Trekking 


The trek to the Pyramid takes 5 days (+ 1 rest day for acclimatization). It starts in Lukla, which can be reached by plane from Kathmandu. The descent from the Pyramid back to Lukla takes only 3 days. The trek stops along the ascent to the Pyramid are:

•   1st day: from Lukla to Monju
•   2nd and 3rd day: from Monju to Namche Bazar
•   4th day: from Namche Bazar to Tengboche or Deboche
•   5th day: from Tengboche or Deboche to Pheriche
•   6th day: from Pheriche to the Pyramid

Please note that this trek does not require any particular athletic preparation, although it is suggested that you have some experience hiking and be minimally familiar with mountain environments.  As the entire trail is in the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone, it is essential also to be respectful of the nature and wildlife.

Following is some general information to help prepare for your trek to the Pyramid:

•    Trekking equipment checklist 
•    Suggested preparations for the trek
•    Health advice

 
1st day - from Lukla to Monju - 5 hours -

The long, sometimes strenuous trek to the Pyramid starts at the village of Lukla (2,800 m - 9,186 ft.), where Twin Otter STOL airplanes transporting up to 20 passengers and their baggage land on a newly renovated short uphill airstrip after approximately 40 minutes of exhilarating flight.
Even though departures from Kathmandu are usually scheduled just after dawn, fog and clouds can often delay or postpone early morning flights. (Flights out of Lukla are equally unreliable, and there are often backlogs of frustrated trekkers waiting to fly back to Kathmandu.) Ecureuil and Kawasaki BK-117 helicopters can also be booked for charter flights, while large Russian MI-17 helicopters (no longer allowed to perform passenger transport) are used for cargo deliveries.  Upon arrival at Lukla, an organized expedition spends a couple of hours waiting for their guide or sirdar and porters to divide and load the group's baggage.
Cultural note: While the guides and sirdars are generally Sherpas, often from the Solu-Khumbu region, porters are usually seasonal laborers from other regions of Nepal and different ethnic groups.  It is inappropriate to refer to porters as sherpas.
Baggage is physically transported for the entire trek by porters (around 30kgs a person) or pack-animals: yaks (photo below) or dzos (a crossbreed between yak and cow).
After a nourishing brunch at the Himalaya Lodge in Lukla, the expedition sets out for an approx. 5 hour trek to Monju, along a trail leading continuously up and down as it crosses the tributaries of the Dudh Kosi River. This pleasant walk is a good opportunity to test your trekking equipment and put simple rules to use, like protecting your skin against the strong sun, keeping your rucksack light and staying hydrated. The Alpine Guides who accompany research groups often take advantage of this first leg of the trek to give helpful advice on hiking skills, use of walking poles, etc.  The destination is Monju (2,835 m - 9,301 ft.), where the group receives hospitality at the Welcome Mount Kalash Lodge.

 

Ev-k2-Cnr Trekking alla Piramide  

2nd, 3rd day - from Monju to Namche Bazar  - 4 hours -

Leaving behind Monju, the trek quickly reaches Jorsale (2,805 m - 9,203 ft.) and the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park where forest rangers collect required park entrance fees from the group's sirdar and guides. The trail then continues for an often breathtaking hike along the Dudh Khosi, crossing the river several times on cantilevered wood bridges or steel suspension bridges.
After a steep 600 m (1,969 ft.) climb, the trail enters Namche Bazar (3,440 m - 11,286 ft.), a large Sherpa market town bustling with traders and tourists. The numerous shops and lodges sell all variety of goods, including imported foodstuffs and locally made woollen articles. Trekking and climbing equipment can also be bought or rented. A colorful local market is held each Saturday, while Tibetan traders selling clothing and goods from China are frequently seen laying out their wares for sale during the week.
Lodges in Namche have indoor lighting powered by the nearby hydroelectric plant in Thame, but local phone service is still not consistently available. A couple of recently opened Internet points do however provide useful net and email access via satellite hook-up. Researchers on their way to the Pyramid stay at either the Thamserku View Lodge or the XXXXX, where an excellent menu and welcoming atmosphere make your visit particularly pleasant.
As a measure to help avoid altitude sickness, an acclimatization day is spent in Namche, where you can rest and visit the village. Also worth a visit is the Sagarmatha Park Headquarters visitor center/museum, where you can learn about the geology, botany and zoology of the Himalayas. Possible interesting day trips also include the villages of Syangboche, Khumjung and Khunde, all about 400 m (1,312 ft.) above the bowl-shaped valley of Namche.
At Khumjung, worth seeing is the Buddhist monastery where an alleged Yeti scalp is on display. In Khunde, there is a Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation hospital run by foreign volunteer doctors. Syangboche is home to the highest airstrip in the Khumbu valley at 3,720 m (12,205 ft.). Nearby is a luxury hotel built by Japanese investors from which Mt. Everest can be seen.
Another shorter side trip from Namche is to Thame monastery (3,800 m - 12,467 ft.) along a practically level trail. Thame is the gateway to Thasi Lapcha pass (5,820 m - 19,094 ft.) for Rolwaling Himal and also the last place in the Bothe Kosi valley where trekkers are allowed: the upper valley is an ancient trade route to Tibet via the Nangpa La pass (5,710 m - 18,734 ft.).
 

Ev-K2-Cnr Trekking in Piramide Namche  Ev-K2-Cnr TRekking in Piramide Namche 

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4th day: from Namche Bazar to Tengboche or Deboche - 6 hours -

The trail is level for a long stretch. From about half an hour out of Namche, rising above the elegant crest of Nuptse (7.861), the peaks of Everest (8,846 m - 29,022 ft.) and Lhotse (8,501 m - 27,890 ft.), the fourth highest mountain in the world, can be seen.
A quick descent from Teshinga (3,450 m - 11,319 ft.) leads to the last crossing of the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tangka (3,250 m - 10,663 ft.) from where another steep 600 m climb leads to the Tengboche Monastery (3,867 m - 12,687 ft.). The night is generally either spent at one of the Tengboche lodges, or in Deboche, just down the hill in the luxurious rhododendron forest, at the Amadablam Garden Lodge.
The Tengboche Monastery burnt down in 1988, but has been since reconstructed. Today, a new gate, monastery museum, visitors center and gift shop have been added. Tours of the gompa (temple or place of meditation) can be arranged for a fee, donated to the monastery fund.
Also worth a visit is the nunnery in Deboche, seen to be greatly lacking in support when compared with the monastery in Tengboche. There are few nuns and their number is declining. Some attempts at renovation have been made in the recent years.
 

Ev-K2-Cnr Treggink in Piramide Tengboche  Ev-K2-Cnr Trekking in Piramide Tengboche

5th day - from Tengboche or Deboche to Pheriche - 5 hours -

Walking northeast through groves of juniper, rhododendron and fir, under a spectacular view of majestic Ama Dablam (6,814 m - 22,356 ft.) the altitude starts to shorten your breath. Mani walls and chortens announce your arrival in Pangboche (3,860 m - 12,664 ft.), home to another ancient monastery.
At this point you approach the high mountains and rise above the tree line.  The UV rays from the sun are very strong and sunglasses now become a must along with high protection sunblock for the skin and lips. Breathing needs to become more efficient in order to compensate for the altitude above 4,000 m (13,123 ft.).  Movements should be calm so as not to accelerate the breath rate.
In Pheriche (4,280 m - 14,042 ft.), where you may spend an extra rest day acclimatizing, hospitality will be provided at the Himalaya View lodge. Pheriche, home to numerous yak pastures and potato fields, is located in a wide, windswept part of the valley.
The Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) runs a clinic/health post in Pheriche for trekkers and porters during peak trekking months. Talks on how to avoid altitude sickness are given daily.  The HRA clinic can provide emergency communications (not as a public service) through their daily radio contact with Kathmandu and a satellite phone. 

 Ev-K2-Cnr Villaggio Pheriche  Ev-K2-Cnr Il trekking Monastero

6th day - from Pheriche to the Pyramid - 6-8 hours -

Walking up the level valley, you reach the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier. A steep 300 m (984 ft.) ascent leads to the hamlet of Duglha (4,620 m - 15,157 ft.) - your last stop before reaching the village of Lobuche. The day's ascent represents one of the most taxing due to the difference in altitude, even if the trail is not particularly difficult. You will be encouraged to rest and hydrate a lot, as well as to keep a comfortably slow pace.
At the top of the moraine past Duglha is a plateau which has been transformed into a memorial, filled with chortens in remembrance of the Sherpas and some foreign climbers who have lost their lives on the Khumbu's highest peaks.
Continuing north along the trough of the Khumbu glacier you reach Lobuche (4,930 m - 16,175 ft.), the highest year-round village in the valley as well as the low altitude base camp of many international expeditions on Everest and Lhotse.
About 20 minutes past Lobuche, you find the frontal moraine of Lobuche glacier to the left of the trail. A left turn after the moraine takes you into a short, narrow valley which soon opens to show you your first view of the Pyramid Laboratory/Observatory.
You've reached the Pyramid and the end of your trek!

 

Ev-K2-Cnr Trekking Arrivo ikn Piramide  Ev-K2-Cnr piramide arrivo trekking

In the following days, if you are not tired, excursions can be made to:

•    Everest Base Camp, at 5,350 meters (a moderately strenuous one or two day trek).
•    Kala Pattar 5,545 m with splendid views of Everest and the Himalayan chain (a one day trek).

The Return Trek:
•    1st day: from Pyramid to Tengboche (5 hours)
•    2nd day: from Tengboche to Namche (5 hours)
•    3rd day: From Namche to Lukla (6-7 hours)  
•    4th day: return flight to Kathmandu.

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