High Passes to Everest

Altitude 5,544m/18,188ft » Duration 24 Days » Grade T2

Trek to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes and two challenging high passes

Introduction

This is the ultimate three-week trekking experience for those who wish to visit Everest Base Camp. The route is longer and more challenging than our twenty-day Everest Base Camp Trek, as it crosses two high passes, the Renjo La (5,388m) and the Cho La (5,380m) and takes in the viewing point of Gokyo Ri (5,483m). This westerly approach to Everest provides amazing vistas of the world's highest mountain and should be considered in particular, by the keen photographer or by those who want a tougher trek.

Our Everest adventure begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla in the Khumbu Valley. From here, we trek to Namche Bazar, the Sherpa capital, before breaking off the main Everest trail and heading west to Thame and onwards towards the remote Nangpa Valley, close to the border with Tibet. The Renjo La is a tough day, but our reward is stunning views of Everest, as well and mountains to the east and Cho Oyu (the world's sixth highest mountain) to the west. It is a leisurely descent to idyllic Gokyo Lakes, where we will have a rest day, before climbing the famous view point of Gokyo Ri. Our route continues over the colossal Ngozumpa Glacier then climbs to the foot of the next high pass, the Cho La. The crossing of the Cho La involves walking up steep scree, which is frequently icy, to reach a small glacier at the top, before zig zagging down the other side. We regain the main Everest trail the following day and continue up to Kala Patar and base camp itself, where in the spring, we may meet members of the Jagged Globe Everest climbing team. From base camp, we complete our trekking circuit by returning to Lukla down the main Khumbu Valley, via the many Sherpa villages, including Thyangboche, with its impressive monastery. Back in Kathmandu, we can explore the city's many famous monasteries, shop in the Thamel district, or simply relax at our hotel, which is situated away from the heat and hustle and bustle of downtown Kathmandu.

The trek is led by an experienced Jagged Globe leader, supported by our Nepalese Sherpas, cook staff and porters. Please note that you will spend one day camping on this trek, the rest of the time you will stay in Teahouses.

Jagged Globe in Nepal

Our aim is to provide you with a safe, enjoyable and successful trek in Nepal. This remarkable Himalayan country is the centrepiece of our worldwide activities and we provide all of our trekkers and climbers with a smooth and efficient service to maximise both your enjoyment and your chances of a successful trip, whether it be to Everest Base Camp or a climb to the summit. The benefits of joining Jagged Globe on our High Passes to Everest Treks are:

Well-planned itineraries and acclimatisation designed to give all team members the opportunity to reach base camp (preferably without a headache!)
Jagged Globe leader, Mungo Ross has led over 20 treks and expeditions to Nepal and says that "The Renjo La gives the best views of Mount Everest that I have ever seen".
In the spring, you can visit our climbing team in base camp and get a sense of what an Everest expedition is like.
Our treks stay in lodges throughout (one day camping below the Renjo La) and are led by highly experienced Jagged Globe leaders, supported by a Nepalese Sirdar, plus Sherpas and porters.
Our treks are outfitted by Kit Spencer, a former British Gurkha officer based in Kathmandu who fully understands Western needs.
We take special care of our porters who are probably the best equipped and clothed in Nepal, with items specially purchased in the UK.
We use a great hotel in Kathmandu which people really appreciate, particularly after the trek. The Summit Hotel is a welcome oasis, situated ten minutes away from the noise and bustle of downtown Kathmandu.

Additional benefits include:

A fully staffed office here in the UK, which includes people with first hand knowledge of the region and its mountains. As a company, we have been organising trips to Nepal since 1988.
You have the opportunity of joining a Pre-Trip Weekend, to brief you on the trek, meet other members, have a day out 'on the hill' and to purchase equipment from a leading retailer at a 15% discount.
You can take advantage of our comprehensive Equipment Hire Service to ensure you are well equipped for the trip without having to make expensive purchases.

We are here to make your trek a great and memorable experience, so why not join us for your Himalayan adventure!

Trek Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly London to Kathmandu Our flight to Nepal departs London Heathrow in the evening.
Day 2:	Arrive Kathmandu In Kathmandu, we will stay at the Summit Hotel; positioned well away from the noise and bustle of the city centre, it has extensive gardens, a swimming pool and an atmosphere of quiet, restful charm. It is a Dutch owned, British managed establishment with a friendly and helpful Nepalese staff. Team members will be accommodated on a twin share basis in en-suite rooms. Single rooms are available if you prefer, for which a supplement is payable.
Day 3:	Fly Kathmandu to Lukla We will make an early morning start for the Twin Otter flight to Lukla (2,840m/9,317ft), the gateway to the Khumbu. This is an exciting flight, which should give a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In Lukla, we will meet our trek staff and porters and set off straightaway for our first night's stop at Monjo. Situated on the banks of the Dudh Kosi, which drains the whole of the Khumbu Region, this small hamlet is on the main trade route through the area and there are a number of clean, well-built lodges where we can spend the night.
Day 4:	Trek to Namche Bazaar We will continue up the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice by small suspension bridges before reaching the Khumbu National Park. We will then cross the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Bhote Kosi on a high suspension bridge and climb steeply for about two hours up 'Namche Hill' to reach Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,155ft). This is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu Region. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the local market is a fascinating spectacle. This is a good place to buy genuine Tibetan artefacts. Just across the valley to the east stand the peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, both very impressive mountains.
Day 5:	At leisure in Namche Bazaar We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar, resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatised to the altitude of 3,450m. In the morning, there is the option of walking up to the Everest View Hotel (3,900mt), returning to Namche for lunch.
Day 6:	Namche Bazaar to Thame From Namche, we now head away from the main trekking trail to Everest Base Camp and journey towards Tibet. We may meet Tibetans, who have crossed over the high passes from Tibet, coming down the valley to trade their goods in Namche Bazaar. Thame (3,844m) is famous for being the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay and it a relaxing place to take another essential acclimatisation day. It is not possible to continue tomorrow, as we have a large height gain to reach Lungden and we need our bodies to adjust further to the high altitude.
Day 7:	Acclimatisation day in Thame Today we will relax and enjoy our surroundings. There are particularly good views from here of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde to the south and there is a gompa above the town, which we may take a stroll up to.
Day 8:	Thame to Lungden Having left most trekkers behind us, we will not find too many more until we arrive at Gokyo, as Thame tends to be the limit of exploration for groups coming up the valley. So, this high valley area remains the simple domain of yaks, farming and Sherpas, and today we walk by some very old and truly authentic Himalayan Villages that blend almost invisibly into the landscape. We eventually reach the small village Lungden (4,400m), the last place where we can stay overnight in a lodge.
Day 9:	Lungden to Renjo La base camp It is a steady walk on a mostly easy-going path to reach our camp site in a beautiful, deserted valley, just below the Nangpa La, situated at c4,900m. The Nangpa La is a historical and important route from Tibet, which was used by the early Sherpas as the crossed into Nepal. This is the only night of the trek that we will spend in tents, but it is important to place us closer to the pass than having to trek all the way from Lungden. The following day we will say goodbye to some of our porters, who will descend back down the valley with the camping equipment, whilst we cross the Renjo La.
Day 10:	Cross the Renjo La (5,388m) to Gokyo Lakes The ascent of the Renjo La is up a well-made, but rocky path, which the locals frequently cross with yaks. The climb is bound to feel tough at these altitudes, so we make an early start to give ourselves plenty of time, plus the best opportunity for the air to be clear when we reach the top of the pass. The views towards Everest to the east are some of the best that you can expect without having to get off a major trekking route. For the keen photographer, it is a much more open vista than you can expect on Kala Pattar or Gokyo Ri, so now is the time to get your camera out! Laid out before us is the stunning panorama of Everest, Cho Oyu, Gyanchung Kang, Makalu, Nuptse and Ama Dablam - virtually every mountain in the Khumbu and beyond. Having taken some time to enjoy these views, we begin the descent to Gokyo Lakes, down a fairly rough trail at first, before continuing steeply down a blunt ridge line to eventually reach more level ground. From here we skirt he north side of the Dudh Pokhari travelling eastwards towards Gokyo Resort and our lodge for the night.
Day 11:	Rest day at Gokyo Lakes It is timely to have rest day today as most of us would have found yesterday's climb pretty hard work and we have a couple more tough days ahead of us. Gokyo Lakes is a really relaxing place to stay and soak up the breathtaking scenery. It's quieter than the main Everest trail and the mountains are less enclosed. We will have a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a wander down to one of the lakes in the afternoon, or take a gentle stroll up onto the moraine at the edge of the vast Ngozumpa Glacier. However, it is important to remember that this is a rest day, so at no point should we exert ourselves too much.
Day 12:	Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5,357m) The earlier the better for an ascent of Gokyo Ri. It take between two to three hours to zig-zag our way up to the summit of this famous view point. The summit boulders are draped with prayer flags and the views towards Cho Oyu are particularly fine. We descend back down to Gokyo for lunch, or, if we have made a particularly early ascent, we will continue towards Dragnag. From Gokyo Resort, we trek down the valley to the 'first lake' and then head due east across the Ngozumpa Glacier. The route across the moraine of the glacier is on mostly sandy trails that weave amongst the 'moonscape' of the glacier, before reaching the far side and the small hamlet of Dragnag (2 hours from Gokyo). We will stay at the new lodge in Dragnag.
Day 13:	Cross Cho La (5,380m) to Dzongla This is a big day. We need to set off very early in the morning to ensure that we cross the Cho La and descend to Dzongla in good time. At first we make a very gradual ascent alongside the river up a small valley to eventually reach a sandy ridge line, which gives a great view of the Cho La ahead and to the north east. There are some impressive 6,000m peaks to be viewed from here. To the north - the rocky Nirekha Peak and Kangshung Peaks, and to the south, the icy bulk of Cholatse. We make a long, gradual descent on a pleasant grassy path to reach a lunch stop below the pass. After lunch the ground becomes more technical and it is time to pack away our trekking poles. The route weaves around boulders at first, before climbing up onto rockier ground and a final steep section to reach the top of the pass. This is on loose ground, which can often be icy, so we need to take great care and it might be that we fix a short section of rope and use crampons. Conditions on the pass can vary considerably, so we err on the safe side and bring crampons with us just in case. The top of the pass is glaciated and we walk across a flat section of snow for about 15 minutes before dropping off the side and back onto rock. With Dzongla now in sight, we pick our way down the far side of the pass and descend into a lovely valley. A stream that meanders along the bottom leads us to the lodge at Dzongla and a well-deserved rest (7 - 9 hours).
Day 14:	Dzongla to Lobuje The trail from Dzongla descends a little, then contours steadily around Awi Peak, before joining the main Khumbu Valley and reaching Lobuje. There are yet more superb views today, including towards the distinctive north face of Ama Dablam. It will probably feel like something of a 'culture shock' arriving in Lobuje, as this is a busy village en route to Everest and one in which all trekking and climbing teams stay on their way to base camp.
Day 15:	Lobuje to Groak Shep About three hours beyond Lobuje we reach Gorak Shep (5,220m/17,126ft), the site of the 1953 expedition's base camp. This will be our base for the next few days as we explore the surrounding area and visit Everest base camp.
Day 16:	Climb Kala Pattar (5,545m) Today we will make an ascent of Kala Pattar (5,545m/18,188ft) and organise ourselves for the trip to base camp the following day. It is highly recommended to make an afternoon and evening ascent of Kala Pattar for hopefully a sunset view of Everest. The climb takes between 2 and 3 hours and can be hard work, but the effort is rewarded by the classic view of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori immediately above. For many teams, this is as far as they go on the Everest Trail. For the full experience, tomorrow we will visit base camp itself.
Day 17:	Trek to Everest Base Camp (c5,600m) Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. For those visiting base camp in the spring, it is a chance to meet teams making an ascent of the mountain. Here we hope to meet up with members of the Jagged Globe Everest South Col team, and catch up on their news of the climb so far. Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend some time wandering through it and getting a sense of what it must be like to be camped here for two whole months, whilst attempting the mountain. To go any further than base camp, you will need to be a mountaineer! Our Everest team cooks will serve us lunch before we make the return trek to Gorak Shep.
Day 18:	Trek to Pheriche We retrace our steps to Lobuje and descend down the Khumbu Valley, stopping for a break in Dugla. With more views of Ama Dablam ahead of us, and of the north face of Taweche, we continue along a flat valley to Pheriche. Pheriche has a wide range of lodges and also a Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Post. Hopefully we will have time to drop in and talk to the doctors there.
Day 19:	Trek to Kyangjuma Following the main Everest trail down the beautifully scenic valley, we pass through Pangboche at the base of Ama Dabkam and cross the river before climbing to the monastery at Thyangboche. Here we will no doubt take advantage of the bakery, as well as spending some time exploring the famous monastery. A circuit of the monastery, with its many prayer wheels is not to be missed, as is an exploration of the inside. From Thyangboche, a steep descent of around 1500ft/500m leads through bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir trees to the Dudh Kosi River. From here we will continue to Kyangjuma (3,550m/11,545ft) to spend the night.
Day 20:	Trek to Monjo Crossing on yet another suspension bridge, we climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the contouring path leading back to Namche Bazaar. We should have enough time in Namche to shop and relax in the bakery with a coffee and a cake, or even to check the Internet. A steep descent for 600m/2,000ft down Namche Hill leads to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi river and the small village of Monjo (2,835m/9,300ft). Not only is Monjo a quieter place to stay than Namche, it also means our porters have a less strenuous walk back to Lukla tomorrow.
Day 21:	Trek to Lukla The trail now flattens out and we cross the river twice more before a rising traverse up the hill-side, past numerous tea-houses to Lukla. Our last day of steady trekking will be a real joy as at lower altitudes, with two weeks behind us, and nothing left to prove, we can soak up the atmosphere in each of the villages we amble through. All excess energy is guaranteed at our party this evening with our Nepalese crew.
Day 22:	Fly Lukla to Kathmandu An early morning flight. We will be met at the domestic airport in Kathmandu and taken to the Summit Hotel. The afternoon can be spent exploring the city and visiting some of the temples, or simply browsing bookshops and shopping in the Thamel area. The team may choose to eat at the Summit Hotel tonight or in town at one of the many excellent restaurants, such as Rum Doodle.
Day 23:	At Leisure in Kathmandu For those eager to see as much of Kathmandu as possible, an early start is worthwhile to visit the temples of Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath and districts of Bhaktapur and Patan. Durbar Square is also on the essential list, as is the shopping area of Thamel. Our flight back to the UK departs in the late evening, so we can have our final meal together in the early evening.
Day 24:	Arrive London We arrive back at London Heathrow mid-morning.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, availability of porters and the health of team members can all contribute to changes. The leaders and their Sherpa assistants will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary.

Team Composition

The trek will be led by an experienced Jagged Globe British trek leader. In selecting suitable leaders, we not only look to ensure that they have the relevant qualifications but we also ensure that they have a good track record of trekking at high altitudes. Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our leaders have the right temperament to lead an trek group comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations. The leader is a vital contributor to the enjoyment and well-being of the trekking members and he or she will be there to deal with any unexpected problems. To that end, we aim to provide a leader who will make the trek both successful and enjoyable throughout.

Our leaders hold current mountain first aid certificates and have experience of dealing with mountain related medical conditions.

The leader will be supported by one of our excellent Sherpa guides, who know the region very well. Our team of local porters will carry your personal gear.

We will take a maximum of 14 people on each trek, although the number may well be less than this.

Experience Required

High Passes to Everest is graded T2.

The High Passes to Everest trek is suitable for fit walkers or those with previous trekking experience. If you have completed the Inca Trail, climbed Kilimanjaro or are a regular weekend hill walker, you could consider the High Passes to Everest .

You are welcome to contact members of the Jagged Globe office staff, who have recent experience of trekking to Everest Base Camp, if you would like to discuss the trek in more detail.

Environmental Practice

The trekking routes to popular base camps such as Everest are under considerable environmental pressure. We therefore do our best to minimise the impact of our treks and expeditions by adhering to a responsible and workable environmental policy. This includes the following measures:

General Garbage - Items which are easily combustible may be burnt without offending local sensibilities. Non-burnables and the remains of burnt items will be taken back to an appropriate collection point. Special consideration is given to the safe disposal of used batteries, which are re-exported back to the UK.

Toilet Facilities - On trek, toilet facilities are available at Teahouses, apart from below the Renjo La where we will use a toilet tent and bury human waste discreetly. At Everest base camp we share the expedition toilet facilities, which are transported to a suitable disposable point after the expedition.

Jagged Globe supports the work of the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) and trekkers are asked to adhere to its guidelines, which we provide.

Porter Protection

Any trek or expedition to Nepal relies on the hard work of local porters. It is their carrying of our supplies and baggage that makes a journey into the mountains possible. Jagged Globe is therefore careful to ensure that they are well treated, not exploited and have good protection from the elements. We work closely with our Nepal based partner, Kit Spencer to provide shelter, clothing and footwear that match the severity of the environment. Porters who become sick are treated with the same care and attention as team members, and we have used helicopters, at our expense, to rescue porters from hazardous situations.

Jagged Globe supports the work of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG), and provides help and advice to those organisations to improve the working conditions of the porters on whom we depend. All trekkers are asked to provide feedback on porters' working conditions in post-trip questionnaires.

Pre-Trip Meeting

Prior to all our expeditions and treks, we host a Pre-Trip Weekend in North Wales. The primary purpose of the weekend is to provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the forthcoming trek and to introduce them to other team members. The weekend covers topics as diverse as personal equipment and acclimatisation and usually involves a hike. To find out more about our Pre-Trip Weekends [click here].

Here is some recent feedback from our weekends:
"The weekend was fantastic. It was great to meet the other team members and to go on a practice climb with everyone."
"Excellent weekend. I learned a lot about kit/my concerns and it was great team building."
"Excellent, informative, reassuring and fun. Great weather!"

Equipment

Find out about our comprehensive Equipment Hire Service.

Trekkers need to provide their own personal clothing and equipment. Some items of equipment are available for hire from us but we strongly recommend that you purchase your own personal equipment and test it before departure.

On this trek you need to wear 3 season boots that will take a walking crampon, as these may be required on the crossing of the Cho La.

A complete kit list is contained in the Trek Dossier, which is sent to you on receipt of your booking deposit.

What the price includes

Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
UK airline taxes.
All internal flights and hotel/airport transfers.
Accommodation at our base in Kathmandu, the relaxing Summit Hotel.
All road transport by private vehicles.
Accommodation in lodges/tea houses and all meals during the trek.
All porterage costs.
All costs for a Jagged Globe accredited leader and Sherpa staff.
Jagged Globe kitbag.

What the price does not include

Visa fees.
Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
Bar bills and laundry.
Travel insurance.
Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu.
Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
Tips.

Insurance

Special travel insurance is available from us which provides a wide range of cover. The premium for this trek is detailed in the Prices & Booking section. A full explanation of the Jagged Globe Insurance Scheme is available on the website and in our brochure.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please contact us by telephone:

+44 (0) 845 345 8848

Alternatively, you can contact us by email via the Contact Page on the website.

Booking

If you would like to book a place on this trek, you can do so on our secure on-line booking facility, on our website. The £300 deposit for this trek will secure you a place on your chosen departure. You will receive an automatic email confirmation, followed by a written confirmation of booking, experience questionnaire and Trek Dossier. Alternatively, you can book over the telephone or by sending in a booking form by post.

Trekking Expeditions