Mt.Everest Tangboche Trek

Tangbouche trek heads from Lukla to the Sherpa towns up north. We spend time in mountain village of Namche Bazaar which was a famous trading center between Tibet and Nepal. From Namche we head up to the holy village of Tengpoche. This has long been the religious centre for all inhabitants of the Solu Khumbu area. There are numerous shrines and a beautiful monastery that sits at 3870 meters. You will take your time heading back to Lukla and there are many options for extra side trips. This trek takes 8 days up with some up and down hiking.

Itinerary

Day by Day Itinerary

• Day 1:

Arrive Kathmandu, Transfer from airport to hotel.

• Day 2 :

Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding

After a very early start, and an early take off from Kathmandu Domestic Airport, a 35 minute flight is all it takes to propel us into the Everest region of Nepal. The landing at Lukla (2800m) is spectacular and on arrival we are greeted by our sirdar and trekking crew who organise the luggage and hustle us off for tea. After a leisurely lunch we start the trek in earnest, setting off for a gentle walk to Phakding (2800m), a further 3 hours to the north. The trail leads through Lukla, past hotels, shops and airline offices to the edge of the Lukla plateau where the trail drops to meet the intersection of the Jiri trail at Chablung. From here the trail follows the Dudh Kosi north through the village of Ghat and then finally to Phakding where we spend the night.

From Phakding the trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley, staying 100m above the river on its west bank. The trail leads us to Jorsale (2810m) where we enter the Sagarmatha National Park, and submit our trekking permits for checking. From here we continue on an ever-steepening trail to Namche Bazaar (3440m), known simply as Namche. En route we cross the spectacular suspension bridge high above the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and the Dudh Kosi, and shortly after glimpse our first view of Everest, way off to the north-east. The trail to Namche is steep and long, but eventually we reach the remarkable Sherpa capital perched high on the hillside and dominated to the east by the immense bulk of Kwangde (6187m).

• Day 4 :

Acclimatization day in Namche

Acclimatization is important before trekking higher, and this is the first of two scheduled stops which allows us to gradually become used to the effects of altitude - the lower pressure and the thinner air. We can spend the day by taking a side trip to Thami or Khumjung, by visiting the National Park Visitor Centre on the hill above Namche or by simply resting and browsing in the shops in the town. Namche is a fascinating place simply to “hang out” and take in the culture of the mountains, from the trading of visiting Tibetans to the stories of departing mountaineers.

• Day 5 :

Namche to Tengpoche

From Namche we trek north-east on a direct line to Everest, starting up the hill to the Visitor Centre and continuing on a reasonably flat easy trail high above the Dudh Kosi. Ahead of us we can see one of the most beautiful mountains in the Khumbu - Ama Dablam (6856m), as well as Everest still far off in the distance. We pass through the settlement of Sanasa before making our descent to the Dudh Kosi and the village of Phunki Thanga. Of course, “what goes down must go up”, and from here it is a steep long climb up the side of the hill to the saddle on which Tengpoche monastery is located at 3870m. As we enter the grounds of the monastery we are welcomed by the most magnificent mountain view in the world. The long climb seems well worth it as we gaze upon a panorama of Himalayan giants, including Everest as it peeks above the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge.

• Day 6 :

Tengpoche to Khumjung

From Tengpoche the trail drops steeply to the river at Phunki Thanga, and then rises again to traverse high above the river on the winding trail leading back to Namche Bazaar. Shortly after passing through Sanasa, we branch off to the right and take the trail leading gradually upwards to the extensive Sherpa settlement of Khumjung at 3790m. Khumjung is the the largest village in the Khumbu and contains many items of interest for the visitor - the Gompa possesses the supposed skull of a Yeti but this has been scientifically disproved. Also in Khumjung is the Hillary School, and further up the hill at the village of Khunde is the Khunde Hospital, built in 1966 and maintained by the Sir Edmund Hillary Himalayan Trust. This is well worth a visit, and all donations of money or medical supplies are most welcome.

• Day 7 :

Khumjung to Monjo:

We complete our circular route by returning to Namche and from here continue on down the main Everest trail. This is a short day and hence we have time to browse the shops in Namche, before descending steeply to the river. The trail is easier now as we are losing altitude, and we can enjoy a gentle walk on the trail above the Dudh Kosi to Jorsale.

• Day 8 :

Monjo to Lukla

The final day of our trek - we retrace our steps along the trail above the Dudh Kosi before turning off the main Jiri route and rising up to Lukla, where we arrive by mid-afternoon.

• Day 9 :

Fly to Kathmandu

We return to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu with a 35 minute flight back to the domestic airport. Here you will be greeted and transferred back to your hotel in Kathmandu. Arrival times back into Kathmandu vary, however it is usual to arrive back at your hotel by mid-afternoon.

• Day 10 :

At leisure in Kathmandu.

• Day 11 :

Transfer from hotel to airport.