Salleri - Everest Base Camp Trek is an excellent alternative route through untrodden trails to the base camp of the world's highest peak, Mt. Everest (8848m). If you wish to experience more of the lush green hills, pleasant forests, quaint villages and indigenous Nepali culture, then the Everest Base Camp Trek via Salleri might be perfect for you.
The Buddhist Sherpas, who migrated from Tibet some five centuries ago, settled in Nepal’s Helambu, Solu and Khumbu (Everest) districts. The construction of the, now tarred, road into Salleri in the Solu region shortens the classic Jiri or Bhandar trail into the Khumbu by three days. This scenic, undulating, route (£ 3 000m) assists acclimatization before high northern altitudes are reached. The trail follows part of the early explorer’s route, still used by porters and pack animals, through hospitable Hindu and Buddhist territory. Buddhist communities choose to reside at higher altitudes than Hindus.
Rest days are taken at Namche Bazaar (business hub of the Khumbu District), Dingboche (walk to the Nangkartshang Gompa Ridge to view the glacier fields below Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Makalu to the east).
Beyond Namche, the trail rises more quickly and night temperatures drop. From Dingboche the pace slows towards the last village of Gorak Shep; and the trail along the Khumbu Glacier to Base Camp, opposite the ice fall.
A pre-sunrise climb from your teahouse offers glorious views that include Cho Oyu in the west, Everest, the South Col, Nuptse and Lhotse. Lower Pumori, Lingtren and Khumbutse surround the Base Camp.
The easier four day downward trek uses an alternative route and overnights in different villages. The Salleri - Everest Base Camp Trek comes to a closure with a flight back to the capital from Lukla.
The best times of the year to perform the Salleri - Everest Base Camp Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (last week in September to mid-December) seasons. During these periods, the weather remains stable and the mountain views are good leading to the best experience. In monsoon, the weather can be unpredictable and the rain can make the trails slippery and perilous. While it is possible to trek in winter, heavy snowfall and harsh temperatures can sometimes make the trek quite difficult.
This 18 Day Salleri - Everest Base Camp Trek is a strenuous trek that takes you up to altitudes of 5554m (Kalapattar). You will be trekking on hilly trails and semi mountainous terrain for most of the trek. While previous trekking experience is not a necessity, it will certainly make the trek easier. Good physical fitness and stamina is recommended along with ample time and rest days for acclimatization.
NRS. 1000 ($10) for organized trekkers
NRS. 2000 ($20) for independent trekkers
NRS. 3000 ($30) per person
Khumbuu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality
NRS. 2000 ($ 16) Per Person
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)
From Kathmandu drive east to Dhulikhel (turnoff to Tibet) then enter the Sun Khosi valley (dropping to 360m). Geography then forces the road south into the Terai and Bardibas; then west on the Mahendra Raimarg, to Karjamha. The recently paved Sagarmatha Raimarg then heads north into the hills – and Salleri: the headquarters of the linked Solu Khumbu region (An imaginary east-west line through Lukla divides the southern Solu from the northern Khumbu region.). Overnight in Salleri.
As a gentle introduction, the trail through light forest and farmlands rises only 300m in the two hours to Ringmo; built around a stupa and surrounded by fruit orchards. To the north, beneath Nimbur’s crags is the sacred Dudh Kund (Milk Lake). Our trail ascends the Trakshindu La (3 071m), landmarked by a beehive stupa. Nearby is the impressive Trakshindu Gompa: a renowned example of monastic Sherpa architecture surrounded by monk’s dwellings; built in 1946. Descend through forest and fields to Taibu (2 590m) and on down to cross a suspension bridge shortly before the village of Nunthala. Overnight in Nunthala.
Descend to Phuleli and on through grain fields, scrub forest and ferns to the Dudh Koshi (1 240m, Milk River, flowing south from Nepal’s longest, Ngozumpa Glacier). Cross the long suspension bridge and ascend through terraced fields to Jubing (2 680m, a Hindu Rai settlement). Climb to a ridge and the village of Khari Khola (2 040m) overlooking the river valley. Bupsa can be seen on the opposite ridge. To reach it, descend to cross the Khari Khola, near water-driven mills, before climbing steeply through terraced fields to the colourful village. Overnight in Bupsa.
Today’s trail passes from the (loosely defined) Solu to the higher Khumbu District. From Bupsa the track climbs gently through dense monkey and bird filled oak forest to Kharte (2 680m). It then ascends the Khari La (2 840m), for 1½hrs: with panoramic views over the valley – including landmark Khumbila (the sacred Sherpa mountain north Namche Bazaar) and further north Cho Oyu (8 201m – source of the Ngozumpa Glacier). Drop through forest, into a canyon to cross the Paiya Khola then climb, for an hour to the Paiya La (2 805m) before descending gently to Surkhe (2 290m). (Beyond the village a stone stairway heads up to Lukla.) Follow the lower path which rises through small villages to meet the Lukla – Namche Bazaar trail at Cheplung (2 700m). Continue, above the river, through Thado Khosi to the comfortable village of Ghat. Overnight in Ghat.
Walk through pine forests along the Dudh Koshi, crossing tributaries, to the Sherpa villages of Phakding (2 610m) Benkar (2 710m), Chumoa (2 820m) and Monjo (2 840m).This is the gateway and permit checkpoint to the Sagarmatha National Park. Thamserku (6 618m) glistens east of the village. Follow the river, through Jorsale (2 830m), to Larja Dobhan (2 830m) its confluence with the Bhote Koshi Nadi that drains north western Khumbu. Climb steadily, crossing the high Tenzing-Hilary Bridge, to the first glimpses of Everest and the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge. A further three hour forested climb leads to the Sagarmatha national park’s administrative and trade centre at Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
This is a scheduled acclimatization day (over 3 000m). Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) experts recommend at least a 24 hr rest period. Keep active: climb high and sleep low is the acclimatisation advice.
Only Namche offers ATMs, cyber cafés, restaurants and bakeries, plus a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday morning. The Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park Visitor’s Centre has informative displays on Sherpa culture, local flora and fauna.
The village of Khumjung (3 780m) will present a more traditional view of Sherpa life than Namche. Spend a morning walking up to the village. A circular trail is possible. At very least; visit the closer Everest View Hotel (3 880m).
A more adventurous five hour trek west to Thame (3 820m): below the impressive Kongde Ri ridge (6 187m), offers panoramic Himalayan landscapes not visible from the Gokyo or Everest trails. The gompa is worth a visit.
From the top of Namche, the trail contours around a hill to Sanasa (3 600m); and a trail fork: NW to Gokyo, NE to Everest. Look for Himalayan tahrs on high ground, shy spotted deer, and birds – including the colourful (male) national bird: the Danphe pheasant. Descend to water driven prayer wheels at Phunki Thenga (3 250m, lowest point north of Namche). Cross the Dudh Koshi near its confluence with the Imja Khola and climb steeply for 2 hrs up the Imja Khola Valley through rhododendron and dwarf conifers to the hilltop village of Tengboche.
Good views from the village include the Everest group. There is an important monastery that is well worth visiting. At October’s full moon the colourful, Mani Rimdu festival is held; with Tibetan Opera and masked dancing. Overnight in Tengboche.
Descend to the scattered stone village of Debuche (3 820m): with a nunnery. Cross the Imja Khola to the north and gradually ascend to Pangboche (3 860m) with rear views of towering Ama Dablam (6 856m). The trail follows the river to its confluence with the Lobuche Khola and continues to Dingboche: the last year-round settlement in the region. Walled terraced fields protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from icy winds and marauding animals during the short growing season at this altitude. Overnight in Dingboche.
To acclimatise: head north to the Nangkartshang Gompa ridge (4 800m) for views of the Nuptse Glacier, Chhukhung Ri (4 230m, which masks Lhotse’s glaciers) and Imja Tse (6 189m). Further east, along the Mahalangur Himal Ridge, is imposing Makalu (8 463m). Towards the south is, Amphu Lapcha’s fluted ridge (5 845m) and the unusual view of Ama Dablam’s north face and glaciers. Return to the teahouse in Dingboche.
Ascend slowly to a ridge and the hamlet of Duse (4 500m) with western views of Taboche and Cholatse. Continue through kharkas to Duglha (4 620m). Then ascend the Khumbu Glacier’s huge stony terminal moraine (1 hr). Landmark balanced-stone memorials to lost climbers have been placed along its rim. To the north, border peaks along the Mahalangur Himal include Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori. Everest is hidden by the imposing Nuptse-Lhotse wall. Continue to and overnight in Lobuche.
A desolate trail along the moraine heads for the last, seasonal, village of Gorak Shep below Pumori. After an early lunch, trek to cold EBC: positioned on the Khumbu Glacier opposite the dreaded icefall – the most nerve wracking section of an Everest ascent.
During the April-May ascent season, porters scurry in and out with supplies like an army of ants and the site is a riot of colourful tents perched on the dirty ice. Out of season it is bleak and silent, bar birds wind and avalanches. Everest and the Cwm are hidden behind the West Ridge. Walk back to Gorak Shep for the night.
From the village, a pre-dawn climb (2-3 hrs) up Kala Patthar, offers sunrise over: Everest (8 848m/29 028ft), Lhotse (8 516m), Nuptse (7 861m) and Changtse (7 550m, north of the Rongbuk Glacier in Tibet). Then Pumori (7 145m), Lingtren (6 697m) and Khumbutse (6 623m) amidst countless other peaks that crowd your horizon. Cho Oyu (8 201m) can be seen further to the west:
After breakfast: retrace your steps to Lobuche (4 940m) and the landmark memorials on the glacier’s snout. Descend the moraine and follow the western trail to lower and warmer Pheriche. Overnight in Pheriche.
Climb gently up an alternative trail to Pangboche (4 280m): and the Khumbu’s oldest monastery (17th C). A quieter trail north of the river passes through ‘game country’ (including musk deer) to Phortse, on the Gokyo Lakes trail. Overnight in Phortse.
Trek south through Mong La (3 975m) to Sanasa (3 600m). Join the broad main trail and walk back to Namche (3 440m). Then drop into the greener valley and Jorsale (2 830m). Exit the National Park and walk down to Monjo; at a comfortable altitude. Overnight in Monjo.
Follow the Dudh Koshi, through farming villages to Phakding (2 610m). Cross the suspension bridge at Thado Koshi , and walk to Cheplung (2 700m). Descend and then climb steeply back to Lukla: where your porters will take their leave. Overnight in Lukla.
After an early breakfast, take the return flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Rest of day free.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
NB: Cloud and turbulent weather along the mountain ranges is common and may lead to internal mountain flight delays or cancellations. We suggest you allow at least one extra day after your trek before flying out of Nepal.