Imja Valley Trek

13/15 Days, customizable

A/D from Kathmandu

Autumn / Spring

September – December / February – May

Medium-High

3–6 hours walk/day

Imja is a beautiful valley; which is situated just bottom of the Nuptse, Lhotse and Mount Everest and being one of the popular destination among the trekkers due to see breathtaking views of high Himalayas, charm landscapes, huge glaciers, glaciated Lakes, Sherpa villages, sunrise and sunset views on the background of high mountains.

Trek into the Imja Valley offers to see numerous snow-capped peaks called Kongde 6168m, Thamserku6608m, Kusum Kangaroo 6367m, Amadablam 6856m, Taboche 6367m, Cholatse 6335m Island peak 6189m, Amphulapcha 5663m, Chhukung 5833m and also including some the top ten mountains of the world known as Everest 8848 meters, Cho Oyu 8201, Lhotse 8516 and Makalu 8481 meters high above the sea level.

Beyond the high Himalayas the region is expanded with gigantic grassy land, huge glaciers, glaciated Lakes called Imja tsho, Amphulapcha tsho and hidden villages, which are inhabitant by the Sherpa people. Sherpa peoples are one of the ethnic groups of Nepal and very famous for the expedition all over the world. All of villagers are following Buddhism so during the trekking period trekkers can explore dozens of old monasteries such as Pangboche Gompa, Tengboche Gompa and Khumjung Gompa which are believe to be more than seven years old and command us to see the head, hand, footprint and the scull of Yeti.

Due to walk through the dense forest; trekker get great chance to see some of the wildlife such as Himalayan Thar, Blue sheep, Deer, Marten, monkey, Langoor (white body and black faced monkey), black bear, musk deer and many specious birds and butterflies. If trekkers are traveling during the spring season then they will see many specious of blooming flowers specially; rhododendron, orchids and magnolia.

Sherpa People are one of the ethnic group of Nepal who are migrated from Tibet approximately 600 years ago through the Nangpa-Laa pass and settled in Solukhumbu and Shangkhuwasabha district Of Nepal.The world Sherpa is sometime spelled as Sherwa which mean makes (people from east) in Sherpa language. Most of the Sherpa people are following the Nyingmapa Buddhism and a few percent of Sherpa people are practicing the pre-Buddhist Bon religion too, which has shamanic elements although they speak same language. Sherpa people also believe in numerous deities and demons that inhabit every mountain, cave, and forest. These have to be respected or appeased through ancient practices woven into the fabric of Buddhist ritual life.

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Tour Details

Day 01 – Pick you up from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 02 – Sight trip to the historical and ancient places around Kathmandu Valley like Pashupatinath Hindu Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa which is also known as Monkey Temple and brief about the trekking plan by the guide.

Day 03 – Fly to Lukla and trek up to Phakding Village (2610m.a.s.l) – 4 hours walk – We will fly about 30 minutes to get Lukla Airport and trek continuously to Phakding Village pass by many Sherpa villages with the view of Kongde, Nupla and Kusum Kanguru Peak. Trek from Lukla to Phakding would be very joyful walk due to flat trail and the trail offers us to see wonderful mani walls, spinning prayer wheals and prayer flag which is hanging along the trail.

Day 04 – Trek to Namche Bazar (3440m.a.s.l.) – 6 hours walk – The trail leads just bank of the Dudhkoshi river pass by many Sherpa settlements called Tok Tok, Benkar, Monjo and Jorsale Village with the view of Thamserku Peak, green hills and some beautiful waterfalls. From the Jorsalle Village trekkers have to walk on the flat trail about 30 minutes to get Larja Dobhan where can be seen awesome two hanging bridge over the one river and have to climb up about one and half hours to get Namche Bazar through the pine and rhododendron forest.

Day 05 – Acclimatization day – Normally trekkers spend two nights in Namche Bazar to do acclimatization and sight walk. There are many sight trip around the Namche Bazar but still among of them sight trip to Everest view point is being very popular due to see good view of Taboche, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Kongde Peak and including Mount Everest. The Everest view point is located just north side of the Namche Bazar and can be reach after one and half hours climb from the guest house or Namche Bazar.

Day 06 – Trek to Phortse Village (3810m.a.s.l) – 6 hours walk – Trek start with the gorgeous view of Thamserku Peak and Kongde Peak then appears continuously Taboche Peak, Ama Dablam, Cholatse and as well as far view of Everest and Lhotse Mountain. We will walk about two hours on the flat trail to get Kyanjuma Village, which is junction point of the trail to Gokyo Valley and Everest base camp. We will take trail to Gokyo Valley and need to climb up an approximately one hour to get Mong Danda that offer us to see closer view of Ama Dablam, Taboche and Cholatse Peak. From here we will walk down approximately one hour and appear a guesthouse where we will do our lunch of the day. After lunch we will head to Phortse Village taking by the right hand sides trail doing by short flat trail and after one hour climb up we will be in Phortse Village where dozen of guest house are providing comfortable bedrooms.

Day 07 – Trek to Dingboche Village (4410m.a.s.l) – 6 hours walk – Trek from Phortse to Dingboche would be one of the pleasant walk due to closer view of mountains, green forest, charm landscapes, river valleys and mostly walk on the flat trail. After three hours walk, we will be in Pangboche Village, which is big settlement of Sherpa people and offers to explore one of the old monastery known as Pangboche Gompa and many Buddhist monuments. After Pangboche Village we will head to Dingboche Village pass by Somare Village, unnumbered chortens, which are built along the trail. Trek from Pangboche Village to Dingboche offer us to see awesome view of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Nuptse and Lhotse mountains. Their are dozen of guest house in Dingboche village and offer us comfortable bedrooms and delicious meal.

Day 08 – Trek to Chukung Village (4730m.a.s.l) -3 hours walk – Today we gonna be do only three hours to get Chukung Valley but still there are many sight trips around the village so after lunch in Chukung village we will go either Island base camp or Chukung Ri view point. Island base camp command us to see many snow caved peaks, Imja Tsho Lake, Glaciers and beautiful Himalayan valley. Sight trip to Chukung RI viewpoint command us to see closer view of Nuptse, Lhotse, Amphu Lapcha, Ama Dablam and awesome view of Chukung and Dingboche Village valley.

Day 09 – Trek to Tengboche (3860m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – From today we will start to return back to Lukla pass by Dingboche, Somare and Pangboche Village which are we left and passed just couple of days ago. Mostly we will do gentle downhill to get Pangboche Village with the view of same mountain views. From Pangboche Village we will head to Tengboche Village through the dense forest of rhododendron and pine trees. Tengboche Village is located just top of the hill and offers us to visit more than 600 years old monastery called Tengboche Gompa.

Day 10 – Trek to Namche Bazar (3440m.a.s.l) – 6 hours walk – he trail gently descend from the yard of the guest house to the Fungitanga Village that may takes an about two hours and we will climb an about one and half hours to get Kyanjuma Village through the pine and rhododendron forest with view of mountain vista and green hills. We will have our lunch in Kyanjuma Village then two hours pleasant walk take us to Namche Bazar.

Day 11 – Trek to Phakding Village (2610m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – Begin of the morning we will walk downhill trail an about one hour to get Larja Dobhan then rest of the trek to Phakding Village is very pleasant walk due to walk through the forest with the view of green landscape and vista stunning view of Thamserku Peak.

Day 12 – Trek to Lukla Bazar (2840m.a.s.l) – 5 hours walk – We will pass many Sherpa villages called Ghat, Thadokoshi, Chheplung and Chaurikharka with the view of Kusum Kanguru and Kongde Peak. Along the trail we will see many chortens, stupa, monasteries and Buddhist incantation, which are carved on the huge rocks of the center of the trail.

Day 13 – Fly back to Kathmandu – Early in the morning we will fly back to Kathmandu with magnificent views of high Himalayas including Mount Everest and its neighbors.

Day 14 – Final departure – After successful trip of Imja valley trek you will fly back to your homeland with great outdoor experience and many tales about mountains, jungles, Nepali people and their culture, traditions and unique costumes that makes you a storyteller among your friends and colleagues.

Autumn season is considered as best season to do trekking trip in Nepal due to see magnificent Himalayan views, clear sky without any clouds and Spring season is second best season to explore Himalayas of Nepal because will be dry weather and dusty; means poorer Himalayan views but the compensations are several; fewer crowds, warm weather and spectacular Rhododendrons, magnolias and Orchids blooms.

October to November – In general the first two months of the dry season offer the best weather for trekking and the main trails are heaving with trekkers at this time, for good reason.the air is crystal clear, the mountain scenery is superb and the weather is still comfortably warm.

December to February – These months are also good time for trekking trip to higher region but the cold can be bitter and dangerous at high altitudes. Getting up to the higher region and high passes can be a real endurance test and high passes are often blocked by snow.

March to April – These months are dry weather and dusty; means poorer Himalayan views but the compensations are several; fewer crowds, warm weather and spectacular Rhododendrons, magnolias and Orchids blooms.

June to September – These months are rainy season of Nepal so monsoon rains bring landslides, slippery trails and hordes of leeches. Raging rivers often wash away bridges and stretches of trekking path.

Required permits – The Sagarmatha national park is one of the protected areas of Nepal so for those trekkers who want to trek into the Imja valley then they have to pay 3000 Nepali rupees for permits card and 2000 Nepali rupees entrance fee for Pasang Lhamu rural village development community.

Food – All tea houses have similar menus which feature local traditional Nepali items such ass local hand made breads, potatoes and Dal Baht which rice served with lentil soup with vegetable curry and typical pickles and selected western dishes like pasta, macaroni, pizza, noodles and burgers. Keep in mind most dishes are vegetarian.

Water – water bottle is available in all tea houses however, be mindful of the environmental impact your purchase/plastic bottle will have. Untreated water is available in all teahouses free of charge. Carry your own water treatment system. Boiled water is available for additional charge.

Accommodation -You will be sleeping in private rooms in teahouses. They usually have two single beds with mattress and blankets are available by request. Bathrooms (squat style) are mostly shared; you will need to carry your own toilet paper. Toilet paper is available for purchase throughout the trek. Cold showers are always available. Hot showers or hot bucket are available in some teahouses for additional charge.

High altitude sickness and prevention of it – Altitude sickness, mildest from being acute mountain sickness is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) with associated shortness of breath or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) with associated confusion. Chronic mountain sickness may occur after long-term exposure to high altitude.

Symptoms of high altitude sickness – Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue and loss of energy, Shortness of breath, insomnia, loss of appetite, skin discoloration (change into the blue, gray or pale), confusion, coughing, coughing of bloody mucus, chest tightness, decreased consciousness, difficult to walk in a straight line and shortness of breath even at rest.

How to skip high altitude sickness? – Ascend slowly, Get good rest, Drink plenty of water, eat appropriately, avoid the alcoholic beverage, do well acclimatization and take advise from your doctor before to get high elevation.

One can get fairly excited about a trip to a previously unknown location. But while traveling you need to make sure that you have all materials that you would require to be ready for every possible situation. And here in Nepal, you will most definitely need to pack a few things for your stay to be as smooth and memorable as possible.

  • Sleeping bag (-15C rating)
  • Hiking boots (preferably waterproof)
  • Camp shoe
  • Down jacket (heavy)
  • Wind/waterproof shell
  • Waterproof pants
  • Fleece jacket
  • Wool thermals
  • Sun hat
  • Beanie
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and chopstick
  • Water treatment system
  • Medical kit
  • Headlamp
  • Trekking poles
  • Personal toiletries

For a quote, please contact us at: gobinmuhong@hotmail.com

All quotes include:

  • Airports picks up and drop off.
  • One day sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast.
  • All required permits and TIMS cards.
  • Transportation to/from trek start and end points from Kathmandu.
  • Professional English speaking guide with a medical kit and porters (including their meals, drinks, accommodation and insurance).
  • Accommodation and meals.
  • 13% government tax and 10% service charge.

All quotes do NOT include:

  • Client insurance
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, extra beverages bill, battery charge, Wi-Fi charge, hot shower charge, mineral water, snacks)
  • Extra porter

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