Gokyo Trek via Renjo-La, 17-day program

Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (1,300 m)

Transfer to hotel

Brief about the itinerary for the next days

Overnight at Hotel

Sightseeing around Kathmandu – including World Heritage Sites like the Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati-Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ Swayambhu Nath, and the Buddhist shrine Bouddha Nath

Optional: last minute shopping in preparation for the next day

Overnight in hotel

Early breakfast

Transfer to the domestic airport

Flight to Lukla (flight duration: 40 minutes)

Arrival in the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,800 m)

Meeting with the other crew members

Trek from Lukla to Phakding (2,652 m)

Optional: side trip to a nearby monastery

Overnight at lodge

Trekking time: 3 hours [short for acclimatization]

Walk towards Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) – Pleasant walk with few short uphills and downhills, and multiple crossings over Dudh Koshi River; views of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m / 21,675ft)

Trek through the Benkar village

Trek by the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo – permits check point

Gradual descent to Jorsale, the last village before Namche Bazaar – walk through the river bed and across the Hillary Suspension Bridge

Climb up towards Namche Bazzar – views of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks, Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and others

Stop at the Chautara to admire the view

Arrival in Namche Bazzar, the main gateway of Khumbu region

Overnight at lodge

Trekking time: 6 hours

Acclimatization options [to trek a few hundred vertical feet helps to properly acclimatize]:

• Day hike to Thame

• Visit to Khunde

• Relaxed exploration of Namche Bazaar: Tourist Visitor Center near the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters with things related to the first Everest ascenders, the Sherpa culture and the plant and animal life of the Everest region; side trip to Khumjung and up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche; the Everest View Hotel; the Khumjung valley surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku, and the sacred peak of Khumbila with the yeti scalp monastery; visit to the Hillary School

Descent back to Namche Bazzar

Overnight at lodge

New permits check point

Arrival in the world’s higest hydroelectric power station

Steep ascent to Thamo (3,820 m), which hosts the Khari Gompa monastery, established more than 325 m – views of Thamserku, Kantenga, Kusum Kangguru, and other mountains

Overnight at lodge

Trekking time:5 hours

Trek from Thame to Longden

Arrival in Longden (4,280 m)

Overnight at lodge

Trek towards Gokyo via the Renjo La Pass (5,360 m)

Exploration around Gokyo’s third lake, Dudh Pokhari

Overnight at teahouse in Gokyo

Overnight at lodge

Trekking time: 8 hours

Day for rest and acclimatization

Climb to Gokyo Ri (5,330 m), the best viewpoint of the Everest Region, if the weather is good

Trek around the fourth (Thonak Tsho) and fifth lakes (Ngozuma Tsho)

Optional: climb to the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint for outstunding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu

Trek to the Cho Oyu Base Camp, beyond the fifth Lakes – views of the Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang

Trek to the Northern part of the fifth lake – views of the Cho-Oyu Base Camp and the Ngazumpa glacier, the biggest in the world

Optional: trek to the sixth lake

Return to Gokyo

Overnight at Gokyo

Short walk to the village of Machermo following the Dudh Koshi stream – excellent views of Tawoche

Trekking from Machhermo to Dhole (4,110 m)

Stay overnight at lodge 

Trekking time: 5 hours

Trek from Dhole to Phortse (3,810 m) – Viewing of the national birds of Nepal, the danphe (pheasant) and the kasturi (musk deer)

Overnight at lodge

Trekking time: 4 hours

Easy trek to the famous Monastery of Tengboche (3,860 m)

Overnight at lodge in Tengboche

Trekking time: 5 hours

Descent to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) through a forest trail

Possible viewing of wild life in the mountain, like  goats, snow leopards and colorful pheasants

Arrival in Chorten, and the army camp of Namche Bazaar – Last views of Lhotse, the tip of Everest and Tengboche

Overnight at lodge in Namche Bazaar

Trekking time: 4 hours

Steep descent towards Lukla (2,800 m)

Crossing of the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi

Mixed views of open plains, rhododendron and alpine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks

Walk through the Sherpa villages – views of the Buddhist faith and culture of prayer stones and prayer flags

Arrival in Lukla

Overnight at lodge

Trekking time: 7 hours

Flight back to Kathmandu – Usually scheduled for the morning to avoid problems with the wind. Flight could be delayed if there is bad weather

Arrival in Kathmandu

Transfer to the hotel

Overnight in Hotel B/B

Free day – at leisure

Options:

• extends your trip with another tour

• explore the Thamel for a last shopping day

Farewell dinner

Overnight at Hotel B/B

Transfer to the International Airport

End of program