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Gokyo
Expedition
Trip profile: 18 Days Trip
04 Nights in Kathmandu
14 Days Everest Trekking
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 With
eight of the worlds ten highest peaks, Nepal is loaded with
spectacular mountains vistas. Everest trek in justifiably famous,
not only for its proximity to the world's highest mountain (
8848m ) but also for its friendly Sherpa people, picturesque
villages great variety of cultures and traditions, colourful
festivals and monasteries. The flora and fauna are other ornaments
of the Sagarmatha National Park. The story of the yeti is still
a mystery to the world from the Kahumbu region.
Itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel.
While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and
Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions
are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore
the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious
traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we'll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said
to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view
of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath
and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square,
Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities
in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and
Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working
with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu
DAY 03: KATHMANDU - LUKLA
- PHAKDING
 Breakfast
served in the early morning and drive to Kathmandu airport for
your domestic flight to Lukla. It's takes approximately 40 minutes.
Upon arrival in Lukla, you'll be met with our local guides and
porters. There'll be time to explore the village whilst the
Sherpa crew sort and load equipment. Lukla lies at an altitude
of 2850m and was laid out by Sir Edmund Hilary in 1964, he wanted
to show the Sherpas, his true friends and companions, gratitude
and respect. With the building of the airfield, the old Lukla
times were over ("luk la" = place of sheep). From
Lukla we descend on a wide trail northwest to the village of
Choblung in the Dudh Kosi Valley. The valley radiates energy
through beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. The walking
is easy and we follow the river's course, passing through the
village of Ghat. Our destination is the small village of Phakding
where accommodation is provided in the form of Tea House Lodges.
DAY 04: PHAKDING - NAMCHE
BAZAAR
After the breakfast, we start our journey to Namche Bazaar,
from Phakding we head up valley on a busy trail: Continue along
beside the Dudh Kosi amongst beautiful alpine scenery, through
the fragrant blue pine and fir forest, glimpsing spectacular
views of Kusum Kangru (6369m) and Thanserku (6608m) along the
way. Our lunch spot in Monjo. Leaving Monjo, we again cross
the Dudh Kosi, to the western bank at Jorsale prior to trekking
through the entrance to the Sagamartha National Park. Continuing
upstream along the banks to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi
and Dudh Kosi, it is here we begin our first sustained acsent
to Namche Bazar after crossing the large suspension bridge.
Walking at a slow pace, we have a fantastic photographic opportunities
as the peaks of Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8511m), Nuptse (7879m),
Ama Dablam (6856m) and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the
first time. Climbing again, the path takes us through pine trees
to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped bowl containing the
village of Namche Bazar. Stay in the heart of the village, with
the afternoon free to bargain in the shops for "Tibetan"
artifacts, relax over a cup of tea and talk with our Sherpa
guides and simply marvel at the beautiful scenery.
DAY 05: ACCLIMATISE DAY IN
NAMCHE BAZAAR.
Today is a full day at rest to acclimatize. As the name suggest,
Namche is famous for its local market or bazaar. Each week,
Sherpas from the surrounding villages come to buy food and to
socialise. Any food not grown locally, such as rice, corn and
some vegetables is brought in from the lowland village, which
can be up to a 6-10 day walk from Namche Bazar. Rising early,
those who climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with
the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu
peaks. Spend the morning exploring this colourful and lovely
spectacle. Perhaps walk along the Thami Valley in the afternoon
or visit the National Park Headquarters to see the interesting
displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture, mountaineering in
the park, flora and fauna.
DAY 06: NAMCHE BAZAAR - KHUMJUNG
Breakfast served in your Teahouse / Camping. From Namche, we
trek out of the village bowl and follow a small trail high above
the Dudh Kosi River, where the views are incredible; behind
to the west, the ridge of Nupla and Kwangde Himal (6194m); across
the valley to the south, the towering ice-fluted walls of Thamserku
(6623m), and to the east at the head of the valley, the Lhotse
and Nuptse wall, towering a full three and a half thousand metres
above the valley at Dingboche. Everest looms above the ridge,
a black, triangular rock; Sagarmatha. On a small ridge across
the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a small
speck against the gigantic mountain background. Ascending towards
Khumjung, visit the Everest View Hotel en-route, where coffee
or hot chocolate and views of Everest are the order of the day!
We descend to Khumjung, and after staying in the more westernised
town of Namche Bazar, these villages make a welcome change.
Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpas. The
afternoon has been left free to assist with further acclimatisation.
DAY 07: KHUMJUNG - PHORTSE
THANGHKA
After breakfast, we descend to the west of the village down
the broad valley leading to the Dudh Kosi River. The Gokyo route
is turn north, climbing above the more frequented route to Tengboche
and Everest Base Camp. Here's choice of routes in the beginning:
the yak trails which climbs gently or the steep staircase-like
trail made of rocks embedded in a narrow cleft in a large bounder,
the two trails soon join and continue towards a large Chorten
on the top of the ridge at 3973 metres. This ridge descends
from Khumbila 5716m), abode the patron god of the Khumbu. From
the ridge, the trails descends in a series of steep switchbacks
down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi and we'll be spend Overnight
in Phortse Thanghka.
DAY 08: PHORTSE THANGHKA -
DOLE
Breakfast approx 7:00 am in the morning. After breakfast we
start our journey to Dole. The trails climbs steeply out of
the valley through rhododendron forests which give way to fragrant
stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases.
This trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendron
are blooming. The trails passes many kharkas, summer settlements
used when Sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high
pastures. The route passes through the settlement s of Tongba
(3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there're few Hotels.
The views of Khumbila and Twachee (6542m) are tremendous throughout
the day, and it is possible to climb a ridge behind Dole for
an even broader view up and down the valley. O/N in Dole.
DAY 09: DOLE - MACHHERMO
From Dole the trail climbs to Lambara at 4220m and Luza at 4360m.
The tails is steep in most places as it climbs through scrub
junipers. There're kharkas whenever there is a flat spot and
the slightest hint of water. People from Khumjung own all the
kharkas on this side of valley. The trails continue to climb
along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing
sandy spurs to Machhermo at 4410 meters. It was in Machhermo
in 1974 that YETI killed three yaks and attached a Sherpa woman.
This is the most credit yeti incident ever reported, so be watchful
as you visit this reason. O/N in Machermo.
DAY 10: MACHHERMO - GOKYO
The trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view both down the
valley to Kantega and up towards Cho Oyu (8153m). Beyond the
ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at
4390m then descends to the river bank before beginning of climb
on to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. It's a steep
climb up the moraine, switchbacking alongside the stream to
the first small lake at 4650m, where a family of green Braminy
ducks resides. The trail now becomes almost level at 4690m and
finally Gokyo at 4750m. O/N in Gokyo.
DAY 11: GOKYO
After breakfast, trek around Gokyo Ri, the views in the Gokyo
region are tremendous. For the best view, climb to Gokyo Ri,
the small peak above the lake. This peaks of 5318m, it's a 2
hours climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view
of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse
and Twachee. Those with more time and energy can make a trip
up the valley to another lake marked with the name Ngozumpa
on the maps or even beyond to a fifth lake. There're several
small peaks in this region that offer vantage points for the
surrounding peaks. O/N in Gokyo.
DAY 12: GOKYO - DOLE
Breakfast served in the morning and follow a similar trail back
to Dole. O/N in Dole.
DAY 13: DOLE - NAMCHE BAZAAR
Follow a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron
and fir to Sanasa. After lunch at Shanasa you make you way back
to Namche Bazar. O/N in Namche Bazaar.
DAY 14: NAMCHE BAZAAR - PHAKDING
Following a steep descent passing the Bhote Kosil, crossing
the river, follow the bank to Jorsale, then to Monjo for overnight.
O/N in Monjo.
DAY 15: PHAKDING - LUKLA
After breakfast, you will depart from Phakding and continue
your descent along the Dudh Kosi, before making a final ascent
to reach the Lukla plateau by afternoon. On arrival in Lukla
you will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of
your trek. O/N in Lukla.
DAY 16: LUKLA - KATHMANDU
This morning you will be transferred to Lukla Airport for your
flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will
be met and conveyed to the Hotel. The remainder of the day has
been left free. O/N in Kathmandu
DAY 17: KATHMANDU
Free day in Kathmandu. After breakfast you’re free as your own
in Kathmandu. O/N in Kathmandu
DAY 18: DEPARTURE
After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international
airport for your final destination.
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