Everest View

The Region

The Everest or Khumbu region is justifiably the most famous of all trekking and mountain regions. Populated by Sherpas, the attractions of this area are the majestic mountains, the high mountain villages, the isolated monasteries, and the local peoples. This area includes the highest mountain in the world, Everest at 8848m, and many of the world's 8000m peaks such as Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. First climbed in 1953, Everest still holds a fascination for many, however the Everest region boasts many more spectacular and beautiful mountains, as well as some of the most rewarding trekking anywhere in the world.

 

Tengpoche monastery

 

The Everest View Trek

Whilst for many a visit to the foot of Mount Everest is a personal goal, for some it is enough to visit the Everest or Khumbu region and experience the culture, the people, and the spectacular scenery. The Everest View trek is a shorter trek than the Base Camp trek with the famous Tengpoche monastery at 3870m being the high point.

It is designed for those who wish to experience this region without ascending to high altitude. Entry to the Khumbu is by air into the airstrip at Lukla, and from here we follow the route of the Base Camp trek to Tengpoche monastery. From here we obtain breathtaking views of Everest as it rises above the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge, as well as a superb view of one of Nepal's most beautiful mountains, Ama Dablam - the 'Matterhorn of the Khumbu'. From here we return to Lukla by a slightly different route via Khumjung.

Outline itinerary

Day	Program	Altitude
1	Arrive Kathmandu, transfer from airport to hotel
2	At leisure in Kathmandu, preparation for trek
3	Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding	2800 m
4	Phakding to Namche Bazaar	3440 m
5	Acclimatisation day in Namche	3440 m
6	Namche to Tengpoche	3870 m
7	Tengpoche to Khumjung	3790 m
8	Khumjung to Jorsale	2830 m
9	Jorsale to Lukla	2800 m
10	Fly to Kathmandu
11	At leisure in Kathmandu
12	Transfer from hotel to airport, fly home

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu, transfer from airport to hotel

Day 2
At leisure in Kathmandu, preparation for trek

Day 3
Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding

After a very early start, and an early take off from Kathmandu Domestic Airport, a 45 minute flight is all it takes to propel us into the Everest region of Nepal. The landing at Lukla (2800m) is spectacular and on arrival we are greeted by our sirdar and trekking crew who organise the luggage and hustle us off for tea. After a leisurely lunch we start the trek in earnest, setting off for a gentle walk to Phakding (2800m), a further 3 hours to the north. The trail leads through Lukla, past hotels, shops and airline offices to the edge of the Lukla plateau where the trail drops to meet the intersection of the Jiri trail at Chablung. From here the trail follows the Dudh Kosi north through the village of Ghat and then finally to Phakding where we spend the night.

Day 4

Phakding to Namche Bazaar

From Phakding the trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley, staying 100m above the river on its west bank. The trail leads us to Jorsale (2810m) where we enter the Sagarmatha National Park, and submit our trekking permits for checking. From here we continue on an ever-steepening trail to Namche Bazaar (3440m), known simply as Namche. En route we cross the spectacular suspension bridge high above the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and the Dudh Kosi, and shortly after glimpse our first view of Everest, way off to the north-east. The trail to Namche is steep and long, but eventually we reach the remarkable Sherpa capital perched high on the hillside and dominated to the east by the immense bulk of Kwangde (6187m).

Day 5
Acclimatisation day in Namche

Acclimatisation is important before trekking higher, and this is the first of two scheduled stops which allows us to gradually become used to the effects of altitude - the lower pressure and the thinner air. We can spend the day by taking a side trip to Thami or Khumjung, by visiting the National Park Visitor Centre on the hill above Namche or by simply resting and browsing in the shops in the town. Namche is a fascinating place simply to “hang out” and take in the culture of the mountains, from the trading of visiting Tibetans to the stories of departing mountaineers.

Day 6
Namche to Tengpoche

From Namche we trek north-east on a direct line to Everest, starting up the hill to the Visitor Centre and continuing on a reasonably flat easy trail high above the Dudh Kosi. Ahead of us we can see one of the most beautiful mountains in the Khumbu - Ama Dablam (6856m), as well as Everest still far off in the distance. We pass through the settlement of Sanasa before making our descent to the Dudh Kosi and the village of Phunki Thanga. Of course, “what goes down must go up”, and from here it is a steep long climb up the side of the hill to the saddle on which Tengpoche monastery is located at 3870m. As we enter the grounds of the monastery we are welcomed by the most magnificent mountain view in the world. The long climb seems well worth it as we gaze upon a panorama of Himalayan giants, including Everest as it peeks above the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge.

Day 7
Tengpoche to Khumjung

From Tengpoche the trail drops steeply to the river at Phunki Thanga, and then rises again to traverse high above the river on the winding trail leading back to Namche Bazaar. Shortly after passing through Sanasa, we branch off to the right and take the trail leading gradually upwards to the extensive Sherpa settlement of Khumjung at 3790m. Khumjung is the the largest village in the Khumbu and contains many items of interest for the visitor - the Gompa possesses the supposed skull of a Yeti but this has been scientifically disproved. Also in Khumjung is the Hillary School, and further up the hill at the village of Khunde is the Khunde Hospital, built in 1966 and maintained by the Sir Edmund Hillary Himalayan Trust. This is well worth a visit, and all donations of money or medical supplies are most welcome.

Day 8
Khumjung to Jorsale

We complete our circular route by returning to Namche and from here continue on down the main Everest trail. This is a short day and hence we have time to browse the shops in Namche, before descending steeply to the river. The trail is easier now as we are losing altitude, and we can enjoy a gentle walk on the trail above the Dudh Kosi to Jorsale.

Day 9
Jorsale to Lukla

The final day of our trek - we retrace our steps along the trail above the Dudh Kosi before turning off the main Jiri route and rising up to Lukla, where we arrive by mid-afternoon.

Day 10
Fly to Kathmandu

We return to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu with a 45 minute flight back to the domestic airport. Here you will be greeted and transferred back to your hotel in Kathmandu. Arrival times back into Kathmandu vary, however it is usual to arrive back at your hotel by mid-afternoon.

Day 11
At leisure in Kathmandu

Day 12
Transfer from hotel to airport, fly home

Map Everest View