Trek up the Dudh Kosi to its source – a tranquil glacial lake below the huge Ngojumba glacier. There are fewer trekkers here than on the route to Base Camp allowing you to enjoy the quiet of the mountains, its birds and wildlife. The views from Gokyo Peak (5200) are stunning. Five summits over 8000m are visible – Everest, Lhotse Shar, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu as well as the Ngojumba Glacier (the largest in Nepal), moraine and lakes.
Tour Itinerary:
Days 1-2: Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. In the morning of day 2 a half-day city tour will introduce you to some of the highlights of Kathmandu.
Days 3-5: The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular and the landing an exciting beginning to the trek – one end of the runway is 60 meters higher than the other. Heading through pine and cedar woods along the Dudh Kosi to Pakding you will encounter your first yak caravans carrying trekking and equipment and supplies – including yours – towards base camp. These wonderful beasts creating mobile roadblocks, or virtual avalanches on downhill stretches, are a feature of all treks in the Everest region. It is also possible to see musk deer, Himalayan tahr and, if you sit quietly on the river banks, water rats.
Namche Bazaar is the administrative capital of the region, historically it was the staging point for trading expeditions to Tibet and its Saturday market remains an important event bringing traders from villages a week’s walk away. An acclimatization day allows for an excursion to Thame. Intricately carved mani stones mark the path to this large valley with a picturesque gompa on the hillside overlooking the valley.
Days 6-8: Leaving Namche Bazaar chorten mark the path and the twin peaks of Thamserku soar into the eastern sky. Here the legend of the yeti is alive and well and in Khumjung’s red-walled gompa a yeti-scalp is preserved. A large chorten marks the top of the ridge descending from Khumbila (5761), the abode of the patron god of the Khumbu region and the nearby settlement is said to be the birthplace of the lama who introduced Buddhism to the area.
Descending to Phortse Tenga on the banks of the Dudh Kosi the trail follows the river through rhododendron and birch forests and Cho Oyu becomes visible through the blooms before you reach the forest line. We take two short days to reach Machhermo to allow acclimatization, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the marvelous views as the trail passes through summer yak pastures and small settlements as it follows the valley side, far above the river. Machhermo is the site of the most credible yeti incident in Khumbu, in 1974 one attacked a Sherpa woman and killed 3 yaks.
Days 9-10: A steep climb leads up the moraine of the Ngojumba Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal, past small lakes to the tiny kharka of Gokyo. The panoramic view from Gokyo Peak is the highlight of the trek and is every bit as impressive as that from Kala Pattar, near Base Camp. Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawachee are all visible, the tremendous ice ridge between Cho Oyu, Ngojumba I and II and Gyachung Kang is one of the most dramatic sights of the Khumbu region – resembling a folding screen of ice, snow and rock. Below is the Ngojumba Glacier and serene glacial lakes.
Days 11-14: Return down the Dudh Kosi over-nighting at Khumjung, Namche Bazaar and Phakding before reaching Lukla.
Day 15: Return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Day 16: Depart or join your.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The prices are matter to change!
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