Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes
17 Days
Moderate To Strenous
Spring (March- May) and Autumn ( Sep-Oct)
Everest Region
5-7 hours per day
This is one of the most fascinating trek organized in Khumbu region. It advances to the base camp of world's tallest mountain –Everest and can enjoy the majestic view of Khumbu icefall, Gokyo Ri and Kala Pathar. It gives us opportunity to have splendid view of beautiful lakes in Gokyo valley and well known – Cho La Pass. This trek is just outstanding and we will face the fresh air coming back from the mountains- Cho oyu, Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam, Pumori etc etc. Budhism – the main religion of Sherpa people, can be experienced from near during the trekking through the visit of Tengboche monastery. It is the largest monastery of Khumbu region.
The beginner in trekking can enjoy this package, but good health with average physical fitness is must. The experienced trekker, but not enough time for trekking, can also be involved in this package.
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02 : Kathmandu Sightseeing
After breakfast, you will be taken for Kathmandu sight seen program, which includes the visit of Swayambhu temple, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Day 03 : Kathmandu – Lukla ( on flight) – Phakding ( 2682m)
Duration: 3-4 hours
We will be going to Lukla in the early morning as soon as we complete our breakfast. After landing at the airport, we will start our short trek, which will lead to Phakding. Then, after an hour of ascending from Phakding, we will be at Cheplung village. From this village, we can see pristine mountain called Khumbilla of 18900 ft height. Then, we will descend to Phakding, where we will spend our night.
Day 04 : Phakding - Namche Bazaar ( 3438m)
Approximate distance: 11 km
Duration:5-6 hours
After having tasty breakfast at Phakding, our trek leads us to the famous market called Namche Bazaar. We will also pass through small villages like Jorsalle and Mono. At the north side of Phakding, Monjo lies and it is the main entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. While going through the national park, we will also cross Dudh Koshi river to arrive Namche Bazaar. We can have superb view of Everest, Thamserku, Taboche and Khumbila mountains from this famous market of Khumbu region.
Day 05 : Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar
During this period, we will have plenty of time to get acclimatization with the help of our guide in visiting resturants, cafes, shops etc. We can also hike to Sagarmatha National Park and have sunrise views. The views of Everest, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Kongde and other mountains are just superb. If interested, we can trek to the settlement of Sherpa people called Khumjung and experience their culture, food and language.
Day 06 : Namche Bazaar – Phorse ( 3680m)
Approximate distance: 6 km
Duration: 5- 6 hours
On this day, we will leave Namche bazaar and desced to Kyanjuma. On the route, we will see Himalayan pheasants, musk deer and Himalayan Thars. We follow Gokyo trails from Sansa and we will have glimpse of Amadablam, Thamserku, Tawoche and Khumbila mountains from Mong. We will climb down to Dudhkoshi Khola and then, we climb uphill through rhododendron forest to reach Phorse. We can have good view of Tawache and Cholatse mountains from this place.
Day 07 : Phortse Village – Machhermo ( 4470m)
Approximate distance: 10km
Duration: 5- 6 hours
We may have opportunity to see wildlife like mountain goats, musk deer, and pheasant after we cross Dudhkoshi river. Before we get to Dole, we have to follow our trail through forests, beautiful waterfalls and bridges. Climbing trail on ridge with scenes of Cho-oyu, Kantega and Thamserku mountains is very interesting and adventurous. It is very enjoyable to walk through small villages like Luza, crossing Dudh Koshi river and reach Machhermo. Himalayan Rescue Hospital can be visited if we have any health problems.
Day 08 : Machharmo – Gokyo (4800m)
Approximate distance: 7 km
Duration: 5- 6 hours
The splendid view of Dudhkoshi valley, Kangtega, Thamserku and Cho-oyu mountains can be seen while ascending on hill. The trail goes through Chorten and reached Phangaa. We descend to the river bank before climbing up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozamba Glacier on a steep trail. Going through Longpongo, Raboche Tsho and Dudh Koshi before reaching Gokyo is very interesting. We can wander around Dudh Pokhari before we get ready for bed rest.
Day 09 : Gokyo Valley
We will have to stay in Gokyo to acclimatize to the high altitude. We will move towards Gokyo Ri if weather is in our favour. The mountains and Gokyp lakes can be seen enjoyably from the summit of Gokyo Ri. Then, we will start hiking fourth and fifth Gokyo lakes. Distance between Gokyo and fourth lake is just 3 km. A short walk from the fourth lake will take us to the fifth lake, from where we can see Cho-oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Nuptse and Makalu. The base camp of Choy-oyu and Ngazumpa Glacier can be seen clearly from the north side of fifth lake. Ngazumpa glacier is the biggest lake in the world. After these splendid views and interesting trek, we will go back to Gokyo and take good rest.
Day 10 : Gokyo – Thagnak
Approximate distance: 4 km
Duration: 4- 5 hours
Gokyo valley is surrounded by Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Taboche, Cholatse, Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Changtse and Pumori. the scenery of Gokyo village, on the edge of third lake overlooked by Cholatse and the broad Nogzumpa Glacier, is magnificent. When the ray of sunlight touches the summit of Everest, the scene cannot be described in words. We will walk through Ngazumpa glacier to mountains of other side and we will reach Thagnak. It is a short hike and take rest in the afternoon since we have to be prepared for another hiking days on the next day.
Day 11 : Thagnak - Cho La pass ( 5367m) to Dzongla
We need to be careful and strong on this day since the Cho La pass is very steep and involves glacier transverse on the eastern side. The trail is vertical and due to ice on the rock, it may be slippery making us difficult to walk. It is considered as one of the difficult part of trekking of this package. While going through the side of frozen lake, we reach the summit of the pass, where we will find prayer flags. From this place, we will find Amadablam at the south, Cholatse at the west and Lobuche and Baruntse at the right. After we go through some crevasses, then we will be at Dzongla village. It is the perfect place to have beautiful view of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Lobuche. We can also see a village called Pheriche, which is located far below of Dzongla.
Day 12 : Dzongla – Lobuche ( 4940m)
Approximate distance: 6 km
Duration: 2- 3 hours
We will climb down from Dzongla and walk through trail of grass with the beautiful view of Lobuche peak. The trek from Dzongla to Lobuche is very short, which will provide us huge time for relaxation with the excellent view surround us. We will spend our night at Lobuche and get ready for the long trek scheduled for the next day.
Day 13 : Lobuche - Gorak Shep ( 5170m) visit Everest Base Camp ( 5364m)
Approximate distance: 13 km
Duration: 6- 7 hours
On this day, we will start our journey to Everest Base camp through Gorak Sherp lake. Then crossing the Indian army mountaineers' memorial, our trekking becomes hard due to thin air and high altitude. We have to walk on the rock, glacier and streams and then we will be at the base camp. At this place, we will see the tents of mountaineers ready for their expedition. From the Everest base camp, we will have opportunity to enjoy the beautiful view of Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori. Then, we will return to Gorak Sherp to spend our night.
We heard the sunset view from the Kalapathar is fantastic, therefore, we can plan to visit this place in the evening, if we don’t want to miss this incredible view of sunset. You can inform us in advance about your place on this matter so that we can plan accordingly.
Day 14 : Gorak Shep - Kala Patthar ( 5545m) – Pheriche ( 4288m)
Approximate distance: 16 km
Duration: 7- 8hours
In order to reach Kala Patthar, we need to start our early in the morning. We will face cold temperature and chilly wind. On the way to Kala Pathar, we can see mountains- Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. Then we will reach Kala Patthar and from where, we can have 360 degree close-up of Everest. We can take picture, enjoy the panoramic view of white mountain before getting back to Pheriche to spend our night.
Day 15 : Pheriche - Namche Bazaar( 20km)
Approximate distance: 20 km
Duration: 6- 7 hours
From Pheriche, we will trek down passing through hillside and forests of rhododendron. Then crossing the bridge of Dudh Koshi river, we descend through the pine forests and finally reach the place called Sansa. From this place, we can see Ama Dablam, Thaserku and Nuptse. Our trekking continues through winding trails and forests and reach Namche Bazaar.
Day 16 : Namche Bazaar – Lukla( 2800m)
Approximate distance: 19 km
Duration: 6- 7 hours
Lukla is the place where our trekking ends. It can be reached after we climb down rocky trail crossing suspension bridges. The air starts to become warm when we are near to Lukla and we will spend our night here.
Day 17 : Fly to Kathmandu
We will try to catch the first flight to Kathmandu so that we can have more rest followed by the closing dinner with guide and trek leader.
Inclusion
- Airport pickups and drops in a private vehicle
- 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Teahouse accommodation during the trek
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Domestic flights (Kathmandu- Lukla -Kathmandu)
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private vehicle
- Entrance fees for sightseeing/monument visits as per the itinerary
- An experienced, English-speaking and government-licensed trek leader and assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide)
- Porter service (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
- Staff costs including their salary, insurance, equipment, domestic airfare, food and accommodation
- Down jacket and sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion)
- All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)
- Medical kit (carried by your trek leader)
- All government and local taxes
Exclusion
- Nepalese visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Travel and rescue insurance(Should be covered helicopter evacuation incase of problem on the trek and medical also)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
- Tips for guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s)
Note
We shall not be responsible for any changes and alterations in the itineraries due to avoidable circumstances i.e. landslide, road blockage, floods, snowfall, political unrest, cancellation of flights, delay arrivals, sickness or accidents and any extra cost incurring there of shall be borne by the clients themselves at the spot. It is most advisable for clients to have full INSURANCE against medical and personal accidents.