For those trekkers who have either done the Everest Base Camp trek or prefer to be away from the crowds of Base Camp this is the trek for you. It covers the five emerald  Gokyo Lakes, a Ramsar Heritage site and rounds up this visit to the Khumbu with the crossing of the Rhenjo La 5325m.  Excellent lodges, good meals, great views every day, internet and phone connectivity makes this one of the most sought after routes in the Everest region and possibly the best view of Everest from the 5th lake surpassing the Kala Pattar view.
Who should join this trek? A good choice for regular hill walkers, high level of fitness required. Prior trekking experience advisable. 1) Walking times: average 6-7 hours walking per day (with some longer days (Gokyo to Lungden across Rhenjo La) with some rest days included. 2) Altitude: up to 5,400m  at Gokyo Ri.  3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky conditions. There is a steep ascent  to  Gokyo Ri which could be snow covered. 4) Remoteness: the trek is in a remote mountain area and a long distance from the roadhead and the nearest cities. However mobile phones and wifi will work on most of the days.  Trek Leader - The trek will be led by Sujoy Das assisted by senior South Col Nepal guides  with many visits to the Everest region. 

 Special Note - Lukla Flights

 During the peak  April- May  and October-November  season the flight to Lukla goes from an airport called Ramechap (Manthali) 4 -5 hours drive from Kathmandu.   In June  the flights go from Kathmandu. Please note that poor weather can cause delays on the flights on  the Lukla sector. At the end of the trip you should book the afternoon flights out from Kathmandu which gives you a day against delay on the flight back from Lukla. Helicopters can sometimes fly when the scheduled fixed wing aircraft cannot. If your group is offered the opportunity to use a chartered helicopter, either flying up to Lukla or back to Kathmandu, the cost will be shared between those choosing to take this option. In the extremely unlikely event that flight cancellations cause you to miss your homeward  flight, we will render all assistance, but cannot be held liable for any extra costs incurred. You could explore having an insurance for your flight cancellations


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BRIEF ITINERARY


Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu by 2 pm drive to Ramechaap – if we get the Kathmandu – Lukla flight then stay in Kathmandu

Day 2 Fly to Lukla 2800m walk to Monjo 2800m 6-7 hours

Day 3 Walk to Namche 3450m 4 to 5 hours uphill climb

Day 4 Acclimatisation hike to Khumjung Kunde and Everest View Hotel and back to Namche

Day 5 Phortse 3850m 6-7 hours extra acclimatization day for Gokyo advisable

Day 6 Dole 4000m 5 hours

Day 7 Machermo 4450 m 3-4 hours

Day 8 Gokyo 4750m 4 hours

Day 9 Walk to 5th Lake and back to Gokyo

Day 10 Climb Rhenjo la 5350m 3 hours and descend to Lungden 4380m 4-5 hours long day

Day 11 Lungden to Thami 3850m and then to Namche 5-6 hours

Day 12 Namche to Phakding 2650m 4-5 hours

Day 13 Phakding to Lukla 2800m 4 hours

Day 14 Lukla to Kathmandu by flight

Day 15 Depart Kathmandu for home destinations


We may tweak the itinerary as needed keeping the same number of days nearer the time

THE GOKYO LAKES AND RHENJO LA TREK COSTS MAY JUNE 2024


o Cost as per itinerary Indian citizens Rs 99,000 plus 5% TCS and foreign passports USD 1500

o Cost does not include meals on the trek which are directly paid for by our guests to the lodges concerned at actual menu rates. Budget around US $ 30-35 per day for meals on the trek including hot water in flasks, battery charging, wi fi charges, gas showers in lodges etc to be paid directly at the lodges. If you wish have cola drinks, beers, apple pies, special coffees, hot chocolates budget another $10 per day.

o The cost is per person for Kathmandu to Kathmandu (14 days) as per the itinerary given. Costs given above are at current rates of 2023 and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 3 months before the trek.


Costs include:

Transport from hotel in Kathmandu to airport and back for Lukla flight including Ramechap up and down transfer if needed - transfer from hotel to airport for KTM -India return flight.

Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu permit or trekking in the Everest region.

All accommodation on the trek on twin sharing basis. In Namche Bazar for three nights top end deluxe rooms with attached bathrooms and hot showers will be provided. In Dole, Machermo and Lungden we will not be able to provide rooms with attached toilets – toilets will be in the corridor.

Hotel accommodation near Ramechap if needed one night on the way in will be provided and one night on the way out is covered in good Thamel hotel (Mandala Boutique etc ) with breakfast on twin sharing basis.

Please note that porters will carry the duffel bag of two trekkers 11 -12 kgs weight each bag ( total around 23-24 kg weight) comprising of personal items, clothing, sleeping bag etc. The Lukla flight only allows 15 kg of baggage per person including day packs so excess baggage will be charged at the time of check in. Your duffle bag and day pack together should be around 15 kgs.


Costs not included

Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu/ Ramechap

Breakfast lunch and dinner on the trek is not included. Desserts, drinks, and exotic items listed in the lodge menus are not included. Alcohol, cold drinks (coca cola, sprite, beer), juices, ice cream etc on the trek and in Lukla are not included.

Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation costs if needed.

Video camera fees in National Parks (where applicable)

Excess baggage charges if any on the Kathmandu to Lukla flights.

Bottled drinks; boiled, filtered or bottled water; alcohol; snacks etc. Hot showers (Rs 300 per shower) are not included at lodges with shared toilets. Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.

Air fare from residence country to Nepal and back

Tips to guide and porters at the end of trek will give a guideline on this later.


Deposit to book the trek

There is a nonrefundable deposit to book the trek INR 25,000 per person for Indian citizens and USD $400 per person for foreign passports– this is used to book the Kathmandu to Lukla tickets.


































































































































































































































PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST NEPAL 2022 EXPECTED MAY TEMPERATURES BELOW 4000 METRES DAY 55-60F NIGHT 35-40F  - ABOVE 4000 METRES DAY 40-50F NIGHT 15 TO 25F - BEDROOMS ARE NOT HEATED LODGE DINING AREAS ARE HEATED
  ITEMS  REMARKS
  Duffle Bag All the equipment listed below other than what you need for the day should be packed into a duffle bag, locked and handed over to the porters in the morning.   The duffle bag should not weight more than 10-12 kgs! South Col has 65 litre duffle bags available in Kathmandu and you are welcome to use  these bags if you need to 
1 Sleeping Bag - lodges have blankets and quilts Warm sleeping bag is needed at least three season rated to 15F - 10F is better!
2 Daypack or Hipbelt  To carry water, one jacket some nuts, chocolates, cap, camera to keep with you in the day, maybe gloves and cap as well, hiking poles etc.
3 Boots or  Trekking Shoes one pair  - should be goretex or waterproof ankle support preferred
4 Slippers or Sandals for camp lightweight to wear in the evenings
5 warm Socks smartwool or rei or darn tough or icebreaker are the good brands bring three pairswhich fit with your boots
6 Gloves one pair to wear early morning and late evenings outdoors only
7 Underwear  as needed 3-4 usually
8 Warm Cap one- Wool or fleece is usually good
9 Heavy jacket  down the warmest you can get as nights and early mornings are cold - down is usually preferred otherwise a warm synthetic filled jacket.
10 Thermal Underwear ( top and bottom) - long johns inner layer to wear at night and early morning  - uniglo, smartwool, rei,marmot all have thermals
11 Mid Layer Usually a jacket of fleece or wool which can be worn over a thermal layer or by itself while walking 
12 T shirts for walking one to wear and 3 to carry - if the sun is hot you can walk in a T shirt quick wicking is good
13 Trousers /tights / trek pants one to wear and one to carry light weight preferred
14 One Rain Jacket /Wind Jacket/Soft Shell jacket  useful in case of wind ... you may need it in light rain though we would usually take shelter and wait for the rain to stop. We can get rain below 4000 metres and snow above 4000 metres  but we hope not as monsoon has ended 
15 Torch or headlamp one small needed  carry one set spare batteries
16 Sun bloc one small tube should be ok spf 30 or 50
17 some essential medicines vitamins, headache,  fever,  pain killers, diamox for altitude, your own specific medicines  etc
18 Hiking poles if you have bad knees then this is recommended especially on the down hills!! Its is very useful
19 Water bottle or platypus hydration tube one no 500 ml  or 1 litre is ok  hydation tube also ok
20 Sun glasses the sun is strong in the day
21 Cap for the sun ditto!
22 small towel for baths and wash up in case you can use the hot shower
23 toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, vaseline, comb and any other toilet items you may need!
24 wet tissues - wet ones for bathroom called wet ones in India
25 some washing powder surf etc small to wash clothes en route if needed - Namche has washing machine
26 Nuts, raisins etc all mixed up Trail Mix from Trader Joes get one or two packets to have as snacks on the way
27 Chocolates /Energy Bars Carry some chocolates or energy bars to have on the way. Amul cheese slices are very useful also
28    
29 Volini  gel/ Bengay etc for aches and  pains or any other equivalent
30 Iodine or chlorine tablets  for water purification or water filter or steripen available in Kathmandu- this is important as mineral  water bottles are expensive; for overseas visitors you can get iodine tablets in REI and other large outdoor outlets
31 Electral or any other rehydating salts Carry a few small packets  of electrolyte - useful to have mixed with water if dehydrated - available Kathmandu
32 some spare plastic bags to pack  wet stuff, dirty clothes etc   
33 Book in case you want to read on the way / Kindle
34 Two  small locks one for your duffle bag and one backup
35 Gaiters  we will not need in October
36 Microspikes  we should not need in October 
37 Face mask  For dust, cold winds etc available in kathmandu
38 Camera or mobile phone as needed
39 Binoculars optional
40 Chemical Warmers Some good brands are Ignik, Grabber, Hot Hands - a few packets like toe warmers can be useful
     
     

Sujoy Das +919831054569 (whats app only) and [email protected] (email)

CANCELLATION POLICY

The cancellation policy and refunds available are given below:

0-7 days before the start of the trek =100%

8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 75%

16-30 days before the start of the trek = 50%

31-45 days before the start of the trek = 30%

46 days and above = 20%

The deposit is not refundable.



IN CASE OF LEAVING THE GROUP

If due to illness or any other reason a client has to leave the group and go down or wait at a lodge for the group to pick him/her up on the way back, all expenses including lodging, fooding and any porter/guide related expenses if any are to be borne by the individual client over and above the trek fees paid for the trek. There are also no refunds for leaving a trek before completion.



HIRING OF PONIES ETC

In the eventuality of a client needed the services of a pony to come down to lower altitudes, the cost of hiring the pony will be paid by the client.



EVACUATION BY HELICOPTER

In the eventuality of not being covered by emergency helicopter evacuation insurance and an evacuation is considered necessary, the cost of the evacuation will be paid by the client in advance to the helicopter company/travel agent etc as deemed necessary.


CANCELLATION OF LUKLA FLIGHTS

In case the Kathmandu/Ramechap to Lukla flight is cancelled, the additional cost for hotel accommodation in Kathmandu/Ramechap is to be paid by the client over and above the contracted days accommodation provided.

In case the Lukla to Kathmandu/Ramechap flight is cancelled, the client has the following options:

Continue to remain in Lukla at the client’s cost (both fooding and accommodation) and try for a flight the next day or day after.

Depart from Lukla if possible using the services of a helicopter usually US $ 500 per person. In this case the one way flight cancellation charges will be refunded to the client.



LODGES ON THE TREK

The choice of lodges to be used on the trek will be decided by South Col and clients will have to stay at these designated lodges. Clients are not permitted to choose their own lodges on the route.



TREK ROUTE

The trek route and day wise schedule will be fixed by South Col and will have to be followed by the client.



RISKS AND LIABILITY

The trek is in a remote mountain area and has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which the client should be prepared; weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected changes; remoteness from normal medical services; evacuation difficulties.

In the event of injury or illness South Col Expeditions (Sujoy Das) or its Staff can, at the clients cost arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for the health and safety of the client.


WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE FORM

The waiver of liability and release form is to be signed by the client before leaving for the trek.