Everest Gokyo Lake Trek - 19 Days

After you arrive at Kathmandu. Our airport representative will welcome you and explain the program further. There are no planned activities for the day, so check into the hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel.

Kathmandu is a small city enriched with 7 world heritage site declared by UNESCO. Some of these man-made marvels are as old as 2500 years. This day we will visit some UNESCO sites.

The Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath is one of the holiest shrines of all Hindus. It is located in the eastern part of Kathmandu valley on the bank of Bagmati River. Two tire magnificent golden temple has four triple silver doorways is a unique example of Nepalese temple architecture. Having the area of approx. 2.5 kilometers it is one of the largest Hindu temples in South-Asia.

The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva which is believed to be 2000 years old. Also hundreds of ancient lingam, shrines, icons and statues of different Hindu Gods and Goddesses can be seen in the temple.

The Boudhanath stupa

It is one of the largest and oldest monuments of Nepal, standing 36m high. Surrounded by many private colorful houses Boudhanath Stupa is considered as Mecca for Tibetan Buddhists.

The Stupa is built in mandals style having three levels of platform. There is no written document about who and when the stupa was built. Yet according to the legend it is believed that it was built by a poor lady with her four sons in fifth century AD.

Kathmandu Durbar square

Popularly known as Hanuman Dhoka Palace -an ancient seat of Nepalese Royalty lies in the heart of capital city. It is a complex of tremendous variety of temples, courtyards and palaces like Hanumandhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju temple (used to be the seat of the ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu. The Durbar Square, a UNESCO world Heritage Site, is still a focal point for social and religious ceremonies. Till date, all major state and social ceremonies are celebrated here.

Our representative will pick you from hotel to start our trip with a spectacular mountain flight to Lukla. The landing in a runway is an exciting experience whose one end is 60 meters higher than the other. We start our trek through pine and cedar woods to Pakding, along with the Dudh Koshi. Here, we encounter with first yak caravans carrying supplies and trekking equipments, including ours, to the base camp. These wonderful beasts blocking roads, virtual avalanches on downhill, are the features of all treks in the Everest region.

Todays trail continues to Namche Bazar, the administrative capital of the region. Historically, it was staging point for traders and expedition to Tibet. During the trek we climb slightly to Jorsalle and come across a waterfall. Villages, at this part of the trail offer the magnificent forest of Rhododendron, Mangoliya, and Giant Firs. On Saturday, market brings important products for traders from villages which are week’s walk away.

We can spend time on the hillside overlooking the large valley and pictures of gompa. Its path is marked intricately by curved mani stones. Also an excursion to Thame is always available.

The chorten mark path extends from Namche Bazaar and shortly the twin peaks of Thamserku soar into the sky at the east. Well known legend of Yeti is still alive here along with the Yeti-scalp preserved in Khumjung’s red-walled gompa. Ahead, we descend to reach Kumbila after a large chorten marking to the top of the ridge. Khumbila (5761) is the abode of the patron god of the Khumbu region close to the settlement believed to be the birth place of the lama who introduced Buddhism to the area.

The trek continues descending from Phortse Tenga on the bank of Dudh Koshi. The trail then follows the river passing rhododendron, birch forest and Cho Oyu becomes visible through the blooms before reaching the Dole.

Allowing us for enough time for acclimatization and enjoy the marvelous views we have short distance trek to Machhermo. We pass through summer yak pastures, small settlements and following the valley side far above the river. Machhermo, in khumbu, is renowned site for most credible yeti incident, Sherpa woman being attacked and 3 yaks killed in 1974. We have almost half day rest for acclimatization.

The largest glacier in Nepal is few hours away after a pleasant climb towards the moraine of the Ngojumba Glacier. Further passing few beautiful small lakes to the tiny kharka of Gokyo we have an amazing view of the Cho Oyu along with the other snowy peaks.

We start our day along with the first light and climb a steep path up to the hill. The Gokyo Ri emerges above the village at the northern edge of the lake. Along with our climbing step the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu gradually shows itself. The marvelous view from the summit of Gokyo Ri is one of the finest in Everest region. It is even said to be better than that from Kala Patthar. For more, we can drop back down to the main path and follow to the north for fourth and fifth Gokyo lakes which is around 3 hours away from Gokyo.

After an acclimatization day we descend to the glacier marked by cairns which is generally quite well defined. We cross the Ngozumpa Glacier immediately after leaving Gokyo and descend to the second lake to finally reach the glacier. Further, the trail climbs off the glacier along by the small dwelling known as Tragnag and follow a shallow valley to our camp situated beside a small kharka.

Today, our trek starts early morning to cross a ridge and old lateral moraine before the rock begins to scramble to the pass. Before continuing for the valley we have to pass Cho La and make a long descent to Lobuche. The excellent views across the Rolwaling Valley in the west and Ama Dablam to the south east can be seen. As we descent through the pass crossing a fairly straightforward small glacier more marvelous views of Ama and Dablam is visible. Continue to descend to the pastures below forbidding north face of Cholatse appears in front. The trail then joins the main Everest trail from Pheriche to Thyangboche, after passing grassy slopes above a lake, the Tshola Tsho. Finally, the trail flattens out and follows the valley on the west side of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche.

The excursion to Everest base camp through Kalapatthar provides marvelous views of Mt. Everest and other hundreds of beautiful peaks including that of Tibet. The trail also provides good views of the Everest Group from Gorkshep and Kalapatthar.

The Everest base camp, the main camp for Mountaineers, has the beautiful snowy mountains all around making the lifetime memory in our travel history. The exiting route follows the Khumbu Glacier and its interesting to visit 15 meters high aera’s of ice making a unique feature of Himalayan glaciers.

Further, the trail descends to the Lobuche. There are few uphill sections below Gorakshep which might seem endless due to the lethargy induced by altitude.

From Lobuche the descending trail leads to Pangboche along with the Lmja Khola. It is the highest permanent settlement and gompa the oldest in Khmbu which is built over the hermitage of Khumbu’s saint Lama Sanga Dorje. It is believed that the juniper trees on either side were sprigged from his head’s hair cut and a rock-like projection is a piece of mountain inside he pulled out for projection one day.

Further, we move descending to Phunki Tenga and ascend till Khumjng, one of the largest Sherpa villages of the region. It also offers mysterious view of Amadablam and make side excursion through the local Sherpa village to Hillary hospital and Hillary school.

KHUMJUNG VILLAGE – PHAKDING (2610m, 6 hrs) Today, we have an easy way down to the Phakding village via Namche Bazaar for Lodge stay.

This day is the last day of our terrific trek ending with an easy way down to Lukla. Our representative will make necessary arrangements for your next day flight to Kathmandu in the afternoon.

30-minutes amazing scenic fly back to Kathmandu.We stay there for overnight at Hotel where your breakfast is included.

Day 19 FAREWELL

A representative from Royal Mountain Trekking will take you to the ariport few hours before the scheduled flight.