Gorakshep to Dzongla via Kala Patthar Sunrise (5,550m)
Today begins in the sacred silence of early dawn. We rise at 4:00 AM in Gorakshep (5,160m), under a sky peppered with stars and the faint outline of Himalayan giants looming in the dark. With headlamps on and hearts eager, we begin our pre-dawn climb to the summit of Kala Patthar (5,550m)—one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in all of Nepal.
The trail is steep and steady, etched into the glacial moraine, and as we ascend, the cold morning air sharpens the senses. At the summit, we are rewarded with a breathtaking spectacle as the first light of sunrise strikes the peak of Mount Everest (8,848.86m). The sun’s golden rays gradually reveal the soaring spires of Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), and the iconic black triangle of Everest, glowing like a crown above the Khumbu. The viewpoint also unveils Pumori (7,161m) in its full grandeur just behind us, with Lingtren, Khumbutse, and the Changtse massif across the Tibetan border completing the 360° Himalayan theater.
We spend about an hour here, capturing incredible photographs and simply absorbing the awe of standing face-to-face with the tallest mountains on Earth. As the sun fully rises, we descend back to Gorakshep, where a warm breakfast awaits to restore our energy.
After breakfast, we retrace our steps toward Lobuche (4,940m). This portion of the trail is familiar, descending gradually through the rock-strewn Khumbu moraine. If hunger strikes, Lobuche is our final opportunity for lunch today, as the next stretch to Dzongla has no teahouses or food stops along the way.
Leaving Lobuche, the trail veers westward across a high-altitude valley. For the next hour, we walk on a gentle, grassy path that traces the contours of alpine meadows. The terrain is soft and wide, occasionally crossing yak trails and seasonal streams, with glacial walls rising to the left and the mighty Awi Peak (5,245m) towering nearby.
Beyond the meadows, the trail undulates slightly—rising and dipping across rugged, wind-carved ridges with glimpses of Ama Dablam’s west face and the jagged spire of Cholatse (6,440m). The path reveals the ancient geological soul of the Khumbu: folded metamorphic rocks, hanging glaciers, and steep glacial valleys shaped by eons of tectonic force and ice movement.
By mid-afternoon, we reach Dzongla (4,830m)—a small, peaceful settlement tucked beneath the mighty cliffs of Cholatse, where glaciers spill down its shadowed slopes like silver ribbons. The campsite is one of the most serene in the region, surrounded by towering walls, with a glacial lake shimmering nearby and the sound of the wind dancing across the high passes.
Tonight, we settle into a cozy teahouse in Dzongla, resting under the shadow of the great Himalayas after a day filled with adventure, beauty, and unforgettable moments at the rooftop of the world.