Mode of Trekking (Lodge & Camping Trek)
24 Days Trip
16 Days Trek, 3 Days Climbing, 4 Nights in Hotel.
Challenging

Everest Region is well known for its incredible number of beautiful mountains. The region offers you to experience a vast array of mountains. The Triple peaks of the Khumbu valley explores right into the heart of the Himalayas with a taste of rich Sherpa culture. After getting the blessing from the Rimpoche from Thyangboche Monastery we head towards Kongma la for our first ascend of Phokalde Peak (5806m). It was first climbed in the year 1953 by a route from the Kongma La along its North-ridge. Despite its relatively low altitude, the fact remains that the peak was climbed by the pioneers of the mountaineering world. The next peak is Chhukung Ri (5550m) which is located in the Chhukung valley. The view from the top is just breath taking. Our next adventure is Island Peak also known as Imja Tse (6175m), lies to the south of Everest and is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal Himalayas. The view from the summit is one of the most spectacular anywhere in the world. All it combines to make this trip the outstanding experience of a life time for all adventure seekers.

ITINERARY

Day 1. Arrive in Kathmandu 
You arrive in Kathmandu and are transferred to hotel. A pre-trek briefing will be given for your safe stay in Kathmandu. The evening is free but since this is our first night in Kathmandu we will go out for an evening meal at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants. 
 
Day 2. Gear Check& Half Day Sightseeing Tour. Rest of day at leisure.
This morning a group meeting with gear check will be held and at this time any necessary items will be hired or purchased. A group sightseeing tour has been arranged, taking in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. If time does not permit, the tour can be taken after the expedition when there is a full day at leisure in kathmandu.
 
Day 3. Fly to Lukla.
After breakfast in the hotel we take a bus/car to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 40-minute flight to Lukla. As we land we become struck by the scale of huge peaks that surround the village, which is only a taste of what is to come. We will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load the trekking equipment. To assist with acclimatization, we allow 3 days for the walk up to Namche Bazaar.  It is a very short walk today only 2 and half hours to Phakding.
 
Day 4. Phakding to Monjo 
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Koshi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. We meet many porters from the south ferrying supplies to Namche Bazaar. The trail keeps close to the river valley and is lined with beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest that is very spectacular in the spring months when the flowers are in bloom. We cross the Dudh Koshi at Benkar where there are tantalizing glimpses of the snow peaks Kusum Kangaru and Thamserku. From here it is only a short walk to Monjo where we arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon your group leader will organise the village tour. The day has been deliberately kept short for proper acclimatisation.
 
Day 5. Monjo to Namche 
This morning we cross the seas green waters of the Dudh Koshi and pass through the gates of the Sagarmatha National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and the Bhote Koshi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours to reach Namche Bazaar. This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artifacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.
 
Day 6. Rest day at Namche
We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatised to the altitude of 3,450m. Namche is a colorful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, will reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses and exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. One room highlights the Sherpa traditions and in another, Sherpa high altitude climbers are presented.
 
Day 7. Namche to Thyangboche  
From Namche, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley high above the Dudh Koshi. As we follow the path, we will get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we will cross the Dudh Koshi River and make a steep climb to Thyangboche monastery. Thyangboche is the spiritual center for the Khumbu, a training center for new monks. The Rimpoche (incarnate Lama) of Thyangboche resides here and the area is considered holy, nothing may be haunted or killed. With the treasures of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest in the background, the spirituality and scenic value of the site never fails to impress. We have plenty of time to look around Thyangboche, but at the height of the season it is a busy place, so we will descend to the forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron, to the nunnery at Debuche where we will stay in a relaxing lodge.
 
Day 8. Thyangboche to Dingboche
Shaded by rhododendron trees, the trail crosses an airy suspension bridge just beyond Deboche. An hour's walking from here will bring us to Pangboche, an excellent viewpoint for Ama Dablam. We may take a slight detour to visit Pangboche Gompa the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, said to be over 300 years old. It is the monastery that once housed the legendary Yeti scalp. We will have a lunch here. In the afternoon our route ascends gradually, high above the Imja Khola, contouring up the valley side, we will re-cross the river and turn up the Imja Valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingboche.
 
Day 9. Rest day at Dingboche
In accordance with our program of careful acclimatization, we spend a rest day at Dingboche. Your leader will advise on optional activities today. There is the option of taking a light acclimatization hike up the valley for a wider variety of photos of the valley and mountains of the Khumbu region.
 
Day 10. Pokhalde Low camp
Today is a steep climb but to minimize the hard work and the rapid altitude gain we stop in half way for our body to acclimatize properly.

Day 11. Pokhalde Base Camp
We trek up towards the Kongma la pass, a well defined gap between Pokhalde Peak and Chhukung. For tonight we set our camp on the moraine, ready to makes an early start the next day.

Day 12. Summit Pokhalde and descend to base camp on Chukung side
We will have an early breakfast and set out for and exciting summit bit. The first bit of the climb is through grassy slopes and then change to moraine ridges, last bit of the climb is scrambling on the rock. The view from the summit is just spectacular as you can see Ama Dablam, Pumori, Nuptse and many others. After this wonderful view we descend to the Chhukung valley.

Day 13. To Chukung
A steep, winding traverse through the rocky moraine on a well-defined path brings us to Chukhung . The views to the south of Kang Leyamu, beside the Imja Khola, are excellent. Before us to the north we can see the imposing rock faces between Lhotse and Nuptse. Descending the moraine by a winding path, we reach our campsite for the night.

Day 14. Summit Chukung Ri and descend to High Camp
The trail leads up to our next vantage point of Chhukung Ri. A short walk and easy scramble leads us to the top of the summit. The view from the top is just amazing as you can see Lhotse, Nuptse, Island Peak and many other.

Day 15. Island Peak Base Camp
Moving up again, we climb our second and relatively easy objective, Chukhung Ri. A short walk and easy scramble leads us to the top of this “hill”. Again, we enjoy the great views of the countless peaks of Khumbu. One does not need to climb high nor at a particularly technical or challenging level, to gain good vantage points to view the mountains. Chukhung Ri affords stunning views of Lhotse, Nuptse and Imja Tse (Island Peak).

Day 16. Trek to Island Peak base camp
Moving up the Imja valley, between Ama Dablam, Lhotse and a panorama of other peaks, we ascend onto lateral moraine to a camp in ablation valley above the normal base camp for the climb.

Day 17. Rest Day at Island Peak Base Camp
Today we will take it easy. In the morning after having breakfast we will have practice session where our climbing guide will teach you some climbing techniques. Rest of the afternoon you can just relax or go for a short walk in the surrounding hills. Today we will have early dinner and get ready for tomorrows big day.

Day 18. Summit of Island Peak
We start at 2 in the morning. It is still dark outside so we will need a help of a torch light. After we have breakfast and get organized we climb gradually to high camp and we get passed high camp. Just above high camp there are some rocky steps which require moderate scrambling and up through a broad open gully. At the top of the gully, glacier travel begins and proceeds up to a steep snow and ice slope. From here, our climbing Sherpa will fix a rope for the strenuous ascent of nearly 140m to the summit ridge. The summit ridge is a classic alpine ridge and quite exposed , (we fix rope here also) and traverse our way to the summit. The view from here is just breath taking. You would be able to see Lhotse, Makalu, Amadablam and Baruntse. After some exhilarating moments on the summit we descend by the same route to the base camp.

Day 19. Trek to Debuche
We retrace our trail back to Dingboche. Further down we cross the Khumbu Khola. We then descend to the small settlements at Orsho and Shomare, where we take lunch, and later pass through Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River and re-trace our steps to Debuche.

Day 20. Debuche to Khumjung
From Debuche it is just 30 minutes of climbing through birch, silver fir and rhododendron forest to the ridge where Thyangboche monastery is located. We spend time taking pictures at the monastery with Everest and Amadablam in the back ground before descending through forest to the bridge over the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tanga where there are water driven prayer wheels. We then climb and contour around the hillside to Sanasa where we have a lunch. After lunch we head off on a small trail that ascends to the villages of Khumjung and Khunde. It is a comfortable days walk, with time to explore these unique and more traditional villages. As we near them we pass through terraced fields that are home to a brightly coloured pheasant, the Daphe Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal. The monastery at Khumjung is well renowned for possessing the legendary Yeti scull. Your leader will organise this for you.

Day 21. Khumjung to Lukla
Today is our last day of trekking. We pass through the Yak breeding farm of Sangboche and descend to Namche Bazaar. This is a lovely days walk, the descent is easy and relaxed with the hard work behind us and our return journey provides different views of mountains and villages that we pass on our ascent. We continue descending from Namche to the Dudh Koshi before we make the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla. In the evening, a farewell dinner may be followed by a few celebratory drinks with our Sherpa friends and crew.

Day 22. Fly to Kathmandu
We rise early in the morning to be ready for the arrival of your aircraft for the flight back to Kathmandu. We will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel Yak and Yeti.

Day 23. Kathmandu
In Kathmandu at leisure.

Day 24. Trip concludes (Unless further plans are made)
After breakfast we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

The day-to-day schedule should be taken only as a general guide. A variety of factors, including adverse weather conditions, difficulty with transportation and politics can lead to enforced changes. Because of this it is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will run exactly according to the planned itinerary. The trip leader will make any changes, which are necessary.

NEPAL EXTENSIONS

There are a variety of interesting extensions you might choose to add on either before or after your trek. These options include:

Chitwan National Park:
It provides excellent opportunities to view the rare species such as sloth bear, bison, rhinoceros, leopard and the exclusive tiger. Early morning jungle walks and safaris on elephant back are amongst the most popular activities. The jungle lodge can be reached from Kathmandu either by air or by private vehicle.

White Water Rafting:
On the Trisuli or Seti Rivers.

Mount Everest Scenic Flight:
An hour flight departs Kathmandu early morning and provides spectacular views of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains.

Bhutan:
A five day cultural visit to Paro, Thimpu and Punakha.

Tibet:
Please contact the Alps in Nepal office if you plan to extend your trip and let us know in advance.

Please contact the Alps in Nepal office if you plan to extend your trip and let us know in advance.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expert Leadership
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. We have a very good selection of local leaders who are professionally trained and are among the most experienced in Nepal. Who better to look after you than your professional local leader, who speaks the language and knows the culture, intimately? The following people regularly lead this trek: 

PETER CHETTRI: Peter holds a very good sense of humour and adventurous spirit which has made him an asset to the company. He was born in Nepal and brought up in Sikkim. As a graduate in Arts, he has a good command over both spoken and written English. He has been leading treks with Alps in Nepal for four years. He has done a first aid training specialised in Acute Mountain Sickness. His excellent leadership has always earned a good reputation to the company. 

ASHIM SUBBA: Ashim is a travel enthusiast who has always been keen on adventure. He went to the University in Calcutta and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. Apart from being fluent in Nepali and English, he also speaks Japanese and has been involved in trekking for last two years. He has completed the first aid training including high altitude medicine. His expertness as a leader is one of the keys to our success.

Why Alps in Nepal is your first choice for Adventure
Alps in Nepal, combines the best of international standards with the deep knowledge of local experts. It offers you services and an experience that surpass those offered by the large international companies; with the reliability that local outfits lack. With over 15 years of experience we have successfully organized tours and treks for several thousand patrons who can testify the unique class of service we offer. Please feel free to ask us about the selection of your trip or for any further information.