The majority of people trekking to Everest Base camp fly into Lukla for the experience. For those looking to better acclimate to the conditions and build up stamina the preferable alternative is to start from Phaplu.
The trek starts with a bus ride from Kathmandu or a private car/jeep. Although the trail from into Sagarmatha National Park is referred to as the classic route to Everest, the original trailhead began at Kathmandu — what an adventure that must have been! All early Everest expeditions including the Hunt expedition with Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary passed through the same route, hence its reputation as the gateway to the region, giving trekkers taking the route a sense of following in the footsteps of climbing history.
The hike from Phaplu to Lukla passes through a region that is blissfully free of the trekking numbers generally associated with the trails further north. The trek commences by heading out to Traksindu pass and climbs steadily to Lamjura Bhanjyang (3530m) before dropping down again to the crossing of Dudh Koshi east of Nunthala. The route encompasses a wide range of scenery and vegetation, from the verdant forests and patchwork of crops and terraced fields in the lowlands to passes such as Taksindu La Lamjura pass 3530m and Kari La 3145m all of which help to steadily build up conditioning and stamina for the trials ahead. By the time the trail leads into Lukla trekkers taking the Jiri option should be in fine fettle to tackle the main trailhead and better acclimated for the higher sections of the journey.
The trek then heads into Sagarmatha National Park and on towards Namche, where the landscapes take on a more dramatic turn as the towering presence of Everest and Lhotse take on more significance with each passing day, with surrounding peaks such as Nuptse, Kangtega, and the ever-impressive Amadablam adding their own touch to the stunning panorama. We call in at Tengboche monastery along the way, the obligatory stopping point for many a famous expedition seeking the blessing of the lama before taking on the perilous slopes of the world's highest peak. Everest Base Camp (5364m) finally greets us with the breathtaking climb to its perch below the famous mountain, with the stunning views from Kala Patthar nearby to add even more wonder to the experience.
Trekking in the region is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many visitors, with Everest as the chief goal thanks to its dramatic scenery, the famed Sherpas and their deeply rooted Buddhist beliefs, and the experience of walking through a timeless land that's a living museum to Himalayan climbing, with Everest itself as the jewel of the exhibits.
Let Nepal Trekking Experts be the ones to guide you via the Jiri route, with options such as the challenging Everest Three Passes or the Gokyo Valley trek available to further extend the adventure. Our staffs are ready and waiting to discuss the variations, so please feel free to get in touch for further information.
