Sherpa Culture and Nature Trek - 20 Days

Quick Facts:

Introduction:
This trip brings you close to the majestic Himalayan peaks with breathtaking views including Mount Everest and takes you through Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries to see the culture of Khumbu valley.

Our trek begins with a thirty-five-minute flight to Tenzing-Hillary Lukla Airport at 9300ft in Khumbu valley.  From Lukla, we will trek along the Dudh Koshi River, a beautiful valley, sparsely inhabited area with patches of farmlands and forests.  Our trek mainly travels through the Sagarmatha National Park in Khumbu Valley.  Here are the best views of the mountain revered by many cultures and known as Everest worldwide, Sagarmantha in Nepali, and Chomolungma in Sherpa and Tibetan.  Here the mountain forms a natural boundary in the northeast with Tibet.  As we trek higher elevations, we can see Mount Kusum Kanguru, Kwangde (Nopla), Thamserku, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, Pumori, the grand peak of Mount Everest (the highest summit on earth) and other beautiful sister mountains that harmonize the scenery of Khumbu.  We will experience multiple views of the above mountains as we continue our journey to the peak of Kala Pathar (5545m) opposite of Everest.

The following are short list of floras and faunas found in the Sagarmatha National park.  We will see hemlock, rhododendron, birch, fir, juniper, oak and blue-pine in the lower altitudes, and scrub alpine plant communities at higher elevations.  There are 118 known species of birds inhabit in the park.  Most commonly seen ones are the Impeyen Pheasant (the national bird of Nepal), blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, Tibetan snow-cock, jungle crow, red-billed and yellow-billed choughs, snow pigeon, swallows, magpies and kalij pheasant.  Among rarer species are the Himalayan griffons, Lammergier, snow partridge, and skylark.  The faunas we may see along the trail from around Namche are the Himalayan Tahr, Ghoral, Serow, Musk deer, Weasel, Marten, Himalayan mouse hare (Pika), jackals (rare), and wolves (rarer).  Although these faunas inhabit the park and the chance of seeing one is a possibility, we cannot guarantee nor promise you sightings of wildlife along the trail. 

Sherpa people are the indigenous inhabitants of Khumbu Valley and are followers of Buddhism.  Khumbu is comprised of many villages of which Namche is the biggest and is the ancient trading post between Tibet and Nepal.  Today, it is called Namche Bazaar, where mountain climbers, trekkers, traders and researchers alike stop to savor the fusion food of the Sherpa, Nepali and Western culinary delights.  We make two night stops in Namche to acclimatize and recharge.  Then along the route, we will visit other Sherpa villages to explore their way of life and culture.  Most people in Khumbu are blessed by the opening up of Nepal for tourism since the 1950s, and their way of life and education have dramatically improved as a result of their work in the field of tourism.  Apart from working in the field of tourism, many people here practice traditional lifestyles such as raising Yaks and farming.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu (4,400ft)
Meet, be welcomed and transfer to hotel.  If you arrive during the day, remainder of the day is free to relax to get over your jetlag.  Overnight at hotel / 2 nights.

Day 2 Kathmandu World Heritage Site Tour
Breakfast will be served at hotel and then depart to visit various Cultural World Heritage Sites to see ancient Nepalese arts and architects of Kathmandu Valley.  This is an easy day which allows you to overcome jetlag after a long flight.  Lunch served at local restaurant.  Afternoon return to hotel and remainder of the day free. Evening, we will do trip briefing with welcome dinner. 

Day 3 Flight to Lukla (9,315ft) and trek to Phakdhing (8,561ft),
We will take a 35 minutes scenic flight to Lukla Airport (9,315ft) in early morning.
Meet our trekking crew as we arrive, and then trek to Monjo through the scenic trail along the Dudh Koshi River.  We will hike through mix of downhill, straight and uphill trails rest of the day.  Along the way, we will see scenic view of mountains and forests, village settlements and farmlands.  We will also meet local people carrying out their daily chores.
Lunch will be served around mid-day along trail at a local inn cafe.  Dinner and breakfast served at the lodge we spend overnight.

Day 4 Monjo (9,299ft)
Breakfast at our lodge and then we will hike along the Dudh Koshi River passing through thin deciduous forest, small settlements and teahouses along the trail.  We will have lunch in Mono and rest of the afternoon free to rest and explore the village and its monastery.

Day 5 Trek to Namche (11,283ft)
Breakfast and trek to Namche.  Today, we will enter the Sagarmatha National Park area, which is also Nature World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO.  We will hike through mixed deciduous forest and alpine scrub.  In the morning, it is an easy trail and then uphill until we reach our evening stop.  Overnight in lodge / 2 nights.

Day 6 Namche at leisure to acclimatize
We’ll have breakfast at lodge and do an easy walking to visit the local monastery and museum while enjoying scenic views.  This easy day allows us to get acclimatized to the altitude.
Lunch and dinner served at our lodge. 

Day 7 Trek to Thame (12,530ft)
We will hike to Thame Village, which is the last major village before going over the famous Nangpala (ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet).  Thame monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the region. 
Thame is also home of Tenzing, Apa, Lhakpa and other famous Sherpa mountaineers of Nepal.  We will pay a visit to Thame Monastery and enjoy the scenic beauty.

Day 8 Trek to Khunjung village (12,398ft)
Breakfast and trek to Khumjung village, where we will overnight.  Lunch will be served en-route or at our lodge.  Afternoon visit local homes and monastery where we might see the Yeti head skin.  Overnight in lodge.

Day 9 Trek to Machherma (14,465ft),
Breakfast and hike through the hill slope. 
Along the way, we will see Phortse Village and magnificent views of Thamserku, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Tawoche and Kwangde peaks and beautiful scenery to enjoy.  There is also possibility of sighting of Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer along the hill slope and forests.  Lunch will be served en route at Mongla in a local inn cafe.  It is a gradual uphill trail hike rest of the day.  Overnight in lodge.

Day 10 Trek to Gokyo Lake (15,711ft),
Breakfast and then hike uphill along the Nguzumpa Glacier valley above the tree line.  We will see many beautiful mountain peaks including Cho Oyu and scenery. 

Day 11 Gokyo Ri Viewpoint (17,984ft) for a stunning view of the giant peaks
Early morning-we’ll trek to Gokyo Ri for a stunningly beautiful panoramic view of the entire Khumbu Himalaya including Mount Everest, Lhotse Shar, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Gokyo valley and the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and beyond as far as your eyes can see.  Remainder of the day is free to relax to recharge our energy.

Day 12 Trek to Thaknag (14,432ft),
Breakfast and then hike downhill and cross the Ngozumpa Glacier where we will witness the fast retreating glacier conditions. 

Day 13 Trek to Phortse (12,497ft)
Breakfast and hike through the hill slope to Phortse Village below Mount Tawoche.  Along the way, we will see magnificent views of Thamserku, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Tawoche and Kwangde peaks and beautiful scenery to enjoy.  There is also possibility of sighting of Himalayan Tahr and Must Deer along the hill slope and forests. Lunch will be served en route at Mongla in a local inn cafe.  It is a gradual uphill trail hike rest of the day.  Overnight in lodge.

Day 14 Trek to Tengboche Monastery (12,661ft)
Breakfast and trek to Tengboche via Pangboche Village.  Along the route, we may see Himalayan Tahr grazing on the slope.  Also, we will see spectacular view of Mount Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, and Kwangde and Numbur Himal range to the southwest. In the afternoon, we can see Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse towering above the scenic Khumbu Valley.  Lunch served en route at local inn café and overnight in lodge.

Day 15 Trek to Namche
Breakfast at lodge and trek to our next destination.
We will enjoy spectacular mountain views, visit the monastery and then hike downhill to Phungi Tanga by the Imja Khala.  Here we will walk through a suspension bridge and then hike uphill until we reach our lunch stop. Afternoon hike to Namche is straight to easy trails with mix of small downhills.
Along this trail, it is possible to see the Himalayan Tahr grazing on the slope.  This area is also Musk deer habitat. Lunch will be served en route at inn café and overnight in lodge.

Day 16-17 Trek to Phakding and to Lukla
We will hike back on the scenic Dudh Koshi river valley trail through which we hiked up.  The advantage of hiking back is easy as we are hiking through downhill trails.
Lunch will be served en route at local inn café and overnight in lodges.

Day 18 Flight to Kathmandu
We will take a 35-minute scenic flight to Kathmandu.
Arrive and transfer to our hotel and remaining time at leisure.
Lunch is on your own. 

Day 19 Kathmandu at leisure
Breakfast served at hotel and day at leisure.
Options of activities on your free day in Kathmandu would be shopping souvenirs, visiting sites you have not yet seen or treat yourself to a nice spa.  Lunch is on your own.  Farewell dinner will be served at local Nepalese restaurant. 
Note:  This leisure day is also your cushion day should there be a flight delay from Lukla to Kathmandu due to bad weather.  All trekkers to the Everest region should have flexible return flight home as there is always a possibility that there might be a flight delay with the unpredictable mountain weather.

Day 20 Departure from Kathmandu
Breakfast served at hotel and then our complimentary transfer will take you to Kathmandu Airport for your connecting flight.  Our service ends after we transfer you to the airport.