everest and the sherpa land

  • 14 days

  • Kathmandu/Kathmandu

  • Moderate

  • Spring and Autumn

  • Highlights:

     

    • Exciting take-off and landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport enjoying the picturesque mountains.
    • Take a stroll through Sagarmatha National Park, one of the UNESCO-listed natural world heritage sites of Nepal.
    • Acculturation with Sherpa people, observing their lifestyle, culture, food, religion closely.
    • Visit the ancient Khumjung monastery that treasures a Yeti scalp.
    • Explore UNESCO heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath
    • Exciting thrill on Rafting the Trisuli River. 
    • Chitwan National Park exploration, jungle safari, bird watching, elephant safari, etc. 

     

    Trip Facts:

     

    Destination: Nepal Far Mid-East around high Khumbu valley.

    Starting Point: Kathmandu / Ramechap to Lukla by air.

    Ending Point: At Lukla for flight to Ramechap / Kathmandu.

    Max. Altitude: Thyangboche 3,867 m / 12, 687 feet.

    Difficulty: Moderate with touch of high altitude.

    Best Season: Spring (March to May) autumn (September to November) 

    Accommodation: Hotel/ lodge
    Trekking: 07 Nights & 08 Days (Lukla to Lukla).
    Raft / Jungle Safari: 2 Nights & 3 Days.
    Total Trip: 13 Nights & 14 Days from arrival to departure.

     

     

    Introduction:

     

    Since 1953, accounts and images of notable and successful ascent and adventures to Mount Everest have been making their way around the world. The idea of trekking to the foot of the tallest mountain in the world has long fascinated many people.
    The fascination has come to reality because of the indigenous people of the Khumbu region, the Sherpa. 

     

    Sherpa people have been inhabiting the Himalayan region for a long period and adopted the harsh cold lifestyle. It is due to the toil of the Sherpa people that the people have been summiting peaks and reached the nooks and corners of the rural Himalayan region. From climbing the luggage, ensuring safety, guiding the trail to assisting the ascent of the peak, Sherpa are the lifeblood for successful ascent and treks.

     

    The ‘Everest and the Sherpa Land Trek is all about exploring the land inhabited by Sherpa people, experiencing their hospitality, their food, culture and Buddhist religion. 

     

    The adventure starts with a scenic flight to Lukla, a well-known location that offers a fascinating mountain view, followed by a gradual first day of walking to Phakding.
    The following day will involve a trek to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar.
    Here you'll have time to adjust to the altitude before continuing on a quiet trail to Thyangboche. The highlight of the trek is a stunning view of Mount Khangtiaga, Mount Tharmasarku, the Nuptse-Lhotse, and Mount Everest looming above. 

     

    This journey is followed by an exhilarating rafting adventure on the Trisuli River. At the Chitwan National Park, this adventure comes to a close with enjoyable jungle activities and an elephant safari. The park is famous for endangered wildlife like Royal Bengal Tiger, One Horned Rhinoceros with more than 500 species of birds.  

Itinerary

  • DAY 1
    Welcome to Kathmandu (1,300 m) and transfer to hotel.

    On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our staff receives and transfer you to the hotel. There you'll be briefed about the upcoming tour plans with dos and don'ts during the trek. Overnight stay in tourist standard hotel.


  • DAY 2
    Kathmandu city tour, Trek preparation.

    Explore UNESCO heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath after breakfast. Experience the grandeur of palaces and temples built during the Malla era. After lunch, visit Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath. Both reflect two contrasting religions of Buddhism and Hinduism blending perfectly among the Nepalese. Prepare for your next day's trek after your visit to these interesting spiritual sites.


  • DAY 3
    Fly to Lukla (2,820m) and trek to Phakding village (2,645m) - 04 hrs.

    Enjoy the exciting 35-minute early-morning flight to Lukla and take in the beautiful Himalayan mountain scenery. Tenzing Hillary Airport is located near the busy town of Lukla, which serves as the entrance to various adventure around Everest region.
    The distinctive airstrip at a greater elevation at this airport is what makes it so unique and amazing.

     

    After being well-prepared for the trek, descend past Sherpa settlements. You can get a fantastic view of Kusum-Kangru by ascending farther from Tarhe Khola at (6,369m). Then, after going over a brief suspension bridge, we’ll reach Ghat village.
    After a leisurely 1.5 hours of trekking, we arrive in Phakding village, where we spend the night close to the Dudh-Kosi River.


  • DAY 4
    Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) - 5 hrs.

    After breakfast, take a pleasant trail with some ups and downs that lead from Phakding. Cross over the suspension bridge, you'll arrive in Monjo, a settlement with a stunning view of Mount Tharmasarku. From here, you can cross a second, longer suspension bridge across the Bhote Koshi River to get to Jorsalle village.

     

    The walk further  leads to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park  to Jorsalle, the last settlement before Namche Bazaar. Cross the bridge across the Dudh Koshi River. The path becomes drier and damper from here amid the deep forest's shadows. As trail leads to Namche Bazaar, on crossing a high suspension bridge.

     

    Trekking along a beautiful, meandering upward path offers views of Kongde, Kusum-Kangru, Mount Everest, and Mounts Lhotse. The pathway leads you into a lovely path lined with rhododendron, magnolia, oaks, and pines that’ll lead to Namche Bazaar.


  • DAY 5
    Rest day at Namche Bazaar.

    Today, unwind in Namche while admiring the stunning views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. To freshen and soak in the scenery, you can choose to hike uphill to the Sagarmatha National Park's headquarter.

     

    As an alternative, spend a worthwhile day visiting the museum in Sagarmatha National Park. For those with more stamina, hike to the glacier valley-based communities of Khumjung and Khunde. After exploring Khumjung and Khunde traditional Sherpa villages, head back to Namche for the overnight halt.


  • DAY 6
    Trek to Thyangboche (3,867 m) - 5 hrs.

    Today's trek begins with a moderately easy first half followed by the 20 min climb to the top ridge. Then stroll on the gradual trail with a few short ups and downs while admiring stunning views of the huge snowy peaks, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Tharmasarku, and Kwangde-Ri peak.

     

    After 2 to 3 hours of pleasant walk, you’ll reach Phungitenga (3,250m). It is a small settlement with a couple of tea houses and a small Nepalese army barrack serving as park wardens. The walk from here is strenuous for an hour or two on the winding trail through the alpine woods of silver, fir, blue pines, rhododendrons and a few magnolias.

     

    In the next few hours, you’ll reach Thyangboche monastery for an overnight stop. This stunning location provides a glimpse of the majestic peak Ama Dablam, Everest, which towers over the Nuptse wall in the north, along with Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar.


  • DAY 7
    Trek to Khumjung (3,800m) - 6 hrs.

    Retrace your steps all the way to Shanasha, where the trails to Khumjung, Gokyo, and Namche converge. From this point, our route diverts from the main, busy path and winds upward all the way to Khumjung-Khunde Valley. Khumjung, a peaceful farm community, as opposed to bustling Namche is where you’ll be spending your night.
    The only monastery that houses a yeti scalp is in Khumjung. 


  • DAY 8
    Trek to Monjo (2,830m) - 5 hrs.

    Today's trek is a short, uphill stroll from Khumjung to Khunde, its sister village, where you may visit the hospital which was constructed by the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. 

     

    From Khunde hospital, the trail climbs to the top ridge of Syangboche air strip. The trail is then followed by a steep descent to the Dudh Koshi riverbed, as walk heads down with birds-eye views of Namche Bazaar. Once you get to Namche Bazaar, return all the way to Monjo for your overnight break.


  • DAY 9
    Trek to Lukla - 5 hrs.

    The final day of our fantastic trek will be a good walk to Lukla, where you can stroll without any hassle of gaining much altitude. Enjoy the pleasant walks, taking in the surrounding beautiful greenery. The only lengthy ascent, other than a few brief ones, will be shortly before Lukla and will take 45 minutes from Choplung. When you arrive in Lukla, be ready for a fun evening with the other Sherpa crew members, porters, and trekkers. 


  • DAY 10
    Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.

    The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu starts early morning, during air-borne facing panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks. The flight is usually scheduled for the morning, although occasionally the time may be changed owing to inclement weather or other factors. 

     

    When you arrive at the domestic terminal in Kathmandu, a member of our HimEX team will meet you and drive you back to the hotel.


  • DAY 11
    Drive to Trisuli River and commence Rafting and drive to Chitwan.

    After breakfast, a 3–4 hour journey gets you to the Trisuli River, where you may embark on the next big adventure: rafting. Upon arriving at the River Trisuli Rafting (put in point), you will be greeted by our Rafting Captain who will brief you on the safety measures regarding, River, rafting, dos' and don'ts. A picnic lunch will be served by the rafting staff depending on the time of your arrival; if it's too soon, we'll have it on the beaches downstream.

     

    After the exciting adventure, a two-hour journey takes you to the "Chitwan National Park" in southern Nepal's flatland. The senior naturalist or manager will greet you and give you a briefing on the dos and don'ts, lodge policies, and available activities. Elephant briefing and bathing are two afternoon jungle activities (depending on the size and depth of the river at different times of the year). Visits to the tower (Machan) are included with the elephant safari and jungle stroll.

     

    An evening program slide show on Chitwan National Park and its history, vegetation, and wildlife followed by Tharu Stick Dance. Either Nepali or Chinese-Indian cuisine will be offered for supper.


  • DAY 12
    Full-day Jungle Activities.

    The morning program will depend on the group and include either a bird watching tour, an elephant safari, or a jungle walk. Return to the hotel after exploring Chitwan National Park for one to two hours. The same activities as on day 11 are carried out in the evening.


  • DAY 13
    Drive back to Kathmandu (180 km) - 5 hrs.

    Today, you can visit the national park for venturing or participating in the adventurous activities that you must have missed yesterday. After breakfast take a scenic drive back to Kathmandu.


  • DAY 14
    Final Departure.

    After the last breakfast in Kathmandu, prepare for the final departure. Depending upon your time schedule for international flight to respective countries, you'll be transferred to the airport. Bid your final goodbye reminiscing amazing adventure on Everest and the Sherpa-Land Trekking.