EVEREST
HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL TREK
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 13 days
(8 days Lodge trek, 5 days Kathmandu)
This trek takes you to
the heart of Everest country and the land of the land
of the legendary Sherpas without the rigors of an expediton.
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 tradersand yak caravans. The greatest
prize of all of 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 in the steep slopes. The shaggy-coated Yak is
the most famous animal around here.
Namche Bazaar is an enhancing settlement set in a horseshoe-shaped
mountain ampitheater. 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 3870m 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 legendary Yeti and a view of Yeti's scalp at
the local monastery.
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