Trip Highlight:
“Exciting cultural and scenic walks on high and beautiful Gokyo valley and glacial lakes". Explore interesting traditional Sherpa villages and its impressive culture of the Buddhist religion. Into lovely alpine green woodland of tall rhododendron-magnolia and pine trees. Grand panorama from Gokyo-Ri high hilltop of the world’s high mountains with views of Everest. Starting and ending wonderful adventure Gokyo-Ri at Lukla with short scenic flights”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge on walks.
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Altitude: On top Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m high.
Activities: Sightseeing tour, exciting flights, and trekking.
People and Culture: Populated by Sherpa the Highlanders of Everest with Buddhism religion and colorful culture and custom.
Area of Trekking: Nepal Mid-East around high Khumbu and Everest region.
Trekking duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days (Lukla to Lukla).
Total Trip: 16 Nights and 17 Days (Kath`mandu to Kathmandu).
Season: Almost all year round except the monsoon months of June to mid-September, March to May wild-flowers rhododendron and magnolia in full bloom.
Introduction:
Gokyo-Ri and Everest Panorama Trekking with Mountain Challenger Treks & Expeditions will be an adventure of a lifetime experience, where walk leads you into high and scenic Gokyo Valley with its simmering glacial lakes in the shade of world’s giant peaks. Gokyo-Ri and Everest Panorama trekking, an enjoyable high altitude adventure in the comfort of nice and cozy lodges and guest-houses with the warm hospitality of native Sherpa the Highlanders of Everest. This marvelous Gokyo-Ri-Everest Panorama trek offers a sweeping panorama of four world’s highest mountains with Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu all above 8,000 meters peaks with an array of lesser peaks that you can witness at one single glance from high Gokyo-Ri at above 5,357 m. Our scenic and marvelous walks start taking a flight from Kathmandu to reach at Lukla a town with unique air-strip and then following a gentle trail through nice and interesting Sherpa villages of Choplung-Ghat and Phakding located by the glacial Dudh Kosi River. On crossing several time over Dudh Kosi River to enter lovely woodland lined with coniferous trees rhododendron, magnolia, and pines with excellent views of snowcapped peaks along the walks that lead to climbing reaching a famous and colorful large village in Namche Bazaar. At Namche rest and acclimatization days with short walks to enjoy its tremendous views of Everest and other high peaks, where walk leads further beyond Namche and the sleepy villages of Khunde and Khumjung to reach beautiful Gokyo valley and its glacial lakes. At Gokyo where scenic hike takes you on top Gokyo-Ri, for Everest exciting views and panorama of world highest peaks and then heading back to Lukla, taking a scenic route through beautiful Thyangboche and its interesting monastery. Finally, our marvelous adventure ends at Lukla with a short panoramic flight to Kathmandu with memorable moments and wonderful experience on Gokyo-Ri and Everest Panorama Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m (35 mins) and walk to Phakding 2,640 m - 04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
Day 05: At Namche Bazaar for rest and acclimatization day.
Day 06: Trek to Khunde 3,880 m and Khumjung villages 3,670 m - 04 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Dole 4,110 m - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Machherma 4,470 m - 04 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,800 m - 04 hrs.
Day 10: Hike to Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m after lunch walk to Na 4,630 m or further - 04 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Phortse village 3,860 m - 04 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery 3,867 m via Pangboche 3,900 m- 05 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Monjo 2,875 m via Namche Bazaar - 05 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Lukla - 04 hrs. Afternoon free for walks.
Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel with a free afternoon.
Day 16:Free and contingency day in Kathmandu and for individual activities.
Day 17: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief regarding Gokyo-Ri and Everest Panorama trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
MorThe morning breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which are listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. After exams citing and enjoyable tour back to the el with free afternoon preparation for Gokyo-Ri and Everest Panorama treks.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m (35 mins) and walk to Phakding 2,640 m - 04 hrs.
An early start from the hotel after having breakfast with a short drive to Kathmandu domestic air-Terminal for a scenic flight to Lukla of 35 mins in small aircraft either Dornier or Twin Otter facing panorama of Himalayan peaks with Everest. After a swift flight of 30-35 minutes landing at Lukla airport known as Tenzing and Hillary airport (after legendry mountaineers first two to summit Mt. Everest on May 29th, 1953). At Lukla with a refreshing break, and then walk through Lukla Sherpa town, the gateway to high Khumbu valley and to various adventure around Everest region, as walk leads downhill for short-while and then on the gradual winding path past nice Sherpa farm villages and tended crops and vegetable fields and terraces. As walk encounters several Buddhist monuments Mani (prayer walls) and rows of spinning bells and into the cool shade of woodland to reach our overnight stop at Phakding village located by the Dudh Kosi River.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
Morning walks follow Dudh Kosi River upstream crossing bridges few time to reach at Monjo nice village with views of Kongde and Thamserku peaks with holy Mt. Khumbila towards the north. After Monjo enters into Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepalese while Sherpa Calls Chomolungma which means Great Mother in both languages), a short downhill and over a bridge to Jorsalle the last village before Namche Bazaar. From Jorsalle walk on river bed with a climb up after crossing the last high bridge and into the cool shade of pines and rhododendron woods with views of peaks as winding uphill walks takes you at famous Namche Bazaar for two full overnights.
Day 05: At Namche Bazaar for rest and acclimatization day.
A full rest and acclimatization day at Namche, an interesting big village and a town with many facilities of ATM-Banks-nice restaurants and bakeries with many stores and shops, at Namche once a week Saturday Market is held which will be active and colorful to witness. On this day one can hike on top Namche for grand views of Everest-Lhotse-Amadablam and other series of high peaks and visit its interesting museum with full information of Khumbu and Sherpa culture with various flora-fauna. Another side hike to Everest View Hotel a climb above Namche for few hours rewards you with stunning views of Everest and other high peaks.
Day 06: Trek to Khunde 3,880 m and Khumjung villages 3,670 m - 04 hrs.
Today a short walk which will help you with acclimatization, as morning walk leads to a steep climb for few hours to reach at Syangboche with a small old air strip, on walks aerial views of Namche Bazaar. From here a gradual walk to Khunde village and visit the only hospital built by late Edmund Hillary and run by its Foundation catching grand views of Amadablam, Everest and array of peaks, and the a slow descend to reach at large Khumjung village located on the large glacial valley. At Khumjung visit its old monastery of more than 500 years old, where you can witness a scalp believed to of Yeti, treasured in a glass box for visitors to view with some donations. Khumjung and Khunde one of the largest villages located beneath holy peaks of Khumbila the Patron God of Khumbu Sherpa with scenic views of surrounding peaks with Mt. Everest towards North.
Day 07: Trek to Dole 4,110 m - 06 hrs.
Morning walk starts on the gradual path to reach on the main trail of Namche and Everest base camp near Sanasa village, from here climb for an hour to Mong Danda a scenic ridge offering grand views of Everest, Amadablam with adjoining peaks, from here on the downhill to reach at PhortseTenga by the Dudh Kosi River. Afternoon walk leads uphill within cool shade of rhododendron-pines and oaks forest to reach at Dole for an overnight stop, a lovley spot with few good lodges facing north side of Khumbila peak.
Day 08: Trek to Machherma 4,470 m - 04 hrs.
Adventure continues heading higher, as walk leads to Machherma of 3-4 hours of pleasant scenic walks, morning starts with a climb to a small ridge and then walk on the nice winding path for few hours facing Mt. Cho-Oyu (world’s 6th highest peak at 8,201 m / 26,906 ft). From the high ridge descend to a valley where Machherma located with a number of nice lodges to stay with time in the afternoon for short walks.
Day 09: Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,800 m - 04 hrs.
Walk today much shorter heading to our main destination at Gokyo Lakes as our route leads high then with a climb, on leaving tree lines behind with grand views of mountains at a close distance. Walk reaches at first lake and then past second lakes to reach the main third lake of Gokyo at our final destination. Gokyo Lake is also known as Dudh-Kund regarded holy by both Hindu and Buddhist religions, here on checking into the fine lodge with time to enjoy views of surrounding mountains with Mt. Cho-Oyu at close distance.
Day 10: Hike to Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m afternoon walk to Na 4,630 m or further - 04 hrs.
Morning a climb for few hours to reach the highest point of the adventure on top Gokyo Ri at 5,357 m, rewards you with a panorama of peaks from Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Mt. Makalu towards east, view covers four world highest mountains at one glance with an array of smaller peaks. After enjoying glorious views down-hill to Gokyo for lunch with an easy short afternoon walks to Na a small settlement located beneath massive Ngozumba Glacier.
Day 11: Trek to Phortse village 3,860 m - 04 hrs.
After a wonderful and exciting time around Gokyo valley and the lake, morning an easier walk downhill to reach at a sleepy and quaint Phortse village, where few trekkers seldom pass this way an interesting Sherpa village away from main stream trekking trails. At Phortse with ample time for short walks around the village and viewpoints which is above Dudh Kosi River.
Day 12: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery 3,867 m via Pangboche 3,900 m - 06 hrs.
After an enjoyable and pleasant time at Phortse village, morning walk leads to scenic walks on gradual wide winding trails with views of Everest and other giant peaks, as walk leads to Pangboche and its old and important monastery. With some break then head downhill to a river and across a bridge reaching a forested area with climb To scenic and beautiful Thyangboche with its impressive monastery surrounded by mountains and green Woodland. At Thyangboche enjoy the exciting panorama of mountains with Everest and Amadablam at close distance, here with time for a tour into its interesting and colorful monastery and witness monks and priest on prayer. Thyangboche holds an important ‘Mani-Rimdu’ a colorful religious festival where monks perform mask dance to wade evil spirits, the festival falls in the month of October as per the Buddhist lunar calendar.
Day 13: Trek to Monjo 2,875 m via Namche Bazaar - 05 hrs.
After a nice morning with views of Everest and adjoining peaks, walk leads to Namche with time for a lunch break and stroll around its bazaar with stores and shops, afternoon walk downhill to Dudh Kosi River to reach at Monjo village for an overnight stop before Lukla.
Day 14: Trek to Lukla - 04 hrs. Afternoon free for walks.
Our last walk of the adventure, morning short trek of few hours following the same trail back to Lukla past Phakding and Ghat villages crossing over Dudh Kosi, and then with last final climb to reach Lukla town for last overnight stop around high scenic Khumbu and Everest region.
Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel with a free afternoon.
Early morning get transferred to Lukla ‘Tenzing and Hillary’ airport for short scenic flight back to Kathmandu overlooking mountain panorama with green hill landscapes as flight reaches at. Kathmandu airport and then transfer back to your hotel, with a free afternoon at leisure.
Day 16: Free and contingency day in Kathmandu and for individual activities.
A free and spare day in Kathmandu for contingency, in case of flight delay and cancellation at Lukla, which happens sometimes due to Himalayan unpredictable weather. To be safe with an extra day in Kathmandu, if all goes well as per our itinerary days, enjoy the rest day with individual activities or join in for another exciting sightseeing tour around Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur.
Day 17: International departure for home ward bound.
Last day in Nepal, a country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfers you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Gokyo-Ri and Everest Panorama Trekking.