Island & Mera Peak Climbing with Gokyo EBC

Our representative from Nepal Guide Treks and Expedition will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport on your arrival schedule. You will be greeted and then transferred to the hotel in the heart of Kathmandu city. Our staff will help you until the check-in procedure ends at Hotel. You can either have a rest at the Hotel or visit NGT’s office for gathering additional information about the trip. In the evening, join our welcome dinner program organized by Nepal Guide Treks and Expedition.

Meals: BB Plan + Welcome Dinner

Click here for detailed information about World Heritage Sites of UNESCO in Kathmandu 
We will spend our day sightseeing around some of the attractive world heritage sites within Kathmandu valley. Also, today we will complete all the necessary paper works and other preparations required for Island and Mera Peak Climbing with Gokyo EBC.
Note: It is not possible to visit all world heritage sites in Kathmandu within a day. So you can choose at least 3-4 places for day sightseeing.

Meals: BB Plan

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the domestic airport for an early morning scenic flight to Lukla. Lukla is the gateway to Khumbu and entire Everest region. After landing at Lukla we will follow the trail that is gradual uphill trekking through the left bank of Dudh Koshi river. Our trek passes along several Mani walls before we arrive at Ghat. From there, our trail is a mixture of both uphill and downhill trekking as we head towards Phakding.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we leave Phakding by crossing a small stream and then start uphill trekking until we reach Bengar. Our trail from there comprises of several ups and downs. We will make a stop at Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park Service where the park entrance fee is collected. After registration at the National Park office, we will make a steep ascent to arrive at Namche Bazaar – The Sherpa Capital.  Namche Bazaar is nestled in the heart of the Everest region and demonstrates rich Sherpa culture that has been preserved for a rather long period of time.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Acclimatization is essential in higher altitudes to avoid mental and physical altitude sickness. Proper acclimatization is the key to the successful summit climb of Island Peak and Mera Peak. Besides, Namche Bazaar is an extensive market town where there is always something to see and places to explore. For acclimatization, we can hike up to Khunde Hospital which was set up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or an hour’s hike up to Syangboche at 3800 meters for best views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru. There are good views from the National Park Centre and the Museum which is located just above the town.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Namche Bazaar our route heads up all the way to Khumjung, a picturesque village which also has its own gompa at the top end of town. During the trek, we will have stunning views of Thamserku, Kantega, Ama Dablam and other surrounding snow-capped high peaks. Soon after leaving Khumjung, we will follow the trail that climbs over to a large Chorten, situated on top of a ridge. Our trek continues as we make a steep downhill descent towards Phortse Tenga. From there, our trail climbs steeply through dense rhododendron and birch forest to reach Dole.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is a rather short day of trekking. We will make a relaxed start and leave Dole as we head towards Machhermo. From Dole, our trail climbs steadily along the side of the valley, where the small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. Our trail passes through several summer settlements, which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer. We can enjoy excellent views of Mt. Cho Oyu ahead of us, while back down the valley are the views of Kantega and Thamserku. We will arrive at Machhermo in short time and spend the rest of the day exploring around the harsh alpine vegetation.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we trek towards Gokyo passing along three of the five crystal clear glacial lakes. Our trail is a scenic path to Pangka. From there we will descend slightly before making a climb over steep rocky path inclined into the valley by the side of the glacier. We will pass along the first of the holy lakes. Soon we will arrive at the second of the lakes. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and on its eastern shore is the settlement of Gokyo. Walking by the side of the lake, the scenery is magnificent with the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected in its emerald green waters.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Gokyo valley offers several attractions to its visitors which can be explored on this day. Gokyo is situated by the side of Ngozumba glacier, the biggest glacier of Nepal. We’ll follow a trail that heads north from Gokyo in the ablation valley caused by the glacier. In a short time we will arrive at the fourth of Gokyo lakes which are surrounded by high peaks. Continue on the same trail for exploring the Firth Lake and Sixth Lake of Gokyo valley. We will retrace our steps back to Gokyo for overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake. It is considered as one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region. Thus, we will make an early start and follow a steep trail that heads up to Gokyo Ri. Once at the top, we are rewarded with amazing views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and other surrounding mountains in the Everest region. After spending quality time at the top we will descend following the same trail back to Gokyo. From there we continue our trek on the trail that heads towards the village of Dragnag, situated at the shore of the Ngozumpa Glacier.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Dragnag we follow the trail that ascends slightly along the valley towards the crossing of the adventurous – Cho La Pass at 5420 meters. The Cho La Pass is most of the time covered with blue ice giving its trekkers a chill feeling. During the crossing of the pass, we can enjoy the panoramic view of several snow-capped mountains along with the Gokyo valley. From here, the trail descends steeply down for about an hour and then slightly descends all the way to Dzongla.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Dzongla we follow the trail that crosses the Khumbu Glacier. Along the route, we can see the memorials of people who died on the glacier. After crossing the glacier we follow the trail passing through Lobuche and then continue our trek towards Gorakshep. We’ll leave our bag-packs at Gorakshep and follow the trail that weaves through ice pinnacles and over the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier towards Everest Base Camp. After a short exploration around EBC, we will trek back to Gorakshep as it is the last stop with comfy tea houses and services.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we will accomplish an early morning hike to Kala Patthar at 5545 meters – one of the finest viewpoints of Everest and other towering mountains in the world. We will reach the top before the morning light breaks out. Then enjoy the magnificent sunrise view over Mt. Everest 8848m, Mt. Lhotse 8516m, Mt. Makalu 8481m, Mt. Cho Oyu 8201m and other surrounding peaks. After spending quality time at Kalapatthar we trek back to Gorakshep. From there we will follow the trail that passes through Lobuche and trek towards the windy village of Pheriche for our overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is a rather short day of trekking. Leaving Pheriche we will follow an easy descending trail towards Dingboche. Our trek passes through several stupas and with stunning views of Mt Amadablam. We will spend the rest of the day exploring around Dingboche and spend our overnight here at Dingboche. Besides, Dingboche offers a couple of good hike options which are considered best from acclimatization point of view.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Dingboche, we will leave the main EBC trail and follow another trail that is a gradual ascend towards high Imja valley. During our trek, we can enjoy magnificent views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Island Peak and other surrounding peaks. Our trek continues as we pass through Chhukung and trek until we arrive at Island Peak Base  Camp. Once at the campsite, our Sherpa crew will set up the camp at the foot of Island Peak’s south ridge beneath the giant wall of Nuptse and Lhotse.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This is reserved as extra because weather at Island Peak Base camp might get bad. But if weather is good we will move to our next destination at the same day. It is always recommended to keep few extra days if you are travelling to high altitude destination of Nepal.

Fully equipped and properly acclimatized we start early with the aim to reach the summit before noon. The strong winds, especially after midday, can create obstacles in reaching the summit. Following the guidance and instructions given by our Experienced Sherpa climbers, we will overcome several technical sections and head towards the summit. Once at the top we are rewarded with up-close views of Lhotse, Makalu, Lhotse Middle Peak, Lhotse Shar, Nuptse, Baruntse and other high peaks in Khumbu region. We will spend short and quality time at the top of Island Peak and then descend following the same route back to Base Camp.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we will leave Island Peak Base Camp and follow the slightly rising trail towards Amphu Lapcha Base Camp (North). Our trail offers magnificent views of high Imja valley, surrounding high snow-capped mountains and glaciers. After a few hours of trekking in the harsh alpine vegetation, we will arrive at Amphu Lapcha North Base Camp for our overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, we pack our gears and begin our trek. We leave our campsite and follow a rising trail that heads for the crossing of technically difficult and challenging alpine pass – Amphu Lapcha La Pass at 5845 meters. The pass is often snow-covered and icy, so moving our steps carefully we climb to the top of the pass from where we will have great views of high alpine valleys and surrounding mountains. From the top of the pass, we will descend all the way to our campsite at Amphu Lapcha South Base Camp for our overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Leaving our campsite at Amphu Lapcha South Base Camp, we continue our trek along the beautiful Honku valley which offers true mountain wilderness. Our trail passes through one of the most remote parts of the Himalayas. A gradual descend along the Honku valley will bring us to Seto Pokhari for our overnight camping. Seto Pokhari literally means ‘White Lake’ in Nepali language and is the first of a series of lakes in the upper Honku Basin.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, we leave Seto Pokhari and trek along with magnificent views of surrounding high peaks and alpine valleys. Our trail heads directly into the epicentre of the world’s towering mountains. After some time of trekking, we will arrive into the higher yak pasture grounds with a remote and beautiful valley. Our trek continues until we arrive at Kongma Dingma for overnight camping.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

From Kongma Dingma we will follow the trail that ascends gradually over to Mera Glacier. Our trail climbs steeply as we trek over to the top of the glacier. After some time we begin to traverse along the glacier in order to arrive at Mera Peak Base Camp. As soon as we reach the campsite, our Sherpa crew will quickly set up the camps and make necessary preparations for further trekking towards high camp before attempting the final summit climb of Mera Peak.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Leaving the base camp we will follow the trail that climbs over through Mera La Pass at 5415 meters and continue our trek that goes along the rocky and often snow-covered trail towards Mera Peak High Camp. Once at the high camp our Sherpa crew will quickly set up the camps and make necessary checks on our health conditions and climbing gears. From the high camp, we can enjoy amazing views of Everest, Makalu, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Baruntse and Chamlang.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is a reserve day in case of bad weather or other unwanted situations. However, if everything goes smoothly, we can use this day to climb Mera peak.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Properly equipped with all the climbing gears and fully acclimatized we start early with the aim to reach the summit before noon. Strong winds after midday can create obstacles in reaching the summit. Following the footsteps and guidance of our experienced climbing expert, we climb up the glacier and onto a ridge. Tackling several technical climbing sections we head towards the summit. Once at the top we are rewarded with magnificent views of Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Kanchenjunga as well as Nuptse and Chamlang. We will spend short quality time at the Mera Peak summit and then descend following the same route all the way back to Khare for our overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Having achieved our target – the summit of Island Peak and Mera Peak, we will retrace our steps from Khare and pass through Thangnak before heading further towards Kothe. With mostly downhill trekking, we will leave the high altitudes and enter into the dense sub-tropical forest filled with rhododendron, oak, pine and birch trees. We trek until we arrive at Kothe for the overnight stay.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Leaving Kothe, our trail is uphill trekking through dense rhododendron forest that goes over the western section of Hinku valley towards Tuli Kharka. From Tuli Kharka we can enjoy the magnificent views of Mera North, Mera Central and south face of Mera Peak.

Meals: All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

The last day of our trekking starts from Tuli Kharka as we trek towards Lukla. From Tuli Kharka we will follow an ascending trail that heads for the crossing of Zatrawala Pass. Once at the top of the pass we will enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery and descend to finally arrive back to Lukla. We will celebrate the evening together with our crew for the successful completion of ‘Island and Mera Peak Climbing with Gokyo EBC ‘.

Meals: All meals [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we will take an early morning scenic flight from Lukla and fly back to Kathmandu. After arriving at Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can either have rest at Hotel or pay a visit to attraction destination (world heritage sites of UNESCO) sites that weren’t possible on the second day of the trip. Walking around the busy streets of Kathmandu can be worth spending good time around Kathmandu city. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Meals: BB Plan

You would surely like to see as much of Kathmandu as possible. An early start is practical to visit the temples of Kathmandu. Also, walking around the shopping area of Thamel is worth spending quality time at Kathmandu. We will celebrate the completion of our trip ‘ Island and Mera Peak Climbing with Gokyo EBC ‘ and have a final meal together in the evening.

Meals: BB Plan + Farewell Dinner

Our airport representative will drop you at International Airport as per your flight schedule.

Meals: Breakfast