Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp

Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp 20 Days / 19 Nights

HAT28

Trip Type:
Nepal Strenuous Treks

Maximum Altitude:
27923ft

Durations:
20 Days

Trip Starts:
Lukla

Trip Ends:
Lukla

Accomodation:
Local lodges, camping option available

Best Time For Travel:
March to May, September through November.

Trip Over View

Come and trek to the Base Camp of the most famous mountain in the world. Trekking to Everest Base Camp is one of the highlights of Nepal and favorite among keen outdoor enthusiasts. This is a strenuous trek and trekkers should be well prepared. However, our guides and porters have the experience and knowledge to help you with proper acclimatization and tips to complete this beautiful and challenging journey. The trek will allow you to observe views truly magical, you will see Mount Everest - the highest mountain on Earth and there other of the top ten highest peaks up cloes - Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. You will venture into the less traveled vallyes lying below Everest including the remote Gokyo valley with its beautiful turquoise lakes and moonscape-like glaciers.

A Hike up the Kala Patar will showcase the best view of Mount Everest and the surrounding and dominating mountains of Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Pumori, Ama Dablam and Island Peak. The experience of being so close to such domineering mountains provide a sense of purity and spirituality never to be forgotten. Throughout the trek you will also be able to sample the unique way of living within the Himalayan range, meeting the friendly Sherpa people and observing their unique religion and culture as you walk through, sleep and relax in many of their villages. Brightly colored prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and beautifully-carved mani stones are the common sights along the trial leading the way to the next village. Be sure to try Tibetan salty butter tea in tea houses or indulge in sipping a glass of chang, homemade raw beer before falling into a peaceful sleep.

 

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Flight to Lukla and begin trek to Phakding.

Day 02-03: To Namche Bazaar.

Day 04-05: To Khumjung via Thame.

Day 06-07: To Machermo via Dole.

Day 08-09: To Gokyo (15580ft).

Day 10: To Nymagawa Valley.

Day 11: To Cho La (17780ft).

Day 12: To Lobuje (16170ft).

Day 13: To Gorak Shep (17000ft).

Day 14: To Lobuje.

Day 15: To Chhukhung (15500ft).

Day 16: To Dingboche.

Day 17: To Tengboche (12680ft).

Day 18-19: To Lukla.

Day 20: Return flight to Kathmandu.

Day 01: Flight to Lukla and begin trek to Phakding
The flight to Lukla is very much weather-dependent and will take off only after their is confirmation of good visibility in Lukla. Upon arrival at Lukla Airport, your guide will arrange the porters or pack animals, assemble our gear and head out to Phakding, about a 2 and half hour gradual downhill walk.

Days 02-03: Namche Bazaar (11270ft)
The trail continues north up the Dodh Kosi valley to Jorsale and then ascends a steep uphill climb to Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar (11270ft). The town is bustling with numerous homes, trekker's inns, shops, and a small monastery. We will camp or overnight lodge in Namche Bazaar. (5-6 hours hiking.). We take another day here for acclimatization and explore the Bazaar and nearby villages.

Days 04-05: To Khumjung via Thame
We follow the BhoteKoshi River down to the Nangpo Valley, enjoying a moderately easy and beautiful walk to the Sherpa village of Thame. It is situated at an important junction along the old trade route to and from Tibet via the Nangpa La Pass. We will spend the night here and the following day after a visit to Thame monastery.

Days 06-07: To Machermo via Dole (13200ft)
Leaving behind the main trail to Mount Everest we climb high on a ridge and then drop steeply to the village of Phortse Thanga (11800ft) where we will have lunch. Then the trail steeply climbs through rhododendron and birch forests to the beautiful village of Dole. We'll have spectacular views of the snowy peaks of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega along the way. The next day, we have short 4 hours hike above the River which brings us to Machermo.

Days 08-09: Gokyo (15580ft)
From here, we’ll take it easy and slow because of the increasing altitude. We arrive at Gokyo, a high altitude Sherpa settlement situated on one of the many lakes that dot the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Gokyo and Machermo are typical high altitude seasonal settlements used by the Sherpas to raise livestock and grow barley and potatoes. From here we’ll have gorgeous views of Cholatse, Taweche, Kangtega and Thamserku. (4-5 hours hiking). A variety of day hikes are possible on this rest day for acclimatization.

Day 10: To Nymagawa Valley
The trail crosses the southern portion of the Ngozumpa Glacier - the largest in Nepal and then climbs steadily to a campsite at (16800ft) directly below the Cho La. (5 hours hiking). The crossing of Cho La is subject to weather conditions and if the Sherpa Guide deems it inadvisable to cross, we will retrace our route down to Phortse, then upto Pheriche toreach Lobuje.

Day 11: Cho La (17780ft)
This is the most direct way to link the glacial valleys of Cho Oyu and Everest and boasts some superb views. However, it is a steep, challenging, yet non-technical climb. Make sure your porters have good shoes and proper clothing. We will camp at Dzonghla (15880ft), a high altitude pasture directly beneath the striking north wall of Cholatse (21125ft). (5-6 hours hiking).

Day 12: To Lobuje (16170ft)
We hike a trail high above Tsholo Lake and rejoin the main Everest trail near the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Arrive in camp just in time for lunch. (4 hours hiking.)

Day 13: To Gorak Shep (17000ft)
Gorak Shep is nestled under the snow-coned summit of Pumori (23442ft) and the sheer west face of Nuptse (25850ft). It requires 2 and half hours of hiking along the rocky fields and glacial fragments at the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. If you choose to attempt the hike up to Kala Patar (18192ft, 3-4 hours round trip), you will be rewarded with the best view of Mount Everest.

Day 14: Lobuje
In the morning, you have an optional hike to Everest Base Camp (17600ft) for views of the Khumbu Icefall. In the afternoon, we return to Lobuje. This is a long but exhilarating day. (9-11 hours hiking.)

Day 15: Chhukhung (15500 ft)
Today is a long but gradual day hiking south out of the Khumbu Glacier with a lunch stop at Dingboche (14100ft). After lunch, we hike east up into the Chhukhung Valley, last of the glacial valleys we will explore. We camp under the incredible rock wall that links Nuptse with Lhotse (27923ft). (5-6 hours hiking.)

Day 16: To Dingboche
Today we’ll take a hard but dramatic hike that climbs about (2800ft) from camp and ends in a small rock plateau from where, with a little imagination, one can nearly touch the Nuptse–Lhotse wall. Views of Makalu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak are superb (30 mountains over (20000ft) can be identified from this spot!). There are several other less demanding options in the Chhukhung Valley. We descend back to our camp at Dingboche. (5-6 hours hiking.)

Day 17: Tengboche (12680ft)
Descend to Tengboche Monastery the spiritual center of the Khumbu a training center for new monks. The area is considered holy; nothing may be hunted or killed. Expeditions to the world’s highest peaks have traditionally stopped here to receive the blessing of the Tengboche Rinpoche. Tengboche has the high scenic treasures like Ama Dablam and Mount Everest in the background that impresses all visitors. We will camp overnight in the lovely meadows around the monastery and have ample time to visit it. (4-5 hours hiking).

Days 18-19: To Lukla
The trail drops sharply down to the Dodh Kosi and up toward Namche Bazaar, winding in and out high above the river with views north towards the Everest valleys. After spending a night in Namche Bazaar, we make a steep descent the following day to the Lukla airfield.

Day 20: Return flight to Kathmandu
If the weather permits, the craft from Kathmandu lands at the Lukla airfield and we embark on a short flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you are transferred to the hotel.

  • Includes

    • Flight to Lukla and return.
    • Everest National Park Permit and Trekking Registration Fees.
    • Lodge accommodations.
    • 3 meals a day.
    • English speaking Trekking Guide.
    • Porter for each two trekkers.
    • Trekking crew insurance.

    Excludes

    • Drinks, tip and extra expenses of personal nature.
    • Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events.
    • Travel Insurance.
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