This trip is one of the most spectacular alternate routes in the Everest region and much less trodden than the route to Base Camp. You will have an opportunity to really see Sherpa village life along with the fabulous views of the highest peak in the world! In addition to breathtaking mountain views, mountain lakes, valleys and the Ngazumpa glacier all add to make this a scenic adventure!
Spirit West is excited to offer this tour to you through our collaboration with Asian Trekking. Asian Trekking is a Nepali expedition operating company established 41 years ago. According to Paragraph 26 of the Tourism Act (2035), no foreign expedition teams or companies are allowed to provide expedition services in Nepal directly and any foreign company must work through a Nepali company licensed by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Nepal. As such, Nepali companies are the ones that provide all the legal, administrative, logistical, guiding and support services in Nepal, while also being legally responsible for the safe and responsible conduct of the expeditions. Booking through foreign expedition companies naturally makes the cost to the customer higher due to the extra layer of administration and profit margins, without necessarily adding any extra value
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1 - Schedule flight to Lukla
Schedule flight to Lukla (2840m). Trek to Phakding (2610m). Enjoy a scenic flight with stunning views as you fly alongside the Himalayas from Kathmandu to Lukla. Upon arrival in Lukla, it is a half day’s trek along the Dudh Kosi Valley to Phakding where you will rest for the night.
Day 2 - Namche Bazar
Namche Bazar (3440m). Continuing along the Dudh Kosi (river), you will enter Sagarmatha National Park (showing or buying your entrance ticket and registering your TIMS card). After continuing along the river, you will start to ascend towards Namche Bazar. This is the first altitude jump so it is important to take it easy on the way up.
Day 3 - Khumjung for acclimatization.
Khumjung (3780m) for acclimatization. It is a short journey to Khumjung (about 2 hours) and the rest of the day is set aside for acclimatization. After a steep climb up steps to the Syangboche airstrip. The route continues upwards before a short, steep descent to Khumjung where you can relax or visit the monastery for the remains of the day.
Day 4 - Dole
Dole (4200m). From Khumjng it is a short descent to Kyangjuma. Continuing along the Khumbu valley for a short while, you will be treated to stunning views of Thamserku, Katenga and Ama Dablam. Once you reach Sansa, you will turn up the Dudh Koshi valley on the Gokyo trail, which takes you up the steep climb of Mong La (3973m). From there, more fabulous views await you of the surrounding mountains and the Dudh Kosi valley. The trail goes down to the Dudh Kosi (river) and then up through the rhododendron forest to Phorste village. After enjoying more views of mountains, you will continue through the forest before reaching the small settlement of Dole.
Day 5 - Machermo
Machermo (4410m). This is a short day in terms of distance but the biggest ascent of the trek so far and altitude can start affecting you, so it is good to take it easy and be aware of how you are feeling and doing. Starting with a brief descent out of Dole, you will cross a bridge and then start climbing until you reach Luza (4390m). After some rest while enjoying views of the mountains above and valley below, you will continue up over barren, sandy terrain until you reach Machermo. This is the last big settlement before Gokyo and home to the Machermo Porter Shelter and Rescue Post which hosts a very interesting and useful lecture every afternoon on AMS(Acute Mountain Sickness). Well worth it and could be a life-saver!
Day 6 - Gokyo
Gokyo (4790m). You start by climbing the ridge over the valley and continue up as the valley widens until you reach Pangka. From here, the trail descends to the river before steeply going up again to the Ngozamba glacier. Crossing an iron bridge, the trail levels out and soon brings you to the first lake, Longpongo, followed by Taboche Tso, Dudh Pokhari and finally Gokyo lake itself and Gokyo village.
Day 7 - Gokyo - hike up Gokyo Ri
Gokyo - hike up Gokyo Ri (5360m). Climbing steeply up above Gokyo lake, the trail to Gokyo Ri (peak) is hard going, but when you reach the top, the views make you forget everything. From here you can enjoy views of all the surrounding mountains with Everest towering over them. Absolutely breath-taking, (once you’ve caught your breath!). You will return back to Gokyo for lunch and in the afternoon go for a walk around the lake and even go further to see the fourth and fifth Gokyo lakes if you are feeling up for it before returning to Gokyo to spend the night.
Day 8 - Thare
Thare (4300m). Setting off on your return, you will retrace your steps down the valley out of the Gokyo region, and pass the moraine of the Ngozamba glacier and then head south down the other side of the Dudh Kosi valley past mountain pastures and villages before reaching Thare.
Day 9 - Pangboche
Pangboche (3930m). About half an hour outside of Thare is the village of Thore. From there it is a continuing descent throughout the day until you reach the picturesque village of Phorste. It is a beautiful journey passing waterfalls and ice caves with a lot of descending and ascending before you eventually reach Pangboche.
Day 10 - Namche Bazar
Namche Bazar. A more leisurely day, passing through Tengboche where you can visit the monastery there before continuing on to Namche Bazar where you can rest for the night and check your email!
Day 11 - Lukla
Lukla. Another long day descending back down to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river through the valley. The route goes down and up finishing at the end with a climb through the forest, past villages and finally reaching Lukla, where you can put your feet up!
Day 12 - Return to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu. Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
