Shivalaya – Gokyo – Chola pass – EBC Trek

Early morning after breakfast, we will travel to Shivalaya via Araniko Highway. The scenic bus ride will be around 9-10 hour long. We can see eastern Himalayas, including Langtang, Dorjee Lakpa, Ganesh, Lirung on our way. Beautiful but tad tiring bus ride up the valley of Sun Koshi, we will reach Shivalaya after crossing many hills and river. Shivalaya is beutiful river bank small village also known as gateway to Everest. We will spend the night at the local guest house.

After breakfast, we will continue our trek to the village of Bhandar. The trail offers lovely scenery of the countryside. Lush farms, grazing cattle and warm farmers will greet us on our way up. We will walk past the scenic rhododendron and oak forests. we will hike Through Sangbadanda, then continue climbing to Deurali Pass. Then 1 hour another down to Bhandar.We can spend the rest of our day exploring this old-style local village and take a rest.

We will continue our trek downhill to Likhu Khola, in the morning. After crossing the bridge at 1,570m, the zigzag path will take us to the small village of Kinja at 1,570m. After delicious lunch here, we will continue our walk, steadily passing through lots of terrace fields and small settlements. Admirable views of neighboring villages, terrace farming and landscapes will keep us refreshed throughout the trek. After few hours trek, we will reach Sete, a small Sherpa settlement situated on edge of a mystical rhododendron forest. On reaching Sete, we can visit the beautiful local monastery and spend the night at a local rest house.

We will now continue our trek uphill through the beautiful rhododendron, maple and pine forests. On this 6-7 hours long trek, we will pass through the villages of Dagchu Goyem and Lamjura La Pass (3,520m) from where we can get great view of the Himalayas. After reaching the village of Junbesi, we will explore the surrounding or take a cozy rest at the lodge.

In the morning, we will climb the ridge at 3,080m. Everest will begin to appear from here. From Junbesi, the trial will lead to Phaplu and Salleri. From there we will continue to the Ringmo Khola at 2,650m tailed by a small day’s climb to Ringmo. Ringbo to Namche Bazaar trail was built in 1980s to avoid difficulty of the older route. We will trek along it to Trakshindo Pass (3,071m). After that we will trek down to Nuntala (2,440m) and spend the night at the local guest house.

Early morning, we will continue descend alongside milky DudhKoshi. The trial then continues upward through different Sherpa villages, terraced fields and delightful forests. After we reach Khari Khola we will take a rest and explore the area. The night will be spent in a local guest house.

From KhariKhola, we will climb up the steep hill to Bupsadanda, a small settlement on top of a ridge, in the morning. From there, we will hike up to Bhumsing (2,300m). We will walk past oak and rhododendron forests and if we get lucky, we might have glimpse of Langour Monkeys! We will stop at Puiyan (2,796m) for lunch. After a yum lunch, we will continue a winding trail and then go downhill for some time to reach Surkhe. We can view Lukla airstrip and the town of Lukla from there. We will have dinner and spend the night at local teahouse.

We will continue our trek uphill for an hour, followed by another ridge. We will now leave this tributary valley and hike north towards village of ChauriKharka. After passing this village, this trail also joins Lukla, making it a busy path. After few hours of trek, we will reach and spend the night at Phakding

In the morning, we will head to Namche bazaar, celebrated village of Khumbu region. On our way to Namche, we will cross the winding Dudhkoshi River 5 times on thrilling suspension bridges, covered with colorful Buddhist prayer flags. Then,we will continue your climb, which will bring you to Jorsale. From there, it’s a two and a half hour ascent to Namche, with two major viewpoints on your way. If you’re lucky, on a clear day, you can relish the hypnotic view of Everest. At Jorsale, you will enter Sagarmatha National park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you’ll be required to verify your permits. After 5-6 hours of tough hiking, we’ll reach Namche Bazaar, chief economic hub of the region, also, gateway to Everest.

Adaptation to harsh geography and high altitude is vital before further continuing the ascent to avoid altitude sickness. You’ll be taken for a one day hike through the beautiful villages of Khunde and Khumjung. After getting back at Everest view hotel, you can go to look at the giant skull of a so called mystical creature “Yeti”, in a monastery in the region. You can also savor at a bakery at world’s highest altitude. On a fairly clear day, you can view breathtaking view of peaks such as Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam among others. The view of mountains from the Everest View Hotel, is also commendable. After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, we will endeavor an hour long climb to the Syangboche airstrip (3790m), from where we will steadily ascend towards Khundu. On your way up, you can see century’s old Chorten (stone Buddhist monuments). From there, we will move eastwards to Khumjung, the largest settlement in the whole Khumbu region, at the lap of the holy peak of Khumbila. After savoring lunch at Khumjung, we will trail a slow climb to Everest View Hotel, from where you can again enjoy the view of Himalayas. Descend to Namche (3540m) is approximately 4/5 hour walk.

Now the trek enters above 4000m. A little climb to the ridge top out of Namche will grant us a glorious view of Everest and Lhotse. From there, we will continue the mainstream trail for some time. All through the trail, you can witness vendors selling Tibetan handiwork. You will be able to experience the unique syncretism of Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism. After we arrive at the crossroad, which lies considerably high all above the Dudh Koshi, the trail is divided. The upward trail, which we will follow stretches to Mon La Pass. The downhill trail leads to Everest base camp. We will now follow the pass to reach Phortse Tenga. We will now trail steeply to rhododendron jungles, and, from there to settlements of Tonga and Gyele (3,960m). After that, we arrive at Dole. From here, we can have a spectacular view of Khumbila and Tawache (6,542m). We will explore around Dole, and stay overnight.

The trek begins with a steady climb along the valley. The air is now thin, comparatively. The juniper forests now dominate the woods. As we go up, we can see beautiful summer settlements and grazing land throughout. The sight of tall silver mountains will be a treat, no wonder. Superb views of Cho Oyu, its neighboring peaks Kantega and Thamserku will feast our eyes. By noon, we will have arrived at Machermo (4,410m). We will spend the rest of the day exploring Machermo (4,410m) and spend the night there.

After breakfast, we will continue the trail over the ridge for more exotic views. Majestic Cho Oyu stands tall, right in front of us. Below is the gorgeous view of Khantega gorge, innate. Beyond the edge, the valley extends as trail goes side by side to Pangram at 4,390m. We descent down to the riverside, before we climb up to the fetal glacial deposit of the Ngozumpa glacier. Now, after a slightly higher ascent, we arrive at Gokyo, for a night stay.

Early in the morning, we will conquer 5463m high Gokyo Ri from where we can view outstanding Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu among others. We will hike to Fifth Lake from where the view of peaks is even better. After that, we trek down to Tagnag (4,695m), village situated just below a small cliff. We spend the night at this Himalayan village of Tagnag.

After a restful night, we will set on to cross the beguiling Chola Pass (5420m). The trek is gradual ascent up the valley passing thorough subtle rhododendron forests, and if we get lucky we might get glimpse of musk deer. The view of Ama Dablam and Tawache is remarkable from here. After sometime, we will begin our trek downhill towards Dozongla.

After a well-deserved rest at Dozongla, we will set on our way up to Lobuche early in the morning, after a healthy breakfast, of course. Here, on our way, we can see largest memorials in the Everest region, for the fallen heroes. By the time we reach Lobuche, it will be late afternoon. We can either relax for tomorrow’s hike or explore the beautiful land.

This challenging trek will take around 6-8 hours. From here altitude morning sickness may get severe so we have to be extra careful. After the you reach Gorekshep take some lunch then continue trekking Everest base camp.The trekking distance will be around 15km. We will head to Base camp, trekking through the rocky terrain alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Upon reaching their, you will have some time to enjoy the heavenly environment and take photographs. If you are trekking somewhere between March and May, you might get the chance to see all the commercial expeditions trying to reach the summit. After lunch, we will trek downhill to Gorakshep, and spend the night at a local guest house there.

For many, this is the highlight of the whole trip. Optimistically, the day starts with a cloudless sky. We will hike early morning to KalaPathar, from where you will get undoubtedly the best view of Everest and its neighboring peaks. Live the moment and take plenty of photographs to take back home. Later, we will trek down to Pheriche and spend the night there.

We will continue our trek down the Sherpa villages of Khumjung, leaving the mountains in the backdrop. We will walk down to the village of Namche bazaar, epitome of Sherpa culture. We will stay the night at a guest house in Namche.

It is around a 7 hours long walk downhill from Namche to Lukla. On this day, our time at exotic Sagarmatha National Park will come to an end. Following day, we will board a plane to capital. You will bid goodbye to this trek with a memorable walk down to Lukla.

Early morning air trip from Lukla to Kathmandu, back to your hotel. Early morning, we will catch a plane from Lukla to Kathmandu. Don’t forget to pick a seat on the right side, to see the insatiable mountains again. On reaching Kathmandu, you will be escorted back to your hotel.