Lobuche and Island Peak Expedition with Gokyo

The hike begins as we walk alongside the Dudh Koshi River and go to the village of Jorsale. Moving ahead, the path ascends steeply through pine forests and crosses the Hillary Suspension Bridge. As you get closer to Namche Bazaar, you will have the first glimpse of Mount Everest.

Today, our body is designed to adapt to increased altitude. We will hike to the Everest View Hotel to enjoy the incredible panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. On your way back, you will visit the Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum.

The first section of the trek is a steep climb to the Kyangjumpa village. You will then ascend to Mong La and have a brief break exploring the nearby monasteries. Moving ahead, we arrive at Phortse Tenga; from here, we make a final push to reach the village of Dole.

Our trek begins as we ascend a ridge and pass through Lhabarma and Luza. While we make our way, we are accompanied by beautiful views of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku. The picturesque walk continues as we hike along the Dudh Kosi Valley. Our hike ends as we arrive at Machhermo. You can hear tales of the Yeti encounter among the locals at the tea house.

After breakfast, we begin our hike uphill, with fascinating views of the snow-capped mountains. Eventually, the trail descends and passes through the moraines of the Ngozumpa Glacier. As we approach Gokyo, we pass by the first two lakes and make our way to the settlement's teahouse.

We woke up early today to begin our hike to Gokyo Ri. The trail ahead is mostly steep so that we will walk at a slow and gradual pace. At the summit, you will be greeted by spectacular views of Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu. After the brief exploration, we descend back to Gokyo and have breakfast. Eventually, we begin our hike to Thagnak, our destination for the day.

The hike begins early as we make our way through steep, rocky terrains towards the Cho La Pass. At the top of the pass, you will pass by beautiful prayer flags and enjoy majestic views of the mountains. We will then make our way down towards Dzongla. At the end of the day, we checked in at a teahouse in the village for an overnight stay.

Dzongla is a strategic point for resting and preparing travelers for the climb ahead. On this day, you will engage in light training activities without overexerting yourself. Some of the activities include rope climbing, rappelling, belaying, and pressing. This rest day is crucial for travelers to recover physically and reinforce the technical skills necessary for the expedition.

The hike to the Lobuche High Camp begins with a descent to Cholatse Tsho Lake. As you move further, you will have panoramic views of the Khumbu Khola valley. We continue our climb until we reach Lobuche High Camp. The final part of the trek today is strenuous and will require you to push yourself steadily and gradually.

Summiting the Lobuche East Peak is a demanding climb, which begins early before dawn. The ascent ahead involves navigating the terrain with the help of fixed lines for safety. Upon reaching the top, climbers are rewarded with fantastic views of Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. The descent to Lobuche requires a steady hike without losing your footing. In the steeper section, you will make your way with the help of rappelling.

The trail to Everest Base Camp from Lobuche traverses rugged terrain, including glacial moraines. Upon arrival at the camp, you will be treated to glorious Himalayan panoramas. The site is marked by a pile of rocks adorned with mementos and prayer flags left by previous visitors. After spending a remarkable time at EBC, we will slowly hike to Gorak Shep.

We will begin our hike early to witness the sunrise from Kalapathar. Our guide will help you navigate the steep terrain and turn your flashlight for visibility. The ascent is moderate and will not exhaust you as much. At the vantage point of KalaPathar, we will savor the surrounding mountains' panoramic vistas. From here, we return to Gorak Shep for a brief break and enjoy breakfast. After the hearty meal, our hike to Dingboche begins as we leave the teahouse behind.

The hike today is comparatively short and easy. The trail gradually ascends through alpine meadows and dense forests. Trekkers will encounter small streams, agriculture fields, and small settlements along the way. Upon reaching Chukung, a picturesque village, you will check in at a tea house and spend the night.

The journey to Island Peak Base Camp is a demanding yet rewarding experience. The trek offers travelers a unique perspective of the natural wonders of the Khumbu region. You will also be rewarded with fantastic views of Lhotse and Imja Glaciers. Upon reaching base camp, we will begin a training session for the climb ahead. This will allow us to familiarize ourselves with the gears and techniques for the ascent.

The climb to Island Peak begins around 3:00 AM, depending on the itinerary. Starting the journey early allows you to avoid unpredictable weather conditions. The ascent is gradual and involves hiking in steep rock and ice sections. Moving on, you must climb a 45-degree slope before reaching the summit. After the team members' celebration, we carefully descend and retrace the trail back to Chukung.

Today is designated as a contingency day, or a spare day, in case unforeseen circumstances delay the expedition.

Today, we head towards Pangboche, passing through traditional Sherpa villages and alpine meadows. Interacting with the locals allows us to gain insight into the lifestyle and culture of the native people. Upon reaching Pangboche, we will have a short detour to the Pangboche Monastery, one of the oldest in the region.

From Pangboche, we approach the Dudh Koshi River and cross a suspension bridge. The trail then ascends to Tengboche, one of the largest monasteries in the region. After a brief break, we descend to Phunki Tenga and follow the route to Namche Bazaar. You can spend the rest of the evening exploring the village and buying souvenirs at the market.

Today is the last day of trekking in the Everest region of Nepal. We passed several towns and farmlands on our way to the Lukla village. We will reach the teahouse in the afternoon and spend the rest of the time relaxing.

Our guide will escort you to Tenzing Hillary Airport, as per the itinerary details. We fly back to Kathmandu early to avoid delays and cancellations caused by unpredictable weather events.