Jiri Kalapathar Everest Base Camp Trek

Kathmandu arrival (1300m)

Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel; here you will be formally introduced to your Guide and the activities to be enjoyed over the next few days. We will also ask for your passport photographs and any other details required for your trek permits, at this stage.

Kathmandu sightseeing.

After breakfast, you start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. We will arrange a guide of your chosen language to give you a tour and introduction to our rich culture amongst our ancient and fascinating history and religion. In our sightseeing tour you go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. There is an intriguing 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums. Swayambhunath, situated on a hillock 6.5 kilometres west of Kathmandu, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.

Drive from Kathmandu (1350m.)to Jiri

Drive from Kathmandu (1350m.) to Drive from Kathmandu (1350m.) to Jiri (1905) about 188 km which takes about nine hours. The first part of your journey drives eastwards from Kathmandu through passing Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Dolalghat, Lamasanghu, a part of the Araniko Highway and turn to right from Lamasangu for the Jiri road passing through Green Hills scenery as well as snow capped mountains. The road is quite narrow but it is smooth. Jiri is a town named after Jirel, the majority people inhabited in and around the town.

Jiri (1905m.) to Deurali (2705m.)

Trek from Jiri (1905m.) to Deurali (2705m.) which takes about five and half hours. The beginning of your trek is gently ascent for the first two hours to Mali Danda (2440m.) and then it follows gently descent path to Shivalaya (1800m.) where you could take lunch and hang around. After your lunch, the trail steeply goes up for two hours and rest of the day is gently up to the Deurali. You could enjoy the green scenery as well as some of the snow capped mountains at a far distance.

Deurali (2705m.) to Sete (2400m.)

Trek from Deurali (2705m.) to Sete (2400m.) and it takes about six hours. The starting of your trek is steeply descent for early an hour to Bhandar (2250m.) and then gently descent to Kenja (1600m.) where you could enjoy your lunch. After your lunch, your trek is steeply up to destination. En route, you could enjoy with agricultural farm scenery where locals work hard. In addition to this, you could pass through Sherpa villages with beautiful mountain views.

Sete (2400m.) to Junbesi (2675m.)

Trek from Sete (2400m.) to Junbesi (2675m.) and it takes about six hours. To begin your trek, you should climb steeply for an early two hours passing through Dagchu, Goyem, a small Sherpa settlements. Then your trek starts gently up to the Lamjura Pass (3500m.) through rhododendron forest. After the pass, rest of the trek is gently and steeply descent to the destination. In this route, you could enjoy some of the snow capped mountains such as the "Goa of the Solu". Besides this, you could see some wildlife such as monkey and many species of birds.

Junbesi (2675m.) to Nunthala (2200m.)

Trek from Junbesi (2675m.) to Nunthala (2200m.) which takes approximately six hours. The beginning of your trek is gently ascent for early one and half hours to Phurtung (2900m.). From this place, you could see first view of Mount Everest including Thamserku (6623m.), Kantega (6780m.), Kusum Kangaru (6370m.) and Mera Peak (6650m.) Your trek is flat and gently descent to Ringmo Khola (2500m.). Immediately, your trail is steeply up for one and half hours to the Takshindo La Pass (3100m.). From this point, you could see excellent mountain views. At the end of your trek is steeply descent to the town Nunthala (2200m.) through small Sherpa settlement and forest.

Nunthala (2200m.) to Bupsa (2350m.)

Trek from Nunthala (2200m.) to Bupsa (2350m.) and it takes about six hours. The beginning of your trek is gently descent to the Dudh Koshi river (Milk River) for an early two hours passing through agricultural farming land and small Sherpa and Rai settlements. From Dudh Koshi river, your trail is gently ascent all the way to Kharikhola (2050m.) passing through Juving (1680m.) a pretty big Rai village and farming lands. From Kharikhola your trail follows flat path for 45 minutes and then steeply up to the camp (Bupasa) where you could visit Buddhist Monastery in ruined state.

Bupsa (2350m.) to Surkey (2400m.)

Trek from Bupsa (2350m.) to Surkey (2400m.) which takes about five and half hours. At the beginning of the day, you should ascend steeply for the early two hours to Khari La Pass (2880m.) passing through rhododendron and oak forest including a small Sherpa settlements and tea shops. From this point, you could see excellent view of different mountains such as Numbu (6960m.), Cho-oyu (8201m.), Gyangchung Kang (7922m.) and Thamserku (6629m.). Now, your trail is gently descent and pretty flat to Chaubar (2730m.) passing through Bamboo forest and Puiyan (2770m.) with view of Khumbu Valley as well as beautiful mountains. At the end of the day, your trail steeply descends up to the destination. Surkey is a small Sherpa village at the bottom of the Lukla.

Surkey (2400m.) to Phakding (2652m.)

Trek from Surkey (2400m.) to Phakding (2652m.) which takes about five hours. The first part of the trek is gently ascent for early 2 hours to Chhiplung (2700m.) a junction road to Jiri and Lukla passing through Mushe (2650m.). From this place, the road is quite broad and busy. Now, your trail is almost flat and gently descent and ascent to Phakding. This is a short trek after 3 long days trek. You could hang in and around Phakding village.

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Today begins on level ground, relative to the environment in which you are! You will cross the river on a high suspension bridge and begin to climb up to Monjo (2800m) and on to the gateway to the Sagamartha National Park Entrance in place to protect and preserve this beautiful environment. There is a good rest stop on the way up where you will see people gathered, admiring the first real chance to see Everest in the distance. On the way up today you will be rewarded with views of Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache Peak before eventually arriving at Namche after about 5 hours.

Rest day in and around Namche Bazaar

The main aim today is to allow your body to acclimatise, it is important to drink lots of water and take some gentle exercise. Namche is a growing town tucked into a neat little valley, there is lots going on in the centre with market days on Friday and Saturday. There are some interesting museums and shops. There is also internet and a sauna! You could venture further afield, take a visit to Khumjung where the Hillary school sits and Khunde nearby, on the way back to Namche you could visit the Shyangboche airstrip, (3790m) the highest in the world nearby is the Everest View Hotel for stunning views.

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3867m)

There are various trails leading out of the village of Namche, your guide will show you the most appropriate, you are most likely to enjoy excellent views of Ama Dablam and Everest amongst others along the way though. From Sanasa trail descends to Phunki Thanga from where you have a 2 hour climb to Tengboche steeply at first but soon levels out. You will come to a stone gate which marks the entrance to Tengboche, the religious centre of the Khumbu region. Overall today will take approximately 5 hours.

Tengboche to Dingboche (4260m)

Another 5 hour day today as you first descend through rhododendron forests to pastures below and Deboche. You begin to climb from the Imja Khola river with great views of Ama Dablam and Kantaga (6779m), your route is lined by chortens to Pengboche the highest year round settlement in the valley and the gompa here is the oldest in the Khumbu, home to what is believed to be the hand skull of a yeti. You soon find yourself above the tree line you will pass a few tea shops and yak herders before you reach Dingboche a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls.

Rest day at Dingboche (4260m)

Here you will enjoy outstanding mountain views, particularly the north face of Ama Dablam and Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. There are several walk options enabling your body to acclimatise better. Remember to drink plenty of water.

Dingboche(4350m.) to Chhukung (4730m.)

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

Chhukung to Chhukung Ri (5546m.) to Lobuche (4900m.)

Trek from Chhukung to Chhukung Ri (5546m.) to Lobuche (4900m.) 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 cairns, 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.

Lobuche -Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep (5160m)

You will ascend gently to begin with today through lovely pasture lands; you will then follow the rocky moraine path with views of the Khumbu Glacier. Gorakshep is on a flat field below Kala Pattar (5545m) and My Pumori (7145m), it is the original Everest Base Camp. A good spot for lunch after 2/3 hours walk, following lunch you can continue up to the present Base Camp.

Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5545m.) and back to Pheriche (4250m.)

Sunrise from the top of Kala Pattar is quite spectacular, it is a hard climb of one or two hours but you can see the West face of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and more. Returning to Periche, the windy town, there is a Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post should anybody need assistance staffed by International volunteer doctors.

Pheriche to Phortse (3750m.)

Trek from Pheriche to Phortse (3750m.) and it takes almost five 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 16 century. The Pangboche village is known to have highest permanent settlement throughout the year.

Phortse (3750m.) to Khumjung (3790m.)

Trek from Phortse (3750m.) to Khumjung (3790m.) which takes almost five 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 upto 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.

Khumjung to Thame (3800m.)

Trek from Khumjung to Thame (3800m.) and it takes about five 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.

Thame to Monjo (2835m.)

Trek from Thame to Monjo (2835m.) which takes about five and half 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

Monjo to Lukla (2800m.)

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

Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu

You will be on an early flight back this morning, on arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and taken to your hotel.

Kathmandu free day of your own.

Enjoy a day exploring some of the quieter streets of Kathmandu, stocking up on souvenirs and presents for those back home. This evening you have a farewell dinner, you will be picked up in good time

Final Departure.

You will be met at your hotel and taken to the airport in good time to meet your flight home.