Detailed Gokyo trek itinerary
**This detailed itinerary is a work in progress... **
Day 1 - fly from Singapore to Kathmandu 1350m
We take a minimalist approach to time in Kathmandu, only spending one night. If you wish to spend time sightseeing, arrive earlier and we are happy to book your hotel stay and show you around.
2 - fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding 2640m
We take a spectacular 50 minute flight by a small twin-engined plane to Lukla and after a hearty second breakfast, trek to
Phakding, a couple of hours walk. The pretty trail traverses the side of the deep Dudh Kosi valley until we meet the base
of the valley.
A typical room - Jamie
3 - trek to Namche 3450m
At Jorsale, a fitting gateway, we enter Sagarmatha National Park. This is a cool
damp area since the rugged valley walls block the sun for most of the day. It's not a long day but
it is finished with a sometimes dusty, steep hour and a half or so climb to Namche.
From here up our itinerary is dictated by the acclimatization process so we have plenty of shorter days walking.
The high bridge and the very high bridge across the Dudh Kosi en route to Namche - Jamie
4 - Namche 3450m
Namche sits in an amphitheater surrounded by mountains, and from here on up we have million dollar views every day. We have an acclimatization day here and you are free to explore and/or relax. Options are
visiting Thame and its gompas, the Everest View Hotel, the National Park Headquarters
and Sherpa cultural centre, Khumjung and Khunde with the Hillary hospital, wildlife spotting, or dive into that
book you've been too busy to read.
The amazingly set Namche - Jamie
5 - trek Kyangjuma 3600m
Escaping Namche after lunch, we trek a scenic hour or so to reach Tashi's Ama Dablam lodge with its amazing panorama including the classic view of Ama Dablam. The night shots can also be impressive here.
6 - trek Dole 4040m
We immediately leave the main Everest Base Camp and the hordes of trekkers, phew!
The trail climbs and traverses up to Mong with fantastic views of Himalayan peaks. After a break at Mong, we drop down the other side back into the forest for the gradual ascent to Dole. Watch for must deer and blood pheasants.
7 - trek Machermo 4410m
In this large side valley, we climb gently above the treeline to the lodge village of Machermo.
The lovely Mingma Yangjee and her wonderful coffee shop - Jamie
8 - trek Gokyo 4750m
The air is definitely thinner as we gently gain altitude, passing the teahops of Pangka, the first pond and the second lake, eventually arriving to the friendly lodges of Gokyo situated on the shore of the third lake.
9 - Gokyo exploring 4750m
There is so much to explore from Gokyo that we have two full days here. There are a handful of very different spots to view Everest and the lakes, however we will puff up the hill nearby called Gokyo Ri either today or tomorrow, perhaps for sunset.
10 - Gokyo exploring 4750m
Ranging further, the Renjo La offers a view of the both the lake and Everest and indeed a great 360 panorama. An alternative with less climbing is to Scoundrel's View, along the valley yet still affords an Everest view and a closeup of the Ngozumpa Glacier too.
11 - trek Phortse 3800m
Heading down feels like you are floating on air. We have several alternative routes back to Lukla, rather than simply retracing our steps the whole way, and these will partly depend on everyone's energy levels and the weather. Without crossing high passes, the route down the other side of the valley is perhaps the best, to the substantial village of Phortse, where wildlife abounds in the forest around the village, especially in the late afternoon.
12 - trek Tyangboche 3860m via Pangboche high route
One of the best trails in the region is the traversing trail from Phortse to Upper Pangboche, which we have the option of taking, and then would swing around to spend the night at Thyangboche/Tengboche, and view its magnificent gompa.
13 - to Namche 3450m
Today we must reach Namche. Whatever the route we take it will be a classic day's
walk. There is a hot shower and a beer waiting for you.
14 - to Lukla 2850m
This is also longer trekking day, taking around 5-6
hours actual walking. The Lukla lodges gently prepare us for tomorrow - back to so-called
civilization.
Lukla Airport on a great day to fly - Jamie
15 - fly to Kathmandu and farewell
We fly by plane to Kathmandu in the morning and you are free to depart any time after approx 3 pm.
Namaste!
