Trekking in Nepal is one of the greatest pleasures of
a holiday one can imagine. Amongst the trekking areas one of the most popular
regions is the Everest area or the
Khumbu Region.
As
you head towards Thado kosi you can get a view of Kusum Kang Guru also known as
the three sister peak. In about you may rest and have a bite/drink as Choplung
have a few lodges. In about an hour you will reach Phakding where you can spend
the night. Depending on your time of arrival at Lukla you can plan your day and
if you would like to stay at Phakding or carry on towards Monjo ( 2.800m),
which is approximately 2 hrs.
From here, on the way to Monjo you cross the Dudh
Kosi for the first time over a suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge and
trekking along, you get a great view of Thamserku, Kusum Kang guru as you
approach Toc Toc where you may also rest for a while and enjoy the view. You
will soon be arriving at Benkar where you may stop for another rest and a
cup of tea with Thamserku in the fore
ground. You will cross the Dudh Kosi again before your gradual ascent to Monjo
through Choumo.
Monjo is a small village
with a few lodges which are good and serve good food. Now you’re almost into
the Sagarmatha National Park Area and as you start your trek from here you will
need to furnish your Park Entry Permits at the Army check post. From here you
get to see Khumbila the holy mountain of the Khumbu, which you are not allowed
to climb and is also a snowless rocky peak. It is approximately about four hour
to Namche (3440m) from here and the track goes up and up and up…There are three
bridges to cross.
Namche is the Capital of the Khumbu and the most
prominent town of the region with almost all kinds of basic facilities.
Remember not to get lured into the bar
for a drink as drinking can enhance acute mountain sickness. It is also the
place from where you need to decide which valley you would like to go to, as
this is the junction from where the tracks to different valleys separate.
Lukla
on the way back may be new to you because on the day you started your trek, you
were to excited to notice the town. You have time now to look into the cafes,
bars and bakeries in town.
You may even want to try the local brew
“chang”, millet beer. It is also the
time to check with the airlines and find out about your flight back to
Kathmandu and reminisce about your days in the Khumbu.
Most Sherpa settlements are found at altitudes of
3,000 to 6,000 meters.
These high altitude environments are prone to
unpredictable climatic and geomorphological conditions. Growing seasons are
short, and there is often the risk of early frosts or snowstorms. The slopes
are steep and farming and grazing is often difficult. However, despite these
challenges, the Sherpa have managed to subsist in their environment by
employing a system of agro-pastoralism. This method combines stationary village
agriculture with a nomadic system of herding.
This way of life has been crucial
to Sherpa survival. Sherpa
women have an important role in daily life, caring for the children and
performing a large share of any farming or yak herding the family does. If a
woman's husband is a porter or guide, she will take over as head of the
household during expeditions.One of the most remarkable aspects of Sherpa life
is the absence of wheels. Because of the treacherous landscape, almost no
wheeled transportation exists in the Solu-Khumbu region, not even wheelbarrows.
Instead of roads and automobiles, Sherpas get from place to place on foot
paths. That means that whenever they need to transport anything -- such as
firewood, produce or building materials -- it goes on their yaks or their
backs. Many Sherpas, especially poorer ones, become accustomed to bearing heavy
loads from a young age, hauling their families' cargo or working as porters for
wealthier people.
It is common amongst the Sherpa for one woman to have
multiple husbands.
This limits the number of children, as well as the number of households in the village Polyandry as a from of population and communal resource control has become very important in this agro-pastoralist society.
Isn’t it wonderful living in such beautiful mountains
but these people have a really tough life.
