Trekking in Nepal

The Everest High Passes Trek is considered to be one of the best journeys in the world, combining a strenuous trek with extremely rewarding cultural and ecological experiences. Kongma La Pass 5540m south west of Everest and straight above the Dingboche, Chola Pass 5420m situated west of Everest Base Camp, Lobuche and north east of Gokyo and the newly explored Pass Renjo La Pass 5400m South of Gokyo and northwest of Namche/Thame are the major three passes of Everest region. Kongma La is a beautiful pass, from where we can view the dramatic Mt. Thamserku, Mt Amadablam, and Mt. Kongtega and glacial Lakes just a few kilometers distant.

Cho La Pass has become a commonly used pass, because during peak season 40 to 50 people cross from Gokyo to Everest Base Camp and from base camp to Gokyo. The difficulty is similar to Kongma La Pass and Cho La Pass, on to the western side of pass, from the top (Gokyo Side) is a hard ascent for approx 200m.

Renjo La pass is much majestic than other passes, the north ridge and south ridge of Mt Everest is clearly displayed. You can shoot pictures from Renjo Pass of Gokyo village with a charming blue lake, huge glacier, Chola Pass in the Lap of Everest and Mt Makalu in one shot including numerous other mountains. After crossing the pass, we come across the amazing remote valley.

Itinerary in Details

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu.
You will be welcomed by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Our airport representative will explain the program upon arrival. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 02: Trek preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour
Sightseeing of World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley including: Kathmandu Darbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 03: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding (2652m) 3 hours.
Early morning transfer to airport for Lukla flight. The flight into Lukla is a lifetime experience in itself. The airfield is at high evaluation and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 60 meters! Trek to Phakding with green landscape & view of Kusum Kangraru. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 6 hours
We follow the Dudh Kosi, ascending through Himalayan pine and Doedar cedar forests, to the celebrated village of Namche Bazaar. The village of Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat and textiles. Besides being a superb place to shop for traditional crafts, Namche remains the central trading post in the Khumbu, attracting Himalayan and lowland merchants. You will spend two days in Namche for acclimatization, visit local markets and spend time with your team. On the hike we capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 05: Acclimatization, hike to Everest view hotel (3900m) 3 - 4 hours.
This is a day for acclimatization; we will hike to Syangboche Airport (3700m), the supposed highest airport in the world. Then continue climbing to Mt. Everest View Hotel for great panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, Tawache etc. On the way back after lunch or before we will visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest photo Gallery. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche (3860m) 5 hours
The flat and easy trail leads towards the view of Mt. Everest, then descends deep into the Dudh Kosi Valley at Pungki Thanka; from here it ascends the right flank of the Dudh Kosi valley to Tengboche Monastery (3860m). It is the spiritual center of the Khumbu; the climb is long, but more than adequately compensated by views of Mt. Amadablam and on a clear day, views of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 07: Trek to Dingboche (4410m) 5 hours
Descend through a beautiful forest then cross the Imja Khola and trek through the village of Pangboche (3900m); perhaps today is the most interesting trekking because you will not lose altitude like on other days and you will enjoy views of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Lhotse & other peaks; the route continues through pastures to Dingboche, known as the 'summer valley'. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Chhukung (4700m) 3 hours
Today, you have just short hike to Chhukung, the trail is easy today compared to other days, you can enjoy with magnificent views of island peak, Amadablam, peak 38 and as well as Lhotse. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 09: Hiking to Chhukung Ri and back to Chhukung 5 hours.
Today you can enjoy another acclimatization day. This day we will have a day-trip to Chhukung Ri (5546m). The views from Chukkhung are wonderful; also we can observe the fifth-highest mountain: Makalu. We will descend to Chhukung by lunch time. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 10: Trek to Lobuche via Kongma La pass (5540)9 hours
The Kongma La pass takes only an hour or so more than the route via Thugla (not including stopping for lunch), and is very do-able if we're strong and have slept two nights at Chhukung. To reach the Kongma La, we head directly west out of Chhukhung on a small, rocky trail and contour around many hillsides, usually not very steeply, until we reach the Pokalden Base Camp. After a few other hills, more steep, we will reach another Base Camp for Pokalden and a clear blue lake which sits just below the pass. We climb the last half hour on a trail which is good but looks impossibly built into the cliff-side, and about 4 hours later we have reached the Kongma La, our highest pass at 5540 meters.

Day 11: Trek to Gorekshep (5180m) 3 hours
After a short climb through meadows, look down on the Khumbu Glacier. Straight ahead is Kalapattar - the best vantage point to view the entire south face of Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks. Trek to Gorekshep and prepare for tomorrow's Everest Base Camp Expedition at 5400 meters. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 12: Hike to Everest Base Camp (5400m) and return Gorekshep (5180m) 7 hours
This morning commences with your Mount Everest Base Camp destination through a scree trail. There is not much elevation gain, but there are a lot of ups and downs and, combined with altitude, this can be a tiring portion- but the journey is worth it. After approximately 3 hrs of hiking you will arrive at Base Camp and enjoy views of the Khumbu Glacier and icefall, where Everest expeditions begin. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 13: Hiking to Kalapattar (5545m) - Gorekshep - Dzongla (4710 meters) 7 hours
The day starts with a hike up to Kalapattar (5545m), the best viewpoint to witness Mt. Everest and the spectacular Himalayan range. Then trek back to Gorekshep for hot breakfast and then descend to Dzongla. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 14: Trek to Dragnak/Thangna via crossing Cho La pass (5370m) 7 hours
We begin the day by climbing to Chola-la crossing over and descending once more to Thanga (4500m). Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 15: Trek to Gokyo lakes (4790m) 3:30 hours
Today takes the trek to our final destination, Gokyo (4790m). We will make this camp our base for 2 nights. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 16: Hiking to Gokyo Ri and back to Gokyo Lake, 4:30 hours
This day early in the morning we have steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri (5483m/19083ft) ample rewards to one attempts this trip. There are stunning views of the supper Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, such as giants as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu (8481m), Cho-Oyu (8153m) and Gychung Kang (7922m) can be seen. Those who explore the glacier and Gokyo peak are rewarded. This day we have for acclimatization and after noon back to the camp. Overnight at guest house. B.L.D

Day 17: Trek to Lunden (4300m) via crossing Renjo La pass (5340m) and. 7 hours
The crossing of the Renjo La Pass will be exciting and challenging as we descend into remote northern Valley where access is restricted, and the landscape is progressively that of the Tibetan Valleys beyond the border. There is a chance we will meet Tibetan Traders descending from the Nangpa La pass that leads through the Himalayas from Tibet with their caravans of woolly yaks laden with goods. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 18: Trek to Thame (3800m) 4 hours
After taking breakfast, we trek down to Thame more amazing snow peaks. We may meet Tibetan trader encampments along the way for pictures of a rare lifestyle. About 150 meters above Thame, there is a Thame Monastery, a picturesque monastery set among the many homes of monks and lay people. It's perched on the side of a hill overlooking the valley. This is the site for the spring celebration of the Mani Rimdu festival, held about the middle of May each year. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 19: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 4 Hours
We continue our trekking following the flat and descending to first resting place Thamo after heading towards to Namche bazaar. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 20: Trek to Lukla (2800m) 7 hours
The trek continues along the Dudh Kosi River to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla where you will catch your return flight to Kathmandu. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 21: Fly back to Kathmandu (1310m)
30-minute amazing scenic fly back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 22: Final departure to your onward destination. B. "Farewell!"

Note: B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast, B.L.D = Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by private car / van
2. Three nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
3. Kathmandu city tours, inclusive of all entry fees, tour guide and private car / van
4. Full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
5. Best available twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek; we provide private bathrooms with hot shower at Phakding, Namche and Lukla.
6. One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and insurance
7. Round trip flight to/from Kathmandu inclusive domestic departure tax
8. Nepal Hiking Team duffle bag, down jacket and sleeping bag during the trek
9. Nepal Hiking Team T - Shirt (yours to keep)
10. First aid medical kit
11. Sagarmatha National Park Permits fee
12. TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System
13. Government taxes & office service charge

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
2. Travel insurance
3. International airfare
4. Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
5. All kind of drinks (hot, cold and alcoholic)
6. Hot and cold showers during the trek
7. Personal shopping and laundry
8. Personal trekking equipments
9. Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)