Trekking to the Pyramid lasts 5 days (+ 1 for the acclimatisation). It starts from Lukla, which can be reached by plane from Kathmandu. Coming back, from the Pyramid to Lukla, it lasts 3 days only. The trek stops along the upway to the Pyramid are the following:
Please note that this trek dos not require any particular preparation, although it is suggested that you have some mountain experience and much respect for nature, as the route lays within the Sagarmatha National Park.Â
Here you can find some general information about the trekking in Himalaya:
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Even though departures from Kathmandu are usually scheduled just after dawn, fog and clouds can often delay 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 the 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 right from the Solu-Khumbu region, the porters are usually seasonal laborers from other regions of Nepal and different ethnic groups.
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.
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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.
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.).
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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 there is spent at the Lodge, or alternatively, down the hill in Deboche at the Amadablam Garden Lodge, surrounded by luxurious rhododendron forest.
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.
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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.
In this part we approach to the very high mountains, going above the forest we receive a very high degree of sun energy, a lot of UV. It's important now to protect the eyes with sunglasses, also if there is not snow on the ground, and use a high protection-degree cream for the lips (which have very delicate skin) and nose first and for the face.
We have to learn to breath better in order to compensate the altitude, over 4,000 m (13,123 ft.), and start to move slower, looking at the breath rate, which should'nt be too much accelerated.
In Periche a possibility for communication in case of need (not as a public service) is offered by the HRA Clinic which has a daily radio contact with Kathmandu and also a satellite phone.
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At the top of the moraine past Duglha is a plateau which has been transformed into a memorial place, 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!Â
The suggestions and recommendations on this page are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. You are encouraged to confirm all health-related information contained herein with other sources, and to review the information carefully with your professional healthcare provider. USE OF THE CONTENT AVAILABLE ON THIS WEB SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.
Going to the Pyramid International Laboratory-Observatory means visiting a semi-tropical environment (Nepal) with a stop for a few days in Kathmandu at 1,350 m a.s.l. (4,429 ft), a week-long trek at an altitude between 2,800 m (9,186 ft) and 5,050 m (16,568 ft), a stay at 5,050 m and another three days trekking on the way back.Â
We suggest getting at least a basic check-up prior to departure, and discussing the following vaccinations with your doctor. None of these prophylaxis are required by law.
Apart from high altitude related illnesses such as acute mountain sickness (never to be underestimated considering the remoteness of the areas we are dealing with), it is important to follow some basic practical guidelines:
Doctors often suggest having some common medicine on hand during the trek. Also, do not forget to bring a sufficient supply of any personal medications needed from home.
Other general recommendations include:
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The Sagarmatha National Park was established in 1976.
The Park is spread over an area of 1,148 Km² (713 miles²) of the Himalayan ecological zone in the Khumbu region of Nepal.
The Park includes the upper catchement areas of the Dudhkoshi and Bhotekoshi rivers and is largely composed of rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas, ranging from 2,845 m (9,334 ft.) a.s.l. Monjo to the top of the world “Everestâ€? or “Sagarmathaâ€? at 8,846 m (29,022 ft.) a.s.l.Â
It comprises two other peaks above 8,000 m (26,246.72 ft.) (Lhotse, Cho Oyu) and four over 6,000 m (19,685.04 ft.)(Thamserku, Nuptse, Amadablam and Pumori).
The vegetation at the lower altitude of the park includes pine and hemlock, forests, while fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron, scrub and alpine plant communities are common at the higher altitude.
The park is home to the red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr etc.
For its natural beauties, UNESCO put this park in the World Heritage Site list in 1979 (click here to see the dedicated webpage).
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE of the Sagarmatha National Park, tha reports -Â apart from some essential news about the territory -Â a code of behaviour to observe during the visit.
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A typical day's walk lasts from 5 to 7 hours at a reasonable pace, and involves a number of ascents and descents.
You rarely to spend much time at one altitude!
Normally, you rise early (before 7am), prepare your baggage for the porters, who like to load up and set off before you do, and have breakfast. During the trek, you will likely stop for brunch (late morning) or lunch, as well as have one or two tea breaks. You can calculate getting to your destination around 3 or 4 p.m. Don't be discouraged if your porters do not arrive with your gear when you do. They often take their time, stopping and resting in between stints of sustained exertion.
Researchers on their way to the Pyramid are often accompanied by Italian Mountain Guides (Guide Alpine), who help keep an appropriate pace to ensure that acclimatization is successful. They will also help you to respect your limits as you trek up into the higher altitudes, reminding you to stop and rest, to drink plenty of fluids and to eat (altitude can lead to loss of appetite). It sounds like basic advice, but many people who get Altitude Sickness do so because they break simple rules such as these! The Mountain Guides will also help you adjust to certain rules of hygiene necessary for a healthy trip in the high Himalayas, for example, paying attention to organic pollutant factors which can influence water quality.
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COMMUNICATIONS
Today , the Khumbu Valley is partially connected to the local Nepal phone system by satellite hook-ups at a few lodges in Lukla, Namche and Tengboche. There are also “Internet Cafès� in Lukla, Namche and Tengboche, where you can use e-mail, Internet and web-phone services like Skype. Normal long distance calls may also be made at satellite rates.
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CULTURAL CONTEXT
The Khumbu valley is rich in manifestations of the Sherpa culture, such as devotion to the practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Trailside Buddhist monuments, called stupas or (chortens in Sherpa) are common along the entire trekking route.
They act as memorials and often contain offerings or relics. Mani walls can also be frequently seen on the trail.
These are made up of piles of carved Mani stones displaying a combination of the stonecutter's art and the elegant calligraphic style of Tibetan script.
The most common Tibetan mantra (chant or prayer) inscribed on the stones, "Om Mani Padme Hum"(or Om Mani Peme Hung), is said to contain all the teachings of Buddha (literally translated it is "hail the jewel in the lotus").
Here you can find the suggested equipment for the Khumbu Valley trek from Lukla, 2800 m, to the Pyramid, 5050 m.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING
TREKKING SUPPLIES
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
VARIOUS ITEMS
NOTES
1) Down items can be rented in Kathmandu and in Namche;
2) Normal hiking and trekking gear is available both new and used in Kathmandu and in small shops along the way, along with a variety of local equipment and clothing items;
3) Good umbrellas can be purchased in Kathmandu;
4) Normal sized alkaline batteries can be purchased in Kathmandu and at some places along the trek;
5) Tea shops and lodges serve a variety of food and drinks along the way. It is, however, recommended that trekkers have something along to eat and drink should the need arise.
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