Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

Upon arrival in the Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transfer to the hotel. After check in, you can either take rest; hang around in the city as it all depends upon your interests. In the evening, we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.
Hotel Encounter Nepal

Dinner 

After breakfast, break the day with guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. The first visit is made in Swayambhunath Stupa- oldest stupa situated on the hillock. Enjoy the bird eyes view of Kahtmandu Valley and mountains. After then visit Kahtmandu Durbar Square – Palace of Malla and then Shah King of Nepal. Visit Kumari Ghar (living goddes), Kasthamandap (made up of single tree), Hanuman Dhoka (Gate to enter the palace) and many more temples. Finally visit in Patan Durbar Square- city of fine art and architecture. Visit Krishna Temple, Palace square, Mahabauddha, Mahabihar and many more temples and master piece monuments. Late afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Black Diamond briefs us regarding the trip as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu, Hotel Encounter Nepal.

Breakfast

Today we take an early morning drive to Jiri, about 187 km north-east of Kathmandu. Since, we would be traveling on the mountain roads, it takes around 6-7 hrs to reach Jiri. From Jiri, we continue driving to Bhandar, our trek start point. Although still a single lane road, the road conditions have improved a lot nowadays than what it used to be till some years ago. Enjoy the views of Kosi River and panoramic views of the eastern Himalaya including Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung and Dorje Lakpa.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend the trail from Bhandar through deep forests crossing a few streams passing the small settlements of Dokharpa and Baranda. Climb through the forests winding down to the Surma Khola. Continue to Likhu Khola Valley. Climb the ridge making up to the small settlement of Kenja. Another steep ascent to Chimbu and continuing further we finally reach Sete.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An uphill climb to Lamjura La through forests of pine, magnolia, maple, birch and rhododendrons. Pass by the villages of Dagchu and Goyem. Lamjura La pass at 3530 meters, the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazar, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding green mountains. Descend down the pass to Tragdobuk and Junbesi. Spend the afternoon here exploring the village and the way of life of its inhabitants.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross the stream beyond Junbesi climb up the forest slope and after an hour’s trek, the mesmerizing views of the Himalaya mountains appears before our eyes. The mountains that are visible include Everest, Lhotse, Nupte, Makalu, Thamseruku, Mera Peak, and many other high mountains. This is the first view of Everest on this trek, although the lower peaks look closer and higher than the distant 8,000er mountains. Continue the trail to Salung and descend to Ringmo Khola. Ascend to Ringmo, cross the Trakshindo La pass and descend to Trashingdo. After another hour’s desent through conifer and rhododendron forests and terraced fields, we finally arrive at Nuntala.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend down the trail to the Dudh Koshi River. We follow the Dudh Koshi River as we head upward to Khumbu. Cross the bridge, climb to Jubing and continue straight to Churkha. Climb the trail eastward to reach Kharikhola and descend to cross a suspension bridge. Another steep climb finally takes us to Bupsa.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail from Bupsa rises through a forested stretch passing Kharte. From Kharte, an uhill climb takes us to Khari La pass. Enjoy the magnificent views of the Khari La pass of Gyachung Kang and Khumbila mountains among others. Descend to Puiyan and go through the ups and downs to Surke.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Surke, our trail climbs toward Chaurikharka. Initially, the trek moves up to Chhiplung. Then the trail moves down to Phakding.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today also we follow the Dudh Koshi River and cross suspension bridges many times, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. On the way, we can see the beautiful view of Mt Thamserku (6618m). Passing through the small village of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo we enter into the Sagarmatha National Park. We cross the last village of Jorsale before Namche and then gradual walk through the forest and bridges until we reach the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers (Larja Dobhan). After then about 2 hours steep climb we reach Chautara from where we get the first sight of Mt. Everest. From there another 1.5 hours easy walking bring us to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading center.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spending one more day in Namche Bazaar will help us get used to the high altitude and thinning oxygen in the air. We tour the primary town of the Everest or Khumbu region which has government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a colorful market. We can hike-up to Sagarmatha National Park and enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde and so on. If we are interested in a day hike, we can trek to Khumjung village. Today we also visit the Hillary School and a monastery which houses a yeti scalp! Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today the trail is gradual ups and downs with magnificent view of Himalayas and Musk Deer, Monal, Blue Sheep may come across on our way while walk through jungle. We begins the day with gradual walk down up to Kayanguma, passing by Tenzing Norgye Memorial Stupa and viewing massive Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Taboche, Thamserku more snowcapped peaks. After then little ahead we reach at Sansa, the junction to Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. We follow the right trail to Everest Base Camp through pine forests and come across the bridge over Dhudh Koshi River in Phungi Thanga. From there the trail is little steep through the forest of rhododendron and fir trees to Tengboche village, the home of biggest Buddhist Monastery of Everest region and the close up view of massive Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Everest is very impressive from here. Late afternoon we visit Tengboche Monastery to witness the Lama Puja.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue the journey through gradual down from rhododendron trees and again come across the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River. About an hour further walk will bring us to Pangboche which offers dramatic view of Himalayas and village. Passing by several Chortens, Mani walls and Pangboche Gompa we continue the trek through the village of Syomare, Orsho and Samso Ogma. From there we follow the right path and after crossing the bridge over the confluence of Khumbu Khola and Imja River we climb steep path to Chyakunwa Kharka from where we can see the spectacular view of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Khangteka, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse and many more. After few minutes gradual climb we will be welcomed by chorten and prayer flags in Dingboche.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today all the way is dry but offers awesome Mountain View on all sides. We start the trek walking gradually through the Khumnu Khola Valley and reach the yak herder’s place, Dusa (4503m). After then following the narrow trail we reach Phulung Karpo where camp site was asserted during first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Further the sight of Chola Lake and Mt. Pumo Ri (7161m) appears on the way. As we descend the trail the view of Mt. Pumo Ri disappear and come across the roaring stream. We cross the small wooden bridge and climb steep up to Dughla. Dughla offers marvelous view of Nuptse, Cholatse, Thamserku and several other magnificent peaks.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is short but difficult walking day as we have to walk through the boulder path left by khumbu glacier. Initially we walk steep path through moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and climb to Thukla Pass (4830m). At the top there are piles of stones with prayer flags, memorials of death climbers including Babu Chiri Sherpa, 10 times Everest submitter and Scott Fischer, American mountaineer. As we descend to Khumbu Glacier moraine, several great peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, Mahalangur Himal greet us. After crossing Khumbu Glacier we get the beautiful sight of towering Mt. Nuptse (7855m). Further climbing the steep trail along roaring stream we reach Lobuche.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have two options. First one is, we reach Gorak Shep and in late afternoon hike to Kalapatthar for impressive sunset view over Himalayas including Mt. Everest. Second one is, we reach Everest Base Camp and then trek back to Gorak Shep for overnight. We can split the group for option 1 and option 2.

After early breakfast we start trek through the moraine of Khumbu glacier. Passing through Italian Research Center and Lobuche Pass (5110m) we reach to Chongri Glacier. On the way to Chongri Glacier we get the first sight of the summit of north ridge of Mt. Everest along with 360 degree view of snowcapped mountains including Mt. Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, Nuptse and many more. Walking up through boulder path of Changri glacier we reach Gorak Shep.

Option 1:- Evening we hike to Kalapatthar. Kalapatthar is the popular view point hill. It takes 45 minutes to reach from Gorak Shep. From there we can see very impressive, massive and sky towering Himalayas including Kantenga, Pumo Ri, Thamserku, Changtse Ama Dablam, Kantenga, Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest and many more.

Option 2:- Leaving the Kalapathar (view point) on left and passing by Indian army mountaineers’ memorials we continue towards Everest Base Camp which takes us around 3 hours to reach. We celebrate the achievement of our trip goal by capturing massive Nuptse, Khumbuste and Punori from Everest Base Camp in our camera. But from here Mt. Everest is not visible. After spending memorable moment we trek back to Gorak Shep.

Note: Sunset view from Kalapatthar is more impressive than the sunrise view over snow capped mountain including Mt. Everest. So who wish to hike Kalapatthar today, our guide and porters will accompany you.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Those participants, who had choose option 1 yesterday (Kalapatthar), will visit Everest base camp today. And who had choose option 2 yesterday (Everest Base Camp); they will hike to Kalapatthar today for sunrise view over snowcapped mountains including Mt. Everest and then wait for other participants to return back in Gorak Shep. After having lunch together in Gorak Shep we trek back to Dughla via same route and then follow the right side trail to Pheriche.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we trek down through rhododendron and juniper forest passing by Samdrang village, stone wall, Tsuro Og and then Samso Ogma, Orsho and Syomare village. Crossing the river several times through suspension bridge and walking steadily we reach at the home of biggest Buddhist Monastery of Everest region, Tengboche. From there we descend down to the river and again crossing suspension bridge, passing by beautiful village of Sanasa, Kyangiuma as well as enjoying magnificent view of Himalayas on the way we reach at Tenzing Norgye Memorial Stupa. On the way we may encounter with wild life such as colorful pheasants, Himalayan Thar, deer etc. After then about one hour gradual walk will bring us to main town of Everest Region, the Namche Bazzar.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is our last trekking day and we trek back the same route but we feel completely different view. Trail is steep, so we need to walk slowly supporting own body with shaky legs. We trek back exploring attractions on the way, experiencing Sherpa culture in beautiful villages and enjoying distance view of Himalayas. Freezing cold turns to moderately warm and our body get relief today. After breakfast we begins gradual walk for few minutes and then steep down to the Larja Bridge which is the confluence point of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River. From there the gradual walk along Dudh Koshi River will bring us to the exit point from National Park, the Jorsale village. Again following the Dudh Koshi River, pass by the small village of Monjo, Chumoa, Benkar and walking through rhododendron forest, we reach Phakding. Few hours more gradual walk will bring us at Lukla. In Lukla we do relax and stretch the tired body. Late afternoon we can stroll around the Lukla. Evening we enjoy the last dinner with crew members. 

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After early breakfast we fly back to Kathmandu memorizing those excited and beautiful days. In Kathmandu you can take a rest throughout the day in hotel or you can explore other attractions of Kathmandu. For the memorizing the Nepal trip you can buy some souvenirs for yourself or for friends and family in Thamel Area. Late evening we celebrate the success of our trip and enjoy dinner together.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you are free till departure time. If you have more time you can do shopping or sightseeing around Kathmandu. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from Black Diamond drops you to the airport.

Breakfast