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Day 2 Jiri to Samburdhanda |
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The first day of the Everest Trek begins a pattern that will become familiar over the next few days, a climb to a high pass, and then a descent to a river. 
Everest Trek - View at the summit of the Kharabus Pass Begin the Everest Trek in the bus park at the head of the road. An unpaved road leaves the bus park. There is a signpost showing the way. About 10 minutes along this road you will see a path leading up to the left through the trees. This is where you leave the road and start the trek proper. The unpaved road continues around to Shivalaya. Reach a tea shop at the top of a 100 metre climb (30 minutes). Cross a bridge (40 minutes. Walk uphill and pass a lodge at the top of the climb (50 minutes). Follow the path, and reach the Solu Khumbu Lodge (1 hour 25 minutes) [27° 37.25N 86° 15.19E 2,213 metres]. Continue up the very eroded trail and in another 10 minutes reach the Shivalaya Restaurant and Lodge. Continue on up, and reach the summit of the Kharabus Pass with prayer flags and a chataura, or porter resting place (1 hour 45 minutes) [27° 37.00N 86° 15.49E 2,425 metres]. Continue along a little further to an electricity pylon, where the descent begins (1 hour 55 minutes). From here you can see the first mountain views. From left to right:
Continue downhill eventually reaching rice fields, villages and a stream at around 1,900 metres. Cross the first bouncy bridge of the trek (3 hours 50 minutes). Pass a water powered barley mill. Just before Shivalaya is the Yak Cheese and Butter Restaurant and Hotel. Cross the Khimti Khola on a suspension bridge into Shivalaya. (4 hour 25 minutes) [27° 36.32N 86° 17.87E 1,840 metres]. You can see fish swimming in the river, but sadly, fish is not on the menu in any of the hotels. 
Shivalaya has the air of a resort town There are about 20 lodges in Shivalaya. The unpaved road ends here - when the road is paved, this will be the new 'Jiri' and the new start of the trek. Right now it's a great place for lunch. 
Don't panic - the Maoists are not going to sacrifice trekkers, just visitors and journalists Walk through Shivalaya and turn left crossing a little stream. Follow the street to where it leads steeply uphill. From here onwards the Everest Trek follows the path of the 1953 Everest Expedition, which, of course, had to trek all the way from Kathmandu. Continue uphill to reach Samburdanda, (5 hours 45 minutes) where there are two lodges:
The view from Samburdhanda is not one of the best on the Everest Trek
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© Ian Johnson 2003 |
