18 Day Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek

Trek Grade: Moderate to Strenuous

Trek Days : 15

Peak Seasons : Mar-May / mid Sep – early Dec

Trip Cost : US$1,685/pax

​

OVERVIEW

We offer the most scenic destination views of Mt. Everest at 8,848m / 29,028 ft and Cho Oyu 8,201m / 26,906 ft from Gokyo Ri. The journey leads right in the center at world’s scenic Gokyo valley and its striking panorama views. Trekking to Gokyo Lake has attracted thousands of trekkers for its amazing scenery. It does not demand high physical  skills and previous trekking experience. Anyone with good and physical health can take part in this great adventure. It begins with a short scenic flight to Lukla, the gateway to Everest.  Follow the main Everest Base Camp trekking route up to Namche bazaar. Namche is a prosperous trading town and the capital of Khumbu region with ATMs, internet , shops and other facilities. After good acclimatization at Namche bazaar, continue trek to scenic Gokyo Lake with rest day for hike to Gokyo Ri.  From Gokyo peak, spectacular views of Mt Everest as well as Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchaenjunga and Cho Oyu.  Wonderful views of Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in the world! From here, retrace trek back to Lukla via alternative route leading to the less visited Phortse village and upper Pangboche before heading back to Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu after this memorable experience in the high mountain of Everest.

 

ITINERARY

 

Day 1

Arrive Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) - 1,300m.  Meet & Greet by trekking guide. Transfer to hotel for briefing.  Rest of day free & easy.

​

Day 2

Depart hotel early morning to airport for domestic flight to Lukla (2,750m).  Flight time about 30 mins.  Upon arrival in Lukla, meet porter/s to arrange packing before trek starts.  Gradual walk to Phakding (2,660m) to Monjo (2,080m) for about 5-6 hours. 

​

Day 3

Proceed from Monjo to Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint after a short walk.  Gradual short uphill and downhill trail, re-crossing the Dudh Koshi river via a few suspension bridges. Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) for about 4-5 hours which you can see flora and fauna along the journey.  Walk will be a winding uphill path.

 

Day 4

Acclimatisation Day – a short hike up the famous airstrip at Syangboche, second highest airport in the world (3,874m) above sea level. Can explore the local internet cafes, shops, restaurants & bakeries.  Advisable to stay active during the day.

​

Day 5

The trail ascends for about 20 minutes and after that, easy walking path for about an hour till you reach the village of Kyangjuma.  From here, trail starts to descend for about an hour to Phunki Thanga.  Once again, ascend uphill to Tengboche (3,900m) for about 2-3 hours before resting at the lodge for the night. Tengboche has a famed beautiful monastery and striking scenery.  It has about 500 monks living there.  They worship daily from 3pm-4pm which is called the Puja.

​

Day 6

Downhill and uphill trail to Pangboche village, oldest village in Khumbu before reaching Dingboche (4,400m) for about 5 hours. 

​

Day 7

Acclimatisation Day – hike to Nakarsang hill (5,000m) for about 4 hours.  After that, rest for the day.

​

Day 8

Trek to Thukla for about 3 hours.  After lunch, trek uphill for about an hour to Thukla Pass where there are many monuments built in remembrance of those who perished in Mount Everest. Thereafter, easy walk along the way till you reach Lobuche (4,990m) for about 2 hours.

 

Day 9

Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,365m) and back to Lobuche for 7-8 hours.

​

Day 10

About 3 hours to Dzongla (4,840m).  This day is easy as you need to rest in order to cross Chola Pass the next day.

​

Day 11

Start uphill for about 2 hours to reach Chola Pass (5,420m).  No teahouses along this trail and hence, only packed lunch will be served.  Reach Thanak in about 5 hours. 

​

Day 12

Trek to Gokyo Lake (4,750m) for about 3 hours.  Walk through the Ngozumpa glacier.  Here you will get stunning views of the lakes and mountains.

​

Day 13

Hike to Gokyo Ri (5,330m) for mind blowing views of Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu, Mt Cho Oyu.  Wonderful view of Khumbu’s longest Ngozumpa glacier in the Himalayas.  After that, walk back to Gokyo for lunch and continue to walk to Mochhermo.  Total about 5-6 hours.

 

Day 14

Continue descent to Phortse Thanga through Dole for 3 hours.  Next is quite a tiring walk as it ascends uphill for about 1.5 hours till Mongla Pass (3,900m).  Then downhill for another 1.5 hrs to Kyangjuma (3,440m).

​

Day 15

Kyangjuma to Namche to Phakding. Trek on this day takes about 6 hours.

​

Day 16

Phakding to Lukla. Trek on this day takes about 4 hours.

​

Day 17

Lukla to Kathmandu. Early morning flight but sometimes flights do get delayed due to bad weather. 

​

Depending on time constraint, here are some possible sightseeing places to visit:

​

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Swambhunah Temple (aka Monkey Temple)

• Boudha Stupa, largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world.

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square, popular for its religious, cultural and historical heritage.  It was built during the reign of the Malla King Yaksha Mala in 1427 AD and was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th century.

• Pashupatinath Temple is a famous, sacred temple of Hindu faith.

 

Others

• Narayanhiti Palace, home to the country’s ill-fated royal family.  Their reign ended in 2009 and it has now become a public museum.

• Kapan Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudha, on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

 

Day 18

Departure transfer to TIV airport at 18:30 NPT.

​

Inclusions

3 nights hotel in Kathmandu (BB)

Basic accommodation in local lodges

B/L/D provided during the trek

All land transport & domestic flights

National Park fees and trekking permit

 

Exclusions

Sleeping bag

Bottled / alcoholic drinks

Meals in Kathmandu

Client insurance of any kind

Emergency helicopter lift

Other expenses of personal nature

Hot showers