On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, after clearing the visa formalities, and claiming the baggage. Head towards departure exit, where our staff receives you for a short transfer to the hotel. After getting refreshed join on the lobby with other members for Everest Base Camp briefing, provided by our guide, leader. On briefing full information of the treks, and hotels in Kathmandu as well of local cultures with do’s and don’ts. Evening a lovely dinner introduction to Nepali foods with exciting cultural programs.
Morning after breakfast, our city / cultural guide takes you on a tour visiting world heritage sites around Kathmandu city. Includes Old Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard, residence of Living Goddess the Kumari; and to Swayambhunath Stupa with more 2,600 years of history. Then head towards holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath a huge Buddhist Stupa. After an exciting and interesting tour back to hotel, preparation and packing for trekking.
Non-essential clothing and items not required for treks, can be stored in the Hotel or with Everest Adventure Tour.
Starting early morning for super scenic flight to Lukla, a short drive to Kathmandu domestic airport. After going through security then board in a small spacious aircraft for sweeping short flight of 30 minutes or more. During air enjoy spectacular panorama of Himalayan range of peaks with views of Mt. Everest.
As plane makes landing on a short runways of Lukla’s Tenzing & Hillary Airport, after claiming the baggage. Having time for some refreshment, and start the trek following through Lukla town and then down to Dudh Koshi River.
Walking past lovely Sherpa villages, where path are lined with Buddhist monuments known as prayer walls. Facing grand views of Kongde and Kusum Kanguru peaks, the reaching Phakding for overnight halt. Located by the raging glacial Dudh Koshi River, check into a nice lodge with time to explore around.
Today’s walks takes you to famous Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa Capital of Khumbu region of Everest. Morning walk follows a nice pleasant trail with ups and down to cross a long suspension bridge. Then head for a short steep up to Monjo village with views of Tharmasarku peaks. A short walk from Monjo to enter Sagarmatha National Park, the cross a bridge above the same river to Jorsalle. The last settlement before Namche Bazaar, stopping here for possible lunch break, afternoon walk on the river bed. Walking within lovely cool forest of pines, fir and rhododendron trees, as route leads to cross a high bridge. From the bridge on undulating winding ups to Namche Bazaar for two overnight halt.
Namche Bazaar a fascinating small town with fancy restaurants, luxury hotels and resorts, as well many shops and stores. Facilities of banks and ATM for trekkers, an exciting place to be with close views of Kongde peaks.
A leisure and free day, for short hike higher up to support acclimatization before heading higher ground.
Places of interest in Namche Bazaar for short hikes: The best and short hike above Namche Bazaar climb up to Park Museum, which is at approx. 3,550 m. An interesting place situated on a high ridge facing grand vista of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse with majestic Ama Dablam. Includes views of Kantega, Tharmasarku and Kwangde range of peaks with Khumbila, the patron god of Khumbu Sherpa. Enjoy tour of the museum nearby provides full information of Khumbu area, cultures and flora/ fauna.
The next good hike for few hours climb to Syangboche ridge with a small old airstrip. From here continue walk up to Everest View Hotel, located on a high green hill covered in beautiful forest. One of the world’s first luxury deluxe hotels and of Khumbu area, built in 1971. Has been listed on the Guinness Book of World Record in 2004 as the highest placed hotels. At the height of 3,962 m / 13,000 feet, enjoy the serene surrounding with views of Mt. Everest.
Optional Hike to Khumjung and Khunde villages, located down from Everest View Hotel on a wide glacial valley. Beneath Mt. Khumbila, Khumjung with 500 years old Gompa / monastery treasures a scalp believed to be of a Yeti.
Continue walk to Khunde, the first and only hospital of Khumbu built by late Sir Edmund Hillary. From here follow a pleasant trail and steep downhill back to Namche Bazaar.
From Namche Bazaar, morning a short climb then on the main winding trail facing glorious views of Mt. Everest. After an hour of good walk reaching a junction where trail to Everest base camp, Gokyo and Khumjung branches off. Our route diverts heading high to a scenic hill at Mong, a small place with few little lodge and shops. Enjoy magnificent panorama of snow-capped peaks and then downhill to a river gorge of Dudh Koshi at Phortse Tenga.
Stopping at Phortse Tenga for lunch, a small settlement with few simple lodge and restaurants, amidst beautiful dense trees. Afternoon a slow climb into a gorge covered in rhododendron, pine and fir trees. As climb leads higher reaching an open area at Dole, a nice settlement with several good lodges for overnight stop.
After a pleasant overnight in a nice lodge at Dole, morning a short steep climb leading to an open area. Where tree lines gets sparse for short rhododendron and juniper bushes, following the high ridge towards Luza. A nice small place with few lodges, as walk leads higher walking on gradual path reaching above Machhermo. Facing grand views of Mt. Cho-Oyu towards north with Machhermo peak in the west. From the top a slow descend to enter a river gorge lined with willow and poplar or populus trees. A short steep up to a nice plateau where Machhermo settlement located, arriving for lunch and overnight stop.
A lovely place to enjoy the afternoon relaxing and marveling the surrounding views of high peaks.
Today another shorter day walk to Gokyo our first main destination. The morning trail leads to a steep up of less than half hour climb reaching an open exposed high ridge. As walk continues with views of Cho-Oyu and Cholatse peaks in the east with Dudh Koshi River down below. The morning walk proceeds reaching a small isolated place of Panga, from here heading closer to Gokyo.
The walk leads into a patch of vegetation and rocky areas, as climb starts reaching the first lake of Gokyo. Slowly the walk leads to second and then to third main lakes, close to the settlement of Gokyo. The lodge are situated further up from the 3rd lake, also called Dudh Pokhari (a milky pond). As the lake remains frozen with white ice most of the seasons. But when it is free from ice, looks like a turquoise or emerald colored lakes. Enjoy the afternoon after a nice lunch in the lodge restaurant, overlooking views of Cho-Oyu and surrounding towering peaks.
Early morning a 2-3 hours hike up to Gokyo-Ri ridge top, a good climb to support acclimatization; before crossing high Cho-La Pass. From the top of Gokyo-Ri, enjoy the glorious panorama of Gokyo valley with Ngozumpa glacier. Includes grand vista of world’s four tallest peaks, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Mt. Cho Oyu at one single look. From the top back to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. Energetic people can take the options, a long day hike to 5th lake, near Mt. Cho-Oyu Base Camp. Rest of the day enjoy short stroll along the lakes and saving energy for climb to cross Cho-La Pass.
Rise up for early morning breakfast, for a long day to Phortse village, return trek to Namche Bazaar and Lukla. Although a long day, but walking on pleasant gradual trail with much downhill, after a small settlement of Na.
Start the morning from Gokyo 3rd Lake, the walk heads east past 2nd and the 1st lakes to Na. A small place of Yak herder’s settlement with few simple stone huts, from here on downhill reaching the tree lines. As the day ends on reaching a quiet and sleepy village at Phortse, located above Dudh Koshi River. At Phortse check into a nice and simple lodge for overnight halt, this area is least visited by main flow of trekkers.
Morning enjoy the views of Thamersarkhu and Kwangde peaks, having breakfast, walk down to cross a bridge to Phortse Tenga. From here a slow climb to the top of Mong Hill, and then downhill to Kyanjinma, situated on the main trail to Namche Bazaar. After a short refreshing rest, continue for an hour more on nice pleasant wide path to Namche Bazaar for overnight stop.
Enjoy the grand views of Kongde peaks, having good breakfast start the morning walk downhill to Dudh-Koshi River. The walk follows through cool lovely forest to Jorsalle, and then cross a bridge with short climb to the park; entrance and exit post. From here to Monjo village and then down to cross a long suspension bridge to Benkar, and then end the day reaching Phakding for overnight halt.
Enjoy the last day walk of the journey to Lukla, following pleasant trail from one nice village to another. After few hours of good walk, and then climb for an hour or more towards the main entrance gate of Lukla. On reaching Lukla town transfer to a nice hotel or lodge for last overnight around Khumbu and Everest region.
Early breakfast and then short walk to Tenzing & Hillary airport, as the plane arrives. Get on board for a scenic flight of half hour to land at Kathmandu airport, and then transfer to your hotels. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities after a great wonderful adventure on Gokyo Valley trek.
We have reserved a day free as contingency in case of flight day on both ends to and from Kathmandu and Lukla. As Himalayan weather even in the best seasons of the year, can be unpredictable with bad unfavorable weather. Where flights cannot operates, if all goes well according to our itinerary days. Enjoy the free day for shopping or join in for tour to Patan or Bhaktapur cities, worth a visit.
Final day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as time for your international flight for homeward bound or next port of call. Transfer to Kathmandu, Nepal international airport bidding farewell to your guide and staff, after a marvelous and enjoyable adventure on Gokyo Valley trek.
It all depends upon the trip cost as per the itinerary set by Everest Adventure Tour. Normally we accommodate trekkers on normal standard lodge having nice rooms with good foods. But if the clients request us to upgrade the standard of lodge accommodation, we will certainly comply with the request and need of our valuable clients. Where the cost will be slightly higher on Luxury type lodges than on budget or standard lodge accommodation. After Namche Bazaar with no options to upgrade the lodge accommodation. On leaving Namche Bazaar staying in the comfort of nice simple lodge with warm hospitality of the local landlord.
Trekkers will be surprised to find good food menu of varieties, from Tibetan, Nepali, Indian and Chinese to Continental. Includes long list of snacks and drinks for the customer delights in most lodges on treks. The lodge accommodation are nice and lovely according to the choices of the trekkers. From budget, standard to luxury accommodation, either attached or non-attached bath and toilets.
Trekkers should remember as the trek leads higher areas in Dole and to Gokyo. Where attached bath and toilets are not available due to freezing temperatures in the night and morning. Where all plumbing systems freeze, and stops the flow of water which will be filled with ice.
On higher areas the lodge provides rooms with common toilets and bathrooms, which is much better than having in rooms. Due to harsh climate and terrain conditions, where all trekkers will understand and has to compromise.
However, all lodges are clean with good rooms, having large dining with potbellied stoves to make the environment warm and cozy.
All lodges have hydro-power to run electricity, but from Namche Bazaar the places on overnight stops. Do have electricity run by solar power, where trekkers can charge their electronic items and gadgets. A fee is charged per hour for each items, as for internet and Wi-Fi, have connection. Depending upon the areas in deep gorge and valley, as well weather wise, can be disturbing with bad receptions. The best place is Lukla to Namche Bazaar as well at Gokyo.
Other places works well with local SIM, which can be bought in Kathmandu at reasonable cost.
Gokyo Valley Treks is a standard moderate walks, involves high altitude climb best for minimum 12- 14 years, to be accompanied by parents or guardian. The oldest of 70 years, but all should be in good physical shape and in sound medical health.
Even though some can take the challenge having with minor medical problem, should take advice from your doctors and inform the company on booking.
Besides grand vista of world’s highest mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu and Makalu with other famous high peaks. One can enjoy grand views of dramatic landscapes, along with impressive cultures of Buddhism. Observe the local traditional custom of the Sherpa. If lucky can spot some wild-life like herd of Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer, and Mountain antelopes.
Including colorful Danfe pheasant, national bird of Nepal, as well flock of snow pigeon and snow cock around higher areas. Snow Leopard also exists around Khumbu areas of Gokyo and en-route Everest base camp, but rarely seen.
