EVEREST BASE CAMP WITH CHO LA PASS TREK

Our guide will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free and will give you time to stroll around the shopping areas closest to your hotel in Thamel. If you need anything for your trek you will most likely find it here in Thamel. 

Today we head off sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley with our guide. We will visit Pashupatinath, which is the holiest Hindu temple in Nepal and a place where many pilgrims go to worship Lord Shiva (on the banks of the holy Bagmati River), Bouddhanath, a Buddhist temple also known as ‘Little Tibet’ and next to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). From Swayambhunath we continue on to Kathmandu’s famed Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site situated in front of the royal palace.

This morning we will take you to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport and from there we will fly to Lukla, around 35 minutes, and with time to appreciate the stunning views of the Himalayas. Your journey begins at Lukla with an easy trek that passes a Kani (ceremonial gatehouse) before the trail heads down and then leads uphill to Kyangma Village with its large Gompa (monastery). We then continue on to Cheplung Village with the trail passing through a forest near to the Dudh Koshi River. After we cross the suspension bridge we climb up and over the ridge to Ghat Village and on the trail pass a school, Mani walls, Chortens, and prayer wheels before arriving at Phakding.

This morning we hit the trail and cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River before coming to Tok-Tok, Benkar, and Monjo villages. We then arrive at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance gate where you will be asked to show your trekking permit. We then follow the trail along the river bed and after crossing the last Hillary suspension bridge we have a steep uphill trek to Namche Bazaar. Namche has a wide variety of restaurants, an internet café, pubs, bakery, post office, ATM and banks.

Health specialists highly recommend we spend the day being active instead of sitting idle. From Namche Bazaar we can choose to visit: Everest View Resort, Thame, visit Khunde or take some time out to relax and explore Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is the commercial center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices and a vibrant market each Friday evening and Saturday. Your guide will also take you to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can view: a assortment of relics linked to the first mountaineers to climb Everest, Sherpa culture and learn about the comprehensive plant and animal life of this region.

Today we start out on the trail with a steep climb up from the valley floor passing through rhododendron, juniper and large conifer forests - with their fragrant bouquet. The trail heads via Yak Kharka (meaning grazing pasture for yak) and various Sherpa villages. Throughout the trek, you will have some incredible views of Khumbu La Pass and Tengboche.

Today we head downhill on a 3 to 4-hour trek on a trail that leads through forests and then crosses the Imja Khola (river) passing through the village of Pangboche - memorable for its fields surrounded by rock walls. Tonight we stay at Dingboche.

Dingboche Village is a pleasant place with numerous cultivated fields surrounded by stone walls to protect their crops; like barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the frequent strong winds and grazing animals. You can wander around Dingboche to help you acclimatize or climb up to Nagarjuna Hill or Chukhung Village for magnificent views of Makalu, Lhotse, Cholatse, Tawache, and Ama Dablam. If you feel up to it then you can climb to Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100 meters. It is about 4 hours to reach the top. The reward of more amazing views from the top will make it worthwhile.

Today on the trail we pass many Chortens (Tibetan shrines & tombs) before we come to the village of Thugla (4600m) where we will stop for lunch at its tea house. After lunch, we head towards some soaring peaks, such as Mt Pumori (7161m) and Mt. Nuptse (7861m). We follow the trail through an extensive valley before coming to Thukla - just after passing by the Pheriche Aid Post at Pheriche (4371m). The aid post only operates during the peak trekking seasons. We then descend to the yak pastures and small settlements of Lobuche.

The trail is initially quite easy but increasingly gets more difficult. On the trail, we have some amazing views Mt. Everest, Nuptse, and other huge peaks. The trail continues for approximately 150 meters before we have to cross a moraine after which it becomes easier before we come to Gorakshep, one on the world’s most remote and highest settlements. After lunch, we head to EBC following a trail next to the Khumbu Glacier. The trek around the glacier takes around 1.5 hours and then we come to EBC (5360m). At base camp, there will be other climbers who will share their stories. From EBC there are views of the Khumbu Glacier with its frightening and dangerous crevices. We then head back to Gorakshep.

Today we will trek up to Kala Patthar in the early morning hours so as to be there when the sun rises. You will have time to watch in wonder at the sunrise on the Himalayan ranges, taking in the exceptional views. We will then head back to Lobuche and then to Dzongla where we will spend the night.

We begin by getting up early and then head to Cho La Pass. The trek across the glacier is an enjoyable experience if there is not too much snow, which otherwise makes it impossible to cross. From the pass, we head down to Thangnak Village for an overnight stay at a teahouse.

Our trek this morning is quite short as we head to Gokyo where we will stop for lunch. We will enjoy the rest of the day here exploring the Gokyo Valley. We may also choose to visit the glaciers and turquoise lakes of the Gokyo Valley. From here we have fantastic views of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse Makalu, and other huge snow-covered peaks.

Today is going to be a hard day as we climb to the summit of Gokyo-RI. It will be tough-going, but once you are at the top you will have some incredible views back down over the Gokyo Valley, the Ngozumpa Glacier, and a panoramic view of the Khumbu Himalayan gleaming snow-covered peaks. We will then head back down to Dole.

Today we follow the trail from Dole to Namche Bazaar that should take us around six hours. On the trail, we will arrive at Khumjung Village located at the base of Mt. Ama Dablam. We continue on until we come to Namche Bazaar where we will stay the night.

We have a long day on the trail with a 7-hour trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla, which is fortunately downhill with several sections of flat ground. There are areas of rocky ground to cross that will require you to watch your step. We leave the Sagarmatha National Park and will then come to Lukla where we stay overnight.

Today the mountains will be behind us as we head back to Kathmandu on a 35 minutes scenic flight. After arriving at Kathmandu and back to your hotels in or near Thamel you can relax until this evening. This evening we will put on a dinner and dance performance to celebrate the completion of our trekking adventure.

A representative from Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled departure. We hope to see and hear from you again for your next adventure into another Himalaya region.