Unique among natural heritage sites world wide is the Sagarmatha National Park, which includes Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and other high peaks such as Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. Located North-east of Kathmandu, Sagarmatha National Park is 1,148 sq km. in area.
trekking in the everest region of Nepal!
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Located
in the eastern half of Nepal, the Everest region offers a wide range of trekking
experiences. From the well-developed trail to Everest base camp to treks in
remote semi-wilderness areas, there is a choice to suit
all-corners.
The
most frequented part of the region is located in Solukhumbu district, the home
of the legendary Sherpas. The northern part of the district (Khumbu) is
encompassed in the Everest National Park, which was established to protect the
fragile environment of the alpine region. To the east of the Everest National
Park is the Makalu-Barun National Park, a remote and wild stretch of mountain
peaks and deep densely forested valleys. To the west is the Rolwaling valley, a
well protected microcosm of cultures and ecology. The southern part of the
district, Solu is much less frequented by tourist and be a very rewarding
destination in its own right.
Beside
Mount Everest there are other 8,000 meter peaks in the region. Lhotse, Cho Oyu
and Makalu and in addition numerous other peaks lesser altitude but no less
stunning. Add to this glacial lakes rhododendron forest, native flora and fauna,
traditional villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries, all go to make this
region a spectacular destination.
No
special trekking permits are required to visit this area provided that the
trekker's do not climb any of the peaks. An entry fee is charged for access to
Everest National Park. This is payable at the national park desk in Thamel. For
treks to the east of main Everest trail an addition permit is required to enter
Makalu-Barun National Park obtainable from the same
location.
Access
to the Everest region can only be made by air or on foot. By road, the only
practical road ahead at this time is Jiri, a seven to ten hour bus ride from
Kathmandu. A new road is under construction to Salleri, the district
headquarters, but this will probably be complete for another five years at
least. It is also possible to trek to the Everest region via the Arun valley
where roads head is at Hille, a twenty ride from the capital. These times are
all by local bus as there is no tourist bus service available at this time.
Private cars and taxis could be used and would reduce the traveling time
considerably but obviously at extra cost. Buses to Jiri currently leave from the
old bus park in central Kathmandu.
The most convenient for Everest treks is Lukla, which is serviced by many
daily flights from Kathmandu. Three days walk to south, near the district
headquarters, is Phaplu air strip, which is service by daily flights. This is
useful for treks in southern parts of the region or for Everest trekkers who
want to gain extra acclimatization and see some of less developed part of the
district.
everest base camp trek
One
of the classic treks in Nepal, Everest base camp is most commonly visited as a
two week trek starting and finishing at Lukla, the airport just to the south of
Everest National park.
During
the trekking seasons there are numerous daily flights into and out of Lukla,
weather permitting. The flight from Kathmandu, which takes around forty-five
minutes, passes over the fertile middle hills, with their scattered villages and
terraced fields, with an amazing panorama of the high Himalaya as a backdrop.
Before long the mountains close in and you are sweeping down to land at the
gateway to Everest-Lukla. Situated high above the banks of the Dudh Koshi river,
which carries the melt water from Everest, Lukla provides a range of services,
including accommodation but most trekkers will choose to start trekking as soon
as they arrive and use Lukla as a final destination on their
return.
From
Lukla trekker must have a gentle, two days trek up the Dudh Koshi valley to
reach Namche Bazar in order to avoid altitude problems. There are plenty of
teahouses along the way for the first night stop, Phakding (three hours from
Lukla) and Monzo (five hours from Lukla) are the most popular. Just beyond
Monzo, trekkers enter the Everest National Park at the Jorsale check post. Here
entry permits will be checked and the visitor's passport details recorded. The
trail, which has been following the Dudh Koshi since Lukla, starts the ascent to
Namche Bazar about one hour past Jorsale.
Namche
Bazar, once a small village but since grown in size to accommodate the influx of
trekkers, is the unofficial capital of the Sherpas. It was once an important
trading centre on the route from Tibet to Nepal but has now been largely given
over to catering for the needs of trekkers. There is a multitude of teahouse,
equipment shops, curio sellers, restaurant and even cyber cafes that make just
about anything the trekker could need, available, albeit at a higher price than
in Kathmandu. For acclimatization reasons, trekkers must spend two nights in or
around Namche, Which gives the opportunity to explore some of the less developed
and more traditional villages in the area.
One
of the nicest destination for the acclimation day is to walk to Thame, home of
many famous mountaineering Sherpas, including Tenzing Norgay of Everest fame.
Often Danfe (Impeyan Pheasant) and Himalaya Tahr can be seen along this trail.
The round trip is quite a hard day's walk taking a minimum of eight hours. An
option would be to stay the night at one of the teahouse at Thame and retrace
your steps the next day. While at Thame, be sure to visit the Buddhist
monastery, which is located on hillside about a thirty-minute walk above the
village. The valley to the north of Thame leads to Tibet via the Nangpa la, the
pass traditionally used by Sherpa and Tibetan traders. The valley to the west of
Thame leads to the Trashi Labsta pass and the Rolwaling
valley.
Easier
option for passing the acclimatization day can be found by visiting the twin
Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde, which are about a two-hour walk above
Namche.