Gokyo to Everest Base Camp Trek – 17 Days

Arrival in Kathmandu
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives will greet you. You will then be transferred to your 3-star hotel in a private tourist vehicle. In the afternoon, a pre-trip meeting will be held at our office with your trekking guide. Afterward, you may relax at the hotel or take a stroll around Thamel for some last-minute shopping and sightseeing.

Highest Altitude: (1,350 m)/(1,400 m)

Manthali to Lukla Flight (March, April, May, September, October, and November)

During peak seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights to Lukla are operated from Ramechhap/Manthali due to increased air traffic. The Manthali/Ramechhap airport is approximately a 5-6 hour drive from Kathmandu. On this day, we wake up between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, take an escorted shuttle to Manthali Airport in a shared tourist vehicle, and board a 20-minute flight to Lukla.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight (January, February, June, July, August, and December)

During the non-peak seasons (January, February, June, July, August, and December), flights to Lukla are typically operated from Kathmandu. Please note that the operation of flights depends on the airline and the volume of travelers during specific months. On this day, we wake up between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Our staff will escort you to the domestic airport terminal in Kathmandu, where you will board a 35-minute flight to Lukla.

Prepare your luggage for the trek the day before the flight. Upon arrival at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, you will have breakfast. Porters will meet the group in Lukla and will be assigned to carry your luggage. For every two clients, one porter will be assigned.

Trekking to Phakding

After arriving in Lukla, we begin our trek to Phakding. The trail is straightforward, following the Dudh Koshi River downhill. The route connects to the Namche Bazaar trail, just above Chaurikharka (2,713 m / 8,900 ft). Continuing on, we pass the small village of Ghat. After a brisk hike, we reach Phakding.

Our adventure begins after arriving at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, then trekking to Phakding. The trek takes us through Chaurikharka Village before ascending to Dudh Koshi Ghat (2,530 m / 8,300 ft) and continuing on to Phakding. In Phakding, we will visit the Rimishung Monastery.

Highest Altitude: (2,840 m)/(2,610 m)
Trek Duration:4 to 5 hours

Trek to Namche Bazaar

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, crossing it multiple times on exciting suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags. After entering Sagarmatha National Park, the trail climbs steeply, offering breathtaking views.

Namche Bazaar, known as the Gateway to Everest, is the largest town along the Everest trail. It is home to a variety of quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange services, internet cafes, and bakeries.

Today, we trek through the valley with the Dudh Kosi River by our side. Along the way, we cross the river several times on suspension bridges before climbing higher to the small village of Jorsale, located just south of Namche Bazaar. After a two-hour trek, we reach Namche Bazaar, enjoying captivating views, including some spectacular sights of Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali).

At Jorsale, we enter Sagarmatha National Park, where authorities will check our permits. The remaining 5-6 hours of trekking are fairly challenging, but we are rewarded with stunning scenery as we finally arrive in Namche Bazaar.

Highest Altitude: (3,440m/11,285 ft) 
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar

We will spend the day in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. The day includes a short trek to a museum that showcases the traditional customs of the Sherpa people.

We will also hike to the Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest hotels in the world. From here, we will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest.

Acclimatization is crucial for your safety before heading to higher elevations. To stay active and aid in the process, we will trek through the towns of Khunde and Khumjung, enjoying stunning views of Everest along the way before returning to Namche.

At Namche, you may also choose to visit what is said to be a Yeti skull! The town also has a bakery. Weather permitting, you can see not only Everest, but also Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and several other impressive peaks.

After breakfast, we will trek to the Syangboche airstrip (3,790 m) and continue ascending towards Khunde, passing various Chortens (Buddhist stone structures). From Khunde, we will take the trail east to Khumjung (3,790 m), the largest village in the Khumbu region, situated at the foot of Mt. Khumbila (translated as “God of Khumbu”). After lunch in Khumjung, we will head to the Everest View Hotel, known for its magnificent views of Everest, before trekking back to Namche (3,540 m). The total trek duration is 4 to 5 hours.

Trek Distance: 9.2km / 5.7miles
Highest Altitude: (3,880 m)
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours 

We climb a ridge for an excellent view of both the valley below, with Kengtega, and the towering Cho Oyu to the north. We then descend to a river before climbing steeply to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. By early noon, we will reach Machherma.

In the afternoon, we head downhill on a 3- to 4-hour trek, passing through forests and crossing the Imja Khola. We will pass through the village of Pangboche, memorable for its fields surrounded by rock walls. Tonight, we will stay in Dingboche.

Highest Altitude: (4,410 m)/(4,470 m)
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

The trek today takes us to one of our main destinations, Gokyo (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). We will make this camp our base for two nights, as we will take a sightseeing and hiking trip around Gokyo. Today’s trek is fairly easy, beginning after breakfast at around 8:30 AM. On the trail, we will be blessed with breathtaking views, especially after breakfast.

The trek up to Chhukung is pleasant and easy. We will enjoy beautiful views of several mountains, especially Ama Dablam. In Nepali culture, Ama Dablam means “Mother’s Necklace”—the long ridges on each side resemble the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child, with the hanging glacier representing the Dablam, a traditional double-pendant worn by Sherpa women, which contains pictures of the gods.

Further along the trail, we cross moraines and head toward Island Peak. Looking back to the southwest, we will see an amazing view of the eastern face of Mt. Ama Dablam. From here, we will head downhill and return to Dingboche for the night.

As we head back to Dingboche, it is likely that we will encounter some strong winds due to the exposed nature of the trail.

Highest Altitude: (4,800 m)
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours

Early in the morning, a challenging ascent awaits as trekkers make their way to the summit of Gokyo Ri, located at an impressive elevation of 5,483 m (17,988 ft).

The effort is well rewarded, as the summit offers breathtaking views of the Gokyo Valley and the immense Ngozumpa Glacier. In addition, an awe-inspiring panoramic vista of the entire Khumbu Himalayas unfolds, showcasing the majestic peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Gyachung Kang.

Today’s trek passes many Chortens (Tibetan shrines and tombs) and takes around 1.5 hours before reaching the village of Thugla (4,600 m), where we will have lunch at a local teahouse. After lunch, we continue towards towering peaks like Mt. Pumori (7,161 m) and Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m) before arriving at Lobuche Village (4,940 m).

We will then pass through an open valley before reaching Thukla, leaving behind the Pheriche Aid Post (4,371 m), which is staffed during the peak trekking seasons. From here, we descend to the yak pastures of the small settlement of Lobuche.

Today’s trek will take approximately 5 hours.

Highest Altitude:(4,950 m)/(5,483 m)
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours

We trek to the foot of the Cho La Pass. Accommodation in Thangna will be very basic, in dormitory-style rooms due to its remoteness.

This morning, we begin with a two-hour trek to Gorakshep. The trail starts off relatively easy but becomes progressively more challenging. Along the way, we will enjoy fantastic views of towering peaks such as Everest, Nuptse, and other massive mountains.

The trail continues for about 150 meters before crossing a moraine and then becomes easier as we approach Gorakshep, one of the world’s most isolated and highest settlements. After a lunch break, we will trek toward Everest Base Camp (EBC), following a trail alongside the Khumbu Icefall. The trek around the icefall takes about 1.5 hours before crossing the glacier and entering the EBC region (5,360 m).

At Base Camp, you will have the opportunity to meet other climbers and share stories. From EBC, you will enjoy views of the Khumbu Icefall and glacier, with its dangerous and intimidating crevasses. Afterward, we will descend back to Gorakshep, a journey that will take about 6 to 7 hours.

Highest Altitude: (5,180m)/(4,500 m)
Trek Duration: 4 to 5 hours 

We start walking early, around 4:00 or 5:00 AM, to reach the pass by 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, in order to avoid bad weather conditions that often occur around noontime.

We cross at an altitude of 5,300 m (17,388 ft), where we could be exposed to strong winds if we cross too late. The trail is steep but well-used and easy to follow.

However, challenges may arise due to the altitude and snow, as the pass can become difficult to cross if it is covered by snow.

As we reach the top, we are rewarded with magnificent views before descending to Dzongla by noon. Accommodation in Dzongla will be basic, in dormitory-style rooms, due to its remoteness.

An early morning start and a 1.5-hour trek take us to Kala Patthar, where we can enjoy the spectacular sunrise colors on Everest and other towering peaks. After taking photos, we pack up and head back to Gorakshep for a well-deserved breakfast before continuing on to Dzongla.

In total, the trek from Gorakshep to Lobuche takes about 2 hours, followed by another 2-hour trek to Dzongla. Today, we will have trekked approximately 7 hours, and after this mammoth effort, we will sleep soundly at Dzongla, the only stop before reaching the Cho La Pass.

Highest Altitude: (4,710 m)/(4830m) /(5,368 m)
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

A relatively easier and shorter trekking route will take us to Lobuche after 4 to 5 hours of trekking. Early in the morning, after breakfast, we begin our walk from Dzongla to the Cho La Pass.

The walk over the glacier is a memorable experience, especially if we make the trip during the best season. However, excessive snow can make it impossible to cross the pass.

As evening approaches, we descend to Thangnag to spend the night.

Highest Altitude: (4,695 m)/(4,910 m)/(5,420 m)
Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours.

This is a challenging and long day as we walk along the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m (17,601 ft), the closest you can get to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment.

In spring, there are likely to be expedition teams preparing to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. After spending some time at Base Camp, we return to Gorak Shep for the night.

Today’s trek is relatively short, taking around 2 to 3 hours, as we head to Gokyo, where we will stop for lunch. The rest of the day is spent exploring the Gokyo Valley. If time permits, we may visit the glaciers and turquoise lakes in the area. Along the trek, we will be treated to magnificent views of several towering Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Cho Oyu (8,188 m, the 6th highest in the world), Lhotse, Makalu, and others. Tonight, we stay in Gokyo.

Highest Altitude: (4,800 m)/(5,164 m)/(5,364 m), 
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours

This day marks the final stretch of our trek as we descend along the Dudh Koshi Valley. From the Kusum stream, the trail gently ascends toward Lukla. Just before reaching Lukla, the path steepens to the west. After the initial climb, we pass through the small village of Toktok, offering a fresh perspective of the surrounding landscape. Continuing onward, we’ll eventually reach the bustling town of Lukla, where we’ll rest before catching our flight back to Kathmandu the following day.

Highest Altitude: (4,200m)/(4,410 m)/(5360m)/(5,555 m)
Trek Duration:  5 to 6 hours

Leaving the mountains behind, our descent takes us through Pangboche and Tengboche, continuing on to the town of Namche Bazaar. We arrive in Namche in the afternoon.

Today is a smooth downhill journey as we pass through the Sherpa villages of Dole, with the towering mountains in the background. We then head towards the famous Buddhist town of Namche Bazaar, alive with Sherpa culture and a vibrant atmosphere, where trekkers share their stories.

Tonight, we stay in Namche Bazaar.

Highest Altitude: (3,440m) 
Trek Duration:  5 to 6 hours

This is our final day of trekking as we return to Lukla, where the trek began. It’s a time to reflect on the unforgettable memories we created as a group and celebrate the personal achievements of everyone who took part.

The afternoon is free, giving you the opportunity to relax, wander around, and enjoy a hot shower. In the evening, we’ll celebrate with drinks and dancing, sharing the joy of completing the trek with fellow trekkers.

Highest Altitude: (2,840 m/9,350 ft)
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

Lukla to Manthali Flight (March, April, May, October, and November)
The flight from Lukla to Manthali lasts about 20 minutes. After landing, it’s a 5 to 6-hour drive to Kathmandu, depending on highway traffic conditions. Please note that driving time may vary. Once in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in a shared tourist vehicle.

Lukla to Kathmandu Flight (January, February, June, July, August, September, and December)
The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu takes approximately 35 minutes. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu via a shared tourist vehicle. Please note that the operation of flights is determined by the airline and may depend on the volume of travelers during a particular month.

If you’d like to spend more time in Nepal, we offer trips to popular destinations such as Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Kathmandu Cultural Heritage Tours. Additionally, we provide outbound tours to Tibet, India, and Bhutan.

After our 15-day trek, we take an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you can rest or enjoy some shopping. It’s also a great time to visit places you may have missed earlier in Kathmandu. Our guides will continue to assist with souvenir shopping or sightseeing.

Flight Duration: 30 Minutes flight

The trip concludes today. Our airport representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for your departure flight from Nepal.

Your adventure may end, but the memories will last a lifetime! The company representative will ensure you’re at the airport about 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you’ll have plenty of time to reflect on your journey and start planning your next adventure in the magnificent mountains of Nepal.