| Pokhalde Peak rises to the north of the Kongma La | | | | which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one |
| above the Khumbu glacier opposite Lobuche. Lying at | | | | hour walk up to the Everest view hotel above |
| a relatively low altitude, Pokhalde provides its climbers | | | | Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, |
| an interesting and adventurous trekking experience. | | | | Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from |
| Pokhalde (5,806 m) was first climbed in 1953 via the | | | | the national park centre and museum just above the |
| Kongma La along its north ridge by the 1953 Everest | | | | town. |
| Expedition team led by John Hunt. Pokhalde | | | | Day: 6 Trek to Tengboche [3867m] |
| resembles a crenulated rocky ridge dominated by the | | | | From Namche, the trail contours around the side of |
| vast bulk of Nuptse when viewed from Nuptse. The | | | | the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now we get |
| northern side of the peak has a small hanging glacier | | | | our first really good views of the great peaks of the |
| that is best reached along the ridge rising from the | | | | Khumbu including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and |
| Kongma La. By and large the rock on the peak is | | | | Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and |
| poor, although it does offer some interesting | | | | numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge |
| scrambling on the well-defined ridges. The summit | | | | over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an |
| provides a good viewpoint making its ascent a well | | | | excellent lunch spot, and here we can rest before |
| deserved accomplishment. | | | | making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although tiring, |
| > TRIP FACTS | | | | the hike up the zigzag path has numerous |
| Trip duration: 17 Days | | | | distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds |
| Grade: Strenuous - Peak Climbing: AD | | | | and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous |
| Activity: Sightseeing and trekking/climbing | | | | for its legendary monastery, the largest in the |
| Starts in: Kathmandu | | | | Khumbu. We camp near the monastery with Everest, |
| Ends in: Kathmandu | | | | Lhotse and Ama Dablam framed in the doorway of |
| Accommodation: Hotel, camping | | | | the tent. |
| Transportation: Flights, private car or tourist bus | | | | Day: 7 Trek to Pheriche [4252m] |
| Maximum altitude: 5806m | | | | We descend steeply through a forest, cross the |
| > OUTLINE ITINERARY | | | | Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of |
| Day: 1 Arrival in Kathmandu | | | | Pangboche. This is directly opposite Ama Dablam |
| Day: 2 Sightseeing in Katmandu | | | | [6856m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, |
| Day: 3 Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding [2652m] | | | | with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees |
| Day: 4 Trek to Namche [3450m] | | | | in the foreground. A further two hours walk brings us |
| Day: 5 Rest day in Namche | | | | to Pheriche. |
| Day: 6 Trek to Tengboche [3867m] | | | | Day: 8 Rest day in Pheriche |
| Day: 7 Trek to Pheriche [4252m] | | | | A day to rest and acclimatize. You get a chance to |
| Day: 8 Rest day in Pheriche | | | | wander up the valley to take a look at the Tshola |
| Day: 9 Trek to Lobuche [4930m] | | | | Tsho Lake and the perpendicular walls of Cholatse |
| Day: 10 Climb Pokhalde [5,806 m] | | | | and Tawache. Alternatively, we can climb up onto the |
| Day: 11 Trek back to Lobuche [4930m] | | | | ridge overlooking Dingboche for the view up the Imja |
| Day: 12 Trek to Chukhung [4750m] | | | | Valley and the incredible south face of Lhotse. |
| Day: 13 Trek to Tengboche [3867m] | | | | Day: 9 Trek to Lobuche [4930m] |
| Day: 14 Trek to Namche [3450m] | | | | We continue up the wide valley beneath the |
| Day: 15 Trek to Lukla [2800m] | | | | impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the |
| Day: 16 Fly to Kathmandu | | | | left. We then turn right and climb more steeply |
| Day: 17 Depart Kathmandu | | | | towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea |
| > DETAILED ITINERARY | | | | house at Duglha is a good spot to have lunch, before |
| Day: 1 Arrival in Kathmandu | | | | zigzagging up through the boulders of the glacier's |
| It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear | | | | terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are |
| day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks | | | | many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many |
| sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, | | | | Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. |
| beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences | | | | The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to |
| that stay with you for a long, long time. A | | | | eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche. |
| representative and driver from our office will meet | | | | Day: 10 Climb Pokhalde [5,806 m]early in the morning |
| you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The | | | | after breakfast, we start our climb towards Pokhalde |
| representative will help you check into your | | | | Peak. We take a short steep snow climb from the |
| designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed | | | | Kongma La Pass above Lobuche to the summit of |
| about your daily activities. | | | | 5,806 meter high Pokhalde. We get spectacular views |
| Day: 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu | | | | of the peak and other surrounding peaks as well. |
| Kathmandu, the historical and cultural heart of Nepal, | | | | Day: 11 Trek back to Lobuche [4930m] |
| has been a popular destination for tourists ever since | | | | Today, we trace our way back to Lobuche. After |
| Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents | | | | reaching Lobuche, we can spend the rest of the day |
| a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and | | | | relaxing or acclimatizing. All those interested in further |
| Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, | | | | adventure have the option of hiking to Kala Pattar |
| its two major neighboring cities bear immense | | | | [5549m]. |
| historical, cultural and religious significances. There will | | | | Day: 12 Trek to Chukhung [4750m] |
| be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest | | | | From Lobuche, we head all the way down to |
| Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist | | | | Chhukung. Once we reach Chukhung, we can either |
| stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century palace | | | | rest or spend time exploring the area. |
| of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath. At eventide, | | | | Day: 13 Trek to Tengboche [3867m] |
| you will be briefed about your trip. | | | | Today, we trace our way back to Tengboche from |
| Day: 3 Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding [2652m] | | | | Chhukung. We continue along the trail as it contours |
| A spectacular flight and hair raising landing on a steep | | | | on a zigzag way, around the side of the valley |
| mountain runway brings us to the start of our trek | | | | moving downwards. Passing by several villages, we |
| at the village of Lukla [2850m]. After meeting the | | | | move through the rhododendron bushes, to reach |
| crew, we head up the Dudh Kosi Valley on a | | | | Tengboche. En route, we get to hear beautiful birds |
| well-marked trail to our first camp near the river at | | | | singing and sight superb mountain scenery. Kwangde, |
| Phakding. | | | | Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, |
| Day: 4 Trek to Namche [3450m] | | | | Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the |
| From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on | | | | Himalayan giants to be seen along the way. |
| high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the | | | | Day: 14 Trek to Namche [3450m] From Tengboche |
| entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was | | | | we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at |
| set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile | | | | Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer |
| mountain environment. We then ascend quite steeply | | | | wheels, before making our way back to Namche. |
| to Namche and along the way, if the weather is | | | | Day: 15 Trek to Lukla [2800m]our final day's trekking |
| clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the | | | | follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last |
| distance. Namche is the main trading village in the | | | | evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a |
| Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market - a meeting | | | | farewell party with the Sherpa guides and porters, |
| place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and | | | | where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa |
| the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the | | | | dancing and look back on a memorable trekking |
| glaciated Nangpa La. Camp is near the bazaar at | | | | experience. |
| Namche. | | | | Day: 16 Fly to Kathmandu |
| Day: 5 Rest days in Namche | | | | We pack up early and head to the airstrip for our |
| Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst | | | | flight back to Kathmandu |
| the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an | | | | Day: 17 Depart KathmanduThe Nepalese support |
| abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops | | | | team will take you to the airport for your flight |
| as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to | | | | home. If you prefer to stay longer, you can go for |
| spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude | | | | short tours such as jungle safari at National parks, |
| before heading off towards Tengboche. Options for | | | | rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc. |
| acclimatization walks include a visit to Khunde hospital | | | | |