Pokhalde Peak Climbing

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your city tour in 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 view ancient Nepalese art in the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu.

It takes about 30 minutes to fly from Kathamndu to Lukla and about 3 and a half hours to trek to Phakding (2640 m.). From the hotel you will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Lukla. Lukla is a small town with an airport. There are few tea shops, lodges, hotels and general stores. You begin today’s trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi. Nupla (5885m) can be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop the Kongde Ridge. You descend a mountainside path that merges into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m.). The Dudh Kosi approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse. You continue along a small path with many climbs and descents following the left bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.

The trail starts through a level path along the right bank. You cross a stream and climb the terraced hill from the Dudh Koshi route, to arrive at Benkar. The trail now climbs from the riverbed on the left bank into the mountain, through a forest to Chumoa. You continue along a path with many ups and downs; cross a stream, and pass by the tiny Sherpa village. Now you descend the path of stone steps and return to the right bank. After a short climb you will reach to the National Park entrance counter where National Park fee is collected. After your departure from Jorsale you enter a forested mountainside. You follow a short walk along the riverbed of this V-shaped valley where the river forks – the right is the Dudh Koshi and the left is the Bhote Koshi that leads to Nampa La. After short distance along the Bhote Kosi you begin the steep ascent to Namche Bazar. The climb eases somewhat, and Namche Bazar appears ahead as you travel along the path surrounded by pines. Pass the plateau where the Saturday bazaar is held and enter the village. Namche Bazar is a central hub of the area and food, sundries and even mountain climbing equipment may be purchased here.

Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization you walk upto Khhumjung where you can visit monastery. Khhumjung is densely populated by Sherpa community. You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche and kongde. Or you can have an hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. .There is also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. This museum exhibits Sherpa culture.

It takes about five hours. You leave the village for a climb to the top of a ridge and level mountain path that offers an excellent panorama of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kusum Kangrib. To the right there is a steep cliff that drops down to the Dudh Kosi, faintly visible on the valley floor below. As you make your way around a branch ridge, Ama Dablam (6812m) Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse (7855m) and Tawoche (6501m) suddenly appear. After a gentle descent the mountain path ends; you will come to the fork leading to Gokyo. Now you descend past two tea houses and through the village of Trashinga. Though you cannot see it, you can hear the Dudh Kosi and soon you descend to the river and arrive at Phunki Tenga. It is a long climb to Tyangboche; the first half is especially steep. As you climb through the forested zone, the incline eases and a splendid view appears. Continue climbing the mountainside diagonally until you come to the stone gate built by lamas which marks your entry into Tyangboche (3867m). You may use the large plateau in front of the splendid monastery as your campsite. There are a lodge and hotel managed by the National Park Service. Tyangboche is an important lookout point on this course, and the sunset on Everest and Ama Dablam is especially beautiful.

It takes approximately five hours. Leave Tyangboche and the Khumbu mountains as a backdrop-and descend a rhododendron covered area to emerge to a pleasant level area. Pass a long Mani stone wall to enter the village of Deboche. Go on to Minlinggo and leave the mountain path to cross over a suspension bridge to the left bank of the Imja Khola. Climb the mountain path while looking up at Ama Dablam and Kantega (6779m) as they appear on the opposite bank. Ascend the chorten-lined route, come to a fork, the upper path passes Pangboche and a monastery, take the lower path to Pangboche Olin and its stone wall-enclosed potato field. Pass through the village and cross a stream to a path skirting a rocky area to terraced hills along the riverbank. The trails climb slowly, winding above the Imjatse River, to a big Mani Stupa. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imjatse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with views of the eastern snowcapped mountains including the Island Peak or Imjatse (6,189m) Dingbuche is a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.

Leaving Dingbuche, the trail climbs more gently crossing small streams, through open alpine pastures with fine views of Island Peak. If you feel energetic enough, you can head up valley towards the old moraines that flow down from Lhotse. The views of the massive Lhotse Wall and Ama Dablam are particularly impressive. It is well-worth climbing to the top of the moraine to have even more spectacular views. You will arrive at Lobuche in the early afternoon.

From Lobuche we follow the broad valley running parallel to the Khumbu glacier. A gradual ascent enables you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. Once we reach the moraines of the Changri Nup Glacier we make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that leads eventually to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep .From here where we make a steep ascent to Kala Patar. You will need to start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady rhythmic pace. Kala Pathar, is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It is a tough walk due to the high altitude but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. It will probably take one and a half to reach the summit from Gorak Shep, although lower viewpoints will provide views almost as good. Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest surround us. We descend again to Ghorakshep in the afternoon.

Today you need to wake up early morning to make an excursion to Everest Base Camp.The trail meanders its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. You will be surprised to have a glimpse of the Icefall or Everest itself. During the spring season you can meet some expedition team at the Base Camp.. On the return leg, you can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and numerous mountains. You return to Gorak Shep to stay overnight.

Today our Climbing Sherpa will teach you climbing skills for the next day summit.

After the summit the trail to Chhukung is very relaxing as you are crossing the Imja Valley. The landscape is beautiful; you are surrounded by vegetations, birds, Rocky Mountains and absolutely magnificent immense fluted ice walls. You follow the narrow path for about ten minutes and then the large Imja Valley opens up in front of you. The wind is all arround, the day would be great. You feel as if you just step inside the halucinating world of the best thing you have on the planet .You start up hill to the north crossing the entire long village of Dingboche.

After Chhukung we trek onwards to Dingboche village from where tree line vanishes and start the lush vegetation after 4-5 hrs’ walk. The great view of the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse along with view of the eastern snowcapped mountains including the Island peak or Imjatse 6,189m, are mesmerizing. Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of field enclosed by stone walls, protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Dingboche has about more than ten teahouses and it is also the gateway to the most challenging traverses towards Makalu area and Hinko Valley via Sherpani col 6,100m and Amphu Laptsa pass 5,780m.

It takes approximately four hours. Trek back to Tyangboche, an easier descent passing through rhododendron forest. It is a small village with a famous monastery offering you the splendid view of AmaDablam, green hills and river views

It takes about four and half hours. The walk from Tyangboche is mostly downhill on the main busy trail with a few steep climbs for an hour from the bridge at Phungitenga, near to Shanasha. The walk to Namche is very scenic on a long winding path. En route you will visit traditional villages of Khumjung and Khunde. There is an opportunity to visit one of its monasteries, the only monastery that has a Yeti Scalp. From Khumjung village another 30 minutes’ walk brings you to the village of Khunde, where you can visit the Khunde Hospital funded by Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. After Khunde, a scenic and pleasant walk brings you to Namche for the overnight.

It takes about five hours. The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is 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.