Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes

You could be already in Kathmandu or you may be arriving on this very day and whatever it is we welcome you to Nepal! Thank you for choosing the Everest base camp via Gokyo lake trek with Vajra Adventure. On this first day, we transfer you to your hotel/hostel. You will not do much except observing the ambiance around you and get acquainted with the country.

Accommodation

3 Star Hotel at Thamel Kathmandu

Meals Included

Welcome Dinners ( Nepali Food)

This is an important day because today is the day when you will meet with your guide. The guide or one of our team members will brief you about the trek about more or less everything you need to know. After briefing, we would thoroughly go through the trekking gear that we have. Furthermore, if there is anything that is not according to the trekking standard we will do last minute shopping of the trekking gears. On the other hand, one of our backend office staff will get busy preparing the required permits and logistics.

Note: To manage the surge in air traffic during Nepal’s peak trekking season, the government has announced a route change for flights to Lukla. Instead of departing from Kathmandu, all flights will be diverted to Manthali airport in Ramechhap district. 

Hereby, we'll drive you to Manthali by car after lunch , which takes about 4 hours. We'll stay overnight in Manthali, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey to Lukla the following days

Accommodation

3 Star Hotel at Thamel Kathmandu

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After taking an early morning flight to the most adventurous airports in the world of Lukla we walk just for warm-up. We trek for only 200 meters descent and 50 meters of ascent in around 2 and a half hours. If weather permits you will get a glimpse of mountains right from the airport. You will hear and see Dudh Koshi roaring down from different places. Overnight in Phakding.

Note: If we're in Manthali, we'll catch a flight to Lukla and begin our trek from Lukla to Phakding.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

This is one of the most difficult sections of the trek.  Within around 6 - 7 hours we cover 1000 meters in ascent and 100 meters in descent. You will come across beautiful villages in between and small yet amazing waterfalls. On this very day, you will see the first glimpse of Mt. Thamserku. In between Phakding and Namche is Monjo, from where we enter in the Sagarmatha national park. Right before Monjo, you may enjoy a notable forest of pine, fir, and Rhododendron. Beyond Jorsale and from the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi is the most difficult 2 hours of trek on this day. Overnight in Namche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Despite a day off, we take side trips to Khumjung and on the way, we as well stop by at Syangboche. On this day we hike to Syangboche airport; one of the high altitude, non-commercial airstrip. We also take the opportunity to visit Khunde and Khumjung where we see the school built by Sir. Edmund Hillary and a monastery that claims to home yeti’s scalp. We get back to Namche and rest and enjoy the view. Overnight in Namche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

There are two options from here to reach our next destination and we choose the one via Kyanjuma. With the views of snow-dusted, soaring Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse we make sheer ascent through barren ridges. After the ascent, we reach Mong La also known as Mond Danda, where we sit for lunch. After reviving we now descend to the root of the hill and banks of Dudh Koshi river to Phortse Thanga.A place which is at the foot of the mountains, dark and damp. From Phortse our trek continues to Dole which takes around 2 hours. Overnight in Dole.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

We walk short but strenuous and sheer uphill through the forest of Rhododendron, a beautiful trail and playground of musk deer. Keep an eye for Golden eagle and dramatically soaring mountains of the Everest region. The trail is comparatively easy from Dole and the only vegetation we come across is tundra grass and dotted scrub Juniper. It is advised to hydrate as much as possible due to remarkable change in altitude over a short period of time. We limit our ascent within 3 hours to Machhermo and call it a day to avoid altitude sickness. Overnight in Machhermo.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

The villages we see from Machhermo onwards are all temporary villages and only inhabited at a certain time of the year. With the beautiful view of Kantega and Cho Oyu, we follow the Dudh Koshi river for almost an hour, until we reach the first lake which is at around of sheer uphill we come across the 1st lake at 4600m, and further down the trail 2nd lake called Taboche Tsho and finally the third lake by the village Gokyo, known as the Gokyo lake itself. We can further travel to the 5th and 6th lakes which is around 1 and ½ hour hike up-down. Overnight in Gokyo.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Trekking to 5th lake and back takes around 4-6 hours at an easy pace. Since it is almost full day walk we will keep it on the activity day, which is today’s day. We get back on the same trail out and not go towards Gokyo Ri but stick to the same trail. In around one and a half hours, we arrive at the 4th lake and further in around 2 hours we arrive at the 5th lake. The views of the peak from the 5th lake are very rewarding. Cho Oyu is the most significant mountain seen from the Gokyo. After an all-day excursion to the 5th lake and back, we call it a night in Gokyo.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

After acclimatizing in Gokyo and enjoying the views of Cho Oyu and the 5th lake, we spend another day to visit Gokyo Ri (5346m). One of the most appreciated, nearby viewpoints. We can witness an unparalleled, picturesque view of Everest (8848m), Nuptse 7861 m, Makalu 8481 m, Cholatse (6440m), Taboche (6495 m), Ama Dablam 6856 m, Kantega 6685 m, Thamserku (6608 m). The view of Everest however is the best from the peak of Gokyo Ri. Once we reach Gokyo we stop for breakfast and head towards Thangnak. In this section of the trek, we mostly walk on Ngozumpa glacier and through steep moraines. Overnight in Thangnak.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

The day is one of the longest and toughest and we start very early to cover the entire ascent and descent on thin air. It takes approximately 8-9 hours to complete the trek. The drag however pays back with some pretty nice and near views of peaks Everest, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Phari Lapche, Kyajo – Ri. Further after crossing Chola Pass the trail again becomes sheer, exhilarating scramble, on the edge of the mountains. The trail is treacherous, marked with cairns, and often confusing and slippery. Once we head down we call it a day in Dzongla.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

The first 1 and half hours of descent takes us to Thukla and further an hour of walk takes us to Lobuche. Cholatse steals the show in the first half of trek, whereas you would get the first glimpse of Nuptse and Lhotse which is prominent as well as captivating. The walk from Lobuche to Gorakshep takes around 1 and a half to 2 hours for fit and fast whereas it could take 3 hours with normal pace and fatigue. From Lobuche, the track is easy, clear, and pleasant. Later, the trail twists, turns, climbs, and goes past Kangri Glacier to Gorak Shep. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Initially, trek follows the narrow gap between glacier moraine and the mountain. We make a very small but difficult climb on moraine with the first sighting to Gorakshep. We cannot visit both Kalapathar and Everest base camp on the same day which is why we do it in 2 days time. It is recommended to visit Kala Patthar on this day. Many people prefer Kala Patthar in the morning but it is not recommended due to the ruined views from sunrise behind the Everest. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

If we made it to Kala Patthar on the previous day, we hike to Everest base camp on this day before we descend to Pheriche. The trip to base camp takes around 3 hours one way. We start our trek early at around 6 am to our destination, which is a semi-permanent village made out of bright dome tents and bounder covered by prayer flags. After spending brief moments in Everest base camp we trek down for another hour to Gorakshep and further down to Periche in the Next 3-4 hours. Overnight in Pheriche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

From Periche we descend to scenic Imja River and make small and easy ascent and walk through the forest of Rhododendron and Fir. We walk majorly through the banks of Imja stream and Dudh Koshi until an uphill ascent to Tengboche and further down to Phunki Thanga and final shear uphill for around an hour to Namche. Overnight in Namche.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

Although we start early and it is all descended from Namche to Lukla, it is claimed to be the hardest downhill in the entire Everest base camp route. The remorseless incline makes it difficult on the knees but there is always an option to slow down the pace and stroll easy. It’s a flat trail from Benkar to Phakding and further to Lukla and not too bad on the knees. Overnight in Lukla.

Accommodation

Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or any one item from the menu.)

We board an early morning flight on the world’s most adventurous before the weather is wrecked. With the views of the beautiful peaks on our right, we head towards Kathmandu.

Note: If it's during the peak trekking season, as mentioned, we will take a flight from Lukla to Manthali and then drive you by car to Kathmandu.Our Everest base camp trek Via Gokyo Lakes officially Ends once we transfer you to the hotel. 

Accommodation

3 Star hotel at Thamel Kathmandu

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

On the final day of your 18-days trek, we will drop you off at the airport for your flight. If you wish to stay for additional days, you are welcome to do so. However, please note that any arrangements or costs beyond the end date of our package will be your responsibility.