Gokyo Lodge Trek

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Nepal
Arrival in Katmandu airport

Day 2 – Arrival in Kathmandu and drive to Mulkot
When you arrive with the group flight, you will be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu with our local guide. Depending on the time of arrival with the group flight or other flights, two rooms in a hotel are available where we can freshen up. There is time until lunchtime to rest or take a short stroll through the old town of Kathmandu. After lunch we drive east along the BP Highway to the town of Mulkot, located directly on the Sunkoshi River. With the journey we already cover most of the distance to Ramechhap airport, from where we will take our flight to Lukla tomorrow morning.

Day 3 – Flight to Lukla – start trekking to Phakding
A propeller plane takes us in about 20 minutes to Lukla (2,840 m), where the accompanying team is already waiting for us. Our trekking begins. We descend to the Kusum River (2,550 m) and follow the Dudh Kosi (= Milk River) on the eastern bank upstream to Phakding (2,650 m), where we stay in a lodge. Walking slowly and steadily is the top priority because our organism first has to get used to the thin air. The rest of the day is used to rest and benefit our acclimatization.

Day 4 – Hike into Sagarmatha National Park to Namche Bazar
Further north we cross the river several times on long cable bridges. Jorsale is the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. After a total of 3 – 4 hours of walking upstream we reach the confluence of the Nangpo and Imja to the Dudh Kosi (2,850 m). Behind the steel bridge over the Imja Gorge, we climb the steep climb to the famous Sherpa center Namche Bazar (3,440 m) in about 2 hours. We settle into a lodge and can take a tour of the shopping and souvenir street.

Day 5 – Hike to Mendaphu Hill via Khunde to Khumjung
Today we first visit the Mendaphu Hill above the town. Here we find the park’s headquarters with an informative museum and a prime viewing point of numerous Khumbu peaks such as Mount Everest, Lhotse, Taboche and Ama Dablam. Then we go past Mani walls and pretty chortens to Syangpoche, where the highest airstrip in Nepal is located. Over a small pass we reach the stately village of Khunde with the famous Hillary Hospital of the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation. We reach the gompa of Khumjung (3,800 m) via winding paths between the stone-lined fields and arrive at our lodge in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is spent acclimatizing and visiting the gompa.

Day 6 – Hike via Sanasa and Tengpoche to Deboche
Now we turn our backs on the high valley and hike down to Sanasa. From here we choose the path down into the deep Imja Kosi gorge and arrive in the hamlet of Phunki (3,250 m). After a climb that lasts about 2 hours, we reach the ridge of Tengpoche (3,860 m). When the weather is clear, we enjoy the magnificent view of the ice giants of the Khumbu region until sunset. Peaks with illustrious names such as Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku tower above us. We enjoy the atmosphere around Tengpoche Monastery. It is possible to visit the monastery (optional). In the afternoon we continue our way to our destination for the day, Deboche.

Day 7 – Hike to Ama Dablam base camp and on to Pangpoche
From Deboche we follow the path towards Ama Dablam base camp. From the valley we climb steeply in about 2.5 hours to a moraine, on the back of which we are already at the height of the base camp. There is a chorten here and we enjoy the panoramic view of the Ama Dablam. We reach the base camp a little later. Our way back takes us past the chorten again, down to Imja Khola and over to Pangpoche. Forests that have been cut down around the town are being reforested as part of the “One Day – One Tree” project.

Day 8 – Hike via Phortse to Dole
In the morning, in the village of Pangpoche, which is characterized by ancient juniper trees, we can visit the oldest gompa in the Khumbu region, which is over 350 years old (optional). Today’s hiking route then takes us along a wonderful high-altitude path with constant ups and downs to the terraced village of Phortse. Here too, above the village, forest that has been cut down is being reforested as part of the “One Day – One Tree” project. We climb down to the Dudh Kosi river, cross it on a bridge and continue hiking to Dole, our destination for the day.

Day 9 – Hike through the Gokyo Valley to Machhermo
We climb up the western side of the valley and follow the path through the alpine villages of Lhabarma and Luza to Machhermo (4,410 m), a place at the end of a high valley bordered by the striking six-thousanders Kyajo Ri and Machhermo Ri. We arrive at our lodge for lunch and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10 – Hike up to the Gokyo Alpine pasture
We soon reach Pangka (4,450 m), the last settlement on our route that is inhabited all year round. We cross a raging stream over a bridge and reach the first Lake Gokyo. We walk past the second deep blue lake, gently ascending, to Alm Gokyo (4,750 m) on the banks of the third lake. There is time here to rest and recharge your batteries. A simple lodge serves as our quarters. If you want, you can climb to the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier in just a few minutes and enjoy the panoramic view. The long, icy ridge between Cho Oyu (8,201 m) and Gyachung Kang (7,922 m) is very impressive, as is the view of the bizarre glacier world and our mountain destination tomorrow.

Day 11 – Climb Gokyo Ri and hike down to Machermo
In the morning we set off to climb the 5,360 m high peak of Gokyo Ri. As long as there is no fresh snow, no technical difficulties are to be expected during the 2 – 3 hour climb. The view from this panoramic peak is unique in clear weather and includes the four eight-thousanders Cho Oyu, Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Below us, the deep blue mountain lakes form a stark contrast to the alpine meadows, moraines and glacier fields. It is particularly important to climb slowly and steadily, because the unusual height puts a strain on the circulation despite the previous hiking days. If you don’t want to take part in the mountain tour, you can go on a hike in the beautiful surroundings, e.g. B. up the valley to another lake between the mountain slope and moraine. After our magnificent experiences in the Gokyo high valley, we head back towards Tengpoche and climb down today to the already well-known lodge in Machermo.

Day 12 – Hike via Mon La and Sanasa to Namche Bazar
On our way out of the Gokyo Valley we now have wonderful views of Thamserku to the south. Behind Dole we hike through rhododendron forest down to Dudh Kosi and come back to Phortse Drangka. From here our path leads up to the Mon La pass, where there is a chorten decorated with many prayer flags at an altitude of 3,973 m. We rest and then continue hiking slightly downhill to Sanasa. In the late afternoon we follow the well-laid path to our destination for the day, Namche Bazar, and may be able to spot mountain goats and other game along the way.

Day 13 – Hike via Monjo and Phakding to Lukla
We say goodbye to the Sherpa trading center and descend steeply into the Imja Kosi gorge. We hike along a familiar route along the Dudh Kosi via Monjo and Bemkar back to Phakding. Then we tackle a final climb before the first houses of Lukla appear in front of us. We stay in a lodge near the asphalt runway and can celebrate farewell to Sherpa Country together with our trekking team in the evening.

Day 14 – Flight to Ramechhap and drive to Kathmandu
If the weather cooperates, we will fly to Ramechhap in the morning with a propeller plane and drive back to Kathmandu from there. In the afternoon we reach the capital and check into our hotel. We can rest the rest of the day or use the time to go shopping in the city.

Day 15 – Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
This day is free to go on excursions and sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley with your tour guide (optional) or individually. We recommend visiting the royal city of Bhaktapur, the Hindu pilgrimage site Pashupatinath and the large stupa complex in Bodnath. In the evening we can meet for a farewell dinner in a restaurant (optional).

Day 16 – Departure
Transfer to the airport for final departure