Everest Gokyo - Chola Pass- Everest Base Camp Trek

After breakfast, we get transferred to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway to the destination from where our trek starts. After an adventurous 40 minute flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Here we meet our other crew members and after some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery. Overnight in Phakding.

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 to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. You then ascend pretty 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 your trails to Namche Bazaar (3440m). Stay overnight at lodge.

This is the first of the three scheduled "acclimatization" days. Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest days instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting the Everest view point or relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazaar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides will take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

We climb steeply out of Namche Bazaar up to Kyangjuma Village from where; we can enjoy outstanding views of Thamserku, Kantenga, and Ama Dablam. Most strenuous ascent of the day is obviously to pass the Mong La, a very charming place perched on the spur of Mt. Khumbila. An ancient historical Chorten stands at the centre of the settlement of Mong La. We stop at the top of Mong La to admire the grandstand views of surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys while we have our lunch & rest the body. The most outstanding feature of the trail today is the abundance of plant and animal vegetation including wildflowers and Rhododendrons. Spotting wild animals like pheasants, mountain goats, and the elusive musk deer while on the way is not unusual. Through forests, some water falls and bridges, we reach Dole; a small pert place with few teahouses. We bunk out for an overnight in Dole.

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. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley you can view the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. It’s just great. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Today you head for wonder lakes of Gokyo. As you hike, you follow a scenic trail to Pangkha & then descend slightly, following one of the melting-water Rivers which flow down from 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 lays the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, your eyes take in the scenery which is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters. Stay overnight at a lodge.

This day you rest at Gokyo and do some excursions in and around the Gokyo valley. Gokyo is a trade centre where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide their best services to the trekkers going through this area. Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumpa glacier, said to be the biggest glacier in Nepal. This day you can also make a side trip to Fifth Lake via the forth Lake. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Trek Via Gokyo village which 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 behold 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 Thaknak, situated at the shore of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Cho La Pass is also another flash point of this trip. Today is the toughest day and we need to start early (4-6 am) compared to other days on the trip. The 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 add trouble to the trekkers making the trail slippery. Our trail climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail we climb up continuously up from Phedi. As we gain height, the view gets increasingly captivating before us. We trek through the side of a frozen lake while we come to the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. Prominent mountains are viewed while on the trail on the Pass and from the top are Kyajo Ri, Tengkangpoche, Numbur, Kangchung etc. The pyramidal Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the south even as Cholatse soar on the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse rises sharply to our right. We need to pass through some crevasses before we reach Dzongla, another beautiful place with a complete view of Mt. Cholatse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Lobuche peak and the Pheriche village far below. Depending upon our own condition and interest, we might take overnight at Dzongla or simply go ahead to Lobuche for overnight.

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 will come across some expedition teams at the Everest Base Camp. The number of teams is always less in the autumn season. After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorakshep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers´ memorials. As we reach Everest Base Camp we cannot stop ourselves from appreciating the Everest climbers who took the hazardous route through the Khumbu icefall. Mountaineer´s tents stand out in bright colors against all the dull gray surroundings (especially in the spring). Nuptse, Khumbetse and Pumori are the mountains we can view from base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now we have met the ultimate objectives of our trip. On the return leg, you can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and numerous mountains. You then return to Gorakshep to stay overnight.

At the break of dawn, climb to Kalapathar (5545m.) and enjoy the views of sunrise. It’s a magnificent experience; make sure you get some good pictures into your camera. From Kalapathar 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. The 4 legged Yaks are normally regarded as the porters in this area. The town of Pheriche is known well for its windy environment. Here you can see the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. The Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post is located down here, and foreign volunteer doctors are based at this post to provide medical treatment to trekkers as well as the local folks. Stay over night at your lodge.

To reach Tengboche you pass through Pangboche village, which is known to have the highest permanent settlement throughout the year in the Khumbu region. Upon your arrival at Tengboche 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. Tengboche is a good place to hang around for some time. Stay overnight at your lodge.

From Tengboche, the trail descends steeply and slightly towards Phunki Tenga (3250m) crossing the Dudh Koshi River. Now you get one of those final glimpses of astounding views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several lively villages and numerous teashops that never stop waiting on you, the trail ascends steeply to Sanasa where local Sherpa people sell Tibetan goods. Stay overnight at a lodge.

This is our last day on these gigantic rugged but beautiful mountains…it offered us so much all of these days, may have even changed our lives in several ways… The last day of your trek leads from Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for a few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote-Koshi River crossing it three times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes at a trot will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay. This is the last day of our trek on the beautiful mountains. By today we start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as we pass through this charming mountain air. Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel differently on the views. We click a combo of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We walk through the Sherpa villages´ noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayer flags blowing in the wind. On arrival in Lukla, we stretch those weary legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with faces that show happiness! This last day calls for a fantastic celebration as we call up a party with our crew whom we’ve come to know so well all of these days; our cooks will stir up a delicious dinner & we’ll taste the famous ‘Chhang’ {mountain beer brewed from fermented rice} & shake a leg & do a jig to some sherpa dances around an open fire. Altogether, it’s been an awesome merry holiday with some of the toughest hiking we’ve done in a long, long time. On the conclusion of our trip, we wish each other well & retire to bed under starry moonlit skies…as we begin to slumber into a sweet sleep & reminisce on the wonderful things we enjoyed on this great adventure. We go to bed amidst the hooting of owls & the howling of hungry wolves on the prowl for prey. We’re safe & in bed. Overnight in Lukla.

Flights to Kathmandu are generally scheduled for morning because strong winds can create problems to fly the aircraft in the afternoon but sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reasons that are beyond our control. We fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The early morning flight drops us at Kathmandu. The rest of your day is entirely free to do whatever you want. Overnight in Kathmandu.

This is your last day in Nepal. Our representative will drop you off at the airport three hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Let us know if you wish to explore more of the Himalayas. We have a vast array of itineraries to amazing destinations for travelers bitten by the travel bug, just like you!