Everest Trek – 4 High Passes, Three Base Camps

The most challenging Everest Trek you can undertake in the Everest region without climbing or mountaineering.

A World Heriage Site, tis Everest Trek takes in three base camps: Cho Oyo (5000m), Everest (5380m) and Island Peak, via Renjola pass (5360m), Chola pass (5,420m) and Kongmala pass (5,100m). There is an ascent of Gokyo Ri (5357m/19,216ft) and Kala Patar (5643m). The last pass is Tashi Lapsta (5,755m): you will be acclimatised and able to enjoy the highest accessible trekking of Nepal without climbing. We use rope and crampons for security, but it is trekking not climbing, just a Tough Everest Trek for the daring and adventurous.

This trek is the ultimate Everest trekking route trip in Sagamatha National Park– it is spectacular with world class views, high, demanding and includes everything a trekker or hiker could possible wish for without entering the domain of technical mountaineering.  There is a chance that you may see Himalayan Thar, Musk deer, Himalayan Fox and Dole, snow cocks and the tracks of a snow leopard. For sure you will see pheasant and eagles.

You don’t need any special skills to do this trek – you need reasonable fitness (nothing super human!) and a passion to go for it…..

Itinerary

(Remember if you have a group of 2 or more we can arrange this trip for you on your prefered date during any of the available months listed.)

Day 01
Fly Kathmandu – Lukla and trek to Phakding:

35 mins flight; 3-4 hours trek
Early morning flight by small twin otter to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft). After final preparations, the trekking starts passing Chaurikharka village, and makes a descent towards the Dudhkosi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the banks of the Dudh Khosi River until the camp at Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft) is reached. This first day is short for acclimatization reasons.

Day 02
Phakding – Namche Bazaar: 5-6 hours.

The trail crosses the Dudh Khoshi River via a long suspension bridge and the trail then leads us to Hilarys Suspension Bridge. We climb steeply from here to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft).

Day 03
Acclimatisation Day. Rest and explore around Namache Bazaar.

Day 04
Namche Bazaar – Thame (3800m): 5-6 hours. Trekking high above the Dhud kosi river gorge with great views of the snowy peaks of Rowaling Himal.

Day 05
Thame – Lumde (4368m): 4-5 hours

Day 06
Acclimatisation Day – trek towards Renjo la pass and return to Lumde for the night.

Day 07
Lumde – Renjo la pass (5360m) to Gokyo (4368m – 4900m): 8 hours

Day 08
Gokyo – Gokyo Ri (5357m/19,216ft) – Gokyo : 3/4 hours

The views around Gokyo are tremendous. From the top of Gokyo Ri (5357m/19,216ft) you view beautiful isolated Himalayan scenes. It is a two-hour climb to the top of the peak, providing a panoramic view of Cho Oyo, Gyachung Kang, Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Tawachee. This easy day helps with acclimatization.

Day 09
Gokyo – Cho Oyo Base Camp (5000m) : 8 hours, with a chance for an easy scramble up Nabe Peak. Great views of the entire ridge from Cho Oyo to Everest, along with Lobuche and Kala Patar along the glacier. If you don’t opt for Nabe Peak, you can walk to the glacial lakes at Base Camp to be in a truly isolated, frozen Himalayan spot. This is an early start and a long day, but worth it. If you want to camp here, let us know in advance.

Day 10
Gokyo – Thangna: 3 hours.

The trail returns the same way for a short while and then crosses the Ngojumba glacier where we will reach Thangna with a few teahouses.

Day 11
Thangna – Chola pass (5,420m) – Dzongla: 6-7 hours.

We trek up through the morraine – the trail makes a steep ascent to the top of the snow covered Chola la (5,420m/17,782ft). From the top, you can enjoy excellent panoramic views of the surrounding mountains of Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Mt. Everest. After the pass, the trail descends steeply towards the Dzongla (4,850m/15,912ft) passing through pine forests.

Day 12
Dzongla – Lobuche: 3-4 hours.

From Dzongla, the trail levels and then makes a gradual climb up to the small Sherpa settlement of Lobuche (4,930). This is a small village situated by the Duhd Khosi stream. The sunset on Nuptse is a memorable sight. Overnight in Lobuje.

Day 13
Lobuche– Gorak Shep – Kala Patar (5643m) – Gorak Shep (5164m): 7-8 hours.  The trail continues to climb to Gorak Shep. It takes a couple of hours from there to walk up to Kala Pattar (Black Rock) 5643m/18,192ft; this small peak offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Pumori and Ama Dablam without climbing. Overnight in Gorak Shep (5,160m/16,929ft).

Day 14
Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp (5380m) – Gorak Shep (5164m) : 4-5 hours.

Day 15
Gorak Shep – Lobuche: 3-4 hours.

We have a short day to help prepare for the following long day.

Day 16
Lobuche – Kongma La pass (5,535m) – Chhukung: 8 hours.

After breakfast we trek over the Khumbu Glacier to Kongma La Base Camp (5,000m/16,404ft) and continue  ascending to Kongma la pass (5,535m/18,159ft), then gently descending to the Imja Khola valley to Chhukung a small summer settlement. Overnight in Chhukung (4,730m/15,518ft).

Day 17
Chhukung – Island Peak Base camp (5,100m) – Chhukung: 6 / 7 hours.

The path from Chhukung is fairly steep climbing south then turning east to follow the main line of the valley. It zigzags along or below the southern flank of the moraine from the Lhotse Glacier. A short trek along the stream then leads to what we call Big-rock. The route to the Amphu Lapcha lies to the southeast. Another zigzag trek through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island peak. The adventurous can circumnavigate the small glacial lake between Amphu Lapcha la and Island Peak Base Camp. Plenty of options.

Day 18
Chhukung to Pangboche: 5 -7 hours.

The trail makes a gradual descent through scrub junipers and Mani stones as it follows the hillside. The trail passes many Mani walls in deep rhododendron forests. After crossing after the Imja khola the trail climbs many carved Mani stones to Pangboche. Pangboche Gompa is the oldest in Khumbu – well worth a visit. Fantastic Views of Ama Dabalan during days 18 and 19.

Day 19
Pangboche to Namche Bazaar: 4-5 hours.

We walk down the valley where the trail is gentler through alpine meadows, followed by a gradual climb up to Tengboche (3,870m/12,697ft) where the biggest monastery lies in the whole of Khumbu.

We trek down from the rear of monastery and continue down until we reach Phunki Tenga. We trek up gradually through a forest. Once we are out of the forest we will be walking along a ridge from where we can seeon the left one of the deepest gorges of Nepal. In spring the rhododendrons will look superb making the valley even more beautiful. We arrive at Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft) for overnight stay.

Day 20.
Namche Bazaar / rest day/ organise supplies.

Day 21.
Namche Bazaar – Thame 3,750 m. 4 hours.

Day 22.
Parchemuche Tsho 4,900 m.  7 hours. Camping.
Across the Dhud Khosi River to the huge flank under the Tashi Labsta pass.

Day 23.
High Camp. 5,100 m.  6 hours. Camping.

Day 24.

Tashi Labsta Pass 5,755 m.
Trek down to Trakarding Galcier 4,500 m.. Amazing views of the Himalayas. You are in the middle of them !  8 hours. Camping.

Day 25.
Na (4175m)

Day 26.
Bedding 3,690 m.

Day 27.
Simigoan 2000m. Visit the Monastery,

Day 28.
Steep trek down to Tama Khosi River. We find a suitable place to camp / lodge for the night.

Day 29.
Bus Kathmandu.

Cost:  € 3000 / Person

The Price includes:

Accommodation in available hotels or guesthouses en route, food (except bar bill), Guide and Porters (Porters only from Namche – Simigoan via Tashi Lapsta) and their all expenses including insurance and equipment, Everest National Park entry fee,  Tims Card, ground transportation, governmental taxes and internal flight – KTM – Lukla. International flight pick up and drop off (within a thirty day period). All Camping Equipment.

AND
3 nights in a hotel in KTM – two night before leaving for the trek and one when
returning – 3 star with breakfast! Sightseeing trip to Bhaktapur included.

Prices do not include:
Personal nature expenses like laundry, communication, shopping etc, visa, international flights and personal trekking gear.