Everest Gokyo Valley Explorer Trek

Itinerary

Arrival to Kathmandu :

Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), Volunteer Society Treks Nepal airport representative well come to pick up you at Kathmandu International Airport then transfer you to hotel in Kathmandu then at evening we do office formalities. Overnight at star hotel in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu: sightseeing & Trek Preparation (1,300m /4,264ft):

Kathmandu is the cultural heart of Nepal and has been a famous destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its borders to visitors. The city displays an interesting combination of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, the two important neighboring cities bear much cultural and religious significance to Nepal’s landscape. There will be a full day guided tour to the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, unique architectures and Kumari (living goddess), the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (Boudhhanath), in the evening, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we meet our trek leader and other stuff for your adventure trip.Overnight at hotel, included meal: (B)

Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding (2,652m) 3-4 hour trek after breakfast :

We get transferred to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Domestic Airport for an early morning flight to Lukla from where our Everest Base Camp trekking starts. After an adventurous 30 minutes flight above breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach the Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Here we meet our other crew members & after some packing and arrangements, we start our Everest Base Camp Trekking through the affluent village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery.

Phakding – Namche Bazaar (3440 m) 5-6 hour trek :

Walking through a beautiful pine forest, the track leads us along the Dudh Koshi River through many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, we catch wonderful view of the Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). Through the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, we come to the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours we get first sight fist of at Mt. Everest, peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. We still need to walk about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region. We stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.(B,L,D)

Namche Bazaar :

Rest day Health experts always recommend us to stay active and moving during the rest days instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazzar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides will take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest climbers, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region.(B, L, D)

Namche Bazaar – Phorse Village (3800 m) 5-6 hour trek :

The trail to Phorse Village is rather steep but boasts great views over to Phorse and to the spectacular river gorge below, including an inaccessible natural rock bridge. Starting on a level trail, we trek up through the stone steps and reach Mongla pass (3975 m) from where we glimpse Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Mt. Khumbila. Sherpas regard Mt. Khumbila as sacred mountain of the patron god of the Khumbu area. Descending to Dudhkosi Khola (3250 m), we cross a bridge and again trek up through the rhododendron forest, a host for Himalayan wild deer and musk deer. Finally, we arrive to the walled fields of Phorse. Phorse is just under the snow dusted peaks of Tawoche and Cholaste. From here it’s a short trek to Phorse village where we rest overnight.(B, L, D)

Trek Phorse Village – Machhermo (4,400 m.) 5-6 hours trek:

Today we head for the holy lakes at Gokyo following a very scenic path to Pangka (4548m.) then descend slightly, following one of the melt water rivers which flow down the west side of the Ngozumba Glacier. The walk offers spectacular views of the incredible ice face of Cholatse and is easy until you reach a steep rocky incline into the ablation valley by the side of the glacier and get to the first of the holy lakes. It is the place where Khumbu people got first sighting of Yeti in 1974. We visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital here for a lecture regarding the altitude sickness, its precaution, and primary treatment. Precaution regarding altitude sickness is vital while trekking in the high altitude region; however our guides are quite knowledgeable about this. Overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

Trek Machhermo – Gokyo (4, 480m.) 6-7 hours trek:

Today we climb through a ridge Chorten from where we can see fabulous view of both down the valley and of the Mt. Kangtega, Thamserku, and northern part to the Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through a Chorten and reaches Pangka (4480 m) after some gentle walk. Pangka is the palace where an avalanche in 1995 killed 40 people. We descend to the river bank before beginning to climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumba Glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. After crossing an iron bridge over an stream the trial levels out as it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo at 4690m, where we get chance to observe the Lama footprints on a stone. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain as a backdrop sets an amazing spectacular sight here. After lunch, we explore around the third Lakes, Dudh Pokhari. We spend night in a teahouse with comfortable bedrooms. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

Rest day at Gokyo Valley; ascend Gokyo RI (5,483m.) & explore the fifth lakes :

Today is full day rest or an acclimatization day to give the lungs a chance to respiration well; our shaky knees also need some readjusting for the fluctuating hikes ahead, but we know we should not stay idle & the body’s system just collapses & this could cause joint pains. If the weather is good, we grasp the opportunity to climb Gokyo RI today instead of next day to enjoy the scene from the best viewpoint of Everest Region. Or, as we know Gokyo is not only popular for its grand views from Gokyo Peak but is also home to the best six lakes ever imagined. Definitely we would not miss the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thaknak Tsho) and fifth lake (Ngozuma Tsho). About 3 km north of Gokyo is the fourth lake with its high cliffs and peaks rising above it, giving it an aura of mystery. The trail continues to fifth lake. Gokyo is a trade centre where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide their best services to the trekkers going through this area. Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumpa glacier, said to be the biggest glacier in Nepal. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

Trek Gokyo – Dole (4,200m.) 5-6 hours trek:

The way back from Gokyo is an easy downhill walk along the Dudh Koshi River that emerges out of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Passing by the second and then the first Gokyo Lakes, we come to a small gushing stream over an iron bridge. We see the hamlet of Phangka ahead. Cholatse and Taboche peaks rear up on the right of us. The trail descends below Phangka and across a level terrace on the slope to climb a rib on the far side of the hill side. Upon reaching the Chorten at the edge, we see great views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu, and Kangtega. We slowly walk down to sprawling village of Machhermo. Again, through the charming hamlet of Luza and Lhafarma we reach Dole, an overnight stop for most of the trekkers going towards Gokyo Valley. We stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

Trek Dole – Namche Bazar (3,440m.) 5-6 hours trek:

After breakfast we descend down to the Phortse Thagnak through the beautiful Gokyo Valley, now we have to climb about 1 hour to the Mong-La, where we can see spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and other mountains and easy walk to Namche Bazaar. We stay overnight at t lodge.

Trek Namche Bazaar – Lukla (2,800m.) 6-7 hours trek:

This is going to be our last day on these amazing mountains that have been home to us all of these days. And this is the last day of our trek which takes us out of the bustling outpost of the Everest Region; Namche Bazaar via Monjo to Lukla. The latter end of our trek is a pretty nice hike, except for a few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote Koshi River crossing it three times in different areas. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring us to Lukla where we have enough time to rest our weary bones & begin a celebration with the crew whom we’ve got close to over the weeks. Altogether it’s been a merry trip & we taste some ‘chhang’ {locally brewed mountain beer made from fermented rice}, we do a dance to a Sherpa jig & have a hearty meal. We then go to bed under a starry moonlit sky & reminisce on the wonderful things we experienced on this trip. It’s been awesome all the way! We stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

We fly to Katmandu and we go for a farewell dinner in the evening:

This is an early morning flight back to Kathmandu which takes about 40 minutes. Your day is free, however, at even tide; you will be taken to a well known Nepali kitchen for a delicious farewell dinner of the original Nepalese cuisine. As you enjoy your meal, you will also be entertained to an exciting cultural dance performed by the local belles. You will enjoy this experience which is complimentary on behalf of the Volunteer Society Treks. Overnight at hotel (B, D)

Transfer to the airport for our onward flight home sweet home:

Our office representatives will escort you to the airport for your connecting flight home. It’s been wonderful meeting you & knowing you all of these weeks. We are doubly sure you’ve had the vacation of a lifetime & we hope you will pass on your experiences to the generations to come. We will remember you & also hope you will remember us in the days ahead. Bon Voyage!! & take care!!! (B) Thank you for doing this venture with US. We’ve got to know each other well over the weeks. Please do stay in touch & we wish you a wonderful journey back home.

Note: The above-mentioned program itinerary is a sample. The period and cost of tour, trekking, volunteering or internship can be changed or extended as per travellers or volunteers' availability of duration.