Everest Base Camp via Renjo La, Gokyo Lake, Cho La & Kala Patthar Trek - 22 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, a representative from Marron Treks will receive and transfer you to your hotel. After you are greeted with welcome drinks at the hotel, we will have a quick pre-trip meeting to discuss on the necessary formalities and trekking itinerary. You can then check in to your room, freshen up and rest. Or if you are not one of those “lay back” types, you can take a stroll around the vicinity of your hotel and get the feel of this hyperactive capital city of Nepal. On the streets, people seem to be on sheer rush, barely noticing one another, but if you utter “Namaste”, they will definitely reciprocate with a smile! Well, that’s Nepal’s Nepalese for you. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

Short stroll in the evening yesterday might not have acquainted you to Kathmandu. So we want to make sure that you know this city like you know yourself. Once done with your breakfast, let’s hop in to our reserved vehicle and then head on for a comfy ride with one of our experienced city guides. You will be visiting the most renowned historical/cultural landmarks in Kathmandu. Our guide will take you to the Pasupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Swayambunath (the Monkey Temple) and Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. All these sites are enlisted in the UNESCO world’s heritage list. After this informative and interesting tour, we drive back through the busy and noisy streets of Kathmandu to the serene premises of your hotel. The best use of the remaining time can be made by shopping the trekking goodies. Most of the items are available on rent and our guide will help you identify the best renting outlet. So, after you have hoarded all the handy gears for your trek, get back to the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2840m/45min) & trek from Lukla to Phakding (2610m/ 3 - 4 hrs)

We take an early morning flight Lukla after breakfast. In about 45 minutes, we land at the Tenjing Hillary airport in Lulka, picturesquely surrounded by mountains. These 45 minutes on board is going to be the best aerial journey you have had so far. We now meet up with our trekking crew and get acquainted to each other. After some unpacking and arrangements, we then proceed for our trek through the village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. Chaurikharka School, Chablung, Tharo Koshi, Ghat etc are some of the sites that entice you along the trail. On reaching Phakding, we have our lunch and then if interested, can go on a short hike to the nearby monastery. This could help getting acclimatized to the high elevation. Overnight at teahouse in Phakding; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/ 5 - 6hrs)

The trail leads us along the Dudh Koshi River, through the pine forests and many suspension bridges, including the very famous, Hillary Suspension Bridge. The route then ascends straight up beyond a waterfall, from where we get a breathtaking view of Mt. Thamserku (6618m). Advancing further, we come to a check post which also happens to be the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. As we continue our ascent through the forests and bridges, we approach the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers. Trudging up further for about 2 hours brings us to Chautari (resting place), wherefrom we can relish the splendid sight of the Mt. Everest, almost belittling the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Passing through one last settlement, the Jorsale village, we ultimately reach Namche Baazar in about 2 hours. Namche Bazar is the administrative center of the Khumbu region and is also the gateway to the Mount Everest. Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 05: Rest day in Namche Bazaar for Acclimatization; Visit Namche Gompa (3440m)

This is a rest day to replenish the calorie used so far and in fact to get acclimatized for the steeper climbs in the days ahead. It is recommended to be on the move even in the rest day rather than being static. So, just to ensure that we are motile, we can spend the day exploring the market at Namche Bazaar. It gives you a perfect visual of the Sherpa culture and their way of life. Namche bazaar houses all the government offices and has all the modern amenities like- internet cafes, restaurants, ATMs etc. Apart from the luscious towering mountains, the Everest region is also characterized by ancient gompas. Visiting the Sherpa Museum and Namche Gompa would be a wonderful retreat. About 3-4 hrs of gentle hiking today would provide us a good acclimatization. Visiting a museum reflecting the Sherpa culture could also be an interesting pick. Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 06: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Thame (3800m/ 5hrs)

After that rejuvenating extra day at the hotspot of Khumbu region, it’s now time to get going. The trail stretches ahead from the Namche Gompa and traverses west, passing by an enticing array of Mani stones, fluttering prayer flags and chortens. We follow the trail, witnessing all these uniquely carved Mani stones all the way to Thame, a settlement at the end of the Khumbu valley. The people here still seem to be untouched by modern civilization. Overnight at teahouse in Thame; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 07: Trek from Thame to Lungdeng (4720m/4 - 5hrs)

Let’s gear up for an interesting trek through the remote Sherpa villages and Himalayan meadows. Believe it or not, we are actually maneuvering our way across the Himalayan wilderness! Our trail today passes though the walled Sherpa villages. You get to witness some interesting species of floras and faunas. Probably you will also be sharing the trail with the Tibetan Yak caravans. This track also happens to be a trading route from Namche to the Tibetan village. Once we arrive at Lungden, we stay at one of the very simple teahouse here. Overnight at teahouse in Lungden; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 08: Acclimatization day at Lungden; Hike to Cho Relmo Lake (4970m/3hrs) & back to Lungden (4720m/2hrs)

We are just at the verge of making some epic ascents on our trek and hence it is important that we get properly acclimatized.  Let’s head on to explore the Nakpa valley thorough the ancient trade route of Tibet. If we have the appetite for more, we can hike up to Cho Relmo Lake (4970m).  The idea is to get accustomed to the thinning air. Another hiking option can be the Darkyachhulung peak. It’s obvious that we won’t be able to make it to all the hiking spots, so we can decide among ourselves regarding which sites we would be attempting to explore.
Overnight at teahouse in Lungden; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 09: Trek from Lungden to Renjola Pass (5360m/3hrs) to Gokyo Lake (4750m/4hrs)

This is definitely going to be one of quite a few ecstatic moments of our trip. First we will be conquering the daunting Renjo La (5340) and secondly, we descent to the absolutely hypnotic milieu of the mesmerizing Gokyo Lake (4750m). So it’s literally a double bonanza!!
From Lungden, we follow the set of steep switchbacks on a sandy ridge for about 3 hours. Crossing a usually frozen stream, we make it to the icy top of the Renjo La pass (5360m). We can take a well deserved sojourn here, beholding the jaw-dropping view of the mighty Everest, standing tall and handsome as ever. Not just that, the black pearl or the Kala Patthar, the famed Tengboche monastery and Chola glacier also appear stunningly beautiful. At the pass, it’s actually not surprising to be taken aback witnessing the natural splendor on a full scale. We would obviously want to stay here capturing the fascinating milieu forever, but we can’t! So, we head on for a steep descent from the Renjo La, passing by the Yak meadows and twin lakes of Renjo. Thus, we eventually approach the heavenly appearing turquoise waters of Gokyo Lake. Admiring this serene beauty for some time, we head on to our tea house. We have an extra day at Gokyo tomorrow, so there’s lot more to explore. Overnight at teahouse in Gokyo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.  

Day 10: Rest cum an excursion day at Gokyo  Lake  (4750m); Hike to Gokyo Ri (5357m/3hrs) and back to Gokyo Lake (4750m/2hrs)

The beds at Gokyo are indeed comfortable, but we are not lying here all day. A hike to the Gokyo Ri (5357m) would be a great excursion. We head northwards from the village and cross a stream. Trudging up the steep route for about 3 hrs, we get to the apex of Gokyo Ri, an exclusive vantage point offering you the jaw-dropping views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Cholatse, Makalu, Tawoche and also the Ngozumpa Glacier. Gokyo is not just all about Gokyo Ri, but the sacred lakes here are also the emblem of magnificence of this valley. So another hiking option could be the Thonak Sho and Ngozumpa Sho Lakes. When we climb to a hill at the edge of these two lakes, we get to a grassy ground festooned with prayer flags, known locally as “the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint (5000 m). It offers unobstructed views of Cho Oyu, north face of the Everest and the upper expanse of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Relishing the beauty and adventure of the surrounding, we trace back to our teahouse at Gokyo Lake for overnight stay. Overnight at teahouse in Gokyo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 11: Trek from Gokyo Lake to Tangna (4700m/5 - 6hrs)

We indeed had a great stay at Gokyo and saw almost everything that we had only heard or read about till date. It’s now time to move on. We make our way down the Gokyo Lake and walk past the glacier. Moving ahead, we can notice the Yak pastures at Chhugyuma, on the eastern edge of the glacier. From here, our trail ascends a deserted valley below the southern part of Cho-la until we finally get to Tangna. En route, we can not only be able to relish the views of the highest mountains, deep gorges, and beautiful landscapes but also witness the festivals and culture of ethnic groups. This region is also the home of the Sherpas. There are many fascinating monasteries here, worth exploring. Overnight at teahouse in Tangna; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12: Trek from Tangna to Dzongla (4830m) via Chola Pass (5350m/Total trekking hours: 5-6 hrs)

Climb high and sleep low, has been our slogan for the past few days. We will be conquering another majestic height today. The trail traverses alongside the glaciers, through yak pastures, rocky fields and desert like areas. En route, we encounter boulder fields. We make a steep ascent on a snowy slope until we arrive at the summit of the very famed Cho La pass (5350m), which takes us about 3 hrs. From the top of the pass, one can witness a flat glacier plateau with magnificent views from east to west and an impressive north face of Jobo Lhaptshan (6440m).  Admiring this beauty, we meticulously descend along the snow -covered glacier to Dzongla. Overnight at teahouse in Dzongla; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 13: Trek from Dzongla to Lobuche (4910m/4hrs)

Let’s begin the trek walking along the moraine of the glacier. The trail from Dzongla runs mostly flat - first going east and then turning north to the point when it joins the main Everest trail coming from Dingboche and Pheriche, down to the valley. The route offers wonderful views of Kala Pathar and Mt. Pumori. The chain of icy mountains that defines the border with Tibet and goes as far as Mount Everest, which is not seen from this point as Nuptse is much closer. Following this extremely scenic trail, we finally arrive at Lobuche (4910 m), a key stop on the trail to the Everest Base Camp. It is nothing more than a group of lodges but is just few hours away from the base of the highest mountain on the planet. Overnight at teahouse in Lobuche; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5140m /2.5 hrs)/ Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5550m/ 2 hrs) and back to Gorakshep (1.5 hrs)/ Total trekking hours-6 hrs

This is going to be another big day as we will be attaining the highest elevation of the trek, the Kala Patthar (5550m). The route from Lobuche to Gorakshep is short, approximately about 5 kms. Our route rises gradually through the grassy valley between the lateral moraines. You can witness the yak caravans, almost overloaded with the camping equipments. The trail now goes up the huge lateral moraine of Changri glacier at 5110m. From here, the views of Mt. Pumori (7165m), Mt. Lingtren(6713m), Mt. Khumbutse (6640m) and of course the famed back pearl knows as Kala Patthar (5550m) are simply jaw-dropping.   We now descend towards the Khumbu glacier and walking along the stony trail, we make a slight ascent to Gorakshep, a promising conglomeration of lodges and teahouses.  Gorakshep is a junction from where we can get to the two very prominent sites- Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp.  Our mission today is to conquer the black pearl. So we gradually begin our yet another epic ascent moving towards a rocky spot. From here, we push ourselves along the uphill trail for about half an hour, and eventually we are at the zenith of this grayish monticule. From the top of Kala Patthar, the views will be beyond your wildest imagination, with Everest standing formidably at a stone’s throw, poised between the summits of Mt. Nuptse & Lho-La, while Lhotse hoods at the back. You see, there’s nothing to be whiney about this hard climb; you are rewarded with a scenic retreat after all!
After indulging in the seemingly hypnotic vista of the milieu for some time, we retrace our steps back to Gorakshep, where we stay overnight. Overnight at teahouse in Gorakshep; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 15: Trek from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp (5364m/3 - 4 hours) & Everest Base Camp to Lobuche (4910m/4-5 hours) / Total trekking hours- 7- 9 hrs

Our trail to the Everest Base Camp weaves through the ice pinnacles and stretches past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. The walk to EBC is not really difficult but a lot of it is on the glacier, which necessitates us to go through plenty of ups and downs, meandering along the rough terrain. Enjoy the incredible melt patterns (the ice melts in the sun around rocks but not under the rocks where there is shade), listen to the avalanches, feed the hungry choughs (they'll be hungry if there are no expeditions!), witness the massive ice blocks…..you are certain to be wafted to cloud#9. During the spring season, the base camp seems to be crammed with the expedition teams and you can notice the tents scattered around the premises like colorful gems. After spending some time on this iconic spot, we trace our way back to the Gorakshep and then to Lobuche. Taking the higher route on the return leg gives us spectacular views of Khumbu ice fall and flurry of luscious mountain ranges. Overnight at teahouse in Lobuche; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 16: Trek from Lobuche to Pangboche (3930m/6 - 7 hrs)

The big time climbs are now over and all that remains is tracing our way back to the point from where we had begun our trek. We walk downhill for most part of the day. As we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche, we arrive at The Himalayan Rescue Association, a trekker’s aid post and it is a worthy place to visit. After lunch, we cross the Khumbu River on a wooden bridge and then follow the Imja River to the village of Pangboche, which is famous for its monastery that preserves a yeti scalp and hand. Overnight at teahouse in Pangbuche; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 17: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m/6hrs)

Leaving Pangboche without exploring its famed monastery would be unfair. So, we have a quick breakfast and then head on towards the monastery to take a look at the purported yeti scalp and hand. After checking out the remains of the so called abominable snowman, we now leave the mountains of Pangboche behind and make a descent past the Tengboche Monastery (3860 m). By mid day, we will find ourselves amidst the hustle and bustle of Namche Bazaar. If you are already not too worn out with the walk, you can take a stroll around the market. Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 18: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Phakding (2610m/5 - 6hrs)

Our route today descends steeply for a couple of hours. After that, the path takes the form of trivial ups and downs up to Monjo (2840m). The walk from Monjo to Phakding continues along the dusty trail through pine forests offering the glimpses of fascinating snow capped peaks in the distance. This time, however, the gradient of the route is slightly uphill. We pass by several impressive waterfalls. One thing that could probably irritate you is the donkeys kicking up the choking dust. You can also witness the very familiar sights of the porters with a pile of loads strapped on their back, and of course the procession of enthusiastic trekkers of all nationalities and ages. Overnight at teahouse in Phakding; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 19: Trek from Phakding to Lukla (2840m/3 - 4 hrs)

On our final day's trekking, we basically follow the Dudh Koshi River back down to Lukla, where we will reconfirm our flight tickets for the next day and spend the night. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the Sherpa guides and porters. Sample the locally brewed alcoholic drink “Chhyang”, try out some unique steps of Sherpa dance and retrospect on this absolutely awesome trip! Well, you could just give away tip to the anticipating porters and staffs to exhibit your generosity! Overnight at teahouse in Lukla; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
 

Day 20: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (1400m/45min)

Scenic 45 minutes on board and you will touch down the domestic wing of the Kathmandu Airport. A representative from Marron Treks will receive and transfer you to your designated hotel. You are probably jaded with that long trip. May be you would want to take refreshing shower, Jacuzzi and get groomed a bit. You have an extra day at Kathmandu tomorrow. So you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
 

Day 21: Free day in Kathmandu

This is a free day in Kathmandu, to fulfill anything that you missed out spotting in this energetic capital of Nepal. You can indulge yourself in some souvenir shopping. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives.  Wait......the fun is not over yet! In the evening, a farewell dinner featuring a range of traditional Nepali cuisines and an entertaining cultural show will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy to the fullest, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.

Day 22: Final departure to your homeland

After breakfast, a representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the international airport, three hours prior to your flight schedule. Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again. You can always extend your trip to try out our other adventurous packages like: Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

  Important  Snippets  

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Accommodation

While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar.

During the trek, you will be accommodated in a Tea House/ Lodge or Trekking Inn. Most of these lodges and teahouses cater good services and are equipped with modern amenities. We will endeavor to provide you the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.

Meals

We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as the staff members. Basically, we opt for locally available food in the Everest Region so that you could a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.

Porter and Staff Care

We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going to high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipments. They are the backbones of a trek.

Best Months

January-May & September-December are considered to be best months for this trek

Any Experience Required?

No former experience required. Physical fitness is the only key to accomplish this trek.

Our Guides

Guides play a very active role during the trek. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful treking guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as productive. Our guides are literate, multilingual speakers, environment conscious and well acquainted to culture, language, location and every single detail pertaining to the  Everest Region . This would help our trekkers make the most of their trip.

Travel Insurance

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip safe and hassle free.

For more queries, visit our  FAQ section or contact us directly at  marketing@marrontreks.com

Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request) on twin sharing accommodation basis.

For other special requirements or bigger group deals, kindly mail us directly at: marketing@marrontreks.com

Cost Includes

• Airport pick-up and drop services.
• Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city.
• Applicable domestic airfare as per the itinerary.
• Entrance and monumental fees during the sightseeing in Kathmandu as prescribed in the itinerary.
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on “BB” basis as per itinerary.
• All ground transportation costs in accordance to the itinerary.
• All trekking accommodation costs on full board (B, L, D) basis as per the itinerary. The accommodation will be in the guesthouses/ lodges/ teahouses on twin sharing basis but occasionally in the common dormitory (esp. during peak tourist seasons).
• Four seasonal sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) duffel bag, t-shirt and Cap (provided as complimentary gears).
• A comprehensive medical kit (will be carried by the trekking guide).
• Salary to guide and porters for the trekking period.
• Personal insurance for crew members.
• All applicable tourist fees, conservation fees, "special permit" fees & TIMS fees necessary for trekking.
• All government and local taxes.
• Farewell dinner with live Nepalese cultural program.

Cost Excludes

• International airfare and departure taxes.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Lunch & dinner expenses incurred before or after the trekking period.
• Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance).
• Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days costs US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days costs US $40 and $ 100 respectively. You will need a valid passport and 2 copies of your recent PP sized photos).
• Tips to the guide, porter, driver, hotel and tea-house staffs (Tipping is expected).
• Bar bills, alcoholic drinks & beverages.
• Excess baggage charges (luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 20 kgs.).
• Personal insurance and other expenses of personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, hot shower etc.).
• Cost of personal trekking gears and equipments (kindly refer to our equipment lists: http://www.marrontreks.com/itineraries/128-26/everest-base-camp-via-renjo-la-gokyo-lake-cho-la-kala-patthar-trek-22-days.html#equipment-list  ).
• Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies like (but not limited to) natural calamities, accidents, illness, thefts, damages etc.
• Garbage deposit fees (refundable).
• Any other expenses not mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section above.

Departure Date

Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.