Trek to Goyko crossing Cho La pass

Start from: Lukla
End at: Luckla
Grade: Challenging
Highest access of the trek: Cho La Pass 5420 and Kalapathar 5,545m.
Mode of trekking tour: Lodge Trek and Camping trek.
Himalayan sights: Everest 8848m., Lhotse 85'6m., Nuptse 7896m, Pumori 7'45m., Amadablam 68'2m. Thamserku 6800m, Khumbila 575'm, Kwangde Ri 6'87m, Cho Oyu 820'm., Tawache 6542, Kangtenga 6645m, Kusum Kangru 6369, Makalu 8463m, Island Peak 6'89m, Chhukungri 5845m, Lobuche East 6''9m, Lobuche West 6'45m, khumbuste 6640m, Cholatse 6640m, Cha Kung 7020m, & More attractive snowcapped peaks.
Most Attraction of the trek: Different Community with majority of Sherpa, Tamang, Chhetri, Brahamn and Great Himalayan Landscape etc.
Lake:  Gokyo lake 4700m, Cho La lake 4600m, Ngozumba 5400m, Taoche Lake 4400m.

An alternative, or even better, an addition, to the Everest Base Camp trek is the trek up to the Gokyo valley. Gokyo is located in the valley immediately west of the Everest (Khumbu) valley and is far less developed and crowded than its better-known neighbor to the east. In fact, the Gokyo valley only has one traditional permanent settlement, the rest being summer pastures now catering to the passing trekkers.

Follow the Everest trek route described previously and take the alternative exit route as far as Phortse. From here, follow the eastern side of the valley through some isolated settlements, which include the village of Konar, the only permanent settlement above Phortse. The trail climbs, mostly gently, up the valley with some superb view of Cho Oyu in front and Thamserku and Kangtega behind. There are no facilities available on the side of the valley until the small teahouse at Nah is reached after about six hours walking from Phortse. Trekkers should therefore carry their supplies for the day. Nah is a good place to camp but for teahouse accommodation Pangkha, another hour further on, has far better facilities. From here the previously described trail is followed to Gokyo.

The Gokyo valley is dominated at its head by the massive form of Cho Oyu, at 8'53 meters the eight highest peaks on earth. There are two high passes leading out of the Gokyo valley. The most traveled is Cho la pass which connects with the Khumbu valley near Lobuche.

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu, meet and transfer to the hotel. O/N Hotel
Day 02: Full day sightseeing city. O/N Hotel

Day 03:  Flight to Luckla (2800m). Walk to Phakding (2652m) approx 2 to 3 hrs. We fly from Kathmandu, a magnificent mountain flight, to the tiny airstrip at Lukla (2800m). After our equipment is sorted and we have had lunch we take an easy walk to Phakding.

Day 04:  Namche Bazaar 3440m Walking 7 hrs approx. A hard pull up to Namche Bazaar. On the way we have our first views of Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m) and Lhotse (8511m).

Day 05: Namche Bazaar (3440m). A rest day to aid acclimatization before moving towards the Gokyo Valley. Time to explore the village, visit the Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters or relax and enjoy the views of Tamserku (6623m) and Kwangde (6187m).

Day 06: Khumjung (3790m). Walking 3 hrs approx. Climbing steeply out of Namche Bazaar we cross the small Shyangboche Airstrip and proceed to Khumjung. We camp with magnificent views of Ama Dablam (6856m), Tamserku and Kondge Ri (6186m).

Day 07: Phortse (3840m). Walking 4 hrs approx. We ascend and gently contour round the slopes of Khumbila. We camp just below Phortse beneath the towering peak of Taboche (6367m).

Day 08: Luza (4300m). Walking 6 hrs approx. Steady climbs through rhododendron forest up the deep Gokyo Valley. Eventually the trail flattens and we pass through some small fields to the yak herders huts at Luza. We camp with excellent views of Taboche and Ama Dablam.

Day 09: Gokyo (4750m). Walking 4 hrs approx. Heading north towards the Ngozumpa Glacier, the source of the Dudh Kosi, we pass the first of the valleys three main lakes. The trail then level out and bring us to the small settlement of Gokyo on the banks of the lake.  We camp here.

Days  10 & 11: Gokyo (4750m).  We spend the next two days resting and exploring in the Gokyg Valley area. This should ensure that we are fully prepared to cross the Chola Pass. The steep climb to Gokyo Ri (5486m) rewards those attempting this trip with stunning views of the upper Gokyo Valley, the huge Ngozumpa Glacier and an incredible 360 degrees panorama of the whole Khumbu Himalaya, inclu-ding such giants as,Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makal,u (848'Lm), Cho Oyu (8153m) and Gyachung Kang (7922m). For those who prefer, exploratory trips to Ngozumpa Lake, across the glacial moraine, and the Gokyo trips are equally rewarding. These days should allow for acclimatization, but there is also an 'escape route' contouring beneath Taboche, incase some members have not acclimatized sufficiently.

Day 12: Chola La (5420m). Walking 4 hrs approx. We leave Gokyo and cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, spreading across the valley floor. After an hour and a half we reach the yak huts at Dragnac where we rest and have lunch. After Dragnac the trail is very steep and we camp at the foot of the pass ready for an early morning start.

Day 13: Dzongla (4843m). Walking 5 hrs approx. We start very early, ascending steeply on loose moraine. As we near the top of the Pass (5420m), we reach snow and traverse high round a large snowfield before descending steeply on loose rock to the yak pastures at Dzongla. Weather and snow conditions will determine the difficulty of crossing, and the views, which can be absolutely stunning, the best on the whole trek. We carry ropes, crampons and ice picks in case it is necessary to use them.

Day 14: Lobuje (4940m). Walking 4 hrs approx. A comparatively easy day contouring round to Dughla and Lobuje.

Day 15: Gorakshep. (5288m).We walk slowly over the various moraines before a hard climb to Kala Patar (5545m), and Everest base camp. Again we view Everest and a sea of Himalayan peaks, while round us spread huge glaciers, creaking during their slow forward movements.

Day 16: Dingboche ( 4343m). We retrace our steps and follow the valley to Pheriche for lunch. In the afternoon we pass through and amp at Dingboche.

Day 17: Thyangboche (3875m). Walking 4 hrs approx. We retrace our steps and follow the valley to Pangboche and camp at Thyangboche Monastery.

Day 18: Thyangboche REST DAY. A day to relax after all the exertion, and a pleasant wander around the Monastery.

Day 19: Namche Bazaar Walking 5 hrs approx. We descend to the Imja Khola and then pass below our outward trail contour round to Namche Bazaar.

Day 20: Phakding 2850m Walking 4 hrs approx. We drop quickly from the village to rejoin the Dudb Kosi again and walk through beautiful pine forest to camp.

Day 21: Lukla 2800m Walking 3 hrs approx. We follow the trail to Lukla and have a small farewell party to thank our trekking crew.

Day 22: Kathmandu 1304m. Morning flight to Kathmandu.
Day 23: At leisure Kathmandu for independent activities. O/N Hotel.
Day 24: Transfer to the airport for next destination.