Gokyo Ri & Everest Base Camp Trek

After your arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you and transfer to your hotel. Hotel rooms will be available after midday. You can spend your free time by relaxing or exploring the old areas of the city. In the evening we meet for a welcome dinner in the hotel or in a nearby restaurant - a good opportunity to get to know and discuss the things to do in the following days.

In about 25 minutes we fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m) in a propeller plane early in the morning. After landing in Lukla, we start our trekking by walking slowly and steadily as it is our top priority because our organism first has to get used to the thin air. We descend about 1.5 hours to the Kusum River (2,550m) and then follow the Dudh Koshi (Milky River) on the east bank upstream Phakding (2,650m). The rest of the day can be used for rest and our acclimatization benefits.

Early morning after breakfast we walk along the Dudh Koshi River via Benkar to Monjo where we go through army check post at the entry gate of Sagarmatha National Park. Further north we cross the river several times on long suspension bridges. After a total of three to four hours of walking upstream, we reach the confluence of the Nangpo and Imja to the Dudh Koshi (2,850m). After the suspension bridge (also known as Hillary Bridge) over the Imja, there comes a steep and exhausting ascent to the famous Sherpa center Namche Bazar (3,440m). Rest of the day can be spent roaming around the famous sherpa Bazar.

Today is our acclimatization day. After breakfast, we leave the busy streets of Namche Bazar behind and climb the uphill of Syangboche. Passing the airstrip there, we reach Hotel Everest View (3,800m). As the name suggests, you can have a magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaroo and many more. You can have a tea/ coffee at the hotel and enjoy the view. After spending some time there, we return to Namche for overnight stay.

The trail continues to Dole, a small village situated in a picturesque environment. At first the trail becomes much narrow and you’ll climb a series of steep staircases, sometimes with big drop offs to the right. After some hours you’ll reach one of the most scenic villages of Khumbu Region, Mong. After having lunch in Mong, the trail drops steeply till you reach the Dudh Koshi and climbs again. During spring season (March-May), there may still be spectacular frozen waterfalls along this route where ice climbing training take place. Some Mt. Everest climbers actually come here to train for ice climbing. The trail passes through forests into the scenic and often windswept, village of Dole where you’ll stay for the night.

Today's journey is relaxed. We start by ascending to the Cho-Oyu viewpoint and continue to the Lapharma Ridge. On clear weather days, we get glimpses of Cho Oyu (8,188m). The trail takes us past Luza, and it's only a little over an hour's hike to Machhermo, where we spend the night. We recommend using the remaining free time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude, allowing us to gather energy for the upcoming days.

After leaving Machhermo, we begin a long and gradual climb towards Gokyo. The terrain becomes more rocky and dry as we go higher and approach the first Gokyo Lake. The first lake you see is the smallest by far, but it usually seems to be host to golden Brahminy ducks. They are quite a sight among an amazing sight; a broad valley with the massive Cho Oyu at the head of it, a massive glacier looming above, and the village of Gokyo just above the third lake, a short walk ahead. In the middle of the view you should be able to spot a brownish rocky hill with a trail heading up it; that is Gokyo Ri, your destination in the morning and one of the great viewpoints around. Alternative: In the afternoon, you can climb Gokyo Ri to witness the sunset, which allows for a relaxed hike to Dragnak/Thangnak tomorrow.

By now, we should be well acclimatized to the altitude, and the ascent of Gokyo Ri (Ri means peak; 5,360m) should be achievable without technical difficulties and without encountering snow. It typically takes about 2 to 3 hours to reach the summit. If weather conditions permit, we will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the four 8,000-meter peaks: Cho Oyu (8,188m), Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m) and Makalu (8,485m). Below us, deep blue and turquoise shimmering mountain lakes and moraine glaciers surround Gokyo Ri. After a one-hour descent, we return to Gokyo. The rest of the day serves as a reserve day in case we cannot proceed due to bad weather.

A short hiking day awaits us. We traverse the long moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier (this is the longest glacier of Nepal and large parts of it are covered by debris) until we reach Thangnak (4,780m). Crossing the glacier presents an adventurous experience, encountering glacier lakes, crevasses, and fine sandy areas. Our accommodation for the night is a nice house with a dining hall. As there are few lodges available, we might stay in a multi-bed mattress dormitory.

Today will be a challenging day, so it's crucial to maintain a slow pace. We begin our hike in the dark, ascending until we reach the first 5,000m pass. We continue following a trail until we reach Cho La Pass (La means pass) (5,420m). After the pass, we descend gradually across snowfields, rewarded with a stunning panorama. We cross another small pass before descending to Thulo Dhunga (meaning "large stone") and eventually reach our destination, Dzongla (4,840m). ! Note: As Cho La is often snow-covered and develops crevasses, it is essential to cross together as a group. If weather conditions make the pass only accessible with climbing equipment, the team will select an alternative route.

After breakfast, we descend slowly until we reach the eastern base camp of Lobuche (6,119m) and then ascend past a glacial lake, Chola Tsho. We reach a junction where Three Passes Trail connects to the main Everest Base Camp trail. We gradually get back to the main route to Everest Base Camp and continue towards the Thukla Pass, where numerous memorial stones for mountaineers who lost their lives on their way to Everest or other mountain giants can be found. After another hour, we reach the settlement of Lobuche (4,930m). After lunch, we have a free afternoon so you have every opportunity to go around and explore.

We walk very slowly (as we are near 5,000m of elevation) with constant small ups and downs as we go up to Gorakshep. Today, we mainly follow a path on the moraine hills of the Changri glacier until we reach Gorakshep and afterwards on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier until we reach the legendary rock with the inscription of the base camp. Today will be a long hiking day but it surely will be an unforgettable moment in your life. The actual camp is further up and specially in spring it is worth making a detour directly to the expeditions' tent camp. On the same way we go back to Gorak Shep for overnight stay.

The highlight of our journey awaits today. We depart early from our lodge to witness sunrise from the panoramic summit of Kala Patthar at 5,640m. The proximity to the Everest Pyramid (approximately 10 km as the crow flies) and the Nuptse Ridge, along with the breathtaking views of the ice world of the Changri and Khumbu glaciers with the Mount Everest Base Camp area in the distance, will leave you in awe. A strong wind often sweeps the top of this foothill of the majestic Pumori. After enjoying the view, we return to Gorakshep. Following a break with hot tea, we continue our descent on the familiar trail until we reach Pheriche.

Today’s walk will be a much easier as we descend to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, we pass through the beautiful Sherpa village Shomare. Via Pangboche (a scenic village surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south), we continue to Tengboche for overnight stay. 👌Highlights: One of the oldest and important monasteries of Khumbu region, Tengboche Monastery

Today’s trek takes you on familiar paths to Namche Bazaar, the main Sherpa town of the Khumbu region. In Tengboche, you navigate a steep descent to the prayer wheels of Phungi Thanga (3,250m), where you traverse a long suspension bridge, before embarking on the last major ascent of this trekking journey. This last, 500-meter descent will not pose too much of a challenge, and very soon, you find yourself on the precipice of a basin-shaped terrain, looking down onto the splendid buildings of the vibrant trekking hub of Namche Bazaar (3,440m). As we are almost at the end of our Trekking, today you can enjoy nightlife of Namche Bazar; there are plenty of Pubs and Bars around Namche.

We bid farewell to the trading center of the Sherpas and hike along the "Highway," the only trail/ road connection from Namche Bazaar to Lukla, until we reach our lodge near the airstrip. In the evening, we can celebrate our farewell from the Khumbu Himal with our team.

We depart for the airport at dawn. Sometimes it may require a bit of patience before we take off, but then there is time to admire the professional landing approach of the small 16-seater Twin Otter planes. The approximately 40-minute return flight is again a panoramic adventure along the Himalayan range. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for your leisure.

We approach the iconic landmarks of Kathmandu, starting with Boudhanath. The largest stupa has been attracting Buddhist pilgrims from the entire Himalayan region for centuries. From one of the numerous rooftop terraces, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the stupa and also have the opportunity to refresh yourself. Pashupatinath is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the most important temple complexes of Hinduism worldwide. The cremation ghats are located on the sacred Bagmati River. Cremations are an essential part of daily life for Hindus but may be unusual for non-Hindus. It's important to note that there may be strong air pollution due to the cremations, so it's recommended to carry a cloth/buff for protection. Additionally, please be discreet when taking photographs.

On a hill west of Kathmandu lies a stupa, which is the oldest sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists. The stupa is also known as the Monkey Temple because many monkeys live around the hill. From the stupa, there is a magnificent view of the Kathmandu Valley.

Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity to explore Kathmandu on your own. Transfer to the airport for your departure.