Mohan dulal Namche bazar gate way of everest base camp
source discovery channel
The land of milk and honey
The region of solu, or sho Rung as the sherpas know it. lies between 2600 mand 3200 metres (8500-10000 ft) elevation, extending from jiri east to the Dudh koshi ( Milk River) . It is a land blessed with a temperate climate, well-watered forests and pasturelands, and rolling farmlands cultivated in maize, wheat, barley and apples. Buddhist monks and nuns led by rinpoches serve the predominantly Shrepa communities from gompas or monasteries patterned after those built by their ancestors in Tibet. Communities such as Junbesi for years provided trekkers with good food and comfortable lodging.
The land of milk and honey is ideal for trekkers without a particular destination in mind. Much more than a path to khumbu's high country, Solu invites a leisurely pace. Detour for a retreat at the fascinating Thupten Choling Monastery on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, The monastery is the focal point of a large community of maonastic and lay practitioners. Chiwong Gompa near phaplu is another vibrant Buddhist community: ritual Mani Rimdu dances are performed here every autumn. Trekkers come also to photograph the spring rhododendron and magnolia blooms that are more profuse in Solu's forests than almost anywhere in Nepal.
The Mountains are, of course, present as well: a wilderness trek north from Junbesi to the pilgrimage site of Dudh Kunda reaches the base of Number (6959 metres/ 22829 ft), Solu's sacred peak, locally known as Shorung Yul Lha. Everest and the Khumbu range rise to the east, While Gauri Shankar (7146 metres/ 23444 ft) and Menungtse (7181 metres/23560 ft) tower to the north.
most treks through Solu follow the route used by early Everest expeditions. Nowdays the trails begins at the roadhead town of Jiri at 1905 metres (6250 ft ), a day's bus ride from kathamandu , cutting several days off the old trail from Lamosngu . Solu's mid-elevation does not signal an easy trek, however, for the terrain is relentlessly up and down . On the nine- to ten day hike to Namche Bazar, the gateway to Khumbu, the track crosses seven ridges, three of them 3000 metres (9850 ft) or higher. Frequent lodges allow the independent trekker travel light . Air services to mid-elevation airstrips at phaplu and Lukla cut travel time from kathmandu to the Khumbu for those on a tight schedule. Airstrips at less visited lowland sites such as Ramechhap, okhaldhunga/Rumjatar and Lamindanda in eastern Nepal provide other entry and exit options.
Trekking in Khumbu
Khumbu is too beautiful and too friendly a place to hurry through. Besides , at such elevations, it can be dangerious to trek toot high too fast . Fortunately for trekkers, there are two medical stations in Khumbu staffed by western doctor during the trekking seasons: a small hospital at Kunde developed Aid post at Pheriche, operates under the auspices of the Himalayan Rescue Association. The Trust has assisted in building numerous schools, health posts, bridges, roads and water pipelines throughout Solu-Khumbu .
For Visitors with limited time, the best way to approach khumbu is to fly to Lula (2866 metres/9403 ft) . The 40- minutes flight gives a thrill of a life time as the little plane descends below the peaks into the Dudh Koshi gorge to the runway which ends in a mountain face. Fifty years ago Lukla was the "Sheep places" its name implies: today it's bustling community of lodges and restaurants serving cinnamon rolls and coffee to trekkers awaiting their morning flight . Erratic scheduling and wind patterns often result in delays or cancellations. From Lukla, the trails climbs gradually up the steep sided Dudh Koshi valley, weaving from side to side as it passes through forests of blue pine, fir juniper , rhododendron, birch and oak . Many villages, particularly Phakding, the standard first night's stop, cater to trekkers with western food and dormitory lodging.
Narrow bench-lands are cultivated in wheat, potatoes, spinach, onions and radishes . piled stone walls and huge boulders are carved with the Buddhist mantra "Om mani padme hum". On fridays, hundreds of barefoot porters line the trail, toing food and wares up the mountainside to Namche Bazar's market .
All of Khumbu falls within Sagarmatha National Park, established with help from the government of New Zealand , Sir Edmund Hillary's native country . In 1979 Khumbu was recognized as world Heritage site. The entrance fee for the park can be paid at Mondzo (2845 metres/9332 ft).
Source: Nepal Tourism Board
Video of Solukhumbu
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