Everest Trek (Tengboche)


Tengboche Monastery (Photo: Werner Kurz)

Everest Tengboche Trek (14 days, 13 nights)

This trek is to the famous Tengboche Monastery (12,900 ft) in the Everest region of Nepal. The trek is at a relaxed pace allowing more time to savor the culture and the views and also allowing more time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Khumbu home to Mount Everest (8,850m) - better known as Sagarmatha among Nepalis and Chomolongma among Tibetan -speaking communities. Located in the Sagarmatha National Park, many visitors come to this region to glimpse the world's highest peak but come away with much more: an appreciation of the local people who make their home in this high and difficult landscape, a spirit of adventure that brings them back to the Himalayas, and other individual and personal experiences.

As you trek through the villages of the famous Sherpa people, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains that rise above the clouds. This trek follows the popular Everest Base Camp trail until Tengboche. Return to Lukla via Khumjung, one of the largest Sherpa villages and site of the famous Khunde Hospital and the Khumjung school, both legacies of Sir Edmund Hillary.

 

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house cityguide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a MillionDewdrops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar Square. Drive back to Kathmandu. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Phakding (2,600m/8,700 ft.)

Your day will start very early today as most flights to Lukla are scheduled for the early morning hours. Be ready for a wait at the airport as your flight can be delayed due to weather. The flight is approximately 25 minutes and the landing at Lukla airport is very dramatic. After a brief stop at Lukla, set off on your hike to Phakding. Past Lukla, descend to Chaurikharka and continue on a fairly level trail to Choplung. Continue on a descending trail to Ghat. There is a monastery, numerous prayer wheels, mani stones and a chhorten at Ghat. Whenever possible, please remember to turn all prayer wheels in a clock-wise direction and to walk on the left side of shrines and manes (i.e. keeping these sacred objects to your right. From Ghat, it is approximately 20 minutes to Phakding. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 04 - Phakding to Monjo (2,800m/9,200 ft.)

(For this trip, we have added an extra day for the trek from Phakding to Namche; on this trip, you spend the night at Monjo so you are better prepared for the ascent on the steep trail to Namche.)

The day's trail follows the Dudh Koshi until you begin your ascent to Namche. Pass several villages to Monju. Before reaching Monju is the village of Chumoa where in the 1970's, an eccentric but creative Mr Hagayuki lived without a visa for almost 10 years - farming and running the Hatago Lodge - before being deported. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 05 - Monjo to Namche (3,420m/11,270 ft.)


Mt. Khumbila & the dudh koshi river

Just beyond Monju is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park where your park permit will be checked.

Past Jorsalle, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi and crosses it only to recross it at the base of the hill which climbs up to Namche. The climb is long and steep. The switchback trail is well-worn and wide through a pleasant pine forest. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 06 - Namche (3,420m/11,270 ft.)

Today is an acclimatization day. You are free to visit the National Park Museum or wonder around Namche town. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 07 - Namche to Tengboche (3,870m/12,900 ft.)

Climb to the top of Namche Bazaar, then walk on a fairly level trail to Kenjuma and Sanasa. Here there are extensive displays of souvenirs to tempt you. Bargaining is very much in order! The trail descends to Dudh Koshi which must be crossed to reach Phungi Tenga. There is a now-deserted army post here. Past this point, the trail ascends to Tengboche monastery through conifer and rhododendrons forests.

Visit Tengboche monastery in the evening or watch the setting sun cast its last rays over Everest if the skies are clear. There is also an eco-centre with historical and cultural exhibits in the monastery compound. If monks are performing prayer ceremonies when you visit, please do not take flash photos or otherwise disturb the ceremonies. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 08 - Tengboche (3,870m/12,900 ft.)


Tengboche from above (Photo: Jenny)

Today, you have the option to climb a short distance to view Tengboche Monastery from a hillock. You may also opt to trek to Debuche where there is a nunnery. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 09 - Tengboche to Khumjung

Descend sharply to the Dudh Koshi river and then ascend to Mong danda. Follow the slopes of Khumbila towards the hidden valley of Khumjung. At Khumjung, visit the Khunde Hospital and then the Khumjung School - both projects of the Himalayan Foundation. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 10 - Khumjung to Monjo

Descend to Monjo. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 11 - Monjo to Lukla

Last day of trekking to Lukla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 12 - Lukla to Kathmandu

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Day free in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast)

Day 13 - Kathmandu

Full day of Sightseeing in Kathmandu: visit Swayambhunath, the monkey temple. Then drive to Bhaktapur, the city of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (All meals)

Day 14 - Depart for home

Final Departure .

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of GBP/EURO/AUS$ 300 per person through bank transfer. Wire details will be provided. The balance must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks, cash or by credit card (VISA card only). If you plan to pay by credit card, the payable amount will be converted to US$ and a 3% surcharge will be added.

Download reservation form (Word)»

Cancellation policy:

- Cancel 30 days prior to the beginning of the trip, deposit valid for any trip undertaken within a year with us in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.
- Cancel anytime prior to the beginning of the trip, forfeit trip deposit.
- No refunds once trek begins.

Currency of payment:

Prices are guaranteed for 2011. You may choose to pay in US$ or your country's currency. If you pay by credit card, you will be charged in US$.

North American clients:

Please book this trip with our US based sister company - Grand Asian Journeys. (Separate booking and cancellation policy applies.)

Grand Asian Journeys
PO Box 608
Indianola, WA 98342
Toll Free: 1-888-586-7750
Email: info@grandasianjourneys.com

Altitude sickness

This trek does involve sleeping and hiking at high altitude. We will, as we do for all high-altitude treks, provide a A Gamow Bag for this trip.  A GAMOW bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that looks like an inflatable extra-large sleeping bag. The effective altitude inside the inflated GAMOW bag is about 5000 feet lower than the altitude you are at; it has been very effective in the past in relieving headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain Treks organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers every year. Our previous trekking clients have included travellers from the USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany and Russia. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us. We may be able to get you in touch with a previous client from your native country.

TREK RATING:

This trek is rated moderate or 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being challenging. The highest altitude reached on this trek is 12,900 ft. at Tengboche. There are two major uphill climbs: one from the Dudh Koshi river near Monjo to Namche and the second from Phunki Tenga to Tengboche. Both climbs can take 3 hours or more and because of the altitude can be strenuous. "Nothing prepares you for hiking like hiking". So besides hitting the tread-mill or the stair-master at the gym, do include hiking in your training regimen which should begin at least two months prior to the trek if not earlier.

No technical climbing experience is required for participation on this trip.

WHY BOOK WITH CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN?:

There are over 500 and counting trekking companies in Nepal plus numerous adventure companies based outside of Nepal selling treks in Nepal. We are aware that you have lots of options. But, we believe there are reasons we stand out from our competitors. Our most compelling argument is that we provide the BEST VALUE. When you book with us, cost of all your meals on your trek are included. And you may choose anything or any amount from the menu. A lot of trekking companies have hidden costs - cost of meals while on the trek are not included. Prices at lodges in the Everest region are highly inflated and each meal can cost upto GBP 5 per person meaning an additional GBP 200 per person on the Ultimate Everest Trek. Also, we provide boiled water for your water bottles at breakfast, lunch and dinner. With other companies, this would be extra. All these costs add up very quickly. We've listed more reasons why we are different here...

Other Treks to the Everest region:

FLYING TO NEPAL:

Flying from the UK:
Most economical options are either flying through Abi Dhabi (Etihad Airlines) or through Delhi (Jet Airways and Air India). Other options include flying through Bahrain on Gulf Air and through Doha on Qatar Airlines.

Flying from Australia:
Your best options are either flying through Bangkok (Thai Airways), through Singapore (Singapore Airlines), or through Delhi (Jet Airways).

Check out the following sites to compare prices for flights to Nepal:

www.kayak.com
www.sidestep.com
www.cheapoair.com

NEPAL TREK PREPARATION:

Click on the link for useful information that should help you better plan/prepare for your trekking journey in Nepal. This page will be continually updated based on client feedback/experience: NEPAL TREK PREPARATION.

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813

Mobile phone: + 977 98410-00724

Or feel free to provide us your Skype address/telephone number and a time convenient for you and we would be glad to call you from Kathmandu to answer your questions.