4 Dole (in 2d)
A 16-day Trek to Gokyo-Ri & Lakes ... starting from Salleri & return via Lukla in Everest region, Nepal
Trek Day-08 - 21st Oct 2019 - Namche to Mong-La
Trek Day-09 - 22nd Oct 2019 - MongLa to Dole
View from the trail nearing Mong-La of Kantega & Thamserku peaks ... as we climb from Namche Bazaar (3440M) to Mong-La (3975M)
Trek Day-08 - 21st Oct 2019 - Namche to Mong-La
Starting trek from Namche 7:40 AM climb the steps up to the top of the Namche Bowl and then take the right for the lower route to Sanasa (not to Khumjung). Walking along this familiar route which I have trekked 7-8 times (counting returns too). It is an atmospheric trail with Ama-Dablam being seen prominently most of the way. Also Kantega and Thamserku as in picture above. The last part of today's trek, from the bifurcation to Mongla, I had only once before while returning from the 'failed' Gokyo after aborting at Phortse-Tenga after Kongma-La and Kalapathar. That was a time I walked up from Phortse Tenga with Prem Puliath, after Manjunath decided to do Gokyo anyway and I was suffering from an acute wheezing cough & cold from a dust allergy picked from somewhere near Upper Pangboche! So much nostalgic memories these mountain trails provide with just one previous walk in just one section of the trail.
The signpost at Sanasa showing up for Gokyo and straight for EBC
On reaching Mong-La checked into Buddha Lodge at the top. Awesome views of snow peaks and clouds here this afternoon. Dont miss seeing those in the album-link below There is view-point on an extended side ridge here just 5 minutes from my Lodge. Great view of peaks from there. Plus a super-zoomed view from above, of the beautiful Tengboche and the Monastery there:
A zoom view of Tengboche ... from way above in MongLa's View point.
Album of all pictures of this day's Trek: G08
Trek Day-09 - 22nd Oct 2019 - MongLa to Dole
Looking back and down towards Namche Bazaar .... as I climb the 'steps' out of the Namche ... as I start my trek to Mong-La on 21st Oct 2019
The view of Ama-Dablam ... from Kyangjuma just before Sanasa
The Buddha Lodge next to the Chorten at Mong-La
Left Mong-La at 7:30 AM and went down and down, all the way to the river level, at Phortse-Tenga (8:30 AM). I was hoping to see my old Teahouse next to thr River, but we by-passed that a bit maybe by taking a a Upper level trail perhaps. We didn't stop there anyway and soon started climbing up. Passed a Check-post where we showed our permits and continued on.
We are reaching Dole ahead. Its on a flat ground spread on two sides of side stream. You can see the trail on the opposite hill climbing towards Machermo
We reached Dole (4075M) at 12:30 PM and took a Room at "Dole View Point Lodge". Now that we are off the main EBC trail I expected the trekkers' crowd to be less and so it was just a few guest at the Teahouse. Nice setting at Dole on a wide open valley with meadows on both side of side-stream flowing down to join the main river coming down from the Gokyo lakes.
Album of all pictures of this day's Trek: G09
The Chorten at Mong-La with prayer flags and snow peaks
Looking back from the trail to climbing to Dole .. Phortse Village on that open wide Ridge ahead ... and towering above Kantega & Thamserku in clear sunny sky.
Dole View Point Lodge ... where we stayed for 1 night
Daywise Itinerary (Actual):
Gokyo Trek October-2019
12OCT Day-1 Flight Mumbai (01:00) Kathmandu (05:00) Trek/guide arrangements
13OCT Day-2 Share Jeep Kathmandu (04:30) to Salleri (16:00)
14OCT Day-3 Share Jeep to Ringmo & Trek Start (10:00) to Nunthala (14:00)
15OCT Day-4 Trek Nunthala (07:00) to Khari-Khola (13:30)
16OCT Day-5 Trek Khari-Khola (07:15) to Tham-Danda (11:50)
17OCT Day-6 Trek Tham-Danda (07:30) to Pakhepani (11:30)
18OCT Day-7 Trek Pakhepani (07:40) to Chepplung (12:40)
19OCT Day-8 Trek Chepplung (07:35) to Monjo (14:00)
20OCT Day-9 Trek Monjo (08:00) to Namche (12:10)
21OCT Day-10 Trek Namche (07:40) to Mong-La (12:00)
22OCT Day-11 Trek Mong-La (07:30) to Dole (12:30)
23OCT Day-11 Trek Dole (07:30) to Macherma (11:30)
24OCT Day-12 Macherma Rest Weather Snowy Trek to both side Ridges
25OCT Day-13 Trek Macherma (07:30) to Gokyo (12:00)
26OCT Day-14 Trek Gokyo (10:15) to Gokyo-Ri (13:45) back to Gokyo (16:00)
27OCT Day-15 Trek Gokyo (08:00) to Machermo (12:00)
28OCT Day-15 Trek Machermo (07:45) to Mong-La (15:00)
29OCT Day-16 Trek Mong-La (07:45) to Namche (11:00)
30OCT Day-17 Trek Namche (08:00) Benkar Lunch 2Hrs to Phakding (15:00)
31OCT Day-18 Trek Phakding (08:15) to Lukla (12:45)
01NOV Day-19 Flight Lukla (08:30) KTM (09:05)
02NOV Day-20 Flight Kathmandu to Mumbai via Delhi