Peekye - Lower Everest Trek

(17 days)

One of the most beautiful areas and one still largely off the tourist route is that of
Peekye mountain (4070m), a very special mountain in that it is considered the
protector of Golla region. Golla is a small Sherpa village of about 40 houses
scattered over the slope of Peekye at an altitude of 3060m, and dominated by a
range of snow-capped mountains: Gaurishankar, Karylung, Numbur and
Katanga. The religious life of this village is very vibrant thanks to its four small
monasteries, all belonging to the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The months of March and April are a wonderful time to visit the area. The forests
then show off their rhododendrons, magnolias, wild orchids and edelweiss. At
this time of year too, a great Sherpa festival takes place: the Dumje, for which,
different families take turns each year in bearing the cost of the celebrations. This
is a good opportunity to see the monks dancing sacred dances (cham) in the
monastery courtyards and to enjoy the famous Sherpa hospitality.
For those who like deep blue skies, snow and the mountain climate, autumn and
winter are the best seasons to come. At the end of October or beginning of
November (according to the Lunar calendar), a great festival takes place in
Chiwong monastery in which the monks perform the sacred dance festival of
Mani Rimdu over a period of several days. Each season of the year has its own
beauty- its open feel –to make worthwhile a trip to this area.

OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Day 3: Kathmandu to Jiri (1955m)
Day 4: Jiri to Shivalaya
Day 5: Shivalaya to Bhandar / Changma (2190m)
Day 6: Bhandar / Changma to Namkhile(2320m)
Day 7: Namkhile to Golla (2980m)
Day 8: Golla Village
Day 9: Golla to Ngaur (3350m)
Day 10: Ngaur to Chamdingma (3510m)
Day 11: Chandingma - top of Peekye (4065m) - Chandingma
Day 12: Chandingma to Junbesi (2670m)
Day 13: Junbesi to Thubten Choling Monastery to Junbesi
Day 14: Junbesi to Chiwong monastery
Day 15: Chiwong monastery to Phaplu
Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 17: Depart Kathmandu

TRIP FACTS
Trip duration: 17 Days
Grade: Moderate
Maximum altitude: 4065m
Activity: Sightseeing, trekking
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Trek type: Camping
Accommodation: Hotel and Camping
Meals: Hotel/ tented camps
Transportation: Flight & private car

DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-
capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic,
beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long,
long time. And as your plane hits the tarmac, our waiting support team will meet
and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Welcome drinks will be
served and over night at your hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular
destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city
presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence
in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear
immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day
guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the
largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century Palace of 55
windows and Swoyambhunath. In the evening, you will be briefed about your
trip.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Jiri (1955m) / 5hrs drive
The road goes through hills. When the weather is good, there are beautiful views
of the snow-capped mountains. Jiri is the centre of Dolakha district and is
inhabited mainly by the Jirels, an ethnic community.
Day 4: Jiri to Shivalaya (1770m) / 4hrs
A 4 hrs trek through beautiful forests and a number of hamlets. The trail goes
down to Shivalaya, a small village inhabited by Tamangs and Newars, on the
bank of the Shivalaya river.
Day 5: Shivalaya to Bhandar / Changma (2190m) / 5hrs
A few hours climb leads to Deurali, a small hamlet from where one can see
Dudh Kunda Himal, Khatanga, Karylung and Peekye. Then the trail goes
down for ½ hour to Bhandar, a Sherpa village with two stupas and a small
monastery.
Day 6: Bhandar/ Changma to Namkhile (2320m) / 4 hrs
The trail goes down and after 1 hr one arrives at the Likhu Khola, a river forming
the boundary to Solu-Khumbu district and Sagarmatha zone. On the other side
of the river, a good climb of 3 hrs leads to Namkhile, from where it is possible to
see fine views of Numbur Himal.
Day 7: Namkhile to Golla (2980m) / 2 hrs
From Namkhile , the path is a hard 2-hour climb through a forest of pines and
rhododendrons. Golla is a typical Sherpa village, whose inhabitants are mainly
farmers. Each household has some cows, and dzom (a cross between a yak and
cow).
Day 8: Rest day in Golla Village
A stay in the village provides an opportunity to experience the daily life of the
people. You can enjoy delicious Sherpa food. Visit the 3 main monasteries of this
village and a school run by Peekye Hill social organization. In spring season
there will be a Dhumje Mask dance festival. Spring season is also a heavenly
time to trek in this area.
Day 9: Golla to Ngaur (3350m) / 4hrs
A 4 hr walk through a forest full of rhododendrons leads to the hamlet of Ngaur,
situated on the top of a hill. From here, the view towards Gaurishankar and
Dudh Kunda Himal is spectacular. Ngaur has six houses and a small
monastery. Fifteen minutes from there is a cheese factory, where one can taste
and buy cheese made from nak (female yak) and dzom’s milk.
Day 10: Ngaur to Chamdingma (3510m)
The trail goes through the pasture land where Sherpas from the Golla area pass
the summer with their cattle. The snow capped mountains can be seen again.
Day 11: Chandingma - top of Peekye (4065m) - Chandingma
From the top of Peekye, one can see Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and
some smaller peaks and at night the lights of Kathmandu valley is visible.
Day 12: Chandingma to Junbesi (2670m)
A 3 hr descent leads to Jasa Warnyang, a pass at about 3,800m. From there,
one climbs 2 hrs through pasture land with a good view of Peekye before arriving
at Pambuk La, another pass (4000m).After going down 2 hrs through a pine and
rhododendron forest, one arrives in Takur, a sherpa village. Half an hour later
and you are in the beautiful village of Junbesi.
Day 13: Junbesi to Thubten Choling Monastery to Junbesi
Thubten Choling Monastery was founded by Trulshi Rinpoche, a high
Nyingmapa Lama, after he left Tibet in 1959, following the Chinese occupation of
Tibet. Trulshi Rinpoche is one of the most important lamas of the Sherpa people.
Five hundred monks and nuns are currently living in Thubten Choling.
Day 14: Junbesi to Chiwong monastery
Chiwong Monastery is a Nyingmapa monastery built in 1929.The monastery is
famous for its sacred dance festival, the Mani Rimdu, which lasts for 3 days and
takes place in the 10th Tibetan month (November-December). The aim of Mani
Rimdu is to expel negative forces. During the festival, the Sherpas from Solu-
Khumbu gather in the courtyard of the monastery. It is an occasion for them not
only to witness the ceremony, to make offerings and to earn merit for their next
life, but also to meet friends and enjoy good food and drink.
Day 15: Chiwong monastery to Phaplu
Phaplu is a small Sherpa town with an airport and a hospital, the latter built by
Sir Edmund Hillary.
Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu
From Phaplu we take a 30 minute flight to Kathmandu.
Day 17: Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or
stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, do some wild-
water rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking, etc - please ask us).

For details: http://www.explorehimalaya.com/peekye.php

For enquiry, contact enquiry@explorehimalaya.com