Trip Discription
This is an ultimate trek to the seekers of adventure and authenticity that will take you through the three passes of everest viz. Renio La Pass, The Cho La Pass and The Kongama La Pass. It offers the enduring experiences of natural beauty, geographical magnificient and profound cross-cultural discovery . Mountains, Plants and Animal are believed to be sacred.
Starting this trek by 35 mins mountain flight from Lukla, trekking through Namche, dingboche, chhukung khongmala pass, Everest Base camp, chola pass and gokyo valley, Renjola and theme valley, this trek return Namche and Lukla take our flight back to kathmandu.
Trips General Information
| Trip Code : TPC0015 |
Country : Nepal |
| Duration : 24 Days |
Trip Level : Medium |
| Max. Altitude : 5,600 mt. |
Activity : Welcome, Sightseeing, Trek, Farewell |
| Starts at : Kathmandu |
Ends at : Kathmandu |
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Best Season : February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December
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| Trip Rout : Kathmandu-Lukla-Phakding- Namche- Thame- Lungden- Renjo La Base Camp- Gokyo Lakes- Dragnag- Cross Cho La- Dzongla- Lobuje- Gorak Shep- Kala Patthar- EBC- Lobuje- Kongma La- Chukkung Ri- Dingboche- Phakding- Lukla |
Trip Highlight
- An ultimate trek to the seekers of adventure and authenticity that will take you through the three passes of everest
- Offers the enduring experiences of natural beauty, geographical magnificient and profound cross-cultural discovery
Trip Short Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02 : Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840 mt.). Trek to Phakding (2,610 mt.) - 3 to 4 hours
Day 03 : Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,450 mt.) - 4½ to 5½ hours
Day 04 : Accilimatization in Nache Bazzar
Day 05 : Namche Bazaar to Thame (3,844 mt.) - 4 to 5 hours
Day 06 : Acclimatisation day in Thame
Day 07 : Thame to Lungden (4,380 mt.)
Day 08 : Lungden to Renjo La Base Camp (4,900 mt.) - 3 to 4 hours
Day 09 : Cross the Renjo La (5,388 mt.) to Gokyo Lakes (4,790 mt.) - 6 hours
Day 10 : Rest day at Gokyo Lakes (4,790m)
Day 11 : Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,357 mt.) - 2 hours. Trek to Dragnag (4,700 mt.) - 2 to 3 hours
Day 12 : Cross Cho La (5,380 mt.) to Dzongla (4,830 mt.) 8 to 9 hours
Day 13 : Dzongla to Lobuje (4,910 mt) - 2½ to 3 hours
Day 14 : Lobuje to Gorak Shep (5,220 mt.) - 3 hours. Climb Kala Pattar (5,545 mt.) - 2 to 3 hours
Day 15 : Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,600 mt.) and back - 5 to 6 hours
Day 16 : Descend to Lobuje - 2½ hours
Day 17 : Cross Kongma La (5,535 mt.) to Chukkung (4,720 mt.)
Day 18 : Climb Chukkung Ri (5,550 mt.) - 5 hours. Trek to Dingboche (4,410 mt) - 3 hours
Day 19 : Trek to Kyangjuma (3,550 mt.)
Day 20 : Trek to Phakding (2,610 mt) - 5 to 7hours
Day 21 : Trek to Lukla (2,840 mt.) - 3 to 4 hours
Day 22 : Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 23 : Leisure day in Kathmandu
Day 24: Departure from Kathmandu
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
We arrive early afternoon and taken to our hotel. In Kathmandu, we stay at the Hotel, positioned well away from the noise, smog and bustle of the city centre. The hotel is simple but comfortable with rooms that open onto verandahs overlooking the gardens. It has a swimming pool and an atmosphere of quiet, restful charm. You will be accommodated on a twin-share basis in en-suite rooms unless you have paid for a single room.
Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m). Trek to Phakding (2,610m) - 3 to 4 hours
We will make an early morning start for the Twin Otter flight to Lukla (2,840m/9,317ft), the gateway to the Khumbu. This is an exciting flight, with a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet our trekking staff and porters before setting off straightaway. Our first stop is at Phakding, where we set up camp for the night.
Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,450m) - 4½ to 5½ hours
We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Koshi, crossing it twice by suspension bridges before reaching the Khumbu National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and the Bhote Koshi on a high suspension bridge before climbing steeply for about two hours up 'Namche Hill' to reach Namche Bazaar. This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artefacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the impressive peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega.
Day 4: Acclimatisation in Namche Bazaar
We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar, resting and allowing our bodies to become better acclimatised to the altitude of 3,450m. In the morning, we will walk up to Khumjung and glance-by the school as well as visit the Everest View Hotel (3,900m) before returning to Namche for lunch. The afternoon may be spent shopping or exploring the nooks and crannies of this ancient settlement.
Day 5: Namche Bazaar to Thame (3,844m) - 4 to 5 hours
From Namche, we leave the main Everest Base Camp trail behind us and journey north-west towards Tibet. We may meet Tibetans coming over the high passes and down the valley to trade their goods in Namche Bazaar. Thame is famous for being the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay.
Day 6: Acclimatisation day in Thame
Today, we will rest and enjoy our surroundings. Thame is a relaxing place to take this essential acclimatisation day in readiness for the large height gain to reach Lungden tomorrow. There are particularly good views from here of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde Ri to the south. There is a monastery above the town, which we can take a stroll to in order to aid acclimatisation a little more.
Day 7: Thame to Lungden (4,380m)
Having left most trekkers behind us, we will not find many more until we arrive at Gokyo, as Thame tends to be the limit of exploration for most people. So, the high valley beyond the village remains the simple domain of yaks, farming and Sherpas. Today we walk-by some very old, authentic Himalayan Villages that blend almost invisibly into the landscape. We eventually reach the small village of Lungden, for the night.
Day 8: Lungden to Renjo La Base Camp (4,900m) - 3 to 4 hours
It is a steady walk on a mostly easy-going path to reach our campsite in a beautiful, deserted valley, just below the Nangpa La. This pass is an historical and important trade route between Tibet and Nepal. It is still in use today, despite attempts to control the flow of goods and migrants over its' snowy reaches.
Day 9: Cross the Renjo La (5,388m) to Gokyo Lakes (4,790m) - 6 hours
The ascent of the Renjo La is up a good but rocky path, which the locals frequently cross with yaks. The climb is bound to feel tough at these altitudes, so we make an early start to give ourselves plenty of time. Once on top of the pass, the views towards Everest to the east are some of the best. For a keen photographer, being within the mountains yet faced with such an expansive and open vista never fails to surprise, with Everest, Cho Oyu, Gyanchung Kang, Makalu, Nuptse and Ama Dablam all laid out before us. Having taken some time to enjoy these views, we begin the descent to Gokyo Lakes, down a fairly rough trail at first, before continuing steeply down a blunt ridge to eventually reach more level ground. From here we skirt the north side of the Dudh Pokhari travelling eastwards towards Gokyo Lakes.
Day 10: Rest day at Gokyo Lakes (4,790m)
It is timely to have a rest day today as the previous day's climb would have been pretty hard and we have tough days ahead. Gokyo is a relaxing place to stay and soak up breathtaking scenery. It's quieter than the main Everest trail. We will have a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a wander down to one of the lakes in the afternoon, or take a gentle stroll up onto the moraine at the edge of the vast Ngozumpa Glacier. However, it is important to remember that this is a rest day, so we will keep our exertions small.
Day11: Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) - 2 hours. Trek to Dragnag (4,700m) - 2 to 3 hours
Today, we climb up the first of the 3 Peaks in our itinerary - perhaps the finest viewpoint in the world! From the top, we will get stunning views of Everest and other peaks such as Cho Oyu. We start early so we can witness the ink-black sky yield to the sun as it rises in the east and gracefully bathes first Everest's tip and then its great south-west face with an incandescent orange glow. We'll be there after two to three hours of zig-zagging our way to the top. The summit boulders of Gokyo-Ri will be draped with prayer flags as a sign of the repeated homage our Sherpas and porters pay to their gods. We descend back down to Gokyo for lunch, hopefully by mid-morning. As soon as we are ready, we set off on the trail once more, heading now for the far side of the glacier to camp at Dragnag. The route across the moraine of the glacier is mostly on sandy trails that weave amongst the 'moonscape' of the glacier. On the far side, we reach the small hamlet of Dragnag having walked for 2 to 3 hours from Gokyo.
Day 12: Cross Cho La (5,380m) to Dzongla (4,830m) - 8 to 9 hours
This is a big day, as we tackle the second of the High Passes. We need to set off very early in the morning to ensure that we cross the Cho La and descend to Dzongla in good time. At first, we make a very gradual ascent alongside the river up a small valley to eventually reach a sandy ridgeline. This gives a great view of the Cho La ahead and of some daunting 6,000m peaks to the north and south: Nirekha Peak, Kangshung Peak and Cholatse, among them. We make a long, gradual descent on a pleasant grassy path to reach a lunch stop below the pass. After lunch, the ground becomes steeper and rockier; it is time to pack away our trekking poles. The route weaves around boulders at first, before climbing up onto stonier ground. There is a final steep section to reach the pass itself. This is on loose ground, which can often be icy, so we need to take great care; it might be necessary to fix a short section of rope as well as to use crampons, which we will have with us just in case. The top of the pass is glaciated and we walk across a flat section of snow for about 15 minutes before dropping off the side and back onto rock. With Dzongla below us and now in sight, we pick our way down the far side of the pass and descend into a lovely valley. A stream that meanders along the bottom leads us to our campsite where we take a well-deserved rest.
Day 13: Dzongla to Lobuje (4,910m) - 2½ to 3 hours
The trail from Dzongla descends a little, then contours steadily around Awi Peak, before joining the main Khumbu Valley and reaching Lobuje. There are yet more superb views today, including towards the distinctive north face of Ama Dablam. It will probably feel like something of a 'culture shock' arriving in Lobuje, as this is a busy place where all base camp trekkers stay en route to Everest.
Day 14: Lobuje to Gorak Shep (5,220m) - 3 hours. Climb Kala Pattar (5,545m) - 2 to 3 hours
About three hours beyond Lobuje, we reach Gorak Shep, the site of the 1953 expedition's base camp. From here, we explore the surrounding area and visit the real Everest Base Camp. After lunch, and feeling well settled, we strike out for the top of our Second Peak, Kala Pattar - the Black Rock. This is best tackled in the late afternoon to be on the top in the early evening, as the sun to the west will illuminate Everest with a kinder and more generous light for photographs, than when it's in the eastern sky. If we each have a warm jacket and hat, it won't matter if we're on top as the sun sets, to see the alpenglow slip off Everest's summit, as the lights in the lodges far below will guide us like stars back to our camp and a warm bowl of soup before dinner.
Day 15: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,600m) and back - 5 to 6 hours
Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier as it weaves between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours, we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. For those visiting base camp in the spring, we may meet members of ATN Adventure Everest Summit team, and catch up on their news of the climb so far. Previously, our spring trek teams have had the privilege of being escorted by our Everest Summit Guides to the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall and introduced to the route to the top. Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend some time wandering through it and getting a sense of what it must be like to be camped there for two whole months, whilst attempting the mountain. Our Everest team chef will serve us lunch before we make the return trek to Gorak Shep.
Day 16: Descend to Lobuje - 2½ hours
In the morning, if we have not done so already, we have another chance of reaching the top of Kala Pattar. Without a need to rush, we retrace our steps back, alongside the Khumbu Glacier, to reach Lobuje, where we spend the night. Tomorrow is another big day, as we plan to tackle the third of the High Passes, to place us ready and in position for the last of our 3 Peaks.
Day 17: Cross Kongma La (5,535m) to Chukkung (4,720m)
Much underrated, the Kongma La is a challenging pass and a more interesting way to approach the Imja Valley than via Dugla and Dingboche, as is usual for most trekking parties. The path is steep at first but eventually reaches the top of the pass. Here, the views from the Kongma La are really spectacular, especially towards Makalu in the east, of Ama Dablam's North Ridge and of Nuptse towering immediately over our heads. Passing by some glacial lakes and yak pastures on the descent, Chukkung is a small settlement reached in about 4 hours from the pass.
Day 18: Climb Chukkung Ri (5,550m) - 5 hours. Trek to Dingboche (4,410m) - 3 hours
We awake early for the last of our ascents. We will have a quick breakfast to warm us before we head off on our final challenge. From the hamlet, the path quickly leads upwards, crossing open grassy slopes and heading directly for the towering massif of Lhotse that stands indomitably behind our mountain. Being well acclimatised and very fit after 2 weeks of Himalayan walking, this peak should come more quickly than the others. But, it will remain tough to get to the top and the zig-zags will appear as daunting as any taken so far. Nevertheless, as the sun breaks on the horizon, we expect the warming sky to greet us as we make the final steps up rocky blocks. Once more, prayer flags mark our summit and seal our triumph. The views from the top are as stupendous as we have come to expect. But, this time the views allow us to trace out our great journey across the Khumbu with the Dudh Khosi draining south, to Lukla and the terai beyond, whilst to the west we glance over the Cho La and Gokyo towards Tibet. Gazing over Ama Dablam and onwards to Namche Bazaar, to our backs stands the gigantic wall of Lhotse. This wall of rock and ice is the only thing in the world mighty enough to veil Everest, which now hides behind it. Robbed of Everest however, we are repaid with views of Makalu to the east and of the great mountains of the Upper Hongu, such as Chamlang and Baruntse. It is hard to imagine a more fitting way to finish such a majestic tour of the Khumbu Himal, than to stand among, but at the feet of such towering giants.Having descended from our high point, we will have brunch before trekking easily down to Dingboche, which we arrive at in only a few hours.
Day 19: Trek to Kyangjuma (3,550m)
Following the main Everest trail down the beautifully scenic valley, we pass through Pangboche at the base of Ama Dabkam and cross the river before climbing to the monastery at Thyangboche. Here we will no doubt take advantage of the bakery, as well as spending some time exploring the famous monastery. A circuit of the monastery, with its many prayer wheels is not to be missed, as is an exploration of the inside. From Thyangboche, a steep descent of around 500m leads through bird-filled rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Dingma. From here, we have to climb up the opposite bank but now with a huge advantage compared with those toiling in the opposite direction and yet to become accustomed to the rarefied air. We will continue to Kyangjuma where we spend the night.
Day 20: Trek to Phakding (2,610m) - 5 to 7hours
We continue on the path leading back to Namche Bazaar. We should have enough time in Namche to shop and relax in the bakery with a coffee and a cake, or even to check the Internet. We sweep down the steep descent of Namche Hill back to the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi and into the small village of Monjo. We now saunter back along familiar paths, taking our leisure with tea whenever we fancy a break. We arrive in Phakding for our last tented night.
Day 21: Trek to Lukla (2,840m) - 3 to 4 hours
The trail now flattens out and we cross the river twice more before a rising traverse up the hillside, past numerous teahouses to Lukla. Our last day of steady trekking will be a real joy as, at lower altitudes and nothing left to prove, we can soak up the atmosphere in each of the villages as we amble through. All excess energy is guaranteed to be exhausted at our party this evening with our Nepalese crew.
Day 22: Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
An early morning flight. We will be met at the domestic airport in Kathmandu and taken to the Summit Hotel. The afternoon can be spent exploring the city and visiting some of the temples, or simply browsing bookshops and shopping in the Thamel area. The team may choose to eat at the Summit Hotel tonight or in town at one of the many good tourist restaurants in Thamel.
Day 23: At leisure in Kathmandu
For those eager to see as much of Kathmandu as possible, an early start is worthwhile to visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath and districts of Bhaktapur and Patan. Durbar Square is also on the essential list, as is the tourist-trinket shopping area of Thamel. During the day, the team will chose a venue for our celebration dinner at which we will toast the many successes of our trek in the Himalaya.
Day 24: Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you'll be transferred to the Kathmandu Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.
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