David Lama Biwak is the Biwak (shelter/hut) at the highest altitude in the world. It is situated at Upper Jaboo at an altitude of 5080m in Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Dolakha, Nepal.
Guinness Record Holder climber Phurba Tenjing Sherpa and Austrian mountaineer Josef Einwaller had dreamed to make a shelter for trekkers at an altitude of 5000 meters, which can save their lives in bad weather and promote tourism. The dream came true after they installed “David Lama Biwak” (shelter) at an altitude of 5080 meters across the Tashi Lapcha pass, a dangerous pass to cross for the trekkers in the Rolwaling region.
Tashi Lapcha is a middle point of the route of Rolwaling to Khumbu Region. It aims at not just saving the life of the trekkers but also believes in promoting the entire socio-economic life of Rolwaling valley through tourism. The site of Biwak (shelter) is located on the border area of Gauri Shankar Rural Municipality and Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality connects the Rolwaling and Khumbu region, the home of Mt. Everest and a popular trekking area.
The Biwak is aimed at minimizing casualties and protecting the lives of thousands of trekkers, porters and mountaineers, and locals during emergencies caused by severe weather, rockfall, snowfall, strong wind, high altitude, etc. One can take the advantage of this hut as shelter either for climbing peaks in this region or traveling via Tashi Lapcha pass which is gradually developing into an alternative trekking trail to reach Namche as Tashi Lapcha pass connects Khumbu region with Rolwaling valley.
This kind of Biwak has been installed in many parts of Europe in the mountains. It has insulation and oxygen passing features due to which the hut will be warm during any weather condition and no risk of suffocation is borne. The Biwak has a capacity to accommodate at least 15 persons inside the shelter at one time.
The Biwak represents the friendship between Nepal and Austria and the love for mountain people. That's why it is named after David Lama who was also a popular alpinist and had died in one of the mountain climbing in Canada. David’s father hailed from Solukhumbu of Nepal and his mother from Austria.
Day 01: Drive to Gongar Khola (1440m), 6-7hrs
Day 02: Trek to Simigaon (2000m), 5-6hrs
Day 03: Trek to Donggang (3010m), 6-7hrs
Day 04: Trek to Beding village (3693m), 6-7hrs
Day 05: Trek to Naa (4200m), 4hrs
Day 06: Acclimatization rest at Naa, Hike to Tsho-Rolpa (4580m), 3hrs
Day 07: Trek to Chugima (4920m), 4hrs
Day 08: Trek to Jaboo Glacier and rest at David Lama Biwak, 7-8hrs
Day 09: Trek back to Na (4200m)
Day 10: Trek back to Kyalche (2740m)
Day 11: Trek back to Simi gaon (2000m)
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu (1400m)
Note:
The itinerary can be changed as per clients’ wishes and the peak you desired to climb.
Trekkers can also choose peaks from Rolwaling for climbing along with trekking.
