Gokyo Ri and Renjo La Pass (5357 m)

Airfare is not included on this trip, so you are responsible for getting to and from Nepal on your own. The first day is not scheduled, so you are free to depart from your country throughout the day. Arrival in Kathmandu according to your itinerary during day 2.

Arrival in Kathmandu during the day. You are responsible for making your own way to the hotel, centrally located hotel in Kathmandu. Check in and take a short rest at the hotel or go for a stroll in the neighborhood before meeting up with the group and exploring Kathmandu further with our tour guide. Kathmandu is an explosion of colors, sounds, people, animals, temptations, culture, and experiences. For shopaholics, Kathmandu is also a shopping mecca. Everything you need, didn’t know you needed, or don’t need at all can be bought within walking distance of the hotel. Few places offer better value for money, few places have a more varied selection, and few places make haggling more fun! After we’ve gotten lost in the many back alleys and found our way back again, we can meet for dinner at a local restaurant.

A lazy day, serious shopping, or sightseeing? It’s up to you. We’ve planned a sightseeing tour of the Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Durbar Square with a local guide. We’ll have an early dinner at one of Kathmandu’s many restaurants, because tomorrow we’re setting off for Lukla at the crack of dawn.

We leave Kathmandu early in the morning to drive to Ramechap, where a spectacular flight to Lukla (2,860 m) awaits us. The drive takes about 4–5 hours on somewhat bumpy roads, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for that. The flight takes just over half an hour, but transports us to a completely different world. Here we meet our own local Sirdar (“the local head guide”), the Sherpas, the cooks, the kitchen helpers, and the yak herders who will take care of our luggage along the way. After a bit of organizing our gear and luggage, we’re ready to go. The first stage is an easy walk into Phakding. The terrain is lush with a mix of conifers (and in the spring, vibrant flowers). We’re led back and forth across suspension bridges, up and down the terrain. Today’s destination, the village of Phakding, is actually 200 meters lower than Lukla. We are still at a relatively high altitude, so we walk at a leisurely pace and spend the day relaxing. We’re served lunch along the way and arrive at the lodge in the afternoon. This makes for a hike of about 4–5 hours, including lunch. If we have time, we’ll visit the old monastery in Phakding before spending our first night of the trip in a sleeping bag.

After a leisurely start with a nutritious breakfast, we begin our hike. Along the way, we pass through small villages and cross the Dudhi Kosi River on even more spectacular suspension bridges, before arriving at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt. Everest) after a couple of hours. Here, we must check in at the national park before heading down to the river again and crossing more suspension bridges. Then the actual ascent toward Namche Bazaar begins. Here, a leisurely pace is key as we climb 700 meters in elevation. We walk at a relaxed pace, stopping countless times to take photos, drink, or simply enjoy the surroundings. Along the way on today’s stage, we catch our first glimpse of Mt. Everest through the treetops. Today’s destination, Namche Bazaar, is the capital of the Sherpas and the hub of the Khumbu Valley. This small town of 400 inhabitants clings to the mountainside with its colorful houses. Merchants from Tibet arrive here with goods after a 9-day trek with their yaks.

Today is an acclimatization day. But we won’t be lying still in our sleeping bags all day. To get the most out of the acclimatization, we’ll head higher up and then return to Namche Bazaar in the morning. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin today’s hike. Our destination is the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m), a one-and-a-half-hour hike. From the hotel, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Himalayas and get to see Ama Dablam for the first time—the mountain said to be the most beautiful in the world. If the weather is nice, we’ll take time for a cup of tea on the terrace before continuing back to Namche. If we have time, we’ll also stop by the Sherpa Museum. It’s interesting and educational, and gives us a good insight into Sherpa culture and daily life. Back in Namche Bazaar, we’ll have time to relax a bit before evening. The town has many shops, internet cafes, and bakeries (with delicious apple pie!). At dinner, we’ll gather to review today’s events and prepare for tomorrow’s stage.

We’ll be walking on beautiful trails between Namche and Phortse Tenga. The trail is well-maintained, but this is done through private initiative and is not funded by the government. Therefore, there is an opportunity to donate a small amount to the people who keep this trail in good condition for tourists, porters, and animals. Throughout the day, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, Thamserku, and many other mountains. Just remember to look up!

Now we’re really on our way, and we can feel the mountains calling us. In the morning, we’re woken up with tea or coffee served right at the edge of our sleeping bags, giving us a peaceful start before breakfast. Then we’re ready for today’s stage. We’re heading on to Dole, and the trail climbs steeply in places. On the way up, we enjoy the beautiful surroundings, passing stupas and eat dinner together and discuss the day’s experiences.

We start off with a steep climb today on a scenic trail, going up and up past juniper thickets, but with no trees in sight. We’re above the tree line, after all. The views keep getting better and better, and eventually Cho Oyu comes into view ahead of us—one of the famous 8,000-meter peaks. We arrive at camp in the afternoon and get some rest before we have dinner together in the evening.

Today’s hike is, on the whole, a bit less steep than the previous days. As we leave Macchermo, the trail climbs up a hill overlooking Kangtega, before we enter a slightly narrower valley and then descend toward the Dudh Koshi River. From here, there is a steep climb up to the first of the six lakes in Gokyo. Maybe we’ll spot some “Golden Ducks”? The trail is worn in many places, mainly due to yak traffic in the summer. Eventually, a wide valley opens up with Cho Oyu at the head, a massive glacier towering over us and the village of Gokyo just above Lake Number Three. In the middle of the view, you can see a rocky slope with a path leading up; that is the way to Gokyo Ri and our destination for the next morning! We spend the afternoon resting, exploring the town, and perhaps taking a stroll to one of the other lakes. Mainly, we’ll rest and recharge for the next morning’s summit hike!

We get up at the crack of dawn to catch the sunrise from Gokyo Ri. It’s something to look forward to. It takes us about 2.5 hours to reach the summit, and the view that awaits us is well worth the early start. We take in the mountain peaks towering all around us and the turquoise lakes below, savoring the moment. At a leisurely pace, we make our way back down to Gokyo, where we enjoy a well-deserved breakfast and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Today we’re heading out on a long hike with quite a bit of climbing, all the way up to the Renjo La Pass at 5,360 meters above sea level. We’ll take it easy and enjoy the scenery along the way. Even though it can be tough, it’s important to remember how lucky we are to be able to hike through this unique mountain landscape. We’ll descend through the Bhote Khosi Valley and eventually arrive at our stop for the night, Lungden, a small mountain village for hikers. We’ll be served a hearty dinner and enjoy a cozy evening.

Thame is probably the village with the best Everest climbers, and it is home to several Sherpas who hold Everest records. We’ll visit Thame’s historic temple, and if we’re lucky, we might even catch a small ceremony. We’ll have the chance to learn about Sherpa culture and hear about what life is like up here at high altitude. We’ll hike for 5–6 hours, have lunch along the way, and gather for a group dinner in the evening.

The lower we go, the easier it feels to walk. The air feels thick as butter, and we keep turning around to soak in the last impressions of this incredible mountain world. How many pictures can you really take of mountains? Even though we’re looking forward to pizza and fresh baked goods in Namche Bazaar, it’s also a little bittersweet that the trek is coming to an end. We’ll have lunch along the way and return to the Sherpa capital in the afternoon. Here we’ll have time to wander through shops, markets, and the bakery before gathering for dinner.

We say goodbye to Namche Bazaar and set off on the final scenic leg of our trek. We catch one last glimpse of the majestic mountains through the treetops and continue back along the same route we took on the way here - across suspension bridges and through small villages. This will be our last night at the lodge, sleeping in sleeping bags. Tomorrow, Kathmandu awaits.

We’re up before the rooster crows. For flights to and from Lukla, the early morning hours offer the best flying conditions. Our luggage is packed, we’ve said goodbye to our local friends, and we’re on our way back to Kathmandu. From the quiet, peaceful mountain world to chaotic, mysterious Kathmandu. We fly back to Ramechap and drive the 4–5 hours back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is yours to explore this exciting city on your own. It’s easy to be captivated by Kathmandu, and you should take the time to wander through the back alleys and follow the flow of people. Perhaps a foot or aromatherapy massage sounds tempting? If you enjoy shopping for affordable and fun items, Kathmandu is a paradise! Hotel life slowly but surely brings us back to our usual routines. A shower, a comfortable bed, TV, shops, and other everyday comforts initially feel like a luxury.

Explore Kathmandu on your own, go shopping, sightseeing, or relax at the hotel. One thing is certain - you’ll never get bored in this lively city! We’ll have a group farewell dinner in the evening.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Nepal and all the new friends we have made along the way. The participants are now free to head for the airport for their return journey, or to extend their stay in this exciting country.

For Norwegian travellers, this is the day we arrive at Oslo Lufthavn.