Day 1 Kathmandu to Jiri

	Kathmandu	Jiri
Latitude	27° 42.89N	27° 38.18N
Longitude	85° 18.71E	86° 13.96E
Altitude	1,948 metres	1,343 metres

Ascent	605 metres
Descent	585 metres
Time (excluding rests)	7 hours by car
Distance	120 kilometres

The brickworks of Bhaktapur are where the Nepalese make their bricks...

 

The scenery is enlivened by the ocasional truck burnt out by the Maoists.

 

The Sun Kosi is the world's steepest river. The Tibetans dump of all kinds of things in it, and as a result the fish are well fed....

 

The Sagarmatha Lodge and Cafe House Hotel is one of many hotels in Jiri.

     The first day of the Everest Trek is the drive to Jiri. You can either get a bus, or go by car. The road is good except across a short quarried section. My recommendation is that you club together with other trekkers and hire a car. The costs are around 11,000 Rupees to get a decent 4 wheel drive. The benefits of hiring a car are:

• The journey will be a lot faster - only about 7 hours as compared with around 12 on a bus.
• You can pass through the security check point outside Kathmandu more easily as the army are only searching vehicles containing Nepalese.
• You will be a lot more comfortable - the buses are very cramped.
• Your gear will be safe in a car - there is a lot of theft on the buses.

     Take the road to Kodari, past Bhaktapur. Your driver will know the way. The road crosses the Sun Kosi - the world's steepest river, full of 'tasty fish', according to my driver.

     The road continues uphill through conifer forests to Jiri. It's quite a pleasant drive. In Jiri, the start of the Everest Trek, there are numerous hotels, however, as an independent trekker you may find that only a few are open to you. The owners of those lodges that are operating will soon find you! 

The view from Jiri

© Ian Johnson 2003

Comment by: Raj     helloraj333@yahoo.com
Date of trek: April 05
Date of comment: 23 May 2005

Trek to Everest is amazing. The landscape, culture, people, mountains and our guide and porters are all great. I can't forget all this for my whole life. It is not so difficult as I was thinking before the trip.
It was not that easy as well but became very pleasant adventure by the help of my guide Mr. Man Sunuwar and his company www.agnepal.com

I suggest everyone to do this trek once in the lifetime. I will be back for Langtang trek and Chitwan Safari, also for Bhote Koshi Rafting.

Comment by: Mr. Travel     mr_travels@hotmail.com
Date of trek: April-May 2005
Date of comment: 23 May 2005

The drive is very scenic but you need to hire a private car, not by the local bus. Then you can stop and can take pics as well as search a natural toilet somewhere.
I like the road, very narrow and very adventurous, my driver made it possible, thanks for him.

Comment by: Mingma Sherpa     mingmar@fastmail.fm
Date of trek: NA
Date of comment: 1 March 2008

I think Kathmandu altidue as mentioned on the site (1948 meters) is not correct. It should be approx 1355 meters. If not please clarify.

Comment by: Rishi Pd Nepal     info@encountersnepal.com
Date of trek: 1999, 2001 ,2004,2006,2008
Date of comment: 2 April 2008

His information is very useful and its great advanture you must Feel the thrill of the Himalayas with a team of highly experienced trekking professionals in Nepal.