At a glance
Difficulty: Major Mountain Expedition
Best months for climbing: February, March, April, May, October, November
Started and ended: Jiri and Lukla
Description
Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek follows the original route into the Solu-Khumbu region used by the early explores of Everest. A new road allows buses to continue beyond Jiri to Shivalaya where the trek now begins. The Sherpa people, formerly from Tibet, live chiefly in the Solu region along the Dudh Kosi River and the Khumbu region above Lukla. This Jiri to Everest Base Camp trekking route is still used by porters and pack animals, but fewer trekkers than Lukla to Base Camp Trek.
In the first week, the trail passes through beautifully terraced farmlands, forests and classic middle-hill countryside. It offers simple amenities and ample time to acclimatize while encountering the culture, customs and life style of the friendly and hospitable Hindu and Buddhist communities.
The Jiri Everest Base Camp trekking trail begins at an altitude of 1800m and crosses numerous ridges: dropping low to rivers at around 1500m and ascending passes over 3000m. Rest and acclimatisation days are taken at Junbesi (2680m, visit the Thubten Chholing Monastery) and at Namche Bazaar (3440m, the business hub of the Khumbu region).
Beyond Namche, the ‘up and down’ trail continues to rise while night-time temperatures drop and you move deeper into the mountains. Beyond Tengboche (with its large monastery, rhododendrons and great scenery) the villages become smaller– and the going tougher yet more dramatic. Vegetation now becomes more stunted and eventually gives way to rock, ice and pure breathtaking glacial landscapes.
A final acclimatisation day is taken at Dingboche. Then slow walks up to Lobuche, Gorak Shep and along the “tracks” to Base Camp. After a second night at Gorak Shep, an early morning trek up Kala Patthar should offer stupendous views that include the peaks of Pumori, Everest and the South Col, Nuptse and Lhotse, set amongst numerous other ranges.
The down-journey to Namche retraces the up-route more quickly and from there it is a day’s walk to Lukla for an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
Good boots, warm-waterproof clothing, a good sleeping bag, day pack camera sunscreen and hat are essential items. Our Classic Jiri Everest trek package includes meals, accommodation and safe drinking water. The main trekking seasons are spring (March – May) and autumn (September, October) but we offer this trek during all four seasons.