Gokyo and Renjo-la Pass Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and transfer you to the Hotel, where our guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.

After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. and trekking preparation.

Approx: 45 minutes flight to Lukla 2,800m 9-10km (2 1/2 -3hr walk) to Phakding at 2,652m. Early morning after breakfast you will be transferred from the Hotel to domestic Airport with our Guide, board in the smaller twin otter, dronier or similar plane for the sweeping panoramic flight to Lukla, on arrival you will be received by our trekking guides. In Lukla you will have time to wander around, while the Sherpa crew sort and divide the load baggage for the porters to carry.
 
Lunch depends upon the time of arrival at Lukla either in Lukla or few walks further down on route to Phakding. The walk is gradual and most of the way, with few ups from Tarhe khola, where you can have a superb view of Kusum-Kangru 6,369m crossing a short suspension bridge, from here after a short climb brings us to the Ghat village, another 11/2hr of gradual walk brings you to Phakding village for the overnight stop near the bank of the Dudh-Kosi river.

From Phakding after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh-Kosi the walk is pleasant with few short uphill and downhill and re-crossing the same river again, with magnificent view of Thermasarkhu 6,608m, from the village of Benkar, cross the long suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river, few minutes walk reaches at Monjo, the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, where your permit especially the park ticket is checked and keeps the record of all trekkers going to and from this place including the local trekking staff as well.
 
From here a short descend and a gradual walk brings to the suspension bridge over the Bhote-Koshi river, after the bridge Jorsalle village is reached, the last village till Namche Bazaar, from here walk leads to the  second bridge over the same river, the walk is pleasant on the river bed till the last bridge over the Imja tse river is reached, from here the walk is along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak and it other peaks towards east, with Kusum kangru on the back as you climb higher, view of Mt.Everest- Nuptse, Lhotse and the closer view of Taweche peak
The famed Namche Bazaar, the colorful houses are situated in an amphitheatre. 

A leisure day to enjoy and relax around the town or visit the Sagarmatha National Park museum just above Namche Bazaar for out standing views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Tenboche, Thermasarkhu, Kantenga and Khunde peaks.

After Namche, trace the route above the ridge of Namche towards Syangboche following the trail to Khunde and Khumjung the largest of the Sherpa villages in the Khumbu area, trek leads towards the Syangboche small airstrip, the walk is quite strenuous uphill due to high altitude overlooking the magnificent view of Mt.Kwangde, Thermasherkhu and other neighboring peaks with an aerial view of Namche Bazaar down below. On reaching Syangboche small airstrip, take a short climb towards the Khunde village situated in the same glacial valley as Khumjung village beneath the sacred Mt.Khumbila 5,761m. A quiet gentle path brings to the sleepy village of Khumjung via Khunde for the overnight halt.
 

After a wonderful time here, the walk is fairly easy for the first half, from Khumjung the trail leads to an hour downhill joining the main busy trail at Shanasa, on this area there is more chances of seeing the beautiful colorful Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant) national bird of Nepal and the elusive musk deer, and sometime even herd of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). From Shanasa, Gokyo route diverts from the main trail towards north. The path climbs gently on the steep rock steps embedded in a narrow cleft in a large boulder; the two trails soon join and continue towards a large Chorten on the top of the ridge at Mong 3,973 meters. This ridge descends from Khumbila 5,716m abode of the patron god Khumbu. From this ridge, the path meanders in a series of switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi at Phortse Thanghka for the overnight stop

After Phortse, continue trek to Dole, from here the trail climbs steeply out of the valley through a patch of rhododendron forest which gives way to juniper and conifers trees. In the spring time this place will be vivid when all the flowers in bloom. This path passes many summer pastures where the Yak and other cattle graze in this high pastureland. The trek winds through the Tongba village at 3,950m and Gyele 3,960m and finally arriving at Dole. A superb view of Khumbila and Tawache 6,542m can be seen throughout the walk.
After a wonderful time here, the walk is fairly easy for the first half, from Khumjung the trail leads to an hour downhill joining the main busy trail at Shanasa, on this area there is more chances of seeing the beautiful colorful Danphe pheasant (Impeyan Pheasant) national bird of Nepal and the elusive musk deer, and sometime even herd of Himalayan Thar (mountain goat). From Shanasa, Gokyo route diverts from the main trail towards north. The path climbs gently on the steep rock steps embedded in a narrow cleft in a large boulder; the two trails soon join and continue towards a large Chorten on the top of the ridge at Mong 3,973 meters. This ridge descends from Khumbila 5,716m abode of the patron god Khumbu. From this ridge, the path meanders in a series of switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi at Phortse Thanghka for the overnight stop.

From Dole, our route climbs steadily along the side of the valley, rhododendron forest giving way to scrub juniper as altitude gains gradually. The trail climbs on a fairly level path for one hour to Lhabarma Kharka at 4,325 m and a further an hour to Luza at 4,390m; eventually skirting around a ridge to gain the first views of Machermo village, spread out in the valley below. There is an excellent Swiss chalet style lodge at Machermo, Arriving at Machermo in good time for the overnight halt.
 

From here, head for the holy lake at Gokyo. By following a very scenic trail to Pangka 4,545m and then descend slightly, following one of the glacial fed rivers which flow down the west of Ngozumba Glacier. Then climb a steep rocky incline into the ablation valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first lake. Soon arriving at the second lake, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to the Cho -La (another tough route to Loboche and beyond to Everest base camp) Coming to the third lake known as Dudh Pokhari and on its east shore is the summer settlement of Gokyo at 4,790 meters. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the peak of Cho Oyo and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters we will be camping just by shore of the lake depending upon the availability of the campsite with a good view.
 

Today, a rest day and free from packing after breakfast a hike to Gokyo Ri is one of the highlight of the trip, the view around Gokyo itself is marvelous, for the very best panorama take a hike to Gokyo Ri, a small peak above the lake, Gokyo Ri at 5,357m. Offers breathe taking views providing a panorama of Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse, Taweche and far as to Mt. Makalu in the east. A two hours climb brings you to this wonderful spot.
As per the normal Itinerary to Gokyo on the day for a hike to Gokyo         Ri, it will be much better to put overnight camp at the end of the Gokyo Lake facing west enroute Renjo-pass to make it easier for the next day to cross Renjo ridge or the pass. From this camp it is possible to see          Mt. Everest also. Not like the massif view from Gokyo-Ri, but still can view Mt.Everest, with leisure afternoon exploration hike around.

Today's walk leads to a climb towards Renjo-pass. The first hour is a steep haul, then coming to a gradual portion for 40 minutes, coming again to a steep climb to the top of the Renjo-pass where the prayer flags are hoisted. From here it's a steep descend on black rocks and boulders (very similar to rocky portion at Kalapathar) till the walk leads to the Rermo lake (pokhari). From here onwards an hour and half brings you at the overnight camp enroute or just an hour before Marulung. After the rocky portion from the lake it is an easy downhill on the grassy slope all the way to the overnight camp.

 

The walk leads downhill most of the way to the sleepy village at Thame the trek passes through several yak pasture and grazing area with Shepard's shed on this beautiful walk downhill offering grand views of the nearby snow capped peaks.
After a good walk of nearly 5-6 hrs reaching at Thame village for the overnight stop. Thame is quite a large village with scattered houses around this valley it is a gate way to Tibet side through the Nangpa-la north of Thame and the west route leads to Tashi-Labtsa pass as well. This place has an old important Monastery where the festival of masked dance takes place every year around the month of end of May or the first week of June as per the Tibetan lunar calendar.
 

From Thame the walk leads downhill towards the Bhote-Koshi River which finally joins the Dudh Kosi River. The walk continues on the serene path reaching at Thamo home of the famous Everest climber Ang Rita Sherpa honored with the name of "Snow Leopard" From here another hour or two brings you at Namche Bazaar, after a break here retrace the journey downhill to Monjo for the overnight stop. Located just near after the Sagarmatha National Park entrance.

Last day of this great trek will be one of the good walk to Lukla, you can walk at your own chosen pace, leisurely and enjoying the lush green scenery around.
Apart from few short uphill the only long climb will be just before Lukla which will take approximately 45 minutes from a place called Chop lung or from the old big oak tree. On reaching Lukla, prepare for the last day great dinner and a party with the fellow Sherpa crew, porters and trekking members

The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. As we get hold of the boarding pass depending upon our flight time we make our way to the terminal for security check, this scenic flight from Lukla takes about 45 minutes to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from window of the plane.
Arriving at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our office staff will receive and escort you back to the Hotel.

A free day in Kathmandu, please let our staff or tour officer know if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight 

Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our Office staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal