Kyajo Ri a Himalayan Challenge Awaits

Following breakfast the following morning, you will go for a full-day sightseeing trip of the Kathmandu Valley. You may see Swyambhunath, a very old temple that is essentially classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the revered Pashupatinath Temple.

Highlights of our guided trip include the largest Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath and the exquisite artwork and old architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square, which showcase the ancient culture of Nepal.

Patan City’s historic architecture and renowned fine arts will charm you on a visit. You will have time to explore the neighborhood, eat supper, and maybe take a leisurely stroll down the well-known streets when you get back to your hotel. A traditional Nepalese dinner at the Nepali Cultural Restaurant rounds off the day.

We spend the day drafting final documentation, inspecting gear and equipment, and so forth. If you forget something before heading for the mountain, you can go shopping one last time.

After breakfast, we’ll be transferred to TIA’s domestic terminal for an early morning flight to Lukla. After flying above the stunning green and white mountains, we arrive at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. This is one of the most picturesque aviation routes in the world, culminating in a landing on a hillside surrounded by towering mountains. When we arrive in Lukla, we meet our other crew members and, after some packing and arrangements, we begin our journey through the wealthy settlement of Lukla to Phakding. We have a short hike today to help with acclimatization. However, if you are interested in extra activities, we can take a side trip to a local monastery. Overnight in Phakding.

After breakfast we walk through beautiful pine forests and then along Dudh Koshi River ending our nature-filled journey at Namche Bazaar. After walking for almost over an hour, we come across the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6,608m) on our right and also experience the serenity of pine, fir and juniper forests throughout our journey. If the weather is clear, we may even catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. We continue walking until we reach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region. This day we cross five suspension bridges, the last one also known as the Hillary Bridge being the highest. It is an uphill walk from Hillary Bridge to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

This day is set aside for acclimatization. Health experts advise us to be active and walk about even on rest days rather than being sedentary. There are a few possibilities put aside for today. We may take a stroll around Namche’s picturesque villages and get to know the Sherpa people and their rich culture, or we can hike up to the Everest glimpse Hotel and get a close-up glimpse of Mount Everest. Trekkers can visit the local museum at Namche village or on their way back from the hike to the Everest View Hotel, which displays exhibits of the area’s native flora and wildlife as well as the history of the Mount Everest region.

Trekkers who want to hike for a little longer may consider a hike to Khumjung village (5-6 hours). While in the hamlet, we can visit the Edmund Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery (which is famed for housing the Yeti’s head!). Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Thame is a pretty short walk from Namche. The trail remains relatively level until we reach Thame, a charming village with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. From here, the trail ascends to Mende. Overnight in Mende.

From Mende, we quit the major routes and take a thin yak trail up over a couple of passes into the Kyajo Drangka, a lonely large valley south of Kyajo Ri. On the journey, we have spectacular views of the Himalayas, including Thamserku, Khumbila, Kusum Kangaru, Kwangde, and Pachhermo. Kyajo Ri Base Camp is built on a level land between a rocky mountain on one side and a little river on the other. Overnight in Kyajo Ri Base Camp.

This day is reserved for adequate acclimatization before to summiting the Kyajo Ri peak. However, as it is always a good idea to keep yourself busy during acclimatization, we will hike to Camp I and back. Furthermore, we checked our climbing equipment today. Overnight in Kyajo Ri Base Camp.

The journey to Camp I begins with a hike across a grassy spur and boulders. The track then ascends through a rocky stretch with several rocks and skid pebbles. We trek for a few more hours on a steep trail before reaching Camp I. Our tent will be located on level terrain with wonderful views and easy access to water pouring from the frozen lake at the foot of the Glacier. Overnight camping at Camp I.

This is another day planned specifically for acclimatization and rest before climbing Kyajo Ri peak. We hike to Camp II and then return to Camp I to spend the night. This will also help us prepare for the following day’s climb. Overnight in Camp I.

Today involves some tough climbing up mixed face slopes up to 55 degrees, as well as traversing a glacier. Camp II is located near the glacier and offers enough space for camping. From the camp, we can see the climbing route we’ll take the next day. We set up our camp near a large glacial lake. If the weather is nice, we get a lot of sunlight during the day. Overnight at Camp 2.

Our summit day begins at approximately 3:00 a.m. After a short breakfast, we begin to climb through the rocky section with large rocks. Next, we reach a section of the glacier from which it is a fairly difficult ascent. The terrain becomes steeper, and we climb the Southwest Ridge over snow and ice. There is one brief rock portion, but most of the climbing is on snow and ice. The steep summit is a thin wedge of snow. After celebrating our victory and taking pictures on the summit, we return to Camp I. Overnight in Camp II.

Today, we return to Kyajo Ri Base Camp to celebrate the successful conclusion of our trek. The return trek will be easier than the summit day because you will know what to expect on the way back. When we get at the Base Camp, we relax for a while before exploring the surroundings if we so desire.

We are a team dedicated to preserving ecosystems at home and around the world. So, before leaving the base camp, we sanitize the area. The mountains are our home, and we believe it is wrong to disrespect their significance by failing to preserve them. After cleaning the base camp, we travel back to Namche Bazaar via Mende and Thame.

The trail dips rapidly, so we must walk carefully as our weak legs constantly battle the uneven ground. After passing the suspension bridges over the swiftly flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more flat and natural. After arriving in Lukla, we stretch our sore legs and reflect on the previous few weeks’ adventures. Overnight in Lukla.