20 days
5545 m
6 days
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Trip Overview
The Trek to Everest Base Camp over Renjo-La Pass and Cho-La Pass trail is the most adventurous expedition that one can experience in Nepal. This is most suitable plan for those having plenty of three weeks’ time and who wouldn’t want to miss both Everest Base Camp and the serene view of magnificent Gokyo Lake. In this trek you can enjoy the amazing view of many Himalayan giants like Mt. Everest (8848m.), Lhotse, Makalu, Amadablam, Kanchanjunga, Nuptse, Mt. Pumori and many more as well as explore the beautiful Gokyo valley which hosts sacred lakes. The excellent views of the glaciers, beautiful forest with various flora and fauna and wildlife of this trekking trail provides the awesome experience to the visitors. While crossing the two high passes Cho-La and Renjo-La pass it offers the fantastic view of the surrounding high peaks, remote valleys and beautiful view of glaciers. You can also enjoy the tradition, culture and lifestyle of Sherpa people who are the world-renowned mountaineers.
This trek begins with exciting aircraft flight to Lukla and follows the Dudh Koshi river towards Namche Bazaar. Then you follow the trail to Thame and cross Renjo-La Pass. This journey is antique itself because it goes through all the highland settlement in the upper Khumbu valley. The next day after crossing Renjo-La pass we hike up to Gokyo Ri from where we can see four mountains over eight thousand including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Choyou then the holy Gokyo lake and the Ngozumba glacier at foothill of valley. Then we cross another pass called Cho-La 5368m/17607ft which offers the unique challenge of walking into the highland terrain. The final destination of this trekking is Kalapatthar and Everest Base Camp and back to Lukla following the route to Tengboche & Namche Bazaar. This trek is sure to enrich your wholesome Everest experience.
Trip Itinerary
Company representative will wait you at airport with private vehicle for transfer from airport to hotel. Free evening, short pre-trek briefing before dinner.
An early morning flight to Lukla, the gateway to Everest. Start of the trek from this region of the legendary Sherpas who have distinct features much apart from the Nepalese encountered so far. Trek north towards Phakding along meandering trails which are lined with stone walls inscribed with Buddhist prayer verses, eventually leading to the night stop.
Our trail takes us first over the Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then the trail heads north as it gently starts to rise through rhododendron & magnolia forests with giant fir trees to the village of Jorsalle, where the lunch break will be taken. After a brief stop-over for lunch, the climb proceeds towards Namche Bazaar, a delightful mountain village and so-called ‘Sherpa Capital' of Khumbu. It’s a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you’ll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty.
This particular day is utilized to get acclimatized and adjusted to the high altitude and the thinning air. We can explore the local markets, mingle with the people, walk up to the Everest viewpoint, visit the museum, and happily laze around and bask in the sun later in the afternoon. We can also hike up the Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas including Mt Everest.
Today you veer off the popular and often used path to the ancient Tibet trade route which is still in use, mostly by the Tibetan nomad traders whom you can see plying their trade in Namche’s open market, crossing over to the Nepal side by the way of Nangpa-La pass. It is said that the waft of wind from Thame brings with it the smell of Tibet. A steady walk through rhododendron and birch forest with enticing spectacle of Kwangde ridge towards the south, this stretch of trek till Thame is teeming with wildlife- Himalayan Tahr, Impeyan pheasant, Musk dear. Thame’s claim to fame is its brave sons who went on to become who’s who of Everest summiteers’ club.
The trail steadily inclines leaving the valley basin behind heading in the direction of an outlying village called Marlung (2.5 hrs), a settlement of 15-20 houses. The scenery is quite different from anything we had seen so far. The trail goes above the tree line and the landscape is one of vast expanses of dry barren land with distant white peaks on the horizon, it is almost desert-like. For all your effort, you’ll be rewarded with grandstand views of Rolwaling and Kwangde. With just 2 teahouses, the facilities are bare minimum in Lumdeng.
It would be prudent to stay at the altitude of Lumdeng giving your body adequate length of duration to get accustomed to the conditions, esp. considering the ascent to above 5000m the following day.
The day will start in anticipation of the first major challenge of your trip. The trail immediately rises steeply which will be the norm for the day until you’re over the pass. The trek to the base of the pass takes about 3 hrs, including an hour climbing up the steps. The gradient further increases as the hour-long climb leads you right up to the top (5100m). Pristine turquoise waters of alpine lakes dotting the trail to the base of the pass make for a great sight. The view from the top is something to behold with stupendous views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse among the few and Gokyo Lakes in the valley below. If reaching the top asks a lot out of you, then the descent isn’t any mean feat either. The descending track drops very steeply for about 10 mins but over the next 3 hrs, continues to ease until you reach your destination for the day. The trail conditions may necessitate the use of ropes in extreme weather.
Spend a day in Gokyo strolling around the lakes and hiking up to some of the mountain viewpoints nearby. Pre-dawn hike to Gokyo-Ri (5357m, 4 hrs up & down) for 1800 panoramic view of Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawachee. This is another super view point after Kala Pathar. If you had missed the view from the Renjo-La the other day, then you can take heart from the fact that the views from Gokyo Ri is in no way inferior. At least, a day is required to let the heavenly allure of Gokyo to sink in to the heart’s content.
Just about halfway between the first and second lakes, a trail leads across the moraine to the east past the steep pass, which involves a glacier crossing on the eastern side finally reaching sparsely populated Thangna where we make a night stop for crossing Cho La pass early morning next day.
Another highlight of this trip is Cho-La Pass. We wake up earlier than usual to prepare for the challenging trek across Cho La pass. We’ve to pack our lunch for the day as houses and lodges are non-existent on the route. Besides moraine trail you may come across ice falls, if there had been enough snowfall in the region. The trail, which comprises moraine and rocks, towards Cho La (5340) is comparatively steep with snow-capped upper part. There are many prayer flags and small lakes on the top. From the top, we can see Ama Dablam on the south, Cholastse on the west, and Lobuche peak in the east and Baruntse on right. The descent from the pass to Dzongla is quite straightforward from where we can see complete view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Mt. Cholatse, and Pheriche village.
Today’s trek is shorter than the previous one. We descend from Zongla, crossing bridge and then trek through grassy trail. Walking past frozen rivers, we reach Lobuche where stone houses sit in an icy wilderness of stunning beauty. Once in Lobuche, you get the sense of being close to the ultimate goal. You can either rest for the whole time or enjoy the beautiful natural view in the surrounding.
Today you will spend the whole day trekking to the Base Camp and then back to Gorakshep. Your trek Sirdar will navigate the Khumbu glacier as you make your way to Everest Base Camp through once deep Gorakshep lake. You will be standing at the base of the tallest mountain on Earth and shall see the infamous Khumbu icefall. Reaching Basecamp fills you with a real sense of achievement as you’ve done what you set out to do and stare in awe at the spectacular surroundings. This is our ultimate goal of this trip. Soon it will be time to descend back to Gorakshep for the overnight halt.
This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. The day will start earlier than usual with the aim of reaching Kala Patthar, a small peak at 5,555 m, before sunrise, the best vantage point for viewing Everest, the highest point on the planet at 8,848 m, towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the giants such as Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. A feeling of being in unison with the mighty nature overwhelms you as you ascend to the top of Kala Patthar. The views are amazing and Everest is breath taking. Continue to descend to sandy flat expanse of Gorakshep, and continue the trek down to Dingboche where mountains views are terrific.
The route descends from the Imja valley, then traverses across the Khumbu Khola on a wooden bridge and ascends to rejoin the upward trail near Orsho and continues to descend passing several yak herders and tea shops to Shomare. Leaving behind alpine meadows, we get down to the tree line for our night stop in Tengboche, the religious focal point of the entire ‘Sherpa land’, where you can visit the largest monastery of Nepal that was founded in 1919 by Lama Gulu, a monk from Khumjung.
Leaving Tengboche behind we continue to follow the trail that descends to Phunki Tenga. Thereafter, the trail crosses the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and trek onwards to the Kenjuma the junction of the trinity ways to Gokyo Valley, Khumjung village, and Namche Bazaar. Once you reach Namche Bazaar, you have an opportunity to buy Tibetan accessories from merchants who ply their trade alongside the trail through village.
Descend to Monjo via Namche Bazaar where the trail descends steeply to Dudh Kosi river. Slightly warmer climate of Monjo greets you at this altitude.
The last day in Khumbu Region. The trail that is followed is fairly easy with some steady climbs through scrub forests with a final steep ascent that leads to a Tamang village and shortly thereafter to Lukla, where the time to relax in Sherpa ambience is abundant.
Short but spectacular flight will bring you back to Kathmandu.
Transfer to airport by private vehicle.
Important Information
Include:
- Arrival/Departure
- All Private transport
- KTM-Lukla & Lukla-KTM flight
- Guide for all tour/Trek
- Hotel in Kathmandu
- All meals in trekking
- Porters
- Tea house Accommodation, All permits
Exclude:
- Travel Insurance
- Meals at Kathmandu
- Tipping
- Personal equipment
- International flight
Cost:
USD 1620 per person
Single supplementary: USD 300
Trekking season in Nepal: The usual trekking season starts from September to May. During the remainder of the year, Monsoon makes travelling difficult due to wet areas and offers little in the way of mountain views. Some treks that cross high passes are better attempted in months other than December and January because of the heavy snowfall in some parts of the country. The temperature rises considerably under altitudes of 3000 ft. in April and May in some parts of the country, therefore it is wise to plan accordingly.
Teahouses in mountain: Teahouses are in the mountains where you will be staying are simple yet hospitable with good enough food and stunning views. Compare to city area teahouses are very basic but after 5-6 hours walking in the mountain you will relish the comfort. Most of these lodges have 08-to 12 room can sleep 15 to 20 people, with good food and fairly high hygiene levels. The basics of conversation and ecology are now being practiced with some success.
Guide and Porters: All guides who work with Skylark Himalayan have considerable local experience. The guide concern is his group’s welfare, health, safety and he aims to ensure you are relaxed while providing the best possible food and accommodation. And he’ll also strive to earn your friendship and will be keen for you to come to know and love Nepal.
And all the guides who work with Skylark Himalayan have guiding license from Nepal government, basic first aid training from red cross Nepal, wilderness training from SOLO outdoor school (locally known Initiative Outdoor), Child protection training and others.
Most porter come from rural areas and a farmers for 6 to 7 months of the year. These porter work hard and with care and have aims to progress into guides. Typically they live hard and frugal lives and they are used to carrying heavy loads.
Meals-Food on mountain region of Nepal
A large variety of food is found in the mountain region during trek. Even our clients say there is better food in mountain than in hotels of city. The food variations are defendant on the culture and region background but the tea-house have a menu and they do have varieties of food. Some common day meal is follow:
Breakfast
Porridge, eggs any style-usually scrambled, boiled or fried eggs, toast local bread (Gurung bread), chapatti (Indian flat bread), honey or peanut butter, organic fresh tea, coffee and many more.
Lunch
In many regions, the chief will provide a simple common hot meal in lunch. That could be potatoes, noodles, curry, salad, rice and lentil, fresh meat, vegetables and fruits. Sometimes when walking through high passes, there will be a packed lunch which may consist of common packed able lunch like bread with jam and honey, sandwich, boiled eggs, fruits, chocolates, bottle of juice. While arriving to teahouses there will be tea, coffee.
Dinner
With basic equipment they manage to make excellent cake, apple tarts, pizzas, fried potatoes, chips, spaghetti, pasta. Chefs in tea-houses are well trained in producing a variety of food and almost always ready to serve the food of specific request.
While trekking in Nepal our chefs, and assistant guide are well trained to serve and take order of the food in hygienically way. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easily catered for.
Transportation: Skylark Himalayan using a best transport company for our clients. Before departing on a trip, we using vehicle, we always check insurance of vehicle, good condition of vehicle (seatbelt, seat, wheel, looking glass, all windows etc.), Driver (driver attitude, make sure drunk or not, smartness, driving speed etc.)
Airlines: In Nepal, we have more than 10 Airlines Company but at Skylark Himalayan we only use 3 airlines which we recognize at the most reliable, safest, good companies, 1 airline company (Tara Air) for rural area like short length runway. And another 2 airlines companies (Yeti airlines & Buddha Airlines) for urban area like Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan etc.
Insurance: As strongly recommended by Skylark Himalayan Travel to the clients agree to effect what they consider to be adequate Travel Insurance to cover their person and their personal effects for duration of the tours, Trekking, Rafting or any of activities in Nepal
Health and Safety: Fundamentally we have experienced staffs that have been trained in how to look after clients safely, and what to do in the event of an emergency. Almost all the company’s staffs are experienced, all leaders have done advanced first-aid training from Initiative Outdoor school, Nepal (authorized by SOLO WILDERNESS MEDICINE SCHOOL), Child Protection training, and they are well aware of the high standards that we want in maintain. We also have strong relationships with local communities, health care facilities
Responsible Travel: Skylark Himalayan completely follow tall rules, regulation and code of Nepal responsible trek organizer of responsible tourism. Responsible tourism is an action based on a sustainable idea. We work under eco-friendly environment and we want you to follow and help to save the environment. Skylark Himalayan are keen to preserve and protect the historical places and mountain to show the value of those things to coming generation.
Skylark Himalayan Travel are always aware to operate tours, trekking and other activities in eco- touristic destination to preserve natural and cultural heritages. Skylark Himalayan always aim to make extensive use of the local available products to help local communities. Skylark Himalayan staffs and guides are also employed from local communities, which helps more authentic experience for travellers. We believe that all the staffs including guide, porter, Sherpa are the back bone of organization so its our responsibility to make them happy by providing protections insurance, good salary and outdoor gear. So that, they are happy to serve good service. Without them organization can't serve the costumer need.
Customizing a Trip: The itineraries of all the trips on our website have been organized and put together by us however it does not mean you have to follow the program. If you have your own itinerary or you want to add or decrease number of days or place, we are more than happy to design your own unique itinerary with your entire favorite elements. Choice is yours with the flexibility of our tailor made itineraries.
For the more advice, please contact us via e-mail or telephonically – contact details below.
Skylark Himalayan Travel & Treks
Lakeside-6-Pokhara, Nepal
Contact no: 061-464946
Mobile: +977-9856010460 / 9801050460
Whatapps: +9779801050460
Skype: tara.gautam2
E-mail: sales@skylarkhimalayantravel.com
skylarkhimalayan@gmail.com
Visa Information: Nepal Government makes things easy for foreign travellers. The easiest way to get a tourist visa in Nepal is by applying on arrival in Kathmandu at international airport (TIA) or at any of the land border crossing open to foreigners (each has immigration offices). But you can also apply in advance at one of Nepal's foreign consulates from abroad.
There are three options for the length of a tourist visa (for south Asian country, the first 30 days is free. The cost of visa is depending upon the days you stay. The multiple-entry visa valid for 15, 30 and 90 days costs $25, 40 and 100 USD. It is good idea to keep a number of passport photos with your passport. Indian passport holder doesn’t need a visa to enter Nepal.
Visa Extensions
You can extend your visa from immigration office in only Kathmandu and Pokhara up to 150 days per calendar year. It will cost $30 USD for 15 days and $2 USD per day after 15 days. Visa extension required your passport, the fees, one passport sized photo and an application form to complete the process.
And for more information about visa please click below link: https://www.welcomenepal.com/plan-your-trip/visa-nepal-information.html
Feedback Please: If you have any complains to report, comments or any question about the trip (food, tea-house, guide, porter, management of office or anything) you took with Skylark Himalayan, please send us your feedback because we would like to solve problems that arise uplift our company. If you don't have a specific question, we’re always eager to hear what visitors think of this company.
High Altitude Sickness:
1) What is altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is a negative health effect of high altitude on ones health, caused by acute exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high altitude.
The exact cause of AMS is not exactly known. It is thought to be a response of the brain to the lower oxygen levels in the blood at higher altitudes. This produces some swelling of the brain.
2) Acute mountain sickness (AMS)
- AMS is also called altitude sickness.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the effect on the body of being in a high altitude environment. Especially while people are trekking around the Himalayas they face problem related to moving in high altitude areas. AMS is common at high altitudes, that is above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). Three-quarters of people have mild symptoms of AMS over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). The occurrence of AMS depends on the altitude, the rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility and activeness.
3) Acute mountain sickness common symptoms?
Symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after arrival at altitude and include
- Headache (not relieved by medication)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Decreased coordination (Normal activity is difficult.)
- Shortness of breath,
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Disturbed sleep
- General feeling of malaise.
- Inability to walk
- Decreasing mental status
- Fluid build-up in the lungs
- Vomiting
- Loss of energy
- Difficulty in urination
#These symptoms tend to be worse at night when respiratory drive is decreased.
4) Prevention of AMS?
- Take special care if you have previously had acute mountain sickness (AMS).
- If symptoms of AMS develop, delay further ascent.
- If symptoms become worse, move down (descend) as soon as possible.
5) Treatment of AMS?
- The most important treatment if you start to develop symptoms of mild AMS is to stop your ascent and to rest at the same altitude
- For most people, symptoms will improve within 24-48 hours with no specific treatment.
- Simple painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol will help the headache.
- Anti-sickness medication may also be used. (Acetazolamide)
- Treatment with oxygen and the medicine nifedipine may also help symptoms but does not replace the need for descent.
Note- all the trekking leaders and guide from skylark Himalayan are well trained about altitude sickness, AMS and other related sickness in mountain. You should mention, if you previously have any health problem.
TREKKING SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT
(Up to 5,500 m.)
- 1 Pair strong mountain / hiking boots (well worn-in and with ankle support)
- 1 Small daypack
- 1 Sleeping bag (comfortable to -10C)
- 1 Down jacket / all weather Anorak
- 1 Light water & windproof jacket
- 2 - 1-litre water bottles
- 1 Inner sleeping sheet (?)
- 1 Torch / flashlight & spare batteries
- 1 Medium sized travel towel (quick drying)
- 1 Washing kit: include Personal toiletries
- Talcum powder, Blister plasters, Toilet paper
- Bio degradable soap / shampoo
- Anti-bacterial gel for 'washing' hands
- First-Aid kit (please make sure it is trek and wilderness specific) and any personal medication
- 1 Pair sport shoes/sandals (for the time off the trek)
- 2 Pairs lightweight trousers
- 2 Pair shorts
- 1 Fleece / warm sweater
- 1 Sweatshirt / light sweater
- 2 T-Shirts
- 2 Long sleeve cotton (or polypropylene) shirts
- 3 Pairs heavy wool socks
- 2 Pairs light socks
- Walking poles
- Underwear (including thermals)
- Cotton Headscarf / bandanna
- Sunglasses (with side shields and UV protective lenses) and sunhat
- Sunscreen Lotion (30-50 SPF), Money belt (?)
- Warm hat and gloves (preferably waterproof)
- 3 to 4 Plastic bags (for wrapping clothes)
- Water purification tablets/ solutions (preferably iodine)
- Insect repellant
- Adapter plug (for charging camera batteries and other electronic devices)
Trip Gallery
