Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp a fascinating trek with Sherpa Nomads, leading you to awesome scenic high Khumbu villages inhabited by Sherpa tribes a friendly people offering with warm hospitality in the comfort of nice and cozy lodges on route to Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp trek.
Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp with Kalapathar trek, offers tremendous views of Mt. Everest (8,848m / 29, 028ft) Lhotse (8,516 m-24,940 ft), Nuptse (7,855m-25,772 ft) and Lho - La or Khumbutse peak (6,036 m - 19,992ft) Mt. Lingtren (6,749 m / 22,142 ft) Changtse ( 7,583 m / 25,230 ft) Mt. Pumori (7,161 m / 25,772 ft) Amadablam ( 6,812 m / 22,480 ft) Kangtenga (6,782 m / 22, 380 ft) Tharmarsarku ( 6,623 m / 21, 855 ft) Kwangde (6,011 m / 19,837 ft) Kusum Khanguru (6,373 m / 21,030 ft) holy peak of Khumbi-la (5,761 m / 19,012 ft) and as far world’s 5th highest Mt. Makalu (8,463 m / 27, 766 ft) with trekking peaks Island Peak / Imjatse (6,160 m / 20,328ft) Lobuje Peak (6,119 m / 20,192 ft) Pokhalde ( 5,806 m / 19,159 ft) and many other smaller unnamed peaks including worlds 6th highest Mt. Cho –Oyu 8,201 / 26,906 ft.
Sherpa Nomads Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp trek starts with a sweeping overwhelming 35 minutes flight to Lukla at 2,820 meters high, the door to Everest and other trek beyond high Khumbu valley.
From Lukla adventure starts with a slow and gradual walk passing several nice villages of Phakding, Monjo, to reach at Namche Bazaar, headquarter of Khumbu area; here with time to acclimatize at 3,440 meters high and short scenic hike with first views of Mt. Everest and other fabulous snow capped peaks.
After Namche walk leads towards Khumbu high valley as the altitude picks up following the Dudh Kosi and Imjatse Rivers up to its source fed from the glaciers of Khumbu glaciers.
First our journey leading uphill to picturesque Gokyo Lake with the backdrop of worlds 6th highest Mt. Cho-Oyu that straddles the border with Nepal / Tibet, at Gokyo a strenuous hike up to Gokyo Ri a super scenic view point at 5,330 m with overwhelming views of worlds 4 highest peaks Mt. Everest, Cho-Oyu, Lhotse and Makalu towards east.
After a marvelous time at Gokyo heading towards Everest base camp via Tsho-la pass at 5,367 meters high, Sherpa Nomads Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp trek leads the high Khumbu valley past the nice areas of Pangboche and Pheriche, as the altitude gains entering into high mountainous area and glaciers reaching at Everest Base Camp beneath the towering Everest South Face with notorious tumbling Khumbu Ice Falls, after feeling in high spirit reaching the highlight of this awe some trek heading to highest point of this trek with steep haul at amazing scenic spot on top of Kalapathar 5,545 meters the highest point of this superb adventure with marvelous views of Mt. Everest at close distance with other chain of adjoin peaks.
With wonderful time at base camp and Kalapathar with Gokyo Lake heading back to Lukla on route via Tengboche monastery surrounded with awesome green forest of rhododendron, pines, oaks, firs, pines and birch trees and chances of seeing some wildlife like Musk deer, Himalayan Thar and the colorful Impeyan pheasant, at Tengboche with superb vista of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and majestic Mt. Amadablam, from here leaving the tree lines behind for dry area with tremendous snow capped mountain scenery.
After a great experience and awesome time heading back to Lukla passing through scenic hills, beautiful forested area and villages, on reaching at Lukla for last overnight stop around the Everest region, next early morning transfer to Tenzing / Hillary airport at Lukla for a scenic super flight back to Kathmandu.
Daily super views of Khumbu Himalaya with Mt. Everest, amazing landscapes, a scenic country walk visiting traditional high hills Sherpa traditional villages, old culture and custom, friendly locals, warm hospitality, enchanting alpine forest of rhododendron, oaks, birch and pine trees, striking scenery of Himalayan mountain range, picturesque Gokyo Lake with scenic Gokyo ri, crossing of high Tsho-la pass towards world highest Mt. Everest base camp, overlooking massive Khumbu Ice Falls, with breath taking scenery from high Kalapathar hill.
On reaching Kathmandu international airport, received by Sherpa Nomads staff and transfer to respective hotel in the hub of Kathmandu, and then briefing / orientation program regarding Kathmandu, and Everest trekking.
Morning after breakfast our city tour guide will take you on a half day tour at places of interest around interesting old temples, monasteries and palaces, Kathmandu is full of World Heritage Sites, afternoon free and preparation for Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp trek.
Morning transfer to domestic airport for a sweeping scenic flight of 35 minutes to Lukla, after a time here for a while then start the walk to Phakding for overnight stop, the trek passes several villages and farm lands with great scenery of hills and valleys then finally reaching at Phakding village located by the Dudh Kosi (river)
Today’s morning walk leads to the bank of Dudh Koshi, then crossing bridges to reach the entrance gate of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After checking the Park & Trekking tickets and permits, further walk leads on the bank of the river, then after the last high bridge an uphill walk for few hours all the way to Namche Bazaar, here we will have two nights in this large prosperous trading town –village as well the main centre and capital of Khumbu area with facilities of ATMs, Cyber cafes, stores, shops, restaurants, banks and fresh bakery with a busy colorful Saturday market.
Namche an ideal place for acclimatization, this rest day one can relax or take a short hike up to the park museum which houses great range of information from mountaineering, flora – fauna and Sherpa culture and religions, from this spot offers grand panorama of high snow capped mountains including Mt. Everest and stunning peak Amadablam, with time here an optional walk up to Everest View Hotel for another beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Morning walk from Namche starts with a short climb on the main trail to Everest base camp for a while, then on the gradual winding track to Kyangima near Shanasa a small settlements with few houses, here chances of seeing some wildlife as this area if full of colourful Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant) National bird of Nepal and elusive musk deer, Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). After a good walk our route to Gokyo Lake diverts from the main trail then continue trek towards Gokyo with steep climb to Mong ridge top at 3,973 meters, from here walking downhill path to Phortse Thanghka near Dudh Kosi River. From here walk heads to Dole for the overnight stop, after a climb through small forest of pines, birch and rhododendron trees as then it changes to juniper and conifers bushes then passing Tongba 3,950m and Gyele 3,960 m a small settlements before Dole, the final day walk ends at Dole with impressive views of Khumbila and Tawache peaks.
From this lovely spot at Dole morning journey continues along the valley side on a slight level path for an hour to a settlement of Lhabarma Kharka at 4,325 m and to Luza at 4,390m; with pleasant walk around the ridge top with views of Machermo village situated on a glacial valley, from here the top then descend to Machermo for overnight stop with afternoon free at leisure for acclimatization or for short walk around.
After Machermo morning walk to our destination at Gokyo Lake, gaining high altitude slowly moving further to the ridge top with glamorous views of surrounding high peaks, then reaching at a small place of Pangka 4,545m, from here walk climbs to a rocky path into ablation valley then reaching the first lake and after a while heading to a second lake, and finally reaching at Gokyo third lake also known as Dudh Pokhari. From the bank of the lake stands Gokyo village at 4,790 meters, use to be a summer settlement of Khumbu area before the trekking started, on reaching Gokyo for lunch and overnight stop, with afternoon free to acclimatize, or a short walk around, from this spot offers fabulous views of 6th world’s highest Mt. Cho Oyo and Gyachung Kang reflecting on this turquoise emerald Gokyo Lake.
Early morning to catch the sunrise over the tall snow capped mountains at Gokyo Ri at 5,357 m one of the highest point of this wonderful trek, after a steep hard climb to the top with awesome panorama views of world’s highest mountains from Mt. Cho Oyo 8,201 m straddling the border with Tibet along with Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest 8,848 m world’s number one, then worlds fourth highest Mt. Lhotse 8,516 m, Cholatse, Taweche and to the east worlds 05th highest Mt. Makalu at 8,463 m. After a great time at the top Gokyo Ri a steep downhill walk to Gokyo and then continue few hours journey trek to Thangnag walking along the glacier moraines to reach the small settlement of Thangnag for overnight stop.
Today, crossing high Tsho-la pass ( Chola) following the path leading to a steep up and then crossing the glacier on the eastern side. The top of the pass at an altitude of 5,367m and sometimes it will be quite challenging to traverse (in snow conditions), from the top it offers awesome views of giant mountains and of Cholatse Glacier then making descend carefully to a small lake on the way to Dzongla for overnight stop after a hard day walk.
Leaving Dzongla, following the path uphill for an hour then with a pleasant walk to place called Thugla ( Dugla) the midway spot, as the trail joins from Pheriche valley, Dingboche and Cholatse pass towards Everest Base Camp & Kalapthar, this place with stunning views of Taboche, Cholatse, Lobuche, Pumori, Ama Dablam and as far to Mt. Makalu towards east and tips of Mt. Cho Oyu in the west, the climb up to the terminal debris of Khumbu Glacier, and continues till Lobuche our overnight stop spot.
The trail today is quite hard due to altitude gain with tremendous views of Mt. Pumori, Lingtrin, Khumbutse and Mt. Everest world’s highest peak at 8,848 meters / 29,028 ft. After few hours of strenuous and scenic walk reaching at Gorakshep through moraine and icy path, Gorakshep houses 4 lodges, this place with the last lodge before Everest Base Camp, after a break here our journey continue to Everest Base Camp walking along then moraine with view of Khumbu Icefall and then reaching at Everest Base Camp our goal and destination of this adventurous memorable trek. After spending some time at the base camp, return journey back to Gorakshep for the overnight stop after fulfilling the high light of this trip.
Morning climb with a steep uphill to Kalapatthar for the most fantastic view of Mt. Everest with other surroundings peaks all the way to south eastern horizon. Kalapatthar at 5,545 m the scenic view top for entire south face of Mt. Everest and other high snow capped peaks, after a memorable moment here and the highest point of this awesome trek, spending some time here a steep downhill back to Gorakshep and continue the journey all the way to Thugla after Lobuche and finally towards Pheriche valley for the overnight stop. Pheriche a temporary settlement near to Dingboche with more than 20 lodges and teahouses with fabulous views of snow capped peaks of Taboche, Cholatse, Ama Dablam and as far to Mt. Cho-Oyu in the distance.
Leaving Pheriche with super views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse wall, Lhotse, then heading on the downhill path and back to lower altitude and tree lines, the walk leads past Pangboche and from the bridge an hour or more climb brings you back to the famed Tyangboche Monastery with amazing surrounding scenery.
Morning walk begins with a descend to Imjatse River at Phunge tenga, here after crossing the bridge a steep uphill for an hour then with gentle winding walk all the way to Namche Bazaar, ( for energetic people can use the route to Namche visiting Everest View Hotel or Khumjung and Khunde village) from Namche on the downhill path to Dudh Kosi River bank, from here with short ups and downs to reach the Sagarmatha National Park entrance and then Monjo village for overnight stop in this quaint nice village.
After a memorable trip to Everest base camp, today the last day walk of this fascinating journey, from here retrace the trail back to Lukla on the gradual winding trail passing Phakding and Ghat village then with the last uphill climb to Lukla for lunch and overnight stop, evening time enjoy the last meal with fellow trekkers, staffs and porters.
Early morning depart for Kathmandu from Lukla in 35 minutes scenic sweeping flight, on reaching Kathmandu airport transfer to respective hotels, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.
Sherpa Nomads reserve this day as spare in Kathmandu, on account of flight delay and cancellation in Lukla due to unfavorable bad weather, if all goes well as per the itinerary one can book for another sightseeing tour or any trip for a day.
Your last day in Kathmandu as per your international flight time, our Sherpa Nomads staff will transfer you to airport for the flight homeward bound after a remarkable life time experience in the high Khumbu valley to Gokyo Lake & Everest Base Camp with excellent service of Sherpa Nomads.
