Explore the real heart of rural Nepal on this exclusive trip that comes at the invitation of the dZi community village partners. Their region, in the foothills of Everest, is steep, rocky, and difficult to get to but so worth the effort to get to know a side of Nepal that few Westerners ever experience.
After exploring the ancient alleyways and sacred sites of Kathmandu, you set off in jeeps along rugged ‘roads’ to be greeted by an entirely different world – one where tight-knit communities continue to survive through intimate connections to one another and their surroundings. Be amazed by the warm Nepali welcome into their farms, homes and hearths.
Traveling on foot, you will cross high passes with neck-straining views of the Himalayas and descend through forests with flowering rhododendron trees. In the early part of the trail trekkers will sleep in tents and share meals together prepared from fresh local ingredients by expert cooking staff. As you head out of the dZi region into more well-known trails and villages accommodation will switch to local tea houses, hiking big ups and downs through the ethereal Pangom village with its eagles’ perch gompa (monastery), over grassy ridges and wooded spurs onto Lukla, the bustling gateway to the renowned Everest, Khumbu, region made famous by the Everest Base Camp trail. From here it’s a spectacular mountain flight back to Kathmandu.
Exploring Nepal, the dZi Way!
- 15 days / 14 nights including 10 day’s trekking
- Small group, friends of dZi by invitation only
- Super experienced team packed with practical wisdom
- Camping and local lodge accommodation on trek
- Meals, drinking water, mountain gear all included
‘At-a-Glance’ Illustrative Itinerary
DAY 3: After an early breakfast you get back into the jeeps for the final section of the drive to the end of the road near Jalpa, where the kitchen crew will be waiting with lunch. From here it’s boots and backpacks on and a gentle, steady ascent up the long ridge (2000m) to the tight-knit community of Rakha. dZi has been working with the community in Rakha for over a decade, and we have many friends here. People here are from the Rai and Brahmin Chhetri ethnic groups – all with distinct languages and cultures. Tents will already be set up and ready, with refreshments and snacks – possibly even a beer or two. This evening we’re privileged to be invited to the homes of our local hosts for a tasty traditional dinner.
DAY 4: Today the local villagers are the hosts and guides showing you around the many, many small scale developments and innovations the partnership with dZi has catalysed and enabled. We will have a chance to explore and get beneath the surface of village life and culture with an openness and trust grown from the many years of working and being together - a rare and precious offer. We hope you’ll find the experience fascinating and enriching. Overnight Camp.
DAY 6: The villagers will give us a behind the scenes look at village life this morning including a visit to the gompa and school, and perhaps a cup of salt and butter tea for those more adventurous! The trail weaves through a magical forest of old-growth rhododendron trees, home to an abundance of bird life and even red pandas. After a packed lunch the trail continues up the ridge to the camp site at GyanKharka. Kharka means ‘meadow’ so expect a beautiful open vista surrounded by ancient walls of carved ‘mani’ stones, blessing us as we walk past. After some tea there is the chance to head up to the summit of this small peak, for stunning views across the entire Eastern Himalaya from Kanchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world) to Makalu (also over 8000m)), Chamlang and Gaurishankar. Tent overnight (Sleep height 3500m)
DAY 10: A shorter day of ups and downs through rhododendron forest, crossing rivers and through the occasional meadow. Shortly after departing the lodge the trail crosses a small pass and drops down to the beautiful Hinku river. An exciting suspension bridge crossing (!!) and a steep climb, takes the trail into anther small Sherpa settlement that is gloriously peaceful with the surrounding mountains. Local lodge.
DAY 11: Another ridge to climb before dropping down into the picturesque village of Pangom. This is a very special place, with an amzing gompa, perched high on the hill and is definitely worth a visit. And if you’re feeling weary a glass of local tongba (fermented millet) will definitely cheer you up! Local lodge (Sleep height – 2670m)
