Normal Trek

Approach

To get to Nepal you will have to fly from either India, Thailand or Singapore.
To get to New Delhi India try (there are many others). I will add US airlines when I have a moment
Air India
British Airways
Air France
Air Canada
Kuwait Airlines
Luftansa
KLM

Once you get to Katmandu you will have basically two options:
1 - Fly on Royal Air Nepal’s Twin Otter flights to Lukla. A small air strip about ten days from Everest Base Camp ( eight from Gokyo peak allowing for acclimitization) 1 hour flight approx.
2 - Take a local bus, Mini Bus hired by you or your Sherpa provider to Jiri. This is a small village at the end of the road. From here it is about a 14-16 day trek to the Gokyo region.

If you have the time do the walk. For three reasons:
1 - You will have a chance to walk through one of the most lush and beautiful lowland areas in Nepal. This is an area that a lot of trekkers miss when flying to Lukla. You will also cross over two high passes with excellent views in all directions.
2 - By taking 2 weeks to arrive in the Khumbu are and having already crossed over two high passes you will be better acclimitized once you arrive in the high peaks area. You will enjoy this more as you will be huffing and puffing less.
3 - You will be following the route taken by most of the early expeditions. There is a lot of history along that path, why not soak it up. You will also have the bragging rights that you did the same route as they in years gone by.

Flying is fast and that has its advantages. But if you have ever been at Lukla after several days of no flights after bad weather you will understand this. (Trekkers fighting over seats to make their connecting flights home)

Flying into Lukla 9,350 ft.:
(Note walking times are approximate a lot will depend on how you acclimitize.)
Slowly decend to Phakding 8,700 ft. about 2 hr walk from Lukla, you will probably overnight here .

The next morning after about 2-3 hours you will pass through Jorsale 9,100 ft. . Here is where you will pay a fee and enter the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Parkand. You will then continue for another 2-3 hours up hill to the main Village of Namche Bazaar 11,300 ft. This is quite an elevation gain especially for those who have flown in. You should rest here one to two days, doing small side trips ect. to acclimitize.

The next day will take you through Shyangboche 11,800 ft. (approx) then onto the village of Khunde 12,600 ft. then onto Khumjung 12,400 ft. then you decend to near the river crossing at 11,950 ft. but keep to the left (do not cross the river to Phortse ) and continue through Tongba 13,175 ft. Gyele 13,400 ft. and Dole 13, 400 ft. to Lunza 14,400 ft. This should take a total of 4-5 hours. You should consider resting here for one day for acclimitization.

When you continue the next villages you will pass through are Maachherma 14,600 ft., Pangka 14,950 then Longpanga and finally the yersa of Goyko 15,720 ft. a trip of about 4-5 hours.

A hike of about 2-3 hours will get you to the top of Gokyo Peak with its fine view.

Route Description

The walk for the most part follow as very well beaten past. You will share the route with hundreds of other trekkers, Yaks and Sherpas. The last part involves some glacial moraine crossing. Good comfortable boots, well broken in and as waterproof as possible are essential gear.

Essential Gear

Partial Equipment list info:
Here is a brief list for you.

6-pairs socks

6-underwear

2-pairs of shorts for the walk in

3-T-shirts for the walk in

2-bandanas or a sun hat to keep off the sun

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen plus zinc

Good sturdy hiking shoes

1-sleeping bag (as warm as you can get)

1-sleeping pad (your choice the more comfortable you are the better you sleep the more energy you will have) you can get a Crazy Creek chair that goes with your pad this is a good investment.

2-expedition weight Patagonia long underwear tops (or 1 depends on how dirty you like to be)

1-expedition weight Patagonia long underwear bottom

1 lightweight fleece bottom

1-heavy weight Patagonia or similar fleece jacket

1-Gortex shell jacket

1-Gortex shell pants (full length zippers)

1-Down filled jacket liner from Feathered Friends of Seattle, (optional)

1-Downfilled Gortex guides Parka 1-Warm hat with ear flaps

2-pairs of heavy duty mittens (in case you lose one pair up high)

1-pair fleece gloves 1-pair ski gloves

1-pair of gaitors

1-pair ski poles

1-ice axe (not really necessary

1-headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs

1-cup with spoon attached

1-Swissarmy knife

1- stove of your choice (I use Markhill stormy hanging stone with Blueway cartridges, you can get fuel in Kathmandu as it is difficult to fly down). You can also get white gaz. Your sherpas will have their own equipment.

1-tent

3-1-litre waterbottles each (drink at least 5 litres a day to help acclimitise)

Camera and film (tripod and filters)

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

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