TREKKING IN NEPAL – EVEREST REGION

1. INTRODUCTION
Sagarmatha -Goddess Mother of the Snows
Known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, Mt. Everest, the highest point on the planet, captures our imagination like few other places. Trekking in the Everest region is very popular and has a lot to offer, from the interesting inhabitants – the Sherpas – and their fascinating Buddhist culture to Himalayan giants including five of the world's ten highest peaks.* give the name and height of these peaks
The Sagarmatha National Park covers 1,243 sq. km. (480 sq. mi.) of the Khumbu Himal and its underlying mountain country. The great altitudinal range within its boundaries entails a wide range of vegetation. This diverse flora is the habitat of an equally varied range of birds and mammals.
               
The region is dotted with monasteries, many set against the dramatic backdrop of soaring peaks. The monasteries, chortens, the prayers engraved on the mani stone walls and rocks along the trails, prayer flags, and water-driven prayer wheels are all symbols of the religious culture of the Khumbu. Mountain peaks are considered sacred and revered as the abode of clan deities who bestow good fortune.

Our treks in the Everest region feature two classic camping treks to Everest Base Camp and a shorter, easier lodge trek to Tengboche "to see Everest".
It is much more than the nostalgia of those early tweed jacketed, hob-nail booted explorers of the world's highest mountain that keeps drawing people to this area. Certainly the mountain itself attracts; the highest point on earth will always do that as long as it remains accessible. But Khumbu offers more: outstanding mountain scenery, stone walled fields and houses, slate roofs, and above all-to those who know them - the Sherpas and their unique culture. Below we have provided day to day itinerary of the following treks.
Interesting and justifiably famous, not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain, but also for its Sherpa villages and monasteries, the Everest, or Solu Khumbu area is the second most popular trekking destination in Nepal. The primary objective of Everest treks is either the Everest base camp, about 5.340 meters, or Kala Pattar, an unassuming 5.545 meter hump on the southern flank of Pumori (7.161 meters), which provides a fine view of Everest ( 8.848 metres ).
Trekking routes of everest region


1

Around Solukhumbu

Easy to Moderate

07 Days

2

Arun Valley –Salpa Pass

Moderate

13 Days

3

Dudh Kunda Trek

Moderate

10 Days

4.

Everest Panorama Trek

Moderate

09 Days

5.

Sacred Trail Trek

Moderate

10 Days

6.

Gokyo Valley Chola Pass Trek

Moderate to Difficult

20 Days

7.

Jiri to Everest Base Camp

Moderate to Difficult

21 Days

8.

Lukla to Everest Base Camp

Moderate

14 Days

9.

Rolwaling Valley Trek

Moderate to Difficult

22 Days

1.Around Solukhumbu
2.Arun Valley –Salpa Pass
The Arun valley, located between the Sagarmatha and Makalu-Barun National Parks, provides really superb views of both Mt Everest and Mount Makalu and hundreds of other mountains just on your eye although it is really a non-touristic area. Trekking in Arun Valley area, an unimaginable area, famous for both the culture and nature, is a naturalist's paradise and it is packed with many precious plants, birds and is a significant part of the Himalayan environment and ecosystem. This enjoyable & memorable Trek on the way of Everest region is breathtaking and need trekkers a good walking experience and a good physical health condition.
This trek begins at Lukla and ends at Tumlingtar. There are two passes in the valley, the Salpa Pass (3350m) and the Surkie-La Pass (3085m).

3.Dudh Kunda Trek
Incredible experience of village people of Nepal, their life, culture, tradition; this area will be a best place to visit to these things. Nepal's mid-hills region, landscape, friendly and brotherhood people can be a memorable trekking experience for lifetime. Breathtaking panorama of the towered peaks, vibrant colors of wild flowers, sparkling waterfall and tranquil lakes attract to you to visit in this area.

4.Everest Panorama Trek
The trek to Everest Panorama, in the heart of Sagarmatha National Park, the world heritage site has become a rite of passage for many world travelers, who have an obvious goal for a close-up view of Mt. Everest (8848 m.) the world's highest peak in a limited time.

Lukla offers some of the most spectacular Himalayan views in the world while you experience the warmth of the Sherpa culture, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and unparalleled beauty. Afterwards, our route will take us through Namche Bazaar – the most prosperous and largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu region. It is famous as a traditional trading center and we will meet many merchants of Tibetan origin.

We will traverse beautiful fir, juniper and rhododendron forests in Sagarmatha National Park on our way to the camping site near Tyangboche, the most important Tibetan Monastery in Nepal.

The flora and fauna are other jewels of the Sagarmatha National Park, and the story of the Yeti is still a mystery to the rest of the world.

 

5.Sacred Trail Trek
The sacred sites trails trek has proposed to create a new circular tourism trail, to encourage tourists to visit less known sacred sites and villages. This trek aspires to help restore and enhance local cultural skills and traditions and distribute tourism benefits more wide by encouraging tourist to visit off the establish tourist route.

The Sacred sites trail offers unexplored yet significant cultural sites with beautiful mountain scenery and green valleys. Unlike the most popular trail, the circuit rots takes one to the uncharted and less known villages in the Khumbu where the turmoil of tourism is not existent and one can enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. Majestic rugged mountains and waterfalls following off the step mountain sides are indeed a sight to sore eyes. All along the trails, ancient monasteries, main stines and chortens and kanis all insert an enhance a spiritual feel to the trails pristine mountain environment. This trail is promoted by THE MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE.

6.Gokyo Valley Chola Pass Trek
After a careful acclimatization approach from Lukla, we ascend Gokyo Ri in the crisp sunrise air, for 360 degree views of many of the world's highest peaks (Everest, Nuptse, Lotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu are in the top 10), and of the Nagozumba glacier, the longest glacier in the Khumbu region. Next we attempt Cho La (5420m), a pass only rarely completed by trekking groups, which rewards you with a descent through pristine snow fields into a broad secluded valley surrounded by craggy peaks. The next highlight on the trip is Kalapathar, the classic hike for close-up views of Everest, and the Southern Wall that towers above you. After reaching Base Camp, our route descends through many cultural sights; Pangboche, a traditional Sherpa village, Tengboche, famous for it's ornately decorated Tibetan monastery and Khumjung, with the Hilary School and Hospital.

7.Jiri to Everest Base Camp
Starting with a 6 hour (188km/118miles) drive to Jiri (2,100m/6,888ft), this trekking to Everest Base Camp, follows the traditional route taken by the early Everest expeditions and still serves as main artery to the roadless Sagarmatha (Everest) region. Known as the Solu-Khumbu it is the home of the Sherpas. This relatively tiny society of 8,000 people is the best known and most admired of all Nepal's ethnic groups. According to their oral history Sherpas migrated to high valleys south of Mt. Everest from eastern Tibet about 450 years ago, hence the name Shar-pa, "peoples of the east." Many families along this route have converted their homes into trekkers' lodges catering to foreign hikers. Although a popular trekking route the Everest area is visited by only some 8,000 visitors each year - a fraction of the number that visits the Annapurna region. Trekking through the Sherpa villages we share many of their hearths and enjoy their generous hospitality. Trekking in from Jiri has the advantage of helping you to acclimatize en route. This trek is about 190km/120miles long and the total altitude gained on the innumerable uphill portions totals 9000m - much higher even than Mt. Everest! After Namche we follow the main trail to base camp (as per the 14-day Close Encounter With Everest itinerary) with all its attraction. A legendary trekking to a legendary destination - Everest base camp in Nepal.

8.Lukla to Everest Base Camp
The trek to Everest Base Camp, in the heart of Sagarmatha National Park, has become a rite of passage for many world travelers. The obvious goal is a close-up view of Mt. Everest (8848 m.) the world's highest peak, and from where you may well be able to follow the progress of Everest ascent expedition teams, especially during the prime climbing seasons of spring and fall.

Namche offers some of the most spectacular Himalayan views in the world while you experience the warmth of the Sherpa culture, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and unparalleled beauty. Afterwards, our route will take us through Namche Bazaar – the most prosperous and largest Sherpa village in the Khumbu region. It is famous as a traditional trading center and we will meet many merchants of Tibetan origin.

We will traverse beautiful fir, juniper and rhododendron forests in Sagarmatha National Park on our way to the camping site near Tyangboche, the most important Tibetan Monastery in Nepal. While gradually gaining altitude we will arrive at Dingboche (14,268 ft.), possibly the highest altitude in the world where barley is grown.

Trekking along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier, we will hike up to Kala Patthar (18,400 ft.). The view will open up and provide us with a 360-degree panorama and breathtaking views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, and countless other spectacular Himalayan peaks.

From Gorak Shep we will continue to the actual Base Camp of Mt. Everest, home to all expeditions climbing the South Col route to the highest summit on Earth.

9. Rolwaling Valley Trek
This valley borders with Khumbu region to the East, the Helambu region to the West and the dry Tibetan Plateau to the North. The valley becomes forested first with lush and juniper and pines at the higher elevation. The settlements of Na and Beding are Sherpa villages. Finally, the trek ends at Charikot to drive back to Kathmandu.

 An introduction of Major places in Everest Region
1. Everest Base Camp.
Base Camp is located at the extreme north end of the bend in the Khumbu Glacier below Lingtren and Khumbutse at an elevation of just over 5,350 meters (aprox. 17,600 feet). It is on actively moving glacier ice covered by rock debris called ablation or surface moraine. A moraine is the ground up debris consisting of everything from giant boulders to fine rock powder which a glacier leaves behind. Surface moraine is the debris which is concentrated on the surface of the ice as melting and wasting takes place.
The Base Camp site is surrounded by giant overhanging ice cliffs thousands of feet above which are formed when a glacier flows over a steep or vertical rock cliff below. Thus we are treated several times per day to "icefall" and ice avalanches from Lho La (La is the local word for pass), from a huge ice cliff between Lingtren and Pumori, and from numerous ice cliffs and seracs hanging off the end of the Nuptse Ridge. And this, of course, ignores the collapses and icefalls which occur every day in the Khumbu Icefall itself. A brief note: For those interested, the term "serac" in American English climbing terms differs from European usage. For us a serac is a big block or pinnacle of ice sticking up in the middle of the feature of a glacier called an icefall. In Europe, what we call an "ice cliff", a long cliff of ice not associated with an icefall, is also called a serac.
Everest Region Trekking trails give unlimited Excursion to the Trekkers where possible to make full board Camping or as teahouse Trek. There are standard lodge facilities available that make more budget trip and who has short timing possible to flight to Lukla and return. Of Course, who have long time they go Via Jiri by bus. There are several trekking trails Gokyo Lake cross to Cho La and then Everest Base camp and Kala Pattar or direct way to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar.


Religiously Protected Forests of Khumbu region
Religiously protected forests cover greater area than a single water spring or cave, and provide home for a variety of species. Phortse, a highly religious village off the main trekking route, but still in the heart of Khumbu, has the strictest, most traditional forms of forest management of any of the villages in Khumbu.
The forest immediately around the village is preserved because of the dictum of an ancient lama, who performed a ceremony in the forest, sprinkling around blood from his own scalp and requiring that the villagers preserve the forest into posterity, or face misfortune. To this day, the forest is protected, and people may collect only leaf litter from it.
 Several gompas, including those at Kerok, Khumjung, Tengboche, Pangboche, Debuche and Namche have notable forests around them. The practice of maintaining a forest around the Gompa is thought to extend back to the time of Lama Sangwa Dorji, who is said to have pulled out some of his hair and thrown it on the ground, causing juniper trees to grow up around Pangboche Gompa. The Gompa forest, established by Lam Sangwa Dorji, was then emulated at other gompas.
 Many people believe that the Buddhism opposes cutting trees. However, for pragmatic reasons, they are not always able to follow this belief. Several reasons are given for not cutting trees:
•  A tree is like a god, or home to a god
•  A tree requires many years to grow, "like a child," cutting a tree is a sin equal to killing a person.
•  As mentioned previously, individual trees may also be protected by the belief that they are home to a spirit called a Lu.
•  Some individual trees, such as those believed to be home of a Lu, or believed to have been planted by one of the great lamas, gain great size as they are spared the axe.
•  The larger and older a tree becomes the greater value of affiliation it may carry for villagers who have lived with the tree throughout their lifetimes. As the tree increases in affiliative value, it may become more likely that its size and longevity are attributed to spiritual power.
•  These Gompa forests are protected by the instructions of the lamas and the belief that Buddhism opposes the cutting of trees.

Religiously Protected Mountains of Khumbu Region

Moving from forest areas to landscape level protection, religiously protected mountains put larger areas of the land off-limits for some activities. Some say that every mountain has a god, and people should not cut trees or break stones where gods reside. However, now that foreigners have climbed many peaks, some believe that the gods may have left. Villagers have noted hat in past, there were many mountaineering accidents, suggesting that may be the god was angry. These days, there are fewer accidents, so some assume that the mountain gods have shifted location.
Though it's the highest peak in the world, Everest is not an especially sacred mountain. It is home to Miyo Lang Sang Ma, whose name is shortened to Chomolungma, the Tibetan name for the mountain. Miyo Lang Sang Ma, one of the Five Sisters of Long Life, is the goddess who provides food. Another of the sisters, Tashi Tserinma, resides on Gauri Shankar in Rolwaling.
Khumbila or Khumbu Yul Lha, Khumbu Country's God, is the central sacred peak of Khumbu, standing between Namche, Khumjung and Thame. Khumbila has never been climbed; one attempt prior to the 1980's ended when climbers were killed in an avalanche, and there have been no subsequent attempts.
Khumbila is said to be a powerful god, and on old one. The prayers for Khumbila are believed to date back to the time when the ancestors of the Sherpas were still in Tibet (more than 500 years ago). Khumbila is said to have been subdued and converted to Buddhism by Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century saint, considered to be a second Buddha, who spread Buddhism throughout the Himalaya . In fact, Guru Rimpoche is said to have spent some time meditating in a cave above Khunde, perhaps on the mountain Khumbila itself. This connection between Guru Rimpoche and Khumbila surely adds to the sacredness of the latter.
Every house has prayer flags on bamboo wands to honor Khumbila. The flags are changed three times per year. At Dumji, a summertime festival that celebrates the Sherpas' connection to their home and each other, and honors Guru Rimpoche, Khumbila is welcomed on the first day the festival. The repetition and re-inscription of the Sherpas' association with and dependence upon Khumbila through the rituals offerings maintains the power of this reciprocal relationship, thereby maintaining the protection of the mountain itself.

Religious Structure of Khumbu Region
Mani (Mani Thungkyur)
A Mani Thungkyur is a big prayer wheel, which contains many religious books and has sacred invocation of prayers. It average size is 2m high and 1.5m in diameter. Some villages have a separate communal building for Mani-Thungkyur known as (Mani Lhang), which can be connected with the main 'Gondas" or in a private house.
Lhang
A Lhang is a private chapel built in association with the main house. Access is gained from within the house. The walls are decorated with mural paintings and some statues and books.
Chorten (Stupa)
A Chorten is a shrine usually built of stone with Buddha eyes on four sides guarding against evil spirits that can enter the village. These are generally found at the entrance to a village, along with the Mani walls or a kani. It contains relics of an important lama as well as prayer books.
Kani
At the entrance to a village settlement or to a monastery, there is always a small gateway, or Kani, with its ceiling and walls usually painted with religious figures. These entrance gates and chortens stop the bad spirits that can follow a person from entering the village.
Mani Walls
Manis are stones engraved with the sacred invocation " Om Mani Padme Hum" which are either built in to the walls or piled around the Chorten. People pass these walls on the right side to gain sonam (Merit).
Gompas and Gondas (Monastery building)
A Gompa can be a common village property or an institution. The lama in charge of managing them is usually a Reincarnate lama. A Gompa is also a gathering place for the whole community especially in festivals such as Nyingne and Dumji.

Religious Festivals in Khumbu Region
 Dumji
Dumji is a great festival in which the whole community takes part. It has been in practice for more than 300 years during the monsoon season. The local representatives provide food and drink for the whole community for 5 days. The responsibility for this festival falls on every household once or twice in a lifetime depending on the number of houses in each village. One this occasion rich and poor join the celebration on equal terms. Monks from Tengboche Gompa are invited to recite the ceremony. The main purpose of Dumji is two-fold: it is both a request to various gods' power to subdue demonic enemies of the village and a celebration of the anniversary of the death of the patron saint Lama Sanga Dorji.
Nyingne
Nyingne is performed at the end of May or early June in village Gompa. The main purpose of this festival is to cleanse the worshippers of sin and to help them obtain more sonam (merit). This rite requires a lama, generally the Head Lama from Tengboche, to oversee it. The participants recite prayers along with the lama on the first day. The second day, everyone fasts and they do not speak to one another. Finally, one the third day after obtaining a blessing from the lama, they depart back to their own houses.
Kangyur
Kangyur along with Tangyur is known as the bible of Tibetan Buddhism, translated from the Sanskrit edition of Tripitaka to Tibetan presumably in the 13th century by Tibetan Guru Rimpoche. It records the sayings of the Buddha. The Kangyur contains 108 volumes comprising ethical works ascribed to Buddha. Kangyur is recited to ward off mishaps, misfortunes, calamities, violence, plague, wars, and natural disasters and bring peace, prosperity and harmony among humans. By the virtue of Kangyur recitation, a person is believed to add years to his/her life and can forever live in peace and prosperity devoid of sins.
Mani Rimdu
The first celebration of Mani Rimdu at Tengboche monastery probably took place sometime in 1930. The festival originated in Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet . Mani Rimdu is a prayer ceremony where the monks put on masks representing divine spectators come from many villages to gain sonam from the Head Lama's blessings and to make corn and grain contributions to the monk community.
Chirim
A village rite known as Chirim is performed in the village's Gompa twice a year in April and October with a purpose to drive off evil spirits, which may threaten the community. It involves local lamas officiating and making Torma (figure made out of dough) resembling deities and evil spirits. Two families appointed by rotation from all the households organize the rite.
O-Sho
Unlike the Chirim, O-sho is celebrated one time with a procession encircling the whole village to provide supernatural protection for the newly sown crop at the beginning of the agricultural season. During the procession, four tormas resembling the 4 guardians of the village are placed in the 4 corners of the village land.

Sherpa People in the Khumbu Region
Khumbu is the homeland of the Sherpa people. According to researchers, Sherpas appear to have left their original homeland, the Tibetan Province of Salmo Gang, and crossed the Nangpa La (Pass 5716m) into Nepal in the late 1400s or early 1500s. The Sherpa people follow the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which is an outgrowth of the Mahayana tradition; Gompas are the centers for practicing religious rites where various festivals are performed.
Throughout the year, Sherpas carefully worship the mountain god Khumbu Yul Lha. For devotion, they hang prayer flags on their roofs and make offerings. Good example of this religious practice can be seen during the Dumji festival held in June each year, where requests are made to the god for support against evil forces.

Myth of the Himalayas : Yeti in Khumbu region
The yeti or abominable snowman is thought to live in the high Himalayas . The Sherpas distinguish three different types of yeti. Drema or Telma , the messenger of calamities; Chuti, which preys on goats, sheep and yaks; and Mite or Midre which also attacks animals and sometimes men. Nobody has even seen a Yeti, only the findings of mysterious footprints in the snow and several incidents of yaks' killings support the legend.

Social Festivals in Khumbu Region
 Losar (New Year)
This festival usually falls at the end of January or early February. At this time, the ground is frozen, and often covered in snow. The main activities include spinning, weaving, feeding livestock and repair jobs. On this occasion, every household worships its clan god, throws away a year's dirt from the house and uses flour to decorate the house's panels with good luck signs for the coming year. Following this, children celebrate with new clothing and feasting. Feasting may go on for weeks depending on the number of household's participating.
Yarchang
Yarchang is a summer rite to secure the welfare of the herds that takes place in the summer pastures higher up in the valleys. Here every household worships their own clan and local mountain god such as Khumbi-yul-lha. In the first day, all the families in the settlement area put prayer flags on their houses and gather in front of an altar. Like Osho and Chirim, the locals make torma resembling clan and local mountain gods. These tormas are distributed among the families after the recitation.
Phangni
Phangni is a social festival celebrated during the month of July. Although the origin of this festival is not definite, it is presumed that it was feted since the 3rd century. Besides tending the livestock, the month of July is pretty free of chores and a leisure time for the fun loving and high spirited Sherpas who then engage in a communal entertainment and amusement which is known as Phangni. Different groups organize Phangni that last up to 4 days. During these days, all the necessary items required for the festival is collected communally. People eat, drink, dance and jest around in merry the entire days. At the end of the festival, responsibility is specified on a rotational basis for the celebration of Phangni for the subsequent year.

Cultural Tips to Khumbu Region
• Walk on the left side of Mani walls as you pass them. This practice signifies that you respect the Buddhist tradition and turn prayer wheels in a clockwise direction. Never sit on Mani stones or stupa.
•  Don't litter local springs as it is believed that this will anger the water god, Lu.
•  Don't put dirty items and food scraps such as meat in he fires of Sherpa hearths, as it is believed that offensive odors from such pollution angers the local mountain gods.
•  Always make a small contribution to any temple or monastery that you visit. This is a time honored indigenous tradition.
•  Ask permission to take photographs of people, and if you do extensive photography, it is polite give the subjects a small gift.
•  Don't ask a Sherpa to kill an animal for you to simply eat meat. This is forbidden in Khumbu both by village custom and by the Buddhism religion.
•  A Khata (white/yellow scarf) is used to welcome, bid farewell, and to show gratitude. It is traditional to put the scarf round men's neck starting from the right hand and women from the left. Don't put scarves around the neck of a lama simply offer it to his hand.
•  Don't give things to begging children, however, please do give as generously as possible to a begging monk or nun as this is a time honored religious tradition.
•  The seat next to the fire hearth in a traditional Sherpa home is reserved for the main person of the family whether alive or death. Therefore, please do not sit there.
•  Don't forget to smile and try to remember the Sherpa word for thank you, which is thuche thuche

Tipping to Guide and Porters

Usually about US$2.00 per day. If you are with a large group or smaller group, it is suggested to trip to each individual staff instead of giving to the head guide. The guide often gets slightly more than the porter but we suggest that do not give more tips because he is a guide and doing higher job , instead on the base of the personal dedication to offer you the best services .
However, if your guide and porter really perform well for you - they really go out of their way - then consider more.
Tip them however much you consider is appropriate.
Remember that $50 may be bigger all to you in the long run but can make an enormous difference to people who are quite poor.

Disposal of rubbish:
This is responsibility to all concerned trekkers to keep the Everest Region clear in the future as well. The easiest way for collecting the rubbish is that each trekker has kept a small bag during the course of the trip. Any non-burnable or non-biodegradable rubbish should be carried back to Kathmandu and disposed appropriately.

Money and valuable securities:
Do not carry your all monies during the trek period. We highly suggested you for carrying Nepalese rupees always in small bills on your trek. Money will only be required for those things which are mentioned at “Cost Excludes” chapter on our program such as purchasing of soft/hard bottled drinks and souvenirs along the way. Other money and valuables should be kept in a safe deposit box in your hotel or at our office in Kathmandu.
Airport Tax: The Airport tax for Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu Is NRS 170 Per person each time.
BAGGAGE AND FLIGHTS
The Airlines for the Lukla restrict you to 15 kg of personal gear: occasionally the limit may be less. Gear not needed on trek can be left in the hotel.

 

 

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