BETWEEN GOKYO & KALA PATTHAR

The Lukla flight that takes us to the Gateway to Everest is in itself an adventure. We then venture up the Khumbu to reach the amazingly beautiful and pristine Gokyo Lakes before climbing further up to Kala Patthar for the best views of Everest and the other eight-thousanders.

Gokyo lakes and Kala Patthar via the Cho La Pass

A spectacular 45-minute flight gazing at the Himalayan peaks, we land in the world-famous Lukla Airport. We are now in Khumbu in the Everest region, ready to start the trek. The trek takes us to another well-known destination, Namche Bazaar (3,440m), a trading village between Tibet and the Sherpa country. We take a one-day break for acclimatization. Then we climb up the Dudh Koshi to reach the Gokyo lakes at the foot of Cho Oyu and its glaciers. We hike up to the Cho La Pass close to the peaks. The journey is marked by beautiful villages of dry-stone houses, countless manis (stone inscriptions), stupas, and monasteries that seem suspended in the air blessed by three 8000m peaks: Everest (8,848 m.), Makalu (8,475 m.), Lhotse (8,383 m.) besides the lesser peaks of Pumori (7,145m.), Nuptse (7,879m.), Ama Dablam (6,856m.) and others.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The high mountain atmosphere throughout the trek and the crossings of Cho La Pass
- The Buddhist monasteries and many Sherpa villages: Namche Bazaar, Kumgang, Tengboche
- Reaching Kala Patthar after a two-week trek
- High mountain lakes: Gokyo Lakes and the view from Gokyo Ri


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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Level of Trek: Difficult
  • Best Period: March - April & October - Novembre
  • Duration: 18 Days
  • Number of walking days: 14
  • Highest Altitude: 5545 Meters
  • Flights: Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu
  • Accomodation: Hotel in Kathmandu & Lodge during trek
Leave No Trace

For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...

Day
Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel and check-in
- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya on BB Plan or Similar
- Meals on your own
Departure by night shuttle at 03:00 am for Ramechhap Airport to catch the Lukla flight (4-5 hr drive).
The early morning flight from Ramechhap to Lukla offers a panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas; Langtang, Gauri, Shanker, Numbur, Manglungtse. Seeing Everest is the highlight of this 45-minute flight. We meet the sherpas at Lukla (2,700 m), where they await our arrival with all the equipment.
The trek begins with a short descent to the Dudh Khosi valley.
From the village of Chaunrikarka (2,621m), the trail leads us north through Sherpa villages where wheat, potatoes, corn and vegetables are grown. We cross the Dudh Khosi via a wooden suspension bridge.
- More elevation: 50 meters
- Less elevation: 250 meters
- Duration of hike: 3 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
The day begins with a walk along the Dudh Koshi River. The trail climbs gently and on several occasions, we cross the river until we come across the village of Jorsale (2,805m.) and start the steep ascent to Namche Bazar. After a half-hour walk, we get a view of Everest. An early arrival in Namche gives us ample time to look around this famous bazaar and get acquainted with the Sherpa inhabitants. Some Tibetan shops and merchants sell jewelry and handicrafts from Tibet. Once a week, Namche sports an important market when locals from the surrounding region bring their crops like wheat, maize, millet, etc to sell at the open hart bazaar.
- Ascent: + 900 m.
- Descent: + 50 m.
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
A day is spent acclimatizing and resting in Namche (3,440 m.), and an opportunity to visit the local monastery besides discovering what lies within the alleys of this busy little settlement.
- Accommodation: Lodge
We leave Namche Bazar and climb up a gentle slope on the mountainside leading up to the Mong Pass. Great views of Ama Dablam and Kantega, are two of the most spectacular peaks in Nepal. We then descend to Phortse Tenga (3,600 m). along the Dudh Koshi (Milky River) and make a slight ascent to arrive at the village of Phortse (3,800 m.). This day allows us to get fully acclimatized to this altitude.
- Ascent: + 560 m.
- Descent: - 300 m.
- Duration of hike: 4 hr 
- Accommodation: Lodge
The day begins with a steep climb through a forest of rhododendron and juniper trees, and then conifers. We walk through the mountain pasture where we encounter three villages: Tongba (3,690 m.), Gyele (3,960 m.), and Lhabarma (4,220 m.). All-day long, we get to enjoy marvelous views of Khumbila and Taboche.
- Ascent: + 850 m.
- Duration of hike: 5 – 6 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We climb steadily, all the while gazing off and on at the glorious view of Cho Oyu (8,135m) one of the world-renowned eight-thousanders, covered eternally in snow and ice. We come across Pangka at 4,390m. and start descending to the river before climbing the last moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. We reach the first lake before Gokyo located at 4,720 m., come across the second at 4,690m and finally Gokyo Lake (4,750m). Its sheer beauty and serenity is beyond description. (photo on the first page).
- Ascent: + 300 m.
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
After making the ascent of a small peak above the lake, we get an unmatched, beautiful panorama of the Everest region. Reaching the summit of this small peak is easy and takes about 2 hours. From the top, the view is simply unforgettable; the highest peaks on earth in all their glory: Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Cholatse and Taboche. We then descend to Thagnak (4,700m.).
- Ascent: + 550 m.
- Descent: - 600 m.
- Duration of hike: 6 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We start early in the morning and climb up to Cho La Pass. Taking about 5 hours, the going is a little difficult. But once up there, you get superb views of Everest, Ama Dablam, East and West Lobuche and Pumori besides others. Soon after, we head down towards Dzong La.
- Ascent: + 600 m.
- Descent: - 500 m.
- Duration of hike: 7hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
Walking along the Khumbu Glacier, the climb is relatively easy up to Gorakshep. Settle down at the lodge and in the afternoon, you can opt for an excursion to Everest Base Camp and back.
- Ascent: + 230 m. (+ 250 m. if going to EBC)
- Descent: - 50 m. (- 250 m. if going to EBC)
- Duration of hike: 2 ½  hr  (+ 4 if doing the EBC hike)
- Accommodation: Lodge
We leave early in the morning in order to enjoy the views. Going up is quite steep until Kala Patthar. We find ourselves in the heart of a huge amphitheater surrounded by the highest and most famous summits of the world.
- Ascent: + 700 m.
- Descent: - 700 m.
- Duration of hike: 7 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We make a steady descent to Dingboche and then on to Deboche which is quite near the monastery of Tengboche.
- Ascent: + 100 m.
- Descent: - 1400 m.
- Duration of hike: 5 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We make a steep descent to Phungi Tenga, followed by a hike through a forest of pine, fir and rhododendron trees. After going over the bridge, we make a gradual ascent to Sanasa. The path is the easiest way to reach Namche. Then we descend to the bridge of Imtse Khola and walk on to Monjo.
- Ascent: + 150 m.
- Descent: - 950 m.
- Duration of hike: 6 ½ hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
We come across a number of Sherpa villages and a river, then descend to Cheplung from where we climb up the trail to finally reach Lukla
- Ascent: + 200 m.
- Descent: - 200 m.
- Duration of hike: 4 hr
- Accommodation: Lodge
In the morning, we catch a flight to Ramechhap from Lukla Airport. Then we drive from Ramechap to Kathmandu. We stop for lunch on the way.
If the weather is clear, we get a grand view of the Himalayan peaks. Transfer to the hotel.
- Accommodation: Holy Himalaya Hotel on BB Basis or similar
- Dinner on your own
- Accommodation: Night at the Holy Himalaya hotel on BB Basis or similar
- Meals on your own.
Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for your return flight.
End of our services.

NOTES

- In Kathmandu, we use hotels of good category *** well located in the center of Kathmandu.
- The stay in Kathmandu is always done in B&B to give you your choice of restaurants that offer you traditional and continental cuisine according to your choices.
- During the trek, you will be in full board and accommodation according to the itinerary.




What's included

- All transfers by private vehicle according to itinerary including bus/car for Ramechhap
- 3 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar in Kathmandu in BB
- Full board trek in Lodge
- English-speaking guide for the entire stay and the flights
- One day of guided tours in Kathmandu with the vehicle.
- Trekking team: assistant (from 4), porters for the entire trek.
- Carrying luggage up to 12 kg/person during the trek
- Sagarmatha & Khumbu Villages Community Tax trekking permit
- Tourist taxes per room at Khumbu
- Staff insurance
- Online payment without bank fees
- Domestic flight Kathmandu Lukla – Kathmandu or alternative by Ramechhap (432 US$ - airfare subject to variation without notice from the airlines) indicated as an extra

What's not included

- Carrying baggage exceeding 13 kg & domestic flight cargo exceeding 15 kg (hold + hand luggage), $1 per additional kg
- Helicopter supplement in case of cancellation of the flight to Lukla (approximately 200 US$ extra)/person one-way
- Meals in Kathmandu (Breakfast is included)
- Monument entrance fees during visits
- Nepal visa to obtain at the airport ($50 + photo).
- Flights and PCR tests if required
- Mandatory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, etc.

Suppliments

>>> Compulsory supplement for Ramechhap-Lukla – Ramechhap flights 432$ / person to be paid locally
(Airfare subject to change without notice from the airlines)
(Or alternative Via Ramechap – Lukla if the airport is overcapacity)

>>> Supplement per single room for 3 nights in a hotel: 90$
Question? Make an inquiry or call (977-1) 451 55 73