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Everest Region
The Everest region is located in the northeast of Nepal.
The 10-day walk through the middle hills of Solu to the higher altitudes of
Khumbu to the base of Sagarmatha, or Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak, is
an opportunity to observe and participate in the daily life of the legendary
Sherpa people. The prime attraction – the 8,848 m peak of Mt. Everest – lies in
Sagarmatha National Park, which is also home to two other eight thousanders –
Lhotse and Cho Oyu – besides several other prominent peaks above 6,000 m.
Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1979, much of the
1,148 sq. km park lies above 3,000 m. The park is composed of rugged
terrain with deep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. The vegetation in the park
changes from pine, hemlock, fir, juniper, birch, rhododendron and shrubs to
alpine plants and then to bare rock and snow. It is home to the ghoral, tahr,
serow and musk deer as well as the impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, red-billed
chough and the yellow-billed chough.
The trail to Everest also begins at Lukla, the airport at
2,850 m. The trail climbs up the Dudhkoshi River Valley, and the following day
brings you to the legendary Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar in the
Khumbu (3,500 m), which is the staging point for expeditions to Everest and
other peaks in the area. Above Namche lie the traditional villages of Khunde
and Khumjung. Khumjung which is the largest village in the Khumbu lies
at the foot of the sacred peak Khumbila. The Khunde Hospital, maintained by
Himalayan Trust, and Khumjung School, the original Hillary School set up in
1960, lie here.
Across the canyon from Khunde, perched on a high ridge,
is the Tengboche Monastery, the leading Buddhist center in the Khumbu.
The monastery rests amid stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
Pines, azaleas and colorful mountain rhododendrons ring the attractive
monastery. There are rest houses, lodges and camping sites here.
From Tengboche you can continue on to Pheriche, Kala
Pattar and the hamlet of Gorakshep. From here, the site of Everest Base
Camp is easily accessible, as is the summit of Kala Pattar (5,545 m), from
which much of Mt. Everest is clearly visible. However, you must take time to
properly acclimatize as the altitude gains are rapid.
Thamo (3,700 m) and Thame (3,900 m) are Sherpa villages,
about 2-4 hours northwest of the park headquarters. The two settlements of
about 50 households fall on the way to Renjo La Pass, very popular among
tourists. A little off the main trekking trail, Thamo and Thame offer untouched
Sherpa culture in home-stay accommodation. The jungle near the settlement
harbor endangered wildlife species, like musk deer and pheasants.
Phortse (3,950 m) is a unique Sherpa
settlement of about 80 households in the lap of the mountains offering
wonderful views and wildlife experience that include the musk deer, peacocks
Himalayan tahr and the rare snow leopard. Lush Phortse is about a 4-hour walk
northeast from the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters. One has the option of
returning via Phortse while coming down from Everest Base Camp.
The settlements of Chaurikharka
(2,600-3,000 m), that fall en route to Namche from Lukla, provide excellent
options for acclimatization. A little off the route to Everest, Rimijung is a
charming settlement in Chaurikharka, which is a day hike from Lukla. Rimijung
is a quaint little village with the old Pemachholing Gompa (monastery) and
nunnery settlements. Tourists can observe the Sherpa lifestyle and culture.
Tourists are also interested to visit the local blacksmiths to watch them at
work. In addition, cultural programs are performed by the local people on the
tourists' request. Also in plenty are beautiful views of the mountains,
including spectacular views of Mt. Everest and other mountain peaks. Wildlife
like Himalayan bear, Himalayan Tahr, and non timber forest products are found
in Rimijung. The rare snow leopard is also reported to have been spotted by a
lucky few sometimes. Camping grounds are available in Rimijung. Another
settlement in Chaurikharka worth a visit is Lumding which offers panoramic view
of more than 45 mountain peaks. Lumding is 4-day trek from Lukla. Trekkers need
to carry camping gear and be self sufficient in terms of food and water when
visiting Lumding.
There are 12 trekking peaks ranging
from 5,806 m to 6,476 m in the Sagarmatha National Park. Permits to climb these
peaks are processed by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in Kathmandu.
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Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Region in north western Nepal has been touted
as having the world’s best trekking routes. From the lake city of Pokhara,
popular treks lead to Jomsom, Annapurna Base Camp, Mustang, Manang and around
the Annapurna mountain. Short treks to Sikles and Ghandruk are just as popular.
The Annapurna region is an area of contrasts comprising the wettest, driest and
windiest places in Nepal.
The Annapurna Circuit:
It is by far the most popular and requires a minimum of
about three weeks to go around the Annapurna massif. What makes this trek so
special is that you can look up to something new in scenery every day. The
Annapurna Conservation Area begins at 790 m and reaches a high of 8,091 m, the
summit of Mount Annapurna I, the world’s 10th tallest peak. The area
encompasses forested Middle Mountain, high Himalaya and trans-Himalayan desert
plateau similar to the landscape in Tibet as you move north. The lower elevations
are dotted by Gurung, Magar, Thakali and Brahmin villages while Tibetan
cultural influence becomes apparent as you go north.
The trek goes counter-clockwise from Besi Sahar, off the
Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway, to Naya Pool, and reaches its high point at Thorong
La, a pass at 5,416 m. On the way, you pass through stunning mountain scenery –
Manaslu, Langtang Himal, Annapurna II and IV, Annapurna III, and, Annapurna I
and Dhaulagiri. In between these two 8,000 m peaks lies the dramatic Kali
Gandaki gorge – the deepest in the world.
MUSTANG:
Mustang offers an experience of trans-Himalayan landscape
and exotic Himalayan cultural experience. Muktinath (3,749 m) is a popular
destination for pilgrims and trekkers to the region. It is a site holy for both
Buddhists and Hindus before. There is now a motorable road from Muktinath to
Beni, from where you can catch a bus to Pokhara. Also, you can catch a bus from
Besi Sahar to Sanghe at the start of the trek.
Lo-Manthang in Upper Mustang is an extremely exotic destination too. The last king of
Mustang still has his home at this ancient capital township. Many
tourists visit Lo-Manthang during Teeji festival that is usually scheduled in
the month of May. Being in the rain shadow area, Upper Mustang can be visited even during the rainy season. Upper Mustang falls in protected areas and one need special permit to visit the region.
MANANG:
The trek in the eastern part follows the Marsyangdi River
upstream till Manang, which is a string of seven villages that form the upper
arc of the Annapurna Circuit Trekking Trail. The area is composed of stark,
rocky terrain, very similar to the Tibetan plateau, and is dotted with
turquoise lakes, including Lake Tilicho (4919 m), the world’s highest lake.
- Langtang Region
Langtang is one of the
nearest trekking destinations from Kathmandu and is an unparalleled combination
of natural beauty and cultural riches. Langtang lies about 130 km north of the
Kathmandu Valley close to the border with Tibet, China. It is Nepal’s first
national park, and lies between the Himalayan range to the north, dominated by
Langtang Lirung (7,245 m), the highest peak in the area, and smaller peaks to
the south – Chimse Danda (ridge), Ganja La pass (5,122 m), Jugal Himal and
Dorje Lakpa (6,989 m).
The trek here is more adventurous as the area is visited
by fewer tourists. Apart from the spectacular scenery, a visit to the area is
an opportunity to explore the lifestyle and culture of the Tamangs, whose
craftsmanship, language, dress and houses bear their uniqueness. Langtang is
also known for its many glaciers – of which there are more than 70 of varying
sizes – and high altitude lakes that include Gosainkunda, Parvatikunda,
Bhairavkunda and Dudhkunda. The forests in the region have temperate and
sub-alpine vegetation. Wildlife includes migratory birds, deer, monkeys, tahr
and pika.
The Langtang River passes through the high, gentle
Langtang Valley before emptying in a raging torrent into the Bhote Kosi River
through a long, narrow defile at the west end of the valley. Whereas the major
rivers of Nepal flow south from Tibet cutting through the Himalayan chain, the
Langtang River, a major tributary of the Trisuli Ganga, flows east to west,
cutting, as it were, across the grain of the country. The Trisuli, or Bhote
Kosi as it becomes above Dhunche, forms an important corridor and ancient trade
route through the mountains between the Ganesh and Langtang Himal, to Kerong in
Tibet.
GOSAIKUNDA:
Apart from Langtang, treks can be arranged to the holy
Gosaikunda Lake at 4,380 m, which covers much of the Langtang National Park,
and Helambu. Gosaikunda is said to have been created by Lord Shiva when He
thrust His Trident into a mountain to draw water to cool his throat after
swallowing poison. Thousands of devotees visit Gosainkunda during Janai Purnima
(full moon festival in August).
KYANGJIN:
Visitors can extend their stay in Langtang to trek to
Kyanjin and explore the upper valley to Langshisa and beyond.
TAMANG HERITAGE TRAIL:
The Tamang Heritage Trail takes you through verdant
midlands of Nepal experiencing the beauty of this mountain reigon and the
culture of the people who live here. The trail passes through traditional
Tamang villages where life, culture and crafts have remained unchanged since
the beginning of the settlement. The trail starts eighter from Dhunche or
Syabrubesi and passes through Gojng, Gatlang, Chilime, Thuman, Timure and
Briddim. The trail may end back in Saybrubesi or follow the Lantang trek from
Briddim to Kyangjin. For more information on Tamang Heritage Trail, please look
up on the New Products section.
BRIDDIM:
Briddim (2,229 m) is a small and beautiful Tamang
village. It offers Himalayan cultureal experience in the form o accommodation.
About half of the 432 houses in Briddim offer accommodation at their homes. The
village lies on the newly development Tamang Heritage Trail. For more
information on Briddim please look up on the New Products section.
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