About Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trekking
For anyone with sufficient time, this is the ultimate way to trek to Everest Base Camp. The lowlands have a unique beauty which is well worth exploring. This trek starts at Jiri and follows the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgey on their first summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Between Jiri and Namche you will experience the pristine beauty of nature and culture yet unchanged by tourism.
Instead of flying into Lukla, Jiri is only a 6-hour drive from Kathmandu. The Jiri route covers a much wider range of elevation; not only is this ideal for acclimatization, it results in a wider variety of vegetation, scenery and culture as well. The trail begins in lush, fertile fields of the lowlands, climbs into rhododendron and pine forests until, higher up, it is beyond the tree line altogether. The nearly constant ascending and descending between the lowest point of the trek, Kinja, 1100m and the highest point, Kala Patthar, 5545m, allows gradual acclimatization and eliminates any risk of altitude sickness.
The lowland inhabitants are predominately of Brahmin-Chhetri caste and followers of Hinduism. They depend on agriculture. At higher elevations the population is primarily Sherpa, followers of ancient Tibetan Buddhism. Traditionally traders, who traversed the rugged mountains between Tibet and Nepal with yak herds, these days, they depend on the seasonal income from the trekking industry.
The Lamjura Pass, 3500m, high above the Solu Valley, provides the first of many breathtaking views of Mount Everest. From Namche Bazaar, we join the Traditional Trail to Everest Base Camp where, during peak season, you will meet many expeditions and trekkers and Sherpa guides. Going deeper into the Khumbu Valley there are awesome views of Mount Everest. On the way to EBC we get an excellent view of the Khumbu Glacier icefall; the ice appears to spring from the head of the Khumbu valley.
The Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trekking passes through the some of the most magnificent scenery on earth including splendid views of the world's highest peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Ama Dablam and many others.
Many Sherpa families have converted their homes into a lodge, and as you enjoy tea from their hearths you will realize there is a mutual advantage to their warm hospitality.
Ready to challenge yourself with an interesting climb of a 6000m peak? We organize exciting adventure climbs of Island Peak 6189m and Lobuche East Peak 6119m as an add on climb to any of the Everest region treks. We recommend our guests to do the Everest Base Camp Trek or Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trek or Khumbu Three High Passes Trek before attempting for either Island Peak or Lobuche East Peak.