3 Passes 3 Weeks (EVEREST)

Offers you stunning views of Himalayan Panorama. After landing in Lukla Airport, usually we have a tea break, introduction with assistants (porters) and, prepare for the march ahead to PHAKDING; today’s destination. LUKLA (2840m) – PHAKDING (2610m), After leaving Lukla we are soon walking down a gently descending trail crossing the Sherpa village of Chheplung, the meeting point of two trails from Jiri. There are views of Khumbila Peak (5761m) which is the sacred Mt. to the Sherpas, and further, Mt. Kusum Kangaru (6367m). If we reach Phakding and still have energy left, we can do an excursion to PEMA CHOLING GOMPA, 30m high on the west bank.

Mt. Everest emerge for the first time, Upto JORSALLEY Village, a lot of ups and downs but not tough, through the villages with stunning views of mountains and peaks. After JORSALLEY, a steep stepped path leads to NAMCHEBAZAR, crossing two suspensions bridge over Dudhkoshi and Bhotekoshi. The 600m ascent is a tough, exhausting. Finally, after ascending 230m, we can first see Mt. Everest still about 2km walk to NAMCHEBAZAR. in Namche Bazar there are several guest houses, government offices, army camp, schools, monasteries, museum, trekking shops, money changers, an ATM counter and weekly market that make it feel it is a gate way to the Everest and a last place for shopping.

The trail to the Khumjung and Khunde, the first village of Khumbu Region, is steep hillside above Namchebazar from beside the GOMPA but, becomes gradual, after the SYANGBOCHE (3740m) airstrip. What to see : The sacred mountain KHUMBILA, THAMSERKU (6618m), Everest View from Everest view hotel built by Japanese, Khumjung school built by Ed. Hillary, Mt. Kwancoe (6187m), Khunde Hospital built by Ed. Hillary and Gompas.

The trail is broad and follows the Dudh Koshi river valley on the west bank of deep gorge. The magnificent peaks of AMADABLAM (6828m), THAMSERKU (6618m) and TABOCHE (6542m) mesmerize us. We can also spot herds of Blue sheep, Thar or Himalayan Goats and Musk deer and Danphe (the national bird of Nepal). TENGBOCHE is famous for monastery and Mountains view.

From Upper Pangboche 1st option: 2hrs to Upper Pangboche and a side trip to Amadablam base camp and back to upper Pangboche as an acclimatization hike. 2nd option: 2hrs to Upper Pangboche and continue to Dingboche (skipping Amadablam base camp). The scenery is amazing from Upper Pangboche and it is worth a visit to the oldest monastery.

The mountain panorama includes the entire KHUMBU peaks – KHANTENGA (6783m), THAMSERKU (6618m), AMADABLAM (6828m), TABOCHE (6542m), KWANGDE (6025m), besides LHOTSE – NUPTSE. As we walk further, the great Pyramidal Peak of PUMORI (7138m) emerges above the mountain ahead. At a place called TSUROWOG (4136m), the trails to PHERICHE and DINGBOCHE spilt. The trail leads to Dingboche stream that emerges from the KHUMBU KHOLA. DINGBOCHE (4360m) is a cold and windy place but has great views of the north of the mountain, behind the village we can climb to the Nagartsang view point and Amadablam lake for great views and for acclimatization. We also should attend the altitude sickness talk at PHERICHE at Himalayan Rescue Association(HRA)

The path to CHHUKUNG follows the IMJA Khola. Mt. Lhotse is on the left and AMADABLAM on the right in this valley. Beyond CHHUKUNG, Soars the ISLAND peak or IMJA TSE (6173m), it is from CHHUKUNG, that the Island Peak expeditions begin. It is a pleasant walk as we leave DINGBUCHE cross the stone called potato fields and yak pastures has several lodges and glaciers all around the place and massive snowy mountains.

Today is the most challenging day. The trial is rough and tough. With an early it is very cold, there is no stream on the way so carry plenty of water. There are no hotels and restaurants so we carry packed lunch and snacks. Before the pass, all the way is steeply, so we should walk slowly and keep drinking water. After pass, it is rocky, slippery and not an obvious trail so we should be well equipped; crampons, walking sticks, socks (warm), hand gloves, head lights etc. But the view is rewarding, LHOTSEY (8501m), the worlds fourth highest peak from north, Mt. NUPTSE rising vertically, from the east soars Island Peak, from the south AMADABLAMS’s North face.

The trail to GORAKHSHEP, crossing stream which runs through a gully. Today we walking on glacier. The snowy peak of PUMOR (7138m), LINGTREN (6713m) and KHUMBUTSE (6639m) marking the Tibet border, the MAHALANGUR HIMAL. The trail is level; the terrain is somewhat scattered boulders. The view from half way, spectacular 360 degree panorama of the mountains all around. In Gorak Shep (5170m), the night temperatures always well below freezing, often windy but the place is very scenic. After reaching GORAK SHEP, a quick lunch, take room and head for EBC. EBC (5300m) Time : 4 hrs Distance: 6kms EBC is not a view point; we go there to appreciate the HAZARDOUS route that Everest Climbers take through the Khumbu Icefall. If there is snowfall, we should go to EBC at all. The Giant NUPTSE Mountain is towering beyond the lateral moraine of KHUBU GLACIER. It is at EBC that trekking ends and mountaineering begins. Finally, after viewing, learning, experiencing the mountaineering activities, we return to GorakShep to spend the night negotiating with high altitude.

The climax of our trek, Start early in the bitter cold. The temperatures of (-10 c) with bone chilling winds is common. The majestic peak of Pumori is ahead of us The familiar mountains of LINGTREN, KHUMBUTSE,CHANGTSE, Mt.Everest in the East and in the west NUPTISEY. We may also witness an avalanche crashing down the NUPTESE –slopes . Finally, before us, is the KALAPATHAR marked by cairns and prayer flags. Now our eyes are full with mountain views but our stomach is empty, So unwillingly we have to come down to the hotel for breakfast, after breakfast, leave for LOBUCHE for overnight.

It is a pleasant walk today. The trail to CHOLA Splits off a little distance from LOBUCHE. To the southeast can be seen AMADABMAM, KHANG-TENGA, THAMSERKU and TABOCHE is ahead of us . As we walk further, rounds the ridge, CHOLA LAKE is visible at the bottom of CHOLATSE. Finally, we reach Dzongla (4830m) our destination for today.

In the morning, we are greeted by the view of Mt. CHOLATSE (6440m). At the beginning we walk on the grassy yak pasture. After about an hour walking, we cross a stream and the path is a fairly steep climb up, we will have a rocky path to the snowy valley. As we gain height, the view back gets increasingly more fascinating. Finally we traverse the glacier, and we get to see the top of the pass. It is amazingly scenic. For the final climb to the CHOLA PASS (5368m) there is usually little snow; there are prayer flags, across cairns, flapping in the strong wind. The path leading down to Dragnag is no clear path and there is often ice just below the pass. It is a very steep slope, all rock and scree. The trail climbs a ridge, then falls and rises again to a higher ridge. From the top, it takes almost an hour to reach DRANGNAG DRAGNAG (4680m) which has several lodges.

After leaving DRAGNAG, we follow the yak path until we reach a ridge marked by prayer flag, then cross the NGOZUMPA glacier that emerges from the CHOOYU mountains. We are greeted by fabulous mountain views. The peak straight ahead, to the west, is phari Lapche (6017m), to the left is the peak of KYAJO RI (6186m), we can see the mound of GOKYO RI, the view point or 600m above GOKYO .It is a little easier and more rewarding than the KHUMBU glacier on the way to Everest base camp. When we reach the other side of the glacier, we can see first view of the GOKYO lake. Ruddy shellducks, also called BRAHMINI DUCK often swim in the water.

The trail is a steep zigzag trail all the way up with no relief, no flat stretch like on the way up to KALA PATTHAR, but the views from back are mind blowing. Amazing sight of GOKYO village, MT. CHOLATSE and the NGOZUMPA glacier from GOKYO RI. From the top of GOKYO RI (5357m), there is a stunning view of panorama. In the distance are KUSUMKANGARU, THAMSERKU, KYASHAR (peak 43) and KHANGTENGA and in the southeast TABOCHE and EVEREST, CHANGTSE and PUMORI.

As we leave GOKYO village , the trail follows north west ward beside the 3rd lake on the shore. For about an hour we have easy and straight but narrow trail until we reach to the bottom of RENJOLA . From the bottom trail begins steep and narrower; as we go further, the path disappear into boulders for about 45 minuts, the terrain is widen, views are toweling which make forget that strenuous climbing. The view from RENJOLA is much like that from GOKYO RI. We can see Everest, Makalu, CHOLATSE, TABOCHE and the other peaks visible in the distance.

Today, it is an easy day, there is no uphill at the beginning we go downhill passing by the farm land on the west bank of the BHOTEKOSI river. We have to cross a couple of bridges over tributaries before THAME. Overlooking THAME is a famous GOMPA situated some 150m above the fields to the west .We can also visit TENZING NORGAY’s ancestral stone – built home in the village. He was a Sherpa hero and THAME’s greatest son.

Today, mostly downhill except after crossing bridges after gully. We follow the villages Samdf (3580m) hill, Thame (3440m), Tscheso Phurje (3390m). Namche (3440m), Jorsale (2810m) and Monjo (2840m).

The trail is no more strenuous but partly uphill and a lot of mules train, for which we have to wait for hour and hour to the bridges, let’s try to get LUKLA as soon as possible to re-confirm our flight ticket for the following day and the celebration.

A spectacular mountain views all the way to Kathmandu.