High-Solu: a wonderful trekking destination; geographically spectacular and culturally fascinating!
High-solu is one of the great trekking destination in the lower parts of Mt. Everest regions. Destination can easily be reached by flight or by driving from Kathmandu. Trip can be a short or longer from one week to three weeks depending of your time viability and interest. Flying into or flying out from Phaplu offers a breathtaking view from airplane. A short flight under 40 minutes from Kathmandu takes us to Phaplu where we start our trekking trip.
Trekking in the Solukumbu Region, is in one of the loveliest areas to see spectacular mountain views and monasteries. It is in the Southern part of the Everest region and has very rich authentic Nepalese and Sherpa cultures. Secluded monasteries and villages inhabited by the ever friendly Sherpas, give it a warm and welcoming feeling.
We fly to Phaplu through the canyons on a breathtaking flight about 40 minutes from Katmandu. We begin trekking from Phaplu toward the west and pass through the district headquarter of the Solukhumbu, where the regional government buildings reside.
Then we cross over Solu (meaning lower valley) River which is runoff from the glacial Dudh Kunda (Milk Lake) where we will spend some time walking. We then climb a gradual hill to the Sherpa village of Patale. We walk on a beautiful ridge called Jantre La where the views of the Everest Range are stunning and seem close enough to touch. We cross over Pike (Pee-Kay) which is 13,333 ft, and is the most prominent peak in the area with the best panoramic views in the Everest Region including Annapurna and Everest ranges.
We descend steeply to Junbesi, a Sherpa village. A short walk brings us to Thupten Chhulen Monastery. This Monastery has about four hundred Sherpa and Tibetan monks and nuns. The Lama in this monastery and is of a very high level incarnate of Buddha. If we are lucky, we will get a blessing from him.
Our final challenge of the trip takes us to climb up the hill to the Dudh Kunda (meaning Milk Lake), a holy place at 16,500 feet. This has a dramatic view of three scared mountains. This lake and neighboring glacier are dominated by two magnificent peaks, Nimbur (22,831 ft) and Karyalung (21,919 ft). We descend down toward Beni which is an open space and grassy land for yak in the summer.
Then we will descend to the Sherpa village of Taksindu (said tak-sind-do), home of many of our staff members. There we have a couple days to rest and explore the culture and people. We will have a Sherpa gathering with dancing, music, and chang (locally made beer), and accompany our staff to their houses in Chhulemu.
This is a wonderful way to see the Himalayan Mountain ranges without going to too high of elevations. You will experience Sherpa culture first-hand and have the opportunity to meet local people. The Buddhist monasteries and secluded villages give you a glimpse into the real culture which few tourists get to experience. This trek is a once in a lifetime experience to see into old world ways in the most beautiful places on earth.
