Been dreaming of this trip for ages, and it’s finally happening – a 2-week adventure through the heart of the Nepalese Himalayas, one of the most stunning places in Asia. The Lower Solukhumbu region is a trekker’s paradise with breathtaking scenery and challenging trails. Plus, getting to experience Sherpa culture and visit those amazing Buddhist monasteries and stupas? Unforgettable!
Day 1
- Your flight will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu.
- You will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Thamel.
- You will check in to your hotel and have some time to relax.
- In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
- The next day, you will have the opportunity to purchase any necessary trekking gear in Thamel.
- You will spend the night in your hotel.
Day 2
Trip by private jeep from Kathmandu to Dhap Bazaar (2850 m)
Distance: 240 km. Duration: 8 hours drive.
The first stage of our journey runs along the road from Kathmandu to Dhap Bazaar. We will drive along the road along the banks of the Sukoshi River until we reach the village of Gurmi.
Along the way, you can admire the ever-changing countryside of Nepal with dense forests, terraced rice fields and numerous turbulent rivers.
Eventually you will reach Dhap Bazaar, where we will be able to take a leisurely stroll through the markets. Night in Mountain Lodge.
I certainly guessed that the beautiful orchid flower is just a parasite on the bark of a huge tree, now I saw it with my own eyes. By the way, the other two photos show a rhododendron flower. The flowering of rhododendron trees is just beginning now.
We do stretching in the evenings.
Day 3
Trek from Dhap to Japre (2815 m)
We are moving at a pace of 1000 meters down and 1000 meters up to get to lunch))). And 600 meters up again to get to dinner. Without porters who carry our luggage, we might not have made it.
From Dhap we start the trek. Approaching Sigane, we will see the peaks of the Numbur Himal ridge. The trail from Sigane follows the road under construction for the first couple of hours. The first village we will reach is called Japre . It is located above a deep valley with beautiful views of Everest and Numbur Himal. There is a nice little Buddhist monastery and stupa here. Overnight stay in Japre . Night in Mountain Lodge.
Day 4
Trek from Jhapre to Pikey Base Camp (3585 m)
This is my first time witnessing such a phenomenon in the Himalayas at an altitude of over 3,500 meters. Despite the practically clear sky, there’s an unknown haze hanging in the air. Our guide has also never seen anything like this before at this time of year. Well, today was the first time two members of our group reached an altitude of over 4,000 meters, and for three others, it was their first time witnessing the sunrise with a view of Everest.
We continue our journey along the mysterious spring trails of the Himalayas. There are no other tourists, only our small group. The higher we go, the more spring is delayed. Above 3000, there is a magical forest with blooming rhododendrons and other exotic flowers and Himalayan cedars.
After Japre , we will follow the trail that ascends to the grassy ridge in Bhulbhule. From here, you will also have stunning views of Everest. Shortly after Bhulbhule, the trail splits, and you will turn right towards Pikey Peak. We will pass by old yak houses and a long stone mani wall. The trail then skirts the hillside below Taklung Danda and passes through a beautiful forest trail. Here, many rhododendron trees grow along the flat trail (you can see them in bloom if you go trekking in the spring, which is when we go).
Once you leave the forest, it will take about 2 hours to reach Pikey Peak Base Camp.
A new record has been set! 33,000 steps for the men and an estimated 38,000 for the women! To achieve this feat, we climbed to an altitude of 4,100 meters, descended to 2,700 meters, and even encountered a thunderstorm in the Himalayas in the evening!
For many of the participants, this was a first-time experience. But everyone persevered. Now, we’re sitting comfortably in a lodge in the Sherpa capital, enjoying the warmth and light.
Fate intervened in the most unexpected way as we crossed paths with Arjun Shankar, the very porter who had guided us through our autumn expedition across three formidable high mountain passes in the Everest region. His unwavering support and in-depth knowledge of the terrain proved invaluable, ensuring the smooth and safe completion of our challenging trek. Without his exceptional skills and unwavering commitment, our journey could have unfolded with far less success. We are deeply grateful for his presence and expertise, which undoubtedly played a pivotal role in our unforgettable adventure.
Night in Mountain Lodge.
Day 5
Trek from Pikey Base Camp to Junbesi (2680 m). Sunrise view from Pikey Peak (4065 m)
Today we will set off early in the morning to hike to the famous Pikey Peak viewpoint. We will enjoy the sunrise and views of the mountains Everest (8848 m), Hiunchuli (6959 m), Thamserku (6608 m), Kangtega (6685 m), Khatang (6853 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Manaslu (8163 m), Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Gauri Shankar (7134 m), Dorje Lakpa (6966 m) and Langtang. After enjoying the panoramic views of Pikey Peak, we will descend to Jase Bnajyang and take a break (today’s walk is short, but due to the steps up and down, it will take about 4-5 hours. If the group feels good, we will definitely reach the village of Junbesi.
The wonders continue to unfold!
In stark contrast to other Nepalese trekking routes, this trail is remarkably devoid of fellow travelers. The only other group we’ve encountered is a band of meditating Germans who maintain an almost monastic silence, both amongst themselves and with the surrounding world. They even maintain a 30-meter gap between each other, making one wonder why they chose to embark on this journey together.
For the first time ever, I spotted a yak in the forest. These majestic creatures typically reside at altitudes of 3,700 meters or higher. In the mountains, yaks are the most reliable means of transporting goods to any altitude.
Amidst the vibrant rhododendrons, we also came across trees adorned with lily of the valley blossoms.
Following yesterday’s refreshing downpour, the pine forest is enveloped in a symphony of familiar woodland scents, intermingled with the exotic fragrances of native flora. I could inhale this invigorating air for hours on end without ever reaching satiation.
Today’s trek unfolds along an expansive balcony, perched over 1,000 meters above the river below. It’s as if our relaxation mode has been activated, and it’s only the fifth day of our journey!
Night in Mountain Lodge.
Day 6
Rest day in Junbesi, visit to Thupten Choling Monastery
Thupten Choling is a Tibetan Buddhist celibate monastery located in the high and remote mountains of Nepal. Founded by His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche in the 1960s after fleeing Tibet, it is an independent and autonomous institution. Consequently, the Thupten Monastery remains authentically traditional and hidden from the outside world. Everything that the monks use and eat is earned by their own labor or grown in their own fields.
Due to the limited space created by the mountains, the small resources of water and fertile soil, as well as the remoteness of the monastery and the constantly growing number of novices, here they have truly learned to appreciate what they have. In such places, you begin to think about the reasonableness of using the resources that we are used to in the “ordinary” world.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing situation in Tibet, as well as the fact that Thupten Monastery is home to His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche, the community is now a major destination for Tibetan refugees and continues to grow every year. More detailed information about this place can be found on the official website of this Monastery.
Day 7
Trek from Junbesi to Taksindu (2931 m)
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to the stupa in Junbesi and set off on our trek to Taksindu, one of the best viewpoints of our short trek. The trail crosses the river and turns left towards the Salung ridge. From here, you will have views of Everest, as well as Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru. We will then descend to the Ringmo Khola stream and gradually start ascending the Taksindu pass. We will take many wonderful photos at the pass. A few minutes below the pass, we will see the monastery, from where we can enjoy stunning sunset views (and sunrise in the morning!) tonight. Night in a Mountain Lodge near the pass.
Day 8
From Taksindu to the village of Hewa (2175 m)
Hewa is a traditional Sherpa village. The Sherpas, or Sherwa, are one of the many ethnic groups in Nepal. We, and the whole world, know them better by the name of Sherpa. Sherwa is just the pronunciation used in this area. We are used to the fact that this word is often used to refer to people who accompany Europeans, Americans, Australians, Japanese, etc. on their crazy alpine expeditions in the Himalayas as guides or porters. But not all of those who are called that are actually ethnic Sherpas.
In the village of Hewa, we will visit the homes of the indigenous people and get to know the life and culture of the Sherpa people even better. Night in a Mountain Lodge or in the house of the hospitable Sherpas.
Day 9
Trek from the village of Hewa to Taksindu Monastery at an altitude of 2931 m.
After breakfast, we will visit a few more traditional places in this small village in the heart of the Himalayas, and then we will walk back to Taksindu Monastery along the familiar path. However, there is no need to be upset that we have already been here. After all, yesterday we were walking in one direction, and today in the opposite direction)). Besides, if the weather permits, our guide will choose a different forest path through the amazing Himalayan forest.
In addition, the visit to the village of Hewa is a highlight of our route from the company izagorizont.ru, where there are practically no tourists and the Sherpa people live there as they did 200 and 400 years ago, without all this “tourist boom” in Nepal and the help of the “big white man”.
Night in a Mountain Lodge.
Day 10
Taksindu at an altitude of 2931 m to Phaplu at an altitude of 2460 m
After breakfast, we will walk down the trail along the Junbesi Khola until we reach the steel suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, we will reach Beni Ghat. Then we will continue our walk along the trail, filled with scenic views, before reaching Phaplu. In Phaplu, we can try local cuisine and drinks by participating in a traditional Sherpa cultural event. Phaplu is a picturesque little village with several shops, cafes and restaurants. A number of different treks end in Phaplu, as this is where trekkers return to Kathmandu. Night in a Mountain Lodge.
Day 11
Phaplu – Kathmandu 8/9 hours drive by private jeep.
Trip from Phaplu to Kathmandu (altitude: 1350 meters). Distance 280 km. Driving about 9/10 hours. Night at the hotel.
Day 12
Sightseeing of Kathmandu’s cultural heritage sites, including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Monkey Temple, followed by a farewell dinner. Night at the hotel.
Day 13
Departure by international flight from Kathmandu.
More Information: izagorizont.ru
