Nirekha Peak Climbing - 21 days

The trip begins with your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Our company representative will welcome you at the airport. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Today, you will go on a sightseeing tour around the Kathmandu valley. Our private car will take you around the Kathmandu valley. You will visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath on the tour. These places are the world heritage sites in the city and are highly revered as culturally and religiously adorned monuments. You also make sure that you have all the equipment necessary for the journey.

Today you take a 45 min flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. You meet the rest of the crew in Lukla and then start the trek to Phakding. You leave behind Lukla and pass through Mani walls to reach Nurning. You follow the downhill trail and reach the small village of Phakding on the bank of Dudh Koshi River. Overnight stay at a lodge in Phakding.

Your destination today is Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is the central village of the Sherpa in Khumbu region. It is situated on a horseshoe shaped flank and is crowded with about 100 buildings including lodges, bhattis, store and banks. There is a plateau in the right side of the village entrance, where they have a bazaar every Saturday. It is thronged with people especially in the morning. Our trek starts after crossing the Suspension bridge of Dudh Koshi River. Today, the walk is pleasant with few ups and down. Enroute, we will have a magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m / 21,675ft) from the Benkar village. Crossing the bridges and reaching at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, our trekking permits will be checked. After entering the National Park boundary, we descend towards the suspension bridge-Koshi River. After crossing the bridge, we reach Jorsale village, the last village till Namche. From here the walk is pleasant on the river bed till the last bridge over the Imja Tse River is reached. Further continuing our trek, we walk along the winding uphill path all the way to Namche Bazaar, with magnificent view of Kwangde peak and it’s other sister peaks towards east with Kusum Kanguru on the back. As you climb higher, view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and the closer view of Taboche peak can be seen from some part on the way to Namche. Finally we reach at colorful houses called Namche Bazaar main gate of Khumbu region. We stay overnight at Namche Bazaar.

Leaving Namche Bazaar, we climb the Khumjung hill and then descend to the east of the village down the broad valley leading to the Dudh Koshi from where the route turns north.There are two trails and our guide will choose the best option for us to follow. There is a chorten on the ridge top at 3,973 meter which descends from Mt. Khumbila (5,761 m). Then we trek northwards and reach Mong (Mohang) which is known as the birth place of the Saint Lama Sanga Dorje, the reincarnation lama of Rongbuk Monastery. This Monastery is believed to have introduced Buddhism in the Khumbu region of Nepal.The trail descends in a series of steep switchbacks down a sandy slope to the Dudh Koshi and enters at Phortse Thanga.Then the trail climbs steeply through rhododendron forests, passing many Kharka on its way to Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) and finally Dole (4200m).

On the following day, we have to climb uphill in order to reach Machhermo. The trail climbs through a huge rock at Lhabarma (4330m) and carries on to Luza (4340m).From Luza the trail continues to climb to Machhermo (4410m) where we can have good views of the mountains. There is a Chorten right before the Luza village. Throughout today’s journey we will be walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River.Overnight at Machhermo.

We commence our trek by climbing a ridge for a superb view of Kangtega down the valley and also up towards Cho Oyu (8153 m). The narrow valley now begins to widen as the trail passes through Phangkha (4390 m), where an avalanche in 1995 killed 40 people. We then descend to the riverbank before climbing onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier on a steep trail. Upon crossing an iron bridge over a stream, the trail levels out as it follows the valley past the first lake, known as Longpongo, at 4690 meter. At this juncture, we get a chance to observe lama footprints on a stone. At the sight of the second lake, Taboche Tsho, we become mesmerized by the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun. Further walk from the second lake, we reach the third lake, the two linked by a surging stream. Gokyo village stands by the third lake and Cho-Oyu Mountain as a backdrop sets an amazing spectacular sight here. After lunch, we explore around the third lake, Dudh Pokhari. 

An excursion in Gokyo Ri is an exceptional opportunity. This acclimatization day is grasped as an opportunity to climb Gokyo Ri to enjoy the scene from the best viewpoint of Everest Region. Or, as we know Gokyo is not only popular for its grand view from Gokyo Peak but also for the six lakes which it hosts, definitely we would not miss the chance to observe the fourth lake (Thonak Tsho) and fifth lake (Ngozumpa Tsho). About 3 km north of Gokyo is the fourth lake with its high cliffs and peaks rising above it. The trail continues to fifth lake and we get mesmerized by the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water. If interested, we climb on a hill at the edge of the Lakes to get astounding views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu. We can see a lot more from here – the spot is called Scoundrel’s Viewpoint. Beyond the fifth Lakes is the Cho Oyu Base Camp. Scenery here is breathtaking with Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang seeming just a stone’s throw away. Northern part of the fifth lake provides fabulous views of Cho-Oyu Base Camp and biggest glacier of the world- the Ngozumpa Glacier. Moved by the charm, we may even try to go sixth lake too but depends upon our own interest and time. Return back to Gokyo village and overnight stay at camp.

Following the ascending trail along the glacial moraine, you arrive at Dragnag. Dragnag is also known as the Cho La Pass base camp. During this journey, you will be accompanied with the views of Makalu (8,463 m), Lhotse (8,414 m), and neighboring peaks. You also walk through pasturelands and hints of alpine vegetation to reach Dragnag. Overnight stay at a lodge in Dragnag.   

From Dragnag, you gradually ascend, passing through the glaciers and rocky terrain towards Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters. The pass is an excellent viewpoint to observe the peaks like Ama Dablam (6856m) and Cholatse (6440m) among many others. From there, you follow a tiny trail that heads north and heads towards Nirekha Base Camp. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Nirekha Base Camp

Today is the big day. You wake up early in the morning and head towards the summit as you aim to reach there before noon. The guides and Sherpas will guide you through this entire journey. After reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with the views of like the Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,414 m), Makalu (8,463 m), Nuptse (7,861 m) and many others in this mystical Everest region. You spend some time at the top and then head back to the base camp. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Nirekha Base Cam

If you cannot reach the summit on the 13th day due to bad weather or health problems, you can utilize this day and make the climb. This day is not required if you successfully make the climb on the scheduled day. Overnight stay at a tented camp in Base Camp.

Today is a tough day of trekking. You head towards the Cho La Pass (5,420 m). The crossing of the Cho La Pass itself isn’t difficult, but it involves a glacier traverse on the eastern side. You need to be careful during the descent as the trail is very slippery. After crossing the pass you move downwards and arrive at Dzongla. Overnight stay at a lodge in Dzongla

You climb down from Dzongla and curve round through the wide riverbed and reach Lobuche. Up ahead, the trail to Gorakshep goes through the lateral moraine of Khumbu Glacier. You pass through the rocky dunes, moraines, and streams and reach Gorakshep. The trail also passes through Pyramid village and cross Lobuche pass (5110m) before arriving at Gorakshep. Overnight stay at a lodge in Gorakshep.

We’ll wake before dawn today to trek towards Kalapatthar (which means “black rock”) for a fiery, glorious sunrise over Mt. Everest. After climbing for couple hours, we arrive in the famous view point, the top of Kala Patthar. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of Nuptse Nup, Changtse and Lhotse we have the best view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and Ama Dablam along with the entire mountain views of Khumbu Himalayan range. This may be, of the whole journey, our most opportune moment to snap amazing pictures of Everest and its neighboring peaks. Afterwards, we get back to Gorakshep for breakfast and descend down in the direction of Dingbuche, our nighttime stop. Our pace will be a lot brisker as we descend, and the walking is easier going this way.

Today we are leaving imja valley, and following the Dudh koshi River to get Namche Bazar . The trail descends quite considerably today, but some uphills must be tackled! As we approach Namche, the forests and greenery return.

This is a long day of walking, made harder by the hard hiking the day before. But push on because a good dinner and a hot shower await! And now is the opportunity to celebrate your successful trek to Everest Base Camp with a beer!

And with wifi available, now is also time to get in touch with loved ones at home and perhaps upload a few pictures of your trip.

The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. By today we start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as we pass through this charming mountain air. Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel completely different views.

After 3 to 4 hours walk we will reach Lukla. Upon arrival in Lukla, we stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smile on faces! Overnight at Lukla.

Flights to Kathmandu are usually scheduled for morning because wind can create problem to fly the aircraft in the afternoon. But sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other unprecedented reasons that are beyond our control. We fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. After reaching Kathmandu we have the rest of the day off to rest or do some souvenir shopping. Overnight in Kathmandu.

The 21-day trip comes to an end. You will be accompanied by our company representative to the airport for the scheduled flight to your destination. Namaste, see you again in future .