Arun Valley Trekking

After the scenic flight to Tumlingtar, we follow the Arun riverbank northwards through the sub-tropical forest around Chiwabasi crossing Brahman, Chettri, and Rai villages.

Ascend through bamboo then rhododendron forests. From the steamy Arun valley to the Salpa Bhanjyung Pass (3,349m) where a large chorten marks the pass and the beginning of Sherpa influence. This is a long descent to the Hongu Khola, through hemlock and fir forests that abound with bird and animal life including the Himalayan bear, barking deer, and lesser panda.

This is followed by an equally long, although steeper, ascent to Bung. This rice growing area is one of the most fertile regions of Nepal and is almost exclusively Rai, although you begin to find some Sherpa villages at higher elevations.

After breakfast, the trail ascends and descends continue across Hinku Khola towards Dudh Kosi, which leads north to Kharte. Stay overnight at a hotel or tented camp.

At first we start to walk through the bamboo bushes and climb down to Surke. Then the trail climbs to north to Chaurikharka, a large scattered village with monastery and high school. It is known as the bread basket of the Khumbu area because the land is fertile for barley, wheat, and even green vegetables. Today we can see many trekkers from Lukla and coming back from the Everest Base Camp. From here the path is quite busy with more trekkers, porters, and pack animals. After a few hours of good scenic walk we arrive at Phakding and stay overnight.

The trail follows the Dodh Kosi River banks and reaches in Tok Tok. You can see excellent views of Thamserku peak from here. Then trail climbs to Chomoa, site of an agricultural project farm, still trail climbs to Monju (2,840m) and enters the Sagarmatha National Park Area (1,148 sq km, established in 1976). Walking some distance up you will be at Jorsale (2830m) and after cross last (fifth) bridge the trail again long climb on where you have the view of Mt. Everest, over the right Nupste (7,879m). After 5 to 6 hrs walking the trail reaches the street of Namche Bazaar at last. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

After having a late breakfast, walk around sightseeing in Namche Bazaar. Then hike to the Everest View Hotel, the ideal place to view some of the outstanding mountains such as Mt.Everest, Nupste, Ama Dablam, Kangtegha, Thamserku, Kusum Khangru, Khongde and Khumbi Yu La, etc. While seeing these spectacular views of mountains, the trail leads you into the Khumjung valley where you can see Hillary School, an ancient monastery with a Yeti skull and Khunde Hospital. Then return back to Namche. If you are still willing to go, you can visit the mountaineering museum or the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) in Namche Bazaar. You can spend some time interacting with the fun-loving Sherpa and Rai people in here. Above the police check post you will see Sagarmatha National Park headquarters and visitor center; it is open 8 am to 4 pm except Saturdays and government holidays. And overnight at Lodge.

After breakfast we start our trek with a pleasant walk on a trail through the forest with magnificent views of mountains until Kenjoma, where the trail joins from Khumjung. After passing the small settlement Sanasa, the trail drops towards Phunki Thanga (3,250m). Then it climbs steeply through forests on the Tangbuche monestary, situated at 3,867m. The view from here is rightly deemed to be one of the world’s most magnificent. Kwangde, Tawachee, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku provide a stimulating panorama of Himalayan view. Stay overnight in Tengboche.

After breakfast, the trail descends down from Tengboche, through the rhododendron forest to Deboche. Crossing a bridge over the raging Imja Khol River, the trail for Dingbuche follows the climbing route of Island peak and Phokalde peak. It is a gateway to Chukung and farther beyond for the most challenging traverses towards Makalu area and Hinko Valley via Sherpani col (6,100m) and Amphu Laptsa pass (5,780m).

After your complete acclimatization, the trail heading you gradually climb up until Duglha offering stunning views of Tawachee and Cholatse.From Duglha trail directly up to the Khumbu Glacier before reaching the village of Lubuche. In this stage the effects of the altitude will be kicking in and you can expect colder nights.

After breakfast the trek continues gently climbing and sometime directly ascent to nearby glacier. The trail going to Gorakshep is rocky and windy but it offers good views of Mt. Pumori and there are beautiful views of the Everest Base camp. After lunch, we ready ourselves for today’s adventure to the targeted destination and we continue our trek towards the Everest Base Camp and to the Khumbu Ice-fall. However, the path from here can be misleading so make sure to follow the lead Sherpa. Every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier. The walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air. The walk passes over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp. If you are trekking during the high expedition season have fell like city. It takes 2-3 hrs to get to base camp and after a grand time here go back over the journey to Gorekshep for the overnight at lodge.

Very early in morning we will have to climb up 2 hours to Kalapather for 360 degree view of the mountain peaks. When reaching the top, you will feel joyful as you achieve the moment that you have been dreaming of since the beginning of your journey. A small rocky peak “Kalapather” offers you beyond imagination views. The panoramic view from this spot is something to cherish and you feel it’s worth the hard climb up to here to feel at the top of the world. You can also see the Everest Base camp down below on the moraine of Khumbu glacier and many mountainous scenery such as: Pumari (7,145m), Lingtren (6,695m), Khumbutse (6,623m), Changtse (7,550m), Nupse (7879m), and even Everest itself. After breakfast in Gorakshep, we trek down to Dhugla then continue staying high above the valley floor in Imja valley. It is the only place in Khumbu where barley is grown. Enjoy the scenery and stay overnight in the hotel.

Today you can fell well descend to a lower elevation from Pheriche. The walk is pleasant all the way to Tangboche. You can see very old Sherpa villages and further down to Tangboche is one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas. The first thing that comes into view is the big Monastery or Gumba followed by the large field with campsites, teahouses, and lodges beneath the soaring and majestic peaks of Ama Dablam, Everest, Mt. Lhotse and Lhotse Shar towards the northeast.

After a long walk we'll have one long last day back to Lukla. We descend the long way before crossing the bridge and walking further to Monju finally stopping in Phakding for lunch. We will remind ourselves again to enjoy the lush green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa village until Lukla. You'll have time to wander around the areas and guide will re-confirm your flight ticket and enjoy the last celebrate dinner with your crew and overnight at hotel.

Normally, the flight for Kathmandu is in the morning due to the wind in the afternoon; sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our control. Anyway we will fly back to Kathmandu and your guide will transfer to hotel then you may have time to relax after long journey and take back your breath and rest at your hotel rest of day.