Gokyo & Renjo La Pass Trek — Self-Launched (Independent Teahouse Trek)
15 days · Everest Region, Nepal
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges £1,100
No-markup version: ~£655 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 15-day teahouse trek through the Gokyo Valley and over the Renjo La (5,345m) in the Everest region, based on a guided operator itinerary. Book your own Lukla flights, pay your permits (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu + Sagarmatha National Park), walk independently or hire a local guide/porter in Namche if you want support. Expect dramatic glacier scenery, the Gokyo Ri sunrise and a quieter route out via Thame. Costs below are realistic backpacker estimates in GBP — permits, flights and lodge food are the big variables.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kathmandu — Thamel
Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and take a prepaid taxi to Thamel (approx NPR 1,000-1,200 / £6-8 — ignore the pushy fixers inside arrivals). Check into a hostel or budget guesthouse in Thamel. Spend the afternoon sorting logistics: buy a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit (NPR 3,000 / ~£18) either at the Nepal Tourism Board office or, more easily, at the permit counter in Lukla/Monjo on arrival; and your Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000 / ~£18). Pick up a SIM (Ncell/Nepal Telecom tourist SIM ~£5), change money, and buy/rent gear you're missing (down jacket, sleeping bag, microspikes, water purification). Eat dal bhat in Thamel for ~£4.
🚌Prepaid taxi from airport to Thamel ~£6-8; walking around Thamel
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse in Thamel (dorm ~£8-12, private ~£18-25)
- →Khumbu Pasang Lhamu & Sagarmatha National Park permit purchase
- →Nepal SIM card
- →Gear shopping/rental in Thamel
- →Garden of Dreams (optional)
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Lukla / Phakding
Early domestic flight Kathmandu to Lukla (35 min, ~£130-180 one-way; book direct with Tara/Sita Air or via a local agent). Flights get cancelled for weather — build in a spare day. From Lukla (2,840m) walk the easy 3-4 hour trail down to Phakding (2,610m) following the Dudh Koshi river through Chaurikharka, Ghat and Kyangma. Overnight in a teahouse.
🚌Domestic flight KTM-Lukla ~£130-180; 3-4 hr walk
🛏Teahouse in Phakding (shared room ~£3-6; hot shower + charging extra)
- →Lukla airport landing
- →Dudh Koshi river valley walk
- →Sagarmatha park registration at Monjo the next day
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar
A longer, steeper day (approx 6 hours). Cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge, pass Benkar, Monjo (where you show your Sagarmatha National Park permit) and Jorsale, then climb the switchbacks to Namche Bazaar (3,440m). Keep the pace slow. Overnight in Namche.
🚌5-6 hr walk
🛏Teahouse in Namche (~£4-8; more comfortable lodges available)
- →Hillary Suspension Bridge
- →Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint (Monjo)
- →First views of Everest from the Namche ridge
Namche Bazaar — acclimatisation day
Namche Bazaar
Rest and acclimatise at 3,440m. Morning visit to the Sagarmatha National Park Tourist Visitor Centre (small entry fee ~£2) for the Everest history exhibits. Afternoon acclimatisation hike up to the Everest View Hotel / Syangboche airstrip (~2 hrs up) or to Khunde/Khumjung for the views of Ama Dablam and Everest. Back to Namche for market browsing and a bakery coffee.
🚌Walking only (acclimatisation hike 3-4 hrs)
🛏Teahouse in Namche
- →Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Centre
- →Everest View Hotel hike
- →Khumjung/Khunde village option
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Tengboche
A spectacular contour trail high above the Dudh Koshi, then a descent to Phunki Tenga for lunch before the steep climb to Tengboche (3,860m). Visit the famous Tengboche Monastery — check the time for afternoon prayers and the morning puja. This is a strong overnight staging point to split the long push toward Machhermo.
🚌5-6 hr walk
🛏Teahouse in Tengboche (~£5-10, limited options so book space early in season)
- →Tengboche Monastery & prayer ceremony
- →Ama Dablam viewpoint
Tengboche to Machhermo
Machhermo
A long but rewarding day heading up the Dudh Koshi into the Gokyo Valley, turning off the main Everest Base Camp trail at Sanasa/Dole. Pass through Phortse Tenga and Dole, then continue to Machhermo (4,470m). Watch for Himalayan tahr and the views up to Cho Oyu, Khangtega and Thamserku. Overnight in Machhermo.
🚌6-7 hr walk
🛏Teahouse in Machhermo (~£5-8)
- →Gokyo Valley approach
- →Cho Oyu & Thamserku views
Machhermo to Gokyo
Gokyo
Short, high day (approx 4-5 hrs) up the valley past Longponga to Gokyo (4,750m), set beside the turquoise Gokyo Lakes. After lunch and check-in, walk up to the Fifth Lake (Ngozumpa Tsho) beneath Cho Oyu for the classic reflection view. Sleep low, drink plenty, and prep for tomorrow's sunrise.
🚌4-5 hr walk
🛏Teahouse in Gokyo (~£6-10)
- →Gokyo Lakes
- →Fifth Lake (Ngozumpa Tsho) walk
- →Cho Oyu views
Gokyo Ri sunrise (5,357m) & Gokyo
Gokyo Ri / Gokyo
Pre-dawn start (around 4:30am) to climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m), a 2-hour slog that rewards you with one of the best panoramas in the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and the vast Ngozumpa Glacier. Descend back to Gokyo for breakfast and a rest day — important before crossing Renjo La. Note: the original operator switches the Cho La/Renjo La sequencing here; the self-launched version keeps Cho La out and focuses on Renjo La, which is the route's signature crossing.
🚌2 hrs up / 1.5 hrs down Gokyo Ri + rest
🛏Teahouse in Gokyo
- →Gokyo Ri sunrise summit
- →Ngozumpa Glacier viewpoint
Gokyo over Renjo La (5,345m) to Lungden
Renjo La / Lungden
The crux day. Leave Gokyo early and climb steadily to the Renjo La (5,345m), roughly 3-4 hrs up, for huge views back over the Gokyo Lakes and Ngozumpa Glacier with Everest, Lhotse and Makalu on the skyline. Descend on the far side (steep, icy in shoulder season — microspikes recommended) to Lungden (4,380m). This pass is remote; carry water, snacks and a headlamp.
🚌7-8 hr walk over a high pass
🛏Basic teahouse in Lungden (~£5-8)
- →Renjo La Pass crossing
- →Everest/Lhotse/Makalu panorama
Lungden to Thame
Thame
An easier descent down the Bhote Koshi valley to Thame (3,800m), a beautiful Sherpa village and home of many famous mountaineers. Visit Thame Monastery and, if timing works, sit in on the afternoon puja. Stay with a local family-run teahouse for a genuine taste of Sherpa hospitality.
🚌4-5 hr walk
🛏Teahouse/family lodge in Thame (~£5-8)
- →Thame Monastery
- →Sherpa village life
- →Buddhist prayer observation
Thame to Namche Bazaar via Khumjung
Namche Bazaar
Walk back toward Namche via the villages of Thamo, Khumjung (with its famous monastery said to hold a yeti scalp) and Khunde. Rejoin the main trail and drop into Namche Bazaar (3,440m) for a well-earned shower, proper coffee and a bakery stop.
🚌5-6 hr walk
🛏Teahouse in Namche
- →Khumjung Monastery
- →Khunde village
- →Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Lukla
A long final trekking day (6-7 hrs) retracing the trail down to Monjo, across the suspension bridges and along the Dudh Koshi to Lukla (2,840m). Celebrate with a hot shower, a proper meal and maybe a cold Everest beer at one of the Lukla lodges.
🚌6-7 hr walk
🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Lukla (~£6-10)
- →Final descent to Lukla
- →Hot shower & celebration meal
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Early morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu (~£130-180). Weather delays are common — keep a buffer day if your onward international flight is tight. On arrival, taxi to Thamel and check back into your guesthouse. Rest, do laundry, and treat yourself to a massage.
🚌Domestic flight Lukla-KTM ~£130-180; taxi ~£6-8
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse in Thamel
- →Lukla-Kathmandu flight
- →Thamel free afternoon
Kathmandu — rest & explore
Kathmandu
Full day in Kathmandu to recover. Options: Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath (taxi ~£5 each way, entries ~£3-4), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Patan Durbar Square, or simply Thamel shopping for pashminas and trekking gear. Garden of Dreams is a calm spot for a coffee.
🚌Taxis/ride-hailing ~£3-8 per hop
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse in Thamel
- →Boudhanath Stupa
- →Pashupatinath Temple
- →Swayambhunath
- →Thamel shopping
Departure from Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Last-minute shopping or cafe time, then a prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Allow extra time for traffic.
🚌Taxi to airport ~£6-8
🛏None (departure day)
- →Departure transfer
Self-launched vs. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£655 | £1,100 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £445 per person (40%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.-style trips? Check them out here.~£655
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Gokyo & Renjo La Pass Trek — Self-Launched (Independent Teahouse Trek) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £655 per person for 15 days in Everest Region, Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.?+
Yes — Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges around £1,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £655 — a saving of roughly £445 (40%) per person.
How long is the Everest Region, Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Everest Region, Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Everest Region, Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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