Everest, Pike Peak and Trekking in the Sherpa Country

A unique Altaï creation which ventures through the heart of Sherpa country and the Everest Region. Your adventure begins in Patale and you discover a Buddhist universe of Sherpas, a world decorated by manis walls, prayer flags, stupas and monasteries. You hike from village to village to Pike Peak (4065m), the highest point of the trip and vantage point for one of the most beautiful panoramas across 600km of the Himalayas. Our off-the-beaten-track route enables meetings and exchanges with local people to naturally occur, discover the local way of life and to share with a few smiles! From the top of Pike Peak spectacular views of the six iconic +8000 m peaks awaits: Mount Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Makalu (8481 m), Manaslu (8163 m), and Annapurna Main (8091 m)... A truly fantastic adventure in a region known for its dense rhododendron forests and terraced fields which form the sweeping Solukhumbu mountains.

Itinerary

  • 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

  • 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.

The details in this programme are updated regularly but imponderables and unpredictable circumstances may result in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the programme may be made. For safety reasons, we reserve the rights to interrupt your participation in this programme at any time if your technical level or fitness are deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to those around you. This will in no case give rise to refunds or compensation.

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

From 950 US$ (based on 2 travelers)

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

For many years, we put our know-how and experience of Himalayan destinations to the service of travellers from different horizons. You may find yourself in an international group with participants from our various partners.

Level 3/5

This trips demands a very good physical condition, suitable clothing and good hiking boots. Regular training (running, swimming, brisk walking...) during the 2 to 3 months prior to your trip is recommended. This trek includes an average of 5 to 6 hours of hiking per day and daily elevations of +/-600m.

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

Booking a trip with us implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. We reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, we require written confirmation of your decision so please contact us by e-mail, fax or letter. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:
  • 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.
Please note if you decide to cancel your trip having agreed, in writing, to pay for additional tailor-made services (hotel, additional flights or activities...), these services are usually non-refundable.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances may include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact us in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Altaï Nepal may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Pricing

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Contract transfer

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance for your trip with Altaï Nepal as soon as your booking is confirmed. We advice you to purchase a travel insurance policy which covers flight cancellations, luggage loss and emergency health care. Please look carefully at which activities are covered by your insurer and do not forget to bring all necessary documents and information with you (name of the company, name of the contract, insurance policy number, telephone number...)

Practical info

Staff

Armed with an abundance of experience and a wealth of knowledge, our professional guides are all real experts. This trip is led by a professional Nepali English-speaking Tour Leader, who is part of the Altai Nepal Team. During the trek, they will be assisted by junior guides, sirdar and porters.

Food

Lodge meals
The international success of treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions influences their economy; tarifs for food and lodging are now set by the National Park and have increased sharply in recent years, but quantities and quality of food have paradoxically decreased. To offset this decline in quality and quantity of food and in order to focus on the local economy, we plan Dal Bhat daily for our menus.It is a balanced dish, full of energy and nutritive intake, not fatty and above all, very digestible (digestion is more difficult at altitude). For all challlenging treks, we provide energy snacks (like dried fruits). Meals in Kathmandu and in the valley are not included in the trip price. You will have plenty of time to discover Indian, Bhutanese, Chinese, Thai and other cuisines.
Please be aware that tap water is not normally drinkable. All drinks are at your own expense.

Accommodation

In Kathmandu and other cities, you will normally be accommodated in 3 * hotels. In more rural areas, we use homestay accommodation with varying comforts (they all have functioning beds, mattresses, tables, chairs, toilets, etc.) We love using homestay accommodation options which offer insights into Nepalese life and support local families. In addition, the use of lodges considerably reduces the number of porters and cut down the infrastructure of trekking.

Transportation

Public transport - bus, minibus and plane

Budget & exchange

The local currency is the Nepalese Rupee NPR.
Visit http://www.xe.com for the latest currency converter and exchange rates.
You can withdraw Nepalese Rupees from in-country ATMs in Kathmandu and credit cards are accepted except in shops and hotels. Please budget for meals in Kathmandu, drinks, tips and other personal expenses.

Tips

Tipping is very present in Nepal. It is an integral part of the 'tourism' culture of the country: independent of salary levels, your tip is seen as a sign of appreciation. The amount depends on your satisfaction with the services rendered and your generosity. Your guide will help you on this subject. Like money, if you have clothes to give, do not hesitate to seek advice from your guide who will make a fair distribution. We ask that you do not to give sweets and / or energy bars  / chocolate to local children as there are virtually no dentists here in the mountains. The same rules apply to medicine, western medication is not necessarily adapted for the Nepalese and, moreover, following the correct dosage is extremely important.

Vital equipment

  • Warm Sleeping Bag
  • Water purifiers (micropur, aguatabs ...)

From head to toe:
  • 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

Your luggage must be divided into two bags:
  • 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.
To protect your bags, we will provide solid waterproof Altaï Bags.

Medicine

Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing any medication you may need such as inhalers, plasters, antiseptic and painkillers.

Passport

Your passport should be vaild for at least six months after the last day of your stay. It is your responsibility to confirm your specific passport requirements and please be aware that proof of onwards travel may be required.

Visa

It is your responsibility to confirm your specific visa requirements. Please bring valid passport photos with you to obtain a visa upon arrival.
To obtain trekking permits, your passport and photo ID is also required. Please provide us with good quality scans of your passport and 2 photos of identity.
For an individual visa, obtained on the spot as you arrive in Kathmandu, rates are as follows:
- 15 days : 25 US$ + 1 picture
- 30 days : 40 US$  + 1 picture
- 90 days : 100 US$ + 1 picture

Mandatory vaccines

No mandatory vaccinations are required. Recommended vaccines include Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, and Influenza.

Health information & recommendations

It is your responsibility to check that your personal health insurance covers everything in this trip. A consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for any trip and we advise you to visit your dentist too as untreated cavaties have an annoying habit of waking up with altitude.

Hygiene Recommendations
Water is not drinkable in Nepal. It is always possible to buy bottled water but in order to limit pollution and preserve natural areas, we strongly recommend that you drink purified water. For that, think to bring a water bottle of minimum 1.5 liters and purifying tablets (micropur, agua tabs ...). Consume only treated water or water which has been boiled for 30 minutes and then filtered.Be sure to wash your hands frequently, and definitely before each meal (anti-bacterial hand gel is recommended) and take care to disinfect any skin wounds. Avoid drinking natural drinks like pressed fruit juice and do not consume ice cream or "lassi" (a milk-based beverage) bought in the street. Meat and fish / shellfish should be well cooked before consumption.

Weather

From the eternal snows of high peaks to the tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.
- In autumn (October to mid-December) the days are very beautiful but can be fresh at altitude. At 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C (14°F) at night.
- In winter (mid-december to mid-february): The nights are generally cold and the climate is dry. If night time temperatures drop easily below 0 ° C (31°F) to 3000 m, the days are often sunny. Treks below 4000 m are very pleasant. There are very few tourists at this time.
- In spring (March to end of May): in this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom and the rhododendrons are magnificent. The weather is pleasant, it is getting hotter with some night storms. Temperatures vary between 10 and 28 ° C (50 - 83°F), but can rise to over +30 ° C (+86°F). Between 2000 and 3000 m, temperatures rarely drop below 0 ° C (32°F). A few rare frosts or snowfalls are possible in March from +4000 m.
- In summer: it is the monsoon season. This interrupts the majority of trekking from June until the end of September. However, certain regions of the "Trans-Himalayan" zone, Mustang and Dolpo remain sheltered from the monsoons - these are the only circuits available in Nepal in the summer.

Electricity

In recent years, due to a lack of hydropower facilities, electricity and water outages are becoming more frequent in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu (mainly in winter and spring). The hotels have generator but the electricity is limited. It is the same for the consumption of water.

Local time

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)/ Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +5.45. Daylight Saving Time (DST) is not observed here.

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously. We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

Since the beginning, we have advocated for responsible tourism and the importance of equitable and sustainable principles. Harmonising these fundamentals ensures a fair distribution of economic benefits, improved working conditions for local teams and an increased awareness of the importance and practice of environmental protection. We hope that all of our clients will respect our philosophies and embrace these attitudes.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...
1.    Be prepared
2.    Stick to trails and camp overnight right
3.    Stash your trash and pick up waste
4.    Leave it as you find it
5.    Be careful with fire
6.    Respect wildlife
7.    Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.

Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.
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Buddhi

My local agent
Buddhi

  • Native to Eastern Nepal
  • A trekking guide for over 20 years
  • Specialist of Annapurnas, Everest, Ladakh and Rajasthan
  • Languages: English and French, plus some German and Chinese
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Region
Everest: The Khumbu Region
Activity
Trekking
Duration
14 days
Code
NEPSHERFIT
Price
From €855
Level
3/5
Comfort
3/5

Strengths

  • An off-the-beaton track trek through remote Himalayan Nepal
  • 360 ° views of the towering Himalayan Mountains
  • Diverse landscapes: traditional villages, terraced crops and gigantic rhododendron forests...
  • Two of the most beautiful monasteries in Solukhumbu: Thubten Choling and Chiwang

Guide's advice



Required level

This trips demands a very good physical condition, suitable clothing and good hiking boots. Regular training (running, swimming, brisk walking...) during the 2 to 3 months prior to your trip is recommended. This trek includes an average of 5 to 6 hours of hiking per day and daily elevations of +/-600m.

Download trip details

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