Everest Cultural Trek

Trek from Lukla to Phakding (2640 m.) takes approximately three hours. You begin your trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Nupla (5885m) which 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.) Stay overnight at lodge.

Namche Bazaar (3440m) is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges and opens out only where it faces the Bhote Koshi. Stay overnight at lodge.

It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche. For acclimatization you walk up to Khumjung where you can visit a monastery. You can also enjoy the splendid views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawoche, and Kwangde and so on. Or you can take an hour's walk up to Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for an outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Stay overnight at lodge.

As you leave the village for a climb to the top of a ridge and level mountain path you get to view excellent panorama of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kusum Kangrib. After a gentle descent the mountain path ends; you will come to the fork leading to Gokyo. 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. You continue climbing the mountainside diagonally until you come to the stone gate built by lamas which marks your entry into Tyangboche (3860m). 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 Stay overnight at lodge.

In the morning you will visit to the Tyangboche monastery and the nearby museum. In the afternoon you retrace your steps downhill through the beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga. After you cross the Dudh Koshi, you ascend steeply to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley to Shanasa. The villages of Kunde and Khumjung are only a short trek off the main trail and are well- worth visiting. Khumjung has a beautiful monastery and Kunde has a small hospital run by late Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust and you will return to Namche via this route. The walk also heads past the Everest View Hotel and the Syangboche airstrip before dropping into Namche where you take lunch. In the afternoon you descend steeply and then walk along the river bank back to Jorsale where you leave the national park before continuing to Monjo.Stay overnight at lodge.

You re-trace your steps along the Dudh Koshi, crossing the western bank at Benkar. It is a beautiful and easy walk through blue pine and rhododendron forest, back-dropped with views of Kusum Kangaru. An early lunch at Phakding and in the afternoon you ascend out of the river valley back to the airstrip. In the evening, a farewell dinner may be followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with Sherpa companions. Stay overnight at lodge.