Everest Base Camp – Cho La pass & Gokyo Lake Trek-18 days

You will begin after dawn to catch an early flight to Lukla. The flight is scenic and thrilling, as you traverse above towering peaks. After about 30 minutes, you will land at the narrow airstrip of the mountainous airport, renowned for its challenging descent. At Lukla you will first have breakfast in the presence of mighty mountains, and then begin the long-awaited trek! As you cross suspension bridges over gushing rivers below, the trail gets lined by lush and beautiful forests. You will walk for around four hours crossing suspension bridges and passing through Sherpa villages before stopping for the night in a lodge in Phakding. The beautiful trail and scenic mountains will contribute to your excitement on the first night as you prepare for the epic trek to the heart of Everest.

As you begin the trek from Phakding, you will be facing a long day of trek to Namche Bazaar, the destination for today. The actual trekking duration is about seven hours with ample amount of stopovers. The trail is scenic, and at this altitude you will even pass through lush rhododendron forests. The excitement will push you further today where you’ll cross high-altitude suspension bridges over Dudhkoshi River, including the famous Hillary Bridge. After crossing Monjo, your trail enters Sagarmatha National Park with breathtaking views of valleys and mountains. After a quick permits-check, you will begin today’s final stretch to Namche located at 3,440 metres. The climb is steep, but every inch of the ascent to Namche Bazaar is worth it. 

As you reach Namche, you will be filled with amazement to have reached this close to the gigantic mountains. You will immediately feel at home in this vibrant old town filled with markets, cafes, lodges, and shops bustling with tourists and locals alike. This is where you will rest for the day soaking in hot water and enjoy high-speed Internet connection. Nearby, you can explore monasteries and stupas if you feel energetic and not worn out by the day’s trek. And if the day is clear, you may even catch your first glimpse of some iconic peaks of Everest.

Sleeping this close to mountains has its own benefits — like having a breakfast with sumptuous views of the giant peaks. As your excitement builds up for the day, you will realise that it’s not more walking for the day. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the day in this mountain village with very short hikes for some acclimatisation. Today is also your chance to catch some breath and let your body adjust to the thinner air at this altitude. During the day you can hike up to Hotel Everest View, for jaw-dropping glimpses of Mt. Everest itself. And if time provides you can wander around the shops, check into a bakery or a cafe, and indulge in a treat. Just make sure you do not miss the golden sun setting against the peaks – bringing you a feeling of inspiration and awe! You will suddenly realise that you are in the heart of the Everest region – and your adventure is just getting started.

As you begin your ascent towards the famous Tengboche village, the anticipation keeps building further. While the air gets thinner and the winding trails might appear less inviting, you should keep your head up and look towards the sky to witness majestic towering peaks. You will see the beautiful Ama Dablam, Everest, Thamsherku, and other mountains — each one with a grandeur of its own.

Approaching closer to Tengboche, you will feel the air swirling with energy. And the views – your heart will be racing, eyes will be gazing, and the regal icy peaks looming right above you! This  once-in-a-lifetime moment will be more satisfying with forests of pine and rhododendron gracefully stretching as far as the eyes can see! And at dusk when you step into Tengboche at 3,860 metres, you’ll feel the ancient walls, witness monks wearing maroon robes, and feel their echoing chants. Colourful prayer flags will appear fluttering in the breeze as night falls in this isolated village with mighty mountains in its backyard.

The trail to Dingboche is a mix of difficult trekking and breathtaking vistas. Although not overly strenuous, each step appears heavier as the thin air becomes thinner. Sheer willpower will keep your spirits soaring but stopovers will help you catch a breath before you move on. The trek to Dingboche reveals more than rocks and barren trails; it reveals your inner resilience. Respite comes in the views of rhododendron and nival forests, in the shadow of white mountains looming over with their icy crests. This could easily become the hardest walk of your life, or the best one.

Arriving at the tranquil Dingboche you will see that it is nestled at the vicinity of several Himalayan peaks – Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and Thamsherku among others. The humbling majesty of these peaks cannot be felt immediately but only much later as the night grows darker and your muscles begin to gather rest. In the silence of the night you will understand the isolation of the Himalayas — and you will be left to wonder about the amazing people who call this region their home.

This will be our first 5000+m mountain on this trek. Rather than easy hike with no sleep slopes. On the top, we will stand just right front of the majestic Ama Dablam mountain, Mt.lhotse (8,516 m ), Mt.makalu (8,481 m ) and After SUMMITING we will safety return to DINGBOCHE.

Venturing towards Everest Base Camp, with each step you will feel like you’re getting closer to your destination. The rugged charm of Dingboche will be long gone once you arrive at Khumbu River Valley, and before mid-day, and you will find yourself trekking along Khumbu Glacier itself! Along the way you will have mesmerising panoramas of peaks like Ama Dablam and Pumori. And as you trek further with heavy steps along the barren rocky lands and icy glaciers, you will wonder why a trip to Base Camp has to be so trying. 

The breakfast of the morning would be a thing of the remote past, as you crave for more energy with every laboured breath. Too many stopovers will make you lag behind your group and too little will make you tired sooner. So, step by step you will have to trudge towards Lobuche. Some grand views of the eternal peaks will be there to solace you as you will hear helicopters flying over the landscape. Amid the tiredness and anticipation, you should pause to reflect on the determination of those who have ventured here before and conquered this land — for with each passing step you take, you will come closer to Lobuche with the promise of shelter and rest for the night.

Today is the day of a life-time experience as you reach Everest Base Camp. You begin immediately after breakfast, going through rugged and rocky trails. As you trek uphill along the Khumbu Glacier, you head towards Gorakshep, barely a hamlet near Everest Base Camp. Sometime late in the morning you will reach Gorakshep, and after a brief rest here, you will hike to Base Camp. This last leg is filled with excitement and too much anticipation because you will certainly be reaching the base of the planet’s tallest peak. This is THE iconic peak not just geographically, but in every sense of the world.

At the Base Camp, take some photos and videos, and capture every scene until your cameras die or the batteries run dry. You have been soaked in the shadow of the world’s tallest peak, and live the moment while you are here. Share the camp with hundreds of other nationalities who have come for the same dream — to make it to Everest!

And as you leave behind the overwhelming awe of the journey, you will forget the hardships of the way. You will be recharged for life. Gradually, you descend towards Gorakshep as the sun sets, taking in the breathtaking views of the surreal landscape — filled with wonder.

Kalapatthar is a vantage point with panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. With this in mind trekkers begin at dawn to catch the first rays falling on the mountain peaks. As you gain altitude through this steep climb, you will have surreal views of landscapes nearby, especially the larger-than-life glaciers. After a challenging climb, you’ll reach the top where you can have breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, and beautiful skies. It’s a magical and enriching scene in itself!

Later as you descend to Gorakshep for breakfast, you’ll feel your heart soaring with the beauty you witnessed. Views of great mountains still visible around you, you descend through rocky valleys. With brief stopovers along the way you’ll finally reach Dzonglha as late afternoon slowly turns to dusk, you’ll prepare for the night’s stay at this wind-swept village lying within the soaring peaks. Embrace the tranquillity, have a meal, and quickly go to bed under the stars.

Today we will cross Cho-La, one of the most-frequented high-altitude passes in Khumbu. We begin early hoping for more scenic views along the way. Completely surrounded by mountains on nearly all sides, we move through the challenging trail ahead. As the rocky trail unfolds, we are more determined by the thought of crossing Cho-La, hence we keep moving, overcoming the tiredness at each step. At times we are treated with scenic vistas of the white peaks, a grand reminder of nature’s geographical beauty.

Our trail ascends gradually taking us towards the pass. The road is difficult being lined with rocks and as we reach Cho-La pass itself lined with prayer flags, we are instantly rewarded with a view of panoramic peaks and ancient glaciers from the top. With a sense of triumph, we move ahead and begin the descent. With each step we take, we know we are moving towards rest and rejuvenation. With anticipation of beautiful landscape and newer routes, we unwind for the night in a cabin beside the peaceful hamlet of Thagnak.

Today we begin completely surrounded by mountains on nearly all sides. As we move through the challenging trail ahead, the rocky trail unfolds — we are left more determined by the thought of seeing the turquoise lake of Gokyo. We keep moving, overcoming the tiredness at each step. At times we are treated with scenic vistas of the white peaks, a grand reminder of nature’s geographical beauty.

Our trail ascends gradually taking us towards the lake.. The road is difficult being lined with rocks and as we reach near Gokyo, we begin to see prayer flags, and are instantly rewarded with a serene view of peaks and ancient glaciers. With a sense of triumph, we move ahead. With each step we take, we know we are moving towards the pristine Lake Gokyo, as seen in countless movies & documentaries, and today we’re arriving at the lake in person. 

With anticipation of more adventure, inspiringly beautiful landscape, and newer routes, we unwind for the night in a cabin beside the turquoise lake of Gokyo.

On this day, we embark at dawn for the ascent of Gokyo-Ri (peak) at 5,357 metres. The vistas are comparable to those at Kalapatthar, letting you view peaks such as Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and others. We capture the moments, and after watching a spectacular sunrise, we return for breakfast. Later, we will be trekking back to Dole as we come to the last leg of this trip. From there it’ll be Namche and  then a flight from Lukla. So we’ll feel the urge to enjoy the views as much as possible, especially scenic views of several peaks including Mount Everest. Once we arrive at the point where Gokyo will no longer be visible, we will have a sense of loss. Ironically enough, we will also have a sense of achievement, having successfully reached the pristine lakes of Gokyo in the  Everest region of Nepal. Enjoy the view and rest for a while before walking along steep paths. 

On the road to Dole today we will trek through several small lakes and a range of peaks, each a beauty on its own. Once we arrive at Dole, we will unwind for the night in the quiet solitude far from civilization, feeling an elevated level of joy on having touched the lakes of Gokyo.

Leave Dole early with a newly discovered inspiration, you’ll quickly be coming towards the end of this trip.  Trekking down through the rugged paths, you begin to long for the comforts of Namche Bazaar, where you can once again take a hot shower, have a selection of food, and a good sleep. This anticipation will keep you on the trail filled with lush valleys and picturesque villages, not missing the scenes of Thame, an old trading outpost en route to Tibet. Along the way you will even cross some suspension bridges high above gushing rivers.

You will keep trekking down and enter rhododendron forests — and later in the day you will rejoice at the sight of Namche Bazaar — civilization at last! A sense of relief overpowers you in the evening as you soak your feet in hot water — and you will begin to reflect on the arduous but once-in-a-lifetime journey you just undertook.

Today is the day you bid farewell to Namche. Lacing up your boots with a mixed feeling of joy and humility, you will take the first step towards ending your epic journey. The scenic descent towards Lukla is at times made more beautiful with the presence of the raging Dudhkoshi River. The trail winds down further with steep slopes through forests and valleys before reaching Phakding — where you’ll have one more lunch at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas.

Trekking on from Phakding, you will finally arrive at Lukla after a leisurely trek of some hours. Here at Lukla, you’ll see the settlements, the shops, the cafes, the little lanes and the narrow airstrip. The people moving here and there going about their own business will make for a happy sight as you eagerly look forward to your flight back to Kathmandu.

The flight from Lukla is a scenic one, with views of the peaks you just went to, and some more. A stream of memories will fill you as you land in Kathmandu. The bustling city will be quite a sight in itself as you drive in the traffic jam towards your hotel. In the afternoon you can take a soothing massage or simply wander the market hunting for souvenirs and those “hashish-rickshaw” t-shirts that everyone returning from Nepal buys. And in the evening, you will join in a farewell dinner, sharing stories and once again, being grateful for the soul-enriching journey you just took to Gokyo.

A day sightseeing tour is a good thing to have, after returning from an arduous journey in the difficult terrain of the mountains. There are plenty of places to go in this capital city full of heritage. Although it does not seem like it at first, mainly due to the chaotic traffic and the hullabaloo, there are gems of places hidden inside the valley. Take a vehicle of your choice and stay in the comfort of air-conditioning while you visit places of luxury and pampering. You can go to a premium spa to relieve the muscles and relax, have the much-deserved lunch at a five-star hotel, or simply indulge in shopping. You can also customize a day-trip with us.

After breakfast or depending upon your flight schedule we will transfer you to the airport. As your plane takes off from the runway in Kathmandu, your journey to Nepal comes to an end for this time — until you decide to visit again for some memorable and soul-searching trip in the Himalayas.