Highlights:
“An adventure crossing world highest passes in between towering peaks
Explore the hidden dramatic corners of Rolwaling valley and around high Khumbu
The greatest traverse around Himalayan range crossing four scenic high passes
Enjoy the adventure in the harmony of local Sherpa’s immense culture and custom
Walk and climb towards beautiful valleys of Khumbu in the shade of Mt. Everest”
Overview
Four Passes of High Khumbu & Everest Region, involves extreme high altitude adventure around Himalayan passes from Rolwaling to Everest.
A challenging, demanding adventure, most companies offer three passes of Everest, but we have added more making four high passes. To be quite different and provide exciting feat around the high areas of Khumbu within scenic valleys of Everest.
Four Passes of High Khumbu & Everest Region, where all interested trekkers can join in on this marvelous adventure. Where walk leads you around the best scenic valleys of Everest and the Rolwaling region in the close shadow of Mt. Everest.
The adventure commences with an exciting drive towards Rolwaling close to Gaurishankar Himal, heading a low warm farm area near Tama Kosi River.
On reaching Gongar within Dolakha district, the walk starts heading high green hills to Simi-Gaon within Sherpa country. Where air gets cooler climbing further into a lovely forest of rhododendron and pine trees and then at scenic Rolwaling valley.
At Rolwaling Valley reaching the first and last village of Beding, home of Sherpa the highlander of Eastern Himalaya. Spending time at Beding for acclimatization and to explore the local culture of immense interest interwoven to Buddhism religion.
From Beding walk towards the end of the valley rim and into hidden corners enclosed within moraine and glaciers. The walk leads past Tsho Rolpa a glacial lake then reaches the base of Tashi Labtsa-La Pass.
The first and highest pass of our adventure, from here leaving Rolwaling area to reach Khumbu around Everest region. Tashi Labtsa at 5, 755 m / 18, 881 feet, marks a barrier between Khumbu of Everest and the Rolwaling area.
On leaving Rolwaling valley crossing the highest pass of the adventure Tashi Labtsa, enter the Khumbu valley within the Everest region. Then reaching the first village of Khumbu at Thame, a quant settlement where the main flow of trekkers seldom visits. At Thame visit the oldest monastery of the Khumbu area of great religious interest, perched on a high hill. From Thame grand views of Kwangde range with Pachermo peaks, situated close to Tashi Labtsa-La Pass.
After crossing the first pass, the adventure continues from Thame village towards the second pass over Renjo-La and to scenic Gokyo valley.
The walk leads to an arid and barren country following an old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet. As the climb continues uphill past Marlung and other smaller settlements of Yak herders reaching remote Lungdhen area. Located close to the junction of Renjo-La and Nangpa-La pass the last border to Tibet joins.
Staying overnight at Lungdhen in the comfort of a nice simple lodge, the adventure continues with a steep climb towards Renjo-La. The second high passes of the trek reward a sweeping panorama of the world’s four highest peaks. Facing Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu with an array of snow peaks of Khumbu Himal, after an enjoyable moment at Renjo-La. A steep descend to Gokyo valley and around simmering turquoise glacial lakes of Gokyo, situated between Renjo and Cho-La passes.
Gokyo Valley for its five lakes, all good lodges located close to the shore of the main 3rd lake. A picturesque valley of Gokyo with grand views of the world’s 6th high Mt. Cho-Oyu, reflecting on the lakes. Gokyo is a popular adventure destination around Khumbu, a climb on top Gokyo-Ri hill offers a panorama of the world’s tallest peaks. Almost similar view as seen from Renjo-La Pass, after a pleasant time at Gokyo, completing 2nd passes. From Gokyo walk leads at the end of a valley, a steep climb reach you on top of Cho-La. The 3rd highest pass of the adventure the top festooned with rock cairns and colorful prayer flags. From the pass enjoy views of Cholatse, Lobuche, and Nirekha peaks as far towards Cho-Oyu. From the top of Cho-La pass, a steep descend to Dzongla a small settlement with some nice simple lodges. Located close to Cholatse and Taboche peaks and on route to Everest base camp and Kongma-La our final last pass.
After crossing the third pass, the walk follows on the main trail to Everest base camp through Lobuche and Gorakshep. A side trip to base camp and climb of high Kalapathar hill, besides our main goal crossing four passes.
On reaching beneath Mt. Everest facing stupendous views of Khumbu Icefall, glaciers with Nuptse and Lhotse. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of frozen mountainous landscapes, then head back to Lobuche, preparation for the last pass to cross. Before heading to Lobuche adventure leads to the top of a rocky hill of Kalapathar, for the closest views of Mt. Everest.
Our final day of the adventure begins early morning from Lobuche, with a climb to a moraine dune and short descend. Walk leads across the Khumbu glacier on a faint path, then start the climb to the last final pass of the adventure. Finally reaching on top of Kongma-La marked with prayer flags, hidden behind the great wall of Nuptse, Mehara, and Pokalde Peaks.
Completing all major high passes and main highlights of the adventure, easy pleasant walk downhill to Lukla. The return journey takes you to a green forested trail with time at scenic Tengboche Monastery and famed Namche Bazaar.
Spending an enjoyable moment at Namche Bazaar the hub of Khumbu and Everest area, where walk heads to long descend. Following Dudh Kosi River downstream past lovely Monjo and Phakding villages then reaching at Lukla. The gateway town for various adventures around high Khumbu and Everest region, a busy and popular Sherpa town. Early morning short flight from Lukla brings you to Kathmandu, concluding Four Passes of high Khumbu & Everest Region Trekking.
An overwhelming adventure crossing Tashi-Labtsa-La Pass 5, 755 m and
Renjo La 5,240 m, Cho-La pass 5,367 m. The last Kongma-La 5,535 m with a side trip to Kalapathar Hill 5,643 m and Everest base camp at 5,364 m high.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu 1,345 m and transfer to respective Hotels
Day 02: Kathmandu with sightseeing tour, trek briefing and preparations.
Day 03: Drive to Gongar 1,400 m via Charikot- 06 hours.
Day 04: Trek to Simi-Gaon 2,000 m – 05 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Dovan 2,500 m – 06 hours.
Day 06: Trek to Beding 3, 693 m – 05 hours.
Day 07: Rest day for acclimatization and short hikes.
Day 08: Trek to Na-Gaon 4,183 m – 04 hours.
Day 09: Trek to Kabuk at Tsho Rolpa 4, 560 m – 05 hours.
Day 10: Trek to Drolambau Glacier at Tashi Lapcha Base 5,400 m -05 hrs.
Day 11: Cross Tashi Lapcha Pass 5, 755 m trek to Khumbu at Tengpo 4,900 m. Day 12: Trek to Thame 3,800 m -06 hrs.
Day 13: Trek Marlung 4,137 m- 04 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Lungdhen to 4,600 m – 05 hrs.
Day 15: Cross Renjo- La 5, 240 m to Gokyo Lake 4,800 m- 07 hrs.
Day 16: Rest day at Gokyo with climb of Gokyo-Ri.
Day 17: Trek to Thagnak 4,750 m – 04 hrs.
Day 18: Cross Cho-la Pass 5, 367 m to Dzongla 4,830 m – 07 hrs.
Day 19: Trek to Lobuche 4, 928 m-05 hrs.
Day 20: Trek to Everest Base Camp 5, 364 m – 06 hrs.
Day 21: Climb Kalapathar and back to Lobuche – 04 hrs.
Day 22: Cross Kongma La pass 5,535 m walk to Dingboche 4,340 m -07 hrs.
Day 23: Trek to Tengboche 3,867 m – 05 hrs.
Day 24: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m -05 hrs.
Day 25: Trek to Lukla 2,820 m – 06 hrs.
Day 26: Fly to Kathmandu and then transfer to your hotels.
Day 27: In Kathmandu free day for individual activities.
Day 28: International departure for homeward bounds.
Best seasons for Four Passes of High Khumbu & Everest Region:
The best time for this wonderful adventure is from mid-spring and autumn seasons, mid-spring from March to May, and autumn/fall begins from September to November months.
Springtime from March to May will be much lively with wild-flowers in seasonal bloom, especially the magnolia and rhododendrons the national flower of Nepal.
March to May fine clear day most of the time, with longer sun-light hours but can get overcast in the late afternoon with chances of snow sometimes on high altitude areas as well on passes. Autumn / Falls another best time for this trek with a fine clear day for views and walks. But days are short with sun-light hours can be freezing cold higher altitude, especially in the morning, and night times will be clear with bright starry nights. Chances of snow on tracks above 3,000 m higher, as well on passes.
Religion and Culture:
The high Rolwaling & Khumbu area of Everest are highly populated by Sherpa people the mountain tribes of Nepal and the highlanders of Eastern Himalayas. The Sherpa follows strong Buddhism religion and age-old culture similar to Tibetan, on this trek you will notice traditionally built houses, where every home is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags and monuments.
As you encounter prayer walls and Stupa, where walking clockwise will be the right way to respect the local culture, from the Rolwaling area to Khumbu around the Everest region. On this trek, you will visit the monasteries of Simi-Gaon, Beding village as well in Thame with a more than 500 years old monastery. On walks from Thame to Namche Bazaar unto Lukla coming across many prayer symbols and monuments.