An unforgettable walk past the stunning Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La. This trekking adventure is for those looking for a challenging terrain. Walk past a wild and solitary trail filled with icy glaciers and jade green lakes. Cross a high mountain pass, Renjo La, and climb Gokyo Ri to savor views of Mount Everest and other 8000 metre peaks....
Trek to Gokyo Valley and walk through a surreal landscape filled with high-altitude lakes and frozen glaciers. Trekking above 4000 meters, you pass through some of the highest human habitations in the world. Enter the dramatic Gokyo valley and hike along the banks of the emerald Gokyo Lakes. Ascend Gokyo Ri to enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Gokyo Valley and Nzogumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal. A hike to the viewpoint of‘Scoundrel’s View’ takes you close to Tibet. Enjoy a glimpse of the rocky north-face Mount Everest. Moreover, a challenging ascent up the Renjo La Pass ups the thrill factor.
The first day’s trek takes you from Lukla to Phakding. You follow a trail filled with mani stones and mule packs and hike through Sherpa villages and pine forests. Cross swaying suspension bridges and walk alongside yak trains; the sound of their bells filling the quiet mountainside. Once you step into Gokyo Valley, you will be trekking in a treeless, high-altitude desert filled with glaciers and icy lakes. Pay heed to your experienced trek leader as he guides you up the challenging Gokyo Ri and Renjo La. Finally, celebrate the completion of your adventure in Lukla with your teammates and crew.
This trek (Gokyo Lakes Gokyo Ri Renjo La Pass) is ideal for those seeking an Everest adventure along a quieter and less crowded route. Within a short duration of just two weeks, you get to explore Gokyo Valley, climb a mountain pass and gaze at the summit of Mount Everest. Our itinerary ensures a comfortable acclimatization before you reach the higher elevations. Join this trek and let the nomad in you roam the vast frozen expanse of Gokyo Valley!
Another challenging option is the Manaslu Circuit Trek. You follow a less crowded route and walk from the verdant Budi Gandaki Valley to the arid Tibet like landscape of Nubri Valley. Experience the unique cultures of the mountain dwellers – the Bhotias and the Gurungs. If you are short on time but still want to walk in the mountains then you can book our luxury Everest Heli Trek. You trek from Lukla to Namche and from there you board a helicopter. Fly over EBC and Gokyo Valley before finally landing in Lukla.
The best seasons are pre-monsoon (March to May) and post-monsoon (late September to December). Trekking in Autumn (post-monsoon) promises clear skies and stunning mountain vistas. During Spring (pre-monsoon) walk on alpine meadows filled with flowers. The higher you go the colder it’s going to be. Above 4000 meters, one can expect snowfall and temperatures to plummet below zero degrees. Nighttime temperatures can drop to as low as -10 degrees.
Notice : Flights (fixed wing) scheduled to and from Lukla will operate from Ramechhap Airport from October to November 2019. The airport lies 132km(4hrs 30 mins drive) from Kathmandu. But Helicopter flights to Everest Region will continue operating from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
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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.
Hotel as well as teahouse accommodations are included in your trip cost. Spend 3 nights in Kathmandu at the 4-star Hotel Mulberry. This luxurious hotel lies in the heart of Thamel, close to popular restaurants and shopping options. It features well-appointed rooms, spa, wellness centre, swimming pool, restaurants, bar etc.
Meals
In Kathmandu enjoy breakfast, welcome and farewell dinners.
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