Jiri valley lies at an altitude of 1.905 meters (6,250 feet)  and is 188 kilometers North East of Kathmandu. Tourists often compare the Jiri valley to the countryside of Switzerland.  In fact the name “Jiri” actually came from the city Zurich in Switzerland.  Jiri valley has its own particular importance as it is the gateway to Mt. Everest. All early Everest expeditions—including the one led by John Hunt that put Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on the summit—passed through Jiri.

In fact particularly adventurous trekkers can still walk all the way from Jiri up to Everest Base Camp, thus by passing the normal route via a flight to Lukla. It is from Jiri that you start your trek to Those, Cherdung and then Thodung. Walking up to the Cherdung cheese factory (1hour distance) will be a gentle initial exercise for your legs before starting the trek on wards.

Of particular interest in this area are the Jirel.  These are a group of people unique to Jiri and the villages nearby. Like other ethnic groups, the Jirel’s religious beliefs include elements derived from Hinduism, as well as shamanistic practices. Jirel shamans are known as phonbos, whose practices are similar to the shamanistic activities elsewhere in eastern Nepal. Many tourists who have a special interest in sociology enjoy observing the local people as they walk.

Lying just to the south of the original Everest Trail from Bhandar, we pass through authentic Sherpa villages. From the Linkhu Khola we climb steadily through terraced fields.  On the trail we will find rhododendron and magnolia forests. We then leave the villages behind us and ascend further through hemlock firs to the cheese factory at Ngaur. The following day we ascend to the summit of Pike Peak.  This is one of the main highlights of the trek, giving spectacular views of o number of the most famous Himalayan peaks (Gaurishankar, Thamsherkhu, Makalu and, of course, Everest).

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Jiri by private Transport about 6 hours drive or 10 hrs drive by public Transport and overnight Hotel at Jiri (1955m).
Day 03: Trek to Shivalaya 5 hours walk (1770m)
Day 04: Trek to Bhandar 6 hours walk (2190m)
Day 05: Trek to Goli Gumbo 6-7 hours walk (2980m)
Day 06: Trek to Ngaur 4 hours walk (3350m)
Day 07: Early morning excursion to Pike Peak (4070m). Himalayan range views from Pike and continue to Kuni Khop( 2360m)
Day 08: Trek to Phaplu. 4 hours walk (2470m)
Day 09: Rest or Visit around Salleri Bazaar, Visit Monastery.
Day 10: Fly back from Phaplu to Kathmandu, 35 minute by airplane.
Day 11: Kathmandu valley sightseeing
Day 12: Departure