Gokyo Lakes Gokyo Ri Renjo La Pass - 14 days

Filled with medieval pagoda-roofed temples and modern high-rises, the city of Kathmandu is Nepal’s nerve centre. After landing at the airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Rest and get refreshed. Later attend a pre-trek briefing and meet your trek leader and team members. Get answers to your queries (if you have any) and check your gear. Later on rest or stroll around Thamel and feel its lively vibe. Since you have an early morning flight to Lukla the following day, it is advisable to schedule your arrival to Kathmandu in the morning or during daytime. This will give you enough time to recover from jet lag and attend the pre-trek briefing. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The flight to Lukla offers panoramic views of the Himalayan range. After landing at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport meet the trekking crew. Get your stuff together and start trekking. Walk past the busy Lukla bazaar and head towards Phakding, a Sherpa village. Follow a busy trail filled with trekkers, locals, yak and mule trains. Head north, following a stony path down to the Dudh Koshi River Valley. Walk across a metal suspension bridge and watch the frothing waters of Dudh Koshi (Milk River) gushing below. After trekking for a few hours you reach Phakding. Make your way to a teahouse and take some rest. Later explore the village or head down to the river and take pictures. Overnight in Phakding.

From Phakding take the busy trail to Namche Bazaar, the economic heart of Khumbu Region. As the day’s trek is quite a long one, you have an early start. Entering the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo you follow a scenic trail filled with mani stones, chortens (Buddhist memorials) and snow-covered Himalayan peaks. Cross several metal suspension bridges decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and follow a zigzag path snaking past pine and rhododendron trees. You finally breathe a sigh of relief as you spy the stone cottages of Namche peering at you from above. Enter the town via a Buddhist traditional gate known as ‘kani’ or ‘gateway chorten’. Head to a teahouse and rest your sore muscles. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Take a day off to acclimatise. Carved around a steep mountainside, Namche is the business hub of Khumbu Region. Here you will find luxury and budget lodges, coffee shops, bakeries, internet cafes, ATM booths, bars and souvenir shops. If you happen to be in Namche on a Saturday, don’t forget to visit the ‘Saturday Market’ - an open air market where traders from as far as Tibet and the Terai lowlands set up shop. Take an acclimatisation hike to the Everest View Hotel, located high above Namche, and enjoy stunning views of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.  The steep climb to the viewpoint takes you past the grassy airstrip of Shyangboche(3780m), one of the highest airfields in the world. If you are not too tired, visit the nearby Khumjung village and its monastery which houses the scalp of Yeti (the abominable snowman). Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Leave Namche and make your way to Phortse Thanga. Two trails radiate towards Phortse Thanga and you take the one chosen by your trek leader.  The trail runs high above the confluence of the Dudh Koshi River and Imja Khola. Your ascent offers splendid views of Everest, Lhotse and other peaks. Walk past inspiring Himalayan scenery to reach the tiny hamlet of Phortse Thanga. Once you are at the village, head to a teahouse and rest your aching muscles. Overnight in Phortse Thanga.

Following a steep trail, take the path to Dole. The trail is lined with rhododendron and pine trees. You come across alpine meadows and summer camps of yak herders and breathtaking views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu and Kantega as you walk past Dole. An uphill climb brings you to Machhermo. The village of Machhermo is a cluster of stone cottages situated below the terminal moraine of Nzogumpa Glacier. You have now reached the 4000 metre mark.  Don’t forget to keep yourself properly hydrated to ward off any signs of acute mountain sickness. Overnight in Machermo.

Wake up early and hit the trail to Gokyo. Today’s trek takes you to a solitary and ruggedly beautiful terrain. Walking via Pangkha you take a breather to enjoy fascinating views of Cholatse. The trail follows the side of Nzogumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal which originates at the foot of Cho Oyu in Tibet and tumbles down to the Gokyo Valley in Nepal. As you traverse the glacier, tread carefully on the moraine and loose rocks. Continue on an even path and approach the first of the mesmerizing Gokyo lakes, Longbanga Tsho. Walk past the second lake and head to the settlement of Gokyo set on the eastern shore of the largest of the Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Tsho or Dudh Pokhari. Make your way to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest. Overnight in Gokyo.

Wake up early to climb Gokyo Ri, a small hill located near the settlement of Gokyo. Walk past the lake and a small rivulet that feeds the lake. It is a steep uphill climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri. If you make this Gokyo Ri trek before sunrise you will be rewarded with some of the most dramatic views you will ever come across in this planet. As the sun slowly rises, the dark purplish landscape gradually comes to life. Snow covered mountains turn golden and the emerald waters of the Gokyo lakes shimmer like a million diamonds. Get busy clicking as many pictures as you can !

After descending Gokyo Ri you have the option to hike to Ngozumpa Tsho (fifth lake) via Thonak Tsho (fourth and the deepest of the Gokyo Lakes) and visit the viewpoint known as ‘Scoundrel’s View’. As you approach the fifth lake you are at the threshold of Tibet. You almost reach Tibetan territory at ‘Scoundrel’s View,’ a viewpoint from where you can enjoy close up views of Mount Everest’s north-face, north ridge, west ridge and the south col. Also savour awe-inspiring views of two other eight thousanders - Cho Oyu (8210m) and Lhotse(8516m). ‘Scoundrel’s View’  lies just few minutes hike from the fifth lake and is seldom visited by trekking groups. Overnight in Gokyo.

Leave Gokyo and take a steep, snow covered trail to Renjo La. Follow your guide and tread carefully on the steep incline littered with loose stones. Pause time and again to take in the majestic views. As you approach the high pass of Renjo La, you reach the highest point of your trek at 5360m. The thin air during Renjo La Pass trekking makes every step a challenge.  After reaching the top of the pass descend down and follow a zigzag route to the village of Lumde. Overnight in Lumde(4368m/14330ft).

Enjoy walking on a secluded trail. Few trekkers walk through this route and for the most part, you will have the trail to yourself. Trek past old gompas and chortens, walled fields and stone cottages. Stop at intervals to catch your breath and take in the lovely alpine views. Descend down the winding trail to Namche. Head to a teahouse once you arrive in Namche, and get refreshed. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

From Namche retrace your steps to Lukla. In the evening have a get-together and celebrate the completion of your Everest adventure with the local crew. Make your last evening in Khumbu memorable by raising a toast and shaking a leg to local tunes sung by your Sherpa crew. Overnight in Lukla.

Return to Kathmandu by flight. Rest of the day at leisure. Lounge in your hotel room or take a leisurely stroll around Ason Market and Thamel shopping for souvenirs. You can visit the city’s iconic sites on your own or book a half-day sightseeing tour at an extra cost. 

Today has been set aside as a contingency day, in case of emergencies like flight cancellation or delay, bad weather on the trail etc. If nothing untoward happens then you can use this day as you wish. Explore more of the city on your own or relax at your hotel. Evening, enjoy a complimentary farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Our representative will drive you to the airport three hours before your flight departs.  If you want to explore more of the Himalayas do let us know. We have just the right itinerary for you.