GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek - 18 Days Trek to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes, a journey to celebrated Everest Base Camp and beyond to pristine Gokyo valley and make a composite voyage of the Nepal Himalaya. Reaching Everest Base Camp could be the fulfillment of your lifelong dream but the crossing of the challenging Cho La Pass (5,420m/17,782ft) can be a tough test of your stamina, and relaxing along the tranquil shimmering lakes of Gokyo could be meditative and admiring the fabulous 360-degree view of spectacular Himalayan peaks from Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,575ft) will make you realize not everything in the world can be rationally explained. Before starting Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek, we spend two nights in the exotic vibrant city of Kathmandu and use this time to evade jet lag and to explore the UNESCO world heritage of Kathmandu. Real Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek adventure begin ahead flying into Lukla. We eat and sleep in locally run teahouses and trek through the main Everest trail along the Dudh Koshi Valley via the Sagarmatha National Park, villages of Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazzar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorekshep exploring the mountains and valleys, admiring the towering peaks, hearing stories of Sherpas' bravery and Buddhism culture. While on trek we play hide and seek with floras and faunas and also pay homage to the artistically crafted mani stones, colorful yet saintly cairns, fluttering prayer flags, and ancient monasteries. Following the classical trail, we get to Everest Base camp and again hike up to Kala Patthar (5,545m/18,192ft) for stunning views and extend our trek to Chola Pass to get into the beautiful Gokyo valley. We sleep in a teahouse by the bank of turquoise Lake in Gokyo and hike up to Gokyo Ri peak to witness the 360-degree panorama of four 8000m giant Himalayan peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu along with several others and Ngozumpa Glacier. With a sense of achievement, we trek down towards Lukla and end our Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek with our flight back to Kathmandu. Everest base camp and Gokyo Lakes are suitable for challenge lovers. Ability to walk at least 6-7 hours a day with a light backpack and have the zeal to face challenges can do Everest base camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek. However, you need to have some trekking experience too. If you are a novice trekker but have good physical fitness, we suggest you join our Everest Base Camp trek program that is suitable for physically fit beginners too. If you are quite experienced in high altitude hiking and are looking for an adventurous trek in the Everest region, Everest Three Passes Trek would be the proper trek for you. Please check out our other Nepal trekking regions for treks to other areas of Nepal. GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com PRICE INCLUDES Airport and hotel transfers as per itinerary in private vehicle Three nights twin sharing accommodation in deluxe Kathmandu Suite Home or similar hotel in Kathmandu Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu including temple/monument entry fees and private vehicle Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek Best available teahouse/lodge accommodation (twin sharing ) during the trek (we provide rooms with private bathrooms and hot shower at Phakding, Namche and Lukla) Staff– one professional, knowledgeable and friendly English speaking trekking leader along with assistant guide (6 trekkers : 1 assistant guide) and porters (2 trekkers : 1 porter) including their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, transportation, and accidental insurance Round trip flight Kathmandu – Lukla– Kathmandu including departure taxes Duffle bag, sleeping bag, and down jacket for use during the trek Icicles Adventure T – shirt, trekking map and trip achievement certificate First aid medical kit TIMS, National Park Permits All government taxes & office service charge PRICE EXCLUDES Nepal visa arrangement (more on Nepal Visa Information) International airfares Excess baggage charges Travel and rescue insurance Added night/s accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, delayed departure, early return from mountain (due to any cause) than the programmed itinerary Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (and also in the case of early return from mountain than the programmed itinerary) Alcoholic drinks and cold drinks Personal expenses such as phone calls, bar bills, laundry, battery recharge, bottle or boiled water, hot shower, extra porters, etc) Personal equipments and clothing Tips for guides and porters (tip is expected but not mandatory) GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com ITINERARY IN DETAIL Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu (1,338 m/4,390 ft) Welcome to Kathmandu! As you land at Kathmandu airport (TIA), reclaim your luggage, finish your custom formalities (visa, etc.) and get to the airport waiting terminal; you will find our representative waiting to greet you. They will be holding the Icicles Adventure Treks & Tours signboard with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel. Rest at your hotel to recover from jet lag, or if you have plenty of time, you can visit the Thamel market for any trekking gear you lack for your Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek-19 days. Accommodation: Hotel Note: If you arrive early today and are not too tired, a pre-trip meeting would be done today at our office or your hotel. If you arrive after 4 pm, the pre-trip meeting and trip briefing would be done tomorrow (Day 02) after sightseeing activities. During the pre-trip meeting, we would introduce you to your leader/guide and other trekking group members. Please take this opportunity to ask questions you may have regarding the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek or, as a whole, your questions regarding Trekking in Nepal. We will also provide you with a down jacket, Everest Base Camp trekking map, a T-shirt, and a Duffel Bag in which you can pack your things. At the meeting, please make sure you bring a passport, two copies of passport-size photos, and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. During this meeting, please clear the due balance, if any, and sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer. Day 2: Trek preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to these four medieval and spiritual sites in Kathmandu which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Durbar Square: Durbar Square is a complex of historic palaces, courtyards, and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the Royal palace compound of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. Interesting pieces here to see are 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace, Taleju temple-tallest of all structures built by king Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D., Jagannath temple- built in the 16th century, known for fascinating erotic figures carving I the wooden struts eaves, Kal Bhairav- one of the largest stone idols in Kathmandu representing the terrorizing aspects of Shiva, Statue of King Pratap Malla in praying gesture to Digu Taleju the royal family deity right across, Kumari Ghar- 17th century Kumari temple, Kasthamandap- built from the timber of a single tree, Kathmandu derives its name from Kasthamandap. The entire Palace Complex is also known as Hanuman Dhoka named after a monkey god called Hanuman. One can see a huge stone statue of Hanuman painted all red right next to the main entrance (the golden gate) of the palace. Hanuman here is regarded as a powerful protector of the entire Durbar Square. Pashupatinath: GPO Box: 384, Ward No. 17, Pushpalal Path Khusibun, Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-4388659 E-Mail: [email protected] www.iciclesadventuretreks.com Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world located on the bank of the Bagmati River. It is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth that is famous all over the world. Although entrance into the temple complex is allowed to Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. Besides being a place of worship, the bank of Bagmati River alongside Pashupatinath Temple is the most important cremation site for the Hindus in Nepal. Bouddhanath: Bouddhanath, a Buddhist shrine in unique octagonal Mandala design with hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around the huge structure. Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the large Stupas in the world. Bouddhanath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan monasteries, thus the area is also known as ‘Little Tibet’. You can join the locals to circumambulate the Stupa, bargain for handicrafts in the shops or sit on a rooftop restaurant and absorb the atmosphere. Swoyambhunath: Popularly known as Monkey temple due to profusion of monkey found in the shrine area, Swoyambhunath is a 2000 years ancient Stupa situated on a small hill. It is world’s most celebrated Buddhist shrine and its main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. In the evening, please pack your things in the duffel bag given to you.