Jiri- Gokyo Valley-Cho-La Pass & EBC Trek

Kathmandu arrival (1300m)

Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel; here you will be formally introduced to your Guide and the activities to be enjoyed over the next few days. We will also ask for your passport photographs and any other details required for your trek permits, at this stage.

Kathmandu sightseeing

After breakfast, you start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. We will arrange a guide of your chosen language to give you a tour and introduction to our rich culture amongst our ancient and fascinating history and religion. In our sightseeing tour you go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. There is an intriguing 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums. Swayambhunath, situated on a hillock 6.5 kilometres west of Kathmandu, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometres northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.

Kathmandu – Jiri drive (187 km)

6 hrs drive to jiri from Kathmandu

Jiri – Deorali

The trek begins with a steady climb through cultivated fields and tiny Tamang villages. Climbing diagonally, we cross-forested areas and open pasture land, before again descending to Shivalaya. From here it's a steady climb to the top of the Deorali pass (3000 m) where we spend the night.

Deorali – Sete (2520m / 7hrs)

From Deorali, it's a short walk to the Sherpa village of Bhandar, which is littered with prayer walls and small gompas (Buddhist temples.) Descending to the valley floor at the riverside town of Kenja, the trail climbs steeply up a ridge richly forested with oak and rhododendron to Sete (2575m) whose beautiful hilltop monastery is worth a visit.

Sete – Junbesi (2675m / 7hrs)

We climb through fragrant pine and Oak Forest to the Lamjura pass (3500 m) for our first glimpse of Everest. Then it's downhill again to the large Sherpa village of Junbesi. From here there are good views of Gaurishanker, Number Himal and Dudh Kunda.

Junbesi – Nuntala (2220m / 6hrs)

From here we walk up the Solung ridge, from where Everest is again visible and then descend to Ringmo Khola, ringed with apple orchards. The trail crosses the Traksindo La (3071m) before descending once again through the forest to Nuntala.

Nuntala – Khari Khola (2100m / 6hrs)

From Nuntala the descent continues to Dudh Koshi (Milk River) the largest river on the trek. Then ascend through several Sherpa and Rai villages terraced fields and forest to the spread out village of Khari Khola.

Khari Khola – Puiyan (2800m / 6hrs)

The path ascends through Sherpa villages and a forest inhabited by monkeys, and then winds steeply up and down through the Dudh Koshi canyon to Puiyan.

Puiyan – Phakding (2600m / 5hrs)

The trail climbs for about an hour after Puiyan to a ridge at 2800m, then up to another ridge, passing the path to Lukla airport, after which we climb on to Phakding.

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Today begins on level ground, relative to the environment in which you are! You will cross the river on a high suspension bridge and begin to climb up to Monjo (2800m) and on to the gateway to the Sagamartha National Park Entrance in place to protect and preserve this beautiful environment. There is a good rest stop on the way up where you will see people gathered, admiring the first real chance to see Everest in the distance. On the way up today you will be rewarded with views of Kusum Kangaru, Thamserku, Konde-Ri and Tawache Peak before eventually arriving at Namche after about 5 hours.

Rest day in and around Namche Bazaar

The main aim today is to allow your body to acclimatise, it is important to drink lots of water and take some gentle exercise. Namche is a growing town tucked into a neat little valley, there is lots going on in the centre with market days on Friday and Saturday. There are some interesting museums and shops. There is also internet and a sauna! You could venture further afield, take a visit to Khumjung where the Hillary school sits and Khunde nearby, on the way back to Namche you could visit the Shyangboche airstrip, (3790m) the highest in the world nearby is the Everest View Hotel for stunning views.

Namche – Thame (3800m / 6hrs)

Perhaps one of the most fascinating days of the trek, we travel to the village of Thame (12,464').

Thame – Khumjung (3780m / 5hrs)

Waking early we will climb the Thame monastery and further explore local Buddhism including 40 year-old Gompa and learn about its inner workings and the lives of its monks. We will return the same way close top Namche and then we will Climb to Syangboche, then trek to two serene Sherpa villages, Khumjung and Khunde 3890 m where Sir Edmund Hillary established his first hospital and Khumjung 3790 m where he established a school, both in the early sixties. The Khumjung Gompa possess what is supposed to be a Yeti skull.

Khumjung - Dole (4090m / 5hrs)

Leaving the main trail to Mt. Everest, we will follow high on a ridge to 4000m past a large chorten at the village of Mong, said to be the birthplace of the saint Lama Sange Dorje, the reincarnate lama of Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet who introduced Buddhism to Khumbu. From there we descend to the village of Phortse Tenga by the Dudh Kosi (river). From Phortse the trail climbs steeply through forests of rhododendrons and then stands of juniper and large conifers as the altitude increases.

Dole - Machhermo (4410m / 3hrs)

In the morning we will follow a steep but beautiful climb through conifer and rhododendron forests and stands of juniper to Lhabarma 4220m and Luza 4360m. There are kharkas wherever there is a flat spot and the slightest hint of water. We continue to climb along the side of the valley, high above the river to the camp at Machhermo 4410 m.

Machhermo – Gokyo (4751m / 5hrs)

We will climb a ridge from where the valley opens wide as the trail passes through Pangkha. Mt. Cho Oyo 8153 m dominates the skyline to the north as we climb the moraine on the left flank of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The climb is steep to the first of the four lakes that lie in the Gokyo area but the trail levels off towards the second lake, Longponga at 4690m. We finally ascend a path past the largest of the lakes Dudh Pokhari to Gokyo at 4750m. Gokyo is a typical Kharka stone houses and stonewalled pastures.

Rest and explore around

A free day to explore the area around Gokyo or rest

Gokyo - Chhyugima (Dragnag) (4680m / 7hrs)

A long day and the most difficult part of this trek. We will cross the southern end of the Ngozumpa Glacier, pass by the stone huts of Thagna Kharka then climb steadily up a narrow and steep valley which opens up to a wide shallow valley leading to our camp at Kharka Chhyugima 5170m.

Chhyugima – Dzonglha (4845m / 7hrs)

We descend from the pass, cross a small glacier, we are going to cross the Cho-La Pass 5373m.negotiate the ice fall at the end of it and descend via Leisyasa to our camp at Dzonglha Kharka 4730 m, a high altitude summer pasture directly beneath the north wall of Cholatse Peak 6440 m.

Dzonglha – Lobuche (4930m / 3hrs)

Today we will hike on a trail above Tsholo Lake and join the main Everest trail at Dughla on the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From Dughla we climb up the moraine past a row of stone monuments in memory of Sherpas who died on expeditions to Everest and on to our camp at Lobuche 4930m.

Lobuche – Everest Base Camp (5364m)– Gorakshep (5170m / 7hrs)

You will ascend gently to begin with today through lovely pasture lands; you will then follow the rocky moraine path with views of the Khumbu Glacier. Gorakshep is on a flat field below Kala Pattar (5545m) and My Pumori (7145m), it is the original Everest Base Camp. A good spot for lunch after 2/3 hours walk, following lunch you can continue up to the present Base Camp.

Gorakshep – Kala Pattar (5545m)– Lobuche (5018m / 5hrs)

From here we make a steep ascent to the top of a small peak, Kala Pattar 5545m meaning "black rock". From here the views is magnificent enough to make us forget the difficulty of the climb. Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, Tamserku, Tawatse and Pumo Ri all present themselves in a 360 degree panorama.

Lobuche - Dingboche (4360m / 4hrs)

Return trek to Lobuche and a short descend to Thukla and an easy flat trail to and a small descend to Dingboche. This is the highest big settlement in the Khumbu area of Sherpas.

Excursions around Chhukung (5546m / 5hrs)

There are many interesting excursions possible using Chhukung as a base each one revealing ever more spectacular views of the nearby high peaks. For the more energetic the climb to Chhukung Ri 5546m is very rewarding with spectacular views of the south faces of Nuptse and Lhotse and a great view of Kkongma La across the Nuptse Glacier. An alternative excursion is to Pareshaya Gyab, the base camp for assaults on Imja Tse formerly known as Island Peak.

Chhukung – Thyangboche (3760m / 5hrs)

From Chhukung we descend the valley of the Imja Khola, trek through the village of Dingboche with its stone walled potato fields, down alpine pastures through the kharkas of Tsura, Orsho and Shomare to the village of Pangboche. Leaving Pangboche the route descends past some magnificently carved many stones to the Imja Khola which we cross via a steel suspension bridge high above the river at a spot where it rushes through a narrow cleft. From there we have a gentle climb to the tiny village of Debache past many walls deep in a rhododendron forest. From Debache we have a short steep climb to Thyangboche through a forest of birches conifers and rhododendrons.

Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

Mostly down hill today it will take you 4 to 5 hours, there is a steep climb for about an hour before you encounter the scenic walk back into Namche. From Khumjung you can pass through Khunde where you may enjoy a visit to the little monastery if you haven’t already.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2886m)

A four hour walk today descending steeply for the first half then on to Phakding, where you will spend the night. This is your final day trekking; it will take you around 3 hours to Lukla more from Phakding. This evening you will have a farewell ceremony with your guides and porters where you will be able to sample some Chang and try some Sherpa dancing.

Lukla to Kathmandu (1300m)

You will be on an early flight back this morning, on arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and taken to your hotel.

Day free in Kathmandu

Enjoy a day exploring some of the quieter streets of Kathmandu, stocking up on souvenirs and presents for those back home. This evening you have a farewell dinner, you will be picked up in good time.

Final Departure

You will be met at your hotel and taken to the airport in good time to meet your flight home