The Everest region
is certainly one of the most stunning mountain
areas on earthrs. This short route enables trekkers
who have a limited time to discover the most
famous beauties of Nepal. Set amongst breath-taking
high mountain scenery, the route leads through
the Khumbu - Sherpa country. Two routes are possible:
Renjo Pass trek or an alternative itinerary.
The trail to Gokyo is a gradual ascent up the
valley passing through patches of birch and
rhododendron forest where the elusive musk deer
can sometimes be seen. Through small yak-grazing
settlements, we reach the Gokyo lakes. The Gokyo
Peak (5480m) ascent is the one of the highlights
of this circuit. We stay here to savor the incredible
scenery, including magnificent views of Everest
(8848m), Makalu, Cho Oyo (8153m) and Lhotse
(8511m), to name but a few. The Renjo Pass route
is off the usual beaten track. At the pass,
a great view of the Gokyo lakes on one side,
the Rermo Pokhari lakes on the other side, and
a myriad of snowy peaks in the background provides
this incredible atmosphere. The alternative
route is much easier. From Gokyo, the trail
descends along the opposite bank of the Dudh
Kosi.
| 12
Days |
|
Maximum
Altitude:5480 m |
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DAY 01
|
Katmandu - Lukla (2800m) by plane - Phakding
(2600m) in 3hrs. |
|
|
| Great view of
the Kusum Kangru (6369m). |
| DAY
02 |
Phakding
- Namche Bazar (3440m) in 6 hrs. |
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|
Climb up on the right bank of the Dudh Kosi,
surrounded by summits rising above 6000m.
|
| DAY
03 |
Namche
Bazar. |
|
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|
Acclimatization day, which gives us time
for a sightseeing tour or an excursion towards
the village of Thame or Khumjung. |
| DAY
04 |
Namche Bazar - Phortse Thanga (3600m) in
5hrs.
|
|
|
| Beautiful
view of the Tengpoche monastery and the
verdant Phortse plateau to the east. Stunning
vista of Thamserku (6608m) and Kang Taïga
(6685m) to the south-east and Taboche (6367m)
to the north-east.. |
| DAY
05 |
Phortse Thanga - Dole (4040m) - Machhermo
(4410m) in 5hrs. |
|
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Rhododendron forests give way to junipers
and tall conifers. After Dole the landscape
gets rocky and only a few trees are left.
First views of Cho Oyu (8153m). |
|
DAY 06 |
Machhermo
- Gokyo (4750m) in 4hrs. |
|
|
| We
follow the immense frontal moraine of the
Ngozumpa glacier to the Gokyo lakes. Climbing
up we will discover one by one those emerald
drops lost into black rocks and snow. |
| DAY
07 |
Gokyo lakes. |
|
|
| Optional
ascent of the Gokyo Peak (5480m) in 5hrs.
A breathtaking 360 º view with Lhotse,
Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu--four of the fourteen
8000m on earth--dominating the myriad of
lesser peaks. |
| DAY
08 |
Gokyo – Renjo Pass (5345m) –
Rermo Pokhari (4875m) in 5hrs. |
|
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Gentle slope up over grassy areas. The gradient
becomes steeper as we go and we end by walking
over scree and rocks. The access to the
pass is tricky and quite steep. At the top,
a stunning panorama unfolds: Tengi Ragi
Tau, Rolwaling Himal and the small Rermo
Pokhari lake to the west and Gyachung Kang,
Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and the Gokyo lakes
to the east. We camp beside the lakes. |
| DAY
09 |
Rermo
Pokhari – Thame (3800m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
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Via the Dudh Pokhari lakes, we descend pleasantly
through meadows towards the Bhote Khosi
valley to continue along the river. We will
probably meet some of the picturesque yak
caravans coming down from Tibet and heading
to the Namche market. |
| DAY
10 |
Thame - Namche Bazar (3440m) in 4hrs. |
|
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Many of the typical mani walls and prayer
wheels are scattered on the trail to Namche.
|
| DAY
11 |
Namche Bazar - Lukla (2800m) in 6hrs.
|
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Numerous ascents and descents through the
forest, over rocky cliffs and sheer drops
overlooking the river. |
| DAY
12 |
Lukla – Katmandu by plane. |
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