Overland Start | Independent Local Trekking Guides

With roads being extended further into the region there are now a few options for those who want to trek in rather than fly. Starting from Dhap allows you to take in the famed views of Pikey Peak on the trek in before joining the main trail at Junbesi. For the traditionalist, with bus service now extending to Bhandar the classic Jiri start can now be reduced by a day. Starting from Bhandar allows you to follow the route of early climbing expeditions into the Khumbu. While not that high by Himalayan standards, the trekking routes into the Khumbu are surprisingly strenuous. Since the path cuts across the valleys that descend from the high Himalayas, there is a lot of up and down climbing as you climb out of one valley and descend down to a river only to climb out the other side. This area sees far fewer trekkers than the trails above Lukla, but still has a pretty good lodge infrastructure.

Weather Conditions in December

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December is probably the most underrated month to trek, one of the driest months of the year skies are often clear from sunrise to sunset. The trails and teahouses are less crowded than in November. At higher altitudes, temperatures drop as the winter season approaches so it is important to carry warm enough clothing and sleeping bags. When properly prepared December can be a great month to trek

At a glance
On average there are 1 day with precipitation in December. The highest point on the trek is Lamjura La at 3530 m. During December, expect high temperatures of around 7.2°C (45°F) and lows down to -8.8°C (16°F) at Lamjura La.

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(7 days)

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Mon Dec 16 (day 1)
Kathmandu (1337 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 20.4°C (69°F) and lows of about 4.4°C (40°F) in December. more info on Kathmandu
Side Trip to Lamjura La via Pikey Peak (0 less days) via Pikey Peak Highlights: Pikey Peak Sir Edmund Hillary is said to have declared Pikey Peak is favorite trekking view point in Nepal. On a clear day it is possible to see as far as Dhaulagiri to the west and Kanchenjunga to the East.
Side Trip to Ringmu via Phaplu (2 less days) via Phaplu Difficulty: moderate The closest road head to the Everest Region, this route gets you to Lukla from Kathmandu in about 3 days overland.
Shared vehicle from Kathmandu to Bhandar (Not Included) Estimated cost: $15.00 Travel time: about 10 hours Please pay the fare for your guide & porter (if you have hired one)
Bhandar (2190 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.3°C (60°F) and lows of about -0.7°C (31°F) in December. Overnight

Tue Dec 17 (day 2)
Chaulakharka (1460 m) Expect typical high termperatures of about 19.6°C (67°F) and lows of about 3.6°C (38°F) in December.
Kinja (1630 m) About 2.5-3 hours from Bhandar Expect typical high termperatures of about 18.6°C (65°F) and lows of about 2.6°C (37°F) in December.
Sete (2600 m) About 2-2.5 hours from Kinja or about 5-6 hours from Bhandar Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.8°C (55°F) and lows of about -3.2°C (26°F) in December. Overnight

Wed Dec 18 (day 3)
Dakchu (2985 m) About 1 hour from Sete Expect typical high termperatures of about 10.5°C (51°F) and lows of about -5.5°C (22°F) in December.
Goyam (3220 m) About an 1 hour from Dakchu or 2 hours from Sete. Expect typical high termperatures of about 9.1°C (48°F) and lows of about -6.9°C (20°F) in December. more info on Goyam
Lamjura La (3530 m) About 1 hour from Goyam or 3-3.5 hours from Sete Expect typical high termperatures of about 7.2°C (45°F) and lows of about -8.8°C (16°F) in December.
Junbesi (2700 m) About 6 to 7 hours from Sete Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.2°C (54°F) and lows of about -3.8°C (25°F) in December. Overnight more info on Junbesi

Thu Dec 19 (day 4)
Salung (2953 m) About 2 hours from Junbesi Expect typical high termperatures of about 10.7°C (51°F) and lows of about -5.3°C (22°F) in December.
Ringmu (2805 m) About 1.5-2 hours from Salung or about 3.5-4 hours from Junbesi Expect typical high termperatures of about 11.6°C (53°F) and lows of about -4.4°C (24°F) in December. more info on Ringmu
Taksindu La (3071 m) About 1 hour from Ringmu or about 4.5-5 hours from Junbesi Expect typical high termperatures of about 10.0°C (50°F) and lows of about -6.0°C (21°F) in December.
Taksindu (2930 m) About 15-20 min from the Taksindu La or about 5-5.5 hours form Junbesi Expect typical high termperatures of about 10.8°C (51°F) and lows of about -5.2°C (23°F) in December.
Nunthala (Manidingma) (2194 m) About 1-1.5 hours from Taksindu or about 6-7 hours from Junbesi Expect typical high termperatures of about 15.2°C (59°F) and lows of about -0.8°C (31°F) in December. Overnight

Fri Dec 20 (day 5)
Jubing (1676 m) About 2-3 hours from Nunthala Expect typical high termperatures of about 18.3°C (65°F) and lows of about 2.3°C (36°F) in December.
Kharikola (2072 m) About 2 hours from Jubing or about 4-4.5 hours from Nunthala Expect typical high termperatures of about 16.0°C (61°F) and lows of about -0.0°C (32°F) in December.
Bupsa (2350 m) About 1-1.5 hours from Kharikola Expect typical high termperatures of about 14.3°C (58°F) and lows of about -1.7°C (29°F) in December. Overnight more info on Bupsa

Sat Dec 21 (day 6)
Chaurikharka (2600 m) About 7 hours from Bupsa or about 8 hours from Kharikola Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.8°C (55°F) and lows of about -3.2°C (26°F) in December.
Cheplung (2660 m) About 30 min from Chaurikarka Expect typical high termperatures of about 12.4°C (54°F) and lows of about -3.6°C (26°F) in December.
Phakding (2860 m) About 1.5-2 hours from Cheplung Expect typical high termperatures of about 11.2°C (52°F) and lows of about -4.8°C (23°F) in December. Overnight more info on Phakding

Sun Dec 22 (day 7)

Overland Start side trek (7 days)
Everest Region, Nepal

Highlights: Junbesi

Weather Conditions in December

Overland Start Side trek
(Elevation Profile)

View Itinerary on Map

via Pikey Peak

via Phaplu

by Andrew (United Kingdom) on Nov 5, 2018

Overland Start side trek (7 days) Everest Region, Nepal

Highlights: Junbesi

Weather Conditions in December

Overland Start Side trek (Elevation Profile)

View Itinerary on Map

via Pikey Peak

via Phaplu

by Andrew (United Kingdom) on Nov 5, 2018

Overland Start side trek (7 days)
Everest Region, Nepal

Overland Start Side trek
(Elevation Profile)