Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla
(2886m.) and it takes about 30 minutes. Trek from Lukla to
Phakding (2640 m.) which takes approximately three hours.
You transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to
Lukla. Lukla is a small town with an airport. There are
few tea shops, lodges, hotels and general stores. You begin
today’s
trek from Lukla following a gentle climb up the mountainside
on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi river. Nupla (5885m) can
be seen in the distance on the opposite bank, is a peak atop
the Kongde Ridge. You descend a mountainside path that merges
into your route to Everest, with views to a valley to your
right; and at its far end, Kusum Kang (6367m.) The Dudh Kosi
approaches as you pass a Mani wall and arrive at Ghat teahouse.
You continue along a small path with many climbs and descents
following the left bank of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.
Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche
Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about 5 to 5 and half hours.
This day you trek and cross the river on high suspension
bridges. Beyond Monjo(2800m.) is the entrance to the Sagarmatha
National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve
this fragile mountain environment. You 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. You
can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku,
Konde-Ri and Tawache peak. You can also visit some of the
village monasteries on the way of trekking to Namche Bazaar(3440
m.).
Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu region
and holds a busy Saturday market. There is set a meeting
place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan
yak caravans that have reached there by crossing the glaciated
Nangpa La.
Day 03: Rest at Namche Bazar for acclimatization
and excursion around the places. Namche is tucked away between
two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an
abundance of lodges, teashops and souvenir shops as well
as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend
a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before
heading off towards Tyangboche. For the acclimatization
you walk upto Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir
Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Syangboche
(3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche
for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse,Ama
Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good
views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above
the town.
Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar to
Thame (3739m) and it takes about 4 hours. From Namche the
route turns west and the trail is almost level as you head
up the Bhote Koshi Valley, once a popular trading route into
Tibet. Along the way you pass many prayer flags, mani walls
and carved 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
and 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 05: Trek from Thame to Khumjung [3790m]
and it takes about 5 hours. You retrace your 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. Here you can have excellent views of Thamserku,
Kantega and Ama Dablam.
Day 06: Trek from Khumjung to Dole (4040m)
which takes about 5 hours. Soon after leaving Khumjung
the trail climbs to a large chorten 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 slightly
towards the Sanasa and then trail ascends up to
Mongla(4000m.). From here, you can see panoramic
views of various mountains. You trek steeply descend
passing through Phortse Tenga and from there, the
trail climbs steeply to Dole, through rhododendron
and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses
and lichens. You can enjoy delicious meal at Phortse
Tenga (3650m.).
Day 07: Trek from Dole to Machhermo (4410m)
and it takes about 3 hours. From Dole you climb steadily
along the side of the valley, where the small and
thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the
altitude increases. The trail passes many summer
settlements, which are used when yaks are taken
to these pastures to graze in the summer months.
Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while
back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and
Thamserku. This is a short day and you will arrive
at Machhermo in time for lunch.
Day 08: Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4750m)
which takes about 4 hours. Today you head for the lakes
at Gokyo. You follow a very scenic path to Pangka
and then descend slightly, following one of the
melt-water Rivers which flow down the west side
of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky
path inclined into the valley by the side of the
glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. You
soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing
the path which heads across the glacier to Cho
La (5420m.) - your route to Lobuche and Everest,
later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh
Pokhari 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 09: Rest day at Gokyo and excursion
in and around Gokyo valley. Gokyo is a trade centre where
the Sherpa people run lodges to provide the best services
to the trekkers.Gokyo is situated by the side of
Ngozumba glacier, the biggest glacier of Nepal.
This day you can make a side trip to Firth Lake
via Forth Lake.
Day 10: Trek/climb from Gokyo to Gokyo
Ri (5340m) and trek back to Thangna (4650m) via Gokyo village
and it takes about four and half hours. Gokyo RI
looms above the village on the northern edge of
the lake and you leave camp just after first light,
following a steep path up the hillside. As you
climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu
slowly come into sight and the view 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 Patthar. After lunch
it is a short walk to the village of Thangna, situated
at the shore of the Ngozumpa Glacier.
Day 11: Trek from Thangna to Dzongla (4843m.)
via Chola pass (5420m.) and it takes about 5 and half
hours. Now you ascend slightly along the valley
towards Chola pass. The pass you pass through is
covered with rocks. The Chola pass is most of the
time covered with blue ice giving you a chill feeling.
Here you can also enjoy the panoramic view of various
mountains. From here, the trail descends steeply
down for an hour and then slightly descends all
the way to Dzongla.
Day 12: Trek from Dzonglo to Gorakshep
(5180m.) via Lobuche which takes about 5 hours. From Dzongla
the trail descends and ascends gently and contours
around the west side of the Lobuche Khola, providing
excellent views of Ama Dablam, the Nuptse-Lhotse
wall and Everest. The trail coming from Pheriche
meets at the Lobuche Khola (Lobuche Stream).
Day 13: Trek from Gorakshep to Everest
Base Camp (5337m.) and back to Gorakshep which takes about
4 and half hours. While trekking to Everest Base
Camp you pass through a trail, which weaves its
way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses
of the Khumbu Glacier. During the spring season,
you can meet some expedition team on the Everest
Base Camp. The number of team is less in the autumn
season. On the return leg, you can take a higher
route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall
and numerous mountains. You return to Gorak Shep
to stay overnight.
Day 14: Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar
(5545m.) and trek to Pheriche (4250m.) and it takes about
6 and half hours. Early morning climb to Kala Patthar
(5545m.) and enjoy the view of sunrise. From Kala
Patthar you can have a panoramic view of Mt. Everest
and many other mountain peaks like Mt. Pumori,
Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse,
Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and many more.
Pheriche is the place where one can make phone
calls to any part of the world. You can see the
mountain Yaks in Pheriche. Yaks are normally regarded
as the porters in this area. The town of Pheriche
is known as windy town. There you can see the perpendicular
walls of Cholatse and Tawache. There is located
Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post and foreign
volunteer doctors are to provide medical treatment
to trekkers as well as local people.
Day 15: Trek from Pheriche to Tyangboche
(3850m.) and it takes about 4 hours. To reach Tyangboche
you pass through Pangboche village, which is known
to have highest permanent settlement throughout
the year in Khumbu region. The trail ascends and
descends at a slow speed. Upon your arrival at
Tyangboche village you come across the famous legendary
monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. There
is a trekker's visiting centre where local Sherpas
make an exhibition of different goods to be sold
to interested trekkers. They also show a slide
presentation about Sherpa people, culture, Buddhist
religion and environmental development programs.
Day 16: Trek from Tyangboche to Namche
Bazaar (3440m.) which takes about 4 hours.
From Tyangboche, the trail descends steeply and
slightly towards Phunki Tenga (3250m.) crossing
the Dudh Koshi. Now you have a glimpse of panoramic
views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including
Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku
and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages
and numerous teashops, the trail ascends steeply
to Sanasa where local Sherpa people sell the Tibetan
goods. The way from Sanasa to Namche has small
ups and downs with view of forests, scenery and
mountains.
Day 17: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
(2886 m.) and it takes about six hours. The last day of your
trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla.
The trek is pleasant, except for few short uphill
climbs and then down to the Bhote- Koshi River
crossing it three times. The last uphill climb
of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your
overnight stay.
Day 18: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. You
take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu which takes
about 35 minutes.
This trek gives you the grand tour of the famous Khumbu
valley. This is a strenuous trek leading to Gokyo Lake and
over the Cho La at 5,430m making a circuit of Tawache (6,367m.)
and Cholatse (6,440m). Emerging into the Khumbu valley above
Lobuje the trail continues up to Kalapatthar and then back
to Lukla via Tengboche and Namche Bazaar. The small herding
settlement of Gokyo (4750m) lies on the banks of the third
lake in a series of small turquoise mountain lakes and on
the ridge above Gokyo, the four peaks above 8000m of Cho
You, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu expose themselves. In addition
to this you can have a look at the tremendous ice ridge between
Cho You and Gyachung (7922m), considered one of the most
dramatic panoramas in the Khumbu region. There are many options
for additional exploration and high-altitude walking, including
the crossing of Cho La, a 5420m-high pass into Khumbu and
a hike to Gokyo Ri.
