Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek- 15 Days
Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek has all of the mountain view highlights of the Everest Region and provides an alternative to escape the crowds. Our Gokyo Valley Lakes – Renjo La offers views of the amazing mountain scenery and insights into Sherpa lifestyle and culture as well as the panoramas of Everest and surrounding peaks. Renjo La (5417 m, 17,772 ft) will be our highpoint, with unforgettable views of the Himalayas, including Everest and Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozomba Glacier. We cross the pass into a remote valley along an ancient trade route with Tibet that sees fewer trekkers than other areas of the Khumbu Region.
In fact, the whole Gokyo Valley - Renjo La Trek combines the best mountain scenery with majestic peaks including Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nupste, Pumori, Thamserku, Kangde and the serene feeling of being away from it all in a remote part of the Himalaya. This rugged landscape is populated by the famous high mountain people named the Sherpa following a customary way of life. The trip will offer a chance to witness the land of the Sherpa and visit stately Buddhist monasteries. Occasional sightings of rare wildlife include the musk deer, Himalayan thar, snow leopard, pheasants and snowcocks, and some people even claim that the legendary yeti is somewhere in the Khumbu.
We begin in Kathmandu with an exciting tour of the Valley offering a glimpse of its World Heritage Sites and busy marketplaces. There are generally two options to continue from Kathmandu, a drive to Jiri and a scenic hike in to Namche, or a flight to the mountain village of Lukla. Typically, people prefer the flight in and that itinerary is outlined here. If you would like to hike in from Jiri, then please preview that part of the journey in our Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek description. We would be happy to modify The Gokyo Lakes – Renjo La Trek to suit your needs.
From Kathmandu, we enjoy a brief morning flight to the starting point of our trek, Lukla, a Sherpa village in a mountain setting. The trek follows a steep river valley to Namche Bazaar, the gateway of the Khumbu Region. The settlement is located in a natural amphitheater overlooking the valley with the astonishing beauty of the surrounding mountains. We take a day of rest in Namche to get accustomed to the altitude with the chance to explore the surrounding area and villages of Kunde and Khumjung. Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust has set up a school and hospital in these villages. The journey to the Gokyo Valley Lakes follows north up the Dudh Kosi valley, with beautiful peaks surrounding the glorious setting. Out comfortable lodge is next to the shorelines of the breathtaking, third lake.
We enjoy this extraordinary atmosphere followed by a climb to Renjo La Pass, and descending into the serene Thame Valley. The journey takes us through picturesque Sherpa Villages before returning to Namche and then our scheduled flight from Lukla. You will have time to explore more of Kathmandu mysteries and search for souvenirs and gifts before being escorted to the international airport for your return flight home.
There are numerous options for more exploration in the Everest area if you would like to extend your travels here, including the challenging options of high passes, Everest Base Camp and remote valleys as well as ‘Trekking Peaks’ for people looking to summit a peak in the Himalaya!
Itinerary in Detail
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu’s International airport
You will be welcomed at the airport arrival area by our representative and escorted to your hotel. Welcome to Kathmandu and the Valley of the Gods. Refresh yourself, rest and relax at the hotel, the first evening is free to do as you like.
DAY 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
After having breakfast, we take you on a guided tour of Kathmandu Valley’s main attractions, including World Heritage Sites of great historical and religious importance. Kathmandu is the cultural heart of the nation and famous for its architecture and sculpture of religious and historic significance.
The tour includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, The Monkey Temple (Swayambunath), Pashupati Temple, and Bauddhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist shrines in the world and a key pilgrimage destination. In the evening, we have a pre-trek discussion with our Trek Leader and other members.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding
After an early morning breakfast, we transport you to the airport for short but scenic flight to the mountain village of Lukla. There, our main guide will introduce the porters and staff and we then start the day’s trekking up the Dudh Koshi Valley. It is easy trekking and will be a short day to assist in altitude acclimatization and getting used to the trail. The trek to Phakding will be about 3-3.5 hours. After getting settled, according to your interest, we can take a side trip to a village monastery.
Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
The trek starts in the morning after breakfast. We continue our journey up the Dudh Koshi valley and cross the river on suspension bridges along on the way with views of Thamserku Peak. We enter the Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo where entry permits are checked
We will enjoy a lunch break before continuing to trek up through pine trees to the bustling Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar has immense views of surrounding peaks as well as the valley below. This vibrant village is a central hub of the area and many items including mountain climbing equipment may be found here.
Day 05: Rest & acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar
If feeling good, then it is best for acclimatization to stay active on this rest day for going higher in the days ahead. We start by exploring Namche with an abundance of lodges, restaurants and souvenir shops. We will visit the national park visitor center above town which has information on the region’s history and its mountains, plants and animals.
We continue the day with an optional hike to Khunde and Khumjung over a ridgeline with beautiful views of the peaks on the way, including Mount Everest. Kunde and Khumjung are Sherpa communities with monasteries which we can visit before returning to Namche Bazaar for our overnight stay under the stars which, on clear nights may seem close enough to touch!
Day 06: Trek Namche Bazaar to Dole
After the acclimatization and rest day in Namche, we hike to Dole via to Mongla with a commanding panorama. We descend steeply to Phortse Tenga before climbing through forests to Dole.
Day 07: Trek from Dole to Machhermo
We have a steady climb along the west side of the valley passing some juniper and many summer settlements, used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze. Ahead are great sights of Cho Oyu, and back down the valley Kantega and Thamserku stand out.
Day 08: Trek Machhermo to Gokyo
We reach the lakes of Gokyo today. We follow a scenic path along the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier,passing the first of the holy lakes. Soon after is the second lake and then our destination, the third lake, known as Dudh Pokhari.
Day 09: Gokyo rest day with excursion around Gokyo valley & Lake
Gokyo offers much to explore including Nepal’s largest glacier, Ngozumpa Glacier. Today, we will make a scenic walk around the third lake and a side trip up to the fourth and fifth lakes if you are up for it.
Day 10: Trek from Gokyo to Thame via Renjo Pass
Early morning after breakfast, we will climb up to the high point of the journey, Renjo La pass. We take in the views of Everest and up-close, surrounding peaks and lake below it all. We descend into the serene Thame.
Day 11: Trekking form Thame to Namche Bazaar- 4 Hours
It is a relatively easy day of pleasant trekking passing Thamo and its monastery as we head to the vibrant Namche Bazaar.
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
This is our last day of trekking in these stunning Himalaya that have been our host for our days on the trails. The trekking is pleasant as we return to the mountain village of Lukla where our trek began. A last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring us to Lukla and a final celebration with the crew and friends you have trekked with over the days gone by.
Evening celebration dinner! We provide a special meal and maybe you will try some chang, a local drink brewed from rice, and join some of the Sherpa dances of the evening. We enjoy one last merry night in these beautiful mountains. Altogether the wonderful journey has a final night to reminisce about the extraordinary time we spent on these spectacular mountains.
Day 13: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
We are scheduled for an early morning flight back to Kathmandu and the rest of the time is available to explore the city on your own, look for souvenirs for loved ones back home, and relax and enjoy after the days trekking.
Day 14: Leisure Day in Kathmandu
This is a buffer day scheduled into the itinerary in the event that poor weather has caused a delay flying into or out of Lukla airport. Rest, relax and enjoy the day as you like, perhaps exploring the sights of the lively tourist hub of Thamel and buying mementos and gifts for friends and family. Evening farewell dinner!
Day 15: Transfer to the international airport for your final departure
Our representatives will escort you to the airport for your final departure home. We are sure you’ve enjoyed your vacation in these magnificent mountains and it was a pleasure taking care of you all the way. It’s been wonderful knowing you. On your journey home, we hope you will remember us fondly, too! Bon Voyage!
Inclusions
Airport transfersFour nights’ hotel in Kathmandu including breakfastSightseeing tour in KathmanduMeals during the trek with hot tea/coffee in breakfast as per the itinerarySagarmatha national park entry permits and TIMSFlight fare (Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu) with domestic airport tax10-night accommodation lodges/tea houses during the trekA guide and porters (1 porter for every two trekkers and a porter will carry from 20-25 KG)Arrangement of emergency helicopter service which will be paid by your travel insurance companySleeping bag, down jackets, and duffel bag – if Necessary (returned after the trek)Exclusions
Nepal entry visa feeTravel insurance (compulsory)Food (lunch and dinner) while you are in KathmanduYour personnel expenses, shopping, and entrance fees on the Kathmandu tourAll the alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinksSweet things like chocolate bars and bar billsHot shower, telephone, internet, battery charge during the TrekInternational airfareTips for the guide and staff
0
Sign in to leave a comment.