Day 01: Kathmandu to Lukla (2,827 meters) by flight, trek to Phakding (2,652 meters)
We will transfer you to Tribhuvan Airport for a twin Otter flight to STOL airstrip in Lukla that takes about 35 to 40 minutes. Our trekking crew at Lukla will receive you. After final preparations, the trekking starts passing Chaurikharka village, and makes a descent towards the Dudhkosi Ghat (2,530 meters). The trail follows the right bank of the Dudhkosi River until camp at Phakding is reached. This first day is short for acclimatization reasons. Lunch will be served in Lukla or on the way. Walking distance is approximately 4 hours.
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters)
You will have breakfast around 7, and you will trek along the river crossing it at different points by means of wooden bridges at Benkar (2,713 meters), Jorsale (2,804 meters) and two Hillary bridges at the confluence off the Bhotekosi and Dudhkosi Rivers. You will stop for lunch near the confluence. After lunch, it is an uphill climb of over 304 meters towards Namche Bazaar. Here your Park fees will be checked by the Park Check Post. There are shops, a health clinic, banks, and telephone services. Walking distance is approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Day 03: REST day
You can relax and take a look around the shops and Sherpa houses, observe their culture and life style in this beautiful valley surrounded by high hills and majestic snow-capped mountain peaks. A hike to the Everest view hotel in Syangboche will be a good option. The rest day is intended for acclimatization purpose. HIKE HIGH, SLEEP LOW.
Day 04: Namche Bazaar to Dole
Day 05: Dole to Macchermo
From Phortse Tenga, you will first trek through the rhododendron woods on the right bank of the Dudh Kosi. They will bloom on late April in this area. When you start seeing birch trees among rhododendron, Cho –Oyu (8201m) becomes visible through the trees. When you are climbing up in the woods, you will come across a check post. They will check your trekking permit.
Leaving the check post behind, keep climbing with a big water fall to your left and you will reach the Kharka in Tongba with one house. You are now near the forest line. From Tongba, the course goes on the sunny mountains flank and crosses the ridge that came branching off from the left. Turn around, and you will see Thamserku and Kantega (6799m) as if they are floating in the valley of the Dudh Kosi. Continue on the path, and you will reach Dole around where the valley ahead widens. There are three or four lodges and you can have lunch. On the return trip, this will be the place to spend the night.
From Dole, climb up the slope behind the lodge, go onto the mountain flank over looking the Dudh Kosi, and move on crossing over the branch ridge. You will then come to the Kharka in Lhabarma. After you cross over another branch ridge and you will come to a wide valley and arrive at Machermo (4465), where several lodges are found scattered in the farmland. Up the valley, the spire of Kyaji Ri (6186m) is soaring high and it is very impressive.
Day 06: Machermo to Gokyo
Today, you will finally arrive in Gokyo. If everything goes well, you should be able to reach there by noon. First, climb on the mountain flank ahead and get on the ridge, from where you are over looking the Kharka in Panka. High up beyond Panka, you will see Cho-Oyu, Ngojumba Kang (7743m), II (7446m),
Gyachung Kang (7952m) and other mountains lined up on the border. It looks like they are embraced by the Ngojumba Glacier. Over the opposite bank to the right Cholatse (6440m0 and Tawetse are towering.
From Panka, where there are about seven houses. Made of piled stones, go down once to the riverside and then climb back upon Move on through large boulders and traverse the base of the rock face. Cross the wooden bridge over the stream flowing from the upper ablation valley. Climb up through an area full of rocks, and you will come to the tongue of the Ngojumba Glacier. Trek on the easy flat land in the ablation valley and you will find the first small lake, Tso Mengma. Pass by it on the right side and you will come the second lake, Tso Paluwa, which is larger than the first.
Both banks come closer together as the river narrows. As you climb along the river, you will come to a place where the view broadens and you will see Dudh Pokhari, the lake in Gokyo. Trek along the eastern bank for about 10 minutes, and the Kharka becomes visible. You have reached Gokyo (4791m) today’s destination. There are about five lodges. You can also camp in their courtyard.
The elevation is fairly high. You should be care full about your moves considering altitude sickness.
Day 07 : Excursion to Gokyo Ri (5357 m.) trek to Thagnag Kharka (5025 m.)
The Panoramic view from the summit of Gokyo Peak is the highlight of Gokyo. The 360 degrees view is as wonderful as that of Kala Pattar.
To reach Gokyo Peak, cross the wide stream at the north and of the Lake, stepping from the one stone to another and start climbing the ridge right ahead of you. The path will change from steep screed slope to a grassy slope and zigzag up the flank. If you turn around you, you will see Dudh Pokhari reflecting the blue sky, clouds and rock spires like a large mirror. After passing the grassy part, the clear path turns into a narrow trail. Climb the upper rocky path looking for footing and you will reach the summit with a long and narrow space, where huge rocks are found here and there.
You will see Cho-Oyu and to its right, Ngojumba Kang I and II and Gyachung Kang. They stand like a folding screen of ice, snow and rocks faces. Further to the right, you will see Changtse (7553m), and Mt. Everest rising up to 8848m. They continue to Lhotse (8463m) with its triangular peak soaring up in the sky.
Down below, you will see the Ngojumba Glacier, which is 16km long and 1km wide, with a glacier lake and a side morine. Over the Glacier, Cholatse, Twetse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, Thamserku and other mountains looks like they are floating in the sky. The site of the four 8000 m in the Khumbu Himal and a cluster of high peaks are overwhelming. Just like a Kala Pattar, the climax comes in the evening. If you are planning to enjoy Everest burning red in the dusk, do not forget to take a torch light and gear to combat the cold with you.
Day 08 : Cross Cho-La pass (5330 m.) descend to Dzongla (4830 m.)
Day 09 : Dzongla / Lobuche (4930 m.)
The trail ascends the broad, gently sloping valley from Dzongla. In many places the trail crosses small streams on boulders. You can look back down the deep valley from Phalang Karpo to see how much elevation you have gained !. The views of Tawoche and Cholatse are particularly good from this portion of the trail as it passes through country reported to be the habitat of the SNOW LEOPARD and YETI. Beyond Phalang Karpo the trail climbs steeply onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier then contours down to a stream, crossing it on a bridge just before the village of Thuklha. The trail climbs up the moraine to a row of stone monuments of dead climbers, then drops a bit and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche, a summer village that boasts several well stocked hotels.
Day 10: Lobuche to Gorak Shep 5140 meters
The trail becomes rougher now as it makes steeper ascent when it crosses several side moraines past the Gorakshep. From here onward you will find the trail is constantly changing all the way across the moraine through the snow and glaciers. Route finding techniques here include looking for stone cairns (heap of stones and rocks) as markers, a sure sign of the correct trail. After rounding a bend, the trail lead to the base of this small peak -Kala Pathar. The climb may take about 3 to 4 hours to make to the summit. The top provides the best views of Mt. Everest and several dozen awesome peaks. After the summit, you will make the descent back to the camp at Gorakshep.
Day 11: Gorakshep to Kala Patthar and return to Gorak Shep
The trail becomes rougher now as it makes steeper ascent when it crosses several side moraines past the Gorakshep. From here onward you will find the trail is constantly changing all the way across the moraine through the snow and glaciers. Route finding techniques here include looking for stone cairns (heap of stones and rocks) as markers, a sure sign of the correct trail. After rounding a bend, the trail lead to the base of this small peak -Kala Pathar. The climb may take about 3 to 4 hours to make to the summit. The top provides the best views of Mt. Everest and several dozen awesome peaks. After the summit, you will make the descent back to the camp at Gorakshep.
Day 12 : Gorak Shep / Dingboche (4343 m.)
From Gorak Shep retrace your steps back down to Thuklha, then go straight up the hill from the bridge to reach an upper trail, staying high above the valley floor past the yak pastures at Dusa to a chorten at the head of the Imja valley. From here the views of the Island Peak is great and the Makalu is in a distance. The trail continues descending lower in the valley through little stone huts leading to a village of Dingboche. There are few houses and lodges in Dingboche. The mountain scenery is outstanding. Campsite is on the open spot in the village. Walking takes about 7 hours to reach here.
Day 13 : Dingboche / Tyengboche (3867 m.)
The route from Dingboche descends the Imja Khola Valley, then crosses the Khumbu Khola on a wooden bridge and climbs to rejoin the upward trail. Following the trail downhill, it is easy to make a detour and visit the upper part of Pangboche and the village gompa, then continue to Tengboche. Tengboche is famous for Tengboche monastery which is the biggest in Khumbu. The Abbot of the monastery is the most revered and highest position Lama in Khumbu. Every year during the fall Octtober/November, the Tengboche Mani Rimdu festival is observed where the ceremonial prayers and Lama dances are shown to public for two days. The new Eco Centre has been built to help the monastery with extra income. Eco Center gives you information about the monastery and sells many souvenirs of the monastery. There are excellent panoramic views of the Everest, Photse, Nuptse and ranges ahead, Tawoche to your left, Amadablam, Khang Tega and Thamserku to the right and Kwagde at the back, thus making it a unique view spot also.
Day 14 : Tyengboche / Namche Bazaar (3446 m.)
You will have breakfast around 7, and you will trek along the river crossing it at different points by means of wooden bridges You will stop for lunch near the confluence. After lunch, it is a down hill climb to Namche Bazaar. There are shops, a health clinic, banks, and telephone services. Walking distance is approximately 6 to 7 hours.
Day 15 : Namche Bazaar / Phakding (2652 m.)
Day 16 : Phakding / Lukla (2840 m.)
Day 17 : Fly back to Kathmandu
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Cost includes:
- All arrival, departure transfers as per the program by Pvt. Non AC vehicle.
- Everest conservation fee
- Lodge trek with all meals and accommodation in tea house lodge
- Services of one English-speaking trekking guide from Kathmandu and porter from Lukla
- Accommodation, meals, insurance, equipments, and allowances of guide and porter
- Airfare of guide including domestic airport tax
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
- Sleeping bag and down jacket if necessary
Cost Excludes:
- Accommodation, meals and sightseeing tours in Kathmandu
- Bottled drinks (mineral water, any clod drinks, and alcoholic drinks) while on trek
- Your travel insurance
- Airfare of USD 232 per person for Kathmandu / Lukla / Kathmandu flight
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Nepal visa fee
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, bar, tips, etc.
NOTE: Airfare is subject to change without prior notice by airlines
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Hiking & Trekking
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