Arrive at Tribhuvan international airport(1350m) where you can meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. After a short refresh, we will brief you about the next day’s program.
Gokyo Valley Trek Itinerary
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Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu Kathmandu
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Day 02 In Kathmandu (1350m)
After breakfast, we will leave for sightseeing around the UNESCO world heritage site Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pasupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centers of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world and you can even witness the only living goddess (Kumari) in Kathmandu Durbar Square. Overnight hotel.
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Day 03 Fly to Lukla (2800m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)
We transfer to the airport for the 45-minute flight to the STOL airstrip at Lukla. This was the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and his friends to service the Everest Region when he began his work of building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people. It is a memorable flight, with marvelous views of the Eastern Himalayas. At Lukla, we are immediately impressed by the scale of the huge peaks that surround the village, but this is only a foretaste of what is to come. Our crew assembles and we head downhill towards the Dudh Kosi, a raging river that flows from the highest peaks, named "Dudh" (milk) Kosi (river) because of its color. After around four hours’ trek, we reach Phakding village.
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Day 04 Trek to Namche Bazaar.
Today we cross and re-cross the thundering glacial river with a suspension bridge. Sections of today's walk are through pine forest and cleared areas to reveal terraced fields and a variety of crops. We pass small groups of donkeys, yaks, and dzopko carrying trading goods and trek - gear along the trail. A dzopko is a yak-cow crossbreed while a yak is a full-blood long-haired male, more commonly found at higher altitudes. We pass through a variety of small hamlets as we slowly gain altitude. Spectacular mountain peaks unfold above us and seem to hover above the tree-line as they rise above the deep river valley. Shortly after leaving camp, we cross the Kusum Khola, a tributary stream to the Dudh Kosi, and the peak of Kusum Kanguru (6369 m) can be seen to the East, at the head of the valley. Further along the trail, across the valley to the North-West, Nupla (5885 m) and Kongde Ri (6093 m) rise above the forested ridges. At a turn of the trail, Thamserku (6808 m) rises majestically, seemingly from the river floor. We will see our first Mani walls today. After lunch at Jorsalle, we follow the river course to the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi and cross a spectacular high bridge before commencing our ascent to the village of Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa "capital" of Nepal. It is a tough climb as the trail passes through a forest of pine to a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt Everest. The trail continues to climb and meander to Namche and the sight of this prosperous village spread within a horse-shoe-shaped valley opposite the beautiful peak of Kongde Ri is worth every step.
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Day 05 Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar
After breakfast we will move to Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters just 30 minutes above our hotel offers a very interesting display of photographs, memorabilia, and information about the park, and the hill above is a wonderful vantage point for the spectacular view up the Imja Khola Valley towards Everest. The change from the narrow lowland valleys to the broad glacial ones is immediately obvious. The steep-sided glacial valley before us gradually winds towards the base of Everest, broken only by the moraines left by retreating glaciers. Its more gradual rate of climb is a blessing for those trekking higher. Towering to over 4000 meters above sea level, spectacular peaks seem to engulf us. Around us are Taweche (6542 m), Thamserku (6808 m), Kantega (6685 m), Ama Dablam (6856 m), Nuptse (7896 m) and Lhotse (8511 m). The greatest of all, Mt Everest (8848 m), rises at the head of the valley. The Sherpa Cultural Centre next to our hotel has an interesting collection of mountaineering items and photographs. Those who are fit and acclimatizing well may wish to take the optional walk to the Everest View Hotel (2-3hrs) where spectacular views of Everest and Ama Dablam may be seen. For those feeling well acclimatized there is also the option of a day walk to the pretty village of Khumjung. Khumjung is where Sir Edmund Hillary built his “Schoolhouse In the Clouds” and the famed Khunde hospital is close by. We will also be able to visit the monastery at Khumjung where we may have the opportunity to see the “scalp of a yeti”.
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Day 06 Trek from Namche to Dole
Heading North-East we follow the main trail to Thyangboche as it contours around the hills, before we branch off on a short climb on the flanks of the sacred peak of Khumblia (5761 m). We traverse for some time across yak pastures as the trail gradually ascends to Mon La. Below us is the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Imja Khola and across the valley, Thyangboche monastery is framed by Ama Dablam and Kantega. An initial short climb gets us onto the trail for the steady climb towards Gokyo. Since leaving the main trail we have seen progressively fewer trekkers and locals and the relative isolation of the trail is a pleasure. Sections of red birch, fir, and dwarf rhododendron forest are interspersed with areas of yak pasture as we gradually gain altitude. We pass pleasant waterfalls and sit to gaze at the glaciers that flow from Taweche and Cholatse on the opposite side of the valley. Behind us, spectacular ridges lead to the peak of Khumblia and the numerous unnamed peaks that reach almost 6,000 meters. The camp will be at Dole, in a field beside a pleasant stream. In the distance, Kantega and Thamserku rise above the foothills. Overnight at Guesthouse. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
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Day 07 Trek to Machhermo
Continuing a steady but constant climb, we reach the "village" of Machhermo for lunch. Like the few small villages in this valley, Machhermo has only a few buildings and these are empty much of the year. Villagers in Khumjung and Khunde generally own land here high up the valley, where they graze yaks in the summer months. This is a valuable acclimatization day as we prepare for the higher altitudes and our ascent of Gokyo Ri (5483m). This afternoon can be spent relaxing or you may wish to stretch your legs and take a walk up the ridge behind Luza for a view of the Gokyo Valley. Just a short walk from camps is the Machhermo Porter Shelter and Rescue Post which is well worth a visit, here you can learn more about altitude and the work of IPPG (International Porter Protection Group).
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Day 08 Trek to Gokyo valley
Following the valley high above the river, we commence the ascent to Gokyo village. There are excellent views of Cholatse at the village of Panga and we stop to enjoy them. We are now in the high alpine country and as we approach the Ngozumpa Glacier we trek onto the moraine and rock that extends down from it. We enjoy excellent views of Kantega to the south and Cho Oyu to the north. Each mountain has its character and presence and you can understand why the Nepalese give them such religious significance. Once we have ascended the snout of the glacier the path levels. We pass the first of the lakes, Longpongo, before reaching the second, Taoche Lake, a larger body of water and a place where ducks are often seen swimming in the freezing waters. As we walk up the valley our path parallels the Ngozumpa Glacier and separating us from the glacier is the massive lateral moraine.
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Day 09 Hike to Gokyo Ri
An early start is best for the opportunities that the early morning views offer. The steady and unrelenting ascent of Gokyo Ri will take two to three hours, depending on your level of fitness and acclimatization. It is not a race and times of up to six hours are cherished by those who thought they would not make it at all. If you find the climb hard work don't hesitate to ask one of the guides to carry your day pack. You will be elated when you reach the summit with its spectacular view. Probably the most comprehensive view of 8,000-meter peaks in Nepal, many people consider it to be Nepal’s best. Surrounding us are Cho Oyu (8153 m), (a mountain that defeated a British Expedition of climbers, including Hillary, in their lead-up to their successful assault of Everest), Gyangchung Kang (7922m), Lhotse (8501m), Makalu (8475 m), Cholatse (6440m), Taweche (6542m), Kantega (6685m), Thamserku (6808m), Lobuche (6145m) and Mt Everest (8848m). Hundreds of other unnamed peaks fill the scene, whilst below us, the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in Nepal, stretches through the valley. The striking color of the lakes below completes the picture. The only way to get a better view of the entire Everest region would be to climb a 7,000-meter peak! Although further from Everest than Kala Pattar, the traditional viewing point, here we see more of the mountain and enjoy a more relaxed environment.
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Day 10 Trek back to Dole
Trek back to Dole. The views during the return have a different point. The trail meanders around the constantly changing obstacles and affords great views of Cho Oyu and Cholatse. We cross our camp at Machhermo and reach our camp at Dole. We see the slopes of Cholatse and Taweche.
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Day 11 Trek back to Namche Bazaar
It’s about six-hour descent to the Namche bazaar where you can feel very comfortable after a few days. It’s almost the same view as what you have seen before so you can check in on day six.
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Day 12 Trek back to Lukla
Around seven-hour trek down to the Lukla. Lukla is the biggest city on this trek where you can enjoy yourself with an Irish pub and another bar. Lukla is the last day of our trek so we will have dinner together in Lukla. If you need more information, you can see day 3 and day 4.
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Day 13 Fly back to Kathmandu
This morning we fly to Kathmandu, a thrilling flight over forests, fields, and villages, with the Himalayas in the background. On arrival, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, a good time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Evening we will provide you farewell dinner in Nepali cultural restaurants.
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Day 14 Departure
A representative from Trekkers' Society will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal. Check-out time from the hotel is at noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. We will drop you anytime according to your flight to the Airport.
