Days 01-04 Diary
A 13-day Trek from Tumlingtar to Lukla ... in Makalu-Barun-NP region of Nepal
Trek Diary > Days 1 to 4
Looking back the way we climbed up to Jaubari from Phedi .... just before reaching our Jaubari Teahouse "Sonam Sherpa Hotel & Lodge"
Trek Diary > Days 1 to 4
07th May 2018 Day-0 --> Arrive in Kathmandu
My Jet Airways flight from Mumbai direct to Kathmandu took off on time at 8:10AM and landed Kathmandu at 11:15 AM. At KTM airport recharged my Nepal NTC SIM with a NRs 1500/- Data Plan and took a Taxi to Thamel NRs 600/- and checked into OM Tara GH Room at Nrs 1300/- for one night. Met Suman Neupane of Asian Hiking Team at his Office and paid amount as advance for sleeping bag, porter Insurance and flight to Tumlingtar (NRs 7440/-). Rest of day relaxing in Room.
08th May --> Day-1 Flight KTM to Tumlingtar & Jeep to Chewabesi
Left GH and took a Taxi to KTM Domestic Airport. My Yeti Airline flight wa somewhat delayed and took off at 11:50AM. Landed Tumlingtar at 12:15PM. Small Airport deserted with exit from tarmac over a small barrier!
Dawa Sherpa met me at the barrier and we walked 10 minutes to a nearby Hotel and I had a Dal-Bhat lunch. It was sweltering hot and steaming humidity. Dawa suggested we take booked Jeep to Chewabesi and avoid walking in the heat along the Arun river. We got one for a negotiated rate of NRs 2500/- and took off at 1:30PM. We reached Chewabesi (Alt:440M) in one hour at 2:30 and took a room and at a rundown Teahouse with a Room upstairs. It rained a bit in the afternoon. Had Dal-Bhat dinner and and slept off early. It was difficult to sleep in the heat!
09th May --> Day-2 Trek Chewabesi to Gothe Bazar
After breakfast started trek at 7:20 AM walking along the Arun river and sometimes even on the parts of dried-up riverbed. Soon we reached the Kattike Pul a long suspension bridge crossing the wide river. On the other side passed through some village homes and internal streets and further crossed another box bridge and then started climbing up a ridge with the River flowing below on the right.
After another ridge Nepal-danda, we went down again and crossed a S. Bridge with a Wedding happening at other end; teaming with guest, we literally had to push aside people and move on to climb steadily through a ridge of forest and on to Gothe Bazar finally at 4:10 PM. It was a longish and tiring walk. The only TH there was Kirat Hotel and Lodge. Stayed there in a upper level room. Had a dip in the evening in the nearby flowing stream. Water was quite cold ... so a brief wetting only.
Google Image Location Placemarks of Part-1 of this Route (click to enlarge)
10th May --> Day-3 Trek Gothe Bazar to Phedi
At 8:15 started trek by crossing the S.Bridge first over a stream. Continue a walk for long way. Around noon a thunderstorm started and got a biot wet before we found a bamboo walled hut of a tea-shop to take shelter. Had to wait for 1 hour for rain to subside and continue trek.
A little further we had to take a detour, over a bridge to the other side of a valley, to avoid falling rocks from a stretch of road where construction was going on at a higher level. Around 3:00PM reached a s. bridge leading into Phedi on lower end of huge climbing ridge. Stayed at Hotel Irkhola Lodge with two Gazebo's in front, as described in LP guide!
11th May --> Day-4 Trek Phedi to Jaubari
After a breakfast of Noodle soup we left Phedi at 8:00AM. Today was a steep climb over stony irregular steps all the way up the ridge. We had decided we will not go all the way to the pass today; but stop at Jaubari. We reached our Teahouse Sonam Sherpa Hotel at 11:00AM which was at the upper level of Jaubari village (2285M). Nice village.
There was level terrace used as soccer-field right in front of my GH balcony and the village kids, girls and boys ages 5 to 15 were playing soccer there with half deflated ball all day long noisily fighting and squabbling over each goal. It was great fun watching them play noisily and the afternoon hours were spent easily.
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Reaching Gothe Bazaar .... And the only Teahouse there ...
"Kirat Hotel & Lodge" next to a stream and a suspension bridge over it.
We reach Phedi .. across a river .. at the bottom of a Ridge climbing to Salpa-La
Hotel Irkhowa Lodge .. our Teahouse at Salpa Phedi
The view from our Jaubari Teahouse (Sonam Sherpa Hotel & Lodge) balcony ... and the football 'field' where the local girls & boys were playing noisily