Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri – 14 Days
This stunning trek takes to you to the foot of Mt. Everest and will see you traversing the challenging 5420m Cho La (pass). You will have the opportunity to trek to the summit of both Gokyo Ri, at 5340m and Kala Pattar, at 5554m. Both peaks will afford magnificent views of the highest mountains in the world, including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and many more.
Your trek includes a visit to Everest Base Camp which will allow you to have a closer look at the spectacular Khumbu Icefall.
- Starts In: Kathmandu
- Ends In: Kathmandu
- Duration: 14 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Demanding
Highlights
- Visit Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Glacier
- Sunrise at Kala Pattar view point at 5554m (18000f)
- Mountain monasteries, Sherpa villages and trail-side tea shops
- Views of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam
- Experience Sherpa culture and hospitality
Itinerary
Day 01: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding [2656m]
Your guide will meet you early in the morning and escort you to the domestic airport for your spectacular flight and exciting landing on the steep mountain runway. This brings you to the start of your trek at the village of Lukla [2800m]. After your guide organises the trekking crew, you head up the Dudh Kosi Valley on a well-marked trail to your first night near the river at Phakding.
Time permitting, we explore the two traditional villages of Sano Gumela and Thulo Gumela. We can also have a special visit to the little monastery which is home to 12-15 monks of the Gelugpa sect and is a center of high Buddhist learning.
Walking time: Approx. 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Lunch, Dinner
Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar [3450m]
From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment.
You then ascend steeply to Namche on steps, which will be the first big climb of the trek. Just take it easy and enjoy the views along the way as there is plenty of time to get to our destination. Along the way, if the weather is clear, you can catch your first glimpse of Mt Everest in the distance.
Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market — a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. On any day of the week, this is a big, bustling trading town, packed with locals and trekkers alike!
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03: Rest day in Namche Bazaar [3450m]
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops as well as a magnificent outlook. It is an ideal place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading further up into the mountains.
There are a number of great acclimatization day hikes to choose from:
Visit Everest View Hotel (2-3 hours): A one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town. If you’re an early bird, a great place to go for sunrise and breakfast.
Visit Khumjung and Khunde (3-4 hours): If you continue past Everest View Hotel, you descend into the village of Khumjung where you can visit the Khunde Hospital which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary and one of the Hillary schools at Khumjung.
Day hike to Thame (6-7 hours): If you’re fast on the trail, can also be combined with Thame (below). Thame is a beautiful old village with snaking rock walls, yak paddocks and the gorgeous, traditional slate-roofed Sherpa houses. Thame Gompa, perched up to the north of the village, is one of the oldest in the Khumbu, so it’s well worth while to take the afternoon to climb to the Gompa and wander around this old, walled village. In Thame we can also see the Advanced Mountaineering Training School and their hydro power station.
Rest for the day and explore Namche: Depending on energy levels, you can of course use this day to rest and just enjoy being in Namche.
Walking time: Approx. 1-5 hours (depending on which day hike you choose)
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche [3846m]
From Namche, the trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. Now we get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga.
The village is an excellent lunch spot, and here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although tiring, the hike up the zigzag path has numerous distractions, with rhododendron bushes, beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery.
Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. You stay at a teahouse near the monastery with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam in full view (weather permitting).
Walking time: Approx. 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche [4300m]
We descend steeply through Rhododendron forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche.
This is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6,856 m), and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. Old Pangboche’s gompa is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu, founded in 1667 and housing relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. A further two to three hours walking brings us to Dingboche.
Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Rest Day in Dingboche
This village is at the head of two valleys and has Pokalde 5745m overshadowing it. For our acclimatisation walk today we head up the Chukung Valley where there are fantastic views of the towering south face of Lhotse and of Island Peak as well as a multitude of other mountains.
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche [4930m]
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and climb more steeply towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt. Everest. Our path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.
This is a cold place but has an awesome view of Nuptse, particularly when lit by a full moon.
Walking time: Approx. 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, Visit Everest Base Camp [5357m]
Today has a real expedition feel to it and sees us leaving Lobuche at dawn. The sun soon reaches the summits of the Himalayan peaks and slowly lights up the valley bottom. We traverse the Khumbu Glacier, climbing towards Gorak Shep, whose name means ‘Graveyard of Crows’, the site for a couple of very basic lodges set amongst breathtaking mountain scenery. We continue at a slow but steady pace on our bid to reach Base Camp along the Khumbu Glacier, on a long and tiring day at altitude. After a little time to take photos and relax, we make our way back down to Gorak Shep where we stay the night.
Walking time: Approx. 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Trek from Gorak Shep to Dzongla [4830m], Climb Kala Pattar [5554m]
Today, for those that are in good shape it is a slow steady climb to the summit of Kala Pattar, a tough trek but a real achievement that is rewarded with spectacular views of the Khumbu Glacier below and the highest mountain in the world. We then descend to Lubuche to complete a long but unforgettable day. We then retrace our steps down to Labuche and then we leave the main EBC trail again, taking an alternative, winding trail to Dzongla past the Cho La Lake. This is a lovely walk, contouring around the hillsides and enjoying the simply stunning panoramic mountain views. We enter the valley with Tawache Peak Base Camp and, crossing the river, have one more steep climb up into Dzongla, which is a small ‘kharka’ or pasture ground with two lodges. Here we are just a few hours below the Cho La pass and can relax and enjoy the amazing view up at the sheer wall of Cholatse Peak.
Walking time: Approx. 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek from Dzongla to Gokyo [4700m], via Cho La Pass
Today our trail goes up high to the Cho La at 5370m. It will take us about 3-4 hours to the pass from where, as you’d expect, you have sensational views! We start out from Dzongla by climbing up to a plateau like section and then, after crossing a mountain stream, often icy so be careful, we begin the real ascent to the pass. It’s a fun, but steep and rocky ascent, often with ice on the trail, so we need to take it seriously but have a great time in this incredible landscape, stopping to enjoy the surroundings as we go. Once up at the glaciated pass, we trek across the snow and ice to the summit and take in the incredible views of Ama Dablam, Kantega, Thamserku, Tawache, Cholatse and Baruntse to the east, and to Nangpai Gosain, Pasang Lhamo, Numbur and on the Gokyo side of the pass.
From the pass, we descend steeply for 1 ½ hours and then the descent becomes more gradual, on a rocky hill trail, before it steepens again until we reach Dragnak. From Dragnak, our trail heads out through the big Nzogomba Glacier with creaking glacial lakes below us and ridiculously stunning landscape all around us. We make our way across the glacier and trek past the second lake into the Gokyo Valley – so different form where we have come from, this is a green ablation valley dotted with gorgeous, turquoise glacial lakes. We now have a stunning walk into Gokyo, a seasonal grazing village built beside the third and largest lake and with our first views up to Cho Oyo (8201m).
Walking time: Approx. 8-9 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek from Gokyo to Dole, Climb Gokyo Ri
This morning we head out to climb Gokyo Ri, 5400m. This peak offer yet more amazing views, in fact considered one of the best for the four highest mountains in the area; Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. It’s also a great vantage point for all-around spectacular views of the lakes, the glacial moraine and the Khumbu icefall.
After that, we will descend steadily along the side of the valley, where the rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements [yersa], which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. We will arrive at Machermo in time for lunch after that we will continue our journey down to Dole.
Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hour
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek from Dole to Namche
Today is a spectacular day in terms of scenery as we follow the main trail down to Namche. We follow this main trail for a while longer, passing many traders selling Tibetan handicrafts, to a crossroads high above the Dudh Kosi. From Dole, the trails drop steeply to Phortse Tengathrough rhododendron and birch forest festooned with hanging mosses and lichens.
Walking time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla [2800m]
Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
After an early breakfast, you head to the airstrip with your guide for the return flight to Kathmandu. Flights out of Lukla usually depart early in the morning so you should arrive in Kathmandu with plenty of time for further sightseeing, shopping, getting a massage, or taking in the life of town from a street side cafe.
Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu to check in and then the rest of the day is free.
Accommodation: None
Meals included:
Breakfast
Gallery
Included In Price
- Tea house accommodation while on trek
- Meals as per the itinerary (all meals on trek, with filtered drinking water)
- Transportation as per the detailed itinerary (includes the return flights to and from Kathmandu for you and your guide, including transfers and airport taxes)
- Your trekking guide and porters, with all their transport, equipment, insurance and including their meals and accommodation
- A first aid kit with basic supplies appropriate for the group size and trek route – if you require specific medications it is critical that you discuss this with us prior to your trip departure
- Trekking permits and registration fees
Note: The local tea houses are basic but clean and they do not often have attached bathrooms or hot showers. The price is based on twin share and does not include any extra charge that lodge owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms or hot showers (if these facilities are available) or for battery charging. We can’t know in advance what they may charge for such things in the different lodges along the way, so we prefer to leave this cost out, rather than pass along an estimated charge to you.
The meal inclusions on the trek are breakfast (one set breakfast and tea or coffee), lunch (one main meal and tea or coffee) and dinner (soup, main and dessert with tea or coffee)
Not Included In Price
- Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice about gear to bring/buy/rent
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes
- Any excess baggage charges flights
- Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
- Additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itineraries above
- Single supplement
- Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
- Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
- Tips for your trekking crew, city guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, etc (please ask if you would like guidance about appropriate tips)
- Costs incurred due to unforeseen events (eg caused by natural disasters, adverse road conditions/flight delays, labor strikes, fuel shortages, extreme exchange rate changes, etc)
