Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Trek - 15 days

After an adventurous 45 minute flight above the breathtaking White Mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla in Solukhumbu. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, you will be introduced to our porter. Note: We will hire guide from Kathmandu only. After some packing and arrangements at Lukla, we start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla. We walk in an easy trail through Chaurikharka village and then descend towards Dudh Koshi until we reach Phakding. Phakding is located 8,700 feet above sea level. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. 

On this day, we will have our breakfast at Phakding and then gear up for the trek to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar was once a small village but since grown in size to accommodate the influx of trekkers, and now is the unofficial capital of the Sherpas. It was once an important trading centre on the route from Tibet to Nepal but has now been largely given over to catering for the needs of trekkers.

Our trail takes us first over the Dudh Koshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Koshi River (spotting Mani stones along the way!) en route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it’s uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. It’s a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you’ll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty. For acclimatization, we suggest you to spend 2 nights in or around Namche.

On the following day, we will take a well-deserved rest to acclimatize, which gives the opportunity to explore some of the less developed and more traditional villages in the area. There’s an optional 2 hour hike to Everest View Point, an uphill walk that will help speed acclimatization. You can also check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Local Market is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment. Easier options for passing the acclimatization day can be found by visiting the twin Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde, which are about a 2 hour walk above Namche. While in Khunde, visit the hospital, which was established and funded by Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust. Khumjung monastery is interesting as being the store place of one of the alleged Yeti scalps that are to be found in the region. Having Tea/Coffee in Everest view hotel and enjoy with gorgeous view of Mt. Everest and Amadablam is other attractions having one day free in Namche Bazaar.

After breakfast starts hiking up the Dudh Koshi Valley before descending into pine and rhododendron forests where the trail divides. 

On the way pass many Buddhist stupas and waterfalls and be awed by the views of Thamserku, Everest, Ama Dablam, and more.  We turn left at the fork in the trail to head towards Gokyo Lakes and onwards till we reach the village of Dole. 

This beautiful scenic trail is a steep climb taking you through scrub juniper.  Leaving Dole there is an uphill gradient for around half an hour then a more gentle uphill the rest of the way. 

The Dudh Koshi River lies far below. Hiking on towards the tiny teahouse settlement of Machhermo the trail comes to a ridge above the village with stunning views of Thamserku.  

Leaving Machhermo the trail today is not too strenuous, with only one or two short steep sections. The trail descends to the Dudh Koshi River before a steep climb to the Ngozumpa Glacier and the first Gokyo Lake.

While the first lake is small, the second lake is quite long and runs parallel to the hiking trail. At the 3rd lake, we find some teahouses where we stop for lunch.   

In the  sharpe morning, we climb up to Gokyo Ri which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. The viewpoint at Gokyo Ri is a high 5,357 meters, with a great panorama of mountains above and lakes and glaciers below – particularly beautiful at sunrise. Then after we back to Gokyo for the breakfast to following Thangnak at same day crossing glacier and rocky terrain to reach there, which has very few teahouses and from where everyone is planning to cross the Chola Pass the next day.  

Today it’s an early start from around 3 am in order to climb the Chola Pass (5,330m). This pass connects the main Everest Base Camp trail with the Gokyo region. Since you are trekking over a glacier at some points, crampons are a must for this pass. 

This tough day ends at Cho Dzongla village for some much-needed rest and a good dinner.  Naturally, the views on this route make up for the long day. 

Today is a pretty easy and short day with a flat trail. After did long trek yesterday, your body needs more energy for next trip so, Today we just doing 3 hours trek only.  You also won’t see many trekkers until you reach the main trail near Lobuche.

After having breakfast early in the morning, we continue our trek to Gorakshep Village. The subsequent, straight trail to Everest Base Camp is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris. On the way to our destination, we’ll approach the famed Khumbu Glacier and icefall, located on the slopes of Everest. During spring season, the entire climbers attempting to scale the mountain’s summit gather in Everest Base Camp with colorful tents can be seen as if we are in snowy tents park. Break out your cameras for unbelievable views of breathtaking beauty. After exploring base camp and its surroundings glacier, we return back to Gorakshep before sunset.

We’ll wake before dawn today to trek towards Kalapatthar (which means “black rock”) for a fiery, glorious sunrise over Mt. Everest. After climbing for couple hours, we arrive in the famous view point, the top of Kala Patthar. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of Nuptse Nup, Changtse and Lhotse we have the best view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and Ama Dablam along with the entire mountain views of Khumbu Himalayan range. This may be, of the whole journey, our most opportune moment to snap amazing pictures of Everest and its neighboring peaks. Afterwards, we get back to Gorakshep for breakfast and descend down in the direction of Dingbuche, our nighttime stop. Our pace will be a lot brisker as we descend, and the walking is easier going this way.

Although this is a long day of hiking, as you descend in altitude the walking seems a little easier.  You will also notice the rising temperature, which is pretty welcome after the earlier colder days.  Forests and greenery have returned giving this trail a different look from what has gone before.  

On reaching Namche a comfortable hotel and delicious dinner are waiting! 

We descend from Namche Bazaar and will have lunch in Monjo, where we finally leave Sagarmatha National Park again. If the weather is clear, take plenty of photos of your final views of the great peaks we’ve enjoyed so much along the way, including Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. After trekking down from Monjo, we reach to Phakding.

Today you will take an easy and beautiful walk through the blue pine and Rhododendron forests with the views of Kusum Kanguru and Mt. Kwangde. After taking lunch in Lukla, it is advisable to take a look at the small village of Lukla. You can explore the city visiting the local “School of Thangka Painting” and see the beautiful religious paintings as well. Overnight stay at hotel.

In the morning, you’ll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where your journey both began and ends. The flight to Kathmandu from Lukla usually takes 35minutes. You’ll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas.