Jiri-Peekye-Junbesi-Phaplu Trek Adventure 17-Days

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Swayambhunath, located on a lovely little hill to the northwest of the city centre, which is the most sacred Buddhist site. The self-originated shrine is believed to have been built in its current form around 250 B.C. The stupa, painted with a pair of the Buddha’s all-seeing eyes, stands on a lotus mandala base on all four sides. The site offers a complete view of Kathmandu Valley, its surroundings, and the Himalayas to the northeast.

In continuation, drive to Patan, one of the three medieval cities of Kathmandu valley and one of the World Heritage sites among the seven World Heritage sites of Kathmandu valley, located 7 kilometres south-west of Kathmandu. The city of Lalitpur, the City of Arts, was a renowned Buddhist centre in Asia, with four Ashok-built stupas and a multitude of miniature stupas, monasteries, viharas, and temples. At Patan, we visit its Durbar Square, the Golden Temple, Thousand Buddha, and its museum, among other sites, which explain Buddhism and Hinduism in extensive labels within the living traditions and context.

In the evening, visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu, an example of the urban architecture of the Malla dynasty, with 19-storey buildings, temples and palaces, and the residence of the living goddess Kumari. Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old palace complex that houses a mass of temples and palaces, including the Gaddi Baithak Durbar, constructed in 1908; the Basantapur Durbar, or the old Royal Palace; and the Kumari Chowk, the residence of the Living Goddess. Basantapur is amongst the most attractive sites in the bustling centre of Kathmandu, and a western traveller around two hundred years ago wrote that there were more temples than houses and idols than people in its city. Lying at the heart of Kathmandu, Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see. The individual buildings, palaces, and temples feature intricately carved doors, lattice windows, and struts adorned with mythic and erotic figures.

Finalise with a tour and a rickshaw ride through the old city market centre, the Ason Bazaar, seeing what the Nepalese people buy and sell in their daily lives.

A 7-hour journey.

The morning starts with an exciting overland journey, taking you northeast from Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. From Dhulikhel, the drive takes you through rural farm villages and then heads towards the Dolkha (Do La Kha) district at Charikot, where you will face views of Jugal Himal Dorji Lakpa, Langtang, and Gaurishankar peaks.

The journey continues downhill to the Tama Kohsi River and then uphill on a winding road to reach Jiri, a lovely town known as Switzerland of Nepal due to its beautiful green valley with snow-clad peaks. Upon reaching Jiri and getting checked in to a local lodge, explore the markets, stretching your knees, full of shops, stores, and activities.

A 6-hours trek.

Breakfast and start the trek following the eastward road for a while. Then, leave the motor road, fork north, and walk through a pine forest. It begins with a gradual climb, which continues for another hour and a half, traversing through rural villages and views of southwestern horizons, including Jiri Bazaar. The area is inhabited by Jirel people, who speak similarly to Sherpas and practise Buddhism. Their neighbours are mainly Sherpa and then other major caste groups of Nepal. Once we reach Mali Danda, the trail descends through sparsely inhabited villages to Shivalaya on the bank of Shivalaya River Bank, a major junction with more than six trail branches going in all directions. Shivalaya is a lovely lowland with several lodges, restaurants, a police checkpoint and a permit check post of Gaurishanker National Park. We stop here for lunch and continue another 3 hours uphill to Deurali.

 After lunch, the trail climbs north through Sherpas and minority Hindu caste villages for about 45 minutes and traverses gradually east through a dense mid-hill forest to Deurali. Deurali, which means hill saddle passing to the next valley, is a significant hill saddle with a long and beautiful pair of Mani-walls. Mani-walls are Tibetan Buddhist prying, deities and sacred symbols carved on stone slabs, and a built-in wall for people to read, see, and circumambulate by the passersby. Deurali has several lodges with a beautiful view of Mount Gauri Shanker and the lower valley on both sides.

A 4-hour trek.

This morning, we take a view-finding excursion to Sherpa Peak, the highest peak south of Deurali. On the way, we visit the main Deurali village. The people here have been all sherpas since ancient times, but the village’s name comes from the Hindu Nepali “Deurali”. From Sherpa Peak, there is a 360-degree panorama, including the Gauri Shanker and Karyilung. Suppose the weather is not favourable for the Sherpa Peak view excursion. In that case, we take the tour to Thadung monastery, situated on a lovely hill slope north of Deurali, one of the active monasteries of the region and a monastic school with small monks. 

After a pleasant stop at the top or tour of the monastery, we return to our lodge, have a relaxing breakfast, and trek down to Chyangma (Bhandar) village. This expansive village is inhabited mainly by Sherpas and migrated by other castes after a motorable road connects it with Kathmandu.

A 5-hour trek.

The trail goes downhill and, after 1 hour, arrives at the Likhu River, forming the boundary between Ramechhap and Solukhumbu district and Sagarmatha zone. Nepal has 14 zones, 77 districts and five development regions. On the other side of the river, a good climb of 2 hours uphill brings you to Namkhile, with great views of Numbur Himal and the trail that traces the villages of Bandar and all around to the west, south, and north. At this point, we will stop for our lunch. 

As you push on from Namkhile, a challenging 2-hour uphill through a forest of pines and rhododendrons awaits. The village of Golla, a hidden treasure, reveals itself only when you reach its knife ridge. Perched on the hillside, Golla unveils a stunning panorama of Peekye, Mount Gauri Shanker, Khatanga, and Number range. This Sherpa village is a cultural hub, home to three major monasteries, including a nunnery. The villagers, primarily farmers, each tend to their cows, and some even have dzom, a unique cross between a yak and a cow. The rich cultural heritage of Golla Village is sure to pique your interest and leave you wanting to explore more.

The trail goes downhill and, after 1 hour, arrives at the Likhu River, forming the boundary between Ramechhap and Solukhumbu district and Sagarmatha zone. Nepal has 14 zones, 77 districts and five development regions. On the other side of the river, a good climb of 2 hours uphill brings you to Namkhile, with great views of Numbur Himal and the trail that traces the villages of Bandar and all around to the west, south, and north. At this point, we will stop for our lunch. 

As you push on from Namkhile, a challenging 2-hour uphill through a forest of pines and rhododendrons awaits. The village of Golla, a hidden treasure, reveals itself only when you reach its knife ridge. Perched on the hillside, Golla unveils a stunning panorama of Peekye, Mount Gauri Shanker, Khatanga, and Number range. This Sherpa village is a cultural hub, home to three major monasteries, including a nunnery. The villagers, primarily farmers, each tend to their cows, and some even have dzom, a unique cross between a yak and a cow. The rich cultural heritage of Golla Village is sure to pique your interest and leave you wanting to explore more.

A 3-hour trek.

Embark on a 4-hour trek through a forest teeming with rhododendrons, leading to the hamlet of Ngohur, perched atop a hill. This area is a lush haven, dense with pine, juniper, various species of rhododendron, and bamboo. The lower Valleys of Peekye are a verdant sanctuary for many colourful birds. Ngohur once remained an important religious centre, and many ancestors of the Sherpas of Goli and its surroundings, including Ramechhap and Okhaldunga, came to meditate in this peaceful and beautiful place.

Unfortunately, most of the meditating hermitages disappeared in the past century, and the only surviving monastery was grounded to rubble by the powerful earthquake of 2015. Nowadays, one can only see the ruins and some neighbours living there. Ngohur is the ridge top of a lovely hill, and the view towards Tseringma (Gaurishankar) and Dudh Kunda Himal is spectacular. Weather permitting, both sunrise and sunset from Ngohur are breathtaking, so one should consider caring the sunset time and waking up early in the morning to view the beautifully changing colour of the mountains around!

A 3-hour trek.

En route to Peekye Peak Base Camp, a mere fifteen-minute stroll from Ngohur, lies a cheese production centre. Here, you can indulge in the unique experience of sampling and purchasing cheese crafted from nak (female yak) and dzom milk. This area boasts three cheese production centres, a rarity in Nepal in quantity and quality. Our trail will take us to two of these centres, where the manager may warmly welcome us with a refreshing cup of tea or a comforting glass of warm milk. Take the opportunity to bring home mini cheese rolls, perfect for souvenirs or evening celebrations.

Our trail meanders through a picturesque forest, gradually ascending above the tree line to Torsa. A breathtaking panorama unfolds, with snow-capped mountains stretching from the far west to the north, punctuated by countless hills. As we emerge from the forest at Torsa, the Peekye Base Camp Lodges come into view, offering a stunning vista to the east and south. The journey continues with a delightful traverse, crossing a cow-shade meadow dotted with stone huts and passing through the lush pastureland where Sherpas from the Golla area spend their summers with their cows and yaks. This idyllic setting is a haven for them and a feast for our eyes.

Finally, there will be a gradual hike to Chhyamdingma (Peekye Base Camp). From our lodge at Peekye, there are fabulous sceneries to enjoy toward the south and west, including the most significant Himalayan chains on the north-western horizon. Chhyamdingma, our overnight place at Peekye Peak Base Camp, means dancing meadow between two water springs. Peekye is a sacred mountain deity; several holy sites and caves exist. At Peekye, there are also two water springs, male and female, called Menjyang Chhu (medicinal water), one just by the Lodge at Peekye (female) and another on our way Jasawarngyang (male). The local visitors collect the water in small bottles and take it to their homes as sacred water and gifts to their elders and loved ones. Chhyamdingma must have been a lively place in its heyday when each Sherpa household from surrounding villages owned her nak/yak to graze here and a place of joy, organising daily communal dances! Still today, the lodge owners offer their guests a chance to dance to their cultural music, damngyen (Tungna in Nepali). The site is a lovely meadow with several stone huts for cow shades.

The sunset view from the lodge at Peekye is unlike any of Nepal’s other sunset viewpoints, as it dips behind the mountains further west of Kathmandu. However, from the top of Peekye, sunrise and sunset are breathtaking, so one should wake up early to view the beautiful changing colours on every mountain summit!

Sunrise excursion to Peekye Lookout. The trip begins at around 5 a.m. and takes 45 minutes, with a gradual climb, but the Himalayas’ views to the west are open from the beginning. As the eastern horizon brightens, the first ray of the sun lands on the summit of the Himalayas, changing the colour of the top of Everest from black to gold and silver and continuously on the other giant mountain tops, such as the Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Manaslu, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri! The panorama stretches with countless hills toward the west and south, depicting an invisible horizon that is just amazing and indescribable in words with any effort. Return to the lodge, have breakfast and rest. The views from your lodge are open and no less stunning, including the sunset view from your dining room!

Therefore, we recommend that the people spend two to three days’ rest or a busy day stroll around Peekye because the natural setting offers great sceneries of dazzling summits extending from Kanchenjunga to the east to the east and Dhaulagiri to the west.

A 3 hours of trekking.

A leisurely wake-up, have breakfast and continue the trek. The trail traverses northwest and crosses the hill ridge with an abrupt descent, entering a pine forest and shaded area and arriving at Menjyang Chhu (male). Next, we cross several Yak Shade meadows, traverse a beautiful forest line, and arrive at Jasawarngyang. This trail is icy and slippery during winter months and repeats the trail crossing the Peekye to Jasawarngyang. Jasawarngyang is a strategic hill saddle between the two valleys with two teahouses. In the late afternoon, ascend 20 minutes to the north, following the trail to Junbesi and enjoy a grand view toward the east (weather permitting).

A 5 hours of trekking.

From here, a trail gradually climbs to the north through Juniper shrubs and makes a beautiful traverse under a cliff, reaching a lovely meadow at Pambuk. There is an imposing Chorten, Yak huts, superb views of the Himalayas, the valley to the southeast, and Peekye. Then descend through lovely tall pine and rhododendron trees to Taktot, a beautiful open area with basic teahouses. Further, continue to the northeast through the Taktok village with views of Salung, Tumbuk (misspelt to Toamfuk = bear cave) and Chiwang monastery and reach Junbesi.

 Junbesi is an ancient settlement of the Sherpa people at an altitude of 2675 metres above sea level. With some Sherpa architectural buildings, a monastery, school, health post, police check-post, and stupa, this village is among the most preferred resting places for many trekkers. In this pretty valley, there are several monasteries, and the Thupten Chöling is one of the significant and active religious centres.

A 4 hours excursion.

This morning, we will visit the monastery of Junbesi, one of the oldest monasteries in the entire region, and the Thubten Chöling monastery, founded by Trulshi Rinpoche.

Trulshik Rinpoche is one of the senior-most masters of the Tibetan Buddhism tradition, the head of the Nyingma schools, and one of the teachers of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. Trulshik Rinpoche was also the holder of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) and the rare teachings he regularly transmitted to the Dalai Lama. Trulshik Rinpoche was born in 1924 in Yardrok Taklung in central Tibet. At a very young age, he was recognised as the reincarnation of the great tertön Do-ngak Lingpa and regarded as the emanation of other important masters of Tibet and India.

After leaving Tibet in 1959, following the Chinese occupation, he founded the Thubten Chöling monastery in the Sherpa Land of Solu Khumbu region in northeastern Nepal and lived most of his life there. The Thubten Chöling is renowned as one of the foremost centres for the monastic traditions of the Nyingma schools.

In 2004, Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche initiated two important projects: a new monastery in the valley of Kathmandu and a monastic institute in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.

Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche passed away on September 2, 2011, at his monastery in Kathmandu. His enshrined holy body is in the monastic sanctuary of Solu Khumbu at Thubten Chöling and is open to the devotees for homage.

His reincarnation, or Yangsi, Ngawang Tendzin Lodrö Rabsel, was born in Kathmandu on July 25, 2013, and recognised in 2015. He was born into the family of father Lama Ngawang Jigdrel Chokyi Wongchuk Sherpa and mother Ogyen Drolma Sherpa. The reincarnated Rinpoche’s auspicious hair cutting and enthronement were completed on May 29, 2018, on the full moon day of Saga Dawa, the month of the occurrence of the three most sacred deeds of the Buddha.

Visit the monastery and walk back to Junbesi. Have a late lunch and visit its village and school.

A 5 hours of trekking.

Before starting the trek, visit the monastery of Junbesi, one of the oldest monasteries in the entire region, if you did not see it yesterday. Then, cross the river immediately after the village, walk through a pleasant rhododendron and pine forest, and descend through Sherpa villages, following the river downhill to Beni. At Beni, cross a suspension bridge and take a gradual ascent through a sparse forest and villages to Chiwang Monastery for a lunch stop and visit.

Chiwang monastery sits on a sheer cliff, enjoying the 360-degree views of the surroundings; the scenery toward Phaplu airport, surrounding villages and Peekye top is lovely. The monastery is the second most active monastery in the region and is a monastic school. We visit the monastery’s surroundings, enjoy the views and have lunch with tiny monks! In the afternoon, a pleasant walk down to Phaplu, the ending point of our trek! Phaplu is the headquarters of the Solukhumbu district. On Saturdays, a significant market takes place at a spot 30 minutes below it. Phaplu is a small Sherpa town with an airport and a hospital built by Sir Edmund Hillary.

A 8 hour journey.

This day, if we arrive on the right day, we will dedicate ourselves to seeing the local bazaar, the weekly bazaar, when local people converge from the surrounding area. People from different walks of life come here to sell their products, from grain to milk and vegetables to clothes or let’s say that one may find everything or sell everything. So the young and herders take this day as a holiday to enjoy seeing varieties, including the people.

After visiting the market, take a 20-minute flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day free.

If we arrive on other days, we will take a long but scenic Jeep drive to Kathmandu, where we will complete our circuit at Pattate Dhap. The driving takes 9 hours!

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pashupatinath Temple. A pagoda Hindu temple with gilt roofs, carved with silver doors dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated at the bank of the holy Bagmati River, and regarded as among the most sacred temples of the Hindu religion, Pashupatinath is the focus of pilgrimages culminating on the day of Shiva Ratri (the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and the goddess Parvati). Pashupati is also the cremation ground in the ghats (cremation group) along the bank of the River Bagmati, where the recently deceased Hindus of the Valley are cremated.

Then take a 13-kilometre drive to Bhaktapur, east of Kathmandu. Its original name is Bhadgaon, or the village of Devotees, which is one of the living museums of Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur is filled with the 55-windowed Royal Palace, the Palace of the Kumari, the temple of Taleju, the temple of Pashupati, the main square of Taumadhi Tole, Nyatapola Temple (the most imposing and tallest such architecture in all of Nepal), the temple of Akash Bhairab (the second most important temple of Bhadgaon), the Dha Hateya and the Square of the Potters. UNESCO recognises Bhaktapur as a World Heritage Site.

 In the evening, visit the Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist shrine in the Kathmandu Valley. This ancient Chorten was built in the 5th century A.D. by King Manadeva. A series of three terraces leads up through water, fire and air segments to the pinnacle, symbolic of space and the highest spiritual attainment. The whole is surrounded by a circle of shops which form a small Tibet. Lord Buddha’s four pairs of eyes flash vividly in the cardinal directions, radiating the message of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Lamaism in Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan and Tibet.

Have breakfast and have some relaxing free time for yourself. At the indicated time, our office representative and vehicle will arrive at your hotel to escort you to the airport. Drive to Kathmandu international airport (TIA), you will go through the immigration formalities and departure.