Jiri Everest Base Camp Trek

The tour guide of Orbit Alpine Adventure takes you on a day tour around the Kathmandu Valley. You visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Bouddhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. These sites which reflect the amazing art and architecture of the ancient Nepal are culturally, historically and religiously important. Swayambhunath Stupa also known as Monkey Temple is a vantage point of the overall view of the entire Kathmandu Valley. However, we suggest you to become quite careful during the visit to Monkey Temple as the monkeys can snatch your things from hands away!In the evening, the trekking guide informs you all about Jiri Everest Base Camp trek itinerary.

After breakfast at the hotel in Kathmandu, you begin a scenic drive along Araniko Highway crossing Dhulikhel up to Khadichaur. Then, you follow the road on the right side and move forward enjoying the natural scenery to reach Mude. Driving through the dense forests, you reach Jiri, a small city area of Dolakha, which is also called the Swizterland of Nepal. Before the road was accessible to Bhandara, Jiri used to be the gateway to Everest Base Camp trek. Enjoying the mountain views and wonderful landscapes, you drive further to Bhandara where you spend the night at teahouse.

Today, the trekking route ascends along the banks of the Likhu Khola and reach Kinja Village after crossing a suspension bridge. Moving ahead, you walk past some terraced farmlands occupied by seasonal crops and small huts and finally reach Sete. Sete is a small Sherpa settlement area situated on the edge of a hill surrounded by the dense rhododendron forests. You spend the night at a teahouse by tasting the local cuisines.

By leaving Sete behind, you follow the trail that goes across Lamjura La Pass (3,530m) situated among the rhododendron forests. Lamjira Pass is the highest elevation you have to go past during classic trail of Jiri Namche Bazaar trek. By following the trail descending towards a valley, you reach Junbesi for the night stay. Junbesi village has an interesting anecdote behind it that it is named after the moon. ‘Jun’ means ‘the Moon’ and ‘besi’ means ‘the lowland’; Junbesi is the place where the moon comes down to the earth to take a rest. After reaching Junbesi, you can take a stroll around the magical village situated in the valley. You can visit a few Buddhist monasteries decorated with the prayer flags and wheels. You spend the night at a hotel which provides hygienic food items as per your appetite. 

The trail leads you further showing the first glimpse of Mount Everest (8,848m) and the alluring mountainous landscapes. While moving ahead, you go past Salleri, a small marketplace which can sometimes be used as an overnight stop. By following the banks of the Ringmo Khola, you ascend along Thanksindo La Pass (3,100m) and reach Nunthala village for the overnight rest. Nunthala is the last town in Northern Solukhumbu part inhabited by Sherpa, Rai and Tamang ethnic people. The beautiful village is situated on the lap of Karyolung Peak (6,511m) The village has stone paved paths and artistically beautiful houses and overcrowded by yaks, mules and horses. These animals are the most reliable good carriers in the Himalayan region of Nepal. 

After having breakfast, you walk along the rocky path across the Dudh Koshi River originated from Ngozumpa Glacier that lies in Gokyo Valley. Moving ahead along the terraced farmlands and small cottages, you reach Jubing village which is occupied by the Rai ethnic people. Rai women are notable for jewelry items, especially the nose rings. The nose rings put on by the women who are dressed in their cultural attire look really classic! After enjoying the cultural aspects of Rai community in Jubing, you move towards Khari Khola (2,000m) where some trekkers even spend the night. You can visit a local monastery inhabited by the monks in Khari Khola village standing on the verge of the Dudh Koshi River. Finally, you reach Bupsa for the overnight rest at a teahouse.

You go along the trail that passes by dense rhododendron forests leading you to Khari La Pass showing you the wonderful mountain views. You can enjoy the enchanting sight of Kusum Kangaru (6,367m), Gyachung Kang (7,952m) and Khumbila (5,761m) including other snow capped mountains. You also continue the journey further along a large mani wall and few teahouses. Then, the trail moves uphill and downhill through the alpine and rain forests until you reach Pyuyan, an overnight stay during Arun Valley Everest trekking. While climbing the steep uphill trail, you can have the wonderful sight of the villages like Jubing and Nunthala. Looking up at the sky, you can see the plane from/to Lukla Airport, you descend to Surke, a wet and shaded small village. You spend the night at a lodge here by relishing the delicious food items served by the Sherpa people.

Following the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, the trekking route moves ahead towards Phakding to meet the Lukla Namche Bazaar trekking trail. On the way, you trek past Chaurikharka which is a mountain village having scattered houses. Then, you go across few Buddhist shrines largely beautified by prayer flags and chortens to reach Phakding. Enjoy the alluring outlook of Mt. Nupla (5,885m), Kusum Kangaru and Kwangde Ri (6,011m). Overnight stay at a lodge in Phakding, a small village in the Dudh Koshi River Valley having many guesthouses to support tourism industry.

You follow the trail that passes through pine and rhododendron forests enjoying the view of Kusum Kangaru and Thamserku (6,623m). Moving ahead, you reach Monjo (2,835m), the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park which is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Leaving Jorsale village (2,805m) behind, you cross a suspension bridge at the confluence of the Bhote Koshi River and the Dudh Koshi River. Walking further enjoying the thrilling vistas of the snowcapped peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse (7,861m) and Tawache (6,542m), you reach Namche Bazar. Overnight stay at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

It is not necessary you get up early this day as you are not moving towards any further destination. You can sleep till late morning as you are going to take whole day rest in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. You can just take a rest by strolling around the hotel premises tasting the delicious food items found nearby. If you want to take a short hike around the central trading center of the entire Khumbu region, you have some choices.You can make a hike to Thami Village (3,810m) to observe the lifestyle, culture and tradition of the Sherpa people. Similarly, hike to Khumjung village or Khunde village is another option you have during the rest day. If you want to see the Buddhist monastery exhibiting the yeti skull, take a hike to Khumjung village. This typical Sherpa village of the Khumbu region has the best view of Mt. Everest and the neighboring peaks. Khunde is another Sherpa village standing at the bottom of Khumbila (5,761m) which is revered as a sacred mountain by the Sherpas. Yet another option is the visit to the headquarters of Sagarmatha National Park to see the displays of Sherpa lifestyle, culture and tradition. From here, you can also get a complete information about the flora and fauna in this Himalayan sanctuary. 

Now you move ahead relishing the enthralling view of the snow-clad view of the Everest region peaks along the dense forests. Occasional sight of the pheasant (Danfe, the national bird of Nepal) and Himalayan thar makes your trekking more pleasant. You walk across the dense forests of pine, fir, birch, oak and rhododendron trees which provide shelter to diverse animals and birds. By ascending along the stone paved steps and enjoying the welcoming sight of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kumbila, you reach Tengboche.

You can visit Tengboche Monastery which the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery of the entire Khumbu region after reaching Tengboche. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the world as it is the best vantage point for the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest. Tengboche Monastery, built in 1923, has an interesting story behind as narrated by the local Sherpas. Although Tenzing Norgay, the First Man to Climb Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary was born in Thami Village, once went to this monastery to become a monk.

Today’s trekking route ascends along the banks of the Imja River originated from the Imja Lake or Island Peak. After crossing a bridge, you follow the trail that penetrates through rhododendron forests before reaching Dobuche village. En route Dingboche, you walk past other Sherpa villages in the Everest region like Pangboche, Milingo and Somare. You can cherish the view of Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Lhotse which hide Mt. Everest behind. Finally, you reach Dingboche for the night stay at a hotel.

This is yet another acclimatization day to move further to a higher altitude towards Everest Base Camp. If you are interested in walking a long distance, you can hike to Chhukung Ri (5,550m) by walking about four hours from Dingboche. Following the rocky trail and along moraine, you reach the top of Chhukung Ri which is the best view point of the Everest region. From the top of the peak, you can have a 360-degree panoramic view of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Nuptse. After enjoying the alluring mountain view, you can retreat to your hotel in Dingboche.

Generally, the trekkers hike to Nagerjun Hill at the elevation of 5,100m for the purpose of acclimatization in Dingboche. Although the path to the hill is steep, the journey is equally more the rewarding, higher the altitude. You can have a clear vista of Lobuche East (6,119m), Lobuche West (6,145m), Taboche Peak (6,367m), Thamserku, Kangtega (6,685m) and Ama Dablam. You can enjoy the view of Periche Valley which is the overnight station during the retreat journey from Everest Base Camp. 

To reach Lobuche, you go across moraine rift of the world’s largest glacier, Khumbu Glacier. The cheerful outlook of the snowy peaks standing like a strong wall inspires you to move further upward. You see the monuments of the climbers who lost their lives while climbing Everest and other mountains. These memorials encourage you to complete the task of reaching the final destination of this trek. Lobuche is a traditional Sherpa village with the highly maintained trails and majestic sight of the mountains. The Sherpa people of this village are really friendly and helpful to the trekkers in this region. Lobuche Far East and Lobuche East can be viewed from this village.Stay at a hotel by enjoying the typical Nepali cuisines prepared by the Sherpa people.

Today is the most awaited day in the entire Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek as you reach the highest point.You start the trekking to Gorak Shep early in the morning from Lobuche. Gorak Shep used to be the base camp until 1953 expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. You ascend higher by having the majestic panorama of the Khumbu Glacier, the largest glacier in the Khumbu region. Leaving the backpacks at the hotel you are going to spend the night, you march up ahead to Everest Base Camp. Here is your dream come true! You have successfully ascended to Everest Base Camp that is every avid trekker’s dream once in lifetime! You can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the snowcapped peaks of the Everest area all glittering in the sunlight. You can also have an enchanting sight of the Khumbu Icefall smiling at your success to mount the elevation of 5,364m. Then, you descend towards Gorak Shep for the night station at a lodge by rejoicing the typical Nepali food items. 

This day is the most important experience of the whole Everest region trekking package as you are going to Kala Patthar. You must wake up early in the morning and begin the journey towards Kala Patthar before the sun rises. It is the best vantage point to have the closest view of three eight thousanders including Mt. Everest and other peaks. From Kala Patthar, you can have the 360-degree panoramic view of the snowy peaks of the Everest region with Mt. Pumori. You can capture the photographs by keeping the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest and other peaks on the background. After relishing the rarest vistas of the mountain giants of the Khumbu region, you retreat towards Periche for the night stay. Periche is the windiest town in the Himalayas and famous for wonderful sight of Cholatse and Tawache Peaks. There is Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post which provides medical treatment to trekkers and local people by the foreign volunteer doctors.

Today, you will descend along the massive hilly trail to Namche Bazaar, the market hub of the entire Khumbu region. You cross some suspension bridges to move further down to the night station. You come across hundreds of avid trekkers going towards Tengboche to gain the invaluable experience of Everest region. You can rejoice the accomplishment of the once in lifetime experience of Everest Base Camp trekking with your friends. Overnight stay at a lodge by enjoying the varieties of food items as per your appetite.

Following the familiar trail (you walked along few days back), you descend Phakding where you will take a short break. Then, the journey moves further up to Lukla, the gateway to Everest Region trekking which is a Sherpa village. You spend the last night of this season in the vicinity of the highest peak of the world, Mount Everest. You can enjoy partying with your people to commemorate the successful journey from Jiri to Everest Base Camp.Take a complete rest to prepare yourself to fly to Kathmandu the following morning leaving the Khumbu Valley region.

You catch the morning flight to Kathmandu from Lukla Airport enjoying the aerial panorama of the snowcapped peaks and wonderful landscapes. The 45-minute long flight is a lifelong memory of the lush valleys, glaciers and Sherpa settlement areas of the Khumbu region. After landing at the Kathmandu Airport, you will be transferred to the hotel where you will spend the day and night. In the evening, our agency organizes a farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant somewhere around Thamel area.

Today is the last day of Jiri Everest Base Camp trek 21 days itinerary to the classic trekking trail to Everest region. So, the member of the agency goes to the airport with you for the final see-off according to the flight schedule. We wish you a happy and safe journey and hope to see you again and again next time ahead.