Gokyo Lakes and Renjo La Pass Trek - 12 Days

After breakfast, transfer to the Domestic Airport for the Trans Himalayan flight and dramatic landing on the hillside at Lukla: gateway to the Khumbu/Everest region. Meet your local porters and walk downhill to the Sherpa settlement of Cheplung. The trail then follows the side of the Dudh Koshi Valley before ascending to Ghat (2 530m/8 350ft). Another gentle hour leads up to Phakding.

The trail meanders through pine forest, along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing many suspension bridges via the Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo and Jorsale: entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park and permit checkpoint, with tranquil views of glistening Thamserku (6,618m/21,714m). The trail continues along the riverbed to the confluence of the Bhote and Dudh Koshi Rivers. It then climbs steadily, crossing the high Tenzing- Hilary suspension bridge with inspiring glimpses of Everest and the Nuptse – Lhotse ridge. A final three hour ascent through pine forest leads to the prosperous trading and administrative town of Namche Bazaar.

Today is acclimatization day on the trek. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and health experts recommend a stop for at least one extra night. Be active and roam rather than laze around: climb high and sleep low is the acclimatization advice.  A rest day in Namche Bazar is crucial to give your body the break it needs to adjust to the altitude. Early morning , we hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,962m./12,998ft.) for an awesome panorama of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, Kwangde Peak, Kusum Peak, Kangaru Peak, and other peaks.  Or, you can stay in your hotel and visit the Namche Village in the evening. There’s a local museum, school, classic village, and a large market you can visit in the daytime. 

The day begins early with a warm breakfast. The trail from Namche Bazar ascends steeply, and soon you will be walking on a flat path to Sanasa. The trail climbs up from the town and then contours around the hillside, offering great views including Everest and Khumjung. It then ascends along the lower slopes of Khumbila, branching northwest of the Everest trail and continuing up the Dudh Koshi Valley. It climbs steeply to the tiny village of Mong La (built around an ancient chorten), then drops to Phortse Thenga before climbing through a pine and rhododendron forest and on up to Dole – from where there are marvellous views of snow capped peaks. Look out for spotted deer, Himalayan Tahrs and birds – including the colourful (male) Danphe pheasant (Nepal’s national bird). Overnight in Dole.

After breakfast, we start our short hike to Machhermo helps us acclimate before entering the highlands of Gokyo. The tiny village has new lodges that remain empty most of the year. The people of Khumjung and Khunde often use the land of Machhermo to graze their cattle. You can see many yaks and sheep in the summer in these highlands. Breathtaking views of Cho-Oyo, Thamserku and Kangtega are countered by charming views into the valley below where we pass summer-grazing hamlets such as Luza that lead up to Machhermo. The Machhermo Khola flows through the village of Kyajo Ri and Pharilapche before draining into the Dudh Koshi. This is the last settlement before Gokyo and has a HRA aid post for victims of AMS.

Afater breakfast, we trek to Gokyo lake. Begin climbing on a steep path that leads to a ridge above Machhermo.The trail rises gently from the village to a ridge that offers the first views of the north face of Cho-Oyo (8,210m/26,907ft) and more views of Kangtega and Thamserku. Ahead in the valley is the snout of the Ngozumpa Glacier: the trail drops back towards the river. At the hamlet of Pangka it meets an alternative route from the south before climbing onto the side of the moraine. A metal bridge crosses the edge of the frozen Longponga Tsho (4,690m/15,383ft): the first of the Dudh Koshi’s six sacred lakes. Before Taboche Tsho, a path leads up onto the glacier – and the Cho La. A strenuous half hour’s walk beyond the lake is the summer village of Gokyo set on the side of the moraine and overlooking the blue-green Dudh Pokhari which nestles in a semi circle of high peaks at the foot of Gokyo Ri. Cho-Oyo and the ice ridge to Ghyachung Kang, from which the Ngozumpa glacier flows, are clearly visible behind ridges.The trail further heads to Pangka and continues towards Nilibuk. From here, you will again ascend following a narrow staircase to a small bridge. Further, the trail passes by the lake and reaches Gokyo valley.

To spend your rest day in Gokyo village, you will go on a hike to Gokyo Ri (5,360m/17,586ft) which begins on the northern side of the lake, opposite the village. The first is Its panorama invites an early start and involves a two hour climb to its summit. It overlooks the broad, rubble-covered Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal’s longest, gouged out beneath a wall of towering peaks on its south-eastern flank.that offers a sensational panorama himalayas view that includes Cho-Oyu and Ghyachung Kang, the north face of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cholatse, Taboche, Thamserku, Kangtega, Kusum Kangru (all over 6,300m/20,670ft) and many more, some unnamed. Later, explore the stunning Gokyo Lakes, spend time with locals, and get to see their lifestyle & culture.

The second attraction explores the fourth to sixth lakes north of the village. These lakes, together with melt water from the glacier are the source of the Dudh Koshi: followed from Lukla. A trail rises gently, for three kilometres, north of the village to Thonak Tsho (4870m/15980m), the Ngozumpa Tsho (4,980m/16,340ft) and Scoundrel’s viewpoint (5,000m/16,405ft). From here there are tremendous close-up views of Cho-Oyu, Ghyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Makalu. Approximately two hours is needed for the 200m descent back to Gokyo. If there is time, continue north along the path to the Cho-Oyo Base Camp at the northern end of the sixth lake; the Gyazumba Tsho. Return to Gokyo for the night

This is going to be another long day in the mountains. We start the trek early morning after an early morning breakfast and head back to the lake. Then you gently walk uphill through the grassy area and boulders with a zigzag path. The routes get steeper as you keep gaining altitude till Renjo La Pass. From the top, the entire view of the Everest region looks more beautiful. You can also see Cho Yu, Lotshe, Nuptshe, Pumori, and Ama Dablam. On this day, we will try to reach Lungden for lunch. After, you descend steeply through the west side of the pass into a remote valley with stunning landscape. The path was an ancient trading route used by Tibetan traders. From here, you keep descending through the lovely meadow towards the Bhote Koshi Valley. You then continue to walk beside the river and head towards Lungden. Lungden has a few teahouses available that provide basic facilities. You can interact with the friendly villages and know their history.

After breakfast, we trek south and down to Thame. The hike between these points is easy with mostly gradual descents. You follow the path on the east side of the river and pass several quiet villages. You then walk gradually downhill to Marulung and cross the bridge over the Bhotekoshi River after walking for a bit. Then you continue the trek with several ascend and descend till you reach Taranga. You walk through a beautiful dense forest, observing varieties of animals and plants. Then you pass along many old-walled Sherpa villages showcasing their unique culture. Continuing the hike downhill, you arrive at Thame. This small village has an old monastery you will visit for evening prayers. Later, you can explore the valley and view the stunning scenes of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde. we can encounter monasteries, stupas, and rivers along the way.

Thame: A beautiful Sherpa settlement will be a great time to learn about the unique mountain culture. The village will be even more vibrant during festivals and celebrations. There are around 30-40 local houses in the area. You will be staying at a comfortable teahouse with WIFI, electricity charging, and a private and attached bathroom.

We leave Thame after breakfast and start heading to the south.The walk down from Thame takes us from the stark terrain of the upper elevations back to the green river valley to Namche Bazaar. Out of Thame the track runs along an open hillside with the river far below. Walking into the sun the mountain views are lost in a white haze. After hot lunch in Namche bazaar,we repeat part of the journey steep descent to the Hillary Bridge, checkpoints, the Sagarmatha National Park area, and various stupas. Monjo is also a village area with teahouses. Most people are Sherpa, and only a few Rai people are in Monjo.

Today is our last day of the trek. We walk from Monjo to Lukla on a familiar path downwards from the Dudh Kosi valley. Here, we cross multiple suspension bridges and walk beyond the village of Phakding. Reaching Lukla, we shall all gather to celebrate victory over Gokyo lake with Renjo la pass trek. Since most our support crew are from the Everest region, you will likely see them here for the last time.

We enjoy our last breafkast in mountain and walk to airport for a stunning morning flight over forests and villages to Kathmandu directly or to return via Ramechap. Upon arrival, you be will be transferred back to your hotel. There will be plenty of time to relax or do some last minute shopping/sightseeing. As the flight will be short, you will have an entire day in Kathmandu to explore and buy the souvenirs.