Everest Base Camp and kongma la pass trekking route
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Everest Base Camp and kongma la pass trekking route |
Kongma La pass trek offers the fantastic view of the towering mountains of the Everest region like Mt. Everest (8848m.) the highest mountain of the world, Nuptse, Lhotse and many more. From the pass you see the eye catching view of the Mt. Thamserku, Mt Amadablam, Mt. Kangtega and numerous peaks and glacial Lakes in front of yours eye within few kilometers distance. In this trek you can get opportunity to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of the Everest/ Khumbu region. During the trek you visit many Sherpa villages which give the opportunity to get insight into their culture. In this trekking you can also hike up to Kala Pattar from where you can see the unparalleled view of the Mount Everest.
You start your journey to Kongma La pass with the scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Kongla pass trekking trail is the adventurous trail which requires the previous experience of trekking or crossing high pass. Among the three high passes of the Everest region Kongma LA pass is one of the most picturesque spectacular areas. From Lukla you follow the classic Everest trekking trail crossing famous places Namche bazaar-the gateway of Everest region, Tengboche, Dingboche to Kongma La pass. You pass through the blooming rhododendron forest, river valleys, and villages enjoying the natural scenery, Mountain View and culture of the people. From the pass you will be overwhelmed with the dramatic view of the Ama Dablam, Makalu and the Lhotse, Nuptse face. The best seasons to go for the Kongma La trek are spring and autumn season.
Kongma La Pass Trek Fact
Mode of Trekking: Teahouse/Camping
Trekking Grade: Hard.
Best Season: March/ Apr/ May/ Sep/ Oct/ Nov/ Mid Dec.
Trek duration: 12 days.
Trip duration: 13 days
Maximum altitude gain: 5545m Kalapatthar, 5310m Everest Base Camp
Trip Highlight: Khumbu landscape, glaciers and ice fall views from Everest base camp. Sherpa’s settlements, culture and religion,Tengboche monastery. Wild animals-musk deer,himalayan thar, National’s bird-Pheasant and National flower Rhododendron.
Outline Itinerary EBC and kongma la pass trekking route
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu ( 1400 m )
Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing
Day 03: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding (2700 m.)
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.)
Day 05: Acclimatization in Namche (3440 m.)
Day 06: Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3870 m.)
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche (4530m.)
Day 08: Trek to Chukung (4700m.)
Day 09 : Rest day in Chukung
Day 10: Cross Kongma La (5500m.) to Khumbu Glacier and Lobuche (4940m)
Day 11: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5365 m.) then back to Gorak Shep (5180 m.)
Day 12: Trek to Kalapattar (5545m.) early in the morning and trek down to Pheriche (4120m.)
Day 13: Trek to Tengboche (3860 m.)
Day 14: Trek to Namche (3440m.)
Day 15: Trek to Lukla (2840m.)
Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu. 30 minutes.
Day 17: Leisure day in Kathmandu.
Day 18: departure.
Day by day Itinerary EBC and kongma la pass trekking route
Day 1 : Arrive in kathmandu (1400 M)
Arrive in Kathmandu airport and we will meet and transferred to hotel. Evening time explore Thamel yourself and overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu Valley Tour, Trek Preparation (1400 M)
Take a morning tour of Kathmandu city after breakfast, and see all the main sights of the Kathmandu Valley, including the Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), and Durbar Square. and discuss about the trekking for any final checks of your trekking equipment and clothing (sleeping bags, jacket, boots etc.).
Day 3 :Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2860 m) 30 min & Trek to Phakding (2610 m)
Trekking distance 8 kms – Approximately 3 Hours walk
Early in the morning transfer to domestic airport to board a flight to Lukla (2860 m) and which takes about 30 minutes. The flight to Lukla will be one of the scenic lifetime experiences as you fly over the majestic rocky spiky mountain.
Note: because of the weather condition there is high chances of cancelling the flight schedule and some times need to wait for long hours. Upon arrival at Lukla start trekking until we reach to Phakding. The trail to Phakding lets you discover the green landscape with a scenic view of Kusum Kang Karu Mountain; beautiful Chaurikharka village on the bank of the Dudhkosi River is another highlights. Walking about 3 hours up and down we reach to Phakding in the afternoon. Today is our first day of trekking and we don't walk much. If you are interested you can explore the village and Monastery in the evening.
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Trekking distance 10.5km approximately 6 Hours walks.
After breakfast start trekking through a beautiful pine forest that leads us along the Dudh Koshi River and Hillary Suspension Bridge to reach to Monjo and starting point of Sagarmatha National Park. Here we stop at check post of TIMS & National Park permit. The trail passes through the Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi River, Jorsalle village, Large Dovan and cross one of the highest bridge over the Dudh Kosi River of Everest region and reach to Chautara from where we can see the first glimpse of the Mt. Everest. Further walking about one hour steep up we reach to Namche bazar. Namche bazar is one of the trading points for Sherpa people. It is also ideal market for visitors to purchase traditional crafts. If you missed any trekking gears don't worry you can buy some trekking gears over here as well. Every Saturday there would be local street market, do not miss if you are there on Saturday.
Day 5: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Today is the schedule for acclimatization. However, we do not spend worth less at the lodge. It is highly suggested to climb up and stay overnight at low altitude so our body can adjust the high altitude climate. In the morning visit near by attraction; Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest photo Gallery, which is just 15-minute walking distance from Namche Bazar. From the museum you can have the spectacular picturesque Mountain View and take some photographs. Then start trekking to Everest view hotel passing through Syangboche Airport (3700m), which is situated at the highest altitude, takes about 2 hours. We climb further to reach Mt. Everest View Hotel for great panoramic views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Tawache, Kusum Kangkaru, Thamserku, Kongde and many more. Enjoy the spectacular view of mountains including Mt. Everest from the nearest destination then trek back to Namche Bazar.
Day 6: Namche bazar to Tengboche (3870m)
Trekking Distance 10 kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk
Take breakfast early in the morning and start trekking form Namche bazar to Tengboche. On the way trekking trail offers the spectacular majestic views of mountains and natural beauties. The trail passes through Kayangjuma, Sansa and descends about 300m and reach to Dudh Koshi suspension Bridge. After crossing the River the trail is steep up ascend about 500m and we reach on the hilltop called the Tangboche village. Tengboche is a wonderful place for scenic views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse and Mt. Ama Dablam and It has the biggest Buddhist monastery (3870m) called Tengboche Monastery. The structure of monastery for the first time was built I in 19 23 AD. In 1934, it was destroyed by earthquake and rebuilt. It was destroyed by fire again in 1989 and rebuilt with the help of volunteers and the provision of foreign aid. Explore the village, local people and the Tangbuche monastery in the evening.
Day 7: Tengboche to Dingboche (4530 m)
Trekking distance 11kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk
Early in the morning if you are interested visit the Tengboche monastery for pray, ceremony in the principle and popularity of Monastery in Everest region. Try to be there before 7:30am, observe the monks praying and you can also involve there for pray. After breakfast trek from Tengboche to Dingboche, also known as Summer Valley, which will take approximately 6 hours. At first we trek via Debuche, cross bridge over Imja Khola and trek along the beautiful green fields, protected lands & the village of Pangboche (3900m). The trail is step up for entire day to reach to Dingboche. The village of Somare (4010m) and Orsho are on the way and offer the excellent view of Mt. Aama Dablam along the trail. We descend to the river and follow the steep up trail to reach the Dingboche via north face of the Pheriche village. Trekking about 3 hours from Pangboche we reach to the Dingboche village.
Day 08: Dingboche to Chukung (4700m.)
Trekking distance 5 kms – Approximately 4 Hours walk
Today you can enjoy another day for acclimatization with only two hours of walk. We will have trip to Chhukung valley via the Imja Khola valley. We get a marvelous view of the surrounding mountains, especially Lhotse massif south wall.
Day 9 :Rest day in Chukung
As per the recommendation of trekking experts, we must acclimatize at Chukung as we are going to cross Kongma La pass. The view from Chukung and further up the valley on the moraines towards Island Peak is tremendous. We also get opportunity to climb the Chukung Ri or climb the Island Base Camp.
Day 10: Cross Kongma La (5500m.) to Khumbu Glacier Lobuche (4940m)
This day is difficult as we cross Kongma La pass. At first we walk in the plain area in the valley and then ascend the steep path to the Kongma La pass amid the crags of this outlying ridge from nearby Nuptse. From the pass we descend steeply to the Khumbu Glacier. We cross the glacier and head to Lobuche.
Day 11: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5180 m) Hike to Everest Base, Camp (5364 m) & back to Gorak Shep
Trekking distance 15Kms / Approximately 8 Hours
Trekking to Gorak Shep passes through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with the witness of north ridge of Mt Everest, Mt. Pumari, Mahalangur and Mt. Nuptse and surrounding peaks. Trekking after approximately 3 hours from Lobuche, we will reach at Gorak Shep. Take Lunch at Gorekh Shep and have rest for a while. Gorekshep is the last place where you stay . From Gorak Shep continue trekking to reach Everest Base Camp, which is one of the ultimate destinations of our trekking and will take approximately another 3 hours. On the way we pass through the large icefall and glacier and after walking one and half hour we see the first glimpse of Mt. Everest. Hiking through the trail with several ups and downs in the high altitude, we explore the lovely and vibrant beautiful views of Snowcap Mountains and icefall glacier. When we reach to EBC we will enjoy the natural magnificence of Khumbu Glacier and icefall, people staying in the tanted camp and some of enthusiastic mountain climber doing the preparation for Everest expedition. We will spend some time at the base camp enjoying the Himalayan beauty and capturing the majestic views in our cameras. Then trek back to Gorekhshep. Get ready for tomorrow as we wake up early in the morning for sunrise views from Kalapatthar.
Day 12: Hike up to Kala Pattar (5545m) for sunrise, descend to Gorekshep & Pheriche (4210m)
Trekking distance 13 Kms / Approximately 7 Hours
Today is the toughest day for us of entire trekking. We wake up at 4am in the morning and start hike to Kalapatthar for spectacular sunrise view and massif of mountains. It will take 2-3 hours to reach to Kalapatthar from Gorekhshep. A long but truly an exciting and
adventurous hiking will finally land us in Kala Patthar & explore majestic views of mountains such as Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Pumori (7161m), Lola peak, Khumbutse peak (6640m), Baruche (7129m), Nuptse (7861m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Kangtega (6685m), Thamserku (6608m), Lhotse (8516) and it’s range, and last one on the far right hand corner is the Tibetan ranges. We will enjoy the panoramic views of Himalayas and capture the moments in our cameras. This moment is one of the unforgettable alive memories for the rest of our lifetime. Remember you might feel very cold and lack of oxygen, water bottle might get frozen, mobile and camera might not work. Do not forget to get thick warm clothes and protective equipment such warm cap and gloves. We don't stay at Kalapathar for long as it is freezing weather. We spend about half an hour and capture all the memories in our camera as photo and video then descend back to Gorek Shep, take about 1 hour. Take breakfast and then descend to Pheriche (4210m) via Lobuche and Thukla. After descending 2-3 hours from Gorekhshep we reach to Thukla where we will have lunch. It will take another one hour descend exploring the river and Pheriche valley to get Pheriche village.
Day 13: Pheriche to Phortse (3810m) via Pangboche
Trekking distance 13 Kms / Approximately 6 Hours
Start trekking Pheriche to Phortse village (3810m). The trail passes witnessing the wild animals like mountain goat, musk deer and many species of himalayan birds. There are monasteries at Pangboche and Phortse village rich in cultural heritage of the Sherpa people living in the Everest region of Nepal. The monasteries in this village were built during the 16th century and the culture & tradition still remain unchanged. About 3 hours descending from Pheriche we reach to Upper Pangboche village (3930m). It is popularly known as the village situated at the highest altitude on earth. From Upper Pangboche the trail divide in to two branch. One goes to Tangboche if you descend but we take straight further to go to Phortse village instead descend, this trail avoids much of the trekkers and yak traffic. It will take 3 hours to reach to beautiful village Phortse from Pangboche.
Overnight at mountain lodge in Phortse village.
Day 14: Phortse to Namche Bazzar (3440m)
Trekking distance 13 Kms / Approximately 7 Hours
After breakfast trek from Phortse village to Monjo village, which will take approximately 6 hours. From Phortse village the trail drops sharply down to the Dudh Kosi River for about 20 minutes, cross the bridge and reach to Phortse Thangka. We ascend steep up to Mongla Hill (3973 m) for about one and half hour. From Mongla Hill offers you the excellent views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangkaru, Kongde Ri and Tawache peak. At Mongla Hill enjoy the leisurely lunch exploring the panoramic mountain views. Descent to the Sanasa and re trek to Namche bazaar
Day 15 : Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Trekking distance 15 Kms / Approximately 8 Hours
Finally we return to Lukla where the trek began, which will seem like a lifetime ago. Enjoying time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. Also giving you time to explore the town.
Day 16: Fly back Lukla to Kathmandu (1310m) 30 min flight
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu will take 30 minutes of amazing scenic mountain flight lands you in the domestic terminal of the airport. Up on arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel and in the afternoon enjoys as leisure. Remember there is high chance of cancelling flight because of the weather condition. We do have some evidence trekkers had to stay for 3 days because of the weather condition. So be prepared and make one leisure day in Kathmandu so that you can be safe.
Day 17: Leisure day in Kathmandu
It's also spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla. Remember, there are high chances of cancelling flights because of weather condition in Lukla. You have option to stroll around the local tourist market in Kathmandu to observe the living style of local people in Kathmandu valley. You can observe the traditional houses, arts and crafts, local people selling clothes, fruits and vegetable around Indrachook and Ashanon located on the North Part of the Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Day 18: Departure
Transfer to the airport by private vehicle according to your flight schedule.
Have a nice and safe journey on EBC and kongma la pass trekking route
Picture are coming soon ..............................
