Nepal Trekking - Over the Renjo La to Gokyo Ri

This is a challenging trek into the high mountains of the Khumbu region of Nepal. Challenging, but incredibly rewarding. We start off along the popular Everest trail as far as Namche Bazaar, then branch off westwards into the much quieter Bhote Kosi valley. We'll pass beneath the impossing mountains of Kyajo Ri and Khumbilyila on one side, and Kongde Ri and Nup on the other as we make our way up the valley to the village of Thame. Here, we turn to the north, and towards the border with Tibet, acclimatising to the altitude on Sumdur Peak as we go.

Our route takes up over the high mountain pass known as Renjo La at 5345m, entering the spectacular cirque of high mountains that cradle the five lake of Gokyo. From the village of Gokyo we venture up the massive glacial moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacial to gain the best possible views of Everest, and the next day we climb high above the village to the summit of Gokyo Ri at 5357m.

For our return to Namche Bazaar we head down the valley through the gorgeous Sherpa villages of Machhermo, Dole, and Phortse, rounding off an amazing couple of weeks in the high mountains of Nepal.

This exciting trek is suitable for regular hillwalkers who may be looking for their first adventure into the mountains of Nepal, or perhaps those who have already undertaken a slightly easier trek who are looking for something a bit more special.

For accommodation we'll be using Sherpa lodges throughout on the trek, which means you can travel relatively lightly, and of course our team of porters will be carry your main luggage throughout, so you'll just need your own personal kit each day.

Over the Renjo La to Gokyo Ri Highlights:

• 12 days trekking.
• Fly into Lukla - the most spectacular flight in the world.
• Explore the Bhote Kosi valley.
• Cross the high Renjo La Pass (5345m).
• Climb Gokyo Ri (5357m) from where you get what is regarded to be the very best view of Everest.
• Discover the massive Ngozumpa Glacier.
• Enjoy Sherpa hospitality throughout the trek.
• Trek through a wide range of different habitat types, from jungle to pine forest, and from glacial valleys to high passes and a 5000m mountain top.

Outline Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrive in Kathmandu. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Depending on your flight arrival time, there may be time to explore the city. In the evening we'll gather as a group at the hotel. You'll meet your UK guides, and also your Sherpa guides who'll be with you for the rest of your trip. There'll be time to answer questions, and we'll advise you about packing for the flight to Lukla, etc.

Day 2. Kathmandu. As some flights may not arrive until late on day one, we'll have breakfast together in the hotel, then spend the day in Kathmandu. You could enjoy the exotic splendour of Kathmandu independently, or explore Thamel and the neighbouring area with your UK guide. We normally have an early dinner together, as we'll need to get an early night's sleep, ready for a very early start the next day.

Day 3. Flight to Lukla. We'll leave Kathmandu in the early hours in a private jeep for the drive to Ramechhap which is the small airport that most flights go from to Lukla. The flight is one of the most spectacular in the world, renowned for the landing at Lukla, which sits on the side of a mountain. That afternoon we'll start our trek with a short walk down into the valley to the village of Phakding, overlooking the Dudh Kosi river, where we'll spend the night in our first of many lodges.

Day 4. Trek to Namche Bazaar. For most trekkers, this feels like a fairly big day. We leave Phakding along the riverside path, gaining height to reach the village of Monjo, then after crossing the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge high above the river, we have a long but beautiful climb through open forest and jungle to the town of Namche Bazaar, the 'capital' of the Everest region. We'll pace ourselves carefully for the trek today, as it can be pretty tiring, but the views along the way, and our arrival in the vibrant town make it all worthwhile.

Day 5. Acclimatise in Namche Bazaar. After our exertions of yesterday, today is spent in and around Namche. We'll need to acclimatise to the altitude before moving to the higher villages, and to help you with this we'll have a short walk to a viewpoint just over 4000m high, getting our first proper views of Everest and Ama Dablam if the weather allows, before dropping back down to Namche for another night. You can spend the afternoon enjoying coffee and cake in the town as you watch the world go by, or get a little retail therapy in the many shops in the town.

Day 6. Trek to Thame. Today we climb out of Namche, and head west into the valley of the Bhote Kosi. This is beautiful country, and much quieter than the Dudh Kosi valley we have been in so far. We'll enjoy views towards the mountains on the border with Tibet, seeing Tangi Ragu Tau, and with luck distant Menlungste. We stay in Thame for the night..

Day 7. Acclimatisation on Sumdur Peak. Today we head up to Sumdur Peak above Thame to acclimatise to the altitude further. Most trekkers coming this way go to a viewpoint at about 4800m. Above this point the terrain gets more technical. Most maps show a summit at 5377m, but it's difficult to get that high, and we certainly won't be that well acclimatised at this stage. Our views northwards will be right up to the head of the Bhote Kosi towards the famous Nangpa La, the old trade route through the Himalaya from Tibet into Nepal. We return to Thame for another night ready for our trek up the Bhote Kosi tomorrow.

Day 8. Trek to Lunden. We head north out of Thame into the wild upper reaches of the Bhote Kosi valley. Our destination is the small hamlet of Lunden which nestles beneath the Renjo La. This is wild country, and the views of the mountains on the border ridge with Tibet are some of the finest imaginable. We spend the night in Lunden at a lodge.

Day 9. The Renjo La to Gokyo. A big day today, with a big climb up and over the Renjo La. This is our first time over 5000m so we'll be taking it steady and keeping an eye out for any altitude problems. Due to spending time above Thame climbing Sumdur Peak this shouldn't be an issue though, especially as we'll be walking slowly. The views as we crest the Renjo La are gobsmacking, and stay beautiful as we descend the other side of the pass to spend our first night in the village of Gokyo, sitting above the famous Gokyo Lakes.

Day 10. Ngozumpa Glacier and Lake Number 5! Today we head out from Gokyo village up the glacier. This is breath-taking as we head north towards Cho Oyo, one of the 14 8000m mountains on the planet. We explore along the moraine fringes as we walk to the last large glacial lake up the valley, and return to Gokyo for the night.

Day 11. Gokyo Ri and trek to Machhermo. Today we have a very early start to climb our mountain, Gokyo Ri. This lies just above the village, and while the distance to the summit isn't great, we'll be gaining about 500m of height, which at this altitude is hard going. Gokyo Ri is widely regarded as giving the very best viewpoint for Everest, so it's definitely worthwhile, and we'll plan to be on the summit at sunrise to witness the amazing panorama. Once back at Gokyo village we'll have a short break, then trek down the valley to the village of Machhermo.

Day 12. After a couple of big days you'll be glad that today is a shortish walk downhill to the village of Phortse. We'll pass through stunning rhododendron woodlands where we often see Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer, and you might be lucky enough to spot the national bird of Nepal, the Danphe. We spend the night in Phortse.

Day 13. Trek to Namche Bazaar. Soon after leaving Phortse we'll join the Everest Base Camp route back to Namche Bazaar, and suddenly we'll be surrounded by other trekkers. We'll have a night in Namche ready for our last day's trekking tomorrow.

Day 14. Trek to Lukla. Our last day on the trail as we trek back to Lukla. We'll arrive in the late afternoon, giving you time to explore the town.

Day 15. Flight to Ramechhap, and back to Kathmandu. We'll have an early morning flight back to Ramechhap, then enjoy the journey by private jeep back to our hotel in Kathmandu. We'll have a celebratory beer at one of the many bars in Thamel, and we usually go out for dinner together as a group.

Day 16. Today we'll have a cultural tour of one or more of the famous temples in Kathmandu, and we'll enjoy a farewell dinner hosted by our Sherpa team, SKA Adventures.

Day 17. You'll be transferred from the hotel back to Kathmandu airport in time for your flight home. Alternatively, we can arrange extra nights in Kathmandu if you let us know in advance!

Over the Renjo La to Gokyo Ri trip dates:

April 19th - May 7th 2025 (arriving in Kathmandu on April 20th, and departing for home on May 6th) Places available.