Everest YMH Trek
Moderate to Hard
Everest YMH Trek is designed to accommodate trekkers who prefer a comfortable stay while trekking in the hidden foot prints of Yeti. According to the Himalayan myth, this part of the Everest region – mainly valley of Thame used to be the abode place of Yeti. Thame used to be the trade point between Nepal & Tibet and not to forget the birthplace of famous Everest Summiteers like Tenzing Noragay Sherpa and Appa.The another main attraction of this package is Kongde lodge which is the lodge located at the highest altitude of the world which offers a spectacular view of series of Mountain. One would be spellbound by the view that Kongde offers.Kongde Trek is based on our comfort mountain lodges – Yeti Mountain Home, situated around the trans Himalaya Range at Khumbu. The five lodges are located in Lukla, Phakding, Namche, Thame & Kongde which lies in the main trekking trail to Everest region. Every individual site of the lodges is chosen taking precaution for environmental impact approved by the Government providing the best view. Each room is designed to offer the guests with modern comfort.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided.
Welcome to Nepal! On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport by your representative. They will have YMH signboard if you have booked directly or the logo of travel agent if you are through your agent.There is a short drive to your hotel. You’ll be served with welcome drink and given keys to your rooms. Rest of the day is for you to prepare for the trek. We have group welcome dinner where you will be introduced to your other members joining the adventure with you. Your leader will brief you on the program. If you have any questions on the trip, it is the right time to ask.
Meals: D
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 2: Fly to Lukla, then trek mainly downhill to the riverside settlement of Phakding (2610m).
After breakfast in the hotel we take a bus to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 45 minute flight to Lukla. Landing on the narrow, sloping runway high above the Dudh Koshi River in the heart of the mountains is a very spectacular way to arrive. To assist with acclimatisation, we allow 2 days for the walk up to Namche Bazaar. After meeting our porters we will take lunch in the Yeti Mountain Home lodge and then start our trek with an easy, mostly downhill leg, from Lukla to Phakding. This trek takes us through pastoral lands of the Sherpas and we pass several small villages and individual farms. Many Sherpas now make their living exclusively from trekking and there are also many tea houses and basic lodges where its possible to stop for a drink or a chat. We will also pass by many stones intricately carved with prayers in the evocative Tibetan script, and prayer wheels of all sizes. Everywhere in the valley colorful strings of prayer flags flutter from high points and bridges. After 2-3 hours of trekking we finally meet the river and reach our first lodge at Phakding located beside the tumbling Dudh Koshi. The altitude at this first stop is actually lower than Lukla at 2610 metres.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Phakding
Day 3: Trek to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar (3400m). Rest of the day free to relax or explore.
A very pleasant walk by the river through pine forest leads to a short climb to escape a narrow gorge section. We pass the entrance to the Khumbu National Park where details of our permits are recorded and then drop down again to the river which we cross on a suspension bridge. We continue up the wooded valley on a good trail and cross the river again before reaching a confluence of rivers one coming down from Thame and the other from the main Khumbu Valley. We make a final crossing here on a spectacular high suspension bridge and then begin an hour and half long ascent to Namche on a wide switch back trail. About an hour below Namche, we gain our first views of Everest. On arrival in Namche, we check into our Yeti Mountain Lodge. Altitude at our overnight accommodation is 3400 metres.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Namche
Day 4: At Namche Bazaar. Optional day-walk to Khumjung and Kunde for views of Everest.
Namche Bazaar is tucked away between 2 ridges amongst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. An ancient market place where goods from as far away as Tibet were and still are traded, Namche today boasts an abundance of lodges, cafes, bars and souvenir shops. Close to our lodge is the internationally known Museum of Sherpa Culture and the traditional villages of Kunde and Kumjung are a highly recommended half-day excursion. The location of our lodge is superb giving us a birds eye view over Namche and across the Valley to the serrated ridges of the Kongde range, while the magnificent peak of Thamserku (6623m) rises as a backdrop. Just a short walk away is a classic view of Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful mountains in all Nepal and of Lhotse and Everest. This is an ideal place to spend the day, acclimatising to the new altitude before heading further up-valley to Thame.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Namche
Day 5: Trek above the Bhote Khosi River via Phurte and Thamo to the Sherpa settlement of Thame (3820m).
After breakfast at our lodge we start the day with a 2 to 3-hour walk through forest of spruce, juniper and pine to the village of Thamo. This trail is much less used by trekkers and we will immediately notice the difference. It is, however, a important trail which leads all the way to Tibet via the Nangpa La on the shoulder of Cho Oyu (8012m). On today’s trek we are likely to see few other trekkers. We stop for our lunch in Thamo which is the home village of the Ang Rita Sherpa, who has summitted Everest 10 times without oxygen. After lunch, we continue walking for another 2 hours to arrive at a deep gorge where the Bhote Koshi River thunders through the narrow defile. We cross a sturdy bridge spanning the gorge to reach Thame (3800m). This important village is the home of many famous mountaineers including Tensing Norgay the first man to reach the summit of Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary. Apa Sherpa who has reached the summit at least 18 times lives here now. The village is very picturesque and also has a magnificent 16th century Nyingmapa gompa (monastery) built by Lama Rolwa Dorje. We check into our deluxe rooms with breathtaking views of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Thame
Day 6: Thame Monastery visit and optional trek to Sumdur Ridge (4830m). We spend a second night in Thame.
A steady pace is required for the steep trail up to Thame Monastery. Most people agree that viewing the interior of the traditionally decorated gompa is well worth the effort of the climb. After spending some time here, there is the option to extend our acclimatisation walk up to a shoulder of Sumdur Peak where we have magnificent views of Teng Kangpoche, Kongde and Everest. We return to spend a second night at our cosy lodge at Thame.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Thame
Day 7: Trek on an ancient and recently renovated trail to Kongde (4250m) with its amazing Everest views.
Now fit and well acclimatised, we have 2 tougher trekking days which bring great rewards in terms of the outstanding Himalayan panoramas which they allow us. We start out today with a descent of around 30 minutes and then follow a trail on the south side of the Bhote Kosi River, through the tiny village of Pare. We then climb gradually through beautiful rhododendron, pine and bamboo forest to arrive at the glacier of Kongde Peak where we have stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. This is a very new trail, built specifically for the Yeti Mountain Home lodge and we are unlikely to see many other trekkers at all on this section. Although the trail is well built it does cross some very steep ground and there is one short section where cables are used as hand rails to safeguard progress. We check into our lodge for the next two nights in Kongde. This lodge situated at 4250 metres and has the most spectacular view, looking right across the valley to Namche and beyond to Thyangboche, with the backdrop of Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku and Ama Dablam. The restaurant and bar serve fine wines and delicious cuisine which we can enjoy while watching the sunset on the world's highest peak out of the window. It just doesn't get better than this!Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Kongde
Day 8: Trek to the viewpoint of Farak Ri (5000m) or relax at the lodge. We spend a second night in Kongde.
For those who wish to make the excursion to Farak Ri (5000m) we have an early start to catch the best views. It willtake us 2 to 3 hours to reach the top of this viewpoint peak. From the summit, we are treated to a panoramic view of the
entire Khumbu Valley, including four of the six highest peaks in the world, namely Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho
Oyu. Returning to Kongde we take lunch on the terrace with our birds-eye view over Namche and Khumjung village, and the rest of the day is free for relaxing or further walks in the area.
Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Kongde
Day 9: Today involves a long trek down to reach the Everest Trail and the small Sherpa village of Phakding (2610m).
From our high perch above the Dudh Kosi river the trail to Phakding descends quite steeply and trekking poles are highly recommended. There is no hurry and along the way we have the chance to spend time in a number of small Sherpa settlements, situated off the main trail and unused to seeing trekkers. Finally, we reach the Everest Trail and continue our trek to Phakding.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Phakding
Day 10: Trek back to Lukla, with the afternoon free to explore this thriving airstrip settlement.
We enjoy a leisurely start to the day before completing our trek with the final short stage to Lukla. Remembering that our first day's walk from Lukla was downhill and what comes down must go up, prepare for the sting in the tail as we climb steeply for the final 40 minutes to crest the ridge on which Lukla Airstrip was built. Here we check in at the Yeti Mountain Home for our last night in the Khumbu.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Lukla
Day 11: Fly to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing or relaxing.
Saying goodbye to our Sherpa crew, we take the 45 minute flight back to Kathmandu. Arriving in the bustling city after trek is always a bit of a shock but we are soon in the tranquillity of our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and do independent sightseeing. If you need guided sightseeing, you can let your representative know in advance.Meals: LD
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 12: Freeday at leisure.
This is an important contingency day in case of delays to the flights from Lukla. If we have experienced no delays this is an opportunity to explore the fascinating city of Kathmandu. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping in the colorful bazaars. This evening we will have a celebratory meal and reflect on our Everest adventure.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 13: Departure day
Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided.Meals: B
Essential Info
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.Eating & Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.
Although meat is available in the tea houses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.
All tea houses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.
If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the tea houses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.
While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.
Weather
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.
Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.
Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
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You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
To Book
Let us know which trip you would like to join. For trips that require a certain level of skills and prior experience, we will ask you to provide us with details so that we know the trip is the right one for you.We will send you a form for you to complete your personal details, medical and fitness information. We will also send you our bank details for you to make payment – we will tell you how much and how to pay.
When you are ready, simply complete the form and send it back to us and let us know once you have deposited the relevant funds into our bank account.
We will send you back a written acknowledgement and other information about your trip such as a gear list and any other relevant information specific to your trip.
Of course, at any time leading up to your trip, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us as we will want to give you as much information as you need so that you can feel comfortable and excited about your forthcoming adventure.
We look forward to having you on an adventure with us!