Gokyo and Renjo La Pass Trek

The journey towards Gokyo and Renjo La Pass commence from today. We catch a flight from the international airport to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. The short flight is filled with a picturesque display of snowy mountains like Thamserku (6608m) and Ama Dablam (6856m). Upon arrival in Lukla, you begin the trek to Phakding walking downhill through elevated terrain and green hills. We arrive at Phakding, a small Sherpa settlement, after about 3-4 hours of walk.

The objective for the day is to reach the biggest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu region which is Namche Bazaar. We need to navigate through the serene Dudh Koshi River and endure a steep climb to Jorsalle village. At Jorsalle, you need to get your permits checked to enter the Sagarmatha National park. A steep climb of 2 hours leads us to Namche.

Today, we spend the day getting acclimatized to the high altitude. We hike to Hotel Everest View which is regarded as the hotel which sits at the highest altitude. From here, you can get a great view of Mt. Everest (8848m). We can also hike to Khumjung for the Khumjung Monastery which supposedly houses the scalp of a yeti. Later, on the same day, we will head to Syangboche. The vantage point at Syangboche also offers panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8414m), and Ama Dablam (6856m).

Relishing the sight of Everest and Lhotse, we begin our trail to Dhole. The walk takes us along the Dudh Koshi River along a steep climb till the Mong La Pass. A brief stop in Phortse allows us to observe the incredible monasteries. As we go through lush forests and the Tonga village, we arrive at Dhole. A quaint Sherpa village, it provides an awesome view of Khumbila and Taboche mountain ranges. Overnight in Dhole.

As the elevation rises, the air becomes thinner and the paths steep. The environment is filled with snow and rocky terrain. We can see the colossal view of Cho Oyu and Thamserku en route. You cross a narrow trail uphill to cross Lhabarma village to reach Luza and then eventually Machhermo. We arrive at Machhermo which sits below the moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. The village is sparsely populated by Sherpa people.

Today is another day of acclimatization in this 16 days trek. We shall explore the outskirts of this village. The Machhermo village is carved in the Dudh Koshi valley and you can see the neighboring peaks from here. Visit the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, and enjoy the amazing landscape of the Himalayas. You can interact with the Sherpas here and get to know their culture and lifestyle.

The trail to Gokyo Lake provides us amazing view of the Cho Oyu (8188m) and the Kangtega gorge. We walk along with the glacial deposit of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After a steep climb, we reach the Gokyo village. This village sits right beside Gokyo Lake. You can explore the Gokyo Lakes in the afternoon if you want to. The lakes freeze solid at the peak of winter.

After exploring the Gokyo lakes early in the morning, we will head on the road to Gokyo Ri. It is a small hill from where we can catch a surreal glimpse of Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Cho Oyo (8188m), Lhotse (8414m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Thamserku (6608m), and Makalu (8463m). You can also see the six lakes of Gokyo Lakes from the top. Spend some time in Gokyo Ri and, then, descend back to Gokyo and taste the local cuisine in the village.

Today, we cross the mighty Renjo Pass. The trail is pretty steep and with each step it gets harder. The pass is filled with snow and once you reach its summit, you get a panoramic view of Everest, Rolwaling, Cho Oyu, and Gaurishankar ranges, and Renjo Lake. From the pass, we make our way down to Dudh Pokhari and head towards Bhote Koshi valley. The trail leads us to Lumde, a village influenced by Tibetan culture and traditions.

We shall aim to reach Thame today. The path from today sees a sharp decrease in elevation and you will once again walk through a forest of rhododendron and oak with an excellent view of Ama Dablam (6856m) and Thamserku (6608m). The highlight of the day is the Thame monastery once you arrive in the village. Here, we can experience the Buddhist culture and traditions that dominate the region.

The trail for the day sees a drastic decrease in elevation en route to Monjo. As we head down from Thame, we can see the amazing view of the snow-laden mountains, green meadows, and lush forest of Magnolia, Rhododendron, and fir. To reach Monjo, you will cross Namche Bazaar passing waterfalls and crossing suspension bridges on the way.

From Monjo, the trail leads us back to Lukla. The trail meanders through well-crafted paths and along the way you can see yaks and donkeys transporting goods to and from the Everest region. After trekking for 5 to 6 hours, we find ourselves in Lukla. Upon arrival, head back to your hotel and take a much-deserved rest.

Wake up early and head to the Lukla airport for a quick flight to Kathmandu. If the weather conditions are not appropriate, then the flight may be delayed, and even canceled and rescheduled for the next day. The flight is filled with a picturesque aerial view of the Everest region. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

If your flight was canceled yesterday then, you will catch your flight back to Kathmandu. If you are already in Kathmandu, today is a free day and you can use it to further explore the valley. You can visit places of interest on your own, catch a movie, or go souvenir shopping. At night, the company will host your farewell dinner in celebration of the completion of your trek.

Today is your final day in Nepal and our company representative will drop you off at Tribhuvan International Airport for your scheduled flight home. Thank you for traveling with us. We hope you had a good time and will join us for future adventures in the Himalayas. Goodbye!