Everest Base Camp And Gokyo

 Our tour begins this afternoon in Kathmandu.

Overnight Standard Hotel

After breakfast we have arranged a walking tour, visiting the bazaar and temples of old Kathmandu in the company of a local Nepali guide. Nepal’s bustling capital is a captivating mix of spice sellers and potters, rickshaws and sacred cows, all crowded together amidst a city of vibrant noise and colour. Our sightseeing this morning takes in the sumptuous majesty of Durbar Square, with its collection of ornate palaces, courtyards and temples that span some three centuries of dynastic rule by Malla, Shah and Rana kings. We’ll see the Great Bell and the fearsome image of the six-armed Kala Bhairab, the magnificent Taleju Temple and the Kasthamandap, the oldest building in the Kathmandu Valley. We will also visit the Asan Bazaar and the Kumari Ghar, home to the Kumari Devi, a living goddess worshipped by both followers of the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. This afternoon we will then have a full briefing on the trekking days ahead and an opportunity to visit a local hire shop to pick up any last minute equipment still needed.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Transferring to the domestic airport this morning we take the short 40 minute flight to Lukla, hopefully enjoying the spectacular views of Gauri Shankar (7415m), Melungtse (7181m) and Numbur (6955m) en route. Please be aware that adverse weather conditions and other local factors can cause delays and even cancellations to this flight and, although seats are booked and confirmed well in advance, it may be necessary to adjust the itinerary accordingly. Arriving in Lukla we will meet up with our Sherpa guides and crew and begin the descent down towards the village of Choplung (2697m). We then head north, following the east bank of the Dudh Kosi to Ghat (2545m), before crossing the river to our final destination for the day in Phakding (2610m). Total walking: Approx 3.5 hours. Descent 200m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we depart Phakding and continue along the western bank of the river, following a fairly level trail that leads into the Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale. The journey takes us through a landscape of pine and rhododendron forest, crossing the Dudh Kosi on a couple of occasions and ascending to the village of Chomoa. After lunch we then begin the long ascent up to Namche Bazaar, a fairly strenuous 666 metre climb that should afford us our first views of Everest and Lhotse, as we follow a meandering trail that leads through more pine forest up to the horseshoe-shaped bowl that contains the Sherpa village of Namche (3440m). Total walking: Approx 7 hours. Ascent 1080m/descent 200m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Situated high above the Bhote Kosi Gorge, Namche is the centre of Sherpa life in the Upper Khumbu and its bustling market and steep, narrow streets provide plenty of colour and interest. We have an extra day here to help acclimatize to the altitude, which affords an ideal opportunity to visit the National Park headquarters, as well as the nearby Sherpa Museum. There are some spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Nupse and Lhotse from here and this afternoon there is a chance to enjoy an optional hike along the Bhote Kosi Valley towards Phurte (3500m). A walk of some 2 hours, it involves a steep climb initially, but this does present some superb views across the surrounding landscapes to the mountains beyond. Alternatively you might just like to enjoy the atmosphere of Namche itself, doing a little shopping amongst its myriad of tiny stalls, or watching the bustling chaos of street life as yaks, trekkers and sherpas vie for space amongst its narrow lanes. Total walking: Approx 2 hours. Ascent 200m/descent 200m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we leave the Sherpa capital and continue along the trail until we reach Sanasa. We then take the Gokyo Trail and begin our trek towards to the lakes, crossing the ridge at Mong La (3992m) before descending steeply to our camp at Phortse Tenga (3640m).

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breaking camp we spend the morning walking through pretty rhododendron forests. The flowers are in full bloom during March and April and offer a stunning blast of colour againt the backdrop of mountain scenery. The rhododendrons give way to juniper and larch trees as we climb higher.  We reach Dole at lunchtime and the afternoon is free to relax and aid acclimatisation. (4040m)

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following the Gokyo Valley we trek alongside a small stream, through juniper forests until we reach a small collection of yak huts at Lhabarma.  We stop for a rest and hopefully meet some of the yak herders who graze their animals nearby.  The path can be steep in places but we take our time as we ascend to the small village of Macchermo (4465m).

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climbing to a ridge above Macchermo there are fantastic views down the valley to Kangtega and upwards towards Cho Oyu. We follow a relatively level stretch of the trail to Pangka, a collection of huts at the foot of the Ngozumpa Glacier. A steep climb brings us on to the glaciers terminal morraine and we make our way to the first of several small lakes. In the afternoon we reach the small village of Gokyo (4790m) on the shore of the Dudh Pokhani.  The afternoon is free to relax and explore the village.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoying the mountain views in the early morning light, we break camp and begin an ascent of a small peak called Gokyo Kang (5483m). Lying to the north-west of Gokyo it looks out across a breathtaking setting that includes the towering giants of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Nupste and Makalu, providing us with some of the most spectacular scenery of the entire trek. From here we descend to Gokyo village and follow a trail along the east side of the Gokyo Valley to the village of Na (4400m) This remote mountain village is our final destination for the day and we’ll set up camp in the imposing shadow of this stunning wall of ice.
Total walking: Approx 7 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Departing camp this morning we descend through the valley following a tributory of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River).  We pass the summer yak settlement of Konar and continue on until we reach Phortse (3840m).

Total walking: Approx 7 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail we follow now offers fine views of Kangtega, Thamserku and Ama Dablam, as we make our way to the attractive village of Pangboche. Its monastery is the oldest in the Khumbu region. After lunch we cross a large open meadow and descend through a forest of birch, conifers and rhododendron. The trail now climbs up past some magnificently carved Mani walls to Pangboche Monastery 3985m, the oldest monastery in the region. Our route takes us beyond the tree line, much of the vegetation is scrub juniper, tundra and windflowers. Passing several yak herders’ huts we climb over a small ridge before crossing the Khumbu Khola and ascending to Dingboche (4410m). (Approx 7 hrs walks, Approx 11 km)

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We are now well above the tree line and our walking today takes us across a wide plateau to Dusa, from where we descend and cross a fast flowing stream, before continuing the short distance up to the teahouse at Dughla (4620m). From here we then continue up the dominating ridge that lies before us, where we find a number of memorials to Sherpas killed on the various expeditions up Everest. These include one dedicated to Babu Chiri Sherpa, probably one of the most successful Sherpa guides ever, who still holds numerous records for his attempts on the summit - including the fastest climb, the longest duration on the summit and, incredibly, two summits in as many weeks!. He was tragically killed on his 11th attempt, when he fell to his death into a crevasse. Continuing along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, taking in the views of Kala Pattar and Pumori as we go, we finally reach Lobuche (4930m) and the end of our day’s trek. 
Total walking: Approx 6 hours. Ascent 570m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It's worthwhile making an early start today, to ensure the best chance of good views. Initially following a fairly level trail, we then begin a series of ascents and descents that crosses moraine landscapes to the small settlement of Gorak Shep (5160m). ON this day we will be following the moraine-peppered Khumbu Glacier towards Everest Base Camp and the imposing face of the Khumbu Icefall. Whilst the views along this stretch of the valley aren't as spectacular as the ascent of Kala Pattar (you can't actually see the peak of Everest along this route), the journey is still fascinating. It affords us the chance to view towering pinnacles of ice, called seracs, which are a particular feature of the Himalayan glaciers. Reaching up to 15 metres in height, these pillars of ice present an ever-present danger to mountaineers, as they can collapse without warning and, indeed, the Khumbu Icefall is considered one of the most dangerous sections of the South Col route up to Everest's summit. Retracing our steps from here, we return to Gorak Shep. Total walking: approximately 9 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another early start this morning sees us make a steep and fairly gruelling ascent up the nearby peak of Kala Pattar, whose summit (5545m) affords some quite breathtaking views of Base Camp, the summit of Everest and the South Col. There is little that can prepare you for the sheer magnificence of this landscape, with the towering heights of Everest to the east and the entire range of Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and Taboche laid out in all their glory before us. Descending from here we head back to Gorak Shep and descend slightly further to Pheriche. Total walking: Approx 9 hours. Ascent/descent 615m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On this day, we descent from the village and follow Imaja River to Pangboche, following the same trail. After Pangboche we descend further down until we reach a small bridge, where we will cross the Imja Khola. After crossing the river we ascent through a forest of birch, conifers, and rhododendron until we reach Deboche. After reaching Deboche, in our free time we follow a steep switch-back trail up to the spectacular monastery site of Thyangbouche (3867m), the cultural and religious heart of Khumbu. Destroyed by fire in 1989, the gompa was rebuilt thanks to a mixture of local and international aid, and today presents us with one of Nepal's most popular attractions, greatly enhanced by the stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges in the distance. To the north and northeast lie Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dabam and Taboche, whilst to the south lie the peaks of Thamserku, Kantega, and Kwangde. There will be an opportunity to visit the monastery and its neighbouring museum, before continuing into the valley to our overnight camp at Deboche (3760m). Total walking: approximately 6 hours. Ascent 750m/descent 450m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Returning to Namche via a different track to the one we took up, we follow the contours of the valley high above the river walk below, travelling via the Everest View Hotel for a last look back at Nepal’s iconic mountain before we descend back into Namche. The hotel is the most luxurious in the Khumbu, providing us with an ideal refreshment stop before we head back into the Sherpa capital. Taking a little more time to explore Namche, we then head down to Jorsale and exit the Sagarmatha National Park, continuing along the valley to the small settlement of Monzo, where we spend the night.
Total walking: Approx 7 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Retracing our steps along the east bank of the Dudh Kosi we make our final ascent down to Lukla, arriving sometime in the middle of the afternoon, affording ample time to relax and enjoy the feeling of a job well done. Lukla itself is a thriving community that is an eclectic mix of Sherpas, yaks, trekkers and soldiers and makes for a fascinating place to explore at the end of the trek. Total walking: Approx 5 hours. Ascent 100m/descent 140m.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walking the short distance to the airport this morning we catch the early flight back to Kathmandu (weather permitting). On arrival back in the capital the rest of the day has been left free to relax and enjoy something of the city’s lively markets and myriad of sites.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning there is the option to visit the temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the oldest and holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal and regarded by many as the most revered temple of Shiva on the planet. The river is considered holy because its waters eventually flow into the sacred Ganges, and the Ghats - steps leading down to the river - are regularly swamped by pilgrims bathing in the waters. This area is also one of the city’s most important cremation sites, where both royalty and the common people have their ashes sprinkled on the waters of the Bagmati, to make their way downriver towards the sacred Ganges. Alternatively visit to the stupa of Bodnath, one of the city’s most dominating monuments and one of the largest Buddhist stupa’s on the planet. A remarkable structure towering some 40 metres above the surrounding streets, Bodnath is a dazzling array of prayer flags, monks and pilgrims, all overlooked by the ever-present and all seeing eyes of the Buddha himself. This afternoon there is also an opportunity to take an optional excursion to the almost perfectly preserved Newari town of Bhaktapur in the eastern corner of the Kathmandu Valley. Also know as Bhadgaun or the City of the Devotees, Bhaktapur evokes the feel of a medieval village, a snapshot of a time when the city lay along the prosperous trade routes between Tibet, China and India. The ancient centre of the town is a dazzling collection of temples, palaces and monasteries that has earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and a wander around this cultural gem makes for a captivating visit.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast