15-Day Everest Trek via Gokyo with Cho La Pass and Base Camp

1

Day 01

Arrival in Kathmandu and Nepali Welcome

• The members of the expedition arrive at Tribhuvan Airport. About half an hour before landing, from the plane's windows, you can see the velvet-green hilly hollow of the Kathmandu Valley, surrounded to the north by the sparkling glaciers of the Himalayan mountain ranges. The time difference between Moscow and Kathmandu is 2 hours 45 minutes. One of the first things you will often hear during your stay in Nepal is the traditional greeting "Namaste," which means "In your person, I greet God." You can obtain a Nepali visa right at the airport.
• In the evening, dinner is served at a restaurant offering traditional Nepali cuisine.

2

Day 02

Flight to Lukla and Trek to Phakding

• On the second day, the group flies from Kathmandu to Lukla on a small plane. The flight takes about 45 minutes. The trek begins directly from Lukla. Along the trail, the path passes through Sherpa farms and villages, leads to the Dudkoshi River, and then descends to Phakding.
• Along the way, you will come to the Tadokola River, from whose shore you can admire the magnificent view of Kusum Kangaru.
• The river is then crossed by a suspension bridge, and after a short climb, the group reaches the village of Ghat.
• After another hour and a half of walking, the group arrives at the village of Phakding, where they stop for the night.

3

Day 03

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

• The group sets out in the morning. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudkosi River, the road continues with small ascents and descents. From the village of Benkar, there is an amazing view of the Tamserku Mountains (6608 m).
• The road then crosses several bridges and leads to Monjo, the settlement where the main entrance to Sagarmatha National Park is located. The group enters the national park, descends, and approaches the suspension bridge over the Bhotekoshi River. The village of Jorsal begins behind the bridge - this is the last settlement before Namche Bazaar. The road then leads over the bridge of the Imjatse River, from where a winding path climbs to Namche Bazaar. Along the way, there are amazing views of Mount Everest, the peaks of Kwangde and Lhotse, and a close view of Tavache.
• Finally, the group reaches Namche Bazaar, known as the "village of coloured houses." It is the main gateway to the Khumbu region.
• Here, the group stops for the night.

4

Day 04

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

• On this day, group members can visit the Everest View Hotel, where you can admire the panorama.
• You can also visit the local shops and market, which is especially lively on Saturdays, or the Sherpa Museum. This is a great place to explore the history of mountaineering and Sherpa culture.

5

Day 05

Descent and Ascent to Tengboche Monastery

• Descend to the river, then make a long ascent to the famous high-mountain monastery of Tengboche (4 hours, 3860 m).
• Overnight in the cabin.

6

Day 06

Trek to Pheriche

• The trail passes over precipices on suspension bridges above streams "boiling" among huge white boulders.

7

Day 07

Pheriche to Lobuche via the Khumbu Glacier Moraine

• We will ascend to the plateau with a gradual rise as we approach the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. At an altitude of 4808 meters, between the villages of Dugla and Lobuche, there is a famous memorial at the highest point of the pass. It includes several dozen commemorative plaques and chortens (small stone monuments) in memory of climbers, Sherpas, and porters who lost their lives in the mountains.
• We will hear stories from the lives of Scott Fisher, Babu Chiri Sherpa, and others. According to tradition, we will also hang flags and honour the memory of those who were taken by the mountains.

8

Day 08

Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp

• From Lobuche, the group makes a two-hour trek along a winding rocky path to Gorak Shep, where there is a beautiful view of Kala Patthar, Pumori, Nuptse, and the Gorak Shep Valley.
• The group then checks into the hotel, takes a tea break, and visits Everest Base Camp (5364 m).
• Return to Gorak Shep (5164 m) for an overnight stay in the cabin.

9

Day 09

Climb Kala Patthar and Overnight in Jonglu

• The ascent is quite difficult because of the thin air. In the "hot" season, this route is quite crowded and busy. Many people visit Nepal just to see Mount Everest and the Khumbu Glacier. There is also a great view of Mount Pumori. The ascent to the top of Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep takes about two and a half hours.
• Afterwards, the group goes to spend the night in Jonglu. Rest.

10

Day 10

Crossing Cho La Pass to Gokyo

• Today's route leads us up through the Cho La Pass, from which an incredible panoramic view opens at an altitude of 5420 m. The climb is steep, and the trail can be loose, with large boulders along the way. This is probably the most difficult part of the whole route.
• After crossing the pass, we descend to Gokyo (4750 m). It is the world's highest system of freshwater lakes and a resting ground for migratory birds. In autumn, the emerald lakes are surrounded by green shores and framed by bright red shrubs.

11

Day 11

Climb Gokyo-Ri and Trek to Dole

• Today, we will climb Gokyo-Ri Peak (5357 m), from where we will have a view of four of the world's fourteen main peaks rising above 8,000 meters, as well as the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal.
• We then continue to the village of Dole, where we spend the night. The trail leads us along contour paths through a steep, boulder-strewn valley.

12

Day 12

Return Trek to Namche

• Our hike to Namche (3440 m) takes us along a very beautiful section of the Everest Base Camp route, passing through several picturesque mountain villages. The return road does not involve ascents, so it will be relatively easy.

13

Day 13

Trek Back to Lukla

• We follow a familiar route, the same one used on the second and third days. Having strengthened our muscles during so many days of trekking and descending into more oxygen-rich air, we will feel the strength of Olympic champions.
• We spend the night in Lukla (2860 m), preparing for tomorrow's flight to Kathmandu.

14

Day 14

Return to Kathmandu and Evening at Thamel

• We return to Kathmandu, where the now familiar hotel welcomes us with hot baths and plush towels.
• Over dinner, we relive the adventures of the last two weeks.
• Those who still have energy can explore Thamel a little, perhaps ride around the area on a tuk-tuk, and buy souvenirs for their relatives.

15

Day 15

Departure from Kathmandu

• Transfer to the airport. Departure from Kathmandu.