Trekking Tour to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake in Nepal

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in the ancient yet modernized city of Kathmandu, our office representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. After check-in and some refreshments, our senior Sherpa guide will provide a brief orientation about the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek.

Following this, you can take a leisurely stroll to explore the neighborhood, enjoy dinner, and then retire for the night. This marks your first overnight stay in this unique valley, known for its temples and revered cows, which are among the most sacred in the world. Your accommodation includes breakfast.

Today marks the beginning of your thrilling adventure journey. Typically, the weather in the mountain regions is pleasant in the morning. Consequently, your trekking guide will pick you up from the hotel early in the morning to ensure that you catch the morning mountain flights, which are operational for landing at Lukla.

The 35-minute exhilarating scenic flight to Lukla, followed by a landing on a steep mountain runway, marks the commencement of our trek at the village of Lukla [2,846m]. If weather conditions permit during the flight, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas from the windows of your twin-otter aircraft.

Upon landing at the small Lukla airport, take a brief tea break and meet our porters (if included in your package). Then, begin your trek with a gradual walk through the beautiful alpine forest along the Dudh Koshi River, with distant views of Mount Khumbila from Cheplung village. Along the way, you will also cross a suspension bridge, adding a thrilling element to your journey.

This marks your first day in the mountain region, and you will stay overnight at a local tea house in Phakding at an altitude of 2,610m. Ensure you get enough rest as you have a long day of walking ahead tomorrow.

Please note: During the peak trekking months (March, April, May, and September, October, and November), flights from Lukla operate from Ramechhap airport instead of Kathmandu due to the heavy air traffic at Kathmandu Airport.

The journey from Kathmandu to Manthali/Ramechhap airport typically takes around 5-6 hours, subject to highway traffic conditions. To catch the flight to Lukla, it is recommended to wake up at 1:30 a.m. and travel to Ramechhap airport via a shared tourist vehicle, followed by a 20-minute flight to Lukla.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast in Phakding, we start our journey towards the bustling mountain junction town of Namche. Along the way, we traverse the river multiple times, using lofty suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo, we reach the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, established to safeguard the delicate mountain ecosystem. Our trek then involves a steep ascent to Namche.

If the weather permits, we are treated to our first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche stands as the primary trading village in the Khumbu region and hosts a lively Saturday market, serving as a meeting point for Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans that have traversed the glaciated Nangpa La. Namche acts as the gateway to the Khumbu, where we will spend the night.

Namche is nestled between two ridges, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Khumbu, and offers a plethora of accommodations, tea houses, and souvenir shops. It's an ideal location to acclimatize to the higher altitude before continuing the journey towards Syangboche.

For acclimatization, you can explore the Khunde Hospital established by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a one-hour stroll up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for a breathtaking sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest.

Next, we proceed to Khumjung, where we can visit a school also founded by Hillary. After a satisfying lunch, we begin our trek, bypassing the Khimde route. Additionally, the National Park Center and Museum, located just above the town, offer splendid views. Following our acclimatization activities, we return to our lodge for some refreshing beverages and a restful night's sleep.

As we near the 4000m mark, the air becomes thinner. Today promises a spectacular display of scenery as we proceed along the main trail north out of Mongla. A brief ascent to a crest unveils a breathtaking view of Everest and Lhotse.

Continuing on the main trail, we encounter numerous traders selling Tibetan handicrafts, until we reach a high crossroads above the Dudh Kosi. Although the trail to Everest descends, we turn off here and ascend to cross the Mong La before reaching Phortse Tenga.

From Phortse Tenga, the path ascends steeply to Dole, leading through rhododendron and birch forests adorned with hanging mosses and lichens, showcasing nature in its purest form. We will spend the night at Dole.

We make a steady ascent from Dole along the valley's edge, with the rhododendron forests transitioning to scrub juniper as we gain altitude. The trail leads past numerous summer settlements (yersa), where yaks graze during the summer months. Ahead, we are treated to splendid views of Cho Oyu, while behind us, the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku grace the landscape.

Today's trek is relatively brief, and we will reach Machhermo in time for lunch. We will spend the night at a lodge in Machhermo .

The impressive Gokyo Ri rises above the village on the northern side of the lake. We depart from the camp shortly after sunrise, ascending a steep path up the hillside. As we make our way up, the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu gradually emerge, and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself is considered one of the most remarkable sights in the Everest region—some argue that it even surpasses the view from Kala Pattar. We will spend the night at a guesthouse.

Today, we will embark on a challenging ascent to the 5357 m Gokyo Ri peak, which provides stunning views of four of the world’s highest peaks – Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, as well as the Ngozumpa Glacier. Afterward, we will return to Gokyo, gather our belongings, and make our way towards the village of Thangnak by crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier.

The day commences with an immediate climb to the ridge overlooking Gokyo, offering a final view of the village, lake, Gokyo Ri, and Cho Oyu before descending the terminal moraine onto the glacier. Crossing this section will involve navigating a series of ascents and descents around the crevasses of the glacier until reaching the other side. We will spend the night at a local teahouse in Thangnak.

Today marks the most challenging day of the trek as we prepare to traverse Chola Pass. We must commence early, between 4-6 am, compared to previous days on the journey. The pass itself is not inherently difficult, but it is steep and involves a glacier crossing on the eastern side. Caution is essential, as the trail is steep and the rocks are icy, presenting a challenge for less experienced trekkers.

The trail from Phedi ascends through a ravine and a rocky path as we steadily climb upwards. Passing along the edge of a frozen lake, we eventually reach the top of the pass adorned with prayer flags. Ama Dablam dominates the skyline over a range of mountains to the south, while Cholatse rises to the west and Lobuche East and Baruntse stand prominently to our right.

Before reaching Dzongla, we must navigate through some crevasses, arriving at another beautiful location offering a panoramic view of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lobuche Peak, and the distant Pheriche village below. We will spend the night at a basic local lodge.

Today's trek will be shorter, allowing us more time to observe and relax. Departing from Dzongla, we will follow the moraine and descend alongside Chola Lake before continuing along the Khumbu Glacier.

During the journey, we will come across memorial statues of climbers who lost their lives in this region. Unlike the previous day, the hike to Lobuche should be enjoyable, and before reaching Lobuche, we will follow the Imja Khola. After approximately four hours of trekking, we will reach our destination for the day – Lobuche. Upon reaching Lobuche, we will rejoin the classic Everest Base Camp trek trail.

We will follow the trail to Everest Base Camp, passing by the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we will encounter the memorials of the Indian Army Mountaineers. The path from this point can be misleading, so it is crucial to follow our local guide. The trek is challenging due to the thin air at high altitudes. We will traverse rocky dunes, moraines, and streams before reaching the Everest Base Camp at 5,364m/17,598 ft.

Upon reaching the Everest Base Camp, we will see brightly colored tents of mountaineers, standing out against the gray surroundings, especially in spring. From the base camp, we will have views of Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. After spending some time here, we will head back to Gorak Shep for a good night's rest.

We will overnight at the lodge at an altitude of 5,180m/16,942 ft.

In the early morning, we ascend to Kalapatthar at 5,545m to witness a breathtaking sunrise. From Kalapatthar, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and several other prominent mountain peaks. These include well-known peaks such as Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Lhotse, as well as Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, and many other massive peaks.

After savoring the golden moments at Kalapatthar, we trek back to Gorakshep. Following breakfast at Gorakshep, the hike to Pheriche will lead you through rugged terrain, where you will traverse narrow trails and encounter remote Sherpa villages. Along the way, you will immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Khumbu region, passing by prayer flags, monasteries, and friendly locals, making the return journey an unforgettable experience.

Yaks are commonly referred to as four-legged porters in this area, as they are better suited for the challenging terrain than human porters. Pheriche is known for its high winds, and the town offers views of the towering walls of Cholatse and Tawache.

The Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post is also situated here, where foreign volunteer doctors provide medical care to trekkers and local residents in the area. We will spend the night at a lodge.

Today’s trek will be another arduous and lengthy journey. Starting from Pheriche, we will retrace our steps through Pangboche, then ascend uphill into Tengboche, where we will pause for a refreshing cup of tea. Continuing from Tengboche, the trail descends for about an hour to our lunch spot, situated beside the river.

Following our lunch break, we will embark on a one-and-a-half-hour ascent back up to the Ama Dablam View Guesthouse, where we will take a final brief rest. Subsequently, there is approximately another hour and thirty minutes of trekking before we reach Namche Bazaar.

Due to the extended duration of today's journey, we anticipate arriving in Namche in the late afternoon. Upon reaching our destination, it will be time to freshen up, unwind, and recuperate! The trek today is estimated to last around 8 hours, covering a distance of 13.7 miles/22 km.

You will embark on the ultimate leg of your journey to Lukla. Upon reaching Lukla, you can rejoice in the accomplishment of this unforgettable expedition alongside your guide and porters.

These resilient mountain professionals have been by your side throughout, offering guidance and aiding in the transportation of your belongings. Express your appreciation by providing a gratuity. Conclude your final evening in Khumbu by reveling in Sherpa melodies, singing, and dancing. You will spend the night in Lukla.

Flights from Lukla to Kathmandu are typically scheduled for the early morning to avoid strong winds. The 35-minute scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu offers breathtaking views. Upon landing in Kathmandu, we will be taken to our hotel.

In the evening, we will arrange a farewell dinner in Kathmandu featuring Nepalese cuisine and a cultural dance show.

Following breakfast on our final day in Kathmandu, our vehicle and escorts will be ready to transport you to the international airport three hours before your scheduled flight home.

It has been a great honor for us at Glorious Himalaya to have met you, and we wish you a safe journey home, reflecting on the wonderful moments we shared. Bon Voyage! We hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again someday.