Everest Offbeat trek with Renjola, Gokyo and Amadablam Base Camp

Once you reach KTM airport and finish with the immigration and custom formalities be prepared to confront the confusion outside the airport which is common in most of the south Asian countries. As you walk out of the Exit door into the passenger pick up area you will see hundreds of people with different sign boards in their hands, taxi drivers looking for fares, hotel touts looking for customers and porters trying to help with the luggage for tips. Please remain calm and do not walk out of the restricted area into the crowd straight away. Remain there and try to find the Hi On Life’s sign board. Once you spot it, walk straight to the signboard and identify yourself. From here we will take care of you.
When you arrive to your hotel you will be briefed about your activities and “do’s and don’ts” while your stay in Kathmandu. We will also collect some documents from you. Please have the following things handy when arriving.

Travel/ Medical Insurance (photo copy)
3 passport size photos
Photocopy of your passport.

In the evening we will go for a traditional Nepali dinner at Kathmandu’s finest Nepali restaurant to end the day.

Drive: 145 km, 5 hours
Elevation of Ramechhap: 475m

The recent decision taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation of Nepal states that all flights to Lukla will originate from a place called Ramechhap. After breakfast we will drive to Ramechhap. The drive takes us out of Kathmandu valley through Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel along B.P Highway. We will drive along the Sun Koshi river to a place called Khurkot, which is situated at the confluence of the Sun Koshi and Tama Koshi. Here we will cross a bridge and leave the Sun Koshi and then follow the Tama Koshi to Ramechhap.

Overnight tourist lodge at Ramechhap

Flight: 15 mins
Trek distance: 11 kms
Trekking: 4 hours
Elevation of Lukla: 2850m
Elevation of Benkar: 2750m

Usually it will be an early morning flight which is a small 17 seated Twin Otter or Dornier aircraft will take us from Ramechaap to Lukla. The flight times can be flexible because we need clear weather both in Ramechhap and Lukla to be able to fly. So this can sometimes involve waiting for a long time. Once we get the all clear signal we take off to our destination on a 15 min scenic mountain flight to Lukla.

Upon arrival at Lukla, we will take some refreshment at the Paradise Lodge in Lukla. Soon we are treading on the legendary “Everest Highway” which heads downwards through the alpine valley following the “Dudh Kosi” or Milk River (named after its milky color from glacial silt). We reach Benkar after a half a day walk and end our first day here. Benkar is situated at the bank of Dudh Kosi and the lodge that we will stay at, has a beautiful waterfall behind and an amazing view of Mt. Thamserku (6636m) right in front of you.

Distance: 8 kms
Trekking: 6 hours
Elevation Namche Bazaar: 3440m

Today we have an easy walk in the morning following the Dudh Kosi crossing it several times on long suspension bridges. We reach Monjo after 2 hours walk which is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. Here we get your National Park Permits. 30 mins from here, we reach Jorsale where we stop for lunch.

After lunch we continue to trek along the Dudh Kosi for 45 mins to reach Larche Doban, which is the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi. Here we cross the famous suspension bridge which is about a hundred meters above the river and 113m long. After crossing this bridge, it is a steady climb for 1 ½ hours to reach Namche Bazaar, which is the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu region. On a clear day you get views of Everest, Lhotse, Thamserku, Kusum Kangru, Kwangde and Taweche on the way to Namche.

Distance- Hike to Everest view hotel and back: 6 kms
Trekking : 3 hours
Elevation gain and loss on the hike: +/- 400m

As we will have gained about 700m that day, it demands a rest and acclimatization day for the following day. In the morning we will hike to Everest View Hotel where you will have breathtaking views over Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Peak 38, Taweche and Cholatse towards the North, and Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kangtega and Kusum Kanguru to the East. Towards your west the 5 km ridge called the Skyline ridge which is the summit ridge of Mt Kwangde rises majestically along with Teng Kang Poche, Pachermo and Tengi Regi Taw. We will enjoy this fascinating view with warm drinks and biscuits.

You will be back at lunchtime and will have plenty of time to rest or look around the market and shop.

Distance: 10 kms
Trekking: 6 hours
Elevation Thame: 3820m

The trail starts from the Namche Gompa and leads west past a large array of prayer flags, Mani stones and Chortens. The trail is quite easy and it takes about 3 hours to reach Thamo, where we will have lunch. From Thamo we will start to climb towards Thame. The carved Mani stones on the way are some of the most complex and picturesque in Khumbu. Thame is situated in a magnificent kettle surrounded with beautiful and dramatic mountains. Be prepared on awesome sunsets at clear weather!

Distance: 9 kms
Trekking: 5 hours
Elevation Lungden: 4380m

After climbing the ridge above Thame we enter the Bhote Koshi Valley where the river Bhote Koshi runs in the middle. Just as the name reveals (Bothe = Tibetian, Koshi = River) this valley leads to Tibet and the famous pass Nangpa La . It takes about 4 hours to reach a village called Marlung, we stop here for lunch. After lunch, it is another one hour to Lungden. There are just four lodges and they are very basic with only 3 to 4 rooms in each of the lodge.

Distance- Hike to view point and back: 7 kms
Trekking : 3 hours
Elevation gain and loss on the hike: +/- 300m

We utilize this day for rest and acclimatization. We will do a short hike towards Nangpa La, to a small “village” called Ariya. Usually we meet a lot of Tibetan traders here. They are coming with their fully loaded yak caravans from Tibet to sell their gods in Namche. Before we head back to our lodge we get views of the worlds 6th highest mountain, Cho Oyu and many other beautiful peaks both in Nepal and Tibet. In the afternoon we relax and prepare for the next day.

Trek distance: 12 kms
Trekking: 9 hours
Elevation of Renjo La: 5347m
Elevation of Gokyo: 4790m

We start early in the morning, generally at 4 to 5 AM. The first one hour of the trek is quite steep. We reach a small dried out lake, from here the trail is a gentle climb for another 2 hrs and finally we reach a big turquoise green lake. From here, the trail is well trodden stony steps all the way to the top of the pass Renjo La which takes about 3-4 more hours. The view from the Pass is extremely beautiful. We get to see a panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and dozens of other mountains. The view of Everest is one of the best you can get, as you get to see more of Everest from here than from anywhere else in Nepal. After taking pictures, enjoying the stunning view and have a snack to eat we continue down to Gokyo. It takes about 3 hours.

Distance: 7.5 kms
Trekking : 3 hours to Gokyo Ri and back to Gokyo and 3 hours to Maccherma
Elevation of Gokyo Ri: 5352m
Elevation of Machhermo: 4400m

We start early to get the best view. It takes roughly two to two and a half climb to the summit of Gokyo Ri. The trail climbs steeply from right beside the Gokyo Lake, which is also called the first lake, all the way to the summit. The views are more or less similar to that you saw from Renjo La the day before, except that you see Mt. Cho Oyu (8210m) to the North. It is an hour down to the Gokyo.

From Gokyo we walk past the beautiful second and third lakes of Gokyo and descend through narrow stone staircase to Lhabharma. From here it is an hour walk down to Machhermo.

Distance: 11 kms
Trekking : 5 hours
Elevation of Phortse: 3900m

From Machherma we walk the same trail till Phortse Thanga that we had walked on the way up. At Phortse Thanga, we will have lunch. After lunch we cross the Dudh Kosi and the climb through a forest for about an hour to reach Phortse. Look out for Musk deers and Danphe (Impeyan pheasant, national bird of Nepal).
Phortse is a beautiful agricultural village situated on the lap of Mt. Taboche.

Distance: 4 kms
Trekking: 3 to 4 hours
Elevation of Upper Pangboche: 3980m

Today's trail is dramatically beautiful. From the village we climb steeply for 20 mins to a small pass. From here you get the view of the famous Tyangboche Monastery with Mt. Thamserku and Mt. Kangtega as a back drop. The trail from here is undulating and follows the contour of the hillside with narrow exposed trail looking down on the main Everest trail and Imja Khola. Fantanstic views of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Kangtega and the Lhotse face are seen with just the top of Mt. Everest peeing from behind. You will also get to see plenty of Thar, which is a mountain goat, and massive Himalayan Griffon vultures and Golden Eagle.

Distance: 4 kms
Trekking: 3 hours
Elevation of Amadablam Base Camp: 4700m

The trail pass through the Lower Pangboche village to the Imja Khola where we cross a small iron bridge. From the other side of the river the trail steady climbs steadily all the way to Amadablam Base Camp. Amadablam Base Camp is considered to be the most beautiful base Camp in Nepal. It is a flat pasture with a small stream flowing right from the middle of the pasture. The view of Mt. Amadablam towering more than 2 vertical kms above is simply awe inspiring. If it is during the climbing season, we will stay at a tented campsite along side the expedition group.  It is absolutely fascinating to witness climbers approaching summit climb, which we can see from the comfort of our tents. When it is not climbing season, we can stay at a nearby lodge which has very good sleeping and eating facilities, just as any other lodges along the trail.

Overnight camp or tea house

Distance: 14 kms
Trekking: 6 hours
Elevation of Tyangboche: 3830m
Elevation of Khumjung: 3790m

We will have a relaxing morning enjoying the grandeur of the majestic Amadablam. If there is a group attempting for the summit, it will be a fantastic show to see tiny dots of climbers on the near vertical slopes leading to the summit. After breakfast, we will begin our return back journey. A steady descend of an hour and a half will bring us down to Pangboche. After Pangboche the trail begins to descend alongside the Imja Khola for about 30 mins where we cross a small metal bridge. After the bridge you enter a beautiful rhododendron and birch forest where the trees are covered with mosses and lichens, giving it an enchanted forest feeling. From here another hour and a half climb on gentle gradient through a fairy tale like forest will bring us to Tyangboche monastery. Look out for Musk deer and the colorful peacock like Danphe (Impeyan Pheasant) which is the national bird of Nepal. We will order lunch at a lodge and then go to visit the monastery. The monastery is about 200 years old. The walls of the monastery contains intricately beautiful Buddhist paintings. The building itself is perched on top of a ridge at a picture perfect location with Amadablam and Everest as a backdrop which makes it popular among photographers.

After lunch we will descend to Dudh Kosi for about an hour and a half. We will cross the river on suspension bridge and then a steady climb for about 2 hours will bring us to Khumjung.

Distance: 12 kms
Trekking: 5 hours
Elevation of Monjo: 2835m

The village of Khumjung does not lie on the main trail, therefore it is not as busy even though the village is the largest settlement of the Khumbu region. The village has a small monastery where there is a "yeti scalp" inside a glass box. There is also a high school build by Sir Edmund Hillary. After breakfast, we will trek to Namche Bazaar, passing by the high school. A short climb will bring us to a Yak farm, and then descend to Syangboche STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) airstrip. This airstrip is used to bring in supplies with Russian built MI 17 helicopters. From the airstrip a steep descend will bring us to Namche Bazaar. We will spend some time here for shopping souvenirs and also have lunch either at a lodge or at the bakery if you wish to.

After lunch we climb down the steep Namche hill to the Dudh Kosi and follow it to the entrance of the National Park at Monjo. After checking out our permits, we will check in to our lodge.

Distance: 12 kms
Trekking: 4 hours
Elevation of Lukla: 2850m

Today is the final day of your trek, back tracking the way we started this epic journey. On arriving Lukla you can check in to your rooms and then fix a meeting with the staff for the last night party. Your guide will arrange and fix a time for the evening. You can collect your group tipping and give it to your guide. He will put them in separate envelopes according to the names of the staff and their share and give them back to you. Usually our groups have a farewell speech and distribute the tips which will be followed with a few song and dances.

Flight: 15 mins
Drive: 145 km, 5 hours

Weather permitting, we will fly early to Ramechhap and then drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival to Kathmandu we check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to take showers, spa, shopping etc.

We have allowed this extra day as a buffer day in case of flight cancellation from Lukla back to Kathmandu. If we have not used this day for any delays contributed to flight cancellations, then we can use this day for sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.

Places you will visit:

Boudhanath Stupa: It is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Commonly called Basantapur Darbar  is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Durbar Square was surrounded with spectacular architecture that showed the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries, but several buildings in the Square collapsed due to a major earthquake on 25 April 2015.

We will drive you to Tribhuwan International airport about 3 ½ hours before your departure time.