Gokyo and Reanjo La Pass Trek
The Gokyo to Renjo La Pass trek is one newly opened, offering an exciting, fresh option for high-pass trekking through Khumbu. The most desirable time for this unforgettable trek is at the tail end of the monsoon season, when flowers blooming throughout Nagpala give trekkers the illusion of walking across a textured, riotously colorful carpet. The heavenly scent clears the mind wonderfully, and makes for a sweet slumber at night time.
The remoteness of the villages here, the caravan-esque travel of the locals down the mountain to do business at Namche, and the enormous glaciers all offer something unique to the traditional Everest Base Camp trek. Views of the big mountain and of neighboring Cho Oyo are astounding! The Renjo La Pass allows trekkers to cross between Gokyo and Nagpala, providing a gorgeous walk through towering mountains. This is in addition to the more picturesque views already afforded by hiking to Gokyo Ri, as opposed to the traditional day trip to Kala Pattar from Gorakshep. The mountains are, similarly, more spectacular on this itinerary: experience the enormous Ngozumpa Glacier and, from a ridge above Goyko, no less than four 8000-meter peaks! This trek is also less-traveled and, consequently, less crowded than is the classic base camp trek. With our experienced guides by your side, it’s guaranteed that you
Day 1 – Kathmandu: Arrival Day
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft
Welcome to Nepal! One of our representatives will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Kathmandu. It’s very likely been a long flight, so rest up: tomorrow is an action-packed day of fun and adventure, and you won’t want to miss a minute!
Day 2 – Kathmandu to Lukla, Lukla to Phakding
Altitude: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) & 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding)
Walking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours)
Flight time: 15 min from Ramecchap
Drive time: 4 hours & 30mins (Kathmandu to Ramecchap)
We’ll keep up with the sun today as we board a domestic plane to Lukla. The flight is only 35 minutes, but it is full of stunning mountain vistas. After landing in Lukla, you’ll meet up with your guide and porters, and then it’s off to the trekking path! We’ll start out easy with a 3 or 4 hour walk, with the path to Phakding wide and clear. The peak of Kusum Kangaru is visible as we head north beneath a Kani arch and slope downhill through agricultural lowlands. We’ll glimpse cozy teahouses, Buddhist gompas (monasteries), prayer wheels, and enormous boulders painted with sacred mantras. As soon as we cross the Dudh Koshi river, we’ll be in Phakding.
Please Read: Lukla Flights are departing and returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. It’s about a 4 hour drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu so we will get started for the airport around 2 am. The return drive at the end of the trek is between 4 and 6 hours depending on traffic.
Day 3 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
Walking Distance: 10-12km (5-6 hours)
We’ll have breakfast in Phakding before gearing up for the 5-6 hours trek to Namche Bazaar, the unofficial capital of Sherpa culture and gateway to Everest. Our trail takes us first over the Dudh Koshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Kosi River (spotting Mani stones and fields of giant cabbage along the way!) in route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it’s uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. 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.
Day 4 – Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization Day
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
The ever-increasing altitude demands that we spend an extra day in Namche for acclimatization. You will hardly mind, however! You’ll have the chance to speed our adjustment to the higher altitude with a bracing 3-4 hour hike through the nearby Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde, or you can choose to sit back, relax, and enjoy the bazaar. Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering, or nearby Thame, a historic village. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment. The National Park office and close-by monasteries are also worth a visit!
Day 5 – Namche Bazaar to Dole
Altitude: 4,100m/13,452ft
Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)
We’ll take one final loop of Namche before heading up a nice, easy trail that overlooks the snow-capped peaks of Shanasa – the small settlement of Mong. We’ll ascend Mongla Hill on its left side and then head downward to Phortse Thanga, and lunch. We’ll follow the path upwards through woods of flowering rhododendron, and emerge to a perfect view of Cho Oyu. It’s a relatively simple afternoon walk to Dole – our stopping point – a small village adorned with a handful of teahouses, which use to be a yak pasture.
Day 6 – Dole to Machhermo
Altitude: 4,470m/14,665ft
Walking Distance: 6km (4 hours)
Today’s hike is short and pleasant, one that we can savor and enjoy. We’re trying to take our acclimatization easily, so we don’t overtax ourselves with really pushing it at this point. The day starts with a climb over Dole via a scenic ridge. Crossing yak pastures and tiny villages of stones huts, we’ll reach Luza. We’ll follow our trail along a valley high over the river, crossing sandy spurs and pastures bordered with a chorten and prayer flags to gain Machhermo by midday with enough time to visit the Himalayan Rescue Association and get some well-needed rest.
Day 7 – Machhermo to Gokyo
Altitude: 4,800m/15,748ft
walking distance: 6km (4 hours)
Over the ridge we go, starting our day with fantastic views of the valley to kangtega and the northern part of cho oyu. It’s another relatively short climbing day, with steep trails making up for fewer hours. We’ll descend towards the riverbank and then begin the climb towards the terminal moraine of the ngozumpa glacier through an ablation valley formed by melting ice. A succession of cairns now marks the route through a stony landscape, with a small tarn -mountain lake- on the left. The valley now gokyo and reanjo la pass trek 14 days
Through a narrower section of the ablation valley and comes to a third tarn dudh pokhari, with prayer flags on its eastern shore. We’ll pause to appreciate the view before trekking another hour to the village of gokyo, located on the edge of the third lake.
Day 8 – Gokyo: Acclimatization Day with Option Hike to Gokyo Ri
Altitude: 5,357m/17,575ft
Walking Distance: 2km (1 hour)
We spend two nights in Gokyo to help with altitude acclimatisation. In the morning, if weather permits, we climb the hill that rises above the northern shore of Lake Dudh Pokhari, called Gokyo Ri. The summit is marked by large cairns and prayer flags. Also from the top, Gokyo’s turquoise lake, far below has a picturesque view. An excursion to fourth and fifth lake is recommended for passionate trekkers.
Day 9 – Gokyo to Maruleng (Via Renjo La Pass)
Altitude: 5360m/17,585ft (Renjo La Pass) & 4249m/13940 (Maruleng)
Walking Distance: 15km (6-8 hours)
Our trek kicks off at dawn today as we attain Maruleng via the Renjo La Pass. It is a long hike, but a necessary one – there is no other place to stop along our trail! We follow Gokyo Valley downward, departing the main trail and turning towards the pass. We’ll reach the top of Renjo La in about three hours, being rewarded for our perseverance with unforgettable views of Everest, Lhotse, Cholatse and Taboche are unforgettable from the top. After that, we follow the east bank of the Bhote Koshi to Maruleng.
Day 10 – Maruleng to Thame
Altitude: 3880m/12,730ft
Walking Distance: 10km (5-6 hours)
The trail from Marulung to Thame follows a traditional route used for centuries by the Tibetan traders. We’ll cross the Bhote Koshi down from Maruleng, and then descend to Taranga. Our trail then winds through the valley of the Langmuche Khola River, ending in the village of Thame. This large settlement contains a famous monastery, along with stunning views of several mountains.
Day 11 – Thame to Monjo
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft (Namche)
Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)
We’ll pass through a check post today before arriving at the world’s loftiest hydroelectric power station, which provides electricity for most of the upper Khumbu region. We’ll pass gompas, prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens in route to Namche Bazaar, where we’ll again stop for an overnight rest.
Day 12 – Monjo to Lukla
Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft
Walking Distance: 16km (6-7 hours)
After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages, one of which is Phakding. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in a proper hotel and, traditionally, a party with your trekking crew: you made it! Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you’ve accomplished a physical feat of which others only dream. This is your last night on the mountain, which can be bittersweet.
Day 13 – Lukla to Kathmandu
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft
Flight time: 35 min
In the morning, you’ll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (See Note), where your journey both began and ends. You’ll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. We’ll reunite in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants in town, where we’ll be eager to hear your feedback on the trip.
Please Read: Lukla Flights are departing and returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. It’s about a 4 to 6 hour drive from Ramechhap back to Kathmandu depending on traffic.
Day 14 – Kathmandu: Departure Day
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft
It’s your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast, and then take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu. We’ll make sure you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport with plenty time before your flight home. At this time, we’ll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell, armed with warm memories and gorgeous photos to show your loved ones.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
• 14-day adventure, 11 of which include 3 meals a day.
• 2 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu, breakfast included.
• Round-trip airfare between Kathmandu/Ramecchap and Lukla .
• Accommodation and full board while trekking.
• Airport transfers.
• Everest trekking permit and TIMS (traveler security) Card.
• Fully licensed, English-speaking guide.
• Porter service.
• Local and government taxes.
• First aid kit.
• Trip completion certificate.
• Farewell dinner won’t miss a single, thrilling surprise of this glorious adventure.