EBC Via Gokyo lake

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,600 ft)

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our representative from Namaste Nepal Trekking & Research Hub will pick you up from the airport. He will be displaying a NNTR sideboard outside the airport terminal. Transfer to the selected hotel. In the afternoon pre-trip meeting will be holding at our office. During this meeting we will introduce your trek and or tour leader/guide, so please make sure that you ask all the questions and concerns. For the meeting please make sure you bring passport,2 copies passport  size photos and your travel insurance policy copy (if you haven’t sent by email before).  And sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer.

Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley

After breakfast, your sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley will start. You will have a professional tour guide with a private vehicle. Today you will visit the following cultural wonders of Kathmandu valley:

Swambhunath Stupa/Monkey temple:

Is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal. The Swayambhunath consists of a stupa and a variety of shrines and temples. A Tibetan monastery, museum, and library are more recent additions. And we can see the 360-degree view of Kathmandu valley. This will be a good way to start your day with

Pashupatinath Temple:

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important and significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. Located on the bank of the holy  Bagmati River near the airport. The major temple is strictly for Hindus only even though you are not allowed to go inside the main temple you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the other bank of the river.

Boudhanath Stupa:

Another UNESCO World Heritage site;  Boudhanath another holiest site of Kathmandu valley. It was built in the 5th century with pairs of eyes in all 4 directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings.

Patan durbar square:

City of Fine Arts Patan; The ancient royal palace of Patan faces into magnificent Durbar Square. This concentrated mass of temples is perhaps the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal. The historic monument which describes the oldest architecture of Nepal is Patan durbar square, Temple construction in the square went into overdrive during the Malla period (14th to 18th centuries).

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

After finished sightseeing in Patan on the way to your hotel, our driver will drop you at Kathmandu Durbar Square (only if you are staying at Thamel) from where you can walk back to Thamel through the narrow and oldest open street market of Asan. In Kathmandu durbar square you can see the following: 

- Pagoda style temples which were made twelve to eighteen centuries

- An ancient royal palace with a museum

- Kashthamandap (which named to the city as Kathmandu)

- Living Goddess Kumari

- Black Bhairava (God of death)

Flight to Lukla and Trek to Phakding (2,610 m / 8,562 ft)

Your adventure began here, flight from Kathmandu to Lukla only takes about 30 minutes, and you'll enjoy Nepal's iconic mountain views throughout. This flight is one of the closest mountain flights you can do in Nepal. Touch down on the narrow mountaintop runway, and your Trekking to dream EBC begins.

After your whirlwind arrival, head out on a half-day trek. You'll follow a riverside trail downhill through the Dudh Koshi Valley, passing farms, stone villages, and snow-topped mountains toward your first overnight in Phakding.

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m / 11,290 ft)

From Phakding, the route crisscrosses the pine-flanked Dudh Koshi (Milky River) river on a steel cable suspension bridge. Keep an eye out for yaks and other local wildlife that amble along the same route. walking through the valley at the foot of Thamserku Peak, the trail leads to the village of Monjo.

From here the territory of Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park begins. A UNESCO-listed nature reserve that is home to snow leopards, red pandas, and other rare flora and faunas. After passing a checkpoint in Monjo to register your trekking permits, you will stop at Jorshalle village for filling Lunch and you'll begin a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. If the weather is clear, you may just catch a glimpse of Mount Everest in the distance.

After a strenuous uphill hike, you'll arrive for your overnight stop with time to shop for souvenirs or any extra gear you may need. Namche, the main trading village in the Khumbu region, is the historic meeting point for Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans. It remains a global melting-pot. Namche Bazar is an amazing place, it is the capital of the Everest region. The city is located in a bowl (basin) at an altitude of about 3441 m. There is a bank, a post office, a colorful market, a museum of the Sherpa people, dentistry, Clubs and Bars, coffee shops, and many small shops.

Rest and Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazar

After yesterday's significant gain in altitude, you'll take today off to relax and acclimatize. 

The tourist Capital and the biggest settlement in the Khumbu region: Namche Bazaar, well facilitated with ATMs, Internet cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and lots of branded and local shops selling the daily needs. Although it's a rest day for acclimatization, we walk up to Khumjung village through Everest view Hotel and see beautiful views of the Himalayas including Mount Everest, Khumjung village is a brimming little town which is beautifully filled by the Sherpa community. Walking through the Sherpa village will be a unique experience to understand the real lifestyle of the Sherpa people.

Trek to Dole (4200m / 13,780 ft)

From Namche, the trail follows the valley, high above the Dudh Koshi River. After the acclimatization day up in Namche, you'll be ready to hit the road to Gokyo Valley again. As you leave Namche, you'll catch an outstanding glimpse of the Himalayas, marking the world's highest elevations.

You'll continue along the trail, you can stop for a cup of Nepali Chiya/Tea with the view of Ama Doblom in Kayangjuma. After the break, we reach the junction to EBC and Gokyo valley. From here, we climb to Mong La for lunch with one of the finest views of Amadablam. You will trek don through Rhododendron forests to Phorsetanga then we climb again by Passing a few waterfalls and bridges, we reach the small village of Dole.

Trek to Machharmo (4,470m / 14,666 ft)

After climbing a ridge, the trail moves through Lhabarma and to Luza where you pass summer settlements of the locals. Views of Kantega, Cho Oyu, and Thamserku stay with us as we walk along the trail. Passing small villages on the way, the scenic high hillside trek leads continues with views of the deep Dudh Koshi valley. The four hours walk ends at Machhermo, our stop for the day. A beautiful stream that originates from Kyajo Ri and Phari Lapche runs through this village where you can hear stories on the first sighting of Yeti.

Trek to Gokyo (4,800m / 15,749 ft)

From Machhermo, the trail ascends to a Chorten through a ridge where views of mt Thamserku, mt Kangtega, and mt Cho-Oyu along with the valleys below are magnificent. The valley slowly widens as the easy trail passes another Chorten and reaches Pangka. Descending to the river bank, we then begin our steep climb along the side of the moraine of the Ngozumba Glacier, the longest glacier in the world! This huge glacier slides down the slopes of the Cho Oyu mountain. We pass through the mesmerizing natural beauty of the turquoise lakes Longpongo and Taboche Tsho and reach a third lake, Dudh Pokhari, where the Gokyo village is situated. With the backdrop of Cho-Oyo, the beautiful and well-facilitated village and its outstanding periphery are our shelter after this adventurous day.

Trek to Gokyo Ri (5,357m / 17,576 ft)

We start early today to Gokyo Ri (5,357m / 17,576ft) which lies above the village. The steep climb of about four hours to the top is quite strenuous and takes about 3 to 4 hours, yet rewards with one of the best Mountain View spot in the Everest region. The scenery of Gokyo village, Nogzumpa Glacier, We can observe 4 of the 14 tallest mountain peaks of the world: Mt. Everest(8,848.86m / 29,031) Mt. Lhotse(8,516m / 27,940 ft), Mt. Makalu(8,463m / 27,766 ft), and Cho Oyu(8,188m / 26,864 ft) with a face to face distance. Is Magnificent! We then head back towards the valley to our lodge for breakfast. After that, we'll be sightseeing around the valley a bit and spend the rest of the day immersing ourselves in the beauty of the Himalayas. And enjoy the highest bakery of the planet with the coffee shot. 

Trek to Thagnak (4,750m / 15,585 ft)

If we did not climb the Gokyo Ri the previous day, we can do that today. 

We trek through the Ngazumpa Glacier to the mountain on the other side. Next, traverse along the edge of that mountain and then meander into Thagnak. It will be a short hike today with an afternoon of rest which will prepare us for long hiking days and elevation gain to come.

Trek to Cho La pass (5,367m/17,609 ft) to Dzongla (4850m / 15912 ft)

Today is going to be one of the toughest days of the trip. The Cho La pass is not itself difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side. We need to be careful as the trail is vertical and the rocks glazed by ice may cause trouble by making the trail slippery.  The trail from Phedi climbs through a ravine and a rocky trail. While trekking through the side of a frozen lake, we reach the top of the pass decorated with prayer flags. The pyramidal Ama Dablam presides over a range of mountains on the south even as Cholatse soars to the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse rise sharply to our right. We need to pass through some crevasses before we reach Dzongla Village. The village provides great views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche mountains along with the Pheriche Village far below

Dzongla to Lobuche (4,940 m / 16,208 ft)

This will be a very short trek so we have a lot of time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. We climb down from Dzongla and walk through a grassy trail while enjoying the view of Lobuche Peak. The trail curves through the wide river bed before reaching Lobuche. We can spend the rest of the day taking a rest which will help us prepare for the next day’s long trek. 

Trek to Goreak Shep to Everest Base Camp (5,364m / 17,599 ft) to Goreak Shep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft)

After breakfast, we start our trek to Base Camp. Following a rocky moraine path, we see an icy glacial pond and icebergs down below of Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes, a short downhill trek brings us to Gorak Shep, a dry, sandy lakebed that sports an ominous moniker (the name means "Graveyard of Crows.") It's simple.

But you're not stopping yet. Continue on, climbing along the Khumbu Glacier at a slow but steady pace in your bid to reach Everest Base Camp. Finally, after a long day at high altitudes, the payoff arrives. Stop to take photos and relax in the world-famous threshold for all summit expeditions. After some time to admire your surroundings and wander around the camps with the climbers by the help of your guide you'll make your way back down to Gorak Shep, where you'll spend the night.  

Kala Patthar (5,545m / 18,192 ft) to Pheriche (42,00 m / 13,780 ft)

In the early morning, we climb to Kala Patthar meaning “Black Rock” to enjoy the view of sunrise. It’s one of the best Everest Mountain View spot.

You will be face to face with the Highest Mountain in the world. From here we can have panoramic views of Everest and many other mountain peaks like Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbetse, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and many more. You will we trek down to Gorekshep for a satisfying breakfast and start trekking down to Pheriche. 

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m / 11,290 ft)

Passing back along the familiar ground, you'll head to the village of Pangboche.

From there, you'll continue to follow the river, finally crossing back over it. Pass through birch and rhododendron forests to Tengboche, you'll descend the bridge over the Dudh Koshi to Phunki Tenga, where you can check out the Buddhist prayer wheels powered by water. You'll head down to the base of the valley before another climb to Namche Bazaar.

Trek to Lukla (2,860m / 9,383 ft)

Today marks your final day of trekking. The route follows the Dudhi Koshi River all the way back down to Lukla, where you'll spend your last night in the mountains. It's time for a farewell party: sample some regional Chang (home-brewed rice beer) and learn some Sherpa dance steps. You have a successful trek to celebrate.

Fly to Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,600 ft)

On your last morning in the mountains, you'll wake up early to catch a morning flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is at your disposal. If you didn't get a chance to see the city's main sights, you'll have a chance to now. You also might want to unwind with a massage or spa treatment in Thamel. Otherwise, you have the entire capital at your fingertips for sightseeing before you depart tomorrow.

Final departure

Your adventure to Nepal comes to an end today! It’s time to say goodbye to Nepal until the Next Time! Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu, a city stroll, and-or souvenir shopping. NNTR representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. On the way to your home, you have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful land of the mystic Himalayas.