Kongde Peak Climbing

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your city tour of Kathmandu. You will visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue on to Patan Durbar Square to take in ancient Nepalese architecture and end your tour with a lunch. After that you will visit ancient Nepalese art in the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu.

A very early morning wake up and transfer to the domestic airport to board our flight to Lukla. We take off to our destination on a 35 min scenic mountain flight to Lukla. After a cup of tea at local Lodge in Lukla we are treading on the legendary “Everest Highway” which heads downwards through the alpine valley following the “Dudh Kosi” or milk river (named after its milky colour from glacial silt). We reach Phakding after 3hrs walk and end our first day here.

This path is less frequented than the other main trails from Lukla, and takes us through a number of hamlets and woodlands until we reach a thick forest of silver fir, birch, pine and rhododendron on the hillside. On this portion we follow our guide closely as there are many paths leading away from the main trail. There are many small streams in numerous places we come across. Our first campsite in the wilderness is pitched on the meadow at Lumding Kharka.

After breakfast we begin with a steep climb and cross a ridge which separates the Khumbu from the Hinku Valley. The uphill climb from our camp brings us to a cairned notch in the ridge with a collection of Buddhist prayer flags at 4450m. In bad weather it can be difficult to find the path so we should be very careful. In fine weather, the view across the Dudh Kosi towards Karyolung and the Lumding Himal and the scenery across the rolling foothills of the Hinku Valley are very impressive. From here, a descent of less than an hour will bring us to a large boulder at Pokhari camp for overnight stay.

After breakfast and packing camping stuff, we’ll head on to Kwangde base camp from where we start our climb. As you climb, you will see that the slope narrows and the path enters a steep rock channel.

Early morning we start our climb through the rock gully. This is not difficult but there are several short rock steps to climb before you emerge on the right side of the gully. The route follows a ridgeline, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse onto the snout of the summit glacier.

You will need to rope up for the glacier as it contains several crevasses but it leads without difficulty to a 100m/330ft snow and ice slope (40-45 degrees) on which the guides will fix a rope. From the top of this slope, 3 rope lengths along a sharp summit ridge lead to the top. You can enjoy your success in reaching the summit, and after some pictures being taken and enjoyed the scenic view you will descend all the way to base camp.

We keep an extra day in case we have to postpone the attempt on the peak because of bad weather or because some of our group members have not yet acclimatized well enough to make the summit. If everything has gone smoothly and you have succeeded in climbing the summit on the first day, you can descend to base camp.

Today, we’ll head toward the western part of Khumbu called Thame village same elevation as Namche. During the trek you can enjoy the most scenic view of surrounding mountain and Himalayan wildlife. Thame valley is the most popular place for mountain climbers and monastery itself. Here we can visit the monastery and surrounding valley.

The trail gently descends steeply and passes through rhododendron forests until you will reach to Namche Bazaar.

You may have full leisure day or stroll around the market, if the day of your arrival is Saturday, then you can see many people shopping their daily needs in the local market. Namche Bazaar is the one and only shopping market in the surrounding areas. Today you can also visit Sherpa Museum where you can learn Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering and stroll back to hotel for overnight.

Today it will be the last day of the trek. It remains pleasant, except for few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote-Koshi River crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay.

We will get an early morning flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be transferred to Hotel. The rest of the day you will be free to relax or do last minute shopping.

Note: Flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to weather conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; be reassured that our staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience caused if this happens. Your patience in the trying circumstances, which can occur, will be greatly appreciated.

An opportunity to relax and reflect on your adventures and to complete any last-minute shopping.