from $1,799* per person | 18 Days | Year-round |
Basic accommodations | Exertion level: 6 | |
Operator: Himalayan Sanctuary Adventure | 15 people max |
Everest Base Camp with Chola Pass Trek via Gokyo Lakes takes us through the landmarks of the Khumbu region. It also provides you the lifetime opportunity to explore the magnificent view of the Gokyo and the popular Chola Pass. The Gokyo lake is in the high-elevation. It is wild and overcome by the great peaks of Cho Oyu (8153m) and Gyachung Kang (7922m). Gokyo lake in Khumbu Everest region is a bit of heaven. Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes will additionally be a lifetime experience with the enchanting sights of Mt. Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Amadablam, Pumori, and Tengboche Monastery – the biggest/largest monastery in the Khumbu region. In 2015, Lonely Planet recommends that the Khumbu region- Gokyo Everest Trek to be one of the best trekking trails to explore.
Gokyo Lake trek with Chola pass and the Everest Base Camp is also an incredible trek. It crosses all the high valleys of Khumbu with an additional time spend at the Gokyo Lake to explore the upper valley.
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Nepal, Southeast Asia, Himalaya, Himalayas
Day 01 : Kathmandu(1,350m/4,428ft)
Arrival at Tribhuvan International airport in
Kathmandu, and You will be welcomed outside the arrival terminal gate by
our representative. You will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at
your hotel in Kathmandu.
Included Meals : Breakfast
Day 02 : Kathmandu
Day tour of Kathmandu city , Proceed on to Swayambhunath Stupa.
Swayambhunath is a Buddhist Stupa said to be more than 2000 years old,
is perched on a hillock 77 meters above the valley floor and offering a
bird’s eye view of the Kathmandu City. Afternoon, tour of Patan, also
known as Lalitpur or the “city of beauty” is the oldest city in the
valley. A great center both of the Newari Buddhist religion and of
traditional arts & crafts with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major
temples. Overnight at your hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 03 : Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding(2,651m/8,700ft): 40 minutes flight, 3 – 4 hours trek
We take an early morning flight to Lukla and meet our rest of the crew
members in Lukla and start our trek. The trail then leads to Phakding
via Cheplung village from where we get a magnificent view of Mt.
Khumbila, a sacred mountain which has never been summited.Overnight at
Phakding
Included meals:Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 04 : Phakding – Namche (3,438m/11,280 ft): 5 – 6 hours
We continue our walk on the trail that goes north up the Benkar valley.
We cross Dudh Koshi River and pass Chumoa and Monjo villages leading the
entrance to the Everest National Park. Then we pass Jorsale village
crossing a suspension bridge and walk alongside of the Dudh Koshi and
Bhote Koshi rivers. We continue our trek ascending on a steep trail and
reach Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 05 : Acclimatization Day – Namche Bazaar: (3,440m/11,284ft)
We explore Namche Bazaar and hike-up to Sagarmatha National Park and
enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, Lhotse,
Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde and so on. If we are interested in
a day hike, we can trek to Khumjung village.Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
Day 06 : Namche Bazaar to Phortse Thanga (3,680m/12,073ft): 5-6 hours
We climb the Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the village down
the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi from where the route turns
north. There are two trails and our guide will choose the best option
for us to follow. There is a chorten on the ridge top at 3973 m which
descends from Mt. Khumbila (5761 m). We visit Mohang, the birthplace of
the re-incarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet who is believed to
have introduced Buddhism in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The trail
descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dush
Koshi. We stay overnight in Phortse Tanga, near the river.
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
Day 07 : Phortse Thanga to Machhermo (4,470m/ 14,663ft): 4-5 hours
From Phortse Thanga,we climb to Machhermo following on a trail alongside
a rhododendron forest and pass through a waterfall before reaching
Tongba Village. We continue our uphill trek and pass through Dhole,
Labarma and Luza villages before reaching Machhermo. There is a Chhorten
right before the Luza village. Throughout today’s journey we will be
walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River. Overnight in Machhermo.
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
Day 08: Machhermo to Gokyo (4,800 m/15,744 ft): 4-5 hours
We begin today by climbing a ridge for an excellent view down the valley
to Kangtaiga and also up towards Cho Oyu (8153 m). The valley now
widens as the trail passes through Phangkha, where an avalanche in 1995
killed 40 people. We then descend to the riverbank before climbing onto
the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa Glacier on a steep trail. Upon
crossing an iron bridge over a stream, the trail levels out as it
follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo, at 4690 m.
At this juncture, we get a chance to observe lama footprints on a stone.
At the sight of the second lake, Taboche Tsho, we become mesmerized by
the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun.
Little ahead of the second lake, we reach the third lake, the two linked
by a surging stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu
Mountain as a backdrop sets an amazing spectacular sight here. After
lunch, we explore around the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. Overnight in
Gokyo.
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
Day 09 : Gokyo Valley: Acclimatization Day – Optional Hike to 5th Lake: 6-7 hours
We can spend this day taking a rest in the Gokyo Valley or hike to the
5th lake. If the weather is good, another option could be to climb Gokyo
Ri, a popular viewpoint to enjoy stunning views of the mountain vista.
We walk 3 km north of Gokyo to reach the fourth lake also called Thonak
Tsho. We take pleasure in the lake’s serene beauty and continue to the
5th lake, also called Ngozumba Tsho. If we want to, we can climb a hill,
also called the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint, which is located at the edge of
the 5th lake. From here we get astounding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung
Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu mountains. From here, we also
see the Cho Oyu base camp. In fact, Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang seems just
a stone’s throw away. Another treat for us is the view of the biggest
glacier of the world- the Ngozumba Glacier. We trek back to Gokyo and
spend the night.
Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner
Day 10 : Gokyo to Thagnak (4750 m/15,580 ft): 4 – 5 hours
If we did not climb the Gokyo Ri the previous day, we can do that today.
Climbing to the top of Gokyo Ri is demanding as it is steep and takes
about 3 to 4 hours to reach the top. But the scenery of Gokyo village,
on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the broad Nogzumpa
Glacier, is magnificent. We are surrounded by panoramic mountains like
Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse,
Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori. The sight of sunrays kissing
Everest which towers over all the surrounding peaks is astounding. We
trek through the Ngazumpa Glacier to the mountain on the other side.
Next, traverse along the edge of that mountain and then meander into
Thagnak. It will be a short hike today with an afternoon of rest which
will prepare us for long hiking days and elevation gain to come.
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 11 : Thagnak to Cho La pass (5,367m/17,604 ft) to Dzongla (15, 939 ft): 7 – 8 hours
Today is going to be one of the toughest days of the trip. The Cho La
pass is not itself difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier
traverse on the eastern side. We need to be careful as the trail is
vertical and the rocks glazed by ice may cause trouble by making the
trail slippery. The trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky
trail. While trekking through the side of a frozen lake, we reach at
the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. The pyramidal Ama
Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the south even as Cholatse
soars to the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse rises sharply to our
right. We need to pass through some crevasses before we reach Dzongla
Village. The village provides great views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam,
Lobuche mountains along with the Pheriche Village far below.
Included meals : Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Day 12 : Dzongla to Lobuche (4940 m/16,207 ft): 2 – 3 hours
This will be a very short trek so we have a lot time to relax and enjoy
the beauty that surrounds us. We climb down from Dzongla and walk
through a grassy trail while enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak. The
trail curves through the wide river bed before reaching Lobuche. We can
spend the rest of day taking a rest which will help us prepare for the
next day’s long trek. Overnight in Lobuche.
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 13 : Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170 m/16,961ft), visit Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,594 ft): 6-7 hours
We take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep
Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come across the Indian army
mountaineers’ memorials. The path from here can be misleading; hence, it
is important that we follow our lead Sherpa diligently. The walk is
strenuous due to thin air in the high altitude. We pass through rocky
dunes, moraine and streams before reaching the Everest Base Camp. Upon
reaching the Everest Base Camp, we see tents of mountaineers that stand
out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings
(especially in the spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the
mountains we can view from the base camp. We get back to Gorak Shep for a
good night’s rest. Overnight in Gorak Shep.
However, the sunset view from Kala Patthar is more admirable than the
sunrise view, so it is recommended that we visit Kala Patthar today
during sunset. As the setting sun’s rays strike the snow-capped
mountains, the resulting scenery is incredible. Therefore, for those
trekkers who wish to continue to Kala Patthar today instead of the next
day please inform your guide and he/she will coordinate accordingly.
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 14 : Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,545m/18,192ft) to Pherice (4,288m/14,070ft) 7-8 hours
We prepare for an early morning departure, amid pre-dawn darkness and
cold temperatures (-10 to -14 C). Plus, there is always the potential
for chilly winds which are quite common. Familiar peaks such as
Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse tower to the east even as Everest
begins to reveal itself. But, it is upon reaching Kala Patthar that we
get to see 360 degree up-close and formidable views of Mt. Everest. We
take pictures, enjoy the magnificent mountain panorama, and then return
back to Lobuche for a good night’s rest. Overnight in Lobuche.
Those participants who will visit Everest Base Camp today will have an
early breakfast to start early as Everest base camp hike takes longer
than the hike at Kala Patthar. After returning to Gorak Shep, both the
groups will have lunch together; the afternoon is taken to descend down
to Pheriche for a good night’s rest.
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 15 : Pheriche to Namche Bazaar: 6 – 7 hours
We trek down through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper
trees. After crossing the prayer-flag festooned bridge over the Dudh
Koshi River, our trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly
through pine forests. In the forest, we may come across colorful
pheasants and mountain goats. The path eventually reaches Sansa from
where we can enjoy views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Nuptse mountains.
We also pass winding trails then through a forest before reaching Namche
Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 16 : Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft): 6 – 7 hours
The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk cautiously as our
shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the
suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries,
the trail becomes more level and natural. After our arrival in Lukla,
we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple
of days. Overnight in Lukla
Included meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner
Day 17 : Lukla – Kathmandu 1400 m
We catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain
journey. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be transferred to your
hotel. We take you for a cultural dinner in the evening.Overnight in
Kathmandu.
Included meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Day 18 : Departure Day
Our driver will transfer to the airport to connect your international flight.
Included meals: Breakfast
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