The Everest Solu Khumbu – home to the famous Sherpa people - is probably the best known of the Himalayan regions, primarily through its association with the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, back in 1953.
This exciting expedition through the Solu Khumbu takes in the highest and lowest reaches of Nepal, from Solu Khumbu and Mount Everest, the world’s ultimate peak, to the Terai and Chitwan National Park, in the flat jungle grasslands of the Gangetic plains.
Following a breathtaking mountain flight from Kathmandu, the trek trails in the footsteps of the first intrepid Himalayan mountaineers, through this predominantly Buddhist region, and you may visit the world-famous monastery at Tyangboche, with its stunning silk hangings and unique artefacts.
Dwarfed by the sheer size and proximity of snow-clad peaks, you trek past rushing whitewater rivers, observing wide, glaciated valleys and passing by Alpine meadows with herds of Yaks, the unique pack animals of Nepal and Tibet.
Khumbu is the ancestral home of the mythical Yeti, and while sightings of this creature are extremely unlikely, there is a strong probability of spotting rare wild animals, such as Blue Sheep, Thar, Red Panda and even a slim chance of seeing a Snow Leopard!
Forests of Rhododendron and Azalea offer welcome shade along the trail, where you may see many birds indigenous to the region and altitude, including bright-plumaged pheasants such as Danfe, with all the colours of the rainbow, Snow Pigeons and the magnificent bearded vulture, Lammergeier.
After return to Kathmandu for a single night, your next adventure is to visit an area of complete contrast, Chitwan National Park, in the Terai region of Nepal. The main ethnic group in the Terai is Tharu, who are closely related to Indians, and follow the Hindu religion.
Chitwan itself affords a sub-tropical climate, with flora and fauna to match. One of many highlights of a visit here is to share the world of Asian elephants, with a jungle safari, elephant bathing and a visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre.
You will be able to experience something of Nepal’s harmonious and main religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, when you visit Kathmandu’s amazingly preserved, yet living, World Heritage Sites of architectural and cultural interest, including Monkey Temple, Boudanath and Durbar Square, not to mention local outdoor markets teeming with daily life.
There is an opportunity for you to visit two charity projects for disadvantaged children and adults: a daycare centre and informal school, and a women’s skills development project, in Kathmandu. In both cases you will be warmly welcomed to share in daily experiences.
Shopping opportunities abound and there will be plenty of time to buy small gifts and souvenirs of your memorable expedition to Nepal.
