The Solu Khumbu is
the homeland of the Sherpas who are
famous as legendary mountain guides and
climbers. The Solu Khumbu is also home
to some of the highest mountains in the
world Lhotese Nuptse, Cho Oyu, and of
course, Sagarmatha, or Mt. Everest, as
it is better known. Dissected by
turbulent rivers and terraced by
farming, the highland valleys of Solu
Khumbu offer some of the best high
altitude trekking in Nepal. As the area
is ringed by gigantic peaks, trekking
here provides stunning close-up views of
the mountains. Walking through the
Sherpa villages of Namche Bazar, Thame
and Khumjung, trekkers can mingle with
the cheerful, friendly Sherpas, explore
the ancient Buddhist monasteries, and
admire the rhododendron forests that
bloom during spring time. The Lukla and
Phaplu airstrips provide easy and quick
access to this area, and the use of
planes makes shorter and more varied
treks possible. If trek involve the
crossing of high passes or visits to the
addition, trekking peaks like Island
Peak, Lobuje, and Pokalde Peak offer
rewarding climbs that can be combined
with regular treks to provide additional
adventure and excitement.
