Everest Base Camp, Cho La Pass, Gokyo Peak and Kala Pattar

Flight Paris/Kathmandu. Reception at the airport by our team then transfer and installation at the hotel. Rest of the day free on Kathmandu, last preparations for the trek then first immersion in the city of the famous temples with roofs in "pagoda". Free meals.

Transfer: Private vehicle (approximately 1 hour). Accommodation: hotel***.

For some time now, the "luggage carriers" have been putting pressure on the exit of Kathmandu airport; they are becoming more and more urgent even with our guides. The "normal" tip for this service is 100 Rps (€1) per person.

Early departure to reach the national airport. The check-in hall offers a special atmosphere where good character, administrative rigour and excitement of the next departures are mixed, in the middle of the luggage piled up on both sides of the counters. The flight to Lukla (subject to weather conditions) is one of the most beautiful you can imagine! The small plane runs along a multitude of snow-covered peaks and hills sculpted from terraced fields. Far away, we can see the airport of Lukla perched on a small plateau. The team of porters awaits us, the loads are distributed and we start the trekking by a smooth descent on a path in balcony that overlooks the Dudh Kosi. The landscape is shaped by man: villages surrounded by rice fields, chortens and stones engraved with prayers (manis), overprinted bridges over rivers. Large, venerable cedars line the route. We reach the bottom of the valley and arrive at Phakding.

Walking time: 2 to 3 hours. Positive drop: + 100 m. Negative drop: - 300 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

We appreciate the softness and greenery of the Dudh Kosi gorge. At this average altitude, the vegetation is still abundant, pine forests line the steep slopes. At the detours of the trail, one discovers hamlets nestled in clearings, nestled above the banks of the river, or perched on small flats. After the village of Monjo, we enter into the Sagarmatha National Park ("The mother goddess of the sky", Nepalese name given to Mount Everest). Created in 1976 and classified as a World Natural Heritage Site by Unesco, the park extends over the entire Dudh Khosi watershed, within which our itinerary falls. By a wide path going up in turns through the pines, we rise 500 meters at the level of the confluence with Bhote Kosi. Around 3100 meters, a small stop is needed to discover Everest in focus. Namche, the capital of the sherpa country, is set in a large amphitheatre overlooking the gorges, in front of the peaks of the Lumding Himal. The village is important, nearly 2500 inhabitants live in luxurious houses. Markets, traditional shops and Sherpas shops offer a lively atmosphere. Namche Bazar has something mythical with a unique atmosphere. If the weather is clear, just before climbing on Namche Bazar, we will be able to see Everest.

Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Positive drop: + 820 m. Negative drop: - 40 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

The stage is short in order to start our acclimatization to the altitude. We will contemplate Everest while climbing on a panoramic ridge at the level of Namche Bazar. The twin walls of the Thamserku and Kangtega, the slender tower of the Ama Dablam (6856 m, nicknamed the Himalayan Matterhorn), the Great South Wall of the Lhotse (8501 m) and the Everest Pyramid (8848 m) stand behind the silhouettes of majestic Himalayan pines. We go around the traditional villages of Khunde and Khumjung which stretch on a welcoming plateau, nestled against the slopes of Khumbi Yul Lah (5761 m).

Walking time: about 3 hours. Positive drop: + 570 m. Negative drop: - 220 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

The morning begins with a magnificent crossing on a balcony path perched 500 meters above the river. The vegetation is bare, nothing hinders the view of the Khumbu valley that opens in front of us: one clearly distinguishes the monastery of Tengboche, perched on a shoulder, behind which runs the tapered prism of the Ama Dablam. Further, the horizon is closed by the large South wall of the Lhotse. That’s where we’ll be coming from in a few days, but right now we’re heading down the Cho Oyu to the adjacent valley to the west. After passing the spur of Mong La (3973 m), we descend in front of the village of Phortse to the torrent where we find the canopy of the Himalayan pines. A hillside climb, in a sparse forest, leads to the Dole plateau. From the alpine hamlet, we enjoy a perfect framing on the ice walls of the Thamserku and Kangtega overlooking the houses and fields of the village of Phortse.

Walking time: 4 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 510 m. Negative drop: - 200 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

We take advantage of a short and easy stage to perfect our adaptation to the altitude. Walking slowly, taking time, focusing on your steps and breathing are the setasis of the high mountain. The trail rises quietly in the alpine pastures, on the sunny side of the valley, facing the glacial wall of Cho Oyu (8153 m), border with Tibet. We cross several summer hamlets, fields and enclosures surrounded by stones, before stopping at the one of Machhermo, nestled between the two moraines of a glacier that used to descend from the elegant Kyajo Ri (6186 m), erected at the level of the lodge.

Walking time: 3 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 320 m. Negative drop: - 10 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

As soon as you wake up, the light reflected by the glaciers and the persistent snowfields brings this singular clarity that makes the charm and magic of the altitude. At the exit of the Machhermo valley we can already see the morainic front of the Ngozumpa glacier, 300 m thick. We reach the small valley that borders on the left the big river of ice and continue until the lakes of Gokyo, huddled against the natural moraine dam. In the background, soaring peaks of Lobuche, Cholatse and Taboche. We settle in the village of Gokyo, on the banks of the largest of the two lakes, in the heart of an enchanting mountain setting.

Walking time: 4 to 5 hours. Positive drop: + 340 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

In the morning, we cross the 5,000-metre bar and climb straight up the lake towards the Gokyo Peak. From its summit, after 2 hours 30 to 3 hours of ascent, the Himalaya unveil four giants of the planet: the Cho Oyu, the Everest, the Lhotse and the Makalu. The South face of the Cho Oyu, very close, dripping with seracs that collapse on the Ngozumpa glacier. The latter, 17 km long, fills the entire valley. Back in Gokyo we enjoy a break for lunch, before heading back to Dragnak, a hamlet on the other side of the glacier. We go down to the marked passage of cairns which allows to cross without risk a chaos of stones wide of 1,5 km. Rest well deserved at the lodge.

Walking time: 6 to 7 hours. Positive drop: + 630 m. Negative drop: - 700 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

The ascent to the Cho La Pass takes place in two former glacial valleys today bare, separated by a morainic cord. The pass, a small passage wedged between the sharp peaks of Lobuche and Cholatse, is defended by 300 meters of steep scree, fortunately marked by a good path. We emerge from the shadow of the West side to open in full light in a high mountain universe. A glacier occupies the eastern side of the pass; you cross it easily, cross a few polished slabs before reaching the top of the combe of the Chola Khola. The view opens onto the fantastic pyramid of the Ama Dablam which will remain in focus throughout the descent, towards the Dzongla mountain pastures. The lodge is beautifully situated on a panoramic plateau overlooking the valley.

Walking time: 7 to 8 hours. Positive drop: + 730 m. Negative drop: - 590 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

Following the grandiose and famous glacier of Khumbu, arriving at the hamlet of Lobuche (5018 m); a short stage that allows to recover from the ascent of the day before.

Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 300 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

Still along the moraines of the Khumbu glacier, a chaotic journey takes us to the true Everest Base Camp. We are at the foot of the famous "Ice Fall" that climbers use to access the summit so coveted... maybe we will have the chance to see some of them... Falls of seracs, grandiosity of the summits that surround this legendary place!... It reigns here a great atmosphere in these fantastic landscapes... Then return by the path that descends on Gorakshep (5160 m).

Walking time: 5 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 400 m. Negative drop: - 350 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

Early morning departure to climb (optional) the slopes of the south face that lead to the summit of Kala Pattar (5545 m). Surrounded by the highest mountains of the world, at the foot of the impressive pyramid of Pumori, fantastic views of the southern pass, the obligatory passage of the mountaineers that engages in the ascent of Everest. From the top of the Kala Pattar, we have a view on almost the entire ascent path of the highest summit in the world! We then retrace our steps to Thokla and turn towards Dingboche by penetrating one of the wildest valleys of the Khumbu. The Island Peak, the Ama Dablam and, further, the Makalu, offer a magnificent spectacle. Steeper descent to reach Dingboche. Stunning views of the Nupse, Pumori and Langtren.

Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive drop: + 400 m. Negative drop: - 1455 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

Contrary to what one might think, it is from the top of the Kala Pattar that the view on Everest is the most beautiful; from the Everest Base Camp, one does not see the top; the Everest Base Camp remains nevertheless a mythical place.

We are losing altitude and finding more populated land. The descent takes place on the sunny side of the valley, in front of the Ama Dablam and the duo Thamserku and Kangtega. Mani and chortens come again to punctuate the way. We cross two important villages, Pheriche and Pangboche. In the latter, nestled among pine and juniper trees, a monastery houses a curiosity: the scalp of a yeti!... We continue our descent towards the bottom of the valley, lined with pine and rhododendrons, haven of a small ungulate himalayan, the musky suede, before going back to the monastery of Tengboche. Founded in 1919, it is perched on a spur, perfect lookout on the Ama Dablam and the great puraille of Nuptse and Lhotse. Overnight in the lodge near the monastery.

Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 360 m. Negative drop: - 700 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

The winding path descends through the rhododendrons to the Dudh Kosi gorge, before ascending on the opposite side under the Khumjung plateau where thars (a sort of Himalayan chamois) sometimes roam between boulders scattered in the slopes. A pleasant balcony crossing leads us to the level of Namche Bazar where we find the animation of the capital of the sherpa country.

Walking time: 4 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 450 m. Negative drop: - 870 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

We soon experience the warmth of the low valleys as we descend the wooded gorges of the Dudh Kosi, passing through the villages of Monjo and Phakding, before returning to Lukla where we thank the team of porters. We spend our last evening in the heart of Khumbu.

Walking time: about 6 hours. Positive drop: + 400 m. Negative drop: - 940 m. Accommodation: lodge. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

Early in the morning the atmosphere at Lukla airport is often effervescent. A small plane takes us back to Kathmandu (subject to the weather) where we find our hotel in the city center. Free time for everyone to discover the city at your own pace. Free meals.

Flight time: about 45 minutes. Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: morning.

Today, if the Lukla/Kathmandu flight took place the day before, you will discover the Kathmandu valley with a French-speaking Nepalese guide. Visit of Bhaktapur, which is often considered the most extraordinary "museum city" of the entire Kathmandu Valley. The finest examples of civil or religious architecture can be seen around large squares in different neighbourhoods. Every alley, every nook and cranny preserves buildings of brick and wood delicately carved, which are characteristic of Nepalese art. Then visit Boddnath where stands a monumental stupa (hemispheric building), the largest in Nepal. The top of its dome is surmounted by a quadrangular tower whose each face carries a pair of Buddha eyes. Many monks of Tibetan origin live nearby. Free lunch, traditional dinner in the evening in a typical Nepalese restaurant.

Accommodation: hotel***. Meals included: morning - evening.

If the flight times allow, free day in Kathmandu where we can make the last purchases or visit some monuments. Transfer to the airport for the flight to France. Free meals.

Accommodation: plane (meals on board). Meals included: morning.

Arrival in France.