The Arun Valley trek offers stunning vistas of both Mt Everest and Makalu, connecting the two national parks through a lower valley route to the Khumbu region.
Reaching a peak elevation of 4700 meters, the trek is considered challenging due to its remote nature. Beginning with a flight to Tumlingtar, the initial days involve trekking through agricultural areas and pine forests. Subsequently, the journey entails crossing a pass into the Solu Khumbu region.
From there, the trail veers northward towards Phakding, Namche Bazaar, and Kala Pattar, boasting magnificent panoramas of Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Finally, the descent leads back to Lukla, completing the trek.
Arun Valley Trip Highlights:
– Region: Makalu, Nepal
– Grade: 3 (Moderate)
– Time: Minimum recommended 21 days trekking
– Height: Maximum 5540m, with several continuous days spent above 4000m
– Style: Loudge & Camping
Itinerary For Arun Valley Trek:
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
- You will arrive in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
- You will likely spend the rest of the day relaxing and getting acclimated to the altitude.
- There are many things to see and do in Kathmandu, so you may want to start exploring the city.
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu Valley
- You have a free day to explore Kathmandu Valley.
- You can visit some of the many temples and shrines, such as Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa.
- You can also go shopping in the Thamel district, or take a day trip to one of the nearby villages.
Day 03: Fly, Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and trek to Satighat
- You will take a short flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar.
- From Tumlingtar, you will start your trek to Satighat.
- The trek is relatively easy, and you will be walking through forests and rice fields.
Day 04: Trek to Dingla Bazaar 1580m
- The trek to Dingla Bazaar is more challenging than the previous day’s trek.
- You will be gaining altitude, and the trail may be muddy or slippery.
- However, the views are worth it, and you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Himalayas.
Day 05: Trek to Majuwa
- The trek to Majuwa is a moderate hike.
- You will be walking through forests and rhododendron forests.
- You may also see some wildlife, such as monkeys and birds.
Day 06: Trek to Salpa Phedi
- The trek to Salpa Phedi is a short but steep hike.
- You will be gaining altitude, and the trail may be rocky.
- However, the views from Salpa Phedi are amazing, and you will be able to see Everest for the first time.
Day 07: Trek to Sanam via Salpa Pokhari
- The trek to Sanam is a moderate hike.
- You will be walking through forests and rhododendron forests.
- You will also pass by Salpa Pokhari, a beautiful lake.
Day 08: Trek to Bung
- The trek to Bung is a challenging hike.
- You will be gaining altitude, and the trail may be steep and rocky.
- However, the views from Bung are amazing, and you will be able to see Everest even closer.
Day 09: Trek to Gaikharka
- The trek to Gaikharka is a moderate hike.
- You will be walking through forests and rhododendron forests.
- You may also see some wildlife, such as yak and snow leopards.
Day 10: Trek to Puiyan
- The trek to Puiyan is a short but steep hike.
- You will be gaining altitude, and the trail may be rocky.
- However, the views from Puiyan are amazing, and you will be able to see Everest even closer.
Day 11: Trek to Phakding 2610m
- The trek to Phakding is a moderate hike.
- You will be walking through forests and rhododendron forests.
- You may also see some wildlife, such as yak and snow leopards.
Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3446m
- The trek to Namche Bazaar is a challenging hike.
- You will be gaining altitude, and the trail may be steep and rocky.
- However, Namche Bazaar is a great place to acclimate to the altitude, and there are many shops and restaurants.
Day 13: Rest at Namche Bazaar
- You will spend the day resting in Namche Bazaar to acclimate to the altitude.
- You can explore the town, do some laundry, or just relax and enjoy the views.
Day 14: Trek to Khumjung 3780m
- The trek to Khumjung is a moderate hike that takes about 3-4 hours.
- The trail follows the Dudh Kosi River and offers stunning views of the Himalayas, including Lhotse and Makalu.
- Khumjung is a traditional Sherpa village with a famous gompa (monastery) and a yeti skull exhibition (although its authenticity is debated).
- You can explore the village, visit the Gompa, and learn about Sherpa culture.
Day 15: Trek to Tyengboche 3860m
- The trek to Tyengboche is a challenging hike that takes about 5-6 hours.
- The trail ascends steeply through forests and rhododendron fields, offering panoramic views of the Everest region.
- Tyengboche is a beautiful village perched on a ridge, famous for its iconic Tengboche Monastery, the largest gompa in the Everest region.
- You can explore the monastery, witness prayer ceremonies, and enjoy the breathtaking views.
Day 16: Trek to Pheriche 4240m
- The trek to Pheriche is a moderate hike that takes about 3-4 hours.
- The trail continues along the Dudh Kosi River, offering more stunning views of the Himalayas.
- Pheriche is a popular acclimatization stop for trekkers attempting Everest Base Camp.
- You can relax, explore the village, and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Day 17: Trek to Lobuche 4910m
- The trek to Lobuche is a challenging hike that takes about 4-5 hours.
- The trail ascends steeply through rocky terrain, offering even more dramatic views of the Everest region.
- Lobuche is a small village with basic amenities, serving as a base camp for trekkers climbing Island Peak.
- You’ll need to be well-acclimatized by this point due to the altitude.
Day 18: Trek, climb Kala Pattar 5540m stay at Gorek Shep 5240m
- This is the big day! The trek to Kala Pattar is a short but very challenging hike that takes about 2-3 hours.
- The trail is steep and rocky, and the altitude makes it difficult to breathe.
- However, the reward is reaching the highest viewpoint of the entire trek, offering unparalleled views of Everest, Lhotse, and the surrounding peaks.
- After summiting Kala Pattar, you’ll descend to Gorek Shep, the highest overnight stop on the trek.
- Be prepared for the cold and thin air at this altitude.
Day 19: Trek to Pheriche 3930m
- The trek to Pheriche is a moderate descent that takes about 2-3 hours.
- You’ll retrace your steps from Day 16, enjoying the views from a different perspective.
- Descending will help you further acclimatize and recover from the challenging previous day.
Day 20: Trek to Tyengboche 3860m
- The trek to Tyengboche is a moderate hike that takes about 2-3 hours.
- You’ll retrace your steps from Day 15, enjoying the familiar scenery.
- Take time to appreciate the beauty of Tyengboche and its gompa once again.
Day 21: Trek to Phakding 2610m
- The trek to Phakding is a moderate descent that takes about 4-5 hours.
- You’ll descend through diverse landscapes, including forests, rhododendron fields, and villages.
- Phakding is a charming village located at a lower altitude, offering a welcome respite from the higher camps.
Day 22: Trek to Lukla 2840m
- The trek to Lukla is a moderate descent that takes about 2-3 hours.
- You’ll retrace your steps from Day 4, enjoying the final leg of the trek.
- Lukla is a bustling village with the only airstrip in the region, marking the end of your trekking adventure.
Day 23: Lukla to Kathmandu
- You’ll take a short flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, marking the end of your incredible journey.
Remember, this is just a general overview, and the actual times and difficulty of each trek may vary depending on your pace, fitness level, and weather conditions. Make sure to listen to your guide and acclimatize properly to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
