Sherpa Traditional Culture and Village Exploration Trip

Sherpa Mountain Journey offers Sherpa Traditional Culture and Village Exploration Trip in Everest region. This is an outstanding trek to explore Sherpa traditional culture, villages and Chiwang monasteries and to sample the incredible hospitality of the Sherpa people.

We will drive from Kathmandu to Bhandar and trek slowly through Sherpa traditional village. One of the most beautiful areas and one still largely off the tourist route is that of Pikey peak (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 3060m, and dominated by a range of snow-capped mountains: Gaurishankar, Karylung, Numbur and Katanga.

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 a great festival Mani Rimdu takes place in Chiwong monastery in which the monks perform the sacred dance over a period of several days.

Outline 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: Sightseeing tour of Boudhanath, Pashupatinath & Patan
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.

There will be a guided tour to the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath and after that to the most popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- Pashupatinath. We take a tour to Patan or Lalitpur (the City of Artisans), which is 5km away from Kathmandu. We walk through Patan Durbar Square, and delight in the architectural wonders of Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions at the square.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Bhandar (2190m) via Jiri / 9hrs drive
The road goes through hills. When the weather is good, there are beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains. We will reached Jiri after 6 hrs drive from Kathmandu. Jiri is the centre of Dolakha district and is inhabited mainly by the Jirels, an ethnic community. We will reached to Bhandar after 3 hrs drive on rough road from Jiri.

Day 4: Bhandar/ Changma to Namkhile (2320m) / 4 hrs
The trail goes down and after 1 hr one arrives at the LikhuKhola, 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 DudhKundaHimal 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: Chandingma to Junbesi (2670m)
A 3 hr descent leads to JasaWarnyang, 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 11: Junbesi to ThubtenCholing Monastery to Junbesi
ThubtenCholing 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 ThubtenCholing.

Day 12: 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 fromSolu- 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 13: Chiwong monastery to Phaplu
Phaplu is a small Sherpa town with an airport and a hospital, the latter built by Sir Edmund Hillary.

Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu
Fly 30 minutes from Phaplu to Kathmandu.

Day 15: Depart Kathmandu
Departure or free for further 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.