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Overview
A challenging off the beaten trekking trail in the Everest region, Everest Base Camp Trek via Kongma La Pass provides a unique opportunity to trekkers who want to skip the normal base camp trekking route and follow a slightly more challenging path. Kongma La Pass (5540m.) is situated just above Dingboche and southwest of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
From the pass, you will see the eye catching view of Mt. Thamserku, Mt Amadablam, Mt. Kongtega, and numerous peaks and glacial Lakes in front of your eye within few kilometers distance. During the trek, you visit many Sherpa villages which gives you the opportunity to get insight into their culture. In this trekking, you can also hike up to Kala Pattar from where you can see the unparalleled view of Mount Everest.
You start your journey to Kongma La Pass with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Among the three high passes of the Everest region, Kongma LA pass is one of the most picturesque spectacular areas. From Lukla you follow the classic Everest trekking trail crossing famous places Namche bazaar-the gateway of the Everest region, Tengboche, Dingboche to Kongma La pass. You pass through the blooming rhododendron forest, river valleys, and villages enjoying the natural scenery, mountain view, and culture of the people. From the pass, you will be overwhelmed with the dramatic view of the Ama Dablam, Makalu, and the Lhotse, Nuptse face.
Trip highlights
Detailed Itinerary
As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks in Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. As per your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel. Overnight in Hotel.
Today after the breakfast we will proceed for sightseeing tour in and around the Kathmandu valley. The Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath temple and Boudhanath temple are the major sight-seeing areas around the Kathmandu valley. These all are listed in a world heritage sites. The Durbar Square shows us the regal life of ancient periods. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages. Swoyambhunath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is the Buddhist temple which is very popular around the globe. Swoyambhunath is also known as money temple stands on the hilltop west of the Kathmandu valley. It can also be known as the viewpoint of Kathmandu valley. Boudhanath temple is the biggest Chhorten ever made around the world.
We take a stunning early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, Gateway to the Everest region, perched above the Dudh Kosi or River of Milk so named because of the pale milky appearance of the glacier melt-water. We are now in the region of the legendary Sherpas and you will notice the difference in the faces of the people you meet here and those from the Kathmandu valley.
After lunch we trek north down towards Phakding along a meandering trail which is lined with mani stone walls, made with hundreds of stone tablets and giant carved boulders, brilliantly decorated with brightly colored paints. The Buddhists believe these to be sacred and so as a sign of respect to the local culture we pass them in a clockwise direction. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about five and half hours. We head onwards and upwards as the trail starts to rise through a forest of rhododendron, magnolia and giant fir-trees. Our target this evening is Namche Bazaar, a delightful mountain village and the Sherpa capital, but first we must ascend Namche Hill; walking at a gentle but steady pace we finally arrive at the town that is itself an important meeting and trading point for the local people. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colourful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. One room highlights the Sherpa traditions and in another, Sherpa high altitude climbers are presented.
It is important to note that acclimatization is extremely important and that by using these acclimatization days correctly we greatly improve our chances of reaching our goal of Kalapatar, which lies at an altitude of 5545m. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After having breakfast, you begin to climb through the ups and downs route, passing the Mani wall. Continuing the trek, you pass the small settlement of Sanasa from where the trail drops towards Phunki Tenga (3250 m.). The steep trail begins through pine forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tenboche situated at 3867 m. The excellent views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kwangde will accompany you. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You will probably be woken in the early hours, while it is still dark, by the sound of horns and cymbals as the monks have their first prayers of the day. You will have time to visit the monastery in the morning if you did not go the earlier day after you reached Tenboche from Namche. Then, leaving Thyangboche, your path descends through trees to Deboche where the small and atmospheric nunnery is well worth a visit. You pass further houses and mani walls as the path continues along the river valley amongst the trees.
After crossing a bridge over a picturesque gorge, the path gradually climbs, with stunning views of Ama Dablam ahead. There are numerous fantastic photo opportunities in both directions, and frequent chortens and mani walls to pass, as height is gained to reach the village of Pangboche. This is a very picturesque village with stone walled fields and there is a very interesting monastery set in trees at the top of the village. This is probably the oldest monastery of the Khumbu region, possibility dating back as far as the first introduction of Buddhism into the Khumbu. There used to be a yeti scalp and claw kept here but they were stolen some years ago. From Pangboche the path ascends above the village, the sparse landscape now reflecting the height.
You pass some yak herders cottages and walled fields at Orsho before crossing a stream and making a final steep ascent to Dingboche. The village of Dingboche is set in a stunning position, surrounded by high peaks. In summer months they grow barley here possibly the highest altitude in the world at which this crop is grown. For acclimatisation you need to spend two nights around the 4,000m level and Dingboche, lying in a sheltered spot above the Imja Khola is generally more attractive for this than Pheriche, another settlement situated on the other side of the ridge. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There are several opportunities for interesting acclimatisation walks in this region. It is possible to walk up the ridge behind the village to make an energetic ascent of Naga Dzong Ri. This is a steep but not technically difficult ascent to a summit at 5083 metres, from where there are stunning views of Makalu and Amphu Laptse. You can take in the small temple of Nagartsang Gompa on the way down there is a nice sheltered terrace here from where you can enjoy the views. You will descend in time for lunch in the village.
In the afternoon you might care to walk across to the village of Pheriche to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic one of the doctors there often gives a talk about high altitude acclimatisation in the afternoon. If none of these appeal it is possible to walk up the valley to the yak grazing pastures at Chukhung (4,730m) a 4-5 hour round trip. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The trail gradually ascends up to the Chhukung - the last village in Imja Khola Valley. On the way, you can see summer huts made especially for keeping the livestock’s in summer time. Along this, you enjoy the beautiful mountain views in and around the valley as Lhotse’s massive south wall dominates the region. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We start quite early from Chhukung as we have to conquest highest pass of the trip today. We carry plenty of water and some snacks and a packed lunch as there is no tea shops on the way.
We really enjoy the remoteness of the area and absolute nature!! We can select to go via any of the possible trails- either taking a climb over the hill northwest of Chhukung over the moraine of the Nuptse Glacier or we might walk back down the valley to Bibre and follow a high trail above the Niyang Khola. Just after some walk there are great views of Island peak valley and jagged ridge of Amphu Lapcha. Ascending along the east side of Niyang Khola valley, we turn west and walk through the sloppy stony trial.
We enter a wide basin dotted with small frozen lakes. The trail rises over loose scree gaining the Kongma La after about five hours we leave Chhukung. Upon reaching the top, we seen cairn wrapped in prayer flags,-marks of the pass.
Behind us is the landscape of icy lakes ahead down of which is the Khumbu Glacier. The final descent is the most difficult stage of the trek today, upon climbing the moraine on the far side, the trail turns north through Khumbu Glacier which takes us to Lobuche. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A very early start is required to reach Gorak Shep. The trail offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon, we make our way to the Everest Base Camp. It takes several hours as the trail weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col. We return to Gorak Shep. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kalapattar’s altitude is often given as 5550m but the hill, further along, is a little bit higher. One fact is that you do not see the top of Kalapattar from Gorakshepe, only a false summit which is much lower. It is a fairly tiring walk up there unless you are well acclimatized. The views from the summit are memorable. Everest views are the best you can get from this place. Descent from Kalapattar is easy, just a quick straight down walk to Gorakshep and we advance towards Pheriche. The route to Pheriche will be rapid as we descend and it will be easy as well. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today’s trek is mostly downhill. We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over Imja river. At Phunki Tenga, we get to see the water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Take the downhill trail to Lukla. We will follow the descending trail and walk through rocks and boulders to the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River. On reaching Lukla, you head to a local teahouse where you will stay overnight. In the evening, you celebrate the completion of your trip with your trekking crew.
There will be singing, dancing, and endless local brew rounds with the porters, guide, and assistant guides. This is an excellent time to thank the local crew for helping you realize your EBC dream. Offer them tips before retiring for the night and bidding goodbye to most of them. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You successfully conclude the trek and proceed for flight to Kathmandu. We will enjoy our last view of the high mountains while flying back to the Kathmandu from Lukla. The snow-capped mountains will be worth to watch. After 25 minutes of flight, our representative will be waiting for you at domestic airport to take you back to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure; feel free to relax or explore the local markets. Overnight in Hotel.
As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or any other destinations. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.
Or inform us if you want to stay longer for short tours such as Jungle Safari at National Parks, Mountain Biking, Rafting, a Tibet tour, a Tour to Bhutan or India Tour. We will be happy to assist you.
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Trip facts
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Trip duration : (13 Trek Days + 3 Days in Kathmandu) 16 days -
Grade : Moderate to Strenuous -
Activity : Cultural sightseeing tour and trekking -
Trek Type : Tea House -
Accomodation : Hotel & lodge (tea house) -
Max Altitude : 5545 m
Gallery
Extension Tours
Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
Rafting
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