Ultimate Gokyo Lakes & Everest

Today we discover the highlights of Katmandu and the valley. We adapt the programm to your interests and desires and what you have seen before. Usually, we go to Pasupatinath on the bank of the Bagmati River, where the most important Hindu temples and burning ghats of Nepal are situated. In Bouddhanath we circumambulate together with Tibetan and Nepali Buddhist pilgrims the whitewashed stupa. Our sightseeing usually ends in Patan, the city of Beauty, an astonishing center of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture.

We drive to Tribhuvan Domestic Airport to connect our fly to take our flight to Everest region. After breakfast in Lukla (2 850 m) we start trekking through beautiful settlements to join soon the main trail in Churi Kharka. We follow the east bank of the Dudh Koshi- the River of Milk- where you witness the typical Nepal terrace culture, slate roofed houses and views on Kusum Kangaru (5 579 m). We reach Phakding (2 640 m) after 3 – 4 h gentle walking.

Today we make a challenging hike to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m), situated at 6-7 hours walking from Phakding. We climb up along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi to the tiny village of Toktok. We get our first glimpse of Thamserku peak (6 608 m) and reach Benkar (2 710 m). The cliffs above the village are decorated with huge paintings of Buddhist deities. We cross the colorful suspension bridge and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo (2 840 m). After Jorsale we follow the riverbank over gravel, climb through a pine forest and cross the Dudh Kosi by a big suspension bridge. Then we face a continuous zigzag ascent of 2 hours through dense pine forests. In the early evening we reach the vibrant center of Namche Bazar, on of the most attractive settlements of Solu-Khumbu district.

Rest day in Namche. Optional walk to the Sherwi Khangba Sherpa Culture Museum or dayhike to Thame (3 800 m) or Thamo (3 440 m).

A short day to aid in acclimatization. Climb steeply out of the valley through a rhododendron forest. The route passes through several kharkas (high altitude summer yak grazing primitive settlements) as well several more substantial settlements until reaching a lodge the few houses of Dole (4 110 m). The views of Khumbila and Tawachee (both 6 000 m peaks) are tremendous throughout the day.

From Dole the trail climbs along the side of the valley high above the river. The rhododendrons give way to scrub juniper. There are kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and hint of water. After crossing a sandy spur, our lodge is reached at the few houses of Maccherma (4 470 m).

Beyond Maccherma the trail climbs a ridge for a great view of Cho Oyu. The valley widens as the trail descends to the Dudh Khosi river and climbs onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After a steep switchbacked climb the first smally Gokyo Lake is reached. A second larger lake is past and the trail becomes almost level as the large third Gokyo Lake (4 750 m) is reached with its several houses and lodges. This will be our highest lodge in the Gokyo region

Today you can make a spectacular 2,5 long hike to Gokyo Ri, a 5 360 m high hill on the north side of the Dudh Pokhari. From the summit you have a 360 degree panaroma over Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Taboche and the Ngozumpa Glacier. Another option is an awesome hike up the Gokyo valley past two or three more glacial lakes towards Cho Oyu.

A long descent of the village of Phortse (3 810 m). Near and in Phortse you are sure to see the national bird of Nepal, the danphe (pheasant) and the kasturi (musk deer) – the male’s iridescent feather shine with every color of the rainbow.

Hike a steep exposed trail leading to Upper Pangboche with outstanding views of Ama Damblam and Tengboche Monastery. It is almost certain that you will see small herds of Himalayan tahr (large mountain goat with black face) on this sparcely traveled an spectaculair trail. After 6 h hiking we arrive in Pheriche where we spend the night.

6 hours long hike to Lobuche. On the way you enjoy massive views on Taboche and Chalotse and Pumori. After lunch we cross the challenging Tokla pass and reach our camp after 1,5 h gentle walking across memorials for lost climbers.

The ascent to Gorak Shep (5 160 m) becomes steeper and rougher as we cross several moraines. Soon we see the peak of Pumori (7 145m). We also have our first views at Nuptse (7 864 m), Kala Patthar (5 545 m) and Mount Everest. At the right side you look over the Khumbu Glacier, an enormous tongue of ice which marches down the slopes of Everest. We reach Gorak Shep by lunchtime and trek to Base Camp in the afternoon. In total we hike six-seven hours today. We sleep in a lodge at Gorakskhep, a semi-permanent village at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall.

Early morning we climb to Kala Patthar – the Black Rock – located at 5 545 m and marked by a tangle of prayer flags. At this viewpoint – one of the most astonishing views on earth- you have a 360 degree panorama of Himalayan giants from Pumori and Lobuche West to Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. We return back to Gorak Shep via the view points of the ice lakes of Pumori and Everest and take our breakfast. We walk another 4 hours to Dingboche, our camp for tonight.

Trek from Dingboche to Namche Bazaar (3 440 m). We descend approximately 7 hours.

We start this 6 hours during trek with a streneous descent from Namche Bazaar to the Dud Kosi (hard work for the knees), after the path climbs up to Monjo and then runs easily to Benkar, Phakding and Lukla.

After breakfast we fly in about 40 minutes from Lukla to Kathmandu. Arrive at Tribhuvan Airport and transfer to hotel.

Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport. We hope you enjoyed your stay!

Extra days:
If you wish to stay longer in Nepal: Traveltimes Treks can offer you plenty of suggestions, we can arrange rafting and safari trips, helicopter flights, mountain biking, multi day tours to old historical city of Bhaktapur, the mountain stations Nagarkot & Dhulikhel or retreats in the serene monasteries of Namobuddha and Kopan.