Gokyo Valley with Tengboche Monastery – Lodge Trekking

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) – introduction to the trip, equipment check and welcome dinner

  Arrival in Kathmandu. You will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. In the afternoon we will discuss the course of the trip with you, and in the evening you are invited to a shared dinner with your mountain guide. Overnight at Hotel Kathmandu Guest House or an accommodation of equal category (D).

   

  

• Day 2: Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing (1,400 m) and in the afternoon drive to Ramechap (1,200 m) – 4–5 hours of driving

  Today we explore Kathmandu with a local city guide. The day is flexible and arranged according to what you would like to see. The most popular places and sights generally include Pashupatinath — a Hindu temple with cremation grounds — and the Boudhanath Stupa. From the afternoon we drive to Ramechap for the flight to Lukla. Overnight at a guest house (B).

  

• Day 3: Flight to Lukla (2,800 m), then trek to Phakding (2,652 m) / ascent approx. 200 m, descent approx. 350 m, 3–4 hours of hiking

  The flight to Lukla (2,800 metres) leaves early in the morning. After final preparations the trekking tour begins, passing the village of Chaurikharka. The trail then descends into the Dudh Kosi valley at 2,530 metres. From here it follows the bed of the Dudh Kosi until we reach our first goal — Phakding (2,652 m). To allow for better acclimatisation, today’s hike is short. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

  

• Day 4: Phakding (2,652 m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) / ascent approx. 950 m, descent approx. 150 m, 5–6 hours of hiking

  Today we cross the roaring glacial river called “Dudh” (milk) “Kosi” (river) — named after its colour — several times via partly long suspension bridges. Sections of today’s hike lead through pine forests and open terrain, and we discover terraced fields where crops are cultivated. We meet small herds of donkeys and admire impressive yaks carrying trade goods along the trail. Our route passes through the villages of Benkar, Monjo and Jorsale. After the Hillary suspension bridge we climb somewhat more steeply up to the market town of Namche Bazaar at 3,440 metres. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

  

• Day 5: Namche Bazaar – acclimatisation day – hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) / ascent approx. 440 m, descent approx. 440 m

  Today an important acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar is on the programme. Due to the low oxygen content at altitude the body needs some time to adjust. Light, restless sleep is also a normal consequence of this adaptation. On a morning walk we climb the steep ridge above Namche. As we ascend, beautiful views open onto the main route to Everest Base Camp that we will be walking in the coming days. High up on the ridge we round the mountainside and reach the Everest viewpoint. The views on the way up and down are simply spectacular. On the way back we take our lunch right next to the interesting Sherpa cultural centre and the Everest Mountaineering Museum. A visit is always worthwhile. After lunch we return to the lodge, and in the afternoon you can either relax or explore Namche. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

  

• Day 6: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) to Phortse Tenga (3,680 m) / ascent approx. 400 m, descent approx. 160 m, 3 to 4 hours of hiking

  This stage runs moderately uphill to the Shyangboche airstrip. High above the short runway sits the Everest View Hotel — a Japanese idea — designed to offer breathtaking views of the highest mountains in the world from there. We walk a little further and turn left. The trail then continues through a forest of birch and juniper, climbing many steps. We reach the lovely village of Phortse Tenga, a small settlement with only a few tea houses. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 7: Phortse Tenga (3,680 m) to Dole (4,200 m) / ascent approx. 600 m, descent approx. 80 m, 4 hours of hiking

  From Phortse Tenga we first hike along the right bank of the Dudh Kosi through rhododendron forests. We enjoy the beautiful view of Cho Oyu (8,201 metres), Thamserku & Kantenga (6,799 metres) and finally reach the village of Dole. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 8: Dole (4,200 m) to Machhermo (4,470 m) / ascent approx. 350 m, descent approx. 80 m, approx. 4 to 5 hours of hiking

  We continue along the trail uphill to Labharma and Luza. For most of the way this route runs somewhat more steeply through bushy juniper. We cross another saddle and reach Machhermo through a wide valley. It is said that a yeti once killed a few yaks and attacked Sherpa women in this village. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 9: Machhermo (4,470 m) to Gokyo (4,870 m) / ascent approx. 500 m, descent approx. 100 m, 3–4 hours of hiking

  Today you will finally arrive in Gokyo. From Machhermo we choose a steep climb up to the moraine of the glacier and cross it to reach a small lake. Here we can admire the ruddy shelducks. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

  

• Day 10: Gokyo (4,870 m) to the Gokyo Ri summit (5,357 m) and hike to Thore (4,300 m) / ascent approx. 550 m, descent approx. 1,100 m, 6–7 hours of hiking

  The views around Gokyo are overwhelming. This trekking tour is a unique opportunity to discover the beautiful, remote settings of the Himalaya and to set out on an ascent very early in the morning. The trail takes you up to Gokyo Ri (5,357 metres). The tour to the summit takes about two hours. Up there a vast panoramic view opens up onto Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawachee. After the summit we take our well-earned breakfast and hike downhill toward Thore. At the end of the Ngozumpa Glacier — the largest ice stream in Nepal — we cross a bridge and arrive in Thore after about 2 hours. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

  

• Day 11: Thore (4,300 m) to Pangboche (3,985 m) and trek to Deboche (3,820 m) / ascent approx. 200 m, descent approx. 680 m, approx. 6 hours of hiking

  Today we hike to the village of Pangboche and visit the very important and famous Tengboche Monastery, which lies along the way to Deboche. Tengboche Monastery is the most important gompa/temple in the Sherpa region and the home of the abbot and some eighty monks who follow Nyingmapa Buddhism, the dominant tradition of the Sherpa region. From here there is once again a beautiful view of Everest. After a visit to the monastery we continue on toward Deboche. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

  

• Day 12: Deboche (3,820 m) to Monjo (2,835 m) / ascent approx. 350 m, descent approx. 1,300 m, 5–6 hours of hiking

  After the hike through the rhododendron forest to Tengboche, we descend to the river at Phunki Tenga. After crossing the bridge a steady ascent awaits us and the path skirts around Namche Bazaar. We descend to the village of Monjo and follow the same path back toward Lukla that we took on the way in. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 13: Monjo (2,835 m) to Lukla (2,800 m) / ascent approx. 250 m, descent approx. 300 m, 5–6 hours of hiking

  From Monjo we continue downhill through the Dudh Kosi valley, passing the villages of Phakding, Ghat and Cheplung. At Chaurikharka we begin the ascent over the last hill of the trek to reach Lukla. Overnight at a tea house lodge (B|L|D).

• Day 14: Flight to Ramechap (1,200 m) and drive to Kathmandu (1,400 m) – approx. 4 hours of driving

  If the weather in Lukla is good, we will fly back to Ramechap early in the morning and be driven on to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at Hotel Kathmandu Guest House or an accommodation of equal category (B).

• Day 15: Free day in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

  Today is at your leisure, which you can spend relaxing, with further sightseeing or shopping in Thamel. A good last chance to pick up a few souvenirs at short notice. Overnight at Hotel Kathmandu Guest House or an accommodation of equal category (B).

• Day 16: Day 16: flight back home – end of the trip

  Farewell and transfer to Kathmandu airport. End of the trip (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner