Facing Everest.
Classical trekking in Nepal: Gokyo - Kala Patthar
This trip can be scheduled upon request. The best season is September - November and March - May
Would you like to see Mt. Everest face to face? You can! Just need to do a bit of trekking.
The path to the best viewing spots of the world’s highest peak goes through several passes and takes 12 trekking days. Route "Gokyo - Kala Patar" is one of the classic treks in Nepal meant for those who enjoy a walk in the mountains. It is a strenuous trail: participants should expect 5-8 hours of trekking every day on various terrain and at altitudes up to 5550m (18200ft). However, previous experience is not mandatory. The route is lined up for optimal acclimatization.
We will be accompanied by porters (Sherpa). Each participant will be able to transfer up to 7-8 kg of personal belongings to them. Accommodation and meals will be provided in lodges or guesthouses. The group is led by an experienced mountain guide - Sergey Turgenev – who has done this route repeatedly.
At the end of the trek we will visit all the major attractions and shrines of Kathmandu, including the largest Buddhist stupa Boudhanath, the craftsmen city of Bhaktapur and the Swayambhunath stupa – Kathmandu’s best known sight.
Day 1
Individual arrival at Kathmandu. Getting a visa upon arrival. Pick up and transfer to the hotel located in the tourist district of Thamel. The rest of the day will be dedicated to preparations, buying food and missing equipment, recreation. Dinner together in the evening.
Day 2
After breakfast we transfer to the airport and have a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla – a small town located at an altitude of 2 850 m (9 350ft). One can only get to Lukla by plane, there are no roads.
There we meet our porters, distribute the load and get on our way. Today we descend into the valley of Dudh Kosi (Milk River) and then go to the village of Phakding (2 650m, 8 695 ft). The trail leads through yaks’ pastures and Sherpa homes. Ahead of us we’ll see mount Mount Khumbila - the abode of God Khumbu.
Day 3
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3 440m, 11 300ft). On this day we’ll enter the Sagarmatha National Park territory, cross a river via suspension bridge and climb a steep ridge from which we’ll get the first glimpse of Everest.
Namche Bazaar is the capital of a mountainous region. It sits at an altitude of 3440 m (11 300ft). There is a bank, a post office, a great souvenir market and an Ethnographic Museum.
Day 4
This day we will spend in Namche Bazaar for better acclimatization. It is also a backup day in case our departure from Kathmandu is prevented by bad weather.
In addition to visiting the museum and the market we can walk up to the village Khumjung (3 850m, 12 630ft) and visit a monastery which houses a scalp of a Yeti (or some other poor beast like him).
Day 5
Namche - Mon La Pass (3970m, 13030ft) - Phortse Tenga (3680m, 12070ft) - Dole (4110m, 13480ft).
On this day we pass through rhododendron forests which bloom during spring time. After the Mon La pass we descend to the Phortse Tenga bridge. The second part of the route towards Dole goes through lpine meadows.
Day 6
Trek Dole – Luza (4360m, 14300ft) – Gokyo (4730m, 15520ft) – a very picturesque settlement on the bank of a turquoise lake.
Day 7
Day in Gokyo, acclimatization. Walk in the direction of mount Cho Oyu up to the Ngozumpa lake (5 000m, 16400ft) or further to the lake Gyazumba (5 200m, 17000ft). Bathing is optional. You can also climb to the observation point Gyazumba to get a great view of the Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse peaks.
Day 8
Early in the morning, before dawn, we climb up to the observation point Gokyo Ri (5357m, 17575ft) - 2.5 - 3 hours. Get the most beautiful views of the lake and the glacier below, as well as Mount Everest. After descending we can walk around the lake and bath. Rest and lunch.
Trek over the Ngozumpa Glacier to the Dragnag village (4 700m, 15 420ft).
Day 9
Dragnag - Cho La pass (5368m, 17610ft) - descent to Dzongla (4830m, 15850ft). On the ascent the pass is rocky and can be covered with fresh snow. On the way down there is a small flat glacier. The pass is category 1 and no additional equipment is required.
Day 10
Dzongla - Lobuche (4910m, 16110ft) - Gorak Shep (5140m, 16860ft). A pretty village at a frozen sand covered lake. Gorak Shep literally means "dead ravens" because in this area nothing lives or grows.
Day 11
Before dawn climb the Kala Patthar hill (5 550m, 18 210ft) - the highest point of our route. It gives one of the best views of Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and other world’s highest mountains. Descent, rest, lunch. Further descent to Thokla (4620m, 15160ft) and Pheriche (4240m, 13910ft).
Day 12
Pheriche - Pangboche (3930m, 12895ft) - Tengboche (3860m, 12665ft). Lunch, visit the Tengboche monastery. Further descent to the suspension bridge in Phunki Tenga (3250m, 10660ft) and ascent to Namche Bazaar (3440m, 11290ft).
Day 13
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.
Day 14
Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Rest and walk in the city.
Visit the largest Buddhist stupa – Boudhanath.
Day 15
Kathmandu - excursions (and also a back-up day in case of flight delay in Lukla due to bad weather).
Before dawn walk up to the Swayambhunath stupa. This complex is also known as "Monkey Temple" named after the numerous monkeys that inhabit it. Among the best known attributes of this stupa are the all-seeing eyes of Buddha. It is said that scientists have studied the unusual shape of these eyes and came to conclusion that they could only belong to a being of extraterrestrial origin.
After lunch - visit the ancient craftsmen city of Bhaktapur.
Day 16
Kathmandu - excursions (and also a back-up day in case of flight delay in Lukla due to bad weather).
Walk in the historic center of Kathmandu - Durbar Square, visit the palace of Princess Kumari, a living embodiment of a deity. It is also possible to visit the Hindu Pashupatinath complex, an acting cremation site.
Day 17
Individual departure from Kathmandu, return home
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