License No: 237321
Gokyo Renjo La Trek is the best alternative to Everest Base Camp Trek and Everest Three-Passes Trek for avid hikers who love to meander leisurely and peacefully through the trail. The hike offers a flawless view of dazzling peaks, 6 holy lakes of the Gokyo Valley Ngozumpa glacier and 4 eight-thousanders: Everest (8,848 m), Mt. Cho-Oyu (8,188 m), Mt. Makalu (8,485 m), and Lhotse (8,516 m). The main highlights of the hike are Lake Gokyo, Gokyo-Ri Summit, and Renjo La Pass, which is known for the breathtaking mountain views of Everest along with other snow-capped peaks.
The Gokyo Renjo La trekking route begins with a 30-40 minute turbulent mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport. Lukla’s hike follows the EBC path through suspension bridges, rivers, Sherpa villages, and Sagarmatha National Park. Hikers can also encounter wild animals such as Himalayan Thar, Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, etc. on trails. The chirping of birds and insects ensures serenity throughout the trek.
Namche, the most important tourist center of the Everest region, is the planned destination for the acclimatization day. If the hike gets higher, there is a high probability that AMS will occur due to the low oxygen intake. Therefore, 2-3 days of acclimatization is required to successfully complete the hike. During the rest day in Namche, a short way to the Khumjung valley offers the highest hotel in the world: Hotel Everest View, Khumjung school, Customer hospital and Syangboche runway.
Hotel Everest View is a popular hotel in the Everest region for the majestic view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Khumbila, Ama Dablam (6,821 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), and Mt. Thamserku (6,623 m).
A few hours from Namche, the EBC trails converge at the confluence village of Sanasa, from where the route turns left to the Gokyo-Ri trails. From Sanasa the path climbs to Mong, Phortse Thanga, Dole, and Machhermo and offers a wonderful view of the towering peaks Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega (6,782 m), numerous monasteries and choirs and cerulean landscape.
The Gokyo path rises from Machhermo and Pangka through sandpits and rocky cliffs and offers a breathtaking view of Kangtega, Chadoten summit, and Cho-Oyu. Similarly, 3 of the 6 holy lakes of the Gokyo Valley: Longponga Tsho, Taujung Tsho, and Gokyo Tsho appear next to the path one after the other until we reach the village of Gokyo. The remaining three lakes: Thonak Tsho, Nzogumba Tsho, and Gyazumba Tsho appear sparkling and turquoise under the blue canopy. Gokyo Renjo La Trekking is achieved through the Gokyo Ri summit (5,357 m), from which Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu appear flawless and charming as from the Kala Patthar summit (5,545 m).
From the Gokyo Valley, the path follows the Everest Three Pass route to a beautiful pass: Renjo La Pass. The pass offers a brilliant view of Everest, Makalu, Gyajung Thak, Tengi Ragi Tau, Himalayas, and Rolwaling Range. The path from the pass leads over the smooth and icy rock path down to the villages Lumde-Marlung-Thame and Namche. Finally, the path from Namche follows the EBC paths and descends to Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu.
