Gokyo-Chola Pass with Everest Base Camp Trek

Upon your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative from Real Journey Nepal. After sorting out your custom formalities (Visa etc) you will be then transferred to the hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel and give you some time to freshen up. After this, we will attend an orientation about your trek led by our Trekking leader over a typical Nepali welcome dinner that will include a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles. You then return to your hotel for your first overnight in the valley of the gods! (B/B)

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/B)

Early morning transfer to the domestic airport for about 40 minutes scenic flight to the tiny airstrip at Lukla (2,800m), a getaway destination from where our trek starts. This is an amazing air routes in the world surrounded by high mountain peaks. After reaching at Lukla we will have time for tea while our guide sort out and divide the load baggage to be carried by porters. We begin our trek through the pretty well-off Sharpa village and crosses several tributary streams and we have some tantalizing views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2650m).We could get warmed up for some acclimatizing with a short hike to a nearby monastery or just stroll around to get a feel of the land. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

From Phakding the trail l leads us through a beautiful forests of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia trees along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing the river on high suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set up in order to protect and preserve the mountain fragile environment .We then ascend pretty steeply to Namche. If the weather is clean, we catch a first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance. You can also enjoy the view of Mt. Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Thamserku, and Mt. Kongde-Ri and Mt. Tawache peak, we can also visit some of the village monasteries on our trail to Namche Bazaar. Namche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region (3440m). We stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

Acclimatization is important before proceeding higher. This even mentally prepares us for what to expect as we hit the trails in the real wild in the days ahead. This is first of two scheduled “acclimatization” days”. Namche Bazzar is the main centre of the Everest region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, a bakery and local markets .Namche is an ideal place to spend a day for rest to acclimatize with the higher altitudes before heading off towards Khumjung. To prepare you for the tough climbing to come in the days ahead, you can spend the day taking a day walk hike to Khunde hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary or you can take a one hour walk up to the Syangboche (3800m.) where Everest View Hotel is situated above Namche for the outstanding views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt.Lhotse, Mt.Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and Mt.Kusum Kangaru. Stay overnight in bustling Namche which is a real happening town hereabouts. (B, L, D)

We climb steeply out of Namche Bazzar up to Kyangjuma Village from where; we can enjoy outstanding views of Thamserku, Katenga, and Ama Dablam.The most exhausting ascent of the day is obviously to pass the Mong La, a very charming place perched on the spur of Mt. Khumbila. An ancient historical Chorten stands at the centre of the settlement of Mong La. We stop at the top of Mong La to admire the grandstand views of surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys while we enjoy our lunch. The most outstanding feature of the trail today is the abundance of plant and animal vegetation including wildflowers and Rhododendrons. Spotting wild mammals like pheasants, mountain goats, and the elusive musk deer while on the way is not unusual. Through forests, some waterfalls and bridges, we reach Dole; a small place with few teahouses. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

From Dole we climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements. Ahead of you are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley you can view the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. This is a pretty short day and you will arrive at Machhermo in time for lunch. Machhermo is the last major settlement on the way up to Gokyo. We visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital here for a lecture regarding the altitude sickness, its precaution, and primary treatment. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

Today, we head for the wonder lakes of Gokyo. As you hike, you follow a scenic trail to Pangkha & then descend slightly, following one of the melting-water Rivers which flow down from the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. You climb a steep rocky path inclined into the valley by the side of the glacier, passing the first of the holy lakes. You soon arrive at the second of the lakes, crossing the path which heads across the glacier to Cho La (5420m) – your route to Lobuche and Everest, later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore lays the settlement of Gokyo. 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 stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

This is a second day for us to rest at Gokyo and do some excursions in and around the Gokyo valley. If the weather is good, we take the opportunity to climb Gokyo RI today instead of next day to enjoy the scene from the best viewpoint of Everest Region. Gokyo is not only popular for its grand view from Gokyo Peak but also for the six lakes which it hosts. We can see the Northern part of Cho-Oyu base camp and biggest glacier of the world Ngozumpa glacier. 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)

Gokyo RI looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake and you leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. Gokyo RI is the highlight of this trip. Early morning, we hike up to the Gokyo RI. As you climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo RI itself is one of the finest to behold in the Everest region – some say it is even better than that from Kalapatthar. Our Gokyo RI visit will be unforgettable life time memories. We trek down to Gokyo and after breakfast we trek to Thaknak for overnight being by the second Lakes and the Ngozumba Glacier. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

Today is the one of the toughest day and we need to start early morning than other days of this trip. The Cho-la pass is most times covered with blue ice that tends to give you that icy cold feeling of the chill. The pass is not itself difficult but it is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side. We need to be careful as the trail is vertical and the rocks glazed by ice add trouble to the trekkers making the trail slippery. Our trail climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail we climb up continuously up from Phedi. As we gain height, the view gets increasingly captivating before us. We trek through the side of a frozen lake while we come to the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. The pyramidal Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the south even as Cholatse soar on the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse rises sharply to our right. We need to pass through some crevasses before we reach Dzongla, another beautiful place with a complete view of Mt. Cholatse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Lobuche peak and the Pheriche village far below. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we continue trek to Gorakshep, crossing through an area with huge boulders and glaciers. The trail to Gorakshep is rocky and wind but it offers great views of the Khumbu glacier down below, with striking scenery of the high, snow-capped mountains right before your eyes. After a brief lunch and rest. We continues our trek towards the Everest Base Camp through the vast Gorakshep Lake. Continuing to the Khumbu Ice-fall, the trail from here can be misleading, follow the lead Sherpa, every year the trail changes due to the movements of the glacier, the walk is quite strenuous due to the high altitude and thin air, the walk passes through over rocky dunes and moraine and streams, till you reach the base camp!.In the high expedition season, Mountaineer’s tents stand out in bright colors against all the dull gray surroundings. After being here, at the foot of Number One, you will retrace the trail back to Gorakshep. We stay overnight at Lodge (B, L, D)

After some early morning tea/coffee, we ascend to Kalapatthar (5545m.) and enjoy an amazing sunrise view. From Kalapatthar you can have a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and many other magnificent peaks that include Mt. Pumori, Mt, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and among others. During the ascent to Kalapatthar we can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding view points to snap pictures. After several hours of an ascent, we reach Kala Patthar. From here we scramble to climb the rocky outcrop near to the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags. After experiencing an amazing sunrise view we return back to Gorak Shep, and will have lunch together; and descend down to Pheriche. We stay overnight at Lodge. (B, L, D)

To reach Tyangboche you pass through Pangboche village, which is known to have the highest permanent settlement throughout the year in the Khumbu region. Upon your arrival at Tyangboche village, you come across the famous legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. There is a trekker’s visiting centre where local Sherpas make an exhibition of different goods to be sold to interested trekkers. They also show a slide presentation about Sherpa people, culture, Buddhist religion and environmental development programs. Tyangboche is a good place to hang around for some time. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

From Tyangboche, the trail descends steeply and slightly towards Phunki Tenga (3250m) crossing the Dudh Koshi. Now you have a glimpse of panoramic views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. Passing by several villages and numerous teashops, the trail ascends steeply to Sanasa where local Sherpa people sell Tibetan goods. We stay overnight at lodge (B, L, D)

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)

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 Nepal. We stay overnight at hotel (B/B)

This day of yours is free to do some last minute shopping and packing before departure to the airport. Our escort team will pick you up from your hotel & take you to the airport to connect for your onward flight home. Meeting you & serving you was a wonderful experience over the weeks. (B)

We are sure you enjoyed a wonderful holiday in beautiful Nepal. We hope you will remember us at the Real Journey Nepal in the years ahead.

Note of above itinerary: B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast, B.L.D = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.