Nepal, Gokyo trek and Rolwaling

20 days from €4,075 (all flights included)

DEPARTURE CONFIRMED! From November 20th to December 9th

Difficulty: High. Between 4 and 8 hours of walking per day during the trek and

A good level of physical fitness and regular practice of an endurance sport are required.

The pluses of this program

• A trek through the Gokyo Lake Valley and through the

  Little-traveled Rolwaling.

• Views of 4 peaks over 8,000 meters: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu

  and Cho Oyu

• A route that crosses two mountain passes over 5,000 meters high

  and the ascent of Gokyo Ri allowing for good acclimatization.

• A team of experienced guides. 

• Presence of healthcare personnel specialized in mountain and high altitude.

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Are you a family or group and want to privatize the trip by choosing

the dates?

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PROGRAM

Day 0 (November 20) · Overnight flight to Kathmandu

Flight included. Europe - Kathmandu with 1 stopover.

Day 1 (November 21)· KTM flight to Lukla (2850 m), first steps to Phakding (2640 m)

In approximately 40 minutes of flight (flight subject to weather and operational conditions) we arrive at Lukla at 2850 m. Here we start walking to Phakding (2640 m) via Tadokoshi.

3.5 hours of walking. Elevation gain/loss: +100 m/-300 m. Overnight stay in a lodge

Day 2 · Phakding (2630 m) - Jorsale (2800 m) - Namche Bazaar (3440 m)

We ascend the Dudh Khosi (the "Milk River" in Nepali) through forests, terraced fields, and small villages. We cross several suspension bridges to reach the village of Jorsale (2800 m) and, after lunch, continue our steady climb along a trail to the Sherpa capital at 3440 m. If we're lucky and the day is clear, we'll catch a glimpse of Everest during the second part of the ascent. The day ends in Namche Bazaar, accessible only on foot or by helicopter: we're in Sherpa country!

6 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +1000 m/-350 m. Overnight stay in a lodge

Day 3 · Namche Bazar (3,440m) - Khumjung (3790m)

We ascend through a small forest and admire the towering peaks of the Khumbu region (Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam). We arrive at the villages of Kunde and Khumjung, where we will have the opportunity to visit the Hillary Institute and Kunde Hospital, both built at Hillary's initiative. This stage is short and relatively flat, designed to allow for better acclimatization to the altitude.

3 hours of walking. Elevation gain/loss: +420 m/-20 m. Accommodation in a lodge

Day 4 · Khumjung - Dole (4040 m)

The trail continues to Mong La, a pass perched on Mount Khumbila. This offers the best viewpoint of many of the beautiful snow-capped mountains surrounding us and the valley below. There is a chorten in the center of the village, and the trail continues through the forest, crossing bridges and the river until reaching Dole.

5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +880 m/-630 m. Overnight in a lodge

Day 5 · Dole - Machermo (4400 m)

A gradual ascent through the forest alongside the river. The trail passes through several villages before opening onto the vast alpine pastures of the Himalayas. We climb slowly to continue acclimatizing.

4-hour hike. Elevation gain/loss: +450 m/-100 m. Overnight stay in a lodge

Day 6 · Machhermo-Gokyo (4750 m)

We continued on to the Gokyo Lakes, with their spectacular blue waters nestled in a stunning mountain setting. We stopped at the second lake and settled into one of the lodges for two nights.

5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +420 m/-150 m. Overnight stay in a lodge

Day 7 Gokyo - Gokyo Ri (5340 m) - Gokyo

Ascent to Gokyo Ri to watch the sunrise over the Everest region mountains (Everest, Cho Yu, Makalu, and Lhotse). We descend back to Gokyo for a second night at the lake lodge.

4.5 hours of walking. Elevation gain/loss: +590 m/-590 m. Overnight stay in a lodge

Day 8 · Gokyo - Renjo La Pass (5360 m) - Lungden (4380 m)

We ascend slowly towards Renjo La Pass at 5360 meters while enjoying beautiful views of Lake Gokyo. Prayer flags and red-billed choughs welcome us at the pass, where we enjoy one of the most beautiful views, if not the most beautiful, of the trip. From Cho Oyu to Makalu, passing by Everest and Lhotse, to name just the eight-thousanders! Then we descend to the Thame Valley. From here, we can see Pachermo Peak, the objective of some members of the group who will attempt their ascent on day 12 of the trip. To end this beautiful stage, we descend to Lungden Lodge where we spend the night.

5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +680 m/-1080 m. Overnight stay in a lodge

Day 9 Lungden-Thame (3820 m)

We hike along the trail towards the Nangpa La Pass, traversing breathtaking landscapes along an ancient trade route that once connected Sherpa Country with Tibet. This is an easy stage and the last one where we'll stay in a lodge, as we'll be sleeping in tents from tomorrow onwards. Upon arriving in Thame, we'll have time to stroll around and discover the magnificent monastery that overlooks the village.

4-hour hike. Elevation gain/loss: +100 m/-600 m. Accommodation in a lodge

Day 10 Thame - Parchemuche Tsho Camp (4780 m)

After the first stage of the trek, we slept in lodges and gradually acclimatized to the altitude. Today we begin the second part of the trek, where we will camp with our local team who are joining us today (a cook, a mountain guide, and some additional porters). We leave behind the familiar trails to venture into a slightly more rugged environment. We ascend through the valley and approach the glaciers that guard the surrounding peaks. For this first night under the tent, we camp at Parchemuche Tsho.

7 hours of walking. Elevation gain/loss: +1000 m/-80 m. Overnight in a tent.

Day 11 · Parchemuche Tsho Camp - Tashi Laptsa Camp (5660 m)

We continued climbing towards the Tashi Laptsa Pass, but stopped a little further down before reaching it to camp comfortably before the pass.

6 hours of walking. Elevation gain/loss: +850 m/-0 m. Overnight in a tent.

Day 12 · Tashi Laptsa Camp - Tashi Lapsa Pass (5,760m) - Dugog Axe (5,200m)

We crossed the Tashi Lapsa pass, the highest point of our trek, using lightweight crampons (provided by Exploramunt). The views of the two valleys were breathtaking. We began our descent, making our way down the Rolwaling slope to the Hacha Dugog campsite, located on a rocky spur. Here, to ensure safe passage, we installed between 100 and 200 meters of fixed rope. During the day, some participants climbed Pachermo Peak. They left the campsite very early to make the ascent and meet us again at the end of the day at Hacha Dugog. (See the program with the summit ascent here.)

5 hours of walking. Elevation gain/loss: +100 m/-560 m. Overnight in a tent.

Day 13 · Dugog Axe - Na (4180 m)

We descended towards the glacier, which in this area is covered by the rocks of the moraine. The route isn't always easy to find, as the glacier advances and shifts every year, altering the itinerary. After several hours, we found a slightly easier path, but it was still a long day to reach the small village of Na. After a few days in the mineral world of the high mountains, it's nice to reconnect with some human life, even if the village is very modest. Na, once a simple kharka with a few temporary shepherds' shelters, has gradually transformed into a village inhabited for much of the year. The meadows are full of edelweiss, and the mountain scenery surrounding this valley is truly beautiful: Chekigo, Bamongo, Kang Nachugo, Tsoboche... all 6,000-meter peaks!

8 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +200 m/-1000 m. Overnight stay in a tent

Day 14 · Na-Dongang (2830 m)

We continued our descent along the Rolwaling Kola River and passed through another village: Beding, a remote spot at 3,600 meters, with a few houses, shops, and a gompa (monastery). Autumn is a special time in this high Rolwaling Valley: its inhabitants have a single goal: to bring in as much firewood as possible at all costs to keep warm throughout the winter. To this end, a steady stream of porters travels from dawn till dusk along the path that connects the village, on the right bank, with the forest on the other side of the river. An improvised footbridge of logs has been built over the river to avoid having to go around it using the bridge further downstream. Further on, we found ourselves back among the vegetation, and the path was better marked. We thus arrived at our campsite.

5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +150 m/-1500 m. Overnight in a tent

Day 15 · Dongang - Simi Gaon (2050 m)

We reached the left bank of the Rolwaling Khola. The trail descends into a beautiful pine forest and we arrived at the Sherpa village of Simi, with its terraced hillside.

5 hours of hiking. Elevation gain/loss: +1270 m/-260 m. Overnight in a tent

Day 16 · By car: Simi Gaon-Kathmandu

Approximately 9 hours by road. Hotel accommodation

Day 17 · Kathmandu

Safety day off that we could use in case of bad weather during the trek or summit day.

hotel accommodation.

Day 18 (December 8) · International return flight

Return flight departure day. Transfer to the airport and return. Almost all flights depart at midday or in the afternoon and arrive the following day.

Day 19 (December 9): Arrival

Important information

Accommodation

Standard hotel in Kathmandu (2 nights), in a lodge during the first part of the trek and in a tent during the second part of the trek and the ascent.

Meals

The lodges provide meals and during the second part of the trek a cook accompanies us and cooks.

Personal equipment

Personal equipment will be limited by the weight that can be transported on the flight to Lukla (15 kg) and also by the weight that the porters can carry (about 12 or 13 kg of equipment per client). If you wish to bring more equipment, you will have to pay for excess baggage on the flight and also hire an extra porter during the trek.

Travel bag. 35L backpack. Trekking boots. Sleeping bag (comfort temperature -25ºC). Appropriate clothing for high altitude. Personal first-aid kit. You will receive a complete list of personal equipment tailored to this trip upon registration. Sleeping bags can be rented from Exploramunt. All equipment can also be rented in Kathmandu, but we strongly advise that you own your own boots and test them in the field before the trip.

Transport

International flights with scheduled airlines (Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways) always involve a layover. The flight to Lukla is operated by a local airline. Ground transportation is available by taxi, van, and minibus.

DOMESTIC FLIGHT WARNING IN NEPAL: Between Kathmandu and Lukla, we use local flights for your transfers. Please be advised that this transfer is only available with a local Nepali airline. All local Nepali airlines are on the European Union's blacklist of airlines banned from operating in the EU, meaning the EU considers them "unsafe." Other civil aviation authorities worldwide have not issued this opinion. We exclusively use the following three airlines: Tara Air, Buddha Air, and Yeti Airlines, as they have recently been audited by an independent organization that deemed their safety standards acceptable.

By registering for this trip, you agree to accept and assume responsibility for flying to Lukla with a local airline.

Furthermore, we would like to inform you that major construction work at Kathmandu Airport is preventing domestic flights from departing from the capital. Due to increased air traffic congestion and the growing number of flights to Lukla, it has been agreed to operate all these flights from Ramechhap Airport (approximately a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu).

Physical and technical difficulty

PHYSICAL LEVEL: HIGH

This program is aimed at participants in good physical condition, especially with high endurance.

This is a 15-day trek, with stages averaging 6 to 8 hours of walking per day. It includes two mountain passes and a viewpoint (Goko Ri) between 5,000 and 5,800 meters.

The world of high peaks, acclimatization and altitude sickness

Altitude, starting at 3,000 meters for some people, can be the biggest challenge when climbing a peak or trekking. The itinerary we propose is designed to allow for gradual acclimatization. Even so, ibuprofen and/or acetoacetamide can aid in acclimatization and reduce some of the associated symptoms. Consult your doctor.

On this trek, we will have the assistance and advice of medical personnel specializing in high-altitude medicine. We will also carry oxygen to address any potential problems.

Health and prevention, vaccines

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into the country (unless the traveler has recently been in a country with yellow fever), but it is advisable to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations. It is also advisable to consult your doctor before traveling, especially if you have any chronic illness.

Travel documents and formalities

Passport valid for six months after the return date and with at least two blank pages. Nepal entry visa ($50) to be obtained from the official website http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/

It is recommended to consult the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Detalle-recomendaciones-de-viaje.aspx?trc=Nepal

Climate and meteorology

In Nepal, the dry season runs from October to May and the rainy season (monsoon) runs from June to September.

The autumn season, which runs from October to early December, is characterized by clear skies. At night, at altitudes near 6,000 meters, temperatures can reach -20°C and occasionally even lower.

Group size

Maximum 12 people.

What do we carry in our backpack during the day

During activities and hikes, we only carry a backpack with our gear for the day and our picnic lunch. The rest (our sleeping bag) is carried by the porters.

Insurance

Insurance is not included in the price but is mandatory for the trip. Exploramunt does not offer insurance, but you will find everything you need on the website (we can also advise you). It is recommended to have insurance that covers accidents and mountain rescues—make sure it covers the country, the altitude (in this case, over 5,500 meters), and helicopter rescue. Some federation insurance policies cover this. You should also have travel and cancellation insurance (it can be the same or a different policy). Some credit cards, such as Visa Gold, include travel insurance if you pay for the trip with them. In our case, you can pay for the trip by card through a secure bank link (you can request this payment method when registering).

Tips

At the end of a trip, it's customary to show appreciation by tipping the team: guides, drivers, cooks, porters, or muleteers. The amount of the tip depends on your satisfaction, the size of your group, and the size of the local team. These guidelines are not mandatory and are not considered a salary, but they are important for the local teams. As a general rule, you can estimate an expense of €50 per week per participant for hostel-based excursions and €70-80 per week per participant for tented excursions. However, this can increase on some treks or expeditions where the local team is very large (a classic example is Kilimanjaro, where a tip of €150-200 per client is typical for a week-long climb).

Guides and support

Exploramunt guide (David Casajuana), local trekking and high mountain guides, porters, cook (from day 10 in Thame).

Prices and conditions

Price: from €4,075 per person (flights included*)

Single room supplement in Kathmandu:‍ ‍€ 150 (single rooms cannot be guaranteed in lodges)

Included in the price: Round-trip international flights from Europe. Kathmandu-Lukla flight. Ground transfers in Nepal as per the program. Camping equipment (except sleeping bag). Full board accommodation every day except lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (accommodation is in a double room in Kathmandu, in a shared room in the lodges, and in a two-person tent from day 10 to 16). Logistical equipment (fixed ropes). Oxygen for emergencies. Satellite phone for emergencies. Local guide and equipment as described in the program and in Important Information. Entrance to Everest National Park. Pachermo climbing permit. VAT.

Not included in the price: Showers, Wi-Fi, and battery charging (if available, at an additional cost, approximately €2-5). Excess baggage fees on domestic or international flights. Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu. Nepal entry visa ($50). Personal equipment (sleeping bag). Tips. Drinks. Insurance. Entrance fees to sites and museums in Kathmandu. Any services not explicitly described in the program or important information.

*The price will be reviewed for each registration to adjust for the international flight cost. If it exceeds the budgeted €855 per person, the corresponding increase will be applied to the final price.

Terms of payment

A 50% deposit is required upon registration, with the remaining balance due no later than one month before departure. Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit/debit card (please request payment options at the time of registration). Some cards may incur a fee. Please note that in case of cancellation, a portion of the price is non-refundable (flights and some local services), so we recommend purchasing cancellation insurance at the time of registration.