Cultural Journey to Solu (Everest region)

The bus bound for Jiri-Bhandar is always overcrowded. We drive up to Those, the approximately 205 km journey can take up to 12hrs. The Arniko highway that connects to Tibet built by the Swiss, brings us to Those. From here walk half an hour to Shivalaya, meaning the abode of Lord Shiva, one of the major Hindu Gods.

The trail crosses two streams after Shivalaya and Khasrubas, then begins ascending again through rhododendron forests to Deurali (270m) on the ridge where there are several lodges and mani walls and you are entering buddhist sherpa region. From here we descend to Bhandar (2200m) in about one and half hours.

The trail descend to Kenja crossing farmlands, small villages and streams. We have to cross two suspension bridges over the Likhu Khhola just before the settlement of Kenja (1640m) where we have our lunch. From here the steep Lamjura La climbing begins crossing the village of Chimbu (2190m) which has one basic lodge and continue climbing uphill about 4½ hrs to reach Sete (2575m) which is today's destination.

After walking continuously uplhill for about 5 hours, we reach the Lamajura pass. Today’s trail is easier than yesterday. We will be crossing through the village of DAGCHU (2840m) and GOYEM (3100m). Just ½ hr. before LAMAJURALA, there are couple of Lodges,we can have lunch. From this trail, we can have the stunning view of Mt.NUMBUR (6959m). The LAMAJURALA PASS is marked with Buddhist Prayer flags and cairns. Both sides of the pass, the hill is decorated with Pine and rhododendron forests. After the Pass, the trail steeply descend about 400m, we reach the settlement of TOCTOR (2850m). From this village the trail splits, the right trail leads to Sallery, but we continue keeping to the left, in about one hour we reach the picturesque village of JUNBESI (2670m), it has a secondary School, Health post which was established by Sir Edmund Hillary’s HIMALAYAN TRUST in 1960s. About one and half hour from JUNBESI is THUPTEN CHOLING GOMPA (monastery), well worth a visit.

Crossing the river on a wooden bridge, the trail forks. We should take the right fork which leads us to Salleri, the District H.Q. of Solu-Khumbu district along the newly constructed road passing through Sherpa villages and farmlands after walking 4½ hours from JUNBESI, we reach a very important place called PHAPLU which has a HORTICULTURE, HOSPITAL, AIRSTRIP, SOME HOTELS AND SHOPS. After another ½ an hour we reach Salleri today's destination. SALLERI is primarily inhabited by SHERPA and NEWAR, but now it has become a business centre of all Nepalese citizens. The DORPU BAZAR (locally called HAAT) a weekly fair which takes place every Saturday. SALLERI is dominated by the government offices.

Ratnange Danda is very famous for Sunrise and a spectacular view point of following mountains: MT.EVEREST 8848m KHUMBILA 5761m THAMSERKU 6623m LHOTSE 8516m NUPSE 7861m KANGTENGA 6779m AMADABLAM 6812m MERA PEAK 6476m Immediately the trail climbs uphill crossing through Sherpa villages all the way up to the top.It takes us 4 hours to reach our destination.

Today, the whole day, we will be descending to enter to Kanku village Development Committee (V.D.C ) Kanku V.D.C is inhabited by people of the Rai an ethnic group. This area is off the beaten track and few tourists visit. We easily notice that the houses look different from Sherpa homes and are often decorated with garlands of majestic Marigolds. Immediately after passing the Ratnange hill, in about 45min we reach to MULKHARKA the last Sherpa village before entering the oak and rhododendron forest and descend, passing through a big beehive cliff finally we arrive in SARIMA the first Rai village and we may stay over night there. The main attractions are farmlands, rivers, waterfalls, deep and narrow valleys. The Rais, Primarily aboriginal of that area and Mongoloid Race, have deep cultural values with their own local dialect and typical dresses. If we plan to trek through that area, we may have the opportunity to watch and observe the BHUME RITE which is celebrated for 3 days with different noticeable cultural events it is worthwhile to experience and gives a new insight. The belief is these Rites ensure the fertility of land.

Kanku rest and visit Bhumesite

Today we have only half an hour uphill and mostly flat, crossing through terraced fields and narrow valley, Rai, Chhetri and Kami-Damai villages and our destination will be Rai villages for home stay with white mountain view.

From Rapchha village ,the trail slowly descends crossing through Thuldhung a magar village, continue to Dudh Koshi river (meaning “milky river”) cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river at 1500m .The trail climbs now upward to the village of Jubing (1680m) where there are lodges at the that last Rai village. Now we are going to enter the Sherpa reigion. The trail leading to Kharikhola being very steep, it takes us two hours to reach Kharikhola today’s destination .The main trail to Everest and the trail from Kanku meet at Jubing and now there are many options.

After crossing a suspension bridge over a stream we climb very steeply for an hour to Bupsa (2360m). The trail rises through a forested stretch passing the settlement of Kharte and taking about three hours to reach the highest point of Karila (2850m) marked by a Mani wall. Mt Gyachung Kang and Khumbila are visible. The trail descend to Puiyan (2780m) in about an hour .

From Puiyan, there are many ups and downs passing through the lodges and teahouses of Chausas before reaching a ridge crest from where we can see the Lukla Airfield and Surke village. From Surke village the trail climbs for half an hour to reach a Mani wall, where a path splits out for Lukla. The trail from Chaurikharka (2650m) and the trail from Lukla meet at Chheplung (2660m) in about an hour.

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