Phaplu Via Everest Base Camp Trek is a classic adventure destination in the Everest region. This trek covered the hidden Sherpa culture scenarios of numerous peaks. Besides, The Everest Base Camp Trek will be a great opportunity for trekkers as one can witness both sides of scenic Solu and Khumbu districts, from culture, and people to a varied change of vegetation and landscapes.
Likewise, Phaplu Via Everest Base Camp Trek leads you with a glorious panorama of the world’s highest mountain range in harmony with the local immense culture and customs of the native Sherpa interwoven with the Buddhist religion. The trail takes you on quiet trails and away from the main flow of trekkers to the upper side of Khumbu where most people fly into Lukla to start the adventure around the high Everest region. Where our trek begins from off-the-beaten tracks, seldom used by a few trekkers which makes the walk more interesting at the beginning of trekking for a few days before it joins the main route.
Besides, Phaplu Via Everest Base Camp Solu Trek is certainly a great trek where one can have the best of both sides of Everest. In addition, Solu is located towards the south and Khumbu in the north where all high peaks are situated. Starts early morning drive from Kathmandu city to reach around Solu area as the journey heads through the Ramechap district to reach our first destination at Phaplu, with a small airstrip.
Generally, Phaplu which is also a Sherpa-dominated village where walk follows the old classic route of Jiri at Ringmo and Takshindo. The trek goes with ups and downhill past many interesting farm villages to reach the Dudh Kosi River.
As route takes you past the nice of Jubing and Khari-Khola a large settlement of Sherpa, Rai, and Magar. The trekking trail enters into the high Khumbu valley upon reaching above Surkhe village. Where the trail from Jiri, Phaplu, and Lukla meets. Walk from here into Sherpa country around high Khumbu valley to reach at famous Namche Bazaar. It’s one of the largest towns where you can explore many things and with local customs.
Spending an extra day in Namche adventure continues heading towards the beautiful and most scenic spot at Tengboche located amid alpine woodland surrounded by high peaks with views of Mt. Everest and majestic Mt. Amadablam. Tengboche with an impressive Buddhist Monastery for a short visit and then our journey continues heading into high terrain getting closer to the mountains and the high valley of Khumbu to reach Mt. Everest base camp.
On leaving green vegetation and tree lines the country changes into a barren, arid arctic zone as the walk takes you over Khumbu glacier and moraine at base camp. Hence, enjoy the glamorous scenery of the towering peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Pumori within close to the massive Khumbu Ice-Fall. Also, our next adventure takes you on a steep climb on the highest spot of the trip at Kalapathar rocky hill at 5,643 m offers a surprisingly close view of Mt. Everest and surrounding peaks.
Finally on completing all major highlights of the adventure trek downhill to Namche and then reach at Lukla for the last overnight around the Everest region and then taking an early morning flight back to Kathmandu, after a remarkable experience and fantastic adventure on Phaplu Via Everest Base Camp Trek.
Even though, Cultural and scenic walks around both sides of Everest Solu and Khumbu, Enjoy dramatic landscapes scenery on daily treks around the scenic area of Solu On the least visited region of Everest facing grand views of the high snow mountain range Explore Solu villages an opportunity to glimpse various cultures of various tribes, Adventure from lower Solu to high Khumbu valley and within world high peaks. Stand beneath the world’s highest Mt. Everest with the climb to scenic Kalapathar Hilltop”
Since 2019 October most flight to and from Lukla operates from Ramechap town Manthali airport, flying out of Lukla to reach the Kathmandu route has been changed by Nepal Government Civil Aviation Authority. As a rule changes started from April and October 2019 onward, flights to Lukla resume from Manthali town airport which is the main headquarters of Ramechap district Province No: 03 of Nepal. Where drive Manthali airstrip to Kathmandu takes approx.: 5 hrs. Which is about 154 km. distance, where the drive takes you on B.P. Highway (a newly built tarmac road).
Please Note:
There has been a little bit of confusion regarding the height of Kala Pathar Hilltop. Previously, the elevation was somewhere between 5,545 m and 5,550 m. But, according to the research conducted by Dr. Luis A, Ruedas who is an assistant professor at reputed Portland State University on 6th December 2006, the elevation of Kala Pathar was found to be 5, 643 m which equals to 18,514 ft.
Lastly, This fact was deducted after taking an average from 48 different readings. Also, to confirm this fact, another similar research was conducted again in 2008 and at this time, the height of Kalapathar was found to be 5,644.5 m. Kala Pathar’s rocky hill is distinct from other surrounding peaks as it is marked with Buddhist prayer flags.
Mode of Trekking: Hotels in Kathmandu with a local lodge on treks
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous due to high altitude.
Highest spot: On top Kalapathar 5,643 m / 18, 514 ft high.
Trekking Region: Nepal Far North Mid-East Solu-Khumbu, Everest area.
Latitude and Longitude: 27, 98 60 65, 86. 92 26 23 with 27° 59’ 9.8340” North and 86° 55’ 21.44 28” East.
Religion and Culture: Buddhism with colorful cultural heritage and custom
Trekking duration: 14 Nights and 15 Days (with drives and flights)
Total Trip Days: 17 Nights and 18 Days (from main arrival to final
departure)
Best Seasons: Nearly all months of the year except monsoon time from mid-June to mid-September, the best time in spring and autumn seasons and early winter months (March to May and September to December).
Day 01: Main arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning drive to Solu at Phaplu 2,414 m – 07 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Taksinduvillage 2,931 m – 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Khari Khola 2,370 m – 06hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Surkhe 2,450 m – 06 hrs.
Day 06: From Surkhe trek to Phakding 2,645 m – 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m / 11, 350 ft – 06 hrs.
Day 08: At Namche for acclimatization and a short scenic hike to the viewpoint.
Day 09: Trek to Tengboche 3,867 m-05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Dingboche 4,340 m – 05 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Lobuche 4,960 m – 05 hrs.
Day 12: To Mt. Everest Base Camp 5,380 m via Gorakshep 5,180 m-06 hrs.
Day 13: Climb Kalapathar 5,643 m / 18,514 ft and trek to Pangboche 3,900 m via Pheriche – 6 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Namche Bazaar via Tengboche – 06 hrs.
Day 15: Last day walk to Lukla – 06 hrs.
Day 16: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu with the afternoon free at leisure.
Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu spare and contingency day.
Day 18: International departure for homeward bound.
On main arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal international airport meet our staff and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city then check into your rooms after rest meet our guide for group briefing provides you with information of the treks to make your stay with us enjoyable. The evening includes group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant to get the taste of local cuisines with local cultural program to entertainment while you enjoy the dinner.
Morning on overland to reach Nepal Far Mid-East at Phaplu, where an exciting drive leads past many farm villages and towns with ups and downhill to reach at Phalpu within Solu-Khumbu district an area south of Everest and Khumbu region for an overnight stop, after a long exciting and interesting drives.
The first-day trek begins with morning walk heading to a slow winding uphill path to reach at Ringmo village, as walk leads past many scattered farm lands and villages includes forested areas and with first views of Mt. Everest with Khumbu Himal, from here on near level path with short climb up to Ringmo village, after a short stop at Ringmo, climb up into lovely forested area to reach on top Takshindo pass with great views of peaks within Khumbu region, from here downhill to Takshindo village and its monastery for overnight stop within Sherpa area.
After overnight stop with pleasant stay in Takshindo village morning walk leads to descend towards a large village of Nunthala, a village of mixed people with Sherpa-Kirat, Rai some Magar-Tamang with Hindu Chettries and Dalits which make this village more interesting with lots shops-teahouses, lodges and many shops and stores. From here continue journey with long descend past farm areas and into forest to reach at the bottom of the hills near raging Dudh-Kosi River, after crossing a bridge with gentle winding uphill to Jubing village of Rai farmers and then with more climb for few hours to reach a fairly large village of Khari-Khola for overnight stop, within-group of different tribes of hills mostly Sherpa and Magar with Rai.
From Khari-Khola crossing over bridge then climb for few hour to the top hill at BupsaDanda, continue walk as air gets cooler heading close to high Khumbu areas within lovely woodland to Pyuin village (Paya), located in the middle of a forest. Walk on gentle winding path facing views of Lukla airstrip towards North, with downhill to Surkhe village for overnight stop, located at the bottom of Lukla town and airport runway.
From Surkhe a gradual walks to begin with ups and then on winding trail past nice farm villages of Sherpa enriched with Buddhism religion and culture as you come across Mani (prayer)monuments and large spinning bells, slowly walks completes reaching at Phakding a moderate size village with many good lodges for overnight stop by the bank of glacial Dudh Kosi River.
From Phakding, the morning after breakfast walk on a nice trail with a short up and down crossing bridge to reach at Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo a nice scenic village with views of Tharmasarku peaks. After Monjo enters Sagarmatha National Park and crosses over Dudh Kosi River to Jorsalle the last village before Namche Bazaar, walk leads on river banks with the climb to Namche Bazaar. Walk on winding uphill path facing grand views of Kongde, Kusum-Kanguru and Mt. Everest and Lhotse (weather permitting if it’s a clear afternoon), route along tree lines of rhododendron, magnolia, oaks and pines to reach at the colorful and large village in Namche Bazaar.
At Namche free day to enjoy views from the high hills of Namche Bazaar facing Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Amadablam includes a range of peaks, at Namche visit park museum near to the viewpoint hill, or climb to Everest View Hotel (the first luxury hotel ever built in high Khumbu area). While at Namche enjoy visiting the main streets of Namche with many well-stocked shops, stores, banks, hotels and restaurants, Namche holds busy and interesting market once a week on Saturday.
From Namche on a winding trail built by an old Sherpa named Pasang with a donation from trekkers for the good cause been on this job for the past two decades. Walk down to Imjatse River at Phunki-Tenga, a popular spot for lunch stop and refreshment, from here afternoon climb into a lovely forested area to reach at beautiful Tengboche and monastery. Located on the scenic spot with a range of white snow-capped peaks with Mt. Everest and majestic Amadablam, here with time to visit its impressive colorful monastery of great interest and then retire to your rooms in a local nice lodge at Tengboche or further to a place called Deboche.
Catch morning views of Everest with Amadablam, walk downhill to a bridge as tree lines stop after crossing over a steel bridge, slow climb facing views of Amadablam at a close distance as the walk takes you at Pangboche, the last permanent village on route Everest base camp. From Pangboche climb to Somare a small settlement for lunch, then head for a climb to beautiful Imjatse valley for an overnight stop in Dingboche on the bottom of Amadablam North Face with views of Lhotse, Nuptse with famous Island Peak much popular trekking peaks of Nepal.
After a pleasant stop at Dingboche, morning climb to a ridge marked with Buddhist prayer monuments of Stupa and colorful flags enjoy grand views of peaks with Island Peak at the end of Imjatse valley. From here on the nice uphill path on the hard grassy meadow as walk leads on winding trail to reach a small place of Thugla with few small lodges and shops, this is where massive Khumbu glacier ends melting into a torrential river. After a lunch break steep climb to reach a high ridge at Thugla pass, a flat area with many stone memorials of unfortunate mountaineers on an expedition to Mt. Everest and adjoining nearby mountains. Enjoying rest carry on trekking on nice easy path of an hour to reach at Lobuche for overnight stop with close views of Nuptse peak, Lobuche with 5-6 nice lodges.
From Lobuche morning on a pleasant path with the short climb as route heads near an interesting metrological station on route Everest base camp, interested people can visit Glass Pyramid a metrological station, a joint venture of Italian and Nepalese scientists, to record weather and movement of ice and glaciers. After this nice place continues walk above moraine above Khumbu glacier and then short descend to the wide-open field at Gorakshep, a place with few lodges, and then reach towards Everest base camp within massive Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers. Enjoy exciting time at Everest Base camp and beneath Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest, after marvelous time at Everest base camp, return to Gorakshep for an overnight stop.
Early morning steep climb a rocky hill at Kalapathar close to Mt. Pumori, from the top the highest spot of the adventure rewards you with glorious views and a panorama of mountain range with closest views of Mt. Everest. From here to Gorakshep and continue walk on same trail back to Lobuche to reach at Thugla, where Dingboche and Pheriche trail joins, from Thugla downhill to a flat windy valley of Pheriche, walk for an hour on the scenic valley to reach Pheriche a nice settlement with a number of good lodges. From Pheriche walk at the end of the valley then descend to a river with climb to a ridge top and then descend past Somare to reach our overnight stop at Pangboche village.
From Pangboche retracing on the same path past Tengboche and then downhill to Imjatse River with steep climb for some time to reach Shanasa villages and then at Kyanjuma a small place with few nice lodge facing grand views of Amadablam and other peaks with Mt. Everest, from here on nice pleasant wide path to Namche Bazaar for overnight.
After an enjoyable time in the harmony of local Sherpa culture and grand views, morning walk downhill to a river and into Sagarmatha National Park reaching at Monjo, having short refreshing stop continue last day walk following Dudh Kosi River all the way to Phakding village. Finally, the last climb of an hour takes you at Lukla, then check into a nice lodge with afternoon free for short walks and browse around Lukla town.
Morning flight to Kathmandu, after last breakfast in Lukla and around Khumbu area transfer to Tenzing and Hillary Airport terminal then board in a small aircraft for a sweeping and panoramic flight that reaches you to Kathmandu, on flight tremendous views of the mountain range as air journey lands at Kathmandu airport transfer back to your respective hotels with time in the afternoon for leisure moments and individual activities.
In Kathmandu free day as a contingency in case of flight delay and cancellation at Lukla, which occurs sometimes even in the best time of the year as Himalayan weather can be unpredictable sometimes, to be on the safe side a spare day is highly recommended, where one can enjoy this day relaxing or for individual activities and can join in for another exciting tout of great interest around Kathmandu cities of Patan and Bhaktapur.
After a great wonderful experience in Nepal with an amazing time in high Himalayan mountains on Everest Base Camp via Phaplu / Solu trekking, on your last day, our staff transfers you to the airport for your flight back home or to next port of call.