Dudh Kunda Trek [Short & Best Everest View Trek]

Dudh Kunda trek is one of the best treks to view Mt. Everest in a short duration. Unlike classic Everest Base Camp Trek where you need to trek for 11-13 days, you’ll complete Dudh Kunda trek in 5-6 days and start seeing Mt. Everest from the first day and get the best closer view on the second day.

Apart from viewing the tallest mountain in the world, Everest, Dudh Kunda Trek also takes you through culturally rich Sherpa villages and to the highest point, Dudh Kunda lake (4,560m / 14,960 feet) which is a glacial lake (on the base of Mt. Numbur) and has religious importance in Hindu, Buddhists and Kirat communities.

Dudh Kunda Trek Overview

Duration: 5-7 Days

Difficulty Level: Moderate/Difficult

Maximum Altitude: 4,560m / 14,960 feet

Major Attraction: Best view of Everest, Holy Glacial lake Dudh Kunda, Sherpa Villages and Oldest Buddhist Monasteries, Rhododendron bloom in spring, wild flowers and nomadic herders (Sheep & Yak) lifestyle in monsoon.

Why Dudh Kunda Trek?

Some of the major highlights of Dudh Kunda trek are as follows

1. Best view of Mt. Everest in a short trek (5-6 days).
2. Panoramic Views of world’s tallest mountains like Mt. Everest (8,848.86m), Makalu, Rolwaling, Kanchenjunga, Nuptse (7,861 m) and Lhotse (8,516 m), Thamserku, Kusum Kangguru, Mera Peak, Numbur (6,959m), Karyolung (6,511m), etc.
3. Visit the oldest monasteries like Taksindu Monastery (Takgon Sha-drub Tharling Monastery), Ciwang Monastery, Salleri Monastery, etc.
4. Explore sherpa villages and understand the regular sherpa lifestyle apart from mountaineering and trekking.
5. See the original route to Eeverest taken by the first summitters, Sir Edmund Hilllary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.

Personally, I loved the Dudh Kunda Trek over Pikey Peak Trek. Because the trail is beautiful and authentic, it is made to walk unlike Pikey Peak trail where most part of the trail is destroyed by the road construction. It is muddy in summer and dusty most of the time. Also Dudh Kunda trek offers a better closer view of Mt. Everest along with panoramic mountain views from Everest to Kanchenjunga.

Best Time for Dudh Kunda Trek

Except for extreme winters, Dudh Kunda Trek can be done throughout the year. And every season has its speciality.

Autumn (September, October, November)

Autumn is the best season for Dudh Kunda trek because the weather is clean, so you’ll see the bluest skies and clearest views. During this time the temperature is also moderate (neither too hot nor too cold).

Also this is the time for national festivals, Dashain and Tihar in Nepal, so everyone is in a festive mood, happy locals, clean & decorated houses, good food, dancing and singing. So, along with the trekking you get to enjoy the biggest Nepali festivals.

Spring (March, April, May)

Second best time for the Dudh Kunda trek is spring as it’s the end of winter. The more warmth of the sun makes it easier to trek in the high altitude. Also the season brings new leaves on plants which brings a serene vibe in the forests.

It is also the time for Nepal’s national flower, Rhododendron bloom which decorates the whole trail and forest in red. It’s a happy vibe.

Summer/Monsoon (June, July, August)

It can be the most difficult time to trek in Dudh Kunda due to heavy rainfalls in monsoon there might be floods and landslides which can damage roads and trekking trails.

But in the high altitude it brings greenery and with the wildflowers blooming the mountains look enchanting.

Also during this time you can explore the nomadic shepherds’ lifestyle as they herd sheep and yaks in the upper (high altitude) regions during monsoon season as the pastures have lush grasses.

Also the holiest hindu festival Janai Purnima falls during this season, and pilgrims from Nepal & India visit Dudh Kunda lake in huge numbers.

Beliefs of Dudh Kunda Lake

1. Samundra Manthan: It is believed that during Sati Yuga, Samundra Manthan happened in this pond from where Gods and Devils made Amrit.
2. Hanuman Took Sanjeevani Hill from Here: It is believed that during the war in Ramayana, when Lasham was hurt Hanuman took the whole hill of Sanjeevani buti (Medicinal Herb) from this region. On the top of Dudh Kunda lake lies Numbur (6,959m) and Karyolung (6,511m) mountains which also look like the flag of Nepal. And they’re believed to be Chandrachhal and Dronachal Himal from Ramayana.
3. Thus, Hindu believe that taking a dip in this holy lake purifies the soul and washes away the sins. Thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit during Janai Purnima (full moon of Shrawan i.e. July–August, in the Nepali calendar) to take the holy dip.
4. Buddhists consider Dudh Kunda as a site of spiritual energy and believe to be the home of Guru Rinpoche’s blessings, thus many monks visit for meditation and rituals.

Dudh Kunda Trek Itinerary

Here’s the itinerary for Dudh Kunda Trek based on our recent personal experiences.

1. Kathmandu to Phaplu to Taksindu La – Max Altitude 3,100m

Start early from Kathmandu if you’re taking your own vehicle, public vehicles also leave at sharp 6:00 A.M. from Chabahil. If you’re late, stay at Phaplu and hike to Taksindu next morning.

2. Taksindu La to Kamu Dada – Max Altitude 3,900m

Explore Taksindu Monastery in the morning and then hike to Kamu Dada. This is the best place to enjoy sunset and sunrise over Mt. Everest and other himalayan ranges.

3. Kamu Dada to Saharsha Beni (via. Aakhey Pokhari – optional) – Max Altitude 4,434m

If you want to explore, take this route which takes you via multiple glacial lakes.

4. Saharsha Beni to Dudh Kunda to Kamu Dada – Max Altitude 4,560m

Start your hike early to reach Dudh Kunda, have lunch at Saharsha Beni and stay the night at Kamu Dada (Only Good hikers can reach Taksindu same day). If it’s already 5:00 P.M. at Kamu Dada, it’s wise to stay there as it gets dark quickly on the trail inside the forest. The legs also get tired from a long day hike and have the maximum chance of hurting your knees and spraining your ankle while descending down.

5. Kamu Dada to Taksindu to Phaplu (via Ratnange – optional)

Have breakfast at Kamu Dada, then reach Taksindu to have lunch. From here you can either take a jeep to Phaplu or continue hiking via Ratnange exploring the Sherpa villages.

6. Phaplu to Kathmandu

Dudh Kunda Trek Interactive Map

Most Important Things To Remember

Though the Dudh Kunda Trek is short, you’ll gain high altitude in short time (i.e. you’ll reach 3,000m on first day and almost 4,000m on second day) so be aware of the altitude sickness and follow appropriate measures like drinking at least 4 litres of water every day, eating lots of food, sleeping after 4 hrs of reaching the destination, and most important avoid alcohol while ascending (climbing).

My Experience from Dudh Kunda Trek 2025

Day 1: Kathmandu to Taksindu

With excitement I woke up at around 4:30 in the morning.

It was going to be a long bike ride and we also wanted to beat the traffic (All the public buses and jeeps also leave early causing traffic jams), so we planned to start early. After having a cup of coffee, checking the bag once again, I left home at around 5:35 with Gaurav.

Then we met our other friend (also a brother), Himal Dai in Jadibuti at around 6:00.

There, we organized all our bags on Himal Dai’s bike and I sat on Gauravs bike, then continued our journey to Dudhkunda.

Finally our trip is happening as we had been planning since Tihar (Sept-October). Originally we had planned to explore eastern Nepal, from Timbung Pokhari, Pathivara, Ilam, Kanyam, Darjeeling, Sikkim, etc. for 10-14 days.

But it has been postponed due to several events. And then we thought there won’t be any trips happening anytime soon as winter had started.

Later in January, we decided to have at least one short trip during this time.

So while looking for the destination, Langtang or Mardi came into our mind at first. But the road condition to Pokhara from Kathmandu was in the worst condition, so Mardi was out of the list.

Now, Langtang is the most favorable place on our list (which has been on our list of places to visit in a short time).

Dudh Kunda Calls

At the same time one my friend (more brother) from Phaplu has been telling about Dudhkunda Trek in Everest region. So when I asked about the current weather, he told me that it was the perfect weather and would also help us to trek there.

So, when I shared this information with Gaurav, he also loved the idea and we started planning.

From the first visit to Phaplu I had loved the place and since then I had visited there multiple times. 

And I always shared about the hospitality, kindness and the landscapes of Everest region and Sherpa village. Also I wanted my friends to experience them as well, so we finally decided to go on “Dudhkuunda Trek”.

And now we’re on the way to Dudhkunda Lake.

After crossing Dhullikhel at around 7:00 in the morning we decided to take a short tea break in a shop. Then we planned to take another break at Mulkot and continued our journey.

Soon we reached Bhakundey Besi, but after crossing it the most difficult section of the road started.

Nature’s Destruction

This was the section where flood destroyed the road of BP Highway. And from the destruction anyone can guess that it won’t be fixed anytime soon and Nepal government alone won’t even have the budget to fix it.

Just thinking about this unimaginable destruction which no one would believe if they see the river at present time (water level is low), we continued our journey.

After crossing the damaged road section we reached Mulkot where we took a coffee break at around 9:00 A.M..

There also many resorts were affected by the flood. The major destruction could be seen at nearby Kwality Beach Resort which was completely covered in sand. And the owner was trying to remove all the sand and fix it.

After having a cup of coffee we continued on our journey and decided to stop for lunch at either Khurkot or Ghurmi.

From now on the road was in good condition except some exceptional damages from flood and landslides.

After crossing Khurkot we took Siddhicharan Highway (left turn) leaving the highway that took Sindhuli.

Now following the banks of the Sunkoshi river we continued moving.

On the way Himal dai slowed down and asked how far the place for our lunch spot was. At first, I thought it would be nearby and replied in half an hour.

Soon we also crossed a newly built bridge which we thought was the bridge near Ghurmi which was under construction and vehicles had to drive on the river. We were happy to see the bridge being built and the lunch place was just after crossing the bridge.

But there was no restaurant or hotel after the bridge, then I realized it was not the bridge which I thought it was.

Anyway we continued our journey.

Are We Fasting Today?

By now, it was around 10:00 and none of us had solid food yet, so we were starving.

And we also found out that it was a fasting day (Tuesday) for Himal Dai (so he must be feeling more hungry than us). He had told us that he can have tea, plain chapati and fruits, and also had told us to take tea breaks which could fuel him for the day.

But we didn’t stop after Mulkot, thinking the lunch place was nearby.

Finally after 2.5 hours we reached our lunch place at Ghurmi, Himalayan Sherpa Home at around 11:30.

There we asked whether they had Dal-Bhaat or not and whether they could also make some chapati (wheat bread) or not. Then we stopped and relaxed for a while after washing our faces and hands.

Now, we were so starving that we didn’t have energy to talk.

So, basking in the sun we waited for our food.

Soon our lunch was served. Me and Gaurav at Chicken Dal-Bhaat and Himal Dai had Plain Chapati with Yoghurt.

After lunch we rested there for some time and at around 1:00, we left Ghurmi and started moving towards Okhaldhunga.

After crossing the Sunkoshi river bridge, we started climbing the hills on narrow curly roads.

As the weather seemed foggy and doubted if we could see the mountains. But anyway we continued our journey.

And as we moved I recalled my memories from past travels and shared them with Gaurav. I also told him how beautiful it looks when Rhododendron (Lali Gurans) blooms in March-April.

Mero Pyaaro…

At around 2:45 P.M. We reached Okhaldhunga and decided to take a tea break. From there we could see a flat land on top of the hills and Gaurav asked what that place was.

I was curious the same as him when I was here for the first time and asked the same question.

Thus, I found out it was a place called “Rumjatar” where there used to be an airport built by the kings but unfortunately it’s inoperable these days.

I share this information with Gaurav and Himal dai.

After a short tea break we continued our journey (at around 3:15 P.M.) and told them we will take another coffee break from where we could see the beautiful panoramic mountain view.

First Glimpse of The World’s Roof

Now as we climbed higher, the views got clearer and we got optimistic about getting mountain views. Not only the views but the winds also started getting stronger. So we moved slowly.

As we climbed the hills and reached our coffee spot, Everest View Resort at Thade, we’re welcomed by the clear panoramic mountain views.

We stopped our bikes and enjoyed the views from outside. Then we entered the resort and talked with the owner. I asked him whether he recognized me or not. Because we had stayed there the last time I was here.

Then he said he recognized me and recalled our group as well, then we ordered coffee and continued enjoying the views capturing it in our phones.

And as the name of the resort, Everest along with other mountain ranges (Taboche, Pikey Peak, Baruntse, Mera Peak, etc.) can be seen clearly from this spot.

After the coffee we also went to a spot for some photoshoot. We took some photos and decided to head on the road as it was getting darker and we still had a long way to reach the destination.

It’s never enough to enjoy the mountain views, anyway we paid the bills and continued moving towards Phaplu.

By now we had already contacted Tshering Bhai at Phaplu and let him know that we were on the way and it could take us some time as we were stopping at places to enjoy the view.

And he told us to take our time and he would wait for us at Phaplu airport.

Crossed Pattale, Dhap (Start Place of Pikey Peak Trek) and Salme, then started ascending. And finally at around 6:00 we reached Phaplu. By now it was already dark as the days are shorter in winter.

Is It The End Of The Day?

Now we had to find Tshering, as he had told us he would be near the airport, so we moved towards it. And while moving I was looking at nearby shops and saw Tshering on the window of the shop.

There we stopped and he invited us in to have a short tea break before continuing our journey to Taksindu.

There with tea we had some biscuits, peanuts and dalmoth, as it’s time to break the fast for Himal dai, then decided to hit the road.

Now Tshering also informed his parents at Taksindu who recently started running a hotel there after leaving the home at Phaplu to Tshering and his wife.

I had already met Tshering’s parents and also stayed at his house in Garikhasa, Phaplu during the mountain biking race, Enduro Ratnange. I volunteered as a photographer for Nepal Cycling School for 2 seasons (2023, 2024). Tsherings family were really kind and hospitable and always wanted to take my friends to his their homestay at Garikhasa, Himalaya Sherpa Homestay.

And now we’re going to meet them at a new property in Taksindu.

From Phaplu, it was a graveled road at night, so we moved slowly and carefully.

And finally at around 7:30 P.M. we reached Taksindu.

Finally, At The New Property

Tshering’s parents were waiting for us and I was really excited to see them after a year.

Then we had some chats with the tea served by Tsherings Mom. Now it was cold and windy, so we stayed inside near the Firewood heater.

And at around 9:00 P.M. our lunch was ready and Tshering’s Mom & Dad served us delicious Dal-Bhat with Chicken curry. 

After lunch we stayed a little bit near the fire and chatted for a while planning about the next day.

Then we went to bed at around 10:30.

Scary Night

It was the strongest wind of my life.

The wind was strong enough when we arrived but at night we were sleeping on the top floor, just below the roof.

And there I felt its power. It felt like the wind could take the roof away anytime. And the only sound of prayer flags was making it even scarier. At the same time someone had left the door of a room open. And it was slapping every now and then due to the wind.

Anyway I put myself inside the blanket and slept.

Day 2: Taksindu to Kamu Dada

Though the wind was scary at night, I had a good sleep and only woke up at around 5:30.

Then at around 6:00 in the morning I went outside to check whether the sun had risen or not.

Soon Tshering woke up and accompanied me. He made a coffee, and we went to the view point near the gate to Taksindu monastery.

Excited For The First Sunrise

And waited for the sun to rise.

After some time Gaurav joined us and then I took some photos of the surroundings and enjoyed the sunrise over the mountains.

Though it was the peak winter time, there was no snow fall till the time of the year. So most of the mountains were black without snow.

After enjoying the sunrise and taking pictures we went inside the hotel to have breakfast.

And the wind was still blowing strong and there was no sign of  stopping anytime soon.

At around 8:00, our breakfast was ready and Tshering’s Mom served us Roti (Chapati), Tarkari (Veg Curry), boiled eggs and tae.

After having a heavy breakfast, we decided to go on a short hike to Taksindu Monastery.

Hike to Taksindu Monastery

At around 8:40 we started descending towards Taksindu Monastery. It was just a 15 minute walk to reach the monastery.

And I highly recommend this activity for acclimatization as you reach at an altitude of 3,000m on the first day, and on the second day at around 4,000m above sea level.

So spending time around Taksindu gives the body more time to acclimatize to the altitude and you also get to know the culture and lifestyle of local Sherpa people.

Also the monastery is one of the oldest and powerful monasteries in the region, and the village was also a thriving tourist hub before construction of the road, when people used to go to Everest Base Camp through this original route.

The name of the monastery is “Takgon Sha-drub Tharling Monastery”.

The monastery covers a huge area with different areas to pray and live. And in front of the monastery was the panoramic views of the mountains.

We didn’t go inside the monastery as there was a death ritual being performed, so we explored the surrounding places and admired the architecture.

At the time some parts of the monastery were being renovated and new buildings were also under construction. Hope they will be completed soon.

Meeting Grandmother

While we were roaming around the monastery, we also met Tsherings grandmother (Tsherings Mothers Mother) whose house was nearby the monastery.

We greeted her and talked for a while and started ascending towards our hotel as we also had to trek to Kamu Dada after lunch.

While returning to the hotel, Tshering took us from a new trail through the forest (which is most probably the local trail for grazing Cows or Yaks).

And at around 9:40, we reached the hotel and rested for a while.

At the hotel, the owner of hotels at Kamu Dada and Saharshabeni had called the staff to serve us food.

(Since it was off season, they open hotels only if the guests are coming, other times they stay in their home at Salleri.).

Hotel staff after having snacks at Taksindu moved before us to manage foods and rooms at Kamu Dada.

Then at around 10:30, our lunch was ready. For lunch we had Dal (Lentil), Bhat (Rice), Tarkari (Vegetable Curry), Omelette and Salad (Carrots and Radish).

Official Start of Dudh Kunda Trek

After lunch, we re-packed our bags and got ready to start our trek to Kamu Dada.

At around 11:15 we left Taksindu and started our trek.

First, the trail was easy.

For around 3 KM we walked on almost flat land, then we started ascending (climbing). While walking we passed through many temporary goths (Shepherds shed) where herders bring goats and sheeps during summer and monsoon and stay there. And they move around in search of good grassland to graze the animals.

The Remnants of The Government

In a place called Sarkari Pati, we saw remnants of a house-like structure which we later found out that it was a government checkpoint during the time of the Shah kings. 

During ancient times this route used to be one of the most important trade routes to Tibet, so the government added a check point here for safety.

Thus got the name Sarkari Pati. In English Sarkari means “Owned by Government” and Pati means “A place to stay”.

While ascending through the Pine forest and sheds, we took several breaks as we were walking above 3,000m altitude and gained more as we walked. So it’s tiring and essential to take rest (not long) and walk slowly.

Also on the way, we also saw many small spaces covered with prayer flags and when asked, we found out that they’re sources of natural spring water and the locals worshipped them.

It’s one of the ways to protect water resources from getting polluted. When it’s worshipped, no one dares to make it dirty.

Admiring the natural beauty and understanding local culture and religious values, we continued trekking up the hill.

And we reached a view point from where we could see the view of the whole Taksindu village, monastery, mountains and road way Everest base camp as well.

So we took a short break there, enjoyed the view and took pictures.

Then we continued walking.

And finally at around 2:50 P.M. we reached Kamu Dada at an altitude of 3,900m above sea level.

By now the hotel staff had already reached and started food preparation for us. Same as the previous day, the wind had started blowing fiercely.

So, we went inside the hall of the hotel and stayed inside.

Now, Chilling

Soon, the hotel staff brought us hot water to drink, coffee and popcorn.

Then we also ordered noodle soup and noodle fry for Himal Dai.

There we rested for a while surfing the internet.

The hotel had the wifi internet connection with good internet connection.

Soon, our noodle soup also arrived.

While having it, we also contacted our families and talked with them while waiting for the colors of sunset over the mountain ranges.

From the location of the hotel, Mt. Everest can be seen clearly along with other mountain ranges like Mera Peak and as far as Mt. Kanchenjunga on clear days.

And to be honest, it is the best place to view Mt. Everest from a short trek (if you don’t have time for Everest Base Camp Trek), better view than Pikey Peak Trek.

Everest can be seen from the hall and even rooms of the hotel here at Kamu Dada.

Undoubtedly the best Everest view point from a short trek.

Colors of The Setting Sun

As the sun started going down to the horizon, it spread the beautiful colors all over the sky and in the mountains.

So we went outside the hotel though it was windy and started enjoying the view. There we stayed for more than an hour mesmerized with the view all around us.

For memories we took many pictures and videos and as it started getting dark, we went inside the hotel.

Then we made a fire  and stayed around its warmth.

At around 8:00 P.M. our dinner was ready, so we went down to the kitchen as it’s easier to serve food in this windy weather.

For dinner, we were served Dal (lentil), Bhat (Rice), Aloo Simi Tarkari (Veg Curry), fried Karela (bitter gourd), achaar, omelette and Papad.

After the dinner, we went inside the hall and sat near the fire. 

We stayed there for an hour, resting, talking, surfing the internet and charging our phones.

Then at around 10:00 we went to bed.

Same as last night, the wind outside was blowing crazy.

Day 3: Kamu Dada to Saharsha Beni

As I wanted to experience the sunrise and its glow over the mountains in the morning, I woke up at 6:00 A.M.

Though it was still dark, I went outside to check. It was still freezing outside but the wind was quiet for now.

Then I went inside and started checking my camera and stand, and planned for the photoshoot while drinking warm water.

Himalayas and Sunrise

After sometime everyone started waking up and we went outside to enjoy the morning glory.

Finally at around 6:30, the sun started to rise and it brought colors. The orange, yellow and purple colors in the white snow capped mountains made the view magical.

And the view of the sun rising above the himalayas was surreal. We captured these moments on our cameras and phones and just enjoyed it as much as possible.

Milan vai, hotel staff also brought us tea and coffee while we were there, and after the sunrise it also brought warmth.

At around 8:00, our breakfast was ready, so we went to the kitchen.

There, for breakfast we had chapati, fried chickpea (chana), boiled eggs and tea. We also packed some chapati, boiled potatoes and tea for lunch.

Then at around 9:15, we left the hotel and continued our journey to Aakhey Pokhari.

Detour: Exploring High Altitude Lakes

For today, we had planned to take an unconventional route to explore more of Dudhkunda Trek.

So, we left the regular route and followed the guide of Tshering on a new route.

This route gave us the best panoramic view of the himalayan ranges. It felt as if we were walking side by side to it.

(We would be missing this view if we had taken the regular route as the view is blocked by the hills.)

And how could we resist not taking pictures with such a view? So, we took frequent breaks along the way to take pictures with it.

Also we were walking over 4,000m altitude so it obviously was a difficult tiring walk. In addition, as the previous days the wind had started blowing fiercely. So, it really was a difficult trek.

While walking Tshering also told us that this was the same route taken by the first Everest summiter, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, and also showed the trail to Everest trekking.

First Almost Frozen Lake

As we were climbing the hill we saw the first high altitude lake (4,270m) which was blue and really beautiful. Some portion of it was frozen.

With that view, we decided to take shelter behind a huge rock and have a tea break at around 11:30 A.M.

After the break, we continued walking past the lake and crossing the hill. With the strong wind it was really hard to walk at high altitude.

By Hook or By Crook we conquered the hill at an altitude of 4,300m. We crossed it as fast as possible and walked down and took shelter from the wind behind the rock.

Mysterious Butter Rock

Then we asked Tshering how far was the mysterious Gheu Dhunga that he wanted to show us. He replied around 200m down the hill, so we had to walk down the spot and again climb up the hill.

According to Tshering, Gheu Dhunga is a mysterious rock where butter-like substances are produced automatically. So it holds special religious values among the Sherpa people and worship there.

We also went there and took a look at the spot then came back behind a giant rock and took a lunch break.

After lunch we again had to climb up the hill fighting the fierce wind and reached the maximum altitude of 4,400m above sea level.

Mission Next Time

From there we found another high altitude lake. We walked past it and then decided to skip visiting Aakhey Pokhari (which was another 1 hour climb up the hill) for this time as the wind was strong and Himal dai was not feeling good. So we walked directly towards our hotel at Saharshabeni.

Finally at around 3:00 P.M. we reached our hotel at Saharshabeni which was a relief after a long tiring walk in the high altitude.

By now one of the hotel staff had already arrived from Kamo Dada and already started the preparation.

And as we were starving, we ordered warm water, coffee and noodle soup, then rested.

After some time we lit the fire on the heater and sat around it.

At around 6:00 another group also arrived at the hotel. They seemed tired and one of their friends got altitude sickness and left him at Kamo Dada.

Later at around 8:30, our dinner was ready and for dinner we had Dal (lentil), Bhat (Rice), Tarkari (Veg Curry), Achaar (Pickle) and Papad.

Then after another group left for bed, we again lit the heater and talked with the hotel staff, their life and the types of people visiting here.

Finally at around 10:30 we also went to bed. While we’re going to bed, they told us not to put our head near the window as it could break by the wind.

Listening to them we put our bags in the glass window and slept.

Day 4: Shaharsha Beni to Dudh Kunda to Garikhasa

It’s going to be a long day today.

The plan for today is first to reach the highest and last point of the trek, Dudh Kunda lake and return to the hotel for lunch.

Then descend down to the trek start point, Taksindu.

Long Day Starts Early

For that we needed to start early, so as planned I woke up at 5:30 in the morning before everyone woke up so that I wouldn’t have to queue to use the toilet.

Slowly everyone started waking up, by then I was already ready to hit the trail and was taking pictures of the place during sunrise.

At around 6:30, our breakfast was ready and for our breakfast we had Tea, Roti and Boiled potatoes. As we were going to a religious place we decided to avoid salt and any other non-veg, instead return to the hotel as fast as possible to have lunch.

After breakfast, everyone came out of the hotel and took a group photo and left the hotel at around 7:15.

At first the trail was quite easy, till we reached the last place where there was a hotel, Sharsha Beni. But the hotels were closed there as it was the off season and there’s no point in staying there without any guests.

Now after this place, the trail started getting steep and also windy.

Also it’s not easy to walk at high altitude when there’s low oxygen concentration. So we walked slowly and took several breaks as well.

For memories we also took pictures whenever it looked interesting.

But our Himal Dai was not feeling so good, it could be seen on his face.

There was no charm left on his face.

So, we walked together slowly beating the wind and high altitude.

At The Highest Point

And finally at around 9:40, we reached Dudh Kunda, the final place of the trek.

It is a sacred place to Hindu, Buddhists and Kirat people.

When we reached there the wind was so strong that it felt like the wind could blow us if we’re not careful.

So we decided to stay long. We took some pictures in front of the lake and then started descending down to the hotel at around 10:00 A.M.

While coming down we met the other group who started together with us from the hotel. They’re also finding it hard to walk on the steep trail in high altitude.

As it was not that far, we told them to trek safely and return, then we continued walking down the trail.

The Relief

Finally at around 11:30, we reached the hotel. By seeing us the hotel staff were shocked to see us as they did not expect any of us returning that early.

Then we started having some warm water and tea, and told them to cook lunch as fast as possible as we’re starving after the long hike.

With tea, we went outside to bask in the sun and talk for a while. Himal Dai took a nap inside during that time.

After sometime our lunch was ready, for lunch we had regular veg Dal-Bhat, and Himal Dai was not feeling so good, thus only had tea and biscuits.

After lunch we rested for some time, had tea for the last time and left the hotel at around 2:00 P.M. and moved towards Kamu Dada. And while we’re leaving the hotel the other group just arrived from the Dudh Kunda Lake hike, so we said bye to everyone and started walking down the trails.

This time we took the regular trail and it was easier, mostly descending and on a flat surface.

Is It Going Snow And We Get Stuck?

As we descended, the weather started to change. It started getting cloudy and felt like raining or snowing soon. 

So we tried to get to the trek end point as soon as possible.

If anyone visited within a few days they would be disappointed as there was no visibility due to fog and clouds.

Finally at around 4:00, we reached Kamu Dada.

There we planned to have a tea break though there was no hotel staff (both the staff were at Saharsha Beni and since the other group was late no one could come with us).

The Lonely Guy

Only the guy from the other group who had altitude sickness was sitting there alone.

So we called him and asked for the key to the kitchen room.

He was happy to see us as he was staying there alone from last night and the only friend, internet had stopped working in the morning.

He opened the kitchen, then Tshering started making tea, popcorn for us and Soup for Himal dai.

While Tshering was cooking we talked with the guy about his experience staying solo without the internet.

He said he was so bored that even no animals to talk with. And felt happy as soon as he saw us.

While we’re having our tea, one of the staff (Milan Vai) came from Saharsha Beni after serving lunch to the other group.

Then after lunch it was around 5:00 P.M., so we thanked Milan Vai for everything and left Kamu Dada.

Dramatic Scene In The Trail

By now the sun was about to set but the cloudy weather and fog was blocking the last remaining sunlight. As we entered the forest trail, it started getting dark.

On the way down through the jungle trail, we got lucky and saw a few Danfes (Lophophorus), the national bird of Nepal. It was for a short time and it was already dark, so we couldn’t take pictures of them.

We took a short break and continued walking in the dark with the light from our mobile phones.

And we still had to walk for more than 1 hour.

Since we didn’t have to climb, we walked at a good pace and finally at around 7:00 we reached Taksindu.

But it was not the end of the day, we still had to ride for another 1.5 hours to end the trek.

So we took a short tea break and started preparation for our ride.

At the same time the family were making Mo:Mo, so when Tshering’s mom asked whether we would like it, we couldn’t say no.

So with tea, we had Mo:Mo then thanked Tshering’s family for hosting us, then paid the bill and continued our ride towards Garikhasa (Tshering’s Family Home).

Garikhasa is One of the most beautiful villages I’ve ever been to.

And it was going to be my third time there.

When I was there for the first time (during the first Enduro Ratnange Mountain Biking Race), I felt like Switzerland must be just like this. Because the scene we see about Switzerland (i.e. small houses, mountains, green pastures and cows), Garikhasa was similar to it.

Since then I’ve been telling all my friends about this place and suggest they visit at least once in a lifetime.

Everytime I’m here I enjoy it very much.

And this time I was with two friends. Just thinking whether they would like it or not, we continued our ride from Taksindu.

Only a coincidence or unlucky thing was that we came from Phaplu to Taksindu at night, and were returning at night, so we couldn’t see a thing between these places.

Is it a sign for us to travel again next time?

At Home: End of The Trek

Finally at around 9:00 P.M. We reached Tshering’s House at Garikhasa.

First Tshering went to meet his wife and son who was just 2 weeks old. Then we started making a fire and cooking dinner.

After the dinner, it was around 10:30 P.M. and we’re really tired from a long hike, so we went to bed.

And the next day was going to be exploration (Sherpa Culture and Lifestyle) day.

Day 5: Sherpa Village Cultural Tour

After a good night’s sleep, I woke up at around 9:00 A.M. Tshering also woke up and made fire.

Then we had tea and started boiling water in a big pot to take a hot shower.

After the water was warm enough I took a hot shower which felt refreshing and had another cup of tea. 

Then Tshering and I discussed what to have for lunch.

And Since I had seen a pumpkin at Tsherings house, we decided to cook Dal (lentil), Bhat (Rice), Pumpkin and Potato Curry, Tomato Achaar and Omelette.

Slowly everyone woke up, had tea and freshened up.

Then we all cooked lunch and had it.

After lunch we planned to explore the Sherpa village.

But first Tshering had to complete his father’s duty of washing sons clothes.

So, after he finished it we went to explore the beautiful Sherpa village.

The Real Sherpa Villages

Authentic Sherpa House at Phaplu

Sherpa House at Bagam, Phaplu

Sherpa Village at Garikhasa, Phaplu

From Garikhasa, we went towards Bagam, visiting the old houses, monasteries and farms.

People were working on their farms, cleaning monasteries and were kind to talk with us.

It’s really exciting to see the real ordinary lifestyle of Sherpa people apart from Mountain Climbing or Trekking.

Himal Dai was still not fully recovered from the trek, so we took him slowly and also took shortcuts.

But we took the longer route, going to every village and meeting every villager possible.

We also went to Baagam village where I had stayed when I was here for the second time (during Enduro Ratnange 2 MTB Race).

Unfortunately the family had left the village and went to Kathmandu, so couldn’t meet them.

From there, we started walking down towards Salleri via the village trail.

In the evening at around 5:00 P.M. we reached Salleri where we went to a cafe to have coffee and some snacks.

I Want Some Sukuti

Then we also wanted to try some local food. So we walked the streets in search of Sukuti (Dried Meat).

Luckily we found one place where they’re offering Buff Sukuti.

So we ordered some Sukuti and Jhol Momo.

And honestly, it was one of the best Jhol MoMo I ever had, Sukuti was delicious too.

After the local food, we started walking towards Phaplu and then also planned to walk all the way to Garikhara. But since Himal dai was not feeling well, we called a paid bike service (local ride sharing service) and sent him home.

Then at Phaplu we went to have a cup of tea, then bought some sweets for Tsherings Wife and nieces, and chicken meat for dinner.

And at around 7:00 we started walking towards Garikhasa. In around 40 minutes we reached home, Himal Dai was resting in the kitchen, then Tshering started the fire and we started cooking dinner.

After dinner, we stayed in the kitchen talking in the warmth of the fire and then went to bed.

Day 6: Phaplu to Kathmandu

It was the last day of our “Dudkhunda Lake Trek”, so we woke up early at around 7:00, then Tshering woke up and made fire.

With tea we started boiling potatoes and eggs for breakfast.

Soon everyone woke up and freshen up, then we had breakfast.

After breakfast we packed our bags and were ready to start our ride to Kathmandu.

So, we thanked Tshering from the bottom of our heart for everything (showing exclusive trails of Dudh Kunda, Garikhasa village and hosting us in his home).

Then we left Garikhasa.

Dudh Kunda Trek FAQs