On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport our guide and staff will meet you with traditional welcome. After knowing the staff of Himalayan Forever Treks, a short drive to your hotels. Located in the heart of a city within an exciting Thamel area, an interesting place where most good hotels and restaurants situated. Reaching at the hotel, check your lovely rooms, after getting refreshed join in for group briefing. Provided by your guide or Group Leader, offers useful and important information of the trek, hotels and local lodge.
Includes details of the local culture with do’s and don’ts, evening a group welcome dinner in a nice Nepali Restaurants.
Morning after breakfast, our city and cultural guide meets the group at the hotel for exciting tour. The drive leads in the heart of Kathmandu city, where interesting historical Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard located. The right spot to observe Nepalese cultures. Tour of ancient monuments listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, next tour takes you to old Swyambhunath Stupa of more than 2,600 years history. A Buddhist monument situated on a hillock west of Kathmandu city outskirt, the famous landmark of the country. From here back to hotel for lunch, and the get ready for exciting scenic drive to Manthali town at Ramechap district for overnight halt. The next morning taking a short flight to Lukla.
Morning transfer to Manthali town small airport for panoramic flight to Lukla, board in a small aircraft. The flight heads east with stunning views of Himalayan peaks facing Mt. Everest, as the plane makes a smooth exciting landing at Lukla Tenzing & Hillary Airport.
A moderate town, where walk starts heading down to Dudh Koshi River valley through several Sherpa villages. Festooned with prayer flags, Buddhist monument and prayer wall then reaching our first overnight stop at Phakding village.
A long today’s walk to Namche Bazaar, morning after breakfast the trail follows on moderate path. Walking short down and ups crossing a long bridge to reach a nice village of Monjo. The enter Sagarmatha National Park; (Sagarmatha a name for Everest in Nepal, while the native Sherpa calls as Chomolungma of Tibetan origin language). From the park entrance cross another bridge over the same river Dudh Koshi to Jorsalle, the last settlement before Namche Bazaar. Stopping for lunch, afternoon walk on river bed amidst lovely forest, then starts the climb on crossing a high bridge. A steep winding for few hours reaches Namche Bazaar for two overnight halt in the comfort of nice lodge.
An ideal spot Namche Bazaar for rest day to support acclimatization and short hike to view-points. Morning having breakfast facing views of Kwangde and Thamersarkhu peaks, while at Namche there are several side hikes.
Suggested scenic places for hikes around Namche and beyond:Visit the park museum on top of Namche Bazaar, offers interesting information of the Khumbu Sherpa’s cultures. Along with panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamersarkhu and Kantega with Kwangde peaks.
Hike to Everest View Hotel at above 3,880 m high a refreshing spot for views of Mt. Everest, while having warm cup of hot drinks. For energetic people can enjoy longer hike to Khumjung and Khunde villages, located on a glacial valley.
Rest of the day enjoy leisure afternoon browsing the streets of Namche Bazaar full of shops, stores, restaurants and fresh bakeries.
On leaving Namche Bazaar following the major trail, the after few hours our route diverts away from the main path. As climb leads on steep trail for few hours to the top of Mong Hill. A small place on a high ridge facing superb views of snow peaks. Enjoying the views the trail heads down to Dudh Koshi River reaching a quiet area at Phortse Tenga for lunch stop. Located on a river gorges amidst forest surroundings.
After lunch climb into a narrow covered in dense tree lines, then finally the day ends reaching Dole. A nice small settlement with several good lodges for overnight halt.
Enjoying the comfort of a nice homely type lodge, having breakfast walk starts with short climb above Dole. Today is a short day walk of few hours to Machermo, from the high ridge with river down below. The high trail follows along the high ridgeline reaching a small settlement of Luza. As walk continues above Dudh Koshi River, a nice pleasant trek facing views of surrounding snow peaks. Overlooking grand views of Mt. Cho-Oyu towards North, standing on a high ridge facing Machermo settlement down below. A gentle downhill walk to a small river gorge and short climb to Machermo for lunch and overnight stop.
A nice place with several good lodges with views of Machermo peak, afternoon relax and enjoy short walks around the high view-points.
Enjoy the breakfast, and get ready for another half day walk to Gokyo Valley.Our main destinations and highlights of the trip, a short climb to a high ridge. As walk follows on the gradual trail to a small isolated place at Panga with few small lodges. From here climb towards Gokyo valley reaching first lake and then coming across second lake. Then reach the main third lakes of Gokyo our final destination for lunch and overnight halt.
Most all nice lodges, situated high above the Gokyo Lake, facing charming views of Mt. Cho-Oyu in the north direction. Getting organized in a nice small rooms of the lodge, having breakfast. Afternoon free at leisure for short hike around the lake and its scenic surrounding.
Rise early morning for exciting hike to the top of Gokyo-Ri. A steep climb after a few minutes easy walk, the uphill begins walking from the southern bank of the lake. The climb on grassy and rocky slope sided hill, as walk continues reaching on top of Gokyo-Ri. The highest point of the adventure, catch the striking sunrise as it hits the world’s highest peaks. Includes glorious panorama of giant snow-capped mountain range with Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho-Oyu and Mt. Makalu towards east. Staying for an hour enjoying the views of Gokyo scenic valley and its emerald colored lakes. Includes grand views of Ngozumpa glacier, the longest glaciers of Nepal and whole Himalayan range. After a grand vista from Gokyo-Ri, walk down back to the lodge for breakfast and lunch.
Afternoon a leisure walk of few hours heading south east past the lakes to Na.The walk follows little further reaching a small isolated settlement for overnight stop in the comfort of a nice small lodge.
Return journey on an alternative trail opposite from the early trail of Machermo and Dole. Slowly the walk comes across green vegetation and tall tree lines on reaching a sleepy Phortse village. A nice lovely quiet place with many farm houses and few good lodges for trekkers. On time for lunch and overnight stop, with ample time to explore the village and witness the local impressive cultures.
After a pleasant overnight at Phortse, enjoy the morning views of high snow-capped peaks. Walk down to cross a bridge above Dudh Koshi River to Phortse Tenga. A short winding climb to Mong Hill, having rest enjoying grand panorama of surrounding peaks. A long descent reaching the main trail to Namche Bazaar, from the junction of Khumjung, Gokyo and Everest base camp route.
Walk heads down past a small place of Kyang-Jima, then an hour walk to Namche Bazaar. Having time at Namche Bazaar as well for lunch stop, afternoon down to Dudh Koshi River. On reaching the river bank a slow short climb to enter the park entrance and exit. Then ending the wonderful day reaching a lovely small village at Monjo for overnight halt.
Last day trek of the adventure, enjoy the walk with few short down and ups to Phakding. From Phakding retracing the same route with last final climb to Lukla for lunch and overnight stop. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the Lukla town lined with shops, restaurants and stores.
Having early breakfast, a short walk to Lukla’s Tenzing & Hillary airport as plane reach from Ramechap or Kathmandu. Board on the small aircraft for swift short flight back to land at Manthali small airstrip. A pleasant and exciting drive brings you back at Kathmandu, rest of the day at leisure and for individual activities and shopping souvenirs of Nepal.
Reserved as contingency day, in case of flight delay or cancelation in Lukla due to unfavorable weather condition. Can happen sometimes, if all goes well as per the schedule of our itinerary days. Enjoy the leisure day, relaxing with fond memories of Everest base camp trek. Interested people can join for another tour to Patan and Bhaktapur, worth a visit not to be missed.
Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, get ready for final departure as per your international flight time. Himalayan Forever Trek guide and staff transfer you to the airport. Bidding farewell to the guide and staff as you depart for homeward bound flight, after a wonderful experience and adventure on Gokyo Valley.
137 k.m. or 86 miles, aerial distance from Kathmandu to high Khumbu and Gokyo Valley. But on walks from Lukla to Gokyo Valley is about 30 k.m. or 19 miles one-way.
The trek overall is not too tough or difficult, the trail is well defined having several nice lodges and settlements. The only hardest will be if you walk fast on high altitude. Where all should take it slowly having rest to enjoy the walk each day. The toughest is the climb to high Gokyo-Ri Hill top just for few hours, but worth the breathtaking views of world highest peaks.
Unfortunate illness can happen sometimes, even though our guide takes proper care to all our clients. If the client is very sick due to high altitude, sending the victim to lower safe place. Where he / she can wait till the group returns back, but in critical condition, the guide contact the head-office in Kathmandu. For immediate evacuation using the helicopter service, the fastest means of transport to bring the patient for proper care in best hospitals at Kathmandu.
Everest villages and settlements have hydroelectricity or solar power, where trekkers can charge electronic items. A fee is charged for each gadgets as per hour basis, the price differs from one place to another.
Everest region of Khumbu area offers best lodge or hotel accommodation with comprehensive food menu to choose from. From Lukla onwards till Gorakshep with several options from budget, moderate to luxury standard.
Trekkers can enjoy rooms with attached bath / toilets, but higher region the toilets and bathe are common. Foods are served in a large warm dining room, the foods served as per the menu from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Tibetan and Nepali. Some lodge restaurants also serves fresh homemade bakeries products.
The most famous and popular is Nepali Dal / Bhat (boiled or steam rice, served with various lentil soups, vegetable or meat mild curry, includes choice of pickles).
