Everest Base Camp Via Gokyo Lakes

Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Meet our trek leader and other members. Kindly ensure that you arrive at Kathmandu before afternoon o so you can rest well before next day departure to Lukla and have enough time to do any last time preparations. Overnight at hotel.

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We will start early morning and we will be travelling from Kathmandu to Ramachep airport for an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m). After a thrilling 20 minute flight, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla.. Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet our other crew members, and after some packing and arrangements, we start our trek from Lukla to Phakding

Today trail  takes us along the Dudh Koshi River through many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, we catch the wonderful glimpse Mt. Thamserku (6,618 m). We will cross the small villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, we will reach the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. From Jorsale the trail climbs through the forests until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours, we get the first view of Mt. Everest. We will take rest here to admire the view. We still need to hike about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading centre of this region.

Namche Bazaar is the capital of the Khumbu region. You will get the first Everest Viewpoint. You will be trekking through Sagarrmatha National Park. There are lots of shops in Namche Bazaar. One can buy souvenirs on the way back.

Today will be our first of the two days set aside for “acclimatization.”. We hike to Everest viewpoint and will come comeback to Namche Bazaar and it will take 3-4hrs .Namche Bazzar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery, and a colourful market.

The day starts with a climb up from the Namche bazaar before reaching Kyangjuma , a small village offering spectacular views of mountains all around you. As we leave Kyangjuma the trail gradually rises up leading us up to Mongla, a small collection of tea houses with breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks all around.

Today after breakfast we descend down toward the Dudh Kosi and later follow the river towards its source. The trail gradually gains altitude and is more isolated often passing through rich section of birch, fir and rhododendron forests, leading us to a small place with few tea houses, Dole.

The trail starts with a steep uphill climb from Dole to Lahframa  and further to Luza (4360m), from Luza the trail gets easier passing through many small villages and summer settlements of the villagers. Once again following the valley high above the Dudh Kosi towards it source we come across a small settlement of few tea houses known as Machhermo, our destination for the day.

Today’s trail follows a climb from Machhermo. After reaching Phangka (4480m) the valley widens and we have to descend towards the river before climbing the steep trail that leads us to the terminal moraine of the Ngozamba glacier. After climbing up the moraine for few minutes we are welcomed by an old iron bridge that marks our entry to the Gokyo lake valley. A gentle trail leads us to the first lake of the valley, Longpongo. At a small distance lies the second lake Taboche tso, connected through a stream to the Dudh Pokhri, the third lake and on the bank of the lake lies Gokyo a small village and our destination for today.

The highlight of our trek – the Gokyo Ri stands tall across the Dudh Phokri. Early morning we follow the trail that leads up to the summit of Gokyo peak or the Gokyo Ri. It is a 2-3 hour steep climb to the top but truly rewarding. Once described as the best view point in Nepal Himalaya, the summit of the Gokyo Ri truly offers such a panorama of the mighty Himalaya that we can hardly believe we are not dreaming. Surrounding us are Kusum Kanguru (6367m), Cho Oyu (8153 m), Gyangchung Kang (7922m), Lhotse (8501m), Makalu (8475 m), Cholatse (6440m), Taweche(6542m), Kantega (6685m), Thamserku (6808m), Lobuche (6145m) and Mt Everest (8848m) and hundreds of other unnamed peaks. Later we descend down to Thangnak.

We start early in the morning to catch the beautiful views from Kala Patthar. However, we need to prepare for an early morning departure, amid predawn darkness and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C).

Further, there is always the potential for chilly winds which are quite common. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to reveal itself. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, we can pause to catch a breath at several outstanding viewpoints from where we can snap great pictures. After several hours of ascent, we reach Kala Patthar. From Kala Patthar, we scramble up to the top of a rocky outcrop marked by cairns and prayer flags. Mind-blowing Himalayan panorama unfolds before our eyes as they wander

Return to Gorak Shep and after breakfast trek back to Periche

We will start our day early for Cho La Pass. It is going to be a long day.

Cho La Pass is right behind Thangna. The ascent, which is quite a climb, has a lot of rubble and scree. The descent is tricky with a snowed out glacier and boulders. Stick to the right of the glacier and follow the guidelines strictly. Don’t venture on your own. Depending on the situation of the ice, crampons will be used.

After the boulder patch which is hard on your knees, it is a steep descent to Dzongla.

The 3-hour walk to Labouche is mostly on a flat trail but you will be walking at quite an altitude.  You’ll come across a junction where the trail splits into Pheriche and Labouche. Take the left. Views of Ama Dablam will accompany you till this point.

Around 90 minutes before Labouche, you’ll meet trekkers going on the traditional Everest highway. Helicopter sorties are commonplace here

It takes about 3 hours to reach Gorakshep, which is a very busy place. You’ll see the terrain change as you approach the place. There are a lot of trekkers coming in. You’ll see Everest Base Camp on the trail to Gorakshep.

After early lunch at Gorakshep, set off for EBC. Make sure you carry your day pack since you’ll need water. The climb is fairly moderate, though the moraines are slippery and the ridge bordering Khumbu glacier is very windy.

Everest Base Camp provides a very unique experience since you’ll see potential summiters. The climbers’ tents look striking against the backdrop.

Please note: drinking water at Gorakshep is chargeable. 1 litre of drinking water costs 350 Nepalese rupees. This is not included in the trek fee. Non-potable water is available free of cost – if you’re carrying a water purifying bottle, you could consider using that instead

We will sstart early for Kala Patthar so that you reach in time to watch the sun rising over the peaks. Kala Patthar is the highest point of the trek.

From the summit, you’ll get great views of Everest, South Col – the traditional route to Everest summit. You will even be able to identify Hillary’s steps.

There are great views of Lhotse, Makalu, the Khumbu glacier and icefall, and of the entire Everest Base camp. Pumori is straight ahead from the summit.

After spending some time at Kala Pathar, return to Gorakshep and start for Pheriche immediately after breakfast. Retrace the route back to Labouche, from where it’s another 3 hours to Pheriche.

You’ll cross Dughla/Thukla where there are memorials of mountaineers who died climbing Everest.

Pheriche is a village situated above the Tsola river. It is extremely picturesque and surrounded by mountains. There is a hospital in Pheriche, which was specially set up for the benefit of trekkers, and is currently run by the Himalayan Rescue Association with the help of volunteers from all over the world

     Today will be a long day. We will start for Pheriche a bit early. On the way we will stop at Tengboche to visit the monastery. After Tengboche there is steep descent till river and then steep ascent till Kyangjuma before we reach Namche Bazar.

Again this will be a long day. It will be a steep descent for initial 3hrs. We will reach Phakding and from there it will be a gradual ascent till lukla

If flight is to Ramechhap we will drive to Kathmandu for 4hrs.