khola (2200 m) - Chyangba ( 2500 m)
You wake to views of the glowing morning sun on the highest mountain in the world,.. After breakfast, your first day of trekking begins. Cross the picturesque village of Patale and meet local men and women getting ready to go work in the fields. The children, happy to see travellers, welcome you with big smiles and a warm 'Namaste'. This trek immediately draws you into Nepalese rural life. Descend from Patale to Kerung and stop to visit the local monastery. Then, continue down to Sisa Khola river in a beautiful bucolic rural landscape and climb up to Chyangba, a pretty little sherpa village at 2500 m altitude. You spend the night here with the family of one of our guides.
Hiking: 5 hours
Elevation: +350m/-700m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 4 Chyangba – Bhulbhule ( 3350 m)
After breakfast, you trek along a trail which climbs gradually up past terraced crop fields and through rhododendron forests to the Monastery of Jhapre. From here you have magnificent views of Numbur Himal and the Everest Massif. You may be able to visit the pretty Monastery of Jhapre. After a good rest, you continue hiking to Bhulbhule.
Hiking: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation: +950m/-100m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 5 Bhulbhule – Pike Peak Base Camp (3700 m)
Get ready for a beautiful day of hiking. Follow a scenic ridge trail and gradually climb upwards through pastures to Pike Peak Base Camp. You pass numerous mani stone walls, a constant reminder that we are in the heart of Buddhist lands. Gradually views of the mountains emerge. The towering flanks of the tallest mountain on earth always in sight. The path climbs steeply up to the refuge where unobstructed views of the western Himalayas: Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu greet us... Pike Peak Lodge has a cheese factory where famous 'yak cheese' is made. You can visit the cheese factory and taste this unique delicious cheese. Sunset over the western Himalayas from Pike Peak Base Camp is truly lovely to observe.
Hiking: 4 hours
Elevation: +500m/-150m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 6 Base Camp – Pike Peak (4065 m) – Lamjura La (3750 m) - Lamjura (3530 m)
Today, you wake up early to climb to Pike Peak - definitely one of the highlights of the trip. It is a one hour gradual climb with nice views of the Numbur Himal and the Langtang Massif from the base camp to the summit. Once at the top of Pike Peak, your efforts are rewarded by a 360 ° panorama of the sweeping Himalayan Mountain Range at sunrise. Look out for the six peaks which exceed 8000 metres of altitude (Kanchenjungna, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Annapurna) as the arid mountains are illuminated by the warm glow of the morning sun. Having sufficiently contemplated your surroundings, you can begin a steady descent along a ridge trail with continual views of the highest summits in the world. The path becomes steeper as you enter the rhododendron forest which leads to Jasmane Bhanjyang (3500 m). Pause for a tea break here before continuing to Lamjura via the Lamjura Pass at 3750m. In Lamjura, you find the 'Hillary Way' path which Sir Edmond Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing took to reach Everest base camp.
Hiking: 4 hours
Elevation: +500m/-150m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 7 Lamjura - Selo Gumba - Junbesi (2700 m)
Today's leg of the trek begins with a descent to Junbesi. En route, you cross the villages of Taktur and Saling where you can discover the daily life of local inhabitants. Stop to visit the charming Selo Monastery then continue down to Junbesi. This village, nestled in the foothills, is known as 'Zhung-Gompa' by the Sherpas.
Hiking: 5 hours
Elevation: +100m/900m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 8 Junbesi - Thubten Choling Monastery (2950 m)- Junbesi.
Enjoy a peaceful rest day exploring the beautiful region of Junbesi. After breakfast, you walk to Thupten Choling and visit its imposing monastic complex, one of the most important in the Sherpa world of Solukhumbu. Thubten Choling is also a monastic school where more than a hundred Tibetan monks and nuns live and study. You can perhaps participate in a prayer ceremony. You can take time to talk with the monks and nuns, a unique opportunity to better understand the way of life enjoyed here. The monastery harbours beautiful views of the Junbesi Valley.
Hiking: 3 hours
Elevation: +250m/250m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 9 Junbesi - Ringmu (2750 m)
Today you follow a stunning balcony trail with panoramic views of Everest and Thamserku. Cross the Junbesi Khola river then climb progressively up to Phurten (3000 m) which has lovely views of the Everest massif. From here you head downhill towards Ringmu, cross the Dudh Kund Khola river which stems from glaciers of Numbur Himal and then a short climb takes you up to the Sherpa Village of Ringmu which sits perched on the other side of the valley to Dudh Kund.
Hiking: 4 to 5 hours
Elevation: +600m/600m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 10 Ringmu - Takshindu Danda (3060 m) - Chiwang Monastery - Chiwang (2600 m)
This morning you climb to Takshindu Danda - fabulous views of Kongde and Numbur Himal await. Then, walk to the monastery of Chiwang which sits perched on the mountainside. Founded in 1923, it is one of the three monasteries which hosts the most important sherpa religious festival, the Mani Rimdu festival. This religious celebration includes several ceremonies and periods of meditation. Night in Chiwang.
Hiking: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation: +600m/350m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 11 Chiwang - Ratanagi Danda (3300 m) - Phaplu (2470 m)
Todays' trail through dense rhododendron forest climbs up to Ratanagi Danda where a last view of the Everest Massif awaits. After a good contemplative pause, you descend to Phaplu where you finish your trek in the Sherpa country. Last night with your trekking team.
Hiking: 5 to 6 hours
Elevation: +500m/500m
Accommodation: Lodge -
Day 12 Domestic flight: Phaplu - Katmandou
It is a pleasant scenic flight to Kathmandu. Hotel transfer included. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring the Kathmandu valley.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals not included -
Day 13 Kathmandu: visit of historical places
Discover the jewels of Kathmandu Valley. First you explore Bhaktapur, this pedestrian city, located 15 km from Kathmandu, is the most beautiful of the three imperial cities of the valley. Then you visit Pashupatinath, a Hindu site dating back to the 12th century, a cremation site dedicated to Shiva where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred Bagmati River. Last but certainly not least, you visit the great Bodhnath stupa in the heart of the Tibetan district where many exiled monasteries were built. At the end of the day, hundreds of Buddhist enthusiasts visit this sacred place creating a sensational unique atmosphere.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals not included -
Day 14 End of stay
Free time. Airport transfers included.
Period & budget
When to travel?
The best period for travelling is during the following months:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Price
The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.
Included
- Airport/hotel transfers
- Transport by public vehicle according to itinerary
- Accommodation in 3 * hotel on BB in Kathmandu (Hotel Tibet, Manaslu or similar)
- Domestic flights: Phaplu - Kathmandu
- Trek includes Bread & Breakfast with Lodges/Homestay
- All breakfasts
- Accompaniment by an English speaking Altaï Guide
- Visits in Kathmandu as per itinerary: with a cultural guide and a private vehicle
- Porterage of luggage: up to 11kg maximum per person during the trek
- Trekking support team: assistants and porters
- Trekking permits: Sagarmatha National Park and TIMS
- Staff Insurance
Not included
- Entrance to historical sites & monuments
- Meals in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Valley, during trek
- Nepalese visa: US $ 25
- International flights
- Insurance: Repatriation, Medical & Helicopter Services
- Tips, drinks and personal expenses - all that is not 'included'
Notes
Level 3/5
Terms and conditions
Booking conditions
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: No cancellation fees.
- Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: 30% of trip price will be retained.
- Cancellation received within 20 days of the departure date: 70% of trip price will be retained.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
Accommodation
Transportation
Budget & exchange
Tips
Vital equipment
- Warm Sleeping Bag
- Water purifiers (micropur, aguatabs ...)
- A cap or sunhat
- 1 or 2 sets of thermals: long-sleeved thermal tops and full-length long johns
- Long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts, preferably in quick-drying technical material
- A light fleece or equivilent (plus extra warm layers if necessary)
- A breathable wind proof, waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex...)
- Lightweight waterproof over trousers
- Suitable shorts
- Walking trousers
- A pair of high-rise walking boots - strength, good grip of the foot and ankle (high stems) and impermeability are essential. Choose shoes with non-slip soles (vibram).
- A pair of trainers/sandels or equivilent casual shoes for cities, villages and evenings
- Thick walking socks
- Warm gloves, hat and scarf (it can be chilly in the mountains)
Material
- Your personal toiletries and a fast drying towel
- Water bottle(s). Min. 2 litres, light and isothermal
- A good pair of sunglasses (think min. category 3)
- Sun-cream, face and lips
- Head torch and spare batteries
- A pocket knife
- A pair of hiking poles
- A waterproof bag cover (or plastic bags) to protect your belongings
- Toilet paper
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
- Your camera
- A notebook or travel journal
Luggage
- A rucksack (35-40L or 45-50L) for use as a day bag. This will contain your (vital) personal belongings for the day (sweater, spare t-shirt, water bottle, picnic-lunch, sunglasses, small things ... )
- We use porters to transport our other belongings when trekking. Please bring a flexible travel bag with zips for easy access max 80L and max 13kg (16kg with camping gear). Please do not bring suitcases or other hard bags which the porters cannot transport.
- You may also be able to store some belongings securely at the hotel in Kathmandu.