Three High Passes Everest Base Camp Kalapathar Trek (renjo La, Cho La, Khongma La)

We will be transfer to Domestic Airport for the 35 minute flight to Lukla. Flying over high Himalayans and Landing on the narrow, sloping runway in the heart of the mountains is a very spectacular way to arrive. We begin our trekking with an easy downhill from Lukla to Phakding (2610m) beside the Dudh Koshi River.

 

Pleasant walk by the river through pine forest leads to a short climb a narrow gorge. We pass the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park where details of our permits are recorded and then trek down to the river which we cross on a suspension bridge. We continue up the wooden valley on a good trail and cross the river again before reaching a confluence of two major rivers, one coming down Via Thame Village and the other from the Khumbu Mouth. We make a final crossing for the day on a spectacular high suspension bridge and then begin an hour and half long ascent to Namche Bazaar (3440m). This is one of the steepest of the trek, just over halfway up this last hill to Namche, we gain our first beautiful views of Everest and other major mountains. On arrival in the Sherpa capital, we check into one of the village’s many lodges. Namche has changed tremendously since trekking first became popular in this region and in Nepal. Many of the Sherpas that own lodges, cafes and shops in this tiny town have visited cities in the USA and Europe and have brought back all sorts of Service and other concepts. Today you can find in Namche, German bakeries, Italian coffee, British pubs, pool halls, hot tubs and similar.

 

Namche Bazaar is located between 2 ridges amongst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. An ancient trade route and market place where goods between Tibet and lower Khumbu used to be traded. Namche today having an abundance of lodges, cafes, bars and souvenir shops to roam around. Namche is an ideal place for acclimatization to the new altitude before heading off towards higher region.

Options for acclimatization, include the one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above the village for the spectacular view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest itself and nearby village which is the biggest in the region “Khumjung and Khunde” Visit for the Day.

 

Morning we start our trek by climbing up to the Gonpa above the Namche, we catch trail which contours the bounding ridge of Namche and then follows the Bhotekoshi river through the villages of Phunte, Thamo, Thomde, Somde. The walk takes us through woods of oak, birch and juniper and we pass several impressive Mani walls built from tablets of stone intricately carved with prayers in Buddhist script. We reach a suspension bridge slung high across the river after 3/4hours trek and on the other side the trail climbs to Thame at a strategic location at the junction of routes from Rolwalling via the Tashi Lapcha and from Tibet via the Nangpa La Pass. There are tremendous views of Teng Kangpoche and the north side of Kongde RI. Overnight at Thame (3820m).

 

The key to good acclimatization tip is climb high, sleep low holds true and best medicine at this world’s highest mountain regions. Today we have a spectacular walk up the valley leading to the Tashi Lapcha on a high trail above the Thame Khola, to summer yak grazing settlement at the altitude of 4250 m View Point. We visit to the Gonpa located high above the Namche on our way back. Overnight at Thame.

 

The trail becomes more adventurous as we head north beside the Bhotekoshi which means ‘Tibet River’. We pass through the village of Tangmote and follow a trail ascending gradually above the river. We pass through the Thanga Village after 2hrs walk and a further hour of gentle ascent brings us to Marulung (4210m). Overnight.

 

We will stay 2 nights at Marulung to make sure we are sufficiently acclimatized to make Renjo La Pass Crossing on the next day.

On Acclimatization day we hike up the valley of the Bhotekoshi at Arye (4400m) or even up towards the glacier which comes down from the Nangpa La.

The views on this acclimatization walk are superb and one of the excellent aspects of this itinerary is the opportunity to spend time in this beautiful un-spoilt valley. Return to Marulung and Overnight.

 

Early morning start we start our trek up and away from the Bhotekoshi towards the ‘twin lakes’ below the Renjo La. Passing the lakes, Continue approaching toward Renjo La, following a well-made trail, stone steps leading way up to the top. We reach the summit of Pass (5340m) with Prayer Flags after a long morning's walk. Time for enjoyment of the views across the ranges to Mt. Everest -simply breathtaking. Then, after an initially steep descent, stone steps which descend towards the lakes of Gokyo. Located on the east shore of Third Lake known as Dudh Pokhari is the summer settlement of Gokyo (4790m). Overnight stay at lodge below Gokyo RI.

 

We hike to high and wild place to the '5TH Lake' for the best ‘Scoundrel's View' of Everest. Overnight at Gokyo.

 

We start early morning for the trek to Gokyo RI. Lies at the northern edge of Dudh Pokhari is the Grand Gokyo Ri, a classic viewpoint for Everest and Cho Oyu and for the magnificent panorama encompassing the lakes and the across the Ngozumpa Glacier towards the Cho La. The ascent is quite strenuous takes almost 2hrs to reach and an hour to back. We set off for our next Village for Our Night Halt. Descending toward second lake then climb to the crest of the moraine overlooking the Ngozumpa Glacier. We trek down from glacier to the place known as Thangnak (4700m). Rest and Overnight.

 

We start early for the long day across the Cho La (5420m).  As we approaching the pass, we cross a large boulder field. Beyond this ancient moraine, the climb to the pass is steep in places, involves some easy scrambling. The upper part of the route can be snow-covered particularly during December/January. From the pass is the excellent views of mountains and valleys which include completely different aspect of Ama Dablam. Descending from the pass involves the crossing of a small glacier (often snow-covered) which is fairly straightforward. Continue descending to the grazing pastures, Yak herding below. Further descend will bring us to Dzongla (4830m).

 

We Trek down from Dzongla and follow a trail which first drops to cross the stream and then contours grassy slopes to join up with the main Everest trail and continue our little hike up Lobuche. The trail climbs steadily up from Lobuche by the side of the Khumbu Glacier. We arrive after crossing the rubble of a side glacier, the Gorakhsep (5140m), is a summer yak herding settlement at the foot of Kalapatthar. Rest and Overnight.

 

We will be starting a easy short trek to Everest Base Camp after having good breakfast. We follow a good trail at first on the moraine crest for the most of our walk, and final walk on the glacier itself. After a relatively short 2hrs morning's walk, we reach the most awaited base camp for Grand Mt. Everest below the stupendous Khumbu Icefall. This area will be a tent city, housing the hundreds of climbers who come to scale the World’s highest peak during Mountaineering season "spring”. After spending, capturing some wonderful moments in this fascinating place, we trek back to Gorakhsep.

 

DAY 15: SCALE TOP OF KALA PATHAR, GRAND VIEW OF EVEREST, DESCEND LOBUCHE

Morning climb to Kalapatthar (5545m), finest viewpoints for Mt. Everest and the Khumbu Valley. Two hours steep hike for this Frontal, Amazing Close Distance view from Kalapatthar is truly unmatched. Return to Gorakhsep and continue down to Lobuche (4930m). Overnight.

 

We have to make a crossing from of the Khumbu Glacier from Lobuche. The glacier is very slow moving, covered with rubble and moraine debris at this point and usually has a good trail across. Then we make ascent to the Khongma La (5535m) which is steep, at first following a trail on a grassy hillside and then on a good zig-zag path way to the top of a scree slope. From the top of the scree the pass comes into view but still needs another 45 minutes more to reach, crossing over boulders and scree to reach the prayer flags which stretch across from cairn to cairn. 3hrs tough effort ascent will be rewarded by the spectacular views of lifetime, Tip of Everest to the fantastic 8 mile-long Lhotse-Nuptse wall, the panorama includes Gauri Shankar, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Pumori and the distant peaks of Tibet.

Relatively accessible but not often crossed, Khongma La Pass is something of a hidden gem. We climb off from the summit, passing usually frozen lake and follow an improving trail across yak pastures and down into the Imja Valley and final descent mostly on grassy hillside, reaching the Imja River and our halt site of the day Dingboche (4360m). This Sherpa village is spectacular located just beneath Ama Dablam with the view of Lower Khumbu belt and Upper Imja Valley. Overnight.

 

We now begin our walk out from the Everest region. This is definitely no anti-climax as we have some beautiful country to travel through still. However, it is nice to be going down and into the land of warmth and abundant oxygen. Leaving Dingboche we soon join the main Everest Trail and follow the Imja Khola on an undulating path to Pangboche. The oldest monastery in the region is located here and it is well worth the extra effort to climb up to the upper part of the village where the Gonpa is located. From Pangboche, we descend to cross the river on a suspension bridge at a narrow gorge. Beyond, we enter a forest of birch and Juniper - the first real forest we have seen since leaving Namche and walking through the trees we come to the small settlement of Deboche where there is a nunnery. We check in at a lodge here. Today’s walk should take around 5 hours including the visit to the monastery.

 

Tengboche Gonpa spectacularly located on a ridge top is the place we head once we finish our breakfast in the morning with the small short climb through the jungle. The ridge affords a good Everest/Lhotse massif is the perfect blend of views along with one of the best view point for Ama Dablam.

Gonpa is one of the oldest and praise as one of the holiest place at the area. Descending a steep path to the village of Phunki, We cross the bridge over Dudhkoshi and steep climb to the lodges of Kyangjuma. Easy and sturdy path will lead us to Namche Bazaar where our grand circuit of Khumbu ends and further down will take us to Monjo our Overnight halt place.

 

Morning time will be trekking downhill to Dudhkoshi Valley leaving Phakding en-route. After Lunch, gentle walk for few hours and again we go for a short final climb to reach Lukla. Evening time is kind of farewell party to say goodbye to our trek crew from Khumbu Region.

 

Breakfast and early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Check into the hotels and relax for the day. Going for Spa would be exhaustion relieving.

 

Breakfast and we go for sightseeing of

Pashupatinath temple – regarded as the most sacred temple of Hindu Lord Shiva in the world with its astonishing architectural beauty, stands as a symbol of faith, religion, culture and tradition.

 

Swayambhunath Stupa -The Most Enigmatic Holy Shrine situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu, is one of the most popular, holy and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the 'monkey temple' because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard the temple.

 

Kathmandu Durbar Square Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage site by UNESCO, famous for Living Goddess Kumari, is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12thand 18th The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the capital city. The palace complex was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese Monarchy. Overnight Stay in Kathmandu.

 

Evening Nepali Farewell Dinner with Nepalese Cultural Shows.

 

After breakfast transfer to Airport for your flight back to home with beautiful memories. Farewell!!

Trek Package End