Proposed
Gokyo Ri Itinerary
Day 1 Kathmandu (1330 m)
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Courtyard
Hotel in Thamel. Arrangements will be made to have a pre-trek
briefing, final gear checklist, and group dinner. The remainder
of the day will be at your leisure to explore the streets,
shops and pubs of Thamel, a backpacker haven.
Day 2 Half Day Sightseeing –
Kathmandu Valley
This morning a sightseeing tour will be arranged,
taking in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. These
include Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupathinath and Durbar
Square. In the afternoon you have time to explore Kathmandu,
Patan, Bhaktapur and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley
on foot, by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range
of fascinating highlights, whatever our 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.
Day 3 Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and
trek to Phakding (2800 m)
We will transfer to the airport for a 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 Himalaya. At Lukla the
scale of the huge peaks that surround the village immediately
impresses us, but this is only a foretaste of what is to come.
We’ll assemble, have lunch and head downhill to the
Dudh Kosi, a raging river that flows from the high peaks.
The broad and well-marked trail meanders around fields of
potatoes and buck-wheat and passes through small villages,
as we pass rows of tree dahlia to make our way past Chablung,
Ghat to Phakding. During this hike you likely meet your first
yaks, or dzopkyos, used to carry loads from the Everest region
to Lukla.
*Yaks are primarily load carriers and they are
generally fairly well behaved. Beware of waving horns when
they approach from behind or when passing in the opposite
direction. Be sure you always keep to the mountain side when
passing as it would only take a small nudge to send you tumbling
down to the river valley.
Day 4 Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Sections of today’s walk are through pine
forest and cleared areas revealing terraced fields and a variety
of crops. We pass small groups of donkeys and yaks carrying
trading goods and trek-gear along the trail. We will pass
through some small villages of Benkar, Chomoa, and Monjo before
reaching the Sagarmantha National Park where we must present
our trekking permit.
The walk will be along and across the Dudh Kosi
river valley several times. The first large peaks will start
to emerge – Kusum Kangru (6369m), Nupla (5885m), Kongde
Ri (6093m) and Thamserku (6808m).
We will see our first Mani walls today. These
stone structures are a compilation of many stone tablets,
each with the inscription “Om Mani Padi Hum” which
translates to “Hail to the jewel in the lotus”
and is mantra chanted by Buddhists. Buddhists will walk to
the left of these Mani Walls and chortens but you may notice
that people of the lowlands who have no knowledge of Buddhism
do not follow this ceremony.
The final leg of this walk is tough. You will
cross a spectacular suspension bridge before the tough climb
to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa “capital” of Everest.
Take your time, move slowly, and stop for water breaks, as
there is a significant gain in altitude.
Day 5 Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Today is a rest day to acclimatize.
Consider waking early to watch the sunrise from
Namche’s wonderful vantage point up the Imja Khola Valley
towards Everest. You’ll see magnificent views of some
of the most well known mountains in the Everest Region –
Tawatse (6542m), Thamserku (6808m), Kantega (6685), Ama Dablam
(6856m), Nuptse (7856m) , Lhotse (8511m) and Everest (8848m).
You may wish to visit the Tibetan trader’s
stalls or Sherpa shops in search of a bargain. The Sherpa
Cultural Center offers mountaineering, photos and memorabilia
is on display. Those fit enough may want to take an optional
morning walk to the Everest View Hotel to view Everest and
Ama Dablam or to the local monastery.
Day 6 Dole (4000 m)
We will leave Namche and walk northeast through
the village of Phortse. The trail will lead toward the Ngozumpa
Glacier toward Gokyo. We’ll see 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’ll see waterfalls and glaciers that
flow from Taweche and Cholatse on the opposite side of the
valley.
Dole sits next to a pleasant stream. In the
distance Kantega and Thamserku rise above the foothills. It
was at Dole that one of the more recent and “credible”
yeti sightings took place.
Day 7 Machhermo/Phanga (4410 m)
Continuing a steady but constant climb, we reach
the “village” of Machhermo. Like the few small
villages in this valley, Machhermo has only a few buildings
and these are empty much of the year. There are a few lodges
and great views.
Day 8 Gokyo Lakes (4750 m)
There are excellent views of Cholatse at the
village of Pangka. We are now in 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 individual character and presence and you can understand
why the Nepalese give them such religious significance.
After we ascend the snout of the glacier, the
path levels off. We pass the first two lakes, Longpongo and
Taoche, before reaching the largest, Dudh Pokhari. We will
stay near the shores of this lake.
Day 9 Gokyo Ri (5483 m) and Dragnag
Today is an optional trek to the top of this
mountain peak. If you are feeling healthy, you don’t
want to miss the high point of the trip. After a very early
wake-up and a three-hour steep climb the most remarkable views
of Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Ngozumpa Glacier and Gokyo Lakes
will appear at sunrise.
Although further from Everest than Kala Pattar,
the traditional viewing point, here we see more of Mt. Everest
and enjoy a more relaxed environment to view the peak.
After the descent, we’ll cross over the
Ngozumpa Glacier and travel to Dragnag in time for dinner.
Day 10 Phortse (4400 m)
We will walk along the eastern side of the valley
to gain different views of Khumbila. It will be a little warmer
because the snow stays on these slopes a little longer during
the day. You will see interesting views of the trail you took
up to Gokyo across the river valley.
Day 11 Tengboche (3867 m)
There can be a tendency to rush, particularly
as we are walking downhill but there is still much to see.
We descend through Portse to Pangboche and visit its historic
old monastery before continuing down to the Imja Khola through
the monastery archway. The bridge across the river is spectacular
and the rapids cause the river to roar beneath us. We walk
through the pleasant forest of rhododendron, fir, pine and
birch, which provides shelter to birds and hog deer, before
we reach a clearing at Tengboche Monastery.
The monastery was recently rebuilt with the
assistance of Sir Edmund Hillary after it was destroyed by
fire. Take a tour of the monastery and learn about the many
ceremonies that take place and discuss the life of monks in
residence.
Day 12 Namche Bazaar (3500 m)
We will return to Namche Bazaar for the final
night in Khumbu. Take advantage of this time to make final
purchases knowing that you only have to carry them for one
more day!
Day 13 Lukla (2800 m)
We descend down the steep mountainside that
Namche sits on and make our way back to Lukla. We will overnight
in Lukla and have a celebration dinner.
Day 14 Lukla/Kathmandu (1330 m)
We will wake very early and catch the first
flight out of Lukla. We should arrive back to our hotel in
Kathmandu by noon and have the remainder of the day to relax.
Day 15 Kathmandu
This is your final day of relaxation, sightseeing,
and shopping before departing the next morning for your flight
home.
Day 16 Kathmandu/Bangkok
An overnight layover in Bangkok will give you
the opportunity to take in a round of kickboxing, view the
unusual sights on Patpong Rd or just relax with a Thai massage.
We will have an early morning departure flight back to the
states.
Day 17 Arrive in USA
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