The Sherpa People of Illam - Utsav Shakya A sizeable community of Sherpa people lives in Illam, Nepal’s tea district that borders on India. They are fine examples of how a community is defined as much by the conditions they live in as by time-tested traditions. A huge tree, unearthed, lay inclined in the middle of the road, a part of its roots still in the ridge that had followed us on our left. Our vehicle, an old Land Rover, slowed down and then stopped a few feet away from the tree. The tree was too heavy to be lifted and there were not enough people to even try such an option. It was decided that we would walk the rest of the way to Khopi. I had been trekking with a photographer friend on assignment in the scenic, mountain villages of Illam in Eastern Nepal and our travels so far had been problem free. But soon, another, graver problem presented itself. The only space the Land Rover had to make an about turn and head back after leaving us was a little ahead of the fallen tree. On our right, a sheer drop of at least fifty feet into a small rocky river added to the tension. There was no way Raju, our driver, could back the huge four wheel drive to another space about a kilometer behind us. But inch by inch Raju turned the vehicle until it lay sideways; covering almost the entire width of the road and then all turned it all the way around. When we finally got to a misty, cold Khopi later that afternoon, a warm Sherpa family awaited us. We would spend our first night in the hills there. In fact, every day for the seven days that we trekked through the hills of Illam, we took refuge in the homes of local Sherpas. How did so many Sherpas, indigenous to Solukhumbu district end up here? What had brought so many of them here and for what purpose? When had they come here? Although my knowledge about Sherpas was not confined to just their fame as trustworthy porters and guides, rather shamefully, I did not know a lot about them either.

Gokyo Lake – Dr. Ravi Shankar Gokyo is a series of high altitude lakes at around 4800 m in the Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. Gokyo Ri, a rocky ridge near Gokyo is a spectacular Himalayan view point. Elevation: 4,750 meters Location: Sagarmatha National Park Best for Trekking: March, April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec Transportation: Car / Van / Plane Nearest airport: Lukla Trek Grade: Moderate to Strenuous Trek Highlights: Scenic mountain flight to Lukla; Sherpa home town; Gokyo Lakes; amazing view of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu; Ngozumpa Glacier The high altitude Gokyo lakes lie in the Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district of Eastern Nepal. Founded in 1976, the park was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. It encloses the upper drainage areas of the Dudh Koshi (milk river) and is surrounded by some of the highest mountains on earth. The first man to climb Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary had an important role in convincing the Nepalese government to establish the park and the New Zealand government to support the venture. The Gokyo valley lies to the west of the traditional trek to Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp (EBC). Gokyo lakes lie along the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier, Nepal’s longest. Most tourists reach the lakes trekking up from Lukla, during trekking season, the second busiest airport in Nepal.

A popular trekking trail that uses alternate routes in the same area, the Gokyo Ri trek features the unbelievable scenery of the remote Gokyo Valley as well as complimentary views of turquoise lakes, huge glaciers, and stunning mountain vistas that include Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu - four of the eight highest peaks on earth. The 360-degree view from Gokyo Ridge is lauded as the best in the Khumbu area. The beginning of this trek is the same as the trail to Everest Base Camp. Most trekking agencies will schedule two nights in the village of Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. Namche is considered the trading center for the Khumbu region, and people walk from as far away as Tibet Saturdays to sell their wares here. This is also the hub onto which each trail converges, so yaks and people compete for space in this amphitheater style city. After visiting ...

The Everest Base Camp trek is arguably the most famous trekking route in the world and provides you with opportunities to take in some truly amazing views from the roof of the world. The trek also gives an insight into the lives and culture of the Sherpa people who are local to the area and closely linked to the Tibetans on the other side of the summit. The view of the sunrise on the snow capped peaks above the Khumbu Glacier is an unforgettable sight from the summit of Kala Patthar. An EBC trek requires physical fitness as it demands some challenging climbs on the trail. A lot of the trail has well graded paths; however there are pretty tough sections along the Khumbu glacier where utmost care is required. Most trekkers fly to Lukla from the capital; the adventure beginning even before you land as the plane takes you right between hills and lands on a unique inclined landing ...