Sample Nepal Trekking Itinerary: Everest from Gokyo

Sample Nepal Itinerary:

Trekking Everest from Gokyo

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Everest from Gokyo No other name in the world is as synonymous with adventure as Everest. As the tallest mountain in the world, it symbolizes the concept of the ultimate. This route, away from the traditional route now crowded with over 10,000 trekkers a year, takes us into the serene Gokyo Lakes region. A day hike from our high camp up to Gokyo Ri (17,990') provides the high point of the trip, the ultimate view of the ultimate mountain.

In addition to Everest, there will be superb views of several other of the great 8,000 meter peaks, including Lhotse, Makalu, and especially Cho Oyu, whose majestic form stands before us during our entire trek up the Dudh Kosi River. On the lower reaches of the trek, we will pass through Sherpa towns and villages, occasionally visiting with some of them in their homes. On the return route from Gokyo we'll make a side trip up the Imja Khola valley to Dingboche and beyond. The final leg of our odyssey sees us visiting the monastery at Thyangboche, one of the most enchanting places on the planet, sitting in the lap of Ama Dablam.

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Sample Day-By-Day Itinerary: 01: Depart the USA. 02: En route 03: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure and we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel tonight.

04: Sightseeing in Kathmandu and surrounding areas during the day. Trek briefing at the hotel this evening.

05: We begin with a morning flight to Lukla (9,300'), an airstrip which is set on a small shelf halfway up a high mountain and surrounded by peaks that rise up rapidly to meet descending aircraft. Our first day’s trek is, appropriately, the easiest of the entire trek. We descend along the left bank of the Dudh Kosi River to our camp at Phakding (8,900’).

06: Today we continue following the Dudh Kosi, crossing it several times along its course through a deep gorge. After lunch we get our first good taste of ukalo (uphill in Nepali) to our camp at Namche Bazaar (11,300’), the unofficial capital of the Khumbu Sherpas.

07: Today we spend the full day acclimatizing and enjoying the views of Kwangde, Thamserku, Kang Tega and even a glimpse of Everest for those willing to climb a small hill to the northeast. We may have a chance to get to the visitor’s center at Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters, which has informative displays on local life and geology. For those who really want to get in a workout and increase their chances of acclimatizing further on, we’ll escort you along the Bhote Kosi River to the monastery at Thame on a full day hike.

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5 08: Today we leave the heavily beaten trail to the Base Camp and head into the quieter Gokyo Valley.

As we cross the ridge above Namche we get our first good view of Ama Dablam and other peaks of the eastern Khumbu. We then leave the main trail and trek to Phortse Tenga (11,950’), where we may begin to see ghoral (Himalayan goats).

09: Our trek today takes us into the upper reaches of the Dudh Kosi. Emerging from the woods, we see many waterfalls on the other side of the valley, cascading off the lower flanks of Tawoche (21,463’). Although we are now above traditional permanent settlements, we expect to meet yakherders grazing their yaks (male) and naks (female) all along the upper Dudh Kosi at this time of year. Tonight’s camp is at Luza (14,400’).

10: Today we spend resting, acclimatizing and sightseeing.

11: This morning we reach Macherma, one of the most beautifully situated summer villages in the Khumbu. It was here in 1974 that the last sighting of a yeti occurred. A yakherder was seriously injured after being thrown by the yak, and several of her yaks were killed. From a ridge on the trail north of Machherma we get our first views of the Gokyo Valley as it widens, and the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal. Across the valley looms Cholatse, one of the most dramatic peaks in all of Nepal. After lunch we reach the glacier crossing, a steep rocky path from where you can see the clear water of the lakes above mixing with the Dudh Kosi’s milky headwaters. We camp by Taoche Lake (15,300’), just below Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhari).

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12: Today we climb Gokyo Ri (17,990’) for what most now feel is the best view of Everest, known as Sargarmatha (Mother Goddess of the Earth) to the Nepalis.

We also see Cho Oyu and the wide Ngozumpa Glacier, Gyachung Range, Lhotse and Makalu. Some call this the finest mountain panorama in Nepal. We have pack lunches for the day and return back to camp for hot tea and dinner.

13: Today we have another free day in which to savor the surrounding mountains and glaciers or to explore the upper reaches of the Valley. This is also our backup day to have a second shot at Gokyo Ri if yesterday’s weather was unfavorable.

14: We start by descending back down some of the way to cross the Dud Kosi river to Nha, where we cross the Dudh Kosi and begin our long descent along its less traveled east bank. A few years back the school from Phartse Village would move to Nha in the summer for two months.

Here people celebrate Fangi and Yarjang, a well-known Sherpa festival which falls in July/August. After lunch at Thare, we continue the upand-down to our camp at Konar (13,287’).

15: Today we contour above the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Imja Rivers, working our way east along the northern bank of the Imja. Our lunch spot and camp are at Pangboche, on the main trail to Everest Base Camp. This morning we may again see some wildlife.

This afternoon we’ll have the option to either relax around camp, explore further up the Imja Khola valley, or do an interesting hike up to Mingbo on the flanks of Ama Dablam.

16: After two very long days, we’ll enjoy an easy day as we hike just a couple hours up the hill to the famed Thyangboche monastery. The rest of the day is spent enjoying this idyllic spot.

17: We descend back down the valley to Monjo.

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7 18: Our final trek day is another easy one, with gravity doing about half the work for us. We will cruise into Lukla in midafternoon, with ample time to explore the many shops and lodges that make this community an important hub in the trekking world.

19: This is an extra day which will be used somewhere in the high country to do something spontaneous, based on weather, the group’s strength, unforeseen events such as a festival, etc.

20: Today we fly back to Kathmandu, arriving sometime this morning. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

21: Back-up day for the flight to Kathmandu, as weather sometimes forces cancellation of flights.

Free day in Kathmandu for last minute shopping and sightseeing. Tonight we will enjoy a special Farewell Dinner at a restaurant in the city.

22: You’ll be escorted to the airport today for your return flight. End of Services.

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COSTING & NOTES: Grade: Moderate - Strenuous Land Cost: $6,985 per person (based on a double occupancy & a group of 4 or more) Included in land cost: All listed accommodations & airport transfers, transportation to/from the trail head (by surface or regularly scheduled flight), all meals on trek, trekking services (guide/ cook/porters), all communal camping equipment (tents, ground pads, cooking/eating utensils), and all required trekking permits & fees.

Not included: International airfare, Nepali Visas (best obtained upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport), accommodations/meals/transfers other than listed, travel / medical insurance, telephone,calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.

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