Everest Region Annapurna Region Remote Region Wild Life Rafting India Tebit Bhutan

This trek takes you to the heart of Everest country and the land of the legendary Sherpas without the rigors of an expedition.

GRADE: MODERATE
DURATION: 13 DAYS
(8 DAYS LODGE TREK, 5 DAYS KATHMANDU)

The Khumbu region in eastern Nepal is the home of the Sherpas, the world's most famous mountaineers. The Tengboche Monastery, center of Sherpa Buddhist culture, holds pride of place in Himalayan iconography. There is also the famous village of Namche Bazaar, a meeting place for Himalayan traders and yak caravans. The greatest prize of all is of course the view of Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

Our Everest experience begins at Lukla airport (2850m). The trail follows the course of the Dudh Koshi River (the 'river of milk') as it charges down the narrow gorges. On the trail, you feel dwarfed by the mountains all around. Sacred stones, chortens and prayer flags mark the route. Yak caravans are frequently encountered and the precarious suspension bridges make you pause. You may not meet a Yeti, but Barking Deer, Musk Deer and the Himalayan Tahr or mountain goat can be seen grazing on the steep slopes. The shaggy-coated Yak is the most famous animal around here.

Namche Bazaar is an enchanting settlement set in a horseshoe-shaped mountain amphitheater. Its Saturday market is a social event where merchandise of daily use, meat, yak tails and butter are traded. Mountaineering souvenirs left behind by expeditions to Everest can also be found in the shops of Namche.

Tengboche Monastery sits at an altitude of 3,870m in a clearing surrounded by firs and rhododendrons. The view from here is a magnificent close-up of Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m), Lhotse (8500m), Ama Dablam, Kwangde and Thamserku. A day at Khumjung will fill you with tales of the legendery Yeti and a view of Yeti's scalp at the local monastry.