Great Himalaya Trail (35 days) 2nd step

Today is the full day sightseeing in UNESCO world sites in Kathmandu valley Pashupatinath, Baudhanath stupa, Monkey Temple & Kathmandu durbar square with culture society. You will have your own guide & private car or bus. We have a good experience guide about the city. Himalayan Ecological Trekking attempt to provide the best service happiness in life.

We journey to Tribhuvan International Airport for our flight to Tumlingtar, which is a brief 35-minute flight away. Upon our arrival in Tumlingtar, we will arrange for a jeep to transport us to Num. The route to Num is a challenging off-road journey, spanning approximately 4 to 5 hours. As we navigate this rugged terrain, we'll be treated to breathtaking landscapes, including views of snow-capped mountains, charming local settlements, and serene forests.

In the evening, we'll stay lodged at a guest house where we can savor local cuisine and take some well-deserved rest

 Today marks the beginning of our trekking adventure. Our journey starts with a descent of approximately 900 meters until we reach the Arun River. After crossing a suspension bridge, we'll face a challenging ascent of the same 900 meters to reach Seduwa. Along the way, we'll take a break for lunch. The trek will lead us through picturesque traditional-style houses, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Seduwa boasts a conservation office where our permits will be checked. This settlement is home to the Rai and Gurung ethnic groups, offering a glimpse into their unique way of life. The total trekking duration is estimated to be around 4 to 5 hours. Our overnight accommodation will be in tented camps, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

After beginning our day at the campsite take-off, we embarked on a short uphill climb before turning towards the northwest. The trail was in excellent condition, making our journey quite pleasant. Along the way, we passed through several small settlements.
Approximately two and a half hours into our walk, we reached Chyaksadanda. This place is equipped with a store catering to both villagers and travelers, where we can purchase any supplies we may need. Chyaksadanda is the last opportunity to buy essentials for our trek, so it's a good place to stock up. It offers a nice spot to relax, enjoy some leisure time, and even have lunch.

From Chyaksadanda, it will take us another two and a half hours to reach Tashigaon. Tashigaon is a village primarily inhabited by Sherpa people and is known for its fertile agricultural land. The elevation of Tashigaon is 2080 meters.

Starting from the Tashigaon hotel, you'll cross over a ridge and make your way through the forest until you reach a stream. The path will level out briefly on the following ridge before ascending towards a shepherd's hut situated atop another ridge, known as Chipla. From this point, the trail becomes even steeper, leading you up past streams and a massive overhanging rock before reaching a small Kharka (grazing meadow) within the forest. The journey continues over rocky terrain and tree roots until you reach Unshisha, a small and often damp meadow situated at an altitude of 3180 meters.

The final leg of your trek to Khongma is a demanding climb through the forest, following the ridge that separates the Isuwa Khola and Kasuwa Khola. After roughly an hour and a half of hiking, you'll come across a signpost marking the national park campsite and a hotel. It's advisable to spend the night at the hotel at this point for your convenience and comfort.

Starting from Khongma, follow a steep series of switchbacks along the ridge, leading you to a stone Chorten. From here, you'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of Chhamlang Peak 6 (6739m) and Peak 7 (6105m). As you ascend, you'll encounter rhododendron bushes, and continue on a staircase that traverses several deceptive ridges, ultimately leading to a modest pass known as Ghyngro La.

Descend alongside the enigmatic Kalo Pokhari, a serene lake resting at 3840m. Then, brace yourself for a steep ascent to Shipton-La at 4220m. Once you descend on the other side, you'll come across another tranquil lake. The trail skirts this lake and ascends to a clear depression in the hills on the opposite side, which is known as Keke-la (4150m). In the final, rigorous climb for the day, you'll approach the pass. The path then leads you into a picturesque valley adorned with rhododendrons, creating a vibrant floral carpet during springtime. Approximately one and a half hours of walking from this point, you'll find either a tea house or a suitable camping spot in the meadow just below the pass, known as Mumbuk (3560m).

Starting from Mumbuk, the trail descends a slope covered in scree, leading you into the sweeping and gracefully curving Barun valley. This valley serves as a natural pathway toward your ultimate destination. As you make your way downhill, follow the streambed and then head west along the southern edge of the valley. Be mindful of your footing as you navigate around tree roots, clamber over landslide areas, squeeze through gaps between boulders, and leap across small streams it will come small tea shop where we can have lunch.

As you proceed beyond the landslide areas, the valley gradually opens up, and the forest begins to yield to expansive alpine meadows. From here, you can enjoy splendid vistas of peak 7. After about half an hour's walk, the trail leads you to a point where you can safely cross the Barun River. At this juncture, you'll find an excellent spot for camping, and there's also a tea house nearby that serves delicious food in Yangle Kharka.

Today, we are embarking on a 450-meter ascent to Makalu Base Camp. As we begin our journey, we will encounter two tea shops where we can savor a simple meal and take a well-deserved break. During our first stop, we will be treated to the sight of a picturesque waterfall cascading from a cliff.

Continuing our trek, we will navigate a rocky path along the right side of the Barun River for about one and a half hours. On the left, we'll have the opportunity to gaze upon a stunning Glacier Lake, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and an immense glacier. As we relish these scenic vistas, we will proceed with our climb, eventually arriving at a second tea shop, where we can once again rest and rejuvenate.

From this point, it's just half an hour until we reach the Makalu Base Camp, where we'll be greeted with a close-up view of Mt. Makalu, standing proudly before us. Makalu Base Camp provides three accommodation huts. You can stay in one of the huts or choose to set up your own camping spot. It's a serene location where you can unwind and appreciate the evening in the company of nature's beauty.

Today's hike is reminiscent of the Morin part, featuring rugged and rocky terrain. We'll be ascending to approximately 350 meters above Makalu Base Camp, reaching Swiss Base Camp. The trail takes us around Mount Makalu, and while the conditions have been favorable up to this point, from today onward, we'll encounter a predominantly dry and glacier-covered path, punctuated by boulders. This portion of the journey is relatively easier compared to what lies ahead.

There won't be any designated lunch stops along the way, so we'll need to bring our own packed lunches and ensure we have an ample supply of water. Our estimated walking time for the day is approximately 4 and a half hours.

Once we set up camp, we'll be treated to spectacular views of Nupche and other surrounding mountains, providing the perfect opportunity to prepare for the adventures of the following day. In the evening, we can look forward to a satisfying hot dinner.

Today, we are en route to the Sherpani Col base camp at an altitude of 5690 meters. Our ascent will cover a challenging 540 meters, characterized by a treacherous path strewn with large boulders and rocky terrain. The landscape is devoid of vegetation, dominated by a barren moraine and ancient glacial expanse. We need to ensure that we secure an ample water supply in the morning as sourcing it during the trek may prove to be a formidable task.

As we navigate our way around the mountain, it's imperative that we exercise caution while traversing the precarious terrain of these substantial boulders. Finding your rhythm and the best path is key to our safety and progress. Our camp for the day will be set up in a vast, flat area facing a colossal glacier. The setting will undoubtedly be cold, but it offers a unique opportunity to contemplate life and nature.

Tomorrow promises to be a significant day in our trek, so we should aim to have dinner early and retire to bed as soon as possible to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Today is a significant day as we are about to traverse two challenging passes: Sherpani Col and West Col. This journey is expected to take us around 9 to 10 hours before reaching our campsite. It's crucial to be well-prepared from the outset, as the morning temperatures are quite cold, ranging from -10 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Our day's adventure begins with navigating through a rocky terrain laden with large boulders. Subsequently, our climbing team will assist us in securing safety ropes as we transition to icy terrain. When tackling Sherpani Col, we'll encounter a spacious, flat expanse, which leads us towards the West Col. However, we must proceed with caution, as there is a risk of encountering crevasses.

Descending from the West Col presents its own set of challenges, with a tricky and precarious path to navigate. Fortunately, the end of our journey will reward us with a stunning campsite in a picturesque area.

Today is a more manageable day compared to yesterday, with a walking distance of approximately 4 hours, similar to our rest time. We're feeling much more at ease today, in part because yesterday was one of the more challenging days of our trek. We are still making our way through the mountainous terrain. Along our route, we'll come across a tea shop, which is set up seasonally for trekkers and climbers heading to Mt. Barunche. This promises to be a comfortable spot where we can set up camp, and if we're fortunate, we might even find some food available, depending on the generosity of the local people. These locals, who travel from the Khare area or Mera Peak vicinity, engage in seasonal businesses to cater to the needs of trekkers like us.

As we continue, we'll be treated to intermittent views of panoramic mountains and the stunning Ice Lake. Once we reach our campsite, we'll be able to revel in the beauty of nature, creating a haven-like experience in this scenic environment.

Today promises to be a relatively easy day, despite having to traverse rocky terrain. The well-defined footprints on the path will make it straightforward to navigate. We anticipate spending about 5 to 6 hours walking within the mountain valley. Our campsite is set in a picturesque location, complete with Ice Lake, providing a perfect opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature and enjoy some much-needed relaxation. If you still have some energy left, you can explore the surroundings, but it's wise to conserve your energy for the challenging and potentially perilous pass we'll face tomorrow. In the evening, we'll savor a delicious dinner and rest well for the adventures that lie ahead.

Today marks the final day of our challenging journey through the treacherous Amphu Pabcha Pass. This pass poses significant dangers, and it's imperative that we carry climbing equipment at the top of our backpacks to ensure our safety. We'll be ascending nearly 750 meters to reach the summit, encountering large boulders and rocky terrain along the way. Beyond the rocky section, we'll face a massive expanse of ice that we'll need to traverse using our climbing gear.

Once we reach the summit, the most perilous part of our expedition awaits as we must descend a steep, rocky cliff while securely belaying ourselves. The reward for our efforts will be the breathtaking Imja Valley, where we'll be treated to awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic views of the mountains, including the majestic Mt. Everest.

Following the challenging climbing portion, the path will become easier, and we'll have the opportunity to admire the serene Imja Lake. Our campsite today is in a picturesque area, providing ample time to rest and contemplate the beauty of nature.

 Today is a more leisurely day as we make our way down to the Chhukum valley. We'll have the opportunity to stay at a comfortable hotel. The walk today will take us around 3 to 4 hours, allowing us to relax and fully immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the Khumbu region. Along the way, we may encounter yaks, wild sheep, and Tibetan chickens, all while enjoying stunning mountain views. In the afternoon, we can unwind and savor our time after lunch.

Today is the perfect day to relax. You will have access to good food, a comfortable room, and a hot shower. You will also have the opportunity to visit local people and observe domestic yaks, reflecting on the memories of the challenging times you've faced before. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain view of Mt. Ama Dablam, which stands before you like a mirror. Be prepared for the upcoming day of trekking and make the most of this full day.

Today, we will set out early in the morning to reach Kongma La Pass. We will have our packed lunch between Lobuche and Chhukum, as there are no tea shops in that area. The top of the pass is adorned with cairns and Buddhist prayer flags. The most challenging part of today's journey is the final descent from the past. The trail then turns north through Khumbu Glacier, leading us to Lobuche.

Today will be a long day as we set out early in the morning to journey to the Everest Base Camp. It will take us about three hours to travel from Lobuche to Gorakshep, where we will have a meal and leave our bags behind. We will then proceed with a light bag and water towards the Everest Base Camp, where you can enjoy the view from the top of the World Base Camp. We will cross the Khumbu Glacier and Icefall before returning to Gorakshep for the night. This day's trek will take approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Today, early in the morning, we started to hike to Kalapattar to see the panoramic mountain views with the sunrise. We were able to see Mount Everest up close, as well as several other high mountains. After enjoying the views, we headed back to the camp and had breakfast.

After breakfast, we started to trek down towards Dgongla. In the evening, we stayed overnight at a tent camp.

After breakfast, we will start heading to the Chola Pass. We should walk carefully as the path has large boulders and glaciers. Lobuche Peak will be visible in front of you. Once we reach the top of the Chola Pass (5,420m), we will face a steep descent, but there are fixed iron ropes to assist us. We must still walk carefully during this descent.

Once we finish the steep downhill section, the route will become more gradual from here to our camp, which will take approximately 2 more hours to reach. We will set up camp in the evening and enjoy evening in Thannak.

Today, we are heading to Gokyo. After about half an hour, we will reach the Ngozumpa Glacier and need to trek over the lateral moraine of the glacier. The path in this area changes every year due to the melting of the glacier. Once we finish crossing the glacier, it will take another half hour to reach our camp. After lunch, we can either visit the Fifth Lake or take time to rest and enjoy the views of Mt. Cho Oyu and Gokyo Lake.

Early this morning, we will start hiking up to Gokyo Ri (5,400m). Once we reach the top of Gokyo Ri, we will be rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the mountains, including Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, Mount Cho Oyu, and countless other peaks. Experiencing this breathtaking vista will feel like being in a true haven. After enjoying the mountain views to the fullest, we will head back down to our camp and have breakfast. Today is a rest day, so you are free to spend it however you would like - you can relax, explore the area around the camp, or engage in any other activities that you prefer.