Certificate of Excellence 2022
Overview of Arun Valley to Everest Base Camp
Life Himalaya Trekking presents an exclusive and overwhelming adventure“Other Side of Everest” seldom trekked region, where our walk leads from low sub-tropical of Arun Valley and heading to cooler alpine areas after Salpa pass to reach the arctic temperature zone at Everest base camp.
A fascinating trekking on Other Side of Everest from Arun valley after taking a scenic short flight from Kathmandu to far eastern region at Arun River Valley in Tumlingtar town, where our adventure starts heading towards higher areas visiting rural farm villages of Rai and ethnic Kirat tribe of mid hills, and then towards high Khumbu valley around Sherpa villages of interesting Buddhist culture and impressive monasteries.
Walking into pristine woodlands of rhododendron, pines, fir, oaks, and birch with juniper trees with fabulous views of world highest mountains with Mt. Everest.
Trip Summary
Overnights: Hotels and in local Lodge or camping (few days).
Trek Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest point: At Everest base camp 5,364 m and at Kalapathar top 5,545 m
Activities: sightseeing tour- trekking and scenic short flights.
Trekking duration: 21 nights &22 days (From Arun Valley and endingat Lukla)
Total Trip: 24 nights &25 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Season: All months of the year except June to August (monsoon months).
Highlights of Arun Valley to Everest Base Camp
- From warm semi-tropical to cool alpine areas and at arctic zone of ice and glaciers,
- Enjoyable high country walks following earlier explorers route to Everest.
- Walking through interesting farm lands of Rai and Sherpa traditional villages.
- Daily views of amazing sceneries with high snowcapped mountains on walks,
- Explorelower Solu and high Khumbu countryenrich with Buddhist cultures,
- Visit of interesting old monasteries in the backdrop of Mt. Everest.
Arun Valley to Everest Base Camp Itinerary
At Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport on fresh arrival where you will be warmly received by Life Himalaya Trekking staff and then with transfer to your hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city, after refreshment our guide / leader will brief you with Other side of Everest trekking from Arun Valley, includes other information related to this trip, includes welcome dinner in a nice Nepali restaurant with culture programs.
After breakfast, our guide and staff transfer you at Kathmandu domestic airport for 45 minutes sweeping scenic flight to Tumlingtar overlooking range of snow capped peaks from Langtang all the way to Mt. Everest, Makalu & Mt. Kanchenjunga, then on reaching Tumlingtar, located on a shelf above the Arun River, walk across to this small town area for the overnight stop, with afternoon free for local walk around this interesting town, this area is quite tropical in nature.
Our first day walk starts from Tumlingtar on gradual trail for an hour through farm fields and villages. After leaving Tumlingtar, the trail narrows and leads gradually towards Khartikeghat in the midst of sub-tropical forest of Sal (Sorea-Robusta) and into more farm fields along the way, overnight camp by the bank of Arun River, crossing the suspension bridge before reaching to the camp.
After breakfast, leaving the Arun River down below with a climb of few hours the path meanders gradually towards north through the sub tropical forest around Baluwabesi, crossing Brahman, Chettri and Rai villages, finally reaching overnight camp at Gothe Bazar, a small farm village and it is popular for Rudrakchhhaya (Hindu’s holy beads).
The walk today leads through terrace land with rice paddies, citrus fruits, banana groves etc. sparsely populated by Rai and Sherpa people, who makes Nepali paper by local plants Lokta (Dampnepapaerius). Trail leads upwards, almost imperceptibly gaining in elevation, through the rice fields, crossing numerous bamboo bridges, flimsy and substantial and re-crossing the river and there are many pools large enough for swimming. Finally reaching at the base of Salpa pass known as Phedi where there are few tea-shops and local lodges.
The walk leads uphill most of the way through bamboo and rhododendron forest, from the warm Arun valley to near alpine climate at near SalpaBhanjyung Pass, the trail in between are gradual in the meadows, following the forest path passing several Sheppard’s shades, then reaching at Guranse for the overnight stop in the midst of the rhododendron forest.
Morning walk leads to a short uphill to the top of Salpapass at 3,349m, where a large chortens marks the top of the pass, where Sherpa culture of Buddhist religion. From here a long descend to the HonguKhola, through hemlock and fir forest that abounds with bird and animal life including Himalayan bear, barking deer and lesser red panda. From the top the trail leads downhill and continues reaching at Sonam village, and then few hours walk to a large village at Guidel for overnight stop, inhabited by Rai / Kirat tribe.
The walk today is pleasant as the trek leads past Guidel village reaching a bridge over Hinku River, after crossing the bridge reaching at Bung village, this rice growing area is one of the most fertile areas of eastern Nepal and is almost exclusively of Rai ethnic tribes, while the Sherpa resides at higher elevations. From Bung an hour climb toKhiralule.
After a wonderful time at Khiraule the walk leads to uphill climb away from the villages passing through the cool shade of the forest of rhododendron, pines, oaks and hemlock reaching at Surki-la or Ghai-Kharka pass a small narrow spot, from here a long descend leads to the overnight camp at Ghai-Kharka a small farm area, at present there are 4-5 tea houses to serve the travelers.
After breakfast, the trail descents continue across the HinkuKhola towards the DudhKosi, after crossing the bridge the walk leads to a steep ascent leading north to Kharte a small village inhabited by Sherpa tribe. From here the walk leads on the gradual good winding path all the way to the large village of Pangbung.
From here onwards the air gets much cooler heading close to Khumbu area, walk leads to a small climb on the wide meandering path through a mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and the fragment Dhaphnebholua; the Nepalese paper plant, bird life, including pheasant, is abundant along this section of the trail. Walk continue traversing the flank of the KharteDande high above the river to a notch in the ridge, the Kharte La 3,880m, journey continues through a small village ofPaiya 2,800m, a nice spot in the middle of the forest.
After Puiyan morning heads towards the main trekking trail passing Surkhe, Muse and Chowrikharka farm village near below Lukla. Being on the isolated area for many days, from here onwards on the famous route to Everest Base Camp where the trail from Lukla joins at a small Choplung village, walking is easier and pleasant on the gradual path all the way to Phakding with few small ups in between, reaching at Tarhekhola, with wonderful view of Kusum-Kangru 6,369m, after crossing the bridge with a short climb reaches to Ghat village, from here onwards an hour of pleasant walk to Phakding village for overnight stop by the bank of Dudh-Kosi River.
After a nice morning, walk continues crossing bridges over DudhKosi River passing several interesting villages of Toc-Toc, Bhenkar and Monjo arriving at Sagarmatha National Park entrance gate, from here on the river bed for few hours and after the last bridge a steep uphill to Namche Bazaar, at Namche with facilities of good restaurant, pubs, cyber café, post office, and banks.
An ideal and perfect place for rest with acclimatization day, before heading higher altitude area, morning a short hike to Everest View Hotel or walk up on top a hill of Namche for views of Everest, Amadablam and adjoining peaks, visit the museum.
From Namche on gradual scenic path with downhill to Imjatse river at Phunge-Tenga for lunch, and then uphill through rhododendron, pines, firs tree forest with views of snowcapped peaks.
On reaching Thyangboche visit famous Buddhist monastery with magnificent panorama of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kangtenga, Thamasarku, Kwande and majestic Amadablam.
Morning downhill walk for few hours over Imjatse River, after the bridge walk on an open country where tree lines fades for few short juniper and dwarf rhododendron bushes, uphill for a while to reach at Pangboche village at 3,900 meters. Last permanent village before Dingboche and beyond, from here a slow climb to Somara for lunch and continue walk with climb to Dingboche village for overnight stop, located in Imjatse valley with panorama of mountains.
After a great rest at Dingboche morning walk with steep climb for an hour commanding excellent views, and then on gentle trail to Thugla for lunch where Khumbu glacier melts into a raging river, here trail from Pheriche joins after a break a steep climb for an hour to Thulga pass, with stone memorials of unfortunate climbers who died climbing Mt. Everest, Lhotse and other high mountains. From here a nice pleasant walk brings to Lobuche for overnight stop.
Today reach the highlight of this adventure at Everest Base Camp, walk for few hours with short steep climb in between over glacier and moraine, reaching Gorakshep, beneath Mt. Pumori and Kalapathar.
Walk continues towards Everest Base Camp, at base camp enjoy the view of Khumbu Ice Fall and glaciers, after a lifetime experience return back to Gorakshep for overnight stop.
Early morning hike on top Kalapathar at 5,545 meters, highest point of this adventure, offering incredible views of mountains including Mt. Everest at close distance, after a great moment return to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue walk to Thugla, and then downhill to Pheriche windy valley after a nice pleasant walk reaching at Pheriche for overnight stop.
Return journey much easier on losing heights every few hours, walking downhill with few short ups to Pangboche and then to the bridge with two 2 hours climb to Thyangboche for overnight stop.
After a great time descend to Imjatse River, with steep climb for an hour to Sanasa, from here on gradual path with short ups and downs to Namche Bazaar, a break here and then walk back to DudhKosi river valley and to Monjo for overnight stop.
Morning walktoPhakding from here a pleasant walk back to Luklawith last climb, on reaching Lukla celebrate last night dinner with fellow trekkers and staff.
From Lukla taking an early morning flight back to Kathmandu with views of mountains, at Kathmandu domestic airport our staff transfers you back to respective hotels with rest of the day free at leisure.
We reserve this day in Kathmandu as spare day in case of flight delay and cancellation in Lukla, due to bad weather which might happen sometimes, as the Himalayan weather can be unpredictable if all goes according to our program, enjoy a free day with sightseeing tour of Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur.
Last day in amazing Nepal and its massive Himalaya, after a memorable and fantastic adventure and experience on Other Side of Everest trekking from Arun Valley, Life Himalaya staff transfer you to Kathmandu international airport for your flight back home or to next respective countries.