On Top of the World
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Overview
There's a lot of walking on this trip. Right... that should scare away the lazy sods. The rest of you go and get your thermals because we're off to Everest Base Camp, the top of Gokyo Peak (5360m) and Kala Patar.
(Was Everest & Gokyo)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Kathmandu
Or2K cafe has zucchini pie, fresh mint lemonade, falafel, free wi-fi...we think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship. Pop on some clean socks because you can't wear your shoes inside.
- Pre-departure meeting at the hotel and an optional group dinner in the evening
Hotel Shakti or similarDay 2 - Phakding
After a quick flight you'll get to meet your porters. Explore the village and check out the milky white waters of the Dudh Kosi River.
- Fly parallel to the Himalayan giants en route to Lukla
- Land on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid 1960s
- Explore the village of Lukla
- Begin the trek and descend to the Dudh Kosi River, en route to a lodge in Phakding
(Walking time: approx 3 hours)
Day 3-4 - Namche Bazaar
We’ll stay for here a few days to acclimatise, but you'll also get your first look at Everest - so it's not a bad place to stop. Rugs, clothing, salt and dried meat all do a roaring trade in the village centre. Dried goat meat, anyone?
Day 3
- Set off on an 8 hour trek
- Awesome views of Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku peaks
- Cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River
- See the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche
- Stay in a village lodge in Namche
- Haggle for Tibetan artifacts in local shops
(Walking time: approx 8 hours)
Day 4
- Stay at Namche to allow for acclimatisation
- Perhaps view the sunset and sunrise, and fantastic panoramas of Everest from the national park headquarters above the village
- Optional walk up the Bhote Khola River Valley to Thami
- See displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture
Day 5 - Mongla
We'll stop at Khumjung for lunch (dhal bhat, noodles etc), with views of birch forests, grassy slopes, rocky ridges and across to the village of Phortse.
- Ascend to the airstrip at Shyanboche
- Pass through beautiful birch forest
- Enjoy magnificent mountain views
- Spot Phortse across the valley
- Overnight at the cluster of lodges on the saddle, known as Mongla
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
Day 6-7 - Dole - Machhermo
Acclimatisation is a jerk. Take it easy over the new three days and don't push yourself too hard. Also, a yeti was spotted here in 1974 so be on guard.
Day 6
- Descend to the Dudh Kosi River
- Enjoy excellent views of Kantega, Thamserku and Ama Dablam
- Experience first sightings of Cho Oyo
- Pass imposing waterfalls
- Explore the upper Dole Valley
- Spend the night in Dole
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
Day 7
- Ascend gradually to the Dudh Kosi Valley
- Reach the lodge at Machhermo
- Keep an eye out for the yeti - it killed 3 yaks and injured a Sherpa girl in 1974
(Walking time: approx 3 hours)
Day 8-9 - Gokyo
You'll need a new word to describe the colour blue after seeing the Gokyo Lakes. At Gokyo Peak we'll come face to face with four 8000-metre giants: Everest, Cho Oyo, Lhotse and Makalu.
Day 8
- Climb from the Machhermo Valley on to the steep grassy slopes of the Dudh Kosi Valley
- Keep an eye open for Tibetan snow cocks
- Pass through Pangka and on to the jumbled, terminal moraines of Ngozumpa Glacier - the largest glacier in Nepal
- Follow the lateral moraines to the third lake at Gokyo
- Reach the lodge, located close to the lake
(Walking time: approx 3.5 hours)
Day 9
- Early ascent of Gokyo Peak, boasting the best panoramas in the Khumbu
- View four 8000-metre peaks - Everest, Cho Oyo, Lhotse and Makalu
- Spot countless other towering peaks including Gyachung Kang, Cholatse, Taweche and Kangchung.
- Bird's eye view of the Gokyo lakes and the huge creaking Ngozumpa Glacier
- Descend back to Gokyo for a late breakfast
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
Day 10-11 - Phortse - Dingboche
Not many groups stop in Phortse, a traditional Sherpa village. It’s our little secret. You're almost completely above the tree-line now so the sunsets are pretty Instagram-worthy.
Day 10
- Continue the descent to Phortse Bridge
- Keep an eye open for musk deer
- Ascend to the peaceful village of Phortse, with dramatic mountain views
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
Day 11
- Set off on an exposed trail to the Imja Khola
- Keep eyes peeled for Himalayan tahr
- Enjoy lunch in Pangboche
- Perhaps see the monastery that once housed a legendary yeti scalp
- Pass the Orsho tea houses
- Cross the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines to a lodge in Dingboche
- View huge peaks towering above the eastern end of the valley
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
Day 12-13 - Kala Patar – Everest Base Camp
From Kala Patar you can see Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Mt Everest. Don’t be surprised if you get a little tear in your eye (um, we mean a bit of dirt). The trek to Base Camp can be done in about three hours. Not bad for a day's work.
Day 12
- From Dingboche, ascend the small ridge behind the village above Pheriche Valley
- View the peaks of Taweche and Cholatse in the west and Lobuje in the north
- Reach a line of memorial cairns, built in memory of Sherpas and other climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions
- Arrive at the lodge on Lobuje
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
Day 13
- Head off towards Everest Base Camp
- Encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here (March - May)
- See the notorious Everest Ice Fall
(Walking time: approx 3 hours to Gorak Shep, 5 hours round trip to Everest Base Camp)
Day 14-15 - Pheriche - Namche
It's all downhill from here. Visit Thyangboche Monastery and toast what you've just seen over a cup of steaming hot chiyaa (Nepali tea).
Day 14
- Hike surrounded by the mountains - Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest - they're all here
- Experience sunrise views from Kala Patar - easily one of the most emotional moments of the trip
(Walking time: approx 8 hours)
Day 15
- Great views of the Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega
- Cross the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River
- Visit the Thyangboche Monastery
- Spend the night in Namche Bazaar
(Walking time: approx 7 hours)
Day 16-17 - Phakding - Lukla
Our last days of trekking. Cross a big, cliched suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River, then celebrate with your team in Lukla.
Day 16
- Final chance to visit the shops in Namche Bazaar
- Experience Great views of Kusum Kangaru
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
Day 17
- Arrive in Lukla and enjoy free time to celebrate with the group
Day 18-19 - Kathmandu
You don't need to carbo load anymore. But surely another plate of pasta at Rumdoodle couldn't hurt?
Day 18
- Flight back to Kathmandu
Day 19
- The trip ends this morning, but there's plenty more to see in Kathmandu for those who wish to stay on
Hotel Shakti or similar -
What to Know
What's Included
Experienced local tour guide, trekking staff and porters, first-aid kit, transportation, twin-share accommodation.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, all other meals, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, fully comprehensive travel insurance (obligatory on all trips and must include helicopter evacuation and repatriation), tips, items of a personal nature, laundry, cost of showers on trek (if available) and flights unless specified.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 15 Sep 2013 - 03 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 29 Sep 2013 - 17 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 13 Oct 2013 - 31 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 27 Oct 2013 - 14 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 10 Nov 2013 - 28 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 24 Nov 2013 - 12 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 08 Dec 2013 - 26 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 05 Jan 2014 - 23 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 02 Feb 2014 - 20 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 16 Feb 2014 - 06 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,395 Book Now 02 Mar 2014 - 20 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 16 Mar 2014 - 03 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 30 Mar 2014 - 17 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 13 Apr 2014 - 01 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 27 Apr 2014 - 15 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 11 May 2014 - 29 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now 25 May 2014 - 12 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,540 Book Now -
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What to know
A good level of fitness is essential. You will trek on hilly or mountainous terrain at altitudes of up to 5000 metres, up to 7 hours per day.