Everest Base Camp & 3 High Passes

APRIL 2023

“Because, it’s there” opined the famous British climber George Mallory in 1924, when asked why he wanted to climb Everest (8,848 mtrs) the highest mountain on Earth.

“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

Embark on a trek of a lifetime as we head to the Himalayan trails meandering through the Khumbu, the area around Everest. Bedazzled by the slumbering giants Lhotse (8,501 mtrs), Nuptse (7,861 mtrs), Lobouche West (6,145 mtrs) and others- each awe inspiring and stunning.

The Everest offers well-trodden trekking trails with a smatter of tea-houses lodges with very welcoming hosts, luxurious living amenities and delectable menu options.

OVERVIEW:

Our Everest High Passes Trek takes us to the Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, Gokyo Valley and its tranquil Lake -Gokyo Ri for amazing views of the landscape. More importantly, this route introduces trekkers to the remote and untouched Nangpa La Valley, the Sherpa village of Marlung and the monastery village of Thame. Moreover, trekkers tread on world famous routes while crossing the high passes of Kongmo La 5,545m Cho La (5420m/17,782ft) and Renjo La (5,340m/17,520ft).

Cho La and Renjo La are rugged high passes that link the major valleys of the Everest region. Crossing them and climbing the peaks of Kala Patar and Gokyo provides an unforgettable Himalayan experience.

We then ascend to Gorak Shep to visit Everest Base Camp and also climb Kala Patar for breath-taking close-up views of Mount Everest, before traversing the glaciated Cho La (Pass) to Gokyo. Here we explore the valley and climb Gokyo Ri for more astonishing mountain vistas, including another angle of Everest and the huge south face of Cho Oyo, before scrambling across Renjo La (Pass) to enter Bhote Kosi Valley.

We then descend through yak-grazing pastures to Thami, where we begin our return journey to Kathmandu, accomplished by a thousand Everest memories.

Don’t we all have our own personal Everests to climb and conquer?

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival and transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu (1,360 mtrs)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred to your hotel. ( 30 minutes drivetime)

Post check-in, the Trek Leader will set a time for your “Trek Briefing” to orient you with details pertaining to your proposed trek. The evening is at leisure; however, your Trek Leader will organise a Welcome Dinner at a fine local restaurant and get you acquainted with other participants.

Overnight: Hotel Holy Himalaya

Day 02: City Tour (1,360 mtrs) 

Today, after breakfast you will drive to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the Hindus. Witness Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the “ghats.”

The rest of your afternoon is at leisure.

Late afternoon you will be handed over your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given.

Overnight: Hotel Holy Himalaya (Meal: Breakfast)

Day 03 : Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding (2,652 mtrs) 

Your early morning flight(40 minutes flight duration)  from Kathmandu to Lukla        (2, 827 mtrs) is spectacular with breath taking views of the Himalayas.You will land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing you will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load your trekking equipment.

You begin the trek by walking through the Lukla village and join the main trail to the Everest Valley.

The walking is easy today with great views of Kusum Khanguru. We trek through small villages of Thadokoshi and Ghat. After passing through Ghat (2,550 mtrs), it is only a short walk to Phakding.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 04 : Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,446 mtrs) 

This morning, head towards the valley for Namche Bazaar following the Dudh Koshi river. You get spectacular views of Mt.Thamserku from Benkar. From here it is only a short walk to Monjo (2,835 mtrs)- the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park.

After lunch, it’s fairly an easy walk till we get to the last suspension bridge.

The views of Lhotse, Nuptse and Tawache come into views for the first time, You now make a steep ascent to get to Tope Danda where you have photo-opps of Everest Nuptse and Lhotse.

We now make a gradual climb to get to Namche Bazaar.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 05: Rest & acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar (3,446 mtrs) 

Today is an Acclimatisation Day . Choose from options where you can either go for a hike to Syangboche or do other walks around Namche. The stunning vista includes a superb panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest.

The afternoon is free to wander through Namche. You can enjoy the bakeries, surf the internet or buy souveneirs,etc.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 06: Trek to Tyangboche (3,875 mtrs) 

Today’s walk presents you with great opportunities to spot local wildlife including the beautiful Danfe pheasant, Himalayan thar (mountain goat) and musk deer.

From Namche Bazaar, you will climb towards the park headquarters and follow a contouring trail high above the Dudh Kosi river.

Above Namche the route to Thyangboche becomes visible and is a fairly easy hike to PhungiTanga. This is where we break for lunch.

Post lunch,  you will ascend initially steeply, through forests of mixed pine, fir, black juniper and rhododendron to get to Thyangboche. The views of Everest, Amadablam, Lhotse Khantega and Thamserku are breath-taking.

In the late afternoon we go and visit the Monastery to join the daily prayers with the Monks. This is one of the best spots for sunset.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 07 : Trek to Dingboche(4,360 mtrs) 

Post-breakfast, we descend through the alpine forest to get to Debuche. This is a favoured haunt for mountain Goats and the Musk deer. After crossing the Imja Khola, the trail gradually climbs up with views of Amadablam to the village of Pangboche. Ascend gradually high above the Imja Khola River and past the tea houses at Shomare and Orsho before crossing the river to get to the lodge at Dingboche. The scenery is spectacular and although Everest disappears behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge here, but you get stunning views of Amadablam and Island Peak.

Today you will be completely above the tree line and the temperatures could drop quickly. The nights could be freezing from here on and you might start to feel the altitude from here. It is important to heed your trek leader’s advice and recommendations regarding rest and fluid intake.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 08: Dingboche to Chhukung, climb Chhukung Ri (5,545 mtrs)

Our trail passes through stone-walled fields and Imja Khola valley before entering glacier moraines amidst towering Himalayas. The trail continues to Bibre which is a yak herdsmen meadow.

Directly across the valley is the fantastic Ama Dablam and the Amphu Labsa mountains.

The trail ahead is intersected by icy streams. We continue our walk for around half an hour and reach Chhukung.

After lunch, we begin our trek towards Chhukung Ri. The climb to Chhukung Ri involves some easy scrambling near the summit. From the top, we can look directly across the valley for a fantastic view of Ama Dablam and Amphu Labcha peaks. We descend back to Chhukung to spend the night.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 09: Chhukung

Today is a day mandated for Rest and Acclimatization.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 10: Chhukung to Kongma La Pass( 5,545 mtrs) and to Lobuche (4,930 mtrs )

An early start to reach the highest part of the entire trip Kongma La pass. We can either take a trail over a hill which is to the northwest of Chhukung over the Nuptse Glacier moraines or we can walk back to Bibre and trek on the trail above the Niyang Khola. The top of the pass is marked by cairns and Buddhist prayer flags. The final descent from the pass is the most difficult part of today’s journey. After climbing the moraine on the far side, the trail turns north through Khumbu Glacier which takes us to Lobuche.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 11 : Trek to Gorakshep & Everest Base Camp (5,364 mtrs) 

Today we start early for Gorekshep following the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier. A gradual ascent enables you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep (5,160 mtrs) – reached after about 03 hours of walking.

After a quick bite, you will gear up appropriately and head off towards the Everest Base Camp. The trek to the Everest Base Camp shall take you around 03 hours and if trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, you will almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here.

While views of Mount Everest is not possible from the Everest Base Camp, you can certainly see the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm, which is regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain.

The return journey from the Base Camp to Gorak Shep takes the same amount of time. Partake in an early dinner so you can get up early the next day for the awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan giants from Kala Patar. (Trekking: approximately 03 hours to Gorak Shep, 05 hours round trip to Everest Base Camp).

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 12 : Trek to Kalapathar & Zongla (4,850 mtrs) 

We wake up early the next day for the trek to Kala Patar (5,545 mtrs) to experience dramatic sunrise views from this amazing vantage point. From the lodge, the ascent is quite steep, so start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady rhythmic pace. Kala Patar is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It is a tough walk because of the altitude, but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. It will probably take a good            01.30 hrs to reach the summit from Gorak Shep, although lower viewpoints can provide views that are almost as good.

Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, AmaDablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest-the highest mountain in the world- surround us.

About 03 kilometres away and some 200 metres below, the area of the Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall.

For many trekkers, reaching Kala Patar is a very emotional experience and it is worthwhile spending as long as you wish in order to savour this special moment.

The descent back down to GorakShep is easy and once back at the lodge we have a quick drink and head off to the rooms to pack our kit bags whilst breakfast is being prepared.

After breakfast we set off to Lobuche, where we stop for lunch.

We then follow the Lobuche Khola downstream where, after a while, we take a trail to the right heading off towards Dzongla. Upon arrival we settle into our lodge and prepare for the crossing of the snowfields that lead to the top of Cho La (Pass).

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 13: Trek to Cho-La & Thaknag (4600m) 

The day begins very early in order to reach the top of the pass in the best possible conditions. From camp we ascend steeply on a narrow trail passing large boulders and huge rock slabs and keeping to the left of the main glacier. There are a number of cairns lining the route to the snowfield and, while the trail is well-defined, it does involve a little scrambling. Once on the snowfield the angle eases off and we soon reach the top of the Cho-la pass (5,420 mtrs), where the views are spectacular and include Baruntse (7,220 mtrs) and Ama Dablam, as well as a sea of lesser peaks.

Do not wander around the snowfield as there are crevasses and we may need to rope up for the pass crossing.

The descent from the pass is steep and care should be taken as we follow the narrow rocky trail down to the Nymagawa Valley, where we enjoy a packed lunch.

From the valley we cross rocky scree and boulders and ascend the short distance to a small saddle that leads downhill all the way on an easy trail to the huts and tea houses at Thangnak.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 14 : Trek to Gokyo (4790m) 

We head off towards the Ngozumba Glacier where we do a touch of boulder hopping as we pass small glacial lakes. The views are astounding as we enjoy different views of the Gokyo Valley as Cho Oyu and adjacent mountains bordering Tibet loom to the right.

The trail then reaches the second lake of Gokyo, where we can see Brahminy Ducks swimming in pairs and feeding on algae. From the second lake it takes another 45 minutes to reach the settlement of Gokyo where we spend the night.

We have lunch at Gokyo and then have the afternoon to relax and rest.

If feeling well-acclimatised there is an option to head off to GokyoRi in the afternoon for spectacular sunset views. It is a steady climb to the top of GokyoRi and takes about 2½ hours to reach the top. Though it is hard work but in the end, we are rewarded with an unsurpassable 360-degree of views of four 8,000-metre peaks – Everest (8848m), Cho-Oyo (8153m), Lhotse (8511m) and Makalu (8481m).

There are countless other towering snow-capped peaks and rock spires fill the horizons including Gyachung Kang (7922m) to the east of Cho-Oyo, Cholatse (6440m), Taweche (6542m) and Kangchung (6103m).

After spending time snapping breath-taking photos, we head back down to our lodge at the bottom. With the fading lights the descent can be tricky and our flashlights will come very handy.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 15 : Trek to Gokyo-Ri (4,790 mtrs) 

(Rest and Exploration Day)

Those who have opted for the morning views at Gokyo Ri have to rise early for an ascent of Gokyo Peak (5360 mtrs), while others can have a late breakfast and possibly take an optional walk up the Gokyo Valley to enjoy further magnificent scenery.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 16 : Trek to Lungden (4, 350 mtrs) 

We have an early start as we have a long day ahead of us. The trail skirts around north of Gokyo Lake and then climbs up though scree slope as we reach a highland pasture. Looking back, we enjoy excellent views of Gokyo and the mountains in the background.

We continue to climb on scree and also boulder hop towards Renjo La  (5,420 mtrs). We finally reach the top of the pass, which is marked by prayer flags, from where we can have a look into Nangpa Valley and, looking back, we have views of Everest and Makalu. We stop at the pass to have our pack lunch and take a well-deserved rest.

The descent is tricky as we have to walk on scree and loose rocks (ropes are fixed in icy conditions to facilitate the descent).

After a while we reach a glacial lake from where the valley opens up. We continue to head down the valley through open pastures for sometime before bearing left to reach the small settlement of Lungden, the main occupation of the people around here is farming .

We can also see the famous trading route between Tibet and Nepal and from where the caravans from Tibet still comes to Namche for trading. To the right bottom of Lungden is the BhoteKhosi being fed from Tibet.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 17 : Trek to Namche (4,440 mtrs) 

You start the day descending all the way, following the Bhote Kosi River downstream. We walk down Nangpa Valley, passing through small settlements to finally reach the village of Marlung, where we stop for a rest or can enjoy soft drinks. From Marlung the trail continues to descend and passing through the village of Taranga to reach Thami for lunch.Thami Teng is the birth place of Sherpa Tenzing. Thami is quite a famous village with many Everest summiteers living here, including Appa Sherpa who has climbed Everest an incredible 21 times. After lunch our route continues through the village of Thamo and onto Namche Bazaar for the night.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 18 : Trek to Phakding (2, 652 mtrs) 

You will enjoy a leisurely departure from Namche Bazaar with a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar before descending steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. You will follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where you will stop for lunch.

In the afternoon it is only a short walk via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kangaru, back to the lodge in Phakding.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 19 : Trek to Lukla (2, 840 mtrs) 

This is your last day of trekking, where it is only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla.

You will then have lunch at the lodge and the afternoon is free to wander around, relax.

In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner, followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with your Sherpa companions.

Overnight: Tea House || Meals included: B, L, D

Day 20 : Kathmandu 

You will rise early in the morning today for your flight back to Kathmandu.

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred back to the starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do some souvenir shopping or further sightseeing. Your final night in Kathmandu offers you the chance to go to town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with your travelling companions and newfound friends.

Overnight: Hotel Holy Himalaya (Meal: Breakfast)

Day 21: International Departure 

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Your tour leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements. A departure transfer to the airport is included.

RATES :

INR 1,75,500 per person (For Indians Only)

RATE INCLUSIONS:

• All arrival and departure transfer
• 03 nights in Kathmandu with bed & breakfast
• Standard guest house/lodges in mountain
• All accommodation and meals during the trek
• A half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley including tour guide and monumental fees
• Domestic flights and airport departure taxes
• An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), assistant guide also known as Sherpa, porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter)
• Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Himalayan Hikers Trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag, cotton liner are to be returned after trip completion)
• A comprehensive medical kit, with medical oxygen on high altitude trips
• All necessary paper work and permits (National park permit, TIMS, village development tax and insurance of the staff)

RATE EXCLUSIONS:  

• Nepal Visa fee (bring accurate USD cash and two passport photographs)
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Excess baggage charges
• Extra night accommodation/s in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure or early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu (and also in the case you return early from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
• Tips for guides and porters