Gokyo Valley Trek

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your city tour of Kathmandu. You will visit the Boudhanath temple, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue drive to Patan Durbar Square to see ancient Nepalese architecture and end your tour after lunch. After that you will visit the Patan museum. Overnight in Kathmandu.

A very early morning wake up and transfer to the domestic airport to board our flight to Lukla. We take off to our destination on a 35 min scenic mountain flight to Lukla. After a cup of tea at local Lodge in Lukla we are treading on the legendary “Everest Highway” which heads downwards through the alpine valley following the “Dudh Kosi” or milk river (named after its milky colour from glacial silt). We reach Phakding after 3hrs walk and end our first day here.

The next day we will be walking mostly uphill through the alpine valleys. We will be crossing Dudh Kosi River a few times before we reach Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu region. On a clear day you get views of Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Kusum Kangru, Kwangde and Taweche on the way to Namche.

Acclimatization is important before proceeding to higher altitudes. This is the first acclimatization day in Namche bazaar that everyone should make into their trekking itinerary. You can explore around and relax. Namche tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day for acclimatization to the high altitude before heading off towards Tyangboche and other higher altitude places of Khumbu. For the acclimatization you walk up to Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or a one hour walk up to the Tyangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.

Climb the hill and descend to the east of the Khumjung village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi. The trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi at 3500m and gives you access to Phortse Tanga, an isolated village with a few number of houses.

After breakfast you start the trek. The trail 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 portion of the trek is especially more beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming in the spring (late April to early May). The trail passes through many Kharkas (grazing land) used by Sherpas for their herds of yaks in the summer. The route passes through the settlements of Tongaba and Gyele to Dole at 4040m, where there are only very few lodges available

From Dole the trail climbs steeply via Lhabarma through scrub junipers. There are Kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. The trail continues to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to Machhermo at 4410m. You can have a good mountain view in Machhermo.

Beyond Machhermo the trail climbs a ridge for an excellent view down the valley to Kantega. Beyond the rich valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m. Then we descend to river bank before beginning the climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. Afterwards the trail levels out as it follows the valley past a second lake, known as Longponga at 4690m, then finally up a boulder- strewn path to Gokyo.

Today, early in the morning we climb Gokyo peak at elevation of 5280m. From the top of the peak we will have stunning views of the beautiful Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the entire Khumbu Himalayas, such as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang. Those who explore the glacier and Gokyo peak are much rewarded. This day we have for acclimatization and after noon back to the Phangka for overnigh stay.

We descend to Phortse in a single long day passing through Thare and Konar, making a few ups and downs of the Dudh Kosi valley.

Leaving the mountains behind us our descent takes us through various towns of Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare and Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River to ascend gradually to Tengboche at 3800 meters.

You can enjoy viewing Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Or, you can visit National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. You can do shopping at Namche after your lunch then walk to Monjo.

This is our last day of trekking, finally we return to Lukla where the trek began. Enjoy your moment to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part in the trek. In the afternoon you are free to wander around, relax or perhaps enjoy a hot shower! In the evening we enjoy a farewell followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa companions.

We pack up early and head for the airstrip to catch a morning flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu the rest of your day is free to do your own things. You could do some last minute shopping and packing, or send a few post cards home or even go down for a stroll to Thamel.