The southern part of Solukhumbu (Solu) holds many attractions as a destination in its own right. One has many options here, but the best known treks are the nine-day trek over Pike, the Dudh Kunda Trek and treks east of the district headquarters at Salleri. None of these routes have tea houses so trekkers must be fully self-sufficient.
Over Pike Danda: This nine-day trek usually starts from Jiri and ends with a flight back to Kathmandu from Phaplu. It is also possible to continue on from Phaplu and join the Everest trek at Ringmo, the village below the Tragsindho La pass. From the highest point along this trek, there are stunning views of Everest and a great number of lesser known snow-capped peaks. To climb over Pike Danda, follow the Jiri to Lukla trek as far as the Likhu Khola, before Kenja. The route then climbs steeply through the villages of Goli Gompa and Ngaur before reaching the 4,065m summit of Pike. Descend to Phaplu via the Sherpa village of Lodingma, home of several Everest summiteers after which there is an alternative, rough track that joins the Jiri to Lukla trail near Lamjura La.
To Dudh Kunda: Mt.Nambur is considered a holy mountain by locals here, as they believe it is the home of the protective deity of Solu. At the base of this mountain lies the sacred lake of Dudh Kunda. Each year in August, large numbers of devotees arrive here to perform ritual cleansing at the lake. Rest of the year, the area is devoid of any visitors. The trail leading to Dudh kunda starts from Ringmo on the route between Junbesi and Tragsindho La. You can take an alternative route that starts at Thupten Chholing and follows a spectacular, isolated ridge through dense forest and sometimes rocky pastures to join the main trail at Sarsarbeni. A local guide may be needed from this point as the region is quite remote and most guides may not be familiar with the route.
The trek from Ringmo to Dudh Kunda takes a minimum of five days and an additional optional day should be added to allow time for exploring around the lake area.
The Hinkhu and Hongu Valleys: Few people venture west of Solukhumbu where the secluded Rolwaling valley lies. The high and difficult pass of Trashi Labsta connects the upper ridges of the valley to Solukhumbu. Those with a mind to do the trek connecting Rolwaling and Khumbu should trek from east to west (Khumbu to Rolwaling). Anybody attempting the trek in the reverse direction is likely to suffer from adverse effects of altitude and technical problems. Remember, this trek and particularly the Trashi Labsta crossing is one of the more difficult treks in Nepal and should only be attempted by self-sufficient, strong and experienced parties. Some basic mountaineering skills are also required which will be a deterrent for many trekkers. Also remember to take experienced porters and moreover, make sure they are from the district. For proper acclimatization, it is advisable to trek up to Everest Base Camp or Gokyo prior to crossing over to Rolwaling.
The route to Trashi Labsta starts at Thame (see Everest Base Camp description). It takes two nights to reach Trashi Labsta. The next two days are spent traveling down the Drolambao glacier. At the end of the glacier is the massive Cho Rolpa glacial lake. After the glacier, the upper Rolwaling valley is hemmed in by mountains on both sides with the bulk of Gauri Shankar on the northern side. The settlements on Nah and Beding are Sherpa villages, Nah being only a summer settlement. Descending through the valley below Beding, one encounters lovely juniper and pine forests first with juniper and pines and gradually the vegetation thickens until it becomes lush green. As you descend, the Sherpas give way to people of the middle hills mainly Tamangs and Brahmins. After seven days on the trail from Trashi Labsta, the trek ends at Charikot on the Kathmandu – Jiri road.
Everest to the Arun valley: Yet another alternative route to Everest lies further east along the Arun valley through the Makalu Barun National Park avoiding the Jiri and Lukla routes. A bus ride takes you to the charming little town of Hile where the trek begins or if traveling by air is preferred, then the trek begins at Tumlingtar. The bus journey to Hile takes 14 hours from Kathmandu and to trek up this route, an entry permit for the Makalu Barun National Park is required.
Using the Arun valley as an alternative exit means leaving the main Everest trail at Kharte, the village above Khari Khola. The route goes generally in a south-easterly direction, crossing the major rivers in the area, the Hindu Khola and the Hongu Khola, and two high passes, the Pangkoma la (3,350 m) and the Salpa La (3,350 m). There are great views of the mountains to the north from these two passes. Along the trail you encounter farmland and scattered Sherpa and Rai villages and walk through forests of rhododendron and oak. After trekking for five days, you catch a flight to Kathmandu or Biratnagar. Or trek a further two days to the south, to reach Hile from where daily buses operate to Kathmandu.