Gokyo Chola Pass Trek 17 days

Detail Itinerary - Gokyo Chola Pass Trek 17 days

Day 01: Our 35 minutes flight from Kathmandu to reach Lukla and trek for 4 hours to reach Phakding(2562m)

Day 02: We trek for 7 hours from Phakding to reach Namche Bazaar(3440m)

Trek small ascends and descends to the entry point of Everest National Park headquarters and then to Jorsale for lunch break. After lunch, we trek all steep uphill to Namche bazzar, the gateway to Everest. In the middle of the hill there is a vantage point that provides our first view of Mt Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.

Day 03: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar.

There are different options acclimatize day hiking in Namche bazzar. One option you can walk to National park head quarter above Namche where there is a mini museum of flora and fauna, the view from there is very wonderful includes Mt. Everest, AmaDablam and Thamserku. Next option is trekked to Everest view hotel, then back to Namche bazzar via Khumjung village visiting Hillary school.

Day 04: We trek for 6 hours from Namche Bazaar to reach Dole (4110m)

Breakfast and walk on the mail trail to Everest Base Camp for short time, and then 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 to Dole. We pass pleasant waterfalls and sit to gaze at the glaciers that flow from Taweche and Cholatse on the opposite side of the valley.

Day 05: We trek for 5 hours from Dole to reach Machhermo(4470m)

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 our ascent of Gokyo Ri (5483m). We take things easy but this afternoon you may wish to stretch your legs and take a walk up the ridge behind Luza for a view of the Gokyo Valley.

Day 06: We trek for 4 horus from Machhermo to reach Gokyo Lake(4800m)

Trek to Gokyo village following the valley high above the river. There are excellent views of Cholatse at the village of Pangka and we stop to enjoy them. Then trek onto the moraine and rock that extends down from it, enjoying the excellent views of Kantega to the south and Cho Oyu to the north. 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 where the Gokyo is existed.

Day 07: Explore the Gokyo Lake.

You can trek to Gokyo Peak which start early in the morning. The summit offers the extravagant vista of Cho You, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. While climbing down you can enjoy the view of Gokyo Lake. Overnight at teahouse.

Day 08: We trek back to Gokyo Lake after climb to Gokyo Ri and trek to reach Thangnag (4750m)

Trekking Duration: 4 hours

Wake up early in the morning to climb Gokyo peak for the panoramic Himalayas views of Everest and Cho Oyu and overlooks Ngozuma glacier, get down to Gokyo, lunch and continue trek to Thangnag for overnight scaling by the second Lakes and the Ngozumba Glacier.

Day 09: We trek for 5 hours from Thangnag to reach Dzongla (4850 m) via Gokyo Cho-la Pass (5367m)

Gokyo Cho-La Pass is also another show up of this trip. Today is the toughest day and we need to start early (4-6 am) compared to other days on the trip. 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. Though the trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail we climb up continuously. While trekking through the side of a frozen lake we reach at 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.

Day 10: We trek for 3 hours from Dzongla to reach Lobuche (4940m)

Today’s walk will be a bit shorter. Thus, we would get more time to observe and relax. We climb down from Dzongla and cross a bridge and then transverse through grassy trail. Enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak we stretch up eventually through a ridge. Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku Taboche are seen looming prominently. Curving round through the wide gravelly river bed, we will be at Lobuche. Overnight stay at Lobuche.

Day 11: We trek from Lobuche reach Gorak Shep (5170 m) and continue to trek to reach Everest Base Camp (5364 m) and trek back to Gorak Shep

Trekking Duration: 9 hours

The trail to Gorak Shep goes ahead through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Ahead on the trail we see crest of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A small ascent would take us to Thangma Riju from where we perceive 360 degree vista of snowy mountains. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri Glacier, we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar, a grey-green knoll beneath the Mt. Pumori. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will find snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world – Mt. Everest. After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials. Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip.

Day 12: We trek from Gorak Shep to reach Kala Patthar and continue our trek to reach Pheriche (4280 m)

Trekking Duration: 9 hours

Today is the climax of our trip. We start early in the morning to catch the dramatic views from Kala Patthar witnessing the first light of day shining on Mount Everest. However, we need to get prepared for an early morning, dark and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C) departure beforehand. Further, there is always the potential for chilly wind which is quite common. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself emerging between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, 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 this juncture, we scramble to climb the rocky outcrop near to the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags. As we reach the top, we sit on the Kala Patthar where rocks our eyes taking unbelievable Himalayan Panorama, wandering from one mighty massif to another. Overnight stay at Pheriche.

Day 13: We trek for 6 hours from Pheriche to reach Pangboche then after Tengboche Monastery

Overnight at Tengboche

Day 14: We trek for 4 hours from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar

Overnight at Namche Bazaar

Day 15: We trek for 4 hours from Namche Bazaar to reach Phakding

Overnight at Phakding

Day 16: We trek for 4 hours from Phakding to reach Lukla

Overnight at Lukla

Day 17: We fly from Lukla back to reach Kathmandu

01. Flight Ticket: (Kathmandu-Lukla) and (Lukla-Kathmandu)

03. Teahouse / Lodge while during trekking

04. Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek.

05. Trekking Permit – National Park fee and TIMS card

06. Guide and Porter and their flight, insurance, meals, salary and accommodation.

07. All government Taxes and Company service charges

01. Hotel Accommodation and Meals- lunch & dinner in Kathmandu

02. Expenses of personal natures like internet, telephone, WiFi, Laundry, hot shower, battery charging fee for mobile and camera.

03. Any kind of drinks and desert like coke, Mineral water, hot water, tea, coffee, beer, whisky.

04. Travel insurance in case of emergency for rescue helicopter and other medication.

05. Upgrade accommodation like room with private toilet.

06. Tips for guide and porter

07. All the cost not mention on above cost includes