Phaplu to Gokyo with Renjo La Pass Trek - 16 days

You can fly into Kathmandu from any of the international hubs with which Nepal shares air connectivity. You can also enter Nepal via the Indo-Nepal and Nepal-China land borders.

If you arrive via flight, you will be met by a Third Rock Adventures guide at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. He will be waiting at the airport's terminal holding a placard with your name and Third Rock Adventures written on it. After welcoming you, he will drive you to your hotel and help you with the check-in process. Enjoy a welcome drink and relax in your room.

Later in the day, you will meet your trekking guide, who will brief you about your Phaplu to Gokyo with Renjo La Pass Trek. You can clear any doubts, if you have any, and go over your gear and equipment kit list. If you think you have failed to bring any of the items, you can rent or buy them from a trekking gear shop (there are lots in Thamel). You can also shop for your favorite snacks and withdraw local currency, as card payments are not accepted in the mountains.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

You have a long drive ahead of you today, so you will start your day early. After breakfast at your hotel, you will board a jeep and head towards Phaplu. The route follows the Araniko Highway toward the east of the city. Drive past the ancient city of Bhaktapur and onto the picturesque Newari town of Dhulikhel. You will travel through the brand-new Sindhuli Highway and cross the Sun Koshi River.

Along the way, you can enjoy marvelous views of the mountains, streams, terraced farms, and small villages. The road climbs up and weaves past Okhaldhunga, an important town in lower Solu Khumbu inhabited by the Rai ethnic community. The jeep will make frequent stops en route for refreshments. After taking a long and winding road up to the mountains, you will arrive in Phaplu.

Phaplu has an airport that used to be the lifeline for the locals of lower Solu Khumbu before the roads were built. Head to a lodge and enjoy a good rest.

Overnight in Phaplu.

Leaving Phaplu, you will drive towards Paiya, the trailhead of your trek. The road is not paved, so it's going to be a bumpy ride on a rough jeep track. But the views of the mountains get amazing the further you go. You will ride past Khairkhola and Thamdanda, where trekkers usually start their trek. After almost 6 or 7 hours of walking, you will finally reach Paiya. The village of Paiya

Depending on the weather and the condition of the road, you may have to get down before Paiyaand walk a few meters to the village. Surrounded by green hills and forests, Paiyais a picturesque mountainside village. On reaching the village, head to a teahouse, enjoy a warm meal, and take a rest.

Overnight in Paiya.

Today is going to be a challenging day. It is the first day of your day, and it's going to be one of the hardest of your trip. You will be walking in the footsteps of the early Everest expedition pioneers who took this route before the airport in Lukla was built. The villages along this route mostly depend on agriculture, as they don't get much tourist traffic like in the upper Khumbu Region. People rear livestock and do terraced farming. This part of the route is quieter and less commercial than the busier EBC trails.

The first part of the trek involves a steep hike all the way to the village of Surke. The path goes up and down past a lush forest and waterfalls. After crossing a metal bridge, you will arrive in Surke, a charming riverside village. After a brief rest and refreshment, you continue your hike, climb stone staircases, and make river crossings. You will cross the first metal suspension bridge en route to Musa village.

The higher you go, Buddhist mani stones and prayer wheels pop up frequently along the trail. The path winds past huge boulders and steep stone staircases. Soon you will reach Cheplung, a beautiful village with a large stupa. After walking past the village, you will come across the Thadokoshi Bridge, a long metal suspension bridge. Cross this and walk further to Nurning Ghat. The views open up and get more mesmerizing. Swathes of conifer trees surround the landscape. The trail meanders past the Thadokoshi River and passes through small villages. After climbing more stone steps, you will finally reach Phakding, a beautiful village set aside the Dudh Koshi River. Walk to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Phakding.

After spending a restful night in Phakding, it's time to continue your journey. Today's walk is a beautiful one filled with mesmerizing views of verdant pine forests, waterfalls, rivers, and snow-capped mountains. You will be walking past traditional Sherpa villages, Buddhist mani stones, and prayer wheels. Today, you will also get your first glimpse of Mount Everest.

After a hearty breakfast, you will leave the teahouse and take the trail to Namche Bazaar. You will be walking past the lush pine and rhododendron forests and traditional Sherpa villages. The mesmerizing view of the snow-covered Thamserku can be enjoyed from the trail. The trail meanders past the Sherpa villages of Zamfute, Toktok, Benkar, and Chamoa before finally reaching the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After getting your permits checked, you will continue your hike past a steep trail. There are a lot of switchbacks and river crossings via suspension bridges (5 in total).

At Jorsale, you will stop for lunch at one of the picturesque riverside eateries. Continue your trek and climb further. Cross the Hillary Bridge, the longest and highest suspension bridge in Khumbu, before walking to the outskirts of Namche. From there, you will be able to enjoy your first view of Mount Everest. A bit further lies Namche Bazaar, the destination for today.

Namche Bazaar lies on the face of a deeply carved mountainside. Known as the Sherpa capital, the town resembles a giant amphitheater surrounded by the jagged summits of Thamserku, Kantega, Kusum Kanguru, etc. Namche is a popular acclimatizing spot where trekkers and climbers spend an extra day before heading up. Restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pubs, shops, lodges, spas, museums, and art galleries line the main street of the town. There are also banks and ATMs in this remote mountain town.

Once you reach Namche Bazaar, climb up to the center of the town and make your way to the lodge, where rooms have been booked for you.

Overnight in Namche.

Today you will stay in Namche Bazaar to to acclimatize. It's important to let your body get used to thin air before venturing out at elevations above four thousand meters. You will spend the day hiking around Namche and exploring interesting places. After breakfast, your guide will lead you to a hill above Namche with excellent views of Mount Everest and other peaks. It's a brisk hike to Shayangboche, a beautiful lookout point with a museum and art gallery (Sagarmata Next)

Make your way up to Hotel Everest View, a luxury hotel that once held the world record for being the highest hotel in the world. Sitting at an elevation of 3963 meters, it is still one of the highest luxury hotels in the world. The hotel is located on a picturesque site surrounded by tall fir and pine trees and panoramic views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Kantega, Khumbila, Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kongde, etc. After savoring the views from the hotel's deck, you can take a leisurely hike down to Namche again.

If you feel like exploring the ancient Sherpa villages of Kunde and Khumjung, you can take a detour and visit these historic villages. Khumjung is home to the first school in the Khumbu Region, built by Sir Edmund Hillary, while Kunde has the first and largest hospital in the area. Khumjung also has a monastery where the scalp believed to be that of a Yeti is showcased.

Later in Namche, you can while away your time at one of the cafes, drinking your favorite brew, or strolling around the wonderful mountainside town. If it’s a Saturday you can visit the Saturday local Market and observe the traders who come from neighboring villages and from as far as Tibet.

Overnight in Namche.

Leaving Namche, you continue your trek and head towards Phortse Thanga. As you climb out of Namche, the view opens up, and you will be able to enjoy glorious views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Mount Everest. At Kyanjuma, you can stop for a breather and have something from the small bakery that sells really delicious baked items. Walk on flat ground before finally reaching a split on the trail.

From Sanasa, the trail divides: one trail leads to EBC while another leads to Gokyo. You will head to the trail on the left that leads to Gokyo. Climb up a steep and stony hill built on the side of a cliff. Metal railings are built on the exposed side for safety. Briskly make your way towards Mong La Pass. Ama Dablam looks enticing from the trail. After a steep climb, you will walk on a gentle uphill and reach the village of Mongla, where you will stop for lunch. After leaving Mongla, the trail

descends to the river and climbs up steeply to Phortse Thanga. This section of the trail is a great place to spy on some Himalayan wildlife like Himalayan tahr, wild yak, musk deer, etc. On reaching Phortse Thanga, walk to a teahouse, have a nice warm meal, and rest for the night.

Overnight in Phortse Thanga.

After an early breakfast, you will start your trek towards Machhermo. The route winds up and weaves past a thick alpine forest filled with pine and rhododendron trees. Glorious views of Cholatse, Thamserku, and Kantega can be enjoyed from the trail. It's a steep and long climb to DoleValley. At Dole, you will stop for a brief rest and refreshment.

Later on during the hike, the treeline disappears, and the landscape turns stark and barren. There are no trees to be seen, and only stubby, short grasses grow on the desolate landscape. You will walk on exposed ridges with great views of craggy mountains. After a while, you will reach Luza, a small village with a few teahouses. You can take another small break here before continuing your trek to Machhermo. It's a short climb from Luza to Machhermo. On reaching the settlement, walk to a teahouse and settle in for the night.

Overnight in Machhermo.

Wake up, have your breakfast, and start your hike. Today's hike is not that tough, as there are not many steep ascents. Make your way out of the village and walk to the first of the Gokyo Lakes. The route climbs steeply out of the village and continues on the side of a ridgeline. On the way, you will stop briefly at the village of Phangga for refreshment. The landscape becomes starker and more dramatic as you move towards your destination. Gigantic mountains surround you on all sides, and you tread past stony paths and streams.

A short climb past boulders will bring you to the first of the Gokyo Lakes. Soon, you will walk past two other lakes. Small stone cairns line the shores of the lakes. After walking past stone chortensand prayer flags, you will enter Goyo Village, located on the shores of the fourth Gokyo Tsho, or Dudh Pokhari (Milky Lake) It is the source of the Dudh Koshi River, which flows down to the lower villages of Khumbu. The lake is surrounded by the craggy and jagged summits of Himalayan peaks, Nzogumpa Glacier (the longest glacier in the Himalayas), and brown arid hills. The landscape is one of the most stunning in the entire Nepal Himalayas.

Head to a teahouse while savoring the beautiful view. On reaching the teahouse, enjoy a hearty meal and take a rest.

Overnight in Gokyo.

Today you will spend your second acclimatization day in Gokyo. This is one of the most beautiful places in the Khumbu Region. Make the most of your time here to explore the place and enjoy the views. 

Wake up early in the morning and head towards Gokyo Ri, a hill that offers spectacular views of the Gokyo Lakes and snow-covered mountains. From here, you can enjoy stellar views of four of the highest mountains in the world: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Makalu.

The hike to the top is not easy, as the thin air makes breathing difficult. However, the path to the top is easily walkable and doesn't require any technical maneuvers. But do be careful of loose stones and small pebbles that may make you slip and lose your footing. Take time to rest and breathe properly while ascending the hill.

On reaching the top, you will be able to see the sparkling waters of Gokyo Lake and the great Himalayan mountains in the background. Close to the lake, the gray and gritty glacial moraine of the Ngogumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas, can be seen tumbling down from Cho Oyu and stretching endlessly. After savoring the heavenly views, you will descend the stairs and walk down to the teahouse.

You can spend the rest of the day walking up to the Ngozumpa Glacier and enjoying the view of Cho Oyu (the sixth-highest mountain in the world) and its glacier, or cozy up with a book by the warm stove of the communal hall.

Overnight in Gokyo.

You will make an early start, as you have a long way to go today. Today's hike is also going to be the most difficult part of your trip, as you will be crossing a 5000-meter mountain pass, Renjo La.

One of the three high passes, the crossing of Renjo La, is considered to be much easier than the other two passes, Cho La and Kongma La. However, it is still a difficult pass to navigate, as one has to climb to a height of 5360 meters. From the trail to Renjo La, one gets the best view of Mount Everest's west shoulder. So take time during your hike to pause and enjoy the spectacular view of the world's highest mountain.

You will walk out of the village and follow a path that goes gently along the side of the lake. After walking for some time, you will reach the far end of the Gokyo Lake, where the path climbs steeply to the base of the pass. The trail is filled with boulders and stones. Pause at intervals to enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Everest.

After a steep climb, you will reach a plateau at the base of the Renjo La Pass. Walkover it and makean ascentover huge boulders. After navigating past a couple of switchbacks, you will reach the top of Renjo La Pass. The pass, decorated with colorful prayer flags, offers amazing views of Mount Everest, Makalu, Nuptse, Lhotse, Taboche, Cholatse, Gokyo Lake, Lumde, and Cho La Pass.

After enjoying the view, you can have your packed lunch or head further down to a sheltered spot to have it if it's too windy. The path down the other side of the pass has a stone staircase, so it won't be much of a problem to descend. However, be careful if the steps are covered in ice and snow. At the base of the pass, there is a small lake.

The descent to Lumde is easy and follows a gentle path through a grassy valley. You can see yaks grazing and walking up the mountainside. After a steep descent, you will reach the beautiful hamlet of Lumde. Walk into a teahouse and take a much-deserved rest.

Overnight in Lumde.

You start your trek early, after breakfast. Today's trek, though long, is fairly easy as it involves taking the downward trail. There are a few flat sections and a couple of steep ascents, but the route goes mostly downhill.

Leaving Lumde, take a gentle descent to the villages of Dinjung, Marulung, and Tauranga, walking beside the Bhote Koshi River and crossing a suspension bridge en route. The Sherpa villages on this section of the trail lie off the beaten path, so they are less commercialized. Therefore, one can see a lot of fields and farms, as people on this side of the Khumbu rely on farming. Walking on this route offers you a rare opportunity to observe the authentic village lifestyle of the Sherpas. The fields are protected by stonewalls, and yaks can be seen grazing out in the open.

Walk past some more small settlements and camps of yak herders before arriving at the village of Thame. The village lies on a plateau, surrounded by gigantic snow-covered mountains. It looks picturesque from the trail above. Pass a large white stupa before entering Thame. You can stop for lunch and enjoy a brief rest at this heritage village.

The villages around this route fall under the Sherpa Heritage Trail, as most of the villages have preserved their old way of life. Not many trekkers pass this way, so it is less commercial and less crowded than the EBC route.

From Thame, you will walk down to Samde, Thamo, and Phurte. At Shyangboche, you will be right above Namche Bazaar. Take a steep descent and enter the town of Namche. Head to a lodge or a teahouse and call it a day.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving Namche, you head down to Lukla. The descent takes you past the same route you had taken while heading to Gokyo. It's a long and tiring descent filled with breathtaking views of pine forests and Sherpa villages. On the final leg of your trek, take time to pause and savor the views of the majestic mountains for the last time.

On reaching Lukla, check into a lodge or a teahouse and celebrate the completion of your trip with the local crew. The celebration goes well into the night, with the team singing and dancing to Sherpa and Nepali songs. Before retiring, take time out to thank your guides and porters and tip them generously for helping you reach your goal and return safely.

Overnight in Lukla.

Your Phaplu to Gokyo with Renjo La Pass Trek has finally ended, and it's time to get back to Kathmandu. Before getting on your flight, bid goodbye to the local crew (porters and assistant guides) who accompanied you and helped you during this trip. Board the tiny flight and experience one of the most extreme flights in the world. The flight takes off from the narrow and slightly inclined runway of the Tenzing Hillary Airport and takes to the skies. Enjoy the last views of the mountains before arriving in Kathmandu.

After landing at the domestic airport, you will be picked up by our staff and driven to your hotel. The local market of Ason and New Roadlie close to Thamel. If you are staying in Thamel, you may want to stroll visit these bazaars, and maybe buy some souvenirs.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

A contingency days set aside for unexpected delays or emergencies. This is a high-altitude mountain, and one can always expect flight delays or bad weather to put a spanner in the works. If the trip goes as planned, you will spend this day in Kathmandu as you wish. You can take a guided city tour (at an added cost) or explore the city on your own, relax at a spa, or go souvenir hunting.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

After spending days trekking in Nepal, it's finally time to bid goodbye. Our driver will drop you off at the airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure. If you feel you want to spend some more days in Nepal exploring the country, then please let us know. We have an interesting array of itineraries to choose from. Third Rock Adventures also runs tours in Bhutan, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and India. Drop us a line if you wish to visit any of these countries.