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 six emerald Gokyo Lakes, a Ramsar Heritage site and rounds up this visit to the Khumbu with the beautiful Ama Dablam Base Camp above Pangboche. From Gokyo to Pangboche the trail takes the beautiful unspoilt route via Phortse which sees few trekkers. 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 Phortse upto 8-9 hours) with some rest days included.
2) Altitude: up to 5,350m 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.
5) High altitude insurance including emergency evacuation insurance by helicopter is recommended for this trek.
Trek Leader - The trek will be led by a senior South Col Nepal guide with many visits to the Everest region.
Minimum group size is four for this trek
BRIEF ITINERARY - for detailed itinerary please do email sujoyrdas@gmail.com
Day 1: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and walk to Phakding or Monjo (5 – 6 hours) We take the early morning flight from Kathmandu and land at Lukla airport in 30 minutes. After breakfast at a lodge in Lukla we begin the easy first day’s walk to Phakding (2800 metres) or if the flight is on time carry on further to Monjo
Day 2 : Phakding /Monjo to Namche Bazaar (3450 metres) (5 to 6 hours) We leave Phakding around 7.30 am after breakfast and walk up the valley with tantalizing views of Thamerku to the National Park gates at Monjo. After checking of our permits we descend in 20 minutes to Jorsale where we stop for an early lunch. From Jorsale we cross the Imja Khola and start the steep three hour climb to the Sherpa capital Namche Bazaar.
Day 3 Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar We have our first acclimatization day at Namche. Many of us would sit at the bakery and have apple pie while the more intrepid would go for an acclimatization walk to the top of the hill!
Day 04 Namche Bazaar to Dole (3950m) (7 to 8 hours) We leave Namche and follow the trail to Kyanjuma and then climb up to the pass of Mong la. From Mong la it is a steep descent to the valley at Phortse Tenka where we stop for lunch. From Phortse Tenka the trail climbs again to Dole in about 90 minutes.
Day 5 Dole to Machermo (4350m) (5 to 6 hours) The trail leaves Dole and gently skirts the hillside and in about an hour reaches the lodges of Lhabarma where we stop for tea. From Lhabarma to Luza is about another 90 minutes of gentle climbing. We can stop for an early lunch at Luza. From Luza Machermo is about 90 minutes way and we should get there by early afternoon.
Day 06 Machermo to Gokyo (4750m) 4 to 5 hours The trail leaves Machermo with Machermo peak ahead and climbs slowly up the valley. Just before reaching the first lake, it climbs up some steep stairs across the fast flowing Dudh Kosi and then arrives at the lake. From the first lake Gokyo is about 70 to 90 minutes walk .Day 07 Rest Day at Gokyo (4750m) We take a rest day at Gokyo and can either climb Gokyo Ri or visit the 5th lake. From here we will have a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawache.
.Day 07 and 08 Rest Days at Gokyo (4750m) We take a rest day at Gokyo and can either climb Gokyo Ri and also visit the 5th lake. From here we will have a panoramic view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawache
Day 09 Gokyo to Phortse 7-8 hours
Day 10 Phortse to Pangboche 3-4 hours
Day 11 Pangboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp and back to Deboche ( 8-9 hours round trip)
Day 12 Deboche to Namche Bazar (5-6 hours)
Day 13 Namche Bazar to Lukla (7-8 hours)
Day 14 Lukla to Kathmandu by morning flight
April - May and November are good months for this trek.
COSTS
Rs 95,000 for Indian passports and USD 1600 for foreign passports per person including taxes (meals excluded)
Please budget an additional USD 350 for meals, hot water in flasks, battery charging, wi fi charges, gas showers in lodges for 14 days trekking.
The cost is per person for Kathmandu to Kathmandu (12 days ) as per the itinerary given
Costs given above are at current rates of 2020 and may change without notice.
Costs include:
Taxi fare from hotel in Katmandu to airport and back for Lukla flight
Sagarmatha National Park permit and TIMS permit for trekking in the Everest region.
Flight cost Kathmandu Lukla to Kathmandu presently USD 360 return
All accommodation on the trek on twin sharing basis. In Namche Bazaar for three nights top end deluxe rooms with attached bathrooms and hot showers will be provided – for the rest of the trek best possible lodges will be provided. Attached bathrooms will not be possible in all locations but clean toilets in the corridor will be provided.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu one night on the way in and one night on the way out is covered with breakfast.
Cost of porters/guides for the trek. Please note that porters will carry one duffel bag or backpack not exceeding 10-12 kgs weight for each trekker comprising of personal items, clothing, sleeping bag etc. >
Costs not included
Meals in Kathmandu and on the trek.
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.
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation insurance and costs if needed.
Video camera fees in National Parks (where applicable).
Bottled drinks; boiled, filtered or bottled water; alcohol; snacks etc
Hot showers (USD 4 per shower) is 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 porters at the end of trek estimate @ US 60 per trekker to the common pool.
| 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. In case you cannot get a duffle bag in your home country these are available very cheap in Kathmandu and I can help you with this. The duffle bag should not weight more than 10 kgs! | |
| 1 | Sleeping Bag | Warm sleeping bag is needed at least three season rated to 15F |
| 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 |
| 4 | Slippers or Sandals for camp | lightweight to wear in the evenings |
| 5 | warm Socks | 2 pairs to carry and one pair to wear |
| 6 | Gloves | one pair |
| 7 | Underwear | 1 to wear and 2 to carry |
| 8 | Warm Cap | one- Wool or fleece is usually good |
| 9 | Heavy jacket | 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 ; |
| 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 2 to carry - if the sun is hot you can walk in a T shirt |
| 13 | Trousers /tights etc | 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. Our trek is not in the rainy season though some light rain/snow in the late afternoon evenings cannot be ruled out. |
| 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!! |
| 19 | Water bottle | one no 500 ml or 1 litre is ok you can use the 500 or 600 ml empty coke or pepis bottles |
| 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 |
| 26 | Nuts, raisins etc all mixed up | can be divided into small packets for daily use |
| 27 | Chocolates /Energy Bars/Amul cheese slices/tea bags | Carry some chocolates or energy bars to have on the way. Amul cheese slices are very useful and can be had as snacks when you are tired of sweets! |
| 28 | Sweets | for energy |
| 29 | Volini gel/ Bengay etc for aches and pains | or any other equivalent |
| 30 | Iodine or chlorine tablets for water purification | 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 |
| 32 | some spare plastic bags to pack wet stuff, dirty clothes etc | |
| 33 | Book in case you want to read on the way and IPOd for music optional! | |
| 34 | Two small locks one for your duffle bag and one for your room in case the lodge does not have a lock | |
| 35 | Clothes line with hooks on either side in case you want to hang up your wet clothes to dry outside!! | |
| 36 | Super Glue | To patch up boots that may give way! |
| 37 | Face mask | For dust, cold winds etc available in kathmandu |
| 38 | Extra shoe laces | one pair |
Sujoy Das - India and Nepal
+919831054569
+977 9818037020
Lok Silwal - Nepal
+977 98510 22984
CANCELLATION POLICY
The cancellation policy and refunds available are given below:
0-7 days before the start of the trek =75%
8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 50%
16-30 days before the start of the trek = 35%
31-45 days before the start of the trek = 30%
46 days and above = 20%
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 - URGENT PLEASE READ!
In case the Kathmandu to Lukla flight is cancelled, the additional cost for hotel accommodation in Kathmandu is to be paid by the client over and above the contracted days accommodation provided.
In case the Lukla to Kathmandu 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 $ 500per 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.