Sagarmatha National Park
Unique among natural heritage sites
world-wide is the Sagarmatha National Park, which includes Mt. Everest
(8,848 m) and other high peaks such as Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam,
Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. Located North-east
of Kathmandu, Sagarmatha National Park is 1,148 sq km. in area and consists
of the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and the Imja
Khola rivers. Much of the park lies above 3,000m. Sagarmatha is rugged, with
deep gorges, glaciers and unnegotiable ice and rock faces. Locally known as
the 'Khumbu', it is the home of the famous Sherpa people. The Sherpas make a
living by farming barley and potatoes and graze their yaks in high altitude
pastures. Young Sherpas have also made their name in mountaineering and the
trekking industry has of late become the community's economic mainstay. In
1979 the park was declared a World Heritage Site.
Trees such as rhododendron, birch, blue
pine, juniper and silver fir are found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters
above which they give way to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring and
summer, the hillsides around the villages of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung,
Thyangboche and Thame are a riot of colours with several species of
rhododendon in bloom. Wildlife most likely to be seen in Sagarmatha are the
Himalaya tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka (mouse hare) weasel and occasionally
jackal. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and
snow leopard. Birds commonly seen are Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, snow
cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow billed chough, Himalayan griffin
vulture and lammergeier.
Trekking in Everest Region
Located in the eastern half of Nepal, the
Everest region offers a wide range of trekking experiences. From the
well-developed trail to Everest base camp to treks in remote semi-wilderness
areas, there is a choice to suit all-corners.
The most frequented part of the region is
located in Solukhumbu district, the home of the legendary Sherpas. The
northern part of the district (Khumbu) is encompassed in the Everest
National Park, which was established to protect the fragile environment of
the alpine region. To the east of the Everest National Park is the Makalu-Barun
National Park, a remote and wild stretch of mountain peaks and deep densely
forested valleys. To the west is the Rolwaling valley, a well protected
microcosm of cultures and ecology. The southern part of the district, Solu
is much less frequented by tourist and be a very rewarding destination in
its own right.
Beside Mount Everest there are other 8,000
meter peaks in the region. Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu and in addition
numerous other peaks lesser altitude but no less stunning. Add to this
glacial lakes rhododendron forest, native flora and fauna, traditional
villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries, all go to make this region a
spectacular destination.
Permits and Fees
No special trekking permits are required
to visit this area provided that the trekker's do not climb any of the
peaks. An entry fee is charged for access to Everest National Park. This is
payable at the national park desk in Thamel. For treks to the east of main
Everest trail an addition permit is required to enter Makalu-Barun National
Park obtainable from the same location.
Getting There
Access to the Everest region can only be
made by air or on foot. By road, the only practical road ahead at this time
is Jiri, a seven to ten hour bus ride from Kathmandu. A new road is under
construction to Salleri, the district headquarters, but this will probably
be complete for another five years at least. It is also possible to trek to
the Everest region via the Arun valley where roads head is at Hille, a
twenty ride from the capital. These times are all by local bus as there is
no tourist bus service available at this time. Private cars and taxis could
be used and would reduce the traveling time considerably but obviously at
extra cost. Buses to Jiri currently leave from the old bus park in central
Kathmandu.
By air there are three options. The most
convenient for Everest treks is Lukla, which is serviced by many daily
flights from Kathmandu. Three days walk to south, near the district
headquarters, is Phaplu air strip, which is service by daily flights. This
is useful for treks in southern parts of the region or for Everest trekkers
who want to gain extra acclimatization and see some of less developed part
of the district.
The last choice is the small air strip at
Syangboche, which is located above Namche Bazar. While this is an option,
its altitude (3760 meters) makes it an impractical and unwise choice as an
arrival destination for acclimatization reasons.
People and Culture
The main ethnic group that visitors will
encounter in the Everest region is the Sherpas. This is their heartland and
their influence is to be seen everywhere from their traditional dress to
their distinctive houses and village monasteries. There are also minorities
of various other groups, notably Rai/Limbu and Tamang in the lower hills and
the ubiquitous Bhramin and Chhetri farmers of the valleys.
Flora and Fauna
The flora and fauna to be seen are quiet
diverse since the region ranges in altitude from less than 2000 meters above
sea level at Jiri to the high peaks of the Himalaya at over 8000 meters. Up
to 4000 meters you will find dense stands of forest including pine, oak and
the spectacular flowering rhododendrons. The latter are one reason to make a
trip in Nepal in the spring when the hills between 2000 and 3500 meters are
a riot of colors.
The crop under cultivation will depend on
the season that you visit but expect to see wheat, barley, corn and potatoes
at some stage. Domesticated animals will range from cattle, buffalo, goats
and pigs to the all-purpose beast of mountains-the yak
There is a good chance of seeing wildlife,
mostly birds including the national bird of Nepal-the Impeyan Pheasant, or
danfe, which is quite common around Namche Bazar. Other notable birds will
include the ravens and crows of the middle hills and the coughs which soar
to seemingly impossible heights in the mountains. Also in the mountain look
for flocks of snow pigeons wheeling around the hillsides.
Land animals can be most elusive but look
out mountain goats (most commonly the Himalayan tahr) and, if you are lucky,
musk deer or barking deer in the forest.
How and When
How to trek in Everest region depend
entirely on the route that you choose. On the main trail to Everest base
camp or the route to Gokyo valley then teahouse trekking is perfectly
possible. The trail in from Jiri is also endowed with many continently
located teahouses although generally not of such a high standard as those to
the north. Other trekking routes will almost certainly require the use of
camping and organization of trekking staff and equipment. See the following
individual route description for detail.
When to Visit?
The peak season of October/November and
March/May are obviously the most popular. At these times the weather is mild
and generally dry, making the walking conditions good. The spring season is
good for wild flowers, particularly the rhododendrons, while the autumn
season generally gives the best mountain views, as the air at this time is
crystal clear.
Winter is possible but the chances of snow
are higher and passes may be closed, particularly during late winter. Also
during this time many of the teahouses will close. The summer/monsoon period
is generally unsuitable for trekking period, as the trails are slippery,
leeches abundant and the mountain views are unpredictable. It can be
rewarding time, however, if you are prepared to tolerate these drawbacks, as
the wild flowers are at their best at this time and there are fewer tourists
on the trails making interaction with the locals easier.
Looking after the environment
Much has been said about the deteriorating
environment of the Himalaya. Over that past few years, due to effort by many
overseas expeditions and organizations such as the Sagarmatha Pollution
Control Committee and Nepal Mountaineering Association, education programmes
and clean-up campaigns have, to a large extent, solved many of the problems.
Having said that, the environment of the
high Himalaya is a very fragile eco-system that is easily put out of
balance. The locals lived for generations in relative harmony with their
surroundings but the recent influx of tourist has put pressure on the
indigenous populations to supply more and more services in the name of
tourism development. While the Everest National Park is somewhat protective
from the worst ravages the same cannot be said about the area immediately to
the south. Here, uncontrolled timber collection for fuel and building has
led to a marked loss of timber cover. Certain initiatives within the
National Park area, such as the banning of glass beer and soft drink
bottles, had resulted in a reduction of the amount of non-biodegradable
rubbish being left behind. Much more can be done, however, particularly by
the trekkers themselves. The KEEP code of trekking conduct is a perfect
example.
Everest base Camp
One of the classic treks in Nepal, Everest
base camp is most commonly visited as a two week trek starting and finishing
at Lukla, the airport just to the south of Everest National park.
During the trekking seasons there are
numerous daily flights into and out of Lukla, weather permitting. The flight
from Kathmandu, which takes around forty-five minutes, passes over the
fertile middle hills, with their scattered villages and terraced fields,
with an amazing panorama of the high Himalaya as a backdrop. Before long the
mountains close in and you are sweeping down to land at the gateway to
Everest-Lukla. Situated high above the banks of the Dudh Koshi river, which
carries the melt water from Everest, Lukla provides a range of services,
including accommodation but most trekkers will choose to start trekking as
soon as they arrive and use Lukla as a final destination on their return.
From Lukla trekker must have a gentle, two
days trek up the Dudh Koshi valley to reach Namche Bazar in order to avoid
altitude problems. There are plenty of teahouses along the way for the first
night stop, Phakding (three hours from Lukla) and Monzo (five hours from
Lukla) are the most popular. Just beyond Monzo, trekkers enter the Everest
National Park at the Jorsale check post. Here entry permits will be checked
and the visitor's passport details recorded. The trail, which has been
following the Dudh Koshi since Lukla, starts the ascent to Namche Bazar
about one hour past Jorsale.
Namche Bazar, once a small village but
since grown in size to accommodate the influx of trekkers, is the unofficial
capital of the Sherpas. It was once an important trading centre on the route
from Tibet to Nepal but has now been largely given over to catering for the
needs of trekkers. There is a multitude of teahouse, equipment shops, curio
sellers, restaurant and even cyber cafes that make just about anything the
trekker could need, available, albeit at a higher price than in Kathmandu.
For acclimatization reasons, trekkers must spend two nights in or around
Namche, Which gives the opportunity to explore some of the less developed
and more traditional villages in the area.
One of the nicest destination for the
acclimation day is to walk to Thame, home of many famous mountaineering
Sherpas, including Tenzing Norgay of Everest fame. Often Danfe (Impeyan
Pheasant) and Himalaya Tahr can be seen along this trail. The round trip is
quite a hard day's walk taking a minimum of eight hours. An option would be
to stay the night at one of the teahouse at Thame and retrace your steps the
next day. While at Thame, be sure to visit the Buddhist monastery, which is
located on hillside about a thirty-minute walk above the village. The valley
to the north of Thame leads to Tibet via the Nangpa la, the pass
traditionally used by Sherpa and Tibetan traders. The valley to the west of
Thame leads to the Trashi Labsta pass and the Rolwaling valley.
Easier option for passing the
acclimatization day can be found by visiting the twin Sherpa villages of
Khumjung and Khunde, which are about a two-hour walk above Namche. While in
Khunde, visit the hospital, which was established and funded by sir Edmund
Hillary's Himalayan trust. Khumjung monastery is interesting as being the
store place of one of the alleged yeti scalp that is to be found in the
region.
Moving on from Namche Bazar the trail
follows the valley of the Imja khola with some spectacular views of the
mountains including Thamserku, Kangtega and Ama Dablam and, dominating the
skyline ahead, Everest and Lhotse. The most common night stop after Namche
is at the top of a steep climb from the Imja khola, at Thyangboche. This is
the site of one of the most significant Buddhist monasteries in Solukhumbu
and a visit is well recommended. Tours of the monastery are conducted each
afternoon. If the teahouse and campsites at Thyangboche are full, a common
occurrence in the main season, then more lodging can be found a further
thirty minutes along the trail at Deboche. The ramshackle nunnery, an
extension of the Thyangboche monastery, at Deboche makes an interesting site
trip.
Following the Imja khola from Thyangboche
the trekking route climbs gradually through pangboche and emerges above the
tree line. Eventually, after a long day's trek, you reach the next night's
stop at either Pheriche or Dingboche. Here another rest/acclimatization day
trip being to Chhukung, around three hours walk above Dingboche. The
mountain panorama around Chhukung is nothing short of amazing with the
massive south face of Lhotse rearing above it to the north and a ring of
lesser peaks surrounding it.
From Dingboche or Pheriche it takes
another six hours of trekking to reach the cluster of teahouse at Lobuche
sited on the lateral moraine of the khumbu glacier. Above Lobuche it is
another three hours walk to the last settlement on the trail at Gorak Shep.
Here a few basic teahouses provide shelter for the night before undertaking
the final leg of the trek up the glacier to Everest base camp. Above Gorak
Shep rises the well-known landmark of Kala Pattar. A climb of two to three
hours will reward the trekker with a marvelous vista. Barely eight
kilometers to the east is the summit of Everest and just to the most
beautiful mountains to be found anywhere.
The trek along the glacier to base camp
can take up to five hours depending on the trail conditions. Care should be
taken while traveling here, as route finding can be a problem and there are
no facilities at base camp (expeditions are generally reluctant to entertain
visiting trekkers) so it is important to make sure that you have food and
drinks for the return trip. Descending from base camp, most trekkers will
reach at least Lobuche, if not further, by nightfall.
The return trek to Lukla basically follows
the upward route but rest days are obviously not necessary. The route can be
varied, to make the return more interesting, by diverting through upper
pangboche and returning to Namche via Phortse (looks for herds of tahr on
the hillsides), Mong La and Khumjung. Pangboche, which has few teahouses and
campsite, is an interesting place to spend a night. The monastery here is
one of the oldest in Solukhumbu and also has yeti relics.
Khumjung would make an interesting
alternative stopping place to Namche Bazar if trekkers wished to avoid the
hustle and bustle of the bazaar.
If you haven't arranged for somebody to
reconfirm your flight out of Lukla for you, be sure to reach there as early
as possible on the day before departure in order to make sure that your seat
doesn't disappear. Arriving in Lukla on the day of departure is inviting a
lost seat.
Gokyo Valley
An alternative, or even better, an
addition, to the Everest Base Camp trek is the trek up to the Gokyo valley.
Gokyo is located in the valley immediately west of the Everest (Khumbu)
valley and is far less developed and crowded than its better-known neighbor
to the east. In fact, the Gokyo valley only has one traditional permanent
settlement, the rest being summer pastures now catering to the passing
trekkers.
If Gokyo is visited after trek to Everest
base camp the extra distance only adds a another five days to the itinerary.
If Gokyo is visited independently of Everest then care needs to be taken on
the upward leg of the trek, as the altitude gain is much greater, leading to
many unwary trekkers having problems with AMS. Both options will be
described here.
If Gokyo is the ultimate destination
rather than Everest then the Everest trail is followed as far as the
teahouses at Kenjoma (where the trail from Khumjung joins the main trail).
From here the Gokyo trail climbs up the hillside to a pass at Mong La before
dropping steeply back down to the banks of the Dudh Koshi. The next two
hours of trekking, through beech, rhododendron and oak forest, past
waterfalls, which are often frozen, and ultimately through pine forests
before breaking out above the tree line is one of the best sections of any
trail in the area. Just above the trees line are the teahouses of dole, a
convenient stopping place for the first night.
The following day must be very short if
you are to avoid altitude problems. it only takes around for hours to reach
Machherma but this is as far as most trekkers should travel that day. The
valley that leads west above Manchherma is well worth an afternoon visit. it
is here that the last reported sighting of a yeti was made. A yeti sighting
unlikely but the valley is stunning none the less. The rocky bulk of Kyajo
Ri, an unclimbed and impressive peak, dominates the head of the valley.
The final push up to Gokyo takes you past
the teahouses at Pangkha and up the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa
glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal. Just above the moraine is the first
of the glacial lakes for which Gokyo is renowned. If it isn't frozen, look
for migrating ducks on the lake surface. The trail passes two more lakes to
reach the teahouses of Gokyo about four to five hours after leaving
Machherma.
The Gokyo valley is dominated at its head
by the massive form of Cho Oyu, at 8153 meters the eight highest peaks on
earth. Many options are available in the upper Gokyo valley. The most common
destination is the rock hill above the third lake known as Gokyo Ri or Gokyo
Kala Pattar. This hill, which takes at least two hours to climb, provides an
even better panorama than the one seen from the more famous Kala Pattar at
Gorak Shep (see Everest base camp trek description). To get the most out of
a climb of Gokyo Ri, leave the teahouses at least two hours before dawn in
order to have a sunrise view of the Himalaya. Other options include an
additional day spent trekking further up the valley past the fourth and
fifth lakes to Cho Oyu base camp. It must be remembered that there are no
facilities beyond Gokyo and all trekkers must be self-sufficient.
There are two high passes leading out of
the Gokyo valley. The most traveled in Cho la pass which connects with the
khumbu valley near Lobuche and the other is the renjo la pass that joins the
trail between Thame and Nangpa la. Both of these are serious undertakings
that require some basic mountaineering skills and equipment depending on
weather conditions. Teahouse trekkers have successfully crossed Cho la but
the risk of sudden storm, which could trap unprepared trekkers, is always
possible. Neither pass should be attempted without a competent guide.
if you are visiting the Gokyo valley in
addition to Everest base camp it is as far better to trek to Gokyo after
visiting Everest ,for acclimatization reasons. Follow the Everest trek route
described previously and take the alternative exit route as far as Phortse.
From here, follow the eastern side of the valley through some isolated
settlements, which include the village of Konar, the only permanent
settlement above Phortse. The trail climbs, mostly gently, up the valley
with some superb view of Cho Oyu in front and Thamserku and Kangtega behind.
There are no facilities available on the side of the valley until the small
teahouse at nah is reached after about six hours walking from Phortse.
Trekkers should therefore carry their supplies for the day. Nah is a good
place to camp but for teahouse accommodation Pangkha, another hour further
on, has far better facilities. From here the previously described trail is
followed to Gokyo.
Jiri to Lukla
An alternative to taking the flight to
Lukla is to trek in from the road ahead at Jiri. Jiri can be reached by
local bus from Kathmandu in seven to ten hours depending on road conditions
or by taxi or private car in five to six hours. There are no tourist bus
services available. A newly opened extension to the road beyond Jiri
currently reaches the village of Shivalaya but, since the bus takes over two
hours from Jiri and walk takes barely three hours it makes little sense to
take the bus.
The trek from Jiri to Lukla takes an
average of seven days and gives preparation for the Everest base camp trek.
It is never flat as it crosses the grain of the land for the first five
days. The highest point reached before Lukla is Lamjura La pass, which is at
3530 meters above sea level. A highlight of the area around the Lamjura La
is the magnificent display of pink and lilac rhododendrons in spring.
The trek passes through parts of
Solukhumbu that are relatively undeveloped compared with the northern part
of the district around Namche Bazaar. This enables trekkers to experience
many traditional aspects of the culture of the local people that are less
easy to see above Lukla. The trail passes through numerous settlements of
different ethnic groups including Tamang, Jirel, Rai, Brahmin and Chhetri
and, of course, the Sherpas. The trail is well serviced, with trekking
teahouses and good campsites in most of the settlements. starting trekking
from Jiri the night halts will most likely be at the villages of Deurali,
Kenja, Sete, Lamjura, Junbesi, Trasindho, Karki Khola and Surkne(below Lukla).
The most interesting of these stops is probably Junbesi, the oldest Sherpa
settlement in Solu. An extra day spent here will be time well spent. The
local teahouse owners will arrange guided day trips if you are traveling
without your own guide but the main points of interest are the monastery of
Thupten Chholing, about an hour above Junbesi and the villages of Mabung and
Pangkarma which are en route to the monastery. The monastic school at
Phungmoche, an hour above Thupten Chholing is also worth visiting and can
offer guest accommodation for limited numbers.
Below the pass at Tragsindho the trail
falls over 1500 meters to cross the Dudh Koshi. Here it follows the river
and joins the main trail to Everest Base Camp below Lukla.
Other treks around Solu
The southern part of Solukhumbu (Solu)
holds many attractions as a destination in its own right. The options are
many but the best known of treks are the nine day trek over Pike, the Dudh
kunda trek and treks east of the district headquarters at Salleri. None of
these routes are serviced with so trekkers must be fully self-sufficient.
Over Pike Danda
This trek, of nine day's duration, usually
starts in Jiri and ends with a flight back to Kathmandu from Phaplu. It is
also possible to continue on from Phaplu and join the Everest trek at Ringmo,
the village below the Tragsindho La pass. The highest of the trek is the
stunning view from the top of pike, which includes Everest as well as a
great number of lesser snow-capped peaks.
To travel over Pike Danda, follow the Jiri
to Lukla trek as far as the Likhu Khola, before Kenja. The route then climbs
steeply through the villages of Goli Gompa and Ngaur before reaching the
4065 meter summit of Pike. Descent to Phaplu is via the Sherpa village of
Lodingma, home of several Everest summiteers .there is an alternative,
rough, trail that joins the Jiri to Lukla trail near Lamjura La.
Due to the high altitude of Pike, trekkers
must be particularly careful to watch for signs of AMS and be prepared to
spend extra nights at Goli or Ngaur if necessary.
To Dudh Kunda
The sacred lake of Dudh kunda lies at the
base of Mt.Nambur, the mountain regarded by the locals as being the home of
the protective deity of Solu. In August there is an influx of devotees who
come to perform cleansing ritual at the lake. At other time you are unlikely
to meet anyone on this rarely traveled trail.
The main trail to Dudh kunda starts at
Ringmo on the route between Junbesi and Tragsindho La. an alternative route
to the lake starts at Thupten Chholing and follows a spectacular, isolated
ridge through dense forest and then opens, and sometimes rocky, yak grazing
pastures to join the main trail at Sarsarbeni. This latter trail is quite
remote and a local guide may be needed if your staff is unfamiliar with the
route.
From Ringmo, the trek to Dudh kunda takes
a minimum of five days but at least one extra day for exploring around the
lake should be allowed for. While at the lake, be sure to walk right around
its shore and look for the spring, high up on the Northeastern side which is
considered to be the source of the holy water.
There are several additional option for
extending treks above Dudh Kunda but the remote nature of the country makes
a locally experienced guide essential.
Treks around Salleri
The district headquarters of Solukhumbu
can make an interesting base for several short walks visiting local villages
and viewpoints. Salleri itself has few tourists but Phaplu, an hour's walk
to the north, boasts a range of teahouse options and also has suitable
camping sites.
The Chailsa-Chiwong Circuit
One of the nicest short treks follows the
ridge above Salleri, to the east. This ridge the Ratanji Danda, gives
mountain views across Makalu Barun N.P and also distant views of Everest.
The route follows the ridge north as far as Tragsindho. then a circuit can
be completed by following the valley back to Phaplu .along the trek
highlights are the views, well preserved forest, the Tibetan resettlement
camp at Chailsa (above Salleri) and the Buddhist monastery at Chiwong.
Chiwong is famous for the Mani Rimdu festival held here each year in
November. At least four nights should be allowed for this trek starting and
ending in Phaplu.
There are many other possibilities in the
area including reversing the Pike Danda trek described previously. Seek
advice from local teahouse owners for details.
The Hinkhu and Hongu Valleys
Located to the west of Solukhumbu is the
secluded and rarely visited Rolwaling valley. The upper reaches of the
valley are connected to the Solukhumbu by the high and difficult pass of
Trashi Labsta. Trekkers contemplating trek that connects Rolwaling with
khumbu should always travel from east to west (khumbu to Rolwaling). To
attempt to do the trek in reverse is likely to result in technical and
altitude problems. The trek, particularly the crossing of Trashi Labsta, is
one of the more difficult treks in Nepal and should only be attempted by
self-sufficient, strong and experienced parties. Some basic mountaineering
skills are required. Staff, particularly porters, must be experienced and
from the district. For good acclimatization, a trek to Everest Base Camp or
Gokyo, prior to crossing over to Rolwaling, is an excellent idea.
The route to Trashi Labsta starts at Thame
(see Everest Base Camp description).it takes two nights to reach Trashi
Labsta which, ideally, should be crossed early in the day to avoid rock fall
from the slopes above. The pass is usually ice covered and porters carrying
large loads will need assistance. If camping at the peaks, be careful to
choose a campsite that is well away from the rock fall area.
The next two days are spent traveling down
the Drolambao glacier. There are two icefalls on the route, which usually
require the use of ropes to descend. At the end of the glacier is the
massive Cho Rolpa glacial lake. This lake, which is now being drained, was
at one time threatening to burst and inundate much of the Rolwaling valley.
After the glacier the upper Rolwaling
valley is hemmed in by mountains on both sides with the bulk of Gauri
Shankar on the northern side. The settlements on Nah and Beding are Sherpa
villages, Nah being only a summer settlement. As you descended below beding
the valley becomes forested first with juniper and pines and later the
vegetation becomes lusher. The Sherpas give way to people of the middle
hills mainly Tamang and Brahmins. After seven days from Trashi Labsta the
end of the trek is reached at Charikot on the Kathmandu to Jiri road.
Everest to the Arun valley
As an alternative to Jiri or Lukla the
Everest trek can be started or ended by trekking across to the valley in the
eastern side of Nepal. The starting point can be Hille if traveling by road
or Tumlingtar if a flight is preferred. Getting to or from Hille involves a
lengthy bus journey from Kathmandu of around fourteen hours. If this route
is taken an entry permit for Makalu Barun National Park is required.
If using the Arun valley as an alternative
exit, the route leaves the main Everest trail at Kharte, the village above
Khari Khola. It generally travels south east crossing the major rivers in
the area, the Hindu Khola and the Hongu Khola, and two high passes, the
Pangkoma la (3350 meters) and the Salpa La (3350 meters). Both of these
passes give good views of the mountains to the north. The scenery along the
trail ranges from mixed farming land and scattered Sherpa and Rai villages
to stands of forest including rhododendron and oak. After trekking for five
days from where several flights a week connect with Kathmandu and Biratnagar.
A further two days trek to the south is Hille from where daily buses operate
to Kathmandu.
