The flights with Emirates worked well, the connection in Dubai was no problem. Finally arrived in Kathmandu, everything at immigration worked as you had described. The tour guide from geoDiscovery then welcomed me and we drove straight to the Kathmandu Guest House. A very nice and quiet hotel in the loud and crowded Kathmandu. The next day I met my guide and in the evening we were six at dinner together and had a lot of fun and immediately got to know Dal Bhat, the typical dish of Nepal. And everyone enjoyed it!
The next day I was able to get to know two different religions during a guided tour: the sacred Hindu temple area of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist stupas in the world. I had a guide who spoke German very well and explained everything wonderfully to me.
Afterwards we drove with a minivan to Ramechhap to fly to Lukla the next day. That was already very exciting, with the small plane and seeing the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas for the first time (or sensing them, as it was quite cloudy). The flight was thrilling and after just under half an hour the runway of Lukla came into view. Then everything went very quickly: get off, collect the luggage and off we went!
Just briefly a fortification with hot tea, also to calm the at that moment wobbly feet, and then we started the tour.
Off to Gokyo!!!
The tour was well planned, the daily stages manageable. My guide described the tour for the next day to me well each evening, and so I always knew what was coming.
On the first day we went as far as Phakding, on the second across many suspension bridges, the famous Hillary Bridge was among them. We had to share the path with many mules and dzopkyos (a cross between a yak and a domestic cow).
And of course with all the trekkers who at this time of year were on their way to EBC.
Finally we arrived in Namche Bazaar, a real town at over 3,400m. Here there is nothing that isn’t there.
The next day an important ascent for acclimatisation was on the agenda and we visited the Sherpa Cultural Centre. Here we could see Mt. Everest for the first time. A great sight!
The next day we first hiked on the route to EBC, before halfway taking the turn-off towards Gokyo. From here on only a few people were on the trail, which was very pleasant. The tour went via Phortse Tenga, Dole and Machhermo to Gokyo. Along the way the landscape kept changing, and became especially after the tree line ever more impressive. Animals and birds were also to be observed again and again, we were able to see the Himalayan tahr and the national bird. And of course time and again yaks – very impressive and exciting.
On the day we reached Gokyo, in the morning for the first time the sky was sparklingly blue, an incredible view with all the snow-capped peaks, also Cho Oyu, which showed us the way that day. The hike along the Gokyo Lakes is very charming. The weather, however, changed several times again; in the afternoon there was once again a short snowstorm. Later we started the tour to Gokyo Ri, at over 5,300m the highest point of the tour. The weather had improved again and we were able to see Mt. Everest and all other peaks very nicely. (Not Cho Oyu, for that I would have had to storm the summit.) The glacier and the lake were also very impressive.
The next day we unfortunately had to start the way back, which led us along the same path.
Today was our last tour day and we arrived in Lukla in the afternoon. After no flights were possible the day before and only three this morning, the afternoon flights were caught up on in better weather. That was very thrilling and exciting. The planes were landing and taking off in two-minute rhythm.
We stayed overnight in Machhermo, in Mong La (unfortunately again without a view) and in Tok Tok. Here, the next day, we also visited Pema Choling Gompa, which after the 2015 earthquake was completely rebuilt. About 30 monks live here.
Now a word about the accommodation: it was consistently tidy and clean (exception the room in Lukla/Hotel Nest). From 3,000m there was only cold water for washing and shared toilets. To make up for it, there was only hot water and hot drinks to drink. A good balance.
The food was always very good and the portions huge. With Dal Bhat you were guaranteed to be full!
Although I was at first a bit sceptical, I am ultimately very glad and it was the right decision to do the tour alone with a guide. I could move completely freely, walk at my own pace, stop and look as often and as long as I wanted, and didn’t hold anyone up doing so. And I think that was important for me, with that I could pace my energy. And I felt good from beginning to end (apart from the cold). I had no other complaints, no headache, no muscle ache, no blisters, no upset stomach. I felt good the whole time.
However, after the near-summit of Gokyo Ri, I was very worn out. And now comes the only criticism I have: at this point it would personally have done me good to have a day’s break and to enjoy the goal of the tour.
And the tour would be enriched by an additional day, as in Gokyo there are so many possibilities for hikes, e.g. to the back lakes or to the glacier. And I think, given the length of the tour, one day more doesn’t really make a difference.
Once again many warm thanks, Eleonore
