Everest Short Trek is also known as Everest Mini Trek is designed for people who want to savor the beauty of the high Himalayas without going to high altitude and that too within a minimal number of days. Also, it implies that trekkers of all ages can be part of this mini-adventure as mother nature imposes fewer physical limitations while offering scenic sights throughout the way. Chances of altitude sickness thus become less.
Solukhumbu region has almost a mythical status when it comes to trekkers and mountaineers for many reasons. First and foremost, this region inhabits the world’s tallest mountain, Everest along with Lhotse(8,516m), Makalu(8485m), and Cho Oyu(8201m)- 4th, 5th, and 6th tallest mountains in the world. It would be noteworthy to mention, Mt.Amadablam, one of the most iconic peaks in the Everest region.
Trekking in the Khumbu region is very popular and almost every year tens of thousands of tourists pay homage to the grandest creations of mother nature while experiencing a culture so rich and diverse that, all the sweat and pain of traversing through the demanding terrain becomes worth it. It is for this experience, that people leave their level of comfort and travel from around the world, not just to savor the delightful beauty of majestic mountains but to add an experience of a lifetime. As the saying goes, “you don’t know what you are missing until you experience it for yourself”, this holds true for your adventure in the Everest region.
As the name suggests, Everest Short Trek usually lasts up to 10 days and despite consisting a lesser number of days compared to the famed Everest Base Camp Trek, one can still see the majestic beauty of the Khumbu region in its full glory. This trek starts with a brief 40 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Once the trek commences, one will encounter suspension bridges, a caravan of yaks, local flora and faunas, and of course the local people with their distinct culture and heritage. The trail follows Lumding dada, Phakding, Dudhkhosi valley, Monjo village, and finally Namche Bazar.
During Everest Short Trek, one will get to see and experience the authentic side of Sherpa culture. The Sherpa people, despite residing in remote and relatively cold regions of Nepal will welcome you with warm hospitality that knows no bounds. Not just the cultural richness in their way of life but their honesty and simplicity really draws people in and it’s no surprise that their Buddhist way of life really does reflect in their conduct.
A delicious home-cooked meal and homemade drinks will be served that compliments the wondrous views of heavenly mountains. The awe-inspiring ecological and geological diversity will make sure good surprises will be at every stop and when least expected. Also, the fact that Everest Mini Trek entails medium difficulty appeals to a lot of new hikers as they won’t have to sacrifice their comfort for the captivating allure of the Khumbu region of Nepal.
As with most of the trek in the Khumbu region, we commence our hike from Namche Bazar towards Hotel Everest View and Syangboche, which offers awesome views of peaks like Mt.Everest, Amadablam, Thamserku, and Kwangde. From there, we descend back to Khumjung village and then to the famous Tyangboche Monastery, which is the final destination of the Everest short trek.
Everest Region Trek is categorized in a different style. Depending upon the time, difficulty level, and cost.
Everest Short Trek Package Itinerary
Day | Description | Destination | Elevation (m) |
01 | Airport pickup, Check-in hotel on B&B plan in Kathmandu(1310 m). | Kathmandu | (1310 m) |
02 | Half day Sightseeing tour and trek preparation. | ||
03 | Flight to Lukla Airport (2900 m), Trek to Phakding river side (5 hours) | Phakding | 2630 m |
04 | Trek to Namche Bazar | Namche | 3440 m |
05 | Acclimatization day/ hike to Khunde village (3800 m) via Everest view hotel (6 hours) | Namche | 3800 m |
06 | Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3860 m) (6 hours) | Tengboche | 3860 m |
07 | Trek to Monjo tourist point (2730 m) (8 hours) | Monjo | 2730 m |
08 | Trek To Lukla | Lukla | 2900 m |
09 | Flight to Kathamandu, leisure time | Kathmandu | 1340 m |
10 | Final Departure |
Itinerary
Welcome you to Kathmandu, an ancient city rich in cultural heritages, vibrant and full of diversity in every sense of the word. Our guide will receive you at the gate of Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA) with your name on the board. He/she will brief you about your schedule and information you might need the most while driving towards hotel room. We make sure your are comfortable and leave the rest of the day to yourself to relax.
We start the day by a visiting one of the most revered, ancient and believed to have self-emerged atop green hillock west of Kathmandu, the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old. The pilgrim’s approach to the shrine is through a wooded park up a steep flight of 300 stone steps, lined with stone sculpture of animals and birds, vehicle of gods. Our guide will brief you while exploring the sites.
Afterwards, we drive towards east of Kathmandu valley to one of the important World Heritage Sites “Pashupatinath”, a renowned Hindu temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva, both destroyer and creator of the world according to Hindu belief system. Throughout the year, Shiva is worshipped at Pashupatinath as a lingum(phallus) in his incarnation as the Lord Pashupati. The Bagmati River is lined with many dharmsalas and cremation ghats. There is usually cremation in progress on one of the platforms of the river. The ashes will be scattered in the river, regarded as holy as it flows into the sacred Ganges.
At the end of the day we return back to the hotel and go through pre-briefing about next schedule. Our guide will assist you to prepare your necessary gears as per the need of upcoming trek
Our early morning flight by Twin Otter aircraft rushes us to Lukla, the most popular as well as notorious mountain airstrip in the world. It was originally conceived by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust as an runway to transport materials for building schools and hospitals. Lukla is now one of busiest runway in Nepal. On the flight we may witness the magnificent bird eye views of highest mountains peak of the world including Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (the world’s 3rd,4th,5th highest respectively). On arrival, we meet our Sherpa guide and we pick up our trail after cup of tea. Surprisingly, the high altitude trek begins by descending to the river at Phakding. Further on and we choose one of several good lodge in wooded area at Chumoa, close to the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park.
The early start of our hike will allow us to ascend the Namche hill first thing in the morning. At about half-way up the hill, the gap between the woods will allow us to get glimpse Mount Everest for the first time. If the weather is clear at the top, the South-West face will be visible behind the long Lhotse-Nuptse ridge.
Namche is the most prosperous and active hub of Khumbu region. A bazzar is held every Friday and Saturday. The wares on display include meat, grains and vegetables, shoes, hand woven aprons, trekking gears with your choice of cafeteria for coffee, bakeries and also pub to hang out for some drinks. Thamserku (6648 m), Kwangde Ri (6187 m) and Khumbila (5707 m) surround the natural bowl that Namche sits in.
We take the day off to allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere before ascending to higher altitudes. The secret to safe acclimatization is to ‘climb high, sleep low’. So, it is safe for the more energetic amongst us to hike up the hill behind the Namche to the airstrip at Syangbouche to Khunde, Khumjung village, or stroll across to the museum behind the police post. Others may prefer to ‘Chill out’ and visit one of the lodges for a freshly-baked cinnamon roll. Namche is busy and bustling trading place and there is always plenty going on.
We start our hike early in the morning and the trail follows one of the most beautiful wide path used by the travelers, locals and made by the initiative of single man named Passang Sherpa. There are spectacular views of Ama Dablam (6696m), Khangtega (6779 m), Mount Lhotse wall and Mount Everest( 8848 m). Keep a look-out too for pheasant in the undergrowth and Himalayan Tahr in the high cliff. We cross the Dudhkoshi River at Phungi Thanga and climb through the afternoon amongst the rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill. Surprisingly, in front of us is Tengbouche, the principal monastery of the Khumbu area, the views from here are unforgettable.
The highlight of Mini Everest Trek package is that we experience the Himalayas as a whole, while being in lower elevations. We wake up to see the first touch of Sun at the top of the Mount Everest. Our luck will shine, if the weather is clear on top. Our trip starts by descending the Tengboche hill and we climb up until Sanasa, a point where Gokyo trek route takes a turn. Now, we trek down on gradual plain trails beside Thamserku Mountain until Namche. The downhill of Namche bazar is the ultimate downhill challenge you face before getting to Monjo. The walk is mostly in the dense forest of Pine, Juniper, Rhododendron and Orchid trees.
Today will be the last day of trek. We leave behind all the beauties of the Himalaya and take only the memories with pictures to finally climb to Lukla. Our camp is located in good location for a good rest and leisure. Tonight, we may have to bid farewell to our support team. This will be the end of their services.
Another chance to experience the domestic flight of Lukla. Please note that the weather of Lukla and Kathmandu can cause delay either fog-bound or wind, be reassured that our staff in Lukla and Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimized the inconvenience caused if this happens. Your understanding and patience during the such situation will be greatly appreciated.
Our guide will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA). Airport check-in and flight to onward destination. We end our services here.
This itinerary is only a guideline, and is occasionally subject to change to suit local conditions, particularly on this trek where lot of time is spent above 4000m.