Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lake 2013

This itinerary is intended as a working guide only and is subject to variation as a result of weather, local conditions, government restrictions, or any other reason beyond the control of  Lyn Taylor's Adventure Travel. We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) any trek at any time if this is necessary.

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu - Transfer to Hotel O/N  (B)

Day 2: Kathmandu Today enjoy a 1/2 day guided sightseeing tour of Katmandu's most famous places. Baktapur - the oldest city in Nepal, Boddanath - the worshipping place of the Buddhist people - Pasapatanath - the holiest place for the Hindu people. On the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple of Lord Shiva Pashupatinath is famous for its architecture with its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors. It is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day Maha-Shibaratri. Bouddhanath - this colossal and ancient Stupa, 8km from Kathmandu is one of the biggest in the world and has the ""all seeing eyes" of Lord Budda. You will also visit one of Kathmandu's oldest City's, Bhaktapur, whose traditional industries are pottery and weaving and is a home of medieval art and architecture. The main square of the City contains innumerable temples and the masterpiece of Bhaktapur's Durbar Square (and of the entire valley) is the "Sun Dhoka" or "The Golden Gate", set centrally in the palaces lining the northern edge of the square. Built in 1753, the Sun Dhoka is often compared to the renaissance Florentine Baptistery doors of Ghilberti. O/N Hotel (B)

Day 03 Kathmandu - Lukla – Phakding
We fly in the morning to Lukla (2827m). Flight time is approx 40 minutes and you will experience one of the most magnificent sights in the world as we fly parallel to the Himalayan Mountains bordering Nepal, Tibet and China. After landing we will have a hearty lunch, and the afternoon we descend to our camp at Phakding (2600m) an easy afternoons walk. (BLD)

Day 04 : Phakding to Namche Bazaar
The trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley to Jorsale, where the trail officially enters the Sagarmatha National Park. There is an entrance station just beyond the village where trekking permits are checked and National Park fees collected. We continue along the trail, cross the Bhote Kosi River and climb steeply to Namche Bazaar 3500 m. Remember to look out for glimpses of Mt. Everest early on the trail. (BLD)

Day 05: Namche Bazaar rest day for acclimatization.
We have a rest day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. This town, the hub of Sherpa society, is the administrative centre of the Khumbu region and has a police checkpoint (we must all register there), the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park, a bank, several shops selling items of every description and a proliferation of Sherpa inns. Today you can spend the day relaxing or you may wish to take a days hike to Thame this will help with acclimitisation as you will be walking to a height of 3850m and then returning to Namche to sleep.

Day 06 Namche to Tengboche
This morning the trail drops sharply down to the Dudh Kosi and the village of Phunki, where we cross the river, and up toward Thyangboche, winding high above the river with views north towards Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. we will take a time out to visit the Monastery and see a short film on the Sagamatha National Park.

Day 07 Tengboche –  Dingboche
The singular beauty of Ama Dablam, standing isolated from all other mountains provides a spectacular backdrop and reminder of the height of Himalayan peaks. We decend to the tiny village of Deboche past Mani walls deep in a rhododendron forest. From Deboche we have a flat walk and  before crossing the suspension bridge before climbing up to the village of Pangboche one of the highest year round settlement in the Solu Khumbu valley. The Pangboche Gompa (monastery) is the oldest in the Khumbu and once used to boast the skull and hand of a Yeti, (stolen in 1991)  from Pangboche we have a steady climb through villages and potato fields and alpine pastures through yak karkas of Tsura, Orsho and Shomare rkasmeDChhukung we descend the valley of the Imja Khola, trek through the village of Dingboche with its stone walled potato fields, down alpine pastures through the kharkas of Tsura, Orsho and Shomare to the village of Dingboche and our camp for the night. (BLD)

Day 8  Dingboche Rest and acclimatization  day (BLD)

Day 9  Dingboche – Lobuche
Today is a magnificent walk traversing above Pheriche  and then continuing up the Khumbu valley to Lobuche  (BLD)

Day 10 Lobuche – Ghorak shep – Kala Pattar – Gorakshep
We make an early morning start and ascend the trail along boulder fields and glacial debris to the edge of the Khumbu Glacier then continue up to Gorak Shep (5160 m.), nestled below the coned summit of Mt. Pumori (7161 m.) and the sheer west face of Nuptse. From there we make a steep ascent to the top of a small peak, Kala Pattar 5545m meaning "black rock". From here the views is magnificent enough to make us forget the difficulty of the climb. Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablan, Kantega, Tamserku, Tawatse and Pumo Ri all present themselves in a 360 degree panorama. (BLD)

Day 11 Lobuche – Dizongla
After a morning of rest, we leave the main trail to Everest and hike Tsholo Lake and our campsite at Dizongla  4730 mtrs. This collection of yak sheds has grown in the last couple of years to include two real lodges which are normally open while the Chugima La is passable (BLD)

Day 12 Dizongla – Chungima (Thagnak)Today we have a steep and challenging but, non-technical descent over rock, snow and perhaps ice from Chola La (pass) 5420m which links the glacial valleys of Cho Oyu and Everest and from where we have superb views.  It is a steady climb from our Campsite past Leisyasa where we cross a small glacier, and negotiate the ice fall at the end of it. We then descend very carefully as the terrain is steep and rocky through a  narrow and steep valley which opens up to a wide shallow valley leading to our camp at Kharka Chhyugima 5170m. This collection of yak sheds has grown in the last couple of years to include two real lodges which are normally open while the Chugima La is passable. Gokyo is still an hour or two from here over rough ground. (BLD)

Day13 Chungima – Gokyo
A long day and the most difficult part of this trek. We cross the southern end of the Ngozumpa Glacier to our campsite at Gokyo 4750m. The path across the glacier is well used but not always obvious and there are older paths further down. (glaciers move!) Do not attempt to cross in thick cloud. The walking is tough for tired feet but eventually climbing the moraine on the opposide you drop between the first pond and the second lake at Gokyo  (BLD)

Day 14 Gokyo  a day to Rest and Explore
A free day to explore the area around Gokyo or rest. For enthusiasts a rigorous hike up Gokyo Ri 5360m, the small peak above camp provides spectacular views of the Everest trinity, Nuptse 7879m, Lhotse 8511m, and Everest 8848m, as well as Makalu 8463m looming to the east, Cho Oyu 8153m to the north and the smaller but closer peaks of Cholatse and Tawachee to the south. There is a wonderful view of Gokyo and Dudh Pokhari spread out below us. (BLD)

Day 15  Gokyo – Dole  (5hours)
We climb a ridge from where the valley opens wide as the trail passes through Pangkha. Mt. Cho Oyu 8153 m dominates the skyline to the north as we climb the moraine on the left flank of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The descent easy as we pass the other four lakes that lie in the Gokyo area but the trail levels off towards the second lake, Longponga at 4690m.  We pass through Sherpa kharkas (high pasture summer settlements used by Sherpas to graze their herds of yaks allowing their lower winter pastures to recover) and the villages of Tongba 3950m and Gyele 3960m to Dole. We have great views of Khumbila and Tawachee peaks throughout the day. There are kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. We continue to descent until we reach the village of Machermo at Machhermo 4410 m. it was here in 1974 that a yeti supposedly killed three yaks and attacked a Sherpa woman. So watch out for Yeti in this area. After lunch continue on for a few hours before reaching the village of Dole. (BLD)

Day 16 Dole – Khumjung
Today is an easy day as you gradually descent to the river and then it is a steep climb to Phortse Tanga and a short traverse to the village of Khumjung. The afternoon can be spent relaxing in the famous German bakery or taking an hour's stroll to view the Everest Hotel and of course the school of Khumjung. This school was the first established school in the area and was also funded by Sir Edmond Hillary. (BLD)

Day 17 Khumjung – Phakding
Return via Namche Bazaar on the same trail heading back to Lukla  (BLD)

Day 18 Phakding – Lukla return by same trail to Lukla  (BLD)

Day 19 Lukla – Kathmandu Early flight to Kathmandu overnight Hotel. (B)

Day 20 Trip ends Kathmandu – (B)

• 17-Day  Lodge  trek
• All meals included
• Internal flights Kathmandu/ Lukla return:
• 3 nights in one of Kathmandu's Hotels incl b’fast      
• Experienced English Speaking Nepalese Guide
• Porter to carry your kit bag
• Guide’s return flight to Lukla
• Arrival and departure transfers
•  All meals whilst on trek
• Comprehensive medical kit
• Trekking permit and National Park Fees

Not Included

• International Airfares and taxes
• Visas  US$30 on arrival at Kathmandu airport
• Airport Departure taxes ex Kathmandu US$25
• Other meals not stated  Lunch/Dinner Kathmandu)
• Items of personal nature ie. Soft/hard drinks, tips etc.
• Travel Insurance (this is a mandatory condition of booking)
• Guide and Porter tips. Allow approx $120
• Mandatory Travel Insurance

We care for our porters and staff
For this trek we rely on porters to carry sometimes heavy loads, and our
staff work in sometimes challenging conditions but we truly care about them. We ensure that all porters going above the tree line are given wool sox, spare
shoes (usually given at the beginning of the trip), wool gloves, wool hat, jacket and pant set, sunglasses, have adequate shelter and all have access to our medical knowledge and supplies.

You may choose how many days you would like to spend in Kathmandu either side of the trek. I recommend 4 nights in total.