This
trek, following an ancient trail connecting
the low lands of eastern Nepal with
the high alpine lands of Khumbu (Mt
Everest region) offers an unique experience
of hiking in an off the beaten tourist
trail. Despite of the fact that most
supplies in Khumbu area is flown by
cargo helicopters and air planes,
this trail is still popular among
local traders and porters visiting
the haat bazaar (weekly markets) in
Khumbu with their merchandise carried
on human backs. Porters from this
area are known to be strongest in
Nepal.
We Begin this trek with a short flight
from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. 330m/1083ft-
a sub tropical town situated near
the Arun river which drains all way
from the other side of Mt. Everest
in Tibet! The Arun is among the seven
tributaries forming the Nepal mightiest
river - the Kosi.
From
Tumlingtar the trail follows the Arun
river for a day and half passing through
fertile farmlands cultivated by ethnic
Chetri and bahuns - people of so called
higher Hindu castes - who live higher
up due as the weather down in the
river valley is hot and tropical.
Further to the North East, the Rai
people, who once ruled this part of
the country before Nepal's unification
by the King Prithivi Narayan Shah,
dwell the land along the Irkhuwa Khola
- a tributary of Arun. Arriving at Phedi 1680m. the trail
steeply climbs for the Salpa Pass
3350m/ 10988ft. and descends into
the first and a long Sherpa village
Sanam before Gudel and Bung - two
large Rai villages is arrived.. Another
pass Pangum La 3173m/10407ft, the
trail enters the Pharak (middle country)
region of the Sherpa country. Along
trial we enjoy distant views of Makalu,
Chamlang and peaks up north in the
Hongu valley..
In
Paiyu, we meet the Jiri to Everest
classic trail followed by Sir Edmund
Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa
during their historic expedition in
1953. Onward, we trek across the Sherpa
villages Dungde (Chaurikharka), Phakding,
Benkar, Monjo, Tumbuk (Jorsalle) settled
along the fertile Dudh Kosi river
valley and then climb steeply to Nauche
(Namche Bazar) the capital of the
Sherpa country situated at 3400m/1152ftcross.
From Namche, we hike at a leisurely
pace for a close up view of Mt. Everest
from Kalapathar 5545m/181887ft. On
our way to Kalapathar, we visit the
world famed monastery at Tengboche
and the Pangboche monastery which
known to be the oldest in the region.
After the view of Mt. Everest from
Kalapathar, we descend to Lukla and
take a flight to Kathmandu to end
this magnificent trek.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Kathmandu
Day 2: Tour around Kathmandu
Day 3: Fly Kathmandu - Tumlingtar
Day 4-25: Trek to Kalapathar and arrive
Lukla to end the trek
Day 26: Trip Ends
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