Jiri to Khumbu

[Scot]

Hello all. I plan to take the Jiri walk in route to EBC and Kala Pattar, but am concerned about Maoists on the trail from Jiri to Lukla. Can anyone shed any light on the safety aspect of this as i may well be trekking alone. I dont want to fly in to lukla, much rather trek in. Any info would be great help.

[mieke]

Hi Scot,
You mean alone as in "solo", or you mean you'll be with just a guide and/or a porter?

If you'd really be all alone out there, it's not particularly the Maoists you'd have to worry about in terms of safety between Jiri and Lukla. But since I myself never trekked in Nepal, I could only tell you about some nasty experiences of other people in recent times along that trail. So let's hope some experienced Nepal trekkers will fill you in here on those issues.
If they don't, please tell me if you'd like me to show you the way to a number of publications relevant for your plans to go out there solo.

[Morrissey]

I did Jiri to EBC last year - right around this time - and had no contact with the Maoists. The trail is so rarely used these days, as most prefer to cut off six days and experience, by flying in to Lukla that I met only one other foreigner between Jiri and Chablung. After that, there were quite a few trekkers, all clean shoven, with their Goretex in great condition; I, on the otherhand, was one dirty bugger, full bearded... Man, it was great.

[Unregistered]

Hi,

I did this way (with a guide) 1 and an half year ago. We encountered maoists 2 days before Lukla. We shared the same guesthouse. They were only kids from 12 to 16 years but they were weaponned. They asked me nothing but I think it was chance cause i met other people on that trail who had to pay 1000 nrp. So may be you will meet them or not. Other thingh : the way from Jiri to Lukla is great and beautifull and you will be in shape for the rest to EBC and Kalapatar.

[daviko]

Hi Scot

We walked from Jiri to Lukla in September 2004 and we did indeed encounter Maoists on the trail. We stopped at the New Everest Guest House at Kinja for the obligatory tea and there we met the regional district leader. Although we were travelling in a group together with porters and a guide we were still expected to pay the 1000 rps.

I have to say that at no time did we feel threatened and after he had explained the reason for paying the money (he explained this in perfect English) we gave him some of our posters of our missing son. He took them and he promised to pass them on to other districts.

The only other thing I would add is that the route was very hard for us but it does set you up for the climb to EBC. If you decide to take this route I wish you well.