Gokyo Lake And Everest Base Camp Trek

After breakfast, we embark on a guided tour of Kathmandu's renowned UNESCO World Heritage sites, which hold great historical and spiritual significance. Our itinerary includes visits to Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (also known as the Monkey Temple), and Boudhanath, an impressive Buddhist stupa. Following our sightseeing, we gather at Himalayan Glacier's office for equipment checks, introductions to fellow participants, and a discussion about our upcoming trip. We will spend the night in Kathmandu.

The 40-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (9,186ft) treats us to breathtaking aerial views, showcasing one of the world's most stunning air routes. We land in Lukla, a vital starting point for our trek, nestled amidst majestic mountain peaks. Here, we meet our fellow crew members and begin organizing and packing our belongings. Our trek commences from Lukla, and after an hour of gentle descent, we arrive at Cheplung village, where we catch a glimpse of the sacred and unclimbed Mt. Khumbila (18900 ft). Continuing our descent from Cheplung, we reach Phakding, where we will spend the night.

We embark on a scenic trek through a picturesque pine forest, following the trail north along the Benkar valley. Crossing the Dudh Koshi River, we continue our journey, passing through Chumoa and reaching Monjo, which serves as the entrance to Everest National Park. After crossing a suspension bridge, we traverse Jorsale village and walk alongside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. A challenging uphill climb brings us to the vibrant Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. If weather conditions permit, we may be rewarded with views of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse before reaching Namche Bazaar. We will spend the night there.

We have a full day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize and explore the area. Namche Bazaar serves as the central hub of the Khumbu region, offering various amenities such as government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a vibrant market. Our guides will accompany us as we discover the authentic charm of Namche Bazaar. A hike to Sagarmatha National Park presents an opportunity to witness a sunrise and behold the magnificent views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and other surrounding peaks. For those interested in a day hike, we can trek to the beautiful Sherpa village of Khumjung (12,401 ft), where we can explore the Sherpa way of life, visit the Khumjung Hillary School, and appreciate the unique flora and fauna found at this altitude. We will spend another night in Namche Bazaar.

From Namche Bazaar, we ascend the Khumjung hill and then descend towards the east of the village, following the wide valley that leads to the Dudh Koshi River. Our guide will choose the best trail option for us to follow. As we trek, we come across a chorten (a Buddhist monument) situated on the ridge top at an altitude of 3,973 meters, which is connected to Mt. Khumbila (5,761 meters). We make a visit to Mohang, the birthplace of the reincarnated Lama from Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet, who is credited with introducing Buddhism to the Khumbu region of Nepal. The trail then descends through a series of steep switchbacks on a sandy slope until we reach the Dudh Koshi River. We will spend the night in Phortse Tanga, a location near the river.

Leaving Phortse Thanga, we begin an uphill climb towards Machhermo. Our trek takes us along a scenic trail that winds through a rhododendron forest, offering beautiful natural surroundings. En route, we pass by a waterfall and reach Tongba Village. Continuing our ascent, we pass through Dole, Labarma, and Luza villages, with a Chhorten marking our approach to Luza. The Dudh Koshi River accompanies us throughout today's journey. Finally, we reach Machhermo, where we will spend the night, taking in the serene atmosphere of the area.

Our day starts with a climb up a ridge, providing us with a stunning view down the valley towards Kangtaiga and upward towards Cho Oyu (8,153 m). As we continue, the valley expands, and we pass through Phangkha, a location tragically affected by an avalanche in 1995. Descending to the riverbank, we then embark on a steep trail that leads us onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Crossing an iron bridge over a stream, the trail gradually levels out as we follow the valley, passing by the first lake known as Longpongo at an altitude of 4,690 m. Here, we may come across lama footprints on a stone, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. Moving forward, we are greeted by the captivating sight of the shimmering turquoise blue Taboche Tsho, the second lake, glistening in the sunlight. Continuing our journey, we reach the third lake, connected by a rushing stream. Gokyo village is situated by this third lake, offering a remarkable backdrop with the majestic Cho-Oyu Mountain. After lunch, we have the opportunity to explore the surroundings of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. We will spend the night in Gokyo, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the area.

In the morning, we embark on a hike to Gokyo Ri, a small peak located above Gokyo village. As we ascend, the views become increasingly breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista of the entire Khumbu region. From the summit of Gokyo Ri, we are treated to a magnificent sight of four of Nepal's highest peaks: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. The scenery is awe-inspiring. Afterward, we make our way to the fourth lake, Thonak Tsho, where we can take in the serene beauty of the lake. We then retrace our steps along the trail, returning to the third lake. If time and our physical conditions permit, we may consider an additional hike to the fifth lake, Ngozumba Tsho. The view of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, from this vantage point is truly captivating. We will spend another night in Gokyo, cherishing the remarkable surroundings.

If we didn't climb Gokyo Ri on the previous day, we have the option to do it today. The ascent to the top of Gokyo Ri is challenging, as it is steep and typically takes around 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit. However, the rewards are extraordinary. From the summit, we are treated to magnificent views of Gokyo village, nestled on the edge of the third lake, with Cholatse and the expansive Nogzumpa Glacier in the backdrop. The surrounding panoramic mountains, including Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse, and Pumori, create a breathtaking panorama. Witnessing the first rays of sunlight touching Everest, towering above all the surrounding peaks, is truly awe-inspiring. After descending from Gokyo Ri, we trek through the Ngozumpa Glacier to reach the mountain on the other side. We then traverse along the edge of that mountain before finally arriving at Thagnak. It will be a relatively short hike today, allowing us an afternoon of rest, which will prepare us for the upcoming longer hiking days and gains in elevation.

Today's journey will be one of the most challenging days of the trek. The Cho La pass itself is not technically difficult, but it is steep and involves traversing a glacier on its eastern side. Caution must be exercised as the trail can be steep and slippery, with icy rocks posing potential hazards. Starting from Phedi, we ascend through a ravine and navigate a rocky trail. As we trek alongside a frozen lake, we gradually make our way to the top of the pass adorned with colorful prayer flags. From this vantage point, we are treated to breathtaking views of the majestic Ama Dablam towering over a range of mountains to the south, while Cholatse stands proudly to the west, and Lobuche East and Baruntse rise sharply to our right. During our descent, we will encounter some crevasses before reaching the village of Dzongla. This village offers incredible vistas of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche, and the distant Pheriche Village below. It's a truly remarkable sight to behold.

Today's trek will be relatively short, allowing us ample time to relax and soak in the stunning surroundings. We descend from Dzongla and follow a grassy trail, savoring the view of Lobuche Peak. The trail meanders through a wide river bed before leading us to the village of Lobuche. Once we arrive, we can take the remainder of the day to rest and rejuvenate, preparing ourselves for the longer trek that awaits us the following day. We will spend the night in Lobuche, surrounded by the breathtaking mountain scenery.

We embark on the trail to Everest Base Camp, passing through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. As we continue straight ahead, we come across the memorials dedicated to Indian army mountaineers. It is crucial to closely follow our lead Sherpa from this point onward, as the path can be misleading. The high altitude makes the trek physically demanding due to the thin air. We navigate rocky dunes, moraines, and streams before finally reaching Everest Base Camp. Upon arrival, we are greeted by the colorful tents of mountaineers, providing a striking contrast against the gray surroundings (especially in the spring season). From the base camp, we can admire the towering mountains of Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. After experiencing the base camp, we make our way back to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved rest. We will spend the night in Gorak Shep. However, it is worth noting that the sunset view from Kala Patthar is often more breathtaking than the sunrise view. Therefore, it is recommended that those who wish to visit Kala Patthar during sunset do so today. The setting sun's rays casting a golden glow on the snow-capped mountains create a truly incredible scene. If you decide to visit Kala Patthar today instead of the next day, please inform your guide, who will make the necessary arrangements.

​​We prepare ourselves for an early morning departure, braving the darkness and cold temperatures ranging from -10 to -14 degrees Celsius. It is essential to be prepared for potential chilly winds, which are common in this region. As we set out, familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse come into view, and Mount Everest gradually reveals itself. However, it is upon reaching Kala Patthar that we are rewarded with breathtaking and up-close 360-degree views of the formidable Mt. Everest. We capture this awe-inspiring sight through photographs, take in the magnificent mountain panorama, and then make our way back to Lobuche for a well-deserved night of rest. We will spend the night in Lobuche. For those participants who will be visiting Everest Base Camp today, an early breakfast is provided to ensure an early start. The hike to Everest Base Camp takes longer than the hike to Kala Patthar. After returning to Gorak Shep, both groups will have lunch together. In the afternoon, we descend to Pheriche, where we will spend the night, enjoying a well-deserved rest after an eventful day.

We begin our descent, trekking down the hillside adorned with vibrant rhododendron and juniper trees. Crossing the bridge adorned with prayer flags over the Dudh Koshi River, we continue our journey along the Dudh Koshi gorge, descending rapidly through scenic pine forests. Along the way, we may be fortunate enough to spot colorful pheasants and graceful mountain goats. As we approach Sansa, we are treated to panoramic views of majestic mountains such as Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Nuptse. We traverse winding trails through the forest until we reach Namche Bazaar, where we will spend the night, surrounded by the bustling atmosphere of this vibrant Sherpa town.

The trail takes a steep descent, requiring careful and cautious steps as we navigate the rocky terrain. Crossing the suspension bridges that span the swift-flowing Dudh Koshi River and its tributaries, the trail gradually becomes more level and natural. Finally, we reach Lukla, where we can give our tired legs a well-deserved stretch and reflect on the incredible experiences of the past few days. We will spend the night in Lukla, preparing for our departure the next day.

We board an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, marking the end of our memorable mountain journey. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we have the option to rest and relax or engage in souvenir shopping. If there are any other areas of Kathmandu that we wish to explore, today provides the opportunity to do so. Our knowledgeable guides can assist us with both souvenir shopping and sightseeing recommendations. In the evening, we gather for a special farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. We will spend our final night in Kathmandu, cherishing the memories of our adventure.

Your adventure in Nepal concludes today! As you bid farewell to this remarkable country, take the opportunity to exchange emails with your fellow travel companions and organize the photos and memories you have captured. A representative from Adventure Series Nepal will accompany you to the airport, ensuring a smooth departure approximately three hours prior to your scheduled flight. During your journey home, you'll have ample time to reflect on your experiences and start planning your next exciting adventure in the captivating country of Nepal.