Everest Explorer

The ultimate Everest camping trek to the Base Camp & Gokyo

This is the ultimate trek to explore the high-mountain area around the Khumbu Himal, a challenging and rewarding adventure; the highlight is the traverse of the 17,785' / 5,422m Cho La pass, crossing from Lobuche to the Gokyo valley. Following the same itinerary as the Everest Endeavor until the return from Kala Patthar, we turn west at Lobuche trekking past high summer pastures to set camp at Dzonglha. Crossing the usually snow-covered pass isn't particularly difficult, and atop it we are greeted with fresh mountain views. We trek across the Ngozumpa Glacier, at 15mi / 24km the longest in Nepal, and descend into the Gokyo valley. Camping by the turquoise blue waters of the lake, we spend a day exploring the surrounding area and climb the Gokyo Ri (17,580' / 5,360m). Many will prefer the view from here to the one from Kala Patthar a few days ago. We then descend along the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier to camp near its snout at Luza. Following the Dudh Kosi valley, we trek through alpine meadows past the cliff-side village of Phortse back to Namche Bazaar.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu.
Day 2 Morning flight to Lukla (9,300'); trek to Phakding (8,700').
Days 3-4 Namche Bazaar (11,300'); Extra day for acclimatization; hike to neighboring villages.
Day 5 Thame (12,500').
Day 6 Khumjung (12,400').
Day 7 Tengboche (12,700').
Days 8-9 Dingboche (14,300'); Extra day for acclimatization, hike up the Imja Khola valley to Chhukung.
Day 10 Lobuche (16,200').
Day 11 Everest Base Camp (17,400') - Gorakshep (16,900').
Day 12 Kala Patthar (18,188') - Lobuche.
Day 13 Dzonglha (15,900').
Day 14 Across Cho La (17,800') - Gokyo valley (15,600').
Day 15 Explore the Gokyo valley.
Day 16 Dole (13,500').
Day 17 Phortse (12,600').
Day 18 Namche Bazaar.
Day 19 Phakding.
Day 20 Lukla.
Day 21 Fly to Kathmandu. Rest of day at leisure.
Day 22 Depart for onward destination.

Options & Extensions

Hotel Selection
Mountain Flight to Everest

Pokhara extension (3 days, KTM - KTM)
Bhote Kosi rafting (2 days, KTM - KTM)
Royal Chitwan National Park safari tour (3 days, KTM / PKR - KTM)
Lhasa Overland fly-in drive-out Tibet tour (8 days, KTM - KTM)

Wayfarers Himalaya Adventures Pvt. Ltd.
POB 1209, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.
(+977 1) 426 6010, 426 4851 fax (+977 1) 426 4245 info@wayfarers.com.np | http://www.wayfarers.com.np

Photo Credits: Sunil Chhettri

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