Kongma-La Trek

If there’s one thing the valleys of the Khumbu have, it’s that proximity to the high mountains. Here, the white peaks of the Himalayas are within reach, with that false feeling that you can climb them in the morning and come back at coffee time. Any of the treks here are quite spectacular in this point, through an area dominated by the Sherpa community. Naturally, having the summit of Everest among its list of very high peaks makes this area of Nepal the one that attracts the most hikers. But the Khumbu neither begins nor ends with the Everest Base Camp trek, and it is full of much richer and more spectacular routes, as well as much less crowded ones.

The Kongma-La Trek begins by going through our own stages of the Everest Base Camp route, which avoid the main route, widening the panoramic view over the valleys and reaching Chukhung, which would be the most eastern valley of the whole Khumbu area. Chukhung is the gateway to the famous Island Peak, and the landscape around it along the route to the Island Base Camp is full of spectacular peaks. From Chukhung we cross the Kongma-La pass at 5535 meters of altitude, a demanding pass in a rather long stage in a solitary environment, which will take us to meet the main route of the Everest Base Camp, from where we can enjoy the almost perfect pyramid of Sagarmatha, its name in Nepali. The way back to Lukla will be following the main route, avoiding at the most walk by the same path than the ascent.

Kongma-La is one of the three passes in the route of the “Sagarmatha 3 Passes Trek” and, therefore, you already know that you have other itinerary options.

* This itinerary is designed with an arrival flight in Nepal in the morning in mind. In case the flight arrived in Kathmandu in the afternoon or evening, the schedule would be adapted.

FULL TRIP according program 

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Welcome on arrival at the airport

·       Kathmandu Airport International Terminal Transfers upon arrival and departure by private vehicle

·       Transfer by private vehicle to Kathmandu airport or shuttle to Ramechhap airport for Lukla flights

·       Flight Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu or Ramechhap – Lukla – Ramechhap

·       3 nights with breakfast in Kathmandu / 2 nights if the flight to Lukla departs from Ramechhap

·       Accommodation in lodges/tea-houses and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description

·       Local English-speaking Mountain Guide during the trek

·       1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax

·       1 porter each 2 clients

·       TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)

·       Sagarmatha National Park entrance fee

·       Pasang Lhamu Permit

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal

·       Entry Nepal VISA

·       Lunch & Dinner (except indicated)

·       Tips to staff

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       During the trek hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.

·       In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

·       No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

In option for late returning flights on the last day, we can keep one room during the day in order you can have a shower before long flight back home.

JUST TREK with no services out of the trek itinerary in Kathmandu 

PRICE INCLUDES
·       Transfer by private vehicle to Kathmandu airport or shuttle to Ramechhap airport for Lukla flights

·       Flight Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu or Ramechhap – Lukla – Ramechhap

·       Accommodation in lodges/tea-houses and three meals a day during the trek according the itinerary description

·       Local English-speaking Mountain Guide during the trek

·       1 guide assistant for groups over 8 pax

·       1 porter each 2 clients

·       TIMS Trek permit card (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems)

·       Sagarmatha National Park entrance fee

·       Pasang Lhamu Permit

·       All government taxes and VAT

·       Wages, food and accommodation, expenses, and insurance for all staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       International flight from/to your origin point to/from Nepal

·       Entry Nepal VISA (check information)

·       Tips to staff

·       Any service out of the trek

·       Hot and cold drinks, phone calls, internet connection or any other personal expense

·       Hot showers, battery charges or any other personal expense

·       Medical and/or travel insurance. For most of our treks you must have a mountain accident insurance that works in Nepal until 5500 meters’ altitude and include helicopter rescue.

·       In general, any concept not specified in this programme, as well as any need for personal assistance in other matters out of the programme

·       No additional costs due to flight cancellations, weather conditions, road closures, etc.

* The indicated price is the price per person in US dollars for a group of 6 travelers in full format as described in the program.
If you prefer, you can contract only the trek, from the pick-up at your accommodation to the return. Without services outside the trek.
We can customize your trip with no problem.
Contact us to request the dossier with detailed information and the complete price table and ask us any questions you may have.

Flights to Lukla now operate from Kathmandu (normally low season) or Ramechhap (high season). Ramechhap airport is 4/5 hours from Kathmandu and you must take a shuttle that leaves at 1:00 in the morning from Thamel. Then all that remains is to rest and hang out, even if it is in the hotel lobby, until the shuttle leaves.

This trek includes three Base Camps, Ama Dablam, Island Peak and Everest. All are round way stages and we go back to the same point, so if you don’t have enough days, but you want to do this itinerary, these days could be eliminated. They are not essential days for acclimatization, although it’s always good to have, while also they are safety days in case bad weather or any other issue stops us.

Crossing mountain passes above 5000 meters are always subject to weather conditions that can change the stage from a long but gentle climb to a hard day on snow in bad weather. If the weather conditions become really adverse, it may be advisable not to cross it and wait for a day for the conditions to improve. It does not happen often (in fact, it has never happened to us) but we must be aware of this possible eventuality. For this reason, as well as in case of suffering from altitude sickness in some days, it can always be convenient to add a “safety” day, although it is not essential.

It is not necessary to take any specific material for this trek, although it is quite likely that you will have to hike on snow, and the conditions in which each one faces it are very different. While some have enough wearing trail-running shoes, others need boots and gaiters. Adapt this perspective to your own way of doing. Poles can give you confidence if you have to walk on snow, but they are not essential.

As a general rule, neither an ice axe nor crampons are considered necessary, although if the conditions have been extreme and out of the ordinary, we may find ourselves with some steps that are a little more compromised. Normally the guides carry an ice axe or crampons in case they are needed at some point, but in general they stay at the bottom of the backpack.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Programs may have to be adapted according to the schedules of your flights to Nepal. The itineraries are designed taking into account that the international flight arrives at Kathmandu in the morning or noon. If you arrive to Nepal afternoon or later it would be better to have a margin day before starting your trek, although it is not essential.

DO YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIP?

Related to the trek itinerary and Kathmandu and/or Pokhara staying we plan the “minimum days recommended” to have a comfortable and safe trip and trek. But always is a good idea to add some extra day during the trek (for rest or as safety extra day) or in your days in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Like all our tours, the itinerary can be customized and adapted to the taste, needs and preferences of the traveller, especially when it comes to staying in Nepal outside the trek route.

You can opt for the full trip or just hiring the trek and travel on your own in Nepal.

EXPERIENCES TO NEPAL OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM

Whether for free days in Kathmandu or Pokhara, as if you want to add more days to your trip, we offer a number of options and extensions. With them you can add and complete activities and experiences on your trip. Some are already included in some program, but in general we prefer that you choose them on your own, if you are interested in any, depending on your tastes and way of traveling. Ask us for more information if you are interested.