As an alternative to the typical Everest Base Camp route, Jyamchang guides you through the Gokyo Valley and to incredible views from the summit of Gokyo Ri. A 20-day adventure in the Himalayas.
Not specified
20 Days
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Extremely Fit
Advanced
Trekking any part of the majestic Himalayan mountains is an amazing adventure. One popular route is the intense 16-day trek to Mt Everest Base Camp, but of course this program is not for everyone. I'd like to offer you a more relaxed trek that reaches the Everest Base Camp through the Gokyo Valley. On this 20-day trek we test our limits while cherishing the surrounding area.
The Gokyo Lakes region is located at the head of the Dudh Kosi Valley. Gokyo Tso is the principal lake and is part of Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park, at an altitude of 4,700m (15,400ft) above sea level. Sagarmatha National Park is also home to Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and many other of the world's highest peaks. Sagarmatha, known locally as "Khumbu," is a rugged area with glaciers, deep gorges, and impassable rock and ice faces. It is also the home of the famous Sherpa people.
On this trip, we trek through the Sherpa heartland and summit Gokyo Ri (4790 m) before arriving at Everest Base Camp (5365 m). This way, we have lots of time to acclimatize and we get to explore a lot the region. The summit of Gokyo Ri is one of the highlights of the trip because from there we have a great view of Everest and the 8000 m peaks of Lhoste, Cho-Oyu, and Makalu. Another highlight is crossing chola pass glacier (5380 m), the highest point of the trip and probably the highest point of your life.
I hope during the trek you also take the time to appreciate the Sherpa culture. The Sherpas have historically lived by farming potatoes and barley and grazing yaks at high altitudes. But recently they have become well-known in the mountaineering and trekking industry. They are highly skilled mountaineers, and loyal and friendly.
You will also have the chance to observe the unique surrounding wildlife. Common animals in this region are the Musk deer, Himalaya Tahr, Pikka weasal, Ghoral, and jackal. The Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, wolf, and lynx also live in this area.
I urge you to consider this incredible trip to the Himalayas, accompanied by me, a local certified guide. I will make sure you have the experience of your life. Contact me for more information. I'm looking forward to meeting you in the mountains.
Inspired? Check out other trips I lead in Nepal, like this summit of Ama Dablam.
4.50
(8)
Mountain Guide
Hi! I'm Jyamchang, IFMGA/NNMGA certified mountain guide. I work together with a team of certified and professional mountain and trekking guides. If I'm not available to guide you, one of my colleagues will take great care of you.
I come from the East part of Nepal, between Makalu (8,470m) and Kangchenjunga (8,586m). I am IFMGA/UIAGM fully certified since 2009.
I have 20+ experience of climbing in the Himalaya. I’ve climbed Mt Everest (7 times), Mt Cho Oyu in Tibet (2 times), Mt Ama Dablam (8 times), Baruntse (2 times), Island peak (15 times), Lobuche (10 times), Pokhalde (10 times), Mera peak (10 times), Mehera peak (5 times), Chulu far east (3 times), Mt Shishapangma until camp 3, Manaslu until 7200m, and Chulu West, Lhakpa ri and other another few more times.
I also have extensive experience of climbing in Europe: France, Italy, UK and Norway (where I work for three months during the summer as a glacier guide).
I'm also a technical mountain rescue coordinator for the 8000's.
It will be my pleasure to guide you through your journey whether for trekking, peak climbing or any mountaineering expedition. Get in touch and let's discuss about the purpose of your trip.
Languages
Nepali | English
Certificates
NNMGA | IFMGA
Martin
5.00
After a year and a half of planning, a new attempt was made on Ama Dablam. This time a third person joined the climbing party. Acclimatisation on Lobuche gave us a foretaste of what the numerous pitches on Ama Dablam's steep terminal slopes would feel like. Good weather conditions and a swift Alpine style climb to C1, C2 and finally the summit concluded this project. Thank you so much Jyamchang for guiding us up there! The timing of the climb (before Autumn's commercial expeditions), choice of porters and additional logistics were once again very professional.
Martin
5.00
As some famous mountaineer once said about his Sherpa climbing partner, Jyamchang belongs to a new generation of Nepali guides who really love to climb. For them, mountaineering isn’t just about business. And that’s the reason why we got along very well whilst attempting the ascent of Ama Dablam in April 2017. We were lucky enough to be able to meet beforehand in Chamonix for a thorough check-up of the equipment and a briefing on the various logistics. I found him to be that kind of straight-to-the-point, smiling and organized person I was hoping to have as a guide and partner for an ambitious climb above 6000 meters, which I had only performed once before (on Island Peak). We met at the airport in Kathmandu and joined a good friend of mine and his trekking guide, who accompanied us during the acclimatization trip across the 3 passes and on to EBC. This gave us plenty of time to get our bodies accustomed to altitude. Jyamchang and I performed a daily health check-up to monitor the effects of altitude, a routine which I found to be very professional. We had agreed during our first Skype discussions that we were going to climb alpine style. That is minimum logistics, no fixed ropes etc. The idea of climbing a difficult mountain such as Ama Dablam without these facilitating artefacts strongly appealed to me, and I appreciated that Jyamchang pushed for this approach of the climb. This was not just pulling the client to the top of the mountain and then collecting the summit bonus. Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions the day before summit day, we were unable to reach the summit. However, I found that Jyamchang’s attitude during the difficult descent with rapidly degrading weather conditions, and another party that we had to help descend, was again showing a professional and competent approach to the mountain environment. All in all, we had a great time in the beautiful surroundings of the Khumbu valley and may be climbing together again in a future expedition. I can strongly recommend Jyamchang for trekking and climbing elsewhere in the world (Jyamchang also guides in Norway). Martin, 32 - Belgium
Joel
5.00
Our guide Phurpur was amazing and the climb was surreal. However, we finished the trip early due to a fast pace while walking and this meant we had to pay for our own food and accommodation from day 17 to 20. Which we felt was unjust as we were penalised for going faster than normal, had we known this was the case we wouldn’t have done it. Also be warned, although our guide was amazing, we didn’t get the IFMGA guide as advertised, we got a trekking guide. Finally, we did not receive a 3-day glacier course as promised on the itinerary. We raised these points to Jyamchang, but no compromise was made on their behalf. Overall, happy with the guide but very disappointed with the company and how they dealt with our situation. If the listing was properly advertised and you received what was listed with no catches and clauses we would have been happy, but this is not the case.
Jon-Kristian
5.00
We had the pleasure of climbing Island Peak with High Himalayan; our trip included Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and Island Peak. Jyamchang and his entire team did an extraordinary job of taking care of us, always doing the extra to take care of us and make sure we had the best possible opportunity to succeed with our climb. The team is both skilled and strong, and helped us in every possible way, such as carrying extra from our personal equipment to relieve our loads etc. We would not have succeeded on Island Peak without the care, support, help and patience from a strong team of climbing guides. One area for improvement; we would have appreciated more information about practicalities, equipment, itinerary etc before the trip. I hope to return to Nepal again in the not-too-distant future and would be happy to make a new trip with High Himalayan.
Roberto
1.00
1. First of all, the trip is ill-advertised, referring to Jyamchang as the accompanying guide but in reality he is not the same guide who accompanied me. 2. I asked a number of questions on the explore-share platform, most of which remained unanswered until the day I met the actual guide in Kathmandu. 3. Most worrying, is the fact that I clearly asked if 14 days were enough to summit Mera (for which I have been told they are indeed enough). However, the first thing I was told upon arriving in Kathmandu was that I have little mountain time and that I should postpone my return flights. I was also later informed, that most people who successfully summit Mera usually take a day or two more acclimatisation days in Khare. 4. The agreed plan was to return from Lukla directly to Kathmandu. One day prior returning, I was informed that due to the high season, flights are redirected to another airport and an extra 6 hour drive is required to reach Kathmandu. Otherwise, to fly directly to Kathmandu one needs to catch a helicopter flight and add another 50USD. After researching, I found out that this is true and happens in the beginning of October, however the company failed to inform me and plan in advance. 5. Hotel in Kathmandu was basic but nice, however air conditioning and TV did not work and on my last day I even had ants on my bed, fridge and sink. 6. The guide and porter to whom I was allocated, Pekma and Ganesh, were really nice and helpful people. Pekma (guide) was knowledgeable about the surrounding environment, Nepalese lifestyle, had significant mountain experience and was very supportive throughout the trip. Pekma managed all lodges and tea houses which were adequate. Food in the mountains was good and Pekma always assisted what foods are best to eat according to the location and availability. I did not experience any gastrointestinal issues. In conclusion, I would not recommend this trip if you aim for a successful summit.
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