23 Jiri-Namche
The "Classic" Trek route to Mt. Everest Base Camp from Jiri to Namche-Bazaar
This 8-to-10 day trek follows the Classic Everest expedition route (i.e. the march route used by Edmund Hillary, Tensing Norgay, and Other Climbers attempting Everest Summit in 1950-60s) through Nepal's rural villages. Lots of climbing, up and down, is involved as the route crosses several north-south river valleys, before reaching Namche Bazaar, on way to Mt. Everest.
The trek route I took is described in great detail in Lonely Planet's "Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya"
I have been planning this Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek for almost a year now .... ever since I did the Annapurna Circuit trek last year in October 2006. Every trekker I met in Nepal last year talked about the amazing trek to Kalapathar & EBC and seeing the mighty Everest face-to-face.
Sahara flight landed at Kathmandu
KTM to Jiri Road ends here ... view from Sagarmatha Lodge
I landed in Kathmandu by a Sahara-Air jet at 4:15PM on 21st Sept 2007and found a milling crowd surrounding our plane! The famous Indian Yoga Guru Ramdeo was on the same flight; for his first ever Yoga Shibir (camp) in Kathmandu! So the whole airport & the runaway (pic left) was crowded with curious onlookers, to catch sight of him!
I went straight to Garuda Hotel in Thamel. Over next two days, I arranged for a Porter-Guide thru Puru Timalsena ** of Nepal Montanas Treks & Expeditions one of many Trekking Coys in Thamel area.
** Current Contact details:
Mr Puru Timalsena Managing Director
Above The Himalaya Trekking (P) Ltd
Office: +977 1 4426818 Mobile: +977 9851095800
Web: www.abovethehimalaya.com / www.nepalguidetrek.com
email: tpurushotam@hotmail.com
Bhavnath ever-smiling; my porter-guide & companion for next 25 days from Jiri to Namche Bazar to Kalapathar, EBC and back via Lukla.
Porter cost was NRs. 700 per day (including a good Sleeping-bag and a Northface Down Jacket for me). Plus at the end of trip. I paid a bonus-tip of NRs 2500 to Bhavnath. He was a pleasant, mild and soft-spoken Nepali, from Dhading village. He made sure my trek was comfortable & safe and made sure I got excellent service & food everywhere we stayed!
We caught the 6:00AM Bus for Jiri on 24th Sept (our 1st attempt to catch the bus on 23rd got aborted, by a sudden transporter's strike). The Jiri Bus left on time. It was a long (11 hrs) & rough journey; but a very scenic and enjoyable ride. Arriving at Jiri (1950M) at 5:00PM and we checked into the Sagarmatha Lodge (pic below).
Day-wise diary details ... see in sub-pages listed in left margin column