On the 16th October 2018 a team of us are venturing into the raw Himalayas for 14 days to cross the Renjo - La high pass (5,345m alt) and summit Gokyo Ri for the spectacular views of the Everest Region.
Below is the itinerary of the trip created by the incredible world renowned mountain guide and climber Jon Gupta - owner of Mountain Expeditions ( www.mountain-expeditions.co.uk )
Gokyo Lakes View - day 9 / 10 / 11 of the trek
Day 1 / 16th Oct– Early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m). This is the flight of a lifetime. After our early morning departure we’ll arrive in Lukla and transfer to our lodge for breakfast. We follow the easy beautiful Everest trail, stopping for lunch along the way and gradually descend in to the valley bottom. We use teahouse accommodation for the trek in and our first stop is at Phak Ding (2,650m) or Monjo depending on arrival time in Lukla. Around 4-6 hours of easy trekking.
Day 2 / 17th Oct– After breakfast we start on the trail along the side of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River) which originates from the Khumbu Glacier some 30 miles away. We cross the river 4 times on the route today on some quite exciting (but very well constructed) suspension bridges. We enter the National Park at Monjo and then make our way gradually up the zig zags to Namche Bazaar (3,450m). In Namche Bazaar we convene at the Everest Bakery for Coffee and Chocolate Doughnuts and then continue along the trail to stay with my good friends Tashi and Lakpa at Kyanjuma. All in all about 4 and a half to 6 hours of walking. (Interesting point to note … Tashi & Lakpa visited the UK in January 2014 for an audience with HRH The Prince of Wales. Lakpa was one of the Sherpas when Prince Charles visited Nepal in the 80s and was invited for an audience with His Royal Highness at Clarence House).
Day 3 / 18th Oct– A rest day. But when we say rest day it merely means that we will stay at the same teahouse – in the meantime we will go up an exciting ‘hidden staircase’, an amazing construction, and follow the trail to the Mong La (3,950m) where we will have lunch. We’ll then descend back down to Kyanjuma in time for afternoon tea.
Day 4 / 19th Oct– Today we trek to Thame. We go up to Kyanjuma and see the amazing Mani walls (the longest mani walls in The Khumbu) and then crest a col and drop down to Syangboche where we stop for elevenses. We then follow a great trail through a beautiful, wooded valley, to Thamo, where we stop for lunch before continuing to Thame (3,800m). Around 6 to 8 hours of easy walking.
Day 5 / 20th Oct – Another rest day. But again, it doesn’t mean that we rest. Today we go to the most amazing monastery, set in the hillside a short walk above Thame. There are some fantastic painted mani stones along the way and we visit the monastery and if situation allows - for a puja (local blessing).
Day 6 / 21st Oct– A lovely walk up the quiet Thame valley to the village of Marylung (4,150m). A short day (around 3 hours of walking).
Day 7 / 22nd Oct – Another acclimatisation day where we trek up to around 5,000m before dropping back down to stay for another night at Marylung.
Day 8 / 23rd Oct– A reasonably short day where we trek to the lovely little settlement of Lungde (4,350m).
Day 9 / 24th Oct – Today we cross our high passes of the trip – The Renjo La. It is an easily accessible pass with a great staircase – but it is at 5,345m and the altitude will make it slow going. The views when you get there are well worth the effort involved. After admiring the scene we drop down to Gokyo (4,750m) for afternoon tea.
Day 10 / 25th Oct – A rest day. If you fancy an early start there is the opportunity to see the sunrise from the summit of Gokyo Ri. Or if you prefer you can go in the late afternoon for the sunset views where you get to experience the alpenglow on Everest. Whichever you choose you’ll need a warm jacket, hat, gloves, headtorch and camera. Or you can take a mooch around the lake if you fancy an easy option which still affords some spectacular views.
Day 11 / 26th Oct – We descend the Gokyo valley on the North East side – a rarely trodden route. The terrain is spectacular and there are hardly any trekkers who take this trail descending to the quiet village of Phortse.
Day 12 / 27th Oct – Another day when we will see very few trekkers. This time we are taking the high level route to Pangboche. Great trekking and awesome views especially as we approach Pangboche and have Ama Dablam in the windscreen.
Day 13 / 28th Oct – Beginning the journey back to Lukla we join the main Khumbu trail and trek back to the hubub of Namche where bakery's and bars await.
Rebecca watching the sun disappear whilst Trekking in the Annapurna Himalayas 2015
Day 14 / 29th Oct – Final day of trekking back trekking our first 2 days. Down the hills from Namche, through Monjo and Phakding and up into Lukla by the late afternoon.
Itinerary written by Jon Gupta - Mountain Expeditions