Gokyo Cho La Pass and Lobuche Peak Climbing

Your journey begins with your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal’s vibrant capital city. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel where you can rest after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some leisure time to explore the bustling streets of Thamel, a popular tourist district known for its lively atmosphere, restaurants, and shops offering trekking gear.

Early in the morning, you take a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a small town in the Khumbu region. The flight itself is an adventure, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks. Upon arrival in Lukla, you meet your trekking crew and start your trek towards Phakding. The trail descends through beautiful pine forests, alongside the Dudh Koshi River. You pass small villages and reach Phakding where you spend the night, enjoying your first taste of the trekking experience.

Today’s trek takes you along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags. You enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo and continue uphill to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to the Everest region. Namche Bazaar is a bustling town with numerous shops, bakeries, and trekking gear stores. You’ll spend two nights here to acclimatize to the increasing altitude.

Today is a rest day to allow your body to acclimatize before ascending further. You have the option to hike to Everest View Hotel, which offers panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. Alternatively, you can explore the Sherpa Culture Museum or visit the nearby Khumjung village to see the Hillary School and a monastery with a purported Yeti scalp.

Early morning start from Namche Bazaar. The trek to Dole, at 4038 meters (13,248 feet), takes approximately 6.5 hours. The trail ascends steadily, offering views of Everest and Ama Dablam on clear days. Passing through forests and Sherpa villages, you'll reach Dole by late afternoon. Overnight stay is at a lodge in Phortse Tenga, providing a comfortable retreat amidst the Himalayan landscape.

You'll depart from Dole, situated at 4038 meters (13,248 feet), and trek towards Machhermo, located at 4470 meters (14,665 feet). The journey takes about 5 hours of walking through alpine terrain. The trail ascends gradually, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. You'll pass through small settlements and yak pastures along the way. Machhermo awaits as your destination for the day, where you'll settle into a lodge for the night amidst the high-altitude beauty of the Himalayas.

Today’s trek brings you to Gokyo, situated by the third lake in a series of glacial lakes. The trek is quite scenic as you pass through Pangka and then descend slightly before ascending alongside the Ngozumpa Glacier. Gokyo offers stunning views of Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest mountain, and the surrounding peaks. Upon arrival, you can explore around the lakes and enjoy the serene atmosphere of this high-altitude location.

An early morning hike takes you to the summit of Gokyo Ri, a fantastic viewpoint for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and many other peaks. After soaking in the sunrise views, you descend back to Gokyo for breakfast. From Gokyo, you continue your trek northward towards Thaknak, a small settlement nestled in a beautiful mountainous setting.

Today is a challenging day as you cross the Cho La Pass, a high mountain pass requiring some scrambling over rocks and possibly snow depending on the season. The pass offers breathtaking views of Ama Dablam and other peaks. After crossing the pass, you descend to Dzongla, a small village with basic tea houses, where you spend the night.

Continuing your trek, you head towards Lobuche, trekking through the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trail is rocky and challenging but rewards you with incredible views of the surrounding peaks. After a short break in Lobuche, you continue to Gorakshep, the last stop before Everest Base Camp.

Today, you fulfill a major highlight of the trek by trekking to Everest Base Camp. The trail winds through rocky paths and glacial moraines, offering glimpses of the Khumbu Icefall. After celebrating your achievement at Base Camp, you return to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.

Early in the morning, you hike up to Kala Patthar, the highest point of your trek, for breathtaking sunrise views over Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori. After taking in the majestic Himalayan panorama, you descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast and then continue trekking back to Lobuche for the night.

Today’s trek takes you off the beaten path towards Lobuche High Camp, a strategic point for your Lobuche Peak climb. The trail climbs gradually through rocky terrain with sparse vegetation. Upon reaching High Camp, you prepare for tomorrow’s ascent and rest early to ensure you’re well-rested for the climb.

Today is the culmination of your trekking and climbing efforts as you attempt to summit Lobuche East Peak. The climb is challenging and requires the use of basic climbing gear such as crampons, ropes, and ice axes. The summit rewards you with stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other peaks. After celebrating your achievement, you descend back to Lobuche for a well-deserved rest.

Leaving Lobuche behind, you begin your descent towards Pangboche, retracing your steps through the Khumbu Glacier moraine and the village of Pheriche. Pangboche is a picturesque Sherpa village with a monastery believed to be one of the oldest in the Khumbu region. You settle in for the night, enjoying the lower altitude and warmer temperatures.

Continuing your descent, you trek back towards Namche Bazaar, passing through Tengboche with its famous monastery. The trail descends steeply through forests and past quaint villages, offering a different perspective on the landscapes you previously ascended through. You spend the night in Namche Bazaar, reminiscing about your journey and enjoying the amenities of this lively town.

Your final full day of trekking takes you from Namche Bazaar to Lukla, retracing your initial steps along the Dudh Koshi River. You cross high suspension bridges and pass through several Sherpa villages, reflecting on the incredible journey you’ve undertaken. Upon reaching Lukla, you bid farewell to your trekking crew and celebrate the completion of your trek with a well-deserved meal.

In the morning, you board a thrilling flight back to Kathmandu, once again enjoying aerial views of the Himalayas. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you can relax at your hotel or explore more of the city’s cultural sites and markets. This is also a good opportunity for souvenir shopping and enjoying a farewell dinner with your trekking companions.

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end as you are transferred to the airport for your onward journey. Depart Kathmandu with fond memories of the stunning Himalayan landscapes, the warm hospitality of the Sherpa people, and the sense of achievement from summiting Gokyo Cho la Pass Lobuche East Peak and trekking through the Everest region.