1

You would need about 15 days minimum, reaching Gokyo on day 10 and fly out day 15. It would be prudent to plan 17 days. Flights to Phaplu on the other hand do not fly every day as far as I know, but Lukla can be reached by plane every weather permitted day. Flying to Lukla would cut 3 days from the trek, if time is tight. Walking in is a great way of approaching the Himalayas, it is a good idea to give it a try.

2

I also tried to get flight information for phaplu but it seems there is no flight from Kathmandu to Phaplu. Now either I should walk from Jiri or get flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. It is also a first trip to Nepal and really excited. I am still confused about my departure date and dont know either to do only EBC or also Gokyo. Please share me your itinerary if you have planned. Got one travel agency recommendation from friend and now waiting for their itinerary and plan. Still looking for someone to arrange my trip in proper way. I am planning to hire a guide and carry small backpack myself. What plan you are having? Please share me.

3

I agree with Petrus.

A few brief points:

There should be relatively little snow risk in March, though this cannot be totally ruled out - most of the precipitation is during the monsoon, and pre and post monsoon periods, which is roughly May to September.

Have a rough itinerary, then see how things go, unless you are trekking with an organised group, when there is less flexibility. Illness, fatigue, delays due to weather, strikes etc can all affect itineraries. You may also want to add other places - there is great flexibility in the Everest region for adding day walks, or more, if you have the time and inclination. For example Thame is a good day walk from Namche, or you can stay there. There are many possible options in the Everest region.

If you go to Gokyo, do try and walk to the 5th and 6th lakes - latter are not shown on many maps, but you get fantastic views of Cho Oyu, a vast 8,000m peaks on the Tibetan border. It is a great day walk.

I have never used Phaplu - I have walked in from Jiri once (great if you have the time), and flown in 3 times to Lukla. I think Phaplu serves mainly Nepali soldiers, locals and officials.

4

Hi Yamae

The trek from Phaplu to Ringmo (on the Jiri - Namche trail) passes through a little-trekked route through farmland and forest. There are no dedicated trekking lodges just a couple of locla teahouses but this is not a problem - it's a 4 - 5 hour walk on an a=obvious trail.

I think Nepal Air and Tara Air fly the route but, as said above, not daily as far as I know. Trekkers can take the flights too whther other people think it serves mainly Nepalis.

scoodly

5

Thank you so much for all your advises. It helps making a decision. I can now understand my dilema in regards to snow up high in the Himalayas. Sounds like it has to do a lot with the monsoon season and not just the winter season; great tips in regards to Phaplu airport. We may have to join another couple with less time available. In that case I found Langtang trail as a great quieter option. I understand a flight to Lukla is USD 120 to 140 per person one way; a little much if one will not spend more than two weeks there.

6

$10 a day too much to see the highest mountain on earth and experience the Khumbu? Save your pennies, you'll forget the price about 5 minutes after getting off the plane...

I've done KP at end of Feb and got snowed on Pheriche-Dughla. From there, it was only thin snow on the the hard packed trail (soft off the trail). Did some exploring ('off trail') from Lobuje one day and ended up in waist deep snow that was so soft, we had to crawl part of the way! Coming back down the valley and turning off to Gokyo, I don't remember any snow over a few cm.

If you get bad weather, it's more about perching in whatever village you're near for the night and waiting for a gap. I don't think deep snow is any concern until you go off the main trail (like the 3 passes etc).