Everest Treks

TREK TO THE BASE OF THE WORLD’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

The ultimate trekking challenge of trekking in Nepal, following in the footsteps of Hilary and Tensing Norgay, where traditionally base camps have been erected for expeditions continuing up to the summit of Everest. This Everest region trek is a combination of the Gokyo and Kalapathar treks. From Gokyo, more of Everest itself is visible, though from a slightly greater distance than from Kala Pattar above Gorak Shep.

The mountains are spectacular.  The Ngozumpa Glacier is the largest in the Nepal Himalayas and from a ridge above Gokyo four 8000 m peaks (Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu) are visible at once. The view of the tremendous ice ridge between Cho Oyu (8153 m) and Gyachung Kang (7922 m) is one of the most dramatic panoramas in Khumbu. The route will also take us through Cho La, a 5420 metre-high pass into Khumbu. We then walk up to Kalapathar from where you can get a closer view of the Everest Range.

Expedition Dates: 23th October - 8th November 2012

Expedition Itinerary

Day 1: 23rd October -Fly to Lukla

After breakfast we drive to the Domestic Airport to fly to Lukla.  Here  our Everest region trek starts with a trek to the village of Phakding. The trek descends northwest to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Kosi Valley. It passes through the village of Ghat to reach the small village of Phakding for our overnight stay.

Day 2: 24th October - Phakding - Namche Bazaar

The trail heads beside the Dudh Kosi and continues upstream along the banks to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi. After crossing the large suspension bridge, the trail starts ascending through pine tree forests to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped village of Namche Bazar, where you stop for your overnight stay. There are fantastic photographic opportunities on the way, as the peaks of Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8511m), Nuptse (7879m), Ama Dablam (6856m) and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time.

Day 3: 25th October - Rest Day In Namche Bazaar

Rest day for acclimatisation at Namche Bazaar. As the name suggest, Namche is famous for its local market or bazaar. Rising early, those who climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks.

The day can be spent exploring this colourful village, walking along the Thami Valley in the afternoon or visiting the National Park Headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture. Here you can mountaineer in the park and see lots of flora and fauna.

Day 4: 26th October - Namche Bazaar - Khumjung

From Namche, the trail goes high above the Dudh Kosi River, where the views are incredible. On a small ridge across the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a small speck against the gigantic mountain background. The trail then descends to Khumjung for the overnight stop. Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpas. The afternoon has been left free to assist with further acclimatisation.

Day 5: 27th October - Khumjung - Phortse Thanghka

The trail today descends to the west of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Kosi River. The Gokyo route turns north, climbing above the more frequented route to Thyangboche and Everest Base Camp. The trail then continues towards a large Chorten on the top of the ridge at 3973 metres. From the ridge, the trek descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Kosi to stop at Phortse Thanghka for the overnight.

Day 6: 28th October - Phortse Thanghka - Dole

The journey to Dole today begins with a steep climb out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This Everest region trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming. The route passes through the settlements of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to reach Dole for the overnight stop.

Day 7: 29th October - Dole - Machhermo

The trail today is steep in most places as it climbs through scrub junipers. We continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs to reach Machhermo at 4410 meters for the overnight stop. Legends have it that it was here in 1974 that the YETI killed three yaks and attacked a Sherpa woman.

Day 8: 30th October - Machhermo - Gokyo

The trail climbs a ridge after which the valley widens as the trail passes through Pangka at 4390m. The trail then descends to the riverbank before the beginning of a climb on to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. It is a steep climb up the moraine, dog legging alongside the stream to the first small lake at 4650m. The trail now becomes almost level at 4690m and finally Gokyo at 4750m for the overnight stop.

Day 9: 31st October - Gokyo

Today is spent exploring around Gokyo. The best views can be seen from Gokyo Ri (5318m), a small peak above the lake. A 2 hours climb to the top of the peak provides a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Twachee. Overnight stay in Gokyo.

Day 10-11: 1st - 2nd November - Gokyo - Chhugyuma - Dzogla - Lobuche

The trail crosses Cho La pass (or Chhugyuma La pass) at 5420 metres. The pass is not difficult but it is steep and involves a glacier crossing on the eastern side. An ice axe, crampons and a rope are often necessary for negotiating the small icefall at the foot of glacier on the other side of the pass.

In ideal conditions there are no technical problems and there is a trail of sorts in the rocks beside the icefall. However, the western approach to the pass varies in difficulty, depending on the amount of snow. The pass is not passable for yaks, and usually not suitable for heavily laden porters. The first night is spent at Chhugyuma or Dzongla. The trail continues along the moraine of the glacier, with views of Kalar Pattar and Pumori to reach Lobuche at 4930m for the overnight stay.

Day 12-13: 3rd-4th November - Lobuche- Kala Patter- Gorkshep or Lobuche

Our Himalayan trek starts out early this morning, and will prove to be both mentally and physically demanding. The trail heads on over rough ground to reach Gorak Shep. A walk for a further hour and a half reaches Kala Pattar, a small, rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Pumori. Avoid rushing and do not strain yourself. It is a hard climb, but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. You will discover huge creaking glaciers that surround us, and classic views of Everest.

The views from the summit of Kala Pattar (5630m) are truly outstanding. The surroundings have an awesome and unnatural brilliance with Mt Everest rising above them all. Overnights are spent at Gorkashep or Lobuche.

Day 14: 5th November - Lobuche – Thyangboche

The trail today is an easier walk to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back to the terminal moraines at Dughla, the trek will then take a different route following the wide alpine valley covered in scrub juniper, through the temporary settlement of Phulung Karpo (4343m), then onto Pheriche.

The trail continues down to Orsho, then on through Lower Pangboche and down to Deboche, to reach Thyangboche for the overnight stay.

Day 15: 6th November - Thyangboche – Monjo

Today our Himalayan trek follows a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga, and continues on to cross the Dudh Kosi for a steep descent to Trashinga.

The trail continues on to Namche Bazar. Following a steep descent passing the Bhote Kosi, crossing the river, and along the bank to Jorsale, the trek for the day stops at Monjo for the night.

Day 16: 7th November - Monjo – Lukla

We continue to descend along the Dudh Kosi, before making a final ascent to reach the Lukla plateau by mid-afternoon for your overnight stay.

Day 17: 8th November - Lukla – Kathmandu

Fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel, where you can relax and unwind.

Expedition Costs: £1150.00

The costs include:

All staff including porters and guides
All camping equipment (when applicable)
All meals and accommodation
Internal transportation as described on your itinerary.

We can assist in arranging additional accommodation to suit your trip dates, travel insurance and international flights.
Please contact us for further assistance for any of these.