Gokyo Valley, Chola Pass, EBC & Kongma-La Trek [2 Passes Trek]

On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, one of our representatives will pick up you and escort you to the hotel as well as help you to check-in at the hotel. After your refreshment, you will be briefed about the next day’s trip.

It could be a long and more tired flight to Nepal or you may arrive late at night. Hence, flying to Lukla could be harsh. Hence, we have the option for a rest day in Nepal. After your delightful breakfast, you will be introduced with a guide who and takes you to UNESCO Heritages sites of the valley where you will observe the living heritage of Medieval Nepal – Witness the biggest Hindu temple of Nepal, Pashupatinath, and capture the sacred moments of Hindu death ritual at Aryaghat in Pashupatinath. Stroll the lively streets of Kathmandu Old Market Asan to Kathmandu Durbar Square and visit the home of The Living Goddess Kumari, Nepalese style of Architecture as well as astonishing wooden carving. A short drive from Kathmandu Durbar Square will take you to a hilltop stupa called “Swyambhu” meaning “self -emerge” and belief that the hill emerged impulsively from the great lake that once covered Kathmandu valley.

On a clear bright morning, you will fly over the snowcapped mountains to one of the most electrifying high altitude airports, Lukla at an altitude 2900 m. Your guides and porters will accompany you here for the trek. Hence, the trekking adventure kicks off. Beginning the trek, you will slide down almost 500 meters to Dudh Koshi River. Then, the trek winds along with the trail beside the River towards Phakding. Passing several mani-walls and boulders engraved with Buddhist prayers, you will arrive at Phakding where you will spend the first night of your trek.

The trek chases the northern trial up the Dudh Kosi valley to Monjo. At Monjo, the trek officially enters Sagarmatha National Park where you have to issue Sagarmatha National Park Permit Card. Continuing the trail along the steep uphill climb while savoring the first glimpse of Everest, you will arrive at the hub of Sherpa- Namche Bazaar.

It is a day to acclimatize you with higher elevation. On this day, you can go for a short hike to Khumjung, a beautiful settlement of Hospitable Sherpas. OR, you can roam around the Namche that offers Internet Cafes, restaurants, ATMs, and colorful markets. Even, you can enjoy the traditional living of mountain dwellers that is getting complimentary by the awe-inspiring surrounding and high altitude flora/fauna.

Today, you will climb the Khumjung hill and descend to the east of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi from where the route turns north. Treading to the ridge top that stretches down from Mt. Khumbila, which is manifested by a beautiful “Chorten”, you will begin to explore Mohang. It is the birthplace of the reincarnated revered monk of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet, who has flourish Tibetan Buddhism in Khumbu and neighboring regions.  Beyond, Mohang, you will slide down along the series sheer switchbacks on the sandy slope to Dush Koshi Riverbed. Phortse Tanga is a small village that lies at the riverside.

Your trek from Phortse Tanga begins with the uphill climb to Machhermo. The trail today penetrates wonderful rhododendron woods and then arrives at Tongba. Beyond Tongba the trek still chases uphill trail and passes beautiful villages- Dhole, Labarma and Luza before arriving at Machhermo.

Today the trek begins with an uphill walk to a ridge that caters a fantastic view. From the ridge top, the deep valley Kantega down and towering Cho Oyu 8153m above are eye-feasting sights. From the ridge top, you tread along the widened valley and cross Phangga- pass, where 40 people during 1995 avalanche lost their lives. Sliding down to the riverbed and then chasing along the steep trail via the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa Glacier, arrive in a stream. Crossing the stream on a small iron bridge, tread along the leveled trail and arrive at first Lake Longpongo, at 4690 m. Soon you will sight the second lake Taujung Tsho. A short walk from the second lake brings to the third lake called Gokyo Tsho. The famous village of Gokyo sits just above the lake with an amazing backdrop of Mt. Cho-Oyu. You will have lunch & post-lunch set out to explore Dudh Pokhari. Overnight in Gokyo.

This is a day for proper acclimatization before heading towards Cho La Pass. However, it does not means just to sit in a teahouse with books & coffee. Today, you can go for a hike to Gokyo Ri- an ideal vantage point to sight extremely the beautiful vistas of Everest and its closest neighbor; fourth lake and fifth lake that caters the demanding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu.

After spending a magnificent day in mystical Gokyo valley, you will set your journey towards Tragnang. You will walk a bit zigzags trail passing the forest and crossing small streams. You have to climb the second lake and Ngozumba Glacier to reach Tragnang. Spend your overnight at a local lodge.

Today will be a long day of your trek and required a bit technical, as you will be crossing the pass. The presence of a steep glacial section on the east makes this pass a technically demanding walk. Ice-covered rocks make day’s trek tricky with slippery attributes. Beginning the trek, we walk through the rocky ravine to the top of the pass, which is marked by fluttering prayer flags and chortens. The pointed Ama Dablam along with Cholatse soars Lobuche East and Baruntse are extremely beautiful vistas from the top. Now traversing across some crevasses we arrive at Dzongla Village.

It is the most interesting and challenging day of this trip as the day starts with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Today, you will hike up to the Everest base camp at an altitude of 5364 m. You will be headed through the horizontal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. On the way to Gorekshep, you will witness the north ridge of Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Nuptse and many more. Further climbing through the Changri Glacier, you can have the first glimpse of Kalapatthar. You will stop at Gorekshep for a lunch; then continue to walk for your ultimate destination- the Everest Base Camp. The splendid views of the mountains and scenarios make the journey livelier, even snubbing all the tiresome walk in the steep route. The trial will last for approximately 3 hours from Gorekshep. Once you reach at base camp, you can actually see the deadliest route to the Everest that makes the journey more adventurous. You will get to spend quality time exploring the base camp and surrounding areas and return to Gorak Shep to spend the night.

Next to Everest Base camp, this day is too exciting and adventurous hiking to Kalapatthar. You will get an early morning call from our guide to get ready to hike first at Kalapatthar. The reason is to catch the sparkling yellowish snowcapped over the mountains especially Mt. Everest by the strike of every ray during sunrise. Every second becomes an exciting moment of a lifetime; well, don’t forget to capture in camera. Then, you will return back to Gorekshep with refreshing mood and descend back towards Lobuche where you spend your overnight.

Today will be the most adventurous walk as you are going to pass the highest pass of this trip, the Kongma-La pass. You will start walking just after breakfast following Khumbu glacier towards east. The trail would be longer without any tea shop and water sources, hence, you should carry a water bottle and some snacks. On the trail, you can catch the best view of Mt. Kongma Tse (5820 m), Mt. Pokalde (5806 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt. Lhotse Shar (8383 m), Mt. Makalu (8463 m), Mt. Baruntse (7220 m) and Mt. Ama Dablam. You will continue to walk up till you reach Kongma-la top that is decorated with the cairns and Buddhist flag, then you will step down towards Chukkung where you will stay overnight.

It will be the steep down following the River, crossing the bridge and enjoying the route decorated with birch and rhododendron forest. Your sight will even keep on catching a few Himalayan giants including Everest, Kwangde, Tawache, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserkhu. Overnight will be refreshing at Namche.

Today is the final day of the trip. You will walk following Dudh Koshi River down to Lukla. You will have a celebration with the involvement of the Guide, Sherpa, and Porters as well. They will serve some local’s beer called “CHANG” and enjoy party learning some dance steps from traditional Sherpas.

You will board a plane back to Kathmandu. Arriving at Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel and the rest of the day will be your leisure time. You can go for shopping, message, or rest at the Hotel. Evening time, we invite you for a farewell dinner at the authentic restaurant. You can share your experience, feedback us and give us a chance to make your evening a wonderful time. Overnight at Hotel.

You will depart Kathmandu carrying lots of adventurous memories of the Everest Base Camp via 2 passes trek.