Flying from Kathmandu to Lukla we follow the Dudh Kosi valley up to the Sherpa capital of Namche. We have time here to acclimatise, before following the quiet trail to Thame village in the Bhote Koshi valley. Descending to Khumjung, we are treated to incredible views of Kantega and Thamserku and the Nuptse-Lhotse wall with Everest rearing above. At Khumjung we camp below Khumbila Peak, home of the patron God of the Khumbu, before continuing up the Dudh Kosi valley to Gokyo's alpine lakes and an ascent of Gokyo Ri. The views from here are tremendous, a 360 degree panorama of snow-capped peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Cho Oyu.
From Gokyo, we rejoin the main trail to Everest Base Camp. Our route provides a magnificent approach to the Khumbu glacier with unbelievable vistas of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. We follow the Khumbu glacier, first to Lobuche and then to Gorak Shep. Our camp here gives us the opportunity to ascend Kala Pattar for even more spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. We also have a day to visit Everest Base Camp, at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Our descent will then take us to Dingboche in the Imja valley, before returning to Lukla via Thyangboche and Namche. A flight back to Kathmandu concludes a spectacular trek to the roof of the world.
This trip can be done during March to May (Spring) and September to December (Autumn).
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu. Flying to Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is in itself an exciting and memorable experience. You are greeted by an exotic panoramic view of snow-capped Annapurna mountain range peaks. The Nepali support team will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.
Day 2: Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu, being a historical and cultural heart of Nepal, is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and adventure seekers. The city presents a wonderful mixture of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence. Patan and Bhaktapur are its two major neighboring cities which bear immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine Pasupathinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in town Boudhanath, the 15th century palace of 55 windows and Soyambhunath. In the evening, a trip orientation meeting will be organized.
Day 3: Flight to Lukla & Trek to Phading (2656m). We fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2800m), a small airstrip high above the Dudh Kosi valley. After meeting our trekking crew and sorting out our gear, we begin the trek by descending to Chaunrikharka and heading up the Dudh Kosi valley to Phakding, where we camp by the river.
Day 4: Trek to Namche (3450m). From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to conserve this fragile mountain environment. We then ascend quite steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather is clear, catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region and has a busy Saturday market - a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. We camp is near the bazaar at Namche.
Day 5: Rest day in Namche. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as magnificent views. It is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatising to the high altitude. Options for acclimatisation walks include a visit to Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary or a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the village.
Day 6: Trek to Thame (3739m). From Namche the route turns west and the trail is almost level as we head up the Bhote Kosi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. Along the way we pass many prayer flags and many stones, all indicative of the Tibetan Buddhist culture of this area. After descending to the Bhote Kosi the trail climbs steeply to Thame. From here there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde. To the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame Gompa is situated above the village overlooking the valley and is the site for the spring celebrations of the Mani Rimdu festival.
Day 7: Trek to Khumjung (3786m). We retrace our route down the Bhote Kosi Valley towards Namche and branch off to follow a quiet trail to Khumjung. It is a picturesque village which also has its own gompa at the top end of town. From our camping spot we have excellent views of Thamserku, Kantega and Ama Dablam.
Day 8: Trek to Dole (4040m). Soon after leaving Khumjung the trail climbs to a large shorten on top of a ridge. This ridge descends from Khumbila, a 5734m peak, said to be the abode of the patron God of the Khumbu region. The trail descends towards the Dudh Kosi where we stop for lunch near the bridge leading to the village of Phortse. We then pass through Phortse Tenga and from there, the trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens.
Day 9: Trek to Machermo (4410m). From Dole we climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements (yersa), which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a short trek and we will arrive at Machermo in time for lunch.
Day 10: Trek to Gokyo (4750m). Today we head for the lakes at Gokyo. We follow a very scenic path to Pangka and then descend slightly, following one of the melting rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We climb a steep rocky incline into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. We soon arrive at the second lake, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La - our route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari (milk lake) and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters.
Day 11: Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5340m) & Trek to Na (4390m). Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake. We leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As we climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into view and the sight from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is one of the finest to be had in the Everest region - some say it is even better than that from Kala Pattar. After lunch it is a short walk to the village of Na, situated at the foot of the Ngozumpa Glacier.
Day 12: Trek to Phortse (3542m). Now we descend back along the valley to Phortse, a village which seems unaffected by the advent of trekkers. The quiet rhythm of life continues as it has always done in the village. We camp among the potato fields in the upper part of the village and savor the magnificent mountain views.
Day 13: Trek to Dingboche (4336m). From Phortse the trail climbs and contours around the west side of the Imja Khola valley, providing excellent views of Ama Dablam, the Nuptse-Lhotse wall and Everest. We enter Pangboche on the high trail and after lunch visit the monastery which has relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. From Pangboche we walk through alpine meadows and pass beneath the towering Ama Dablam to Dingboche.
Day 14: Trek to Lobuche (4939m). After passing the teahouses of Duglha, we climb higher onto the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier, passing a row of stone monuments built in memory of Sherpas who have died on mountaineering expeditions to Mt Everest. From here the trail drops and follows the west side of the valley to Lobuche. The sunset on Nuptse from here is quite spectacular.
Day 15: Trek to Gorak Shep (5184m). Our next step over is Kala Pattar. The trail at first follows the valley beside the Khumbu Glacier, and offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at our camping place for the night, Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon, when the sun begins to set over the Everest peak, we make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar (5554m). As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our camp at Gorak Shep and have an early night in preparation for our trek to Everest Base Camp the following day.
Day 16: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5357m). To reach Everest Base Camp, a very early start is required. It takes several hours on the trail which weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col. We return to either Gorak Shep or Lobuche to camp for the night.
Day 17: Trek to Pangboche (3985m). Today is downhill most of the way, as we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche. The Himalayan Rescue Association has a trekker's aid post here and it is quite interesting. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche.
Day 18: Trek to Namche (3450m). We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to the famous monastery at Thyangboche. The views from here are magnificent and Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From Thyangboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi at Phunki Tenga, where there are water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche.
Day 19: Trek to Lukla (2800m). Our final day's trek follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains calls for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters.We can sample some Chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.
Day 20: Fly to Kathmandu. We take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu
Day 21: Depart Kathmandu. The Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. If you prefer to stay longer you can go for short tours, such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All meals during trek (except for GAP trek)
- Accommodation during trek (tent on camping trek, lodge on GAP and lodge trek)
- Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu airfare
- English speaking local expert guide, porters
- Sagarmatha National park fees
- 3 nights accommodation at 3 star hotel in Kathmandu on double sharing with breakfast
- All guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and entry fees
- Airport transfers and escort
- Equipment clothing for porter & staffs
- Insurance for all staff & porters
Price Excludes:
- International flight & departure tax
- Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
- Personal gears & clothing (available on hire)
- Tips, any expenses of personal nature, client's insurance
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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