Starting with a 6 hour (188km/118miles) drive to Jiri (2,100m/6,888ft), this trekking to Everest Base Camp, follows the traditional route taken by the early Everest expeditions and still serves as main artery to the roadless Sagarmatha (Everest) region. Known as the Solu-Khumbu it is the home of the Sherpas. This relatively tiny society of 8,000 people is the best known and most admired of all Nepal's ethnic groups. According to their oral history Sherpas migrated to high valleys south of Mt. Everest from eastern Tibet about 450 years ago, hence the name Shar-pa, "peoples of the east." Many families along this route have converted their homes into trekkers' lodges catering to foreign hikers. Although a popular trekking route the Everest area is visited by only some 8,000 visitors each year - a fraction of the number that visits the Annapurna region. Trekking through the Sherpa villages we share many of their hearths and enjoy their generous hospitality. Trekking in from Jiri has the advantage of helping you to acclimatize en route. This trek is about 190km/120miles long and the total altitude gained on the innumerable uphill portions totals 9000m - much higher even than Mt. Everest! After Namche we follow the main trail to base camp (as per the 14-day Close Encounter With Everest itinerary) with all its attraction. A legendary trekking to a legendary destination - Everest base camp in Nepal.
A longer and more varied trek to the Base Camp, which is in fact the old Mt. Everest expedition route used on the first successful ascent, starts from Jiri. This trek passes through spectacular villages with exotic monasteries in Junbeshi (2675 m) to and to Khartung which offers the first view of Everestand host of other peaks like Thamserku (6608 m), Kantega (6779 m), Kusum Kangru (6367 m) and Mera Peak (6654 m). Further to Traksindo Pass (3071 m) and Ringmo this is a regionless frequented and crowded by other trekkers. The trek emerges high up in the Khumbu valley and follows the trail to Everest Base Camp. Trek ends with a flight back to Kathmandu.
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