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Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek

Till Namche bazaar & Tengboche

12

Days

TREK

Easy
Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek Trip Map, Route Map

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Trip highlights
  • Sightseeing tour to various historical/natural/cultural world heritage sites in Kathmandu
  • Magnificent scenic flight to Lukla from Kathmandu
  • Experience the lifestyle and traditions of Sherpa people living in the Himalayas
  • Trekking in Sagarmatha National Park (Listed in UNESCO world heritage natural site)
  • Scenic spectacular view of Mt. Everest from Everest view hotel
  • Discover numerous Buddhist monasteries and other cultural monuments Variety of floras and faunas
  • Explore the Sherpa Museum in Namche Bazar & a bustling remote village town of Sherpa settlement at the altitude of 3440m
  • Visit to Tengboche Monastery situated at the height of 4000m
  • Discover rich Buddhist and Tibetan culture and traditions
  • Eye-popping view of world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest
  • Visit to Sir Edmund Hillary School in Khumjung

The Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek and the Everest View Comfort Trek are easy trekking routes in the Everest region of Nepal. Trekkers do not need prior trekking experiences, and they can do this trek with their family members. In this Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek, you will be exploring areas below 4000m in the Everest region around Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. If you are looking for a more challenging trek in the Everest region, you can choose one of our Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Three High Pass Trek, or the Gokyo Valley Trek. 

In this Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek, you will be experiencing some of the best mountain views from Namche Bazaar, Syangboche, and Tengboche. Moreover, the Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek brings you up close to the heartland of the Khumbu region, where you experience the Himalayan culture, lifestyle, and tradition of the Sherpa people in traditional Sherpa villages with Buddhist monasteries, snow-capped peaks around.

Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek begins in the ancient city of Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, we visit some UNESCO World Heritage Sites-the Swayamhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. The next day we take a short spectacular flight to Lukla, the starting point of our trek.

From Lukla, the hike begins through lush forest, high-hanging suspension bridges, and steep ridges with incredible views through the Sagarmatha National Park to Phakding. The next day, the trail follows the Dudhkoshi River valley to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar provides an excellent view of Everest and other mountains such as Aamadablom, Lhotse, Kusum Kangakaru, Kangtega, Thamserku, Kongde, etc.

From Namche, we head towards the famous Tengboche Monastery, which serves as a spiritual center of the Buddhist Sherpa of the Everest region. Then the Everest Sherpa Cultural Trek descends back to Khumjung village, Thame, Monjo, and finally to Lukla. From Lukla, we take a breathtaking mountain flight to Kathmandu.

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu, meet and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will stroll around Thamel and the local streets of Kathmandu. Dinner in the evening in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with a cultural performance. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 2: Kathmandu Tour & trek preparation
After breakfast, start sightseeing covering Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swambhunath stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kathmandu Durbar Square area holds the palaces of the medieval Kings who ruled over Kathmandu, whereas Swayambhunath is popular among foreigners as the Monkey Temple. In the afternoon, there will be a short briefing regarding the trek. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding(2610m/Approx. 8km/ 3hrs trek/ascent 430m ‐descent 620m).
Early in the morning, transfer to the domestic airport to board a flight to Lukla. On the flight, watch the rugged foothills give way to the snowline of the Himalayas. The trek begins from Lukla on a stony path descending to the Dudh Koshi valley. The trail goes through the pastoral lands of the Sherpas, passing several small villages and individual farms. Many Sherpas now make their living exclusively from trekking, and there are also many tea houses and basic lodges where it’s possible to stop for a drink or a chat. We will also pass by many stone walls, intricately carved with prayers and prayer wheels of all sizes, with colorful strings of prayer flags fluttering from high points and bridges. After about 3 hours of trekking, we finally meet the river and reach our first lodge at Phakding at 2610m (lower than Lukla)‐ located beside the tumbling Dudh Koshi. Overnight in a village lodge.

Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/Approx. 12km/ 6+hrs trek/Ascent 1300m ‐ descent 500m).
Today will be one of the most challenging days physically on your trek, so take it slowly. The hike begins with a pleasant walk by the river through the pine forest that leads to a short climb to escape a narrow gorge section, passing several villages and lodges. After passing Monjo, we arrive at the entrance to the Everest National Park. After permit formalities, we continue past Jorsalle village, then drop to the river valley and cross it over a suspension bridge. Continue up the wooded valley on a good trail and cross the river again before reaching a confluence, one coming down from Thame and the other from the Khumbu Valley. We make a final crossing on a tremendously impressive suspension bridge spanning a deep chasm and then begin an hour and a half long ascent to Namche on a wide switchback trail. This sting of the trail is the steepest in today’s hike on an otherwise gentle ascent day. An hour below Namche, near Chutara, we gain views of Everest. Eventually, after about 6hrs, pull into Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital with its houses built one above the other on the steep sides of a sloping mountain bowl. The narrow streets at its center are a mixture of cyber cafés and souvenir shops. Namche (3420m) is a bustling market where goods far away as Tibet are traded and the hub of everything in the Everest region. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore. On Saturdays’ there is generally an open weekend market too. Overnight in a village lodge.

Day 5: Namche from Syangboche (3780m/Approx. 2.5km/2hrs/ascent 340m)
Visit the nearby internationally known Museum of Sherpa Culture & Everest Photo Gallery. Our stay in Namche naturally helps in acclimating to the altitude, so we begin another 2hrs steep climb up to Everest View Hotel, passing Syangboche airstrip (3700m) along the way. Opened in 1971, the Guinness Book of World Records (2004) accords it as Highest Placed Hotel. Enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view from the hotel. Overnight in a village lodge.  

Day 6: Trek from Syagboche to Pangboche(3970m) via Tengboche (3860 m)(About 11km/6hrs/855m descent/955m ascent)
After an early breakfast, we begin a bit more challenging day. Leaving the hotel, we head towards Khumjung (3790m) and join the main trail for Tengboche. The trail descends to Dudh Koshi (3250), past several lodges and a series of water-driven prayer wheels. Hereafter, it is a steep ascent of about 600m to the ridge‐top of Tengboche (3870m), the famous monastery with Ama Dablam, Everest, and other peaks in the background. Tengboche is considered the biggest monastery in the region. From Tengboche, we descend to Debuche village, cross over the Imja Khola river, and climb through the rhododendron forests, past mani stones to Pangboche. Pangboche used to be the highest permanently occupied village in the Khumbu until tourism created a demand for lodges higher up the valley towards Base Camp. It is a pleasant village, surrounded by fields, with great views and an old monastery which you can look around. Overnight in a  village lodge.

Day 7: Pangboche to Thashinga via Phortse (About 10km/5‐6hrs/790m ascent & 1320m descent).
If you wish to make it easy, return via the same trail. Otherwise, we plan on going via Phortse. Walk to Tashinga via a different route, passing through the less-visited Phortse village. From Pangboche, take the high trail above the Imja river. This trail undulates along the valley side with fabulous views across the mountains, Tengboche perched on its ridge. After about two to three hours, we round a corner with the isolated village of Phortse (3,810m) below us, situated in a spectacular spot on a promontory overlooking the Dudh Kosi in one direction and the Imja in the other. Walk down to the river (3600m) valley and climb towards Mong La through a heavily forested area, where you may see Danphe pheasant and musk deer. The mountain views from Mong La (3950m) are breathtaking. We then descend to our lodge in Thashinga (3450m), located outside the village, with views down the valley to Ama Dablam and Everest. Overnight in a  village lodge.

Day 8:Thashinga to Khumjung(3790m) & Thame(3750 m/Approx. 14km/ 5‐7hrs trek. Ascent 1020m/descend 700m)
Leaving Tashinga lodge behind, the trail contour on a small path to reach the main trail leading to Khumjung in about one hour. It is a gentle uphill walk up the shallow valley built into a mountain bowl. The villages with terraced fields overlooking the Sherpa holy mountain called Khumbu Yul Lha. Khumjung is the first village, and Khunde is a short walk further on, which contains the famous medical center instigated by the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. We take time to visit the Edmund Hillary School in Khumjung. The path continues, and rounding a corner, we look down at the hamlet of Tshro. As we move up to the head of the valley, we come to one or two lone houses and small fields, then we cross the river and pass through the small hamlets. WE follow the old Tibetan trade route where we may pass by some Tibetans who come over the Nangpa La to trade in Namche. This well‐formed, wide path makes for a mostly easy walk. Today you are more than likely to see Griffin vultures and mountain goats. Before you reach the village of Thame, the path descends to a bridge over a narrow fissure with water roaring below. Here there are large wall paintings of Guru Padmasambhava. Hereafter the trail climbs steeply to the picturesque village of Thame (3800m) with a backdrop of massive snow-covered peaks. Sherpa Tenzing Norgay’s house is at the top end of the village, where he lived with his first wife. Depending on your interest and available time, visit the monastery (3,940m). Overnight in a village lodge.

Day 9:Thame to Monjo(2835m/Approx 13km/5hrs/Ascend 550m/Descend 1510m).
Retrace our hike till Phurte, from where we will take the lower trail to Namche. After 3‐4hrs of easy walking, arrive at Namche Bazaar for lunch and maybe a short time for shopping. Then make a long descent downhill crossing the Sir Edmund Hillary Bridge to Monjo lodge (2850). Overnight in a  village lodge.

Day 10: Trek Manjo to Lukla(2860m/Approx. 13km/ 4 ‐5hrs trek/ Descend 800m, ascend 810m).
Our last day of trekking is gradually downhill till Phakding. You have a chance to visit the Gumila monastery from Phakding by walking a little more than a half-hour from the main trail. From Phakding, we continue following the river valley for a bit and then climb the side of the ridge to Lukla (2840m). Free to stroll or enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the hotel. Overnight in a  village lodge

Day 11:Fly to Kathmandu
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in a hotel

Day 12:Departure
Transfer to the airport for your next destination.

  • Group Size8 maximum for scheduled small group journey, but any size for private

  • MealsOnly breakfast in Kathmandu while all meals are included during the trek

  • Trip Accommodation3-4* category hotels in Kathmandu and local village lodge/guest house during the trek

  • RouteKathmandu-Lukla-Namche Bazar- Tengboche-Syangboche-Pangboche-Thasingha- Thame-Monjo-Lukla-Kathmandu

  • Trip Type Trekking

  • Trip SeasonsSeptember to November, March to May

  • Best MonthsMarch, April, May, September, October, November

  • Lean MonthsFebruary, August

  • Not RecommendJanuary, June, July, December

Prices & Dates

Our cost is based on the number of participants to offer the best possible cost:
• 8 members: US$1080 per person.
• 6 members: US$1160 per person.
• 4 members: US$1245 per person.
• 2 members: US$1435 per person.
• Single traveler: US$2025.
• Single room supplementary: US$105.

Trip Dates:
Private Journeys for independent travel with your own dates.

Included

  • All transfers by private vehicle including airport & hotel transfer
  • Accommodation as per itinerary, 3 to 4-star hotels in Kathmandu & local village lodge/tea house during the trek.
  • Only breakfast in Kathmandu and all meals during the trek.
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary with entrance fee
  • English speaking local trekking guide with porter(1 porter for every two members)
  • Necessary paperwork and permits (TIMS card/National park fees/Rural municipal fee)
  • Domestic flight-Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
  • One welcome or farewell dinner with cultural performance in Kathmandu

Not included

  • Nepal Visa fee
  • International flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Meals other than listed (Lunch & dinner is not included in Kathmandu and also in the case of early return from trekking than the scheduled itinerary)
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure
  • Personal expenses (Tips, Laundry, Telephone, bar, beverages, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc)
  • Excess baggage charges (limit is not more than 15kg per person)
  • Rescue & travel insurance, trip cancellation costs, accident or health emergency, evacuation, loss or damage to baggage, and personal effects (We strongly advise buying a travel insurance policy).
  • All other personal expenses not listed in the included section

Accommodations

3-4* star category hotel in Kathmandu: Kathmandu Guest House/Hotel Shambala or similar
During the trek: Local village lodges/tea houses in all locations whereas in Syangboche we use Hotel Everest View.

Upgrade to comfort lodges along the route is available at an extra cost.

Hotels in Kathmandu

Trip Guide/Leader

  • Hem Raj Bastola

    Hem Raj Bastola

  • Sushil Nepal

    Sushil Nepal

Reviews / Testimonials

  • Dream Trip to Nepal
    Dianne
    San Francisco, California, USA     March 26-April 18,2017
    Dream Trip to Nepal ( Dream Trip to Nepal)
    5 " " I was fortunate enough to book a last minute trip to Nepal through Windhorse for March/April 2017. I had confidence in them because I had a wonderful experience with them in Bhutan. Ugen and his team are really great at putting custom trips together. I was interested in wildlife and

    Dream Trip to Nepal I was fortunate enough to book a last minute trip to Nepal through Windhorse for March/April 2017. I had confidence

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