GOKYO LAKES &

EVEREST BASE CAMP

GOKYO LAKES & EBC TREK

Nov 09 - Nov 27, 2019

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: INTRODUCTION

Ever since the days of early climbing expeditions, the highest point on Earth has had a lure of its own, drawing climbers and trekkers to it like a magnet. Naturally, the trail to the base of Everest has become one of the most popular trekking routes in the world, attracting more than 400 people on the trail per day during season.

The 19-day Gokyo Lakes & EBC trek gives great views of Mt Everest (8848 and Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m) without the bustling crowds of Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp. The village of Gokyo, is much more beautiful than Gorak Shep. Gokyo, the lake is truly stunning with its emerald green lakes and herds of yaks wandering

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: FACT SHEET ● DATE OF TREK: NOV 09 - 27, 2019 ● DURATION OF TREK: 19 DAYS ● REPORTING POINT: KATHMANDU AIRPORT ● GRADE OF TREK: DEMANDING ● HEIGHT: 5,554 M ACCOMMODATION

DAY ACCOMMODATION MEAL PLAN DAY 1 KATHMANDU GUEST HOUSE ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 2-18 TEA HOUSES ENROUTE ALL INCLUSIVE DAY 19 LUKLA TEA HOUSE BREAKFAST

ITINERARY CHART

START END DAY TIME ALT. POINT POINT DAY1 KATHMANDU AIRPORT KATHMANDU 40M 1400M DAY2 KATHMANDU PHAKDING 4HRS 2562M DAY3 PHAKDING 6HRS 3440M NAMCHE BAZAAR DAY4 NAMCHE BAZAAR - 3440M (ACCLIMATISE) DAY5 NAMCHE BAZAAR 3HRS 3800M DAY6 KHUMJUNG THYANBOCHE 6HRS 3860M DAY7 THYANBOCHE 6HRS 4350M DAY8 DINGBOCHE DUGLA 3HRS 4600M DAY9 DUGLA LOBUCHE 4HRS 4940M DAY 10 LOBUCHE GORAK SHEP (VISIT EBC) 8HRS 5170M GORAKSHEP LOBUCHE (VISIT KALA DAY 11 6HRS 4940M PATTHAR) aquaterra.in

DAY 12 LOBUCHE PHORTSE 7HRS 3800M DAY 13 PHORTSE GOKYO 9HRS 4750M DAY 14 GOKYO GOKYO 6HRS 4750M DAY 15 GOKYO LUNGDEN 8HRS 4700M DAY 16 LUNGDEN NAMCHE BAZAAR 8HRS 3850 DAY 17 NAMCHE BAZAAR LUKLA 8HRS 2860M DAY 18 BUFFER DAY - - TRIP DAY 19 LUKLA KATHMANDU AIRPORT 40M ENDS!

TOTAL COST: INR 1, 44,000 + 5% TAX

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: DETAILED ITINERARY DAY ONE: KATHMANDU AIRPORT-HOTEL (1550 M) Arrive Kathmandu. Check in, relax. Last minute shopping at Thamel, sleep and hydrate.

DAY TWO: KTM-LUKLA-PHAKDING (2562 M) Your journey with begins with the exciting 40-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. If you can, sit on the left side of the plane, which affords the best views of the Himalaya. Here, you will meet your Nepali guide and porters who are all Sherpas and Buddhists, adding to your insight of their customs and culture. We begin, bizarrely, by walking downhill! This is a short day to Phakding,

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY DAY THREE: PHAKDING-NAMCHE BAZAAR (3400 M) From Phakding it is a steep walk to the largest village in the area: Namche Bazaar. En route you get your first views of , if the weather is kind. Namche has a unique atmosphere which you will have plenty of time to enjoy as you will have an acclimatization day here.

DAY FOUR: NAMCHE BAZAAR (3400 M) We use the acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar to walk to either Khunde or Khumjung (3800m). We return to Namche for the night.

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY DAY FIVE: NAMCHE BAZAAR - KHUMJUNG (3790M) We climb up to the Shyanboche airstrip and then descend to Khumjung. The twin Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde, are home to some of the most famous Everest climbers. We walk to Khunde from Khumjung and visit the hospital, which was established and funded by Sir Edmund Hillary's . Khumjung monastery is interesting as being the store place of one of the alleged scalps that are to be found in the region. On a small ridge across the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a small speck against the gigantic mountain background. The trail then descends to Khumjung for the overnight stop. Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpas. The afternoon has been left free to assist with further acclimatization.

DAY SIX: KHUMJUNG - THYANGBOCHE (3860M)

As we follow the path, we will get our first really good views of the great peaks of the : Everest, , Nuptse and . Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we will cross the Dudh and make a steep climb to Thyangboche monastery. Thyangboche is the spiritual center for the Khumbu, a training center for new monks. The Rimpoche (incarnate Lama) of Thyangboche resides here and the area is considered holy, nothing may be haunted or killed. With the treasures of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest in the background, the spirituality and scenic value of the site never fails to impress. aquaterra.in

GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY

DAY SEVEN: THYANGBOCHE - DINGBOCHE (4350M) The trail leaves Devoche and then crosses the river over a suspension bridge which offers a great view of Ama Dablam above the crashing waters of the Dudh Kosi. It then passes a large mani wall in the middle of the trail and finally levels out to reach . The trail follows the and passes the yak grazing areas of Shomare and then the small tea house of Orsho. The trail then crosses a bridge over the river. The right path leads to Dingboche about 45 minutes from the bridge.

DAY EIGHT: DINGBOCHE - DUGLA (4600M) We climb the ridge behind the village and then come onto a level plain with enormous views of Taboche in the background. The trail continues along the plain and then crosses a bridge and climbs gently to Dugla. Dugla is just above 15,000 feet so a night halt here should definitely help acclimatization though many trekkers carry onto Lobuche the same day. aquaterra.in

GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY DAY NINE: DUGLA - LOBUCHE (4940M) The hill to climb after Dugla can be hard especially if you are having problems with altitude. At the crest are the "Everest memorials" for sherpas and climbers who did not make it down from Everest. From the memorials the gradient eases off and in about an hour you can spot the lodges of Lobuche.

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY DAY TEN: LOBUCHE - GORAK SHEP (EBC & BACK) (5170M) The trail follows the moraine of the and there is a lot of hard walking over boulders and scree slopes. Pumori comes into view as one approaches Gorak Shep. We usually reach Gorak Shep by 11 am in the morning. Continue to EBC and return to base by late evening.

DAY ELEVEN: GORAKSHEP - KALA PATTHAR - LOBUCHE (4940M)

The climb to the view point of Kala Pattar would take around two hours depending on the level of acclimatization. From this high point a, magnificent 360-degree view unfolds with all the major peaks of the region visible. We come down in an hour to Gorak Shep and after a quick lunch head down the valley to Lobuche which is usually reached by evening. This is a long day but a better alternative to spending two nights at Gorak Shep.

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY DAY TWELVE: LOBUCHE-PHORTSE (3800 M) The path leaves Lobuche and heads down the valley the same way to Dugla, Pheriche and then to upper Pangboche. We stop in Pangboche for lunch and then walk the three hours or so to the village of Phortse.

DAY THIRTEEN: PHORTSE-GOKYO (4750 M) This is a long and tiring day and an early start is advisable. We follow the not so well trodden trail to the village of Na which is about four to five hours from Phortse. We stop for lunch at Na and then complete the three hours walk to Gokyo post lunch. As we are well acclimatised this long day should not be difficult for us. hours down to Thangnak (4850 metres) where we can stop for the night.

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY

DAY FOURTEEN: GOKYO EXPLORATION (4750 M) Exploration Day, but with options! As the clouds can roll in by late morning, the first option is an early ascent of Gokyo Ri (4 hour round trip). Spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cholatse and Taboche Peak, to name but a few! The second possibility is “The Sacred Lakes” walk (5 hour round trip) it gains very little altitude, but the views are great, easy optional walk to Scoundrel’s Peak

DAY FIFTEEN: GOKYO- LUNGDEN (4700 M) The path to Rhenjo La skirts the third lake for about an hour and then follows a series of steep zigzags uphill. It then crosses a snowfield and there is a steep climb just before the pass. In snowy conditions follow the cairns uphill. There is a long staircase down to the valley from the top which is often snow covered. The trail passes a lake, often frozen, until it enters the valley and meets the path to Lungden.

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: ITINERARY DAY SIXTEEN: LUNGDEN – NAMCHE BAZAAR (3850 M) The walk from Lungden to Thami is mostly downhill. Thami is the village of Tenzing Norgay and the monastery here is worth visiting. DAY SEVENTEEN : NAMCHE BAZAR-LUKLA (2860 M) Have an early breakfast in Namche and then head down to Monjo. The trail descends steeply to the bridge across the Dudh Kosi. From the bridge the trail passes through Jorsale and reaches the Sagarmatha Park headquarters where you need to show your permit and check-out of the park. Monjo is five minutes from the Park gates. From Monjo it would be around five hours to Lukla.

DAY EIGHTEEN: BUFFER DAY Spare day in case of weather delays. DAY NINETEEN: LUKLA-KATHMANDU (1550M) Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu and onwards to your destination!

TOTAL COST: INR 1,44,000 + 5% TAX

SINGLE/FORCED SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: INR 44,000 + 5% TAX

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: COST BREAKDOWN COST INCLUDES

ALL TRAVEL FROM KTM AIRPORT TO KTM AIRPORTBY ROAD/AIR AS APPLICABLE IN A NON AC VEHICLE AS PER THE ITINERARY ALL ARRANGEMENTS FOR STAYING WHILE ON TRIP ACCOMMODATION ON TWIN SHARING BASIS IN TEA HOUSES/ HOTEL ALL MEALS AT TEAHOUSES & SAFE DRINKING WATER HOT AND COLD DRINKS AT THE TEAHOUSE WHERE THE STAY IS BREAKFAST IN KATHMANDU PROFESSIONAL GUIDE FEE ALL TREKKING ARRANGEMENTS WITH INDIA’S MOST EXPERIENCED GUIDING TEAM, CAMP STAFF AND COOKS PORTRAGE UPTO 12 KG/PERSON ONE SHOWER/DAY/PERSON WHERE POSSIBLE EXPERIENCED AQUATERRA LEADER PEAK FEE/SANCTUARY FEE/ROYALTY/PERMITS WHERE APPLICABLE - AIRFARE INCLUSIONS REACHING KTM FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED COST KTM – LUKLA FIGHT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED COST

COST EXCLUDES

SLEEPING BAG & LUNCH AND DINNER AT KATHMANDU ANY TRANSFERS OUTSIDE OF ABOVE ITINERARY BOTTLED WATER/ HOT DRINKING WATER/WIFI (RATES INCREASE THE FURTHER YOU GET FROM KATHMANDU) SHOWERS MORE THAN ONCE A DAY PORTRAGE ABOVE 12KG CHARGEABLE AT INR 1500/DAY ANY EXPENSE INCURRED DUE TO FORCE MAJEURE SUCH AS LANDSLIDE, BAD WEATHER OR REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL IMPORTANT NOTE:

WE WILL GIVE YOU A LIFESTRAW BOTTLE TO REDUCE PLASTIC ON THE TRAIL PLEASE CARRY TOILET PAPER FOR PERSONAL USE

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PLAN ON A SPARE DAY INCASE OF BAD WEATHER. HELICOPTER FLIGHT OUT OF LUKLA IS APPROX US$ 500/PERSON/SECTOR TIPS & GRATUITIES (WE RECOMMEND 5-10% OF YOUR TRIP COST- TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE TREAM)- PERSONAL CHOICE TRAVEL & CANCELLATION INSURANCE

NOTE: ALL BOOKINGS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF SPACE AT CAMP. WE BOOK SPACE ON 100% ADVANCE.

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A NOTE ON TEA HOUSE TREKKING IN

You are travelling to one of the world's most remote mountain regions, which have created the famous tea house concept that caters to basic shelter and food in the mountains. Expect nothing more. Read up on what to do/expect on a trip to the Solu Khumbu region - HERE PRICES ENROUTE:

Trekking for up to 6 hours per day can take it out of you especially when the altitude is increasing. Snacks and fluids are the thing that gets you through, but they do have a habit of escalating in price with the altitude. A Mars Bar that cost 80 rupees in Kathmandu may cost 120 in Namche Bazaar, (3440m) and an outrageous 300 rupees in Gokyo (4800m). It is worth buying extras before your trek at 'Kathmandu prices'. Showering is about $5 per wash, and if the pipes are frozen it will be more like a warm bucket splash. Battery charging can be as high as $5-6 per charge, which adds up when trekking for 12 days. Keep your batteries warm to avoid losing charge, you wouldn't be the first to miss out on photos of Everest and Cho Oyu because your camera is dead. GOKYO LAKES & EBC: READING LIST

BOOK AUTHOR BUYING LINK Chomolungma Sings the Blues Ed Douglas GET IT HERE

Into Thin Air Jon Krakauer GET IT HERE

High Adventure Ed Hillary GET IT HERE

Himalaya Michael Palin GET IT HERE

Touching My Father’s Soul Jamling Tenzing GET IT HERE Norgay

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GOKYO LAKES & EBC: THE NEXT STEPS Have any questions? Email us Ready to go? Book your place by filling in this form. Make your payment here. Once you fill in your form, we'll get in touch with you with all the necessary details. PLEASE NOTE: Filling in the booking form does not guarantee a spot on any trek. You will receive a separate confirmation email once the booking form is submitted. We look forward to hosting you on your next Adventure!

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