14 Days/ 13 nights

Gokyo Ri (5480m) offers an more complete view of Mt. Everest than is generally seen and its perspective of the surrounding Himalayan giants is astounding. The beautiful alpine valley that is reached by crossing Renjo Pass is a trade route for Tibetan yak caravans heading to Namche Bazaar and was just recently opened up for trekkers in 2003. This trek offers a less crowded alternative to the usual Everest circuit.

Trekking Itinerary Day Location Day 1 Kathmandu Arrival Day 2 Kathmandu – Lukla flight Lukla – Phakding Day 3 Phakding – Namche Bazaar Day 4 Namche acclimatization day Day 5 Namche – Dole Day 6 Dole – Machhermo Day 7 Machhermo – Gokyo Day 8 Gokyo Ri Day 9 Gokyo – Lunde Day 10 Lunde – Thami Day 11 Thami – Namche Bazaar Day 12 Namche – Lukla Day 13 Lukla – Kathmandu flight Day 14 End of Trek

Highlights: 11 days trekking, tent camping or lodges 02 nights hotel in Kathmandu Return flight Kathmandu to Lukla A high altitude trek to a valley west of Everest base camp. Excellent views of Everest and less crowded than the base camp trek. A series of five glacial lakes at Gokyo.   Trekking Profile (click to enlarge)

Gokyo/Renjo Pass Trek

This region in eastern Nepal is home to the Sherpa culture. The many small yak-grazing settlements that we travel through will give you a unique glimpse into the daily lives of the Sherpas. The religious icons of the people are often as spectacular as the mountains that surround them.

Trip Profile:
14 Day Trip
02 Nights in Kathmandu
11 Days of Everest Trekking

Graded: moderate

ITINERARY:

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1200m)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport and brought to your downtown hotel. While in Kathmandu we will take you on a fascinating tour of the city, visiting Buddhist and Hindu shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There will be time to explore the city's many charms on your own as well. A traditional Nepali welcome dinner will follow shortly after a pre-trek briefing by the trekking staff manager. Overnight in the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day-02: We take flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2800m), then take an easy walk to Phakding (2550m) Over night in lodge.

Day-03: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3445m)

After breakfast in the morning, you walk north up Dudh Kosi valley with gentle ups and downs up to the benker village where one can see a beautiful stone carved prayer wall. Then the trail is interspersed with magnificent rhododendron trees and old growth forest. The trail follows gradually up to the village of Jorsale where an Army check point is located and the national park entrance ticket is issued. The trail goes gradually up to the confluence of two rivers, Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi. Crossing the bridge, the trail goes steeply about 3 to 4 hours till Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is situated in the lap of Khumbu Himal range, about 241km north-east of Kathmandu. This is the home of the legendary Sherpas who have won international renown as being the sturdy climbers to scale the highest peaks with their indomitable will.

Day-04: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar (3445m)

This day rest for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar and excursion around the places. After breakfast, we may take a side trip onto a ridge and to the Everest View Hotel offering some of the best views of the high Himalayas including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. We then come down to Namche Bazaar to enjoy our rest day to allow for maximum acclimatization on our way up to the Everest area. A pleasant day can be spent exploring the surrounding areas, talking to the friendly Sherpa people and simply enjoying the incredible scenery.

Day-05: Namche Bazaar to Dole via Phortse Tanga (3500m)

After having breakfast, the trail climbs gently up to Sanasa and continue towards to the large Chorten on the ridge top at 3973m. Near the Chorten, there are some teahouses at the settlement of Mong (Mohang). This is said to be the birthplace of the Saint Lama Sange Dorje, the reincarnate lama of Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet who introduced Buddhism to Khumbu. From the ridge at Mong, the trail descends in a series of steep switchback down a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi river. There is an excellent camping spot along the river at Phortse Tanga where we stop for lunch. After lunch the trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which gives way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This portion of the trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming (late April and early May at this elevation). The trail passes through many yak pastures and summer settlements that are used when sherpas bring herds of yak to graze. The views of the Khumbila and Tawache (6542meters) are tremendous throughout the day.

Day-06: Dole to Machhermo (4410m)

From Dole the trail climbs to Lhabarma at 4220m and Luza at 4360m. The trail climbs steeply through scrub junipers to Lhabarma. The trail continues to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river to Machhermo at 4410m. It was in 1974 that a Yeti killed three yaks and attacked a sherpa woman. This is the most credible yeti incident ever reported in Khumbu, so be watchful as you visit this region. There are good camping places at Machhermo.

Day-07: Machhermo to Gokyo (4800m)

From Machhermo to Gokyo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down valley to Kangtega and up towards to Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge, the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m then descends to the river bank before beginning the climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb up the moraine, switch backing alongside the stream to the first small lake at 4650m where a family of Brahmin ducks has resided for many years. The trail now becomes almost level as it follows the valley past a second lake known as Longponga. We finally reach Gokyo on a boulder-strewn path at 4750m. It sits lakeside, a veritable Himalayan resort!

Day-08: This day early in the morning we have a steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri (5480m) – ample rewards to ones that attempt this trip. There are stunning views of the Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, such giants as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu (8481m), Cho-Oyu (8153m) and Gychung Kang (7922m). This day we have for acclimatization, back to the camp in the afternoon and have some tea and biscuits. Hiking up the valley to see the fourth and fifth lakes is great as well.

Day-09: Gokyo to Lunde (4300m) 5 hours walking

After taking breakfast in the morning at 7:30, trek begin around 8:00am to cross Renjo La (5340m) on the other side of the lake form Gokyo. After cresting the pass, we will all drop down by the rope and then walk down to Lunde. This beautiful alpine valley is a trade route for Tibetan yak caravans heading to Namche Bazaar and was just recently opened up for trekkers in 2003. Rocky spires and glaciers loom beautifully above, often with wispy fast-moving clouds against a blue-blue sky.

Day-10: Lunde to Thami (3800m) 5 and half hours walking

After taking breakfast in the morning, we trek down to Thami more amazing snow peaks. We may meet Tibetan trader encampments along the way for pictures of a rare lifestyle. About 150 meters above Thami is the Thami Gompa, a picturesque monastery set among the many homes of lamas and lay people. It's perched on the side of a hill overlooking the valley. This is the site for the spring celebration of the Mani Rimdu festival, held about the middle of May each year. Overnight in tented camp.

Day-11: Thami to Namche Bazaar (3445m) 5 hours walking

After taking breakfast in the morning around 7:30 am our trek start at 8:00 am for Namche Bazaar.

Day-12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2800m)

You will retrace your steps to Lukla leaving your footprints in Yeti's country.

Day-13: Lukla to Kathmandu by flight.

Today, you have to take your breakfast early in the morning, and have a short walk onto the Lukla airstrip and fly back to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu, you will transfer to the hotel and overnight in the hotel.

Day-14: Free or transfer to the Int'l airport for journey out.

Cost includes:

Two nights hotel in Kathmandu, airport arrival/departure transport services land & air transportation as per trek itinerary (Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu air ticket $200USD), meal three times in a day, guide, porters, entrance permit, insurance for Nepalese staffs, and accommodation in the tents for camping treks and in lodges for Tea House treks.

Cost does not include:

Hard drinks, cold drinks, sleeping bag, tips for guide/ porters, hotel in Kathmandu except two nights offered after upon arrival at international airport and return from the trek, rescue helicopter if used during the trek (travel insurance recommended!), international airfare.

RESERVATIONS

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