Trek Campo Base del Everest. Valle Gokyo-Cho La Pass-Valle del Khumbu-Valle Imja Khola (Chukhung). Desde Lukla.
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 93.01 mi
- Elevation gain
- 41,109 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 41,109 ft
- Max elevation
- 18,261 ft
- TrailRank
-
76
5
- Min elevation
- 8,377 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Coordinates
- 2100
- Uploaded
- January 18, 2019
near Lukla, Eastern Region (Nepal)
Viewed 4044 times, downloaded 168 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
|
Undoubtedly one of the most famous and spectacular trekking that can be done.
It was our first time in Nepal. We did not dare to do the trek on our own and we hired a local company. Really, if you have experience, I do not see it necessary since the roads are very well indicated and are very obvious, there are good maps (although on the scale they only serve to get a general idea of the route) and there are so many people that it will be difficult not to There is nobody to ask in case of need. Apart it is very advisable to use some GPS device or use the mobile in this mode with some application that geolocates you and previously download maps of the area. In summary, only if you have no experience do I recommend hiring guides and porters.
I have classified the trekking as difficult for hiking along the length and the pass of Cho La Pass, which according to the conditions may require the use of crampons (this stage is the hardest) and the potential problems that may be with the height and acclimatization.
To make this trek, it is necessary to obtain two permits. The Samarganda National Park Entry Permit (SNP Entry Permit) and the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management Systems). Both can be obtained without too much trouble at the Kathmandu Tourism Office (Nepal Tourism Board), although they are somewhat expensive.
As for the budget of trekking, it is a difficult question to calculate, taking into account that this circuit every year becomes more expensive. In theory with a budget of between € 20 and € 30 a day, there should be no problem. Obviously the most remote lodges are those with the highest prices. It seems incredible that just 10 years ago these prices would be inconceivable.
The stages can be divided according to the taste of the consumer, but it is not advisable to run a lot since acclimatization is an important factor to take into account and in this trek height is gained from the beginning (if you leave from Lukla as it was our case). Lukla is at 2800m and Namche Bazar, which is where you sleep the second night, is already at 3430m. This is nonsense and that is why it is highly recommended to do at least two nights in Namche (apart from that it is the liveliest place in the whole valley and the circuit). It is interesting the rest day in Namche to climb higher ( For example, take a trip to Khumjung). Namche has a very good market where you can buy mountain items such as membrane pants, feathers, etc. at a very good price. So you do not have to load them from below.
Our stages were the following:
Day 1. Lukla to Phakding.
It is a short stage, but because of the necessary acclimatization, it should not be longer. We flew from Katamandú to Lukla that same morning (flights leave very early, which is when the weather is more stable). The flight itself is a real spectacle (take a left window on this route to see the Himalayas), not to mention the landing at Lukla, on a track no longer than 150m long, with a wall at the end and a chasm at the beginning . I said, a show. And the short stage is a pleasant walk of contact with these incredible rural landscapes and their people.
They are about 8kms excasos and the drop is rather down, since Phakding (2600m) is lower than Lukla (2800m).
Day 2. Phakding to Namche Bazar. (3420m)
They are 10kms of travel. The unevenness is important, especially when crossing the Dudh Koshi in its union with the Bhote Koshi, to rise without truce to Namche. It will be about 1000ms of upload.
The landscape is very similar to the previous day, although when we passed the great Tibetan bridge over the Dudh River and began to gain height quickly, we will get the first views of Everest. Arriving in Namche we will have views towards other peaks as impressive or more than Everest (Thamserku, Ama Dablam ....). Namche itself is an amazing place, full of life, markets, Buddhist architecture, etc ... where to spend time without hurry.
Day 3. Namche Bazar to Khunde (3840m) and Khumjung (3800m). Rest day to acclimatize.
The 3500m of Namche is easy to sit down if we do not take it easy. So a good plan is to go up to these villages (very interesting for its architecture, its people and its impressive views) and then go back to sleep in Namche. Another good excursion option to acclimatize would be to go to Thame (3820m).
Day 4. Namche Bazar (3420m) to Phortse Thenga (3680m)
Short stage, you have to be careful and not gain height faster than the account. It only takes 3 hours (without haste) to reach this town already at the entrance to the Gokyo Valley. As the stage is so short, we take the opportunity to climb and visit the village of Phortse (3820m) to make time and acclimatize and to get to know the area and get views from the top of the entrance of this impressive valley at the foot of the imposing Thamserku.
Day 5. Phortse Thenga (3680m) to Machhermo (4400m)
In two words, too much unevenness! At this point I do not recommend doing this stage as we did it, better to divide it in two, although we have time on all sides. But it is a gain of height too strong at this point (worth the redundancy). I am very sensitive to this, then I regret (apart from this day I started with a diarrhea that would last me all the trek, because of eating Yak meat in Namche, supposedly).
Day 6. Machhermo to Gokyo (4750m).
We won 350m of elevation gain. We already entered the high mountain with incredibly beautiful and grandiose landscapes. Speechless! Surrounded by mountains such as Cho Oyu (an 8000 that seems a stone's throw away), next to beautiful frozen lakes. At night (in the evenings and in the early mornings too) it is very, very cold. Already in Machhermo he also did when the sun set.
Day 7. Gokyo (4750m). We climb the Gokyo Ri (5360m) Dragnag (or Tagnag) (4700m)
At this point (in all senses of the expression) acclimation is sacred, facing the passage of Cho La. So this day we dedicate to climb this small mountain (compared to what is around) that has perhaps one of the most impressive views that a normal person can see in his life. It can not be described.
After descending to Gokyo we continue through the Ngozumpa Glacier to reach the small village of Dragnag, where we would spend the night.
Day 8. Dragnag to Lobuche (4930m) via Cho La Pass (5420m)
Without a doubt the stage reigns of this trekking. In all the senses, for its spectacularity and for its hardness, since it is quite long and the height is obvious or yes. Of course, more than compensates for the views.
The climb to Cho La is long and tedious as you go slow and the views upwards are not very suggestive. We have to turn our heads from time to time to admire the grandeur of what we are leaving behind us. When we finally arrive at the Cho La Pass (The signifies Nepali Pass, so the name is a redundancy) we will finally tread a small glacier quite flat and without any difficulty. The views have expanded considerably and especially forward, as we go down, we will have one of the greatest visions that our eyes will see in our entire life, we are talking about the Ama Dablam, framed by the impressive walls that close on both sides the valley where we are going down. We approach the Khumbu Valley and, before reaching it, we turn left to avoid losing altitude and head towards Lobuche, which awaits us with a very considerable increase of people, with respect to what we had become accustomed to in the area of Gokyo
The stage has been long and hard. They will be about 15kms in length and the drop will have been up 850m and descent about 600m.
Day 9. Lobuche to Ghorak Shep (5160m). Ascent to Kala Pattar (5545m)
Short stage since the two settlements are within walking distance but height commands. You only earn 250m to get to Ghorak. It's really cold. We arrived quite early despite walking slowly because of being quite tall. After taking something we went up to the Kala Pattar, a ridiculous little hill, which is simply the shoulder, not to mention the knee of a 7000 called Pumori, which borders China, surrounded by giants, which is more impressive. The views are indescribable everywhere, especially towards the entire Khumbu Valley, from its head, presided over by Everest and its neighbor Lhotse (two little ones) to the distant Ama Dablam, closing the valley to the south. We went down to Ghorak and rested a little. I'm very touched by the height so we discard the plan we had for the afternoon to approach the Everest Base Camp, a bitch! The night is very cold, even inside the lodge, which is the most precarious of the whole circuit, and that has human central heating (the place is bursting with people)
Day 10. Ghorak Shep to Dingboche (4360m) 13kms.
We go down through the Khumbu Valley, passing through Lobuche again and we turn left to enter the Imja Khola Valley where the town of Chukhung is, but we stayed before in Dingboche, where we spent the afternoon.
Day 11. Ascension to Chukhung Ri (5545m). We slept in Dingboche (4360m)
Without any weight we went first to the town of Chukhung and then to Chukhung Ri, which is at the foot of the homonymous peak, at the foot of the Nuptse, one of the giants of the area, although it does not reach (almost) an 8000. views from above, as it can not be otherwise, are spectacular and spacious, dominating over all the valley in which we are and the continuum that comes down from the Khumbu (in fact we are very close to the connection of both). In front of us we have neither more nor less than the imposing Ama Dablam and not far away the Island Peak (one of the few peaks of truth, not the ones that we are climbing, accessible to the common of mortals). The rise has choked me by the height, but are already a few times exposed to these circumstances, so I go quiet and dosing well to not exceed my limit. My girl climbs as if nothing ... that's the way things are by now.
We went down to Chukhung and Dingboche, where we spent the night again.
Day 12. Dingboche to Tesing.
Exit stage in which the landscape is transitional and we soon enter the kingdom of Rhododendron (which is in full bloom for spring, a show), visiting the Buddhist Monastery of Tengboche, the most important in the entire area. We continue down to reach the small hamlet of Tesing.
Day 13. Tesing Monjo or Chumoa.
Short stage, which could have been merged with the, even shorter if possible, last stage. But the trek was contracted with the agency in a few days and the flights could not be changed, but I repeat that the last two stages would be logical to merge into one and it would still be very bearable.
Day 14. Monjo or Chumoa to Lukla.
Exit and end of the spectacular trekking. We arrived early at Lukla. The next day we wake up early and after the relevant wait (until the last moment you are not sure if you are going to be able to fly) we take off (impressive as in 150m a plane can take off) and we return (recommended in this case to sit next to the right window) Kathmandu
I've recorded this track now manually since I did it in April 2010. Without a doubt one of the most spectacular and easy treks to do on your own (we were little hounds and we hired a local agency to be our first time in these lands and for these spectacular mountains).
The time we did could not be better (unlike the time we had on the same dates around 2018 in the Vuelta de los Annapurnas).
It was our first time in Nepal. We did not dare to do the trek on our own and we hired a local company. Really, if you have experience, I do not see it necessary since the roads are very well indicated and are very obvious, there are good maps (although on the scale they only serve to get a general idea of the route) and there are so many people that it will be difficult not to There is nobody to ask in case of need. Apart it is very advisable to use some GPS device or use the mobile in this mode with some application that geolocates you and previously download maps of the area. In summary, only if you have no experience do I recommend hiring guides and porters.
I have classified the trekking as difficult for hiking along the length and the pass of Cho La Pass, which according to the conditions may require the use of crampons (this stage is the hardest) and the potential problems that may be with the height and acclimatization.
To make this trek, it is necessary to obtain two permits. The Samarganda National Park Entry Permit (SNP Entry Permit) and the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management Systems). Both can be obtained without too much trouble at the Kathmandu Tourism Office (Nepal Tourism Board), although they are somewhat expensive.
As for the budget of trekking, it is a difficult question to calculate, taking into account that this circuit every year becomes more expensive. In theory with a budget of between € 20 and € 30 a day, there should be no problem. Obviously the most remote lodges are those with the highest prices. It seems incredible that just 10 years ago these prices would be inconceivable.
The stages can be divided according to the taste of the consumer, but it is not advisable to run a lot since acclimatization is an important factor to take into account and in this trek height is gained from the beginning (if you leave from Lukla as it was our case). Lukla is at 2800m and Namche Bazar, which is where you sleep the second night, is already at 3430m. This is nonsense and that is why it is highly recommended to do at least two nights in Namche (apart from that it is the liveliest place in the whole valley and the circuit). It is interesting the rest day in Namche to climb higher ( For example, take a trip to Khumjung). Namche has a very good market where you can buy mountain items such as membrane pants, feathers, etc. at a very good price. So you do not have to load them from below.
Our stages were the following:
Day 1. Lukla to Phakding.
It is a short stage, but because of the necessary acclimatization, it should not be longer. We flew from Katamandú to Lukla that same morning (flights leave very early, which is when the weather is more stable). The flight itself is a real spectacle (take a left window on this route to see the Himalayas), not to mention the landing at Lukla, on a track no longer than 150m long, with a wall at the end and a chasm at the beginning . I said, a show. And the short stage is a pleasant walk of contact with these incredible rural landscapes and their people.
They are about 8kms excasos and the drop is rather down, since Phakding (2600m) is lower than Lukla (2800m).
Day 2. Phakding to Namche Bazar. (3420m)
They are 10kms of travel. The unevenness is important, especially when crossing the Dudh Koshi in its union with the Bhote Koshi, to rise without truce to Namche. It will be about 1000ms of upload.
The landscape is very similar to the previous day, although when we passed the great Tibetan bridge over the Dudh River and began to gain height quickly, we will get the first views of Everest. Arriving in Namche we will have views towards other peaks as impressive or more than Everest (Thamserku, Ama Dablam ....). Namche itself is an amazing place, full of life, markets, Buddhist architecture, etc ... where to spend time without hurry.
Day 3. Namche Bazar to Khunde (3840m) and Khumjung (3800m). Rest day to acclimatize.
The 3500m of Namche is easy to sit down if we do not take it easy. So a good plan is to go up to these villages (very interesting for its architecture, its people and its impressive views) and then go back to sleep in Namche. Another good excursion option to acclimatize would be to go to Thame (3820m).
Day 4. Namche Bazar (3420m) to Phortse Thenga (3680m)
Short stage, you have to be careful and not gain height faster than the account. It only takes 3 hours (without haste) to reach this town already at the entrance to the Gokyo Valley. As the stage is so short, we take the opportunity to climb and visit the village of Phortse (3820m) to make time and acclimatize and to get to know the area and get views from the top of the entrance of this impressive valley at the foot of the imposing Thamserku.
Day 5. Phortse Thenga (3680m) to Machhermo (4400m)
In two words, too much unevenness! At this point I do not recommend doing this stage as we did it, better to divide it in two, although we have time on all sides. But it is a gain of height too strong at this point (worth the redundancy). I am very sensitive to this, then I regret (apart from this day I started with a diarrhea that would last me all the trek, because of eating Yak meat in Namche, supposedly).
Day 6. Machhermo to Gokyo (4750m).
We won 350m of elevation gain. We already entered the high mountain with incredibly beautiful and grandiose landscapes. Speechless! Surrounded by mountains such as Cho Oyu (an 8000 that seems a stone's throw away), next to beautiful frozen lakes. At night (in the evenings and in the early mornings too) it is very, very cold. Already in Machhermo he also did when the sun set.
Day 7. Gokyo (4750m). We climb the Gokyo Ri (5360m) Dragnag (or Tagnag) (4700m)
At this point (in all senses of the expression) acclimation is sacred, facing the passage of Cho La. So this day we dedicate to climb this small mountain (compared to what is around) that has perhaps one of the most impressive views that a normal person can see in his life. It can not be described.
After descending to Gokyo we continue through the Ngozumpa Glacier to reach the small village of Dragnag, where we would spend the night.
Day 8. Dragnag to Lobuche (4930m) via Cho La Pass (5420m)
Without a doubt the stage reigns of this trekking. In all the senses, for its spectacularity and for its hardness, since it is quite long and the height is obvious or yes. Of course, more than compensates for the views.
The climb to Cho La is long and tedious as you go slow and the views upwards are not very suggestive. We have to turn our heads from time to time to admire the grandeur of what we are leaving behind us. When we finally arrive at the Cho La Pass (The signifies Nepali Pass, so the name is a redundancy) we will finally tread a small glacier quite flat and without any difficulty. The views have expanded considerably and especially forward, as we go down, we will have one of the greatest visions that our eyes will see in our entire life, we are talking about the Ama Dablam, framed by the impressive walls that close on both sides the valley where we are going down. We approach the Khumbu Valley and, before reaching it, we turn left to avoid losing altitude and head towards Lobuche, which awaits us with a very considerable increase of people, with respect to what we had become accustomed to in the area of Gokyo
The stage has been long and hard. They will be about 15kms in length and the drop will have been up 850m and descent about 600m.
Day 9. Lobuche to Ghorak Shep (5160m). Ascent to Kala Pattar (5545m)
Short stage since the two settlements are within walking distance but height commands. You only earn 250m to get to Ghorak. It's really cold. We arrived quite early despite walking slowly because of being quite tall. After taking something we went up to the Kala Pattar, a ridiculous little hill, which is simply the shoulder, not to mention the knee of a 7000 called Pumori, which borders China, surrounded by giants, which is more impressive. The views are indescribable everywhere, especially towards the entire Khumbu Valley, from its head, presided over by Everest and its neighbor Lhotse (two little ones) to the distant Ama Dablam, closing the valley to the south. We went down to Ghorak and rested a little. I'm very touched by the height so we discard the plan we had for the afternoon to approach the Everest Base Camp, a bitch! The night is very cold, even inside the lodge, which is the most precarious of the whole circuit, and that has human central heating (the place is bursting with people)
Day 10. Ghorak Shep to Dingboche (4360m) 13kms.
We go down through the Khumbu Valley, passing through Lobuche again and we turn left to enter the Imja Khola Valley where the town of Chukhung is, but we stayed before in Dingboche, where we spent the afternoon.
Day 11. Ascension to Chukhung Ri (5545m). We slept in Dingboche (4360m)
Without any weight we went first to the town of Chukhung and then to Chukhung Ri, which is at the foot of the homonymous peak, at the foot of the Nuptse, one of the giants of the area, although it does not reach (almost) an 8000. views from above, as it can not be otherwise, are spectacular and spacious, dominating over all the valley in which we are and the continuum that comes down from the Khumbu (in fact we are very close to the connection of both). In front of us we have neither more nor less than the imposing Ama Dablam and not far away the Island Peak (one of the few peaks of truth, not the ones that we are climbing, accessible to the common of mortals). The rise has choked me by the height, but are already a few times exposed to these circumstances, so I go quiet and dosing well to not exceed my limit. My girl climbs as if nothing ... that's the way things are by now.
We went down to Chukhung and Dingboche, where we spent the night again.
Day 12. Dingboche to Tesing.
Exit stage in which the landscape is transitional and we soon enter the kingdom of Rhododendron (which is in full bloom for spring, a show), visiting the Buddhist Monastery of Tengboche, the most important in the entire area. We continue down to reach the small hamlet of Tesing.
Day 13. Tesing Monjo or Chumoa.
Short stage, which could have been merged with the, even shorter if possible, last stage. But the trek was contracted with the agency in a few days and the flights could not be changed, but I repeat that the last two stages would be logical to merge into one and it would still be very bearable.
Day 14. Monjo or Chumoa to Lukla.
Exit and end of the spectacular trekking. We arrived early at Lukla. The next day we wake up early and after the relevant wait (until the last moment you are not sure if you are going to be able to fly) we take off (impressive as in 150m a plane can take off) and we return (recommended in this case to sit next to the right window) Kathmandu
I've recorded this track now manually since I did it in April 2010. Without a doubt one of the most spectacular and easy treks to do on your own (we were little hounds and we hired a local agency to be our first time in these lands and for these spectacular mountains).
The time we did could not be better (unlike the time we had on the same dates around 2018 in the Vuelta de los Annapurnas).
Waypoints
Waypoint
9,309 ft
Aeropuerto de Lukla
Bridge
Panorama
Mountain hut
11,768 ft
Phortse Tenga. Cuarta noche.
Mountain hut
15,429 ft
Dragnag. 7ª noche.
Mountain pass
Mountain hut
16,001 ft
Lobuche. 8ª noche.
Religious site
Intersection
11,772 ft
Cruce de caminos
Lake
15,388 ft
Lago Taboche
Lake
15,563 ft
Lago Dudh (junto a Gokyo)
Campsite
Summit
28,087 ft
Pico Everest. 8848m
Summit
27,583 ft
Pico Lhotse. 8516m
Summit
19,718 ft
Island Peak. 6189m
Summit
26,437 ft
Pico Cho Oyu. 8201m
Summit
21,525 ft
Pico Thamserku. 6623m
Comments (15)
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Ruta muy interesante, de las más espectaculares que se pueden hacer por tu cuenta! Gracias por la información!
Muchas gracias por la valoración!
Impresionante aventura, gracias por compartir y enhorabuena. Un saludo.
Muchas gracias Pelchas por tu valoración y por tus comentarios. Este trekking lo hicimos en 2010. Este año pasado realizamos el de la Vuelta a los Annapurnas. La verdad que es muy difícil elegir cual de los dos me gusta más, son los dos simplemente espectaculares y úncios.
Un saludo Pelchas!
gracias por el relato. increible
Gracias Unebril por la valoración! El trekking es realmente espectacular!
Everest base camp trek is on of my favourite trek trail in the world.
I agree with you. Of course EBC is one of the best trek trails you can walk, Santos.
Buenos días:
Este año, en mayo tenia intención de ir al Trekking de Everest más island peak. Había oído sobre este Trekking pero no encontraba el track. Ahora viendo el track, van las preguntas:
- Mi intención es ir por cuenta propia, ves algún problema? Alojamiento sobre todo y comidas.
- Crampon y piolet recomendable u oblitario?
Buenas zialtze, te respondo rápido.
Hasta ahora no hay ningún problema en realizar el trek por cuenta propia (desconozco si este punto ha cambiado últimamente) y hay suficientes lodges a lo largo del recorrido (donde se come sin problema).
En cuanto al tema de cranpomes y piolet, en principio tampoco es necesario. Si haces el Cho La Pass, como hicimos nosotros, si hay mucha nieve sí que pueden ser aconsejables, pero en mayo lo veo poco probable. Nosotros lo pasamos con unas simples botas de trekking bien normales y apenas fueron unos 300m de fácil pequeño glaciar, sin grietas y casi llano. Así que mi consejo es no llevar nada, pero claro, ésto es una decisión personal y por supuesto depende de las circunstancias meteorológicas del momento.
Mucha suerte!
felicidades!!!!! tu ruta nos ha inspirado a mi esposa y a tu servidor, tenemos planeado realizar este trayecto en 2023, pero la situación económica en México no es buena, es muy costoso viajar hasta Katmandu, espero ahorrar y conseguir el dinero necesario para vivir esa experiencia, muchas gracias por compartir
excelente ruta
Muchas gracias GROMAN ESCAPADE por tu valoración. Me alegro que te haya servido mi ruta de inspiración. Ojalá podáis realizar vuestro viaje a Nepal porque sin duda es uno de los destinos más interesantes que hay en nuestro mundo. Y el Trek del Campo Base del Everest sin duda no os defraudará.
Cualquier duda que tengáis, no dudéis en contactar conmigo.
Un saludo!
Muy buenas fotos y bien descrito el recorrido. Mi duda es cuando es mejor ir, en primavera o en otoño post monzones?
Gracias
Muchas gracias alfchelegalserpico por la valoración. Oficialmente la mejor temporada para hacer trekking en Nepal es otoño (aunque también es cuando más gente hay, pequeño detalle), pero la primavera también es muy buena época y hay menos caminantes.
De nada!
Un saludo y mucha suerte!