THE HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS

Ladaq, Bhutan, Kailash, Everest

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The highlights of this trip are the hikes up Everest and Kailash and the visit to the remote kingdom of Bhutan.
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Itinerary

  1. Ladaq (5 days)
  2. Katmandu
  3. Nepal outside the Katmandu valley
    • Gorkha (palace), 6hrs from Katmandu
    • Pokhara, 4 more hrs
    • Tansen, 6 more hrs
    • Lumbin (Buddha's home town), 2.5 more hrs
    • Chutwan (park with elephants and tigers), 5 more hrs
    • Katmandu, 7 more hrs
  4. Hike on Mt Everest (5 days)
    • Fly to Lukla and walk to Namchee Bazaar
    • Walk to Tengboche
    • Walk back to Lukla
    • Fly back to Katmandu
  5. Katmandu
  6. Bhutan (7 days)
    • fly to Paro and drive to Thimphu
    • drive to Tongsa and Bumthang
    • Hike in the sacred valleys
    • return to Tongsa and drive to Ganteng Gompa
    • Ganteng visit with monks and thangka painters, drive to Dechen Cottages
    • back to Thimphu and to Paro
  7. Katmandu
  8. Katmandu-Kailash (5 days)
  9. Kailash (2 days)
  10. Kailash-Ali-Kashgar (3 days)
  11. Kashgar

Notes

Trip difficulty: difficult
Season: June - October
Length: 30 days
Approximate cost: $3,000
  • The Everest trek is through the Sherpa country of Solu Khumbu. The flight to the airstrip at Lukla (2.850 m) is not always possible. From Lukla to the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar and on to Tengboche monastery (3.867 m) the trail leads to the foot of Everest (you can walk up to 5.546 m without special equipment). October is the best month to trek up the Everest. Flights to Lukla (Everest): $83 one way, leaves 7am, every day except monday and friday, return is also in the morning. From Lukla it's 6 hours to Namchee Bazaar and then a day to Tengboche monastery. In the summer the airport is often closed. Best season to trekk is the fall.
  • The classic Everest trek:
    Day 01: Katmandu/Lukla fly one hour and trek 3 hours up to Phakding(2052m).Overnight at hotel.
    Day 02: Phakding/Namche(3446m).Full day 5/6 hours walk.Over night at hotel.
    Day 03: Namche/Tengboche(3867m).Fyull day 6/7 hours walk.Overnight at hotel.
    Day 04: Tengboche/Namche.Return back 5/6 hours.Over night at hotel.
    Day 05: Namche/Phakding or Lukla.Return back 5/6 hours.Overnight at hotel.
    Day 06: Lukla/Kathmandu.Fly back.
  • The Everest trek from Tibet to Nepal:
    Day 0. Fly to Lhasa
    Day 1. Visit the Dreprung and Sera Monasteries.
    Day 2. Visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang and Barkhor.
    Day 3. Bus to Ganden monastery and back
    Day 4. Drive to Shigatse, visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery.
    Day 5. Drive from Tingri to Cho Oyu base camp (4,970 m). Camp.
    Day 6. Trek to Drobu Mela, 6-7 hours, 4,800 m. Camp.
    Day 7. Trek over Lamna La pass to Zommug Village, 5-6 hours, 4,790 m
    Day 8. Trek to Dza Rongphu Monastery to Everest base camp, 6-7 hours, 5,200 m Camp.
    Day 9. Trek to Dingboche (4,410m) best view of the peak
    Day 10. Trek to Tengpoche monastery (3,867 m)
    Day 11. Trek to Namche Bazar (3,440 m)
    Day 12. Trek to Lukla (2,800 m) Note: the airstrip is closed from Jan 1, 2001 to April 30, 2001.
    Day 13. Fly to Katmandu by helicopter
    Bhutan is a colorful country, but tours tend to be strictly controlled and most of the contact with Bhutanese is business-oriented: special performances and visits are meant to introduce goods that are for sale to foreigners. Needless to say, they are extremely expensive even for a westerner. Bhutan is a remote, isolated Himalayan kingdom. Only a limited number of tourists are admitted each year.
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    • TM, ®, Copyright © 1999 Ulysses-Travel all rights reserved.