15 Night/16 Days) Trek Cote : NEPAL/PTT/TK 23

This trek offers an alternative to the traditional trek to Everest base camp. Climb past the Sherpa villages of Namche Bazaar and Khumjung to the Gokyo Valley and the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest in the Nepal Himalaya. From Gokyo Ri four 8000-metre peaks ( Cho Oyu , Everest, Lhotse and Makalu ) are visible at once. Descend to Phortse, make a high traverse to the village of Pangboche and climb on towards Everest Base Camp. The return route leads through Dingboche and the monastery of Tengpoche before descending the Khumbu Valley to Lukla. There are many options for additional exploration and hogh altitude walking including the crossing of Cho La a 5420m high pass into Khumbu. In 19 days total, you can do Gokyo trel, Cho La pass and also EBC plus Kalapattar trek.
An alternative, or even better, an addition to the Everest Base Camp trek is the trek up the Gokyo Valley . Gokyo is located in the valley immediately west of the Everest (Khumbu) valley and is far less developed and crowed than its better-known neighbor to the east. In fact, the Gokyo Valley only has one traditional permanent settlement, the rest being summer pastures now catering to the trekkers.
If Gokyo is visited after the trek to Everest Base Camp the extra distance only adds a another five days to the itinerary . If Gokyo is visited independently of Everest then care needs to be taken on the upward led of the trek, as the altitude gain is much greater, leading to many unwary trekkers having problems with AMS . Both options will be described here.
If Gokyo is the ultimate destination rather than the Everest trail is followed as far as the teahouses at Kenjoma (where the trail from Khumjung joins the main trail). From here the Gokyo trail climbs up the hillside to a pass at Mong La before dropping steepy back down to the banks of the Dudh Koshi. The next two hours of trekking, through beech, rhododendron and oak forest ,past waterfalls, which are often frozen, and ultimately through pine forests before breaking out above the tree line is one of the best sections of any trail in the area. Just above the tree line are the teahouses of Dole, a convenient stopping place for the first night.
The following day must be very short if you are to altitude problems. It only takes around four hours to reach Machherma but this is as most trekkers should travel that day. The valley that leads west above Machherma is well worth and afternoon visit. It is here that the last reported sighting of a Yeti was made. A Yeti sighting is unlikely but the valley is stunning none the less. The rocky bulk of Kyajo Ri , an unclimbed and impressive peak, dominates the head of the valley.
The final push up to Gokyo takes you past the teahouses at Pangkha and up the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal . Just above the moraine is the first of the glacial lakes for which Gokyo is renowned. If it isn't frozen, look for migrating ducks on the lake surface. The trail passes two more lakes to reach the teahouses of Gokyo about four to five hours after leaving Machherma.
The Gokyo valley is dominated at its head by the massive from of Cho Oyu , at 8153 meters the eight highest peaks on earth. Many options are available in the upper Gokyo valley. The most common destination is the rocky hill above the third lake known as Gokyo Ri or Gokyo Kalapattar. This hill, which takes at least two hours to climb, provides an even better panorama than the one seen from the more famous Kala Pattar at Gorak Shep . The get the most out of a climb of Gokyo Ri , leave the teahouses at sunrise view of the Himalaya . Other options include an additional day spent trekking further up the valley past the fourth and fifth lakes to Cho Oyu base camp. It must be remembered that there are no facilities beyond Gokyo and all trekkers must be self-sufficient.
There are two high passes leading out of the Gokyo Valley . The most traveled is Cho La Pass which connects with the Khumbu valley near Lobuche and the other is the Renjo La Pass that joins the trail between Thame and Nangpa La. Both of the these are serious undertakings that may require some basic mountaineering skills and equipment depending on weather conditions. Teahouse trekkers have successfully crossed Cho La but the risk of a sudden storm, which could trap unprepared trekkers, is always possible. Neither pass should be attempted without a competent guide. If you are visiting the Gokyo Valley in addition to Everest Base Camp it is far better to trek to Gokyo after visiting Everest, for acclimatization reasons. Follow the Everest trek route described previously and take the alternative exit route as far as Phortse. From here, follow the eastern side of the valley through some isolated settlements, which includes the village of Konar , the only permanent settlement above Phortse. The trail climbs, mostly gently, up the valley with some superb views of Cho Oyu in front and Thamserku and Kangtega behind. There are no facilities available on this side of the valley until the small teahouses at Nah are reached after about six hours walking from their supplies for the day. Nah is a good place to camp but for teahouse accommodation Pangkha, another hour further on, has far better facilities. From here the previously described trail is followed to Gokyo.
 
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Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu .
 
Day 2: Kathmandu to Lukla by flight then trek to Phakding 
Day 3: Phakding to Namchebazar
Day 4: Namche bazaar to thami (Acclimatisation) 
Day 5: Thami to Namchebazaar (Acclimatisation)
Day 6: Namchebazaar to Phortse Thangpa
Day 7: Phortse Thangpa to Dole
Day 8: Dole to Machhermo
Day 9: Machhermo to Gokyo
Day 10: Gokyo Lake
Day 11: Gokyo to Phortse
Day 12:  Phortse to Namchebazaar
Day 13: Namchebazar to Phakding
Day 14: Phakding to Lukla
Day 15:Lukla to Kathmandu by flight
Day 16:Departure Traqnsfer
 

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