Everest via Gokyo Lakes 17 Days Trek

Gokyo route is the less crowded tour to Everest base camp that includes climb to Gokyo Ri and Cho La pass crossing, both of which are equally amazing.

The start of this trek is your flight to Lukla: just make sure that you sit on the left side, to have first gaze of the Everest region. Landing at Lukla airport can be a bit rough, but the pilots are very skilful in landing the plane onto a short steep runway.

When your group is formed, you start the trek walking through Sherpa villages surrounded by well cultivated fields. The path leads downhill for the first day, but on day two already starts with a long and pretty intence climb to Namche, a surprisingly large town where you can even find Illy coffee and a chocolate brownie.

After Namche you will separate from the main route heading to Dudh Koshi valley through Dole and Machermo before reaching final destination, which is Gokyo. There are 5 turquoise coloured lakes formed across Gokyo, but besides the lakes the highlight of Gokyo is the ascent of Gokyo Ri, arising behind the village and providing magnificent views of Cho Oyu and Everest.

From here the path leads to Tragnag before crossing the Cho La pass, one of the three great passes in the Khumbu region. Descending from the pass you will find yourself  on the main base camp route walking up to Gorak Shep.

After visiting base camp in the afternoon, we leave early morning next day to climb Kala Pattar (5554m). From this peak, you will be able to enjoy  awesome  view of the highest mountain on Earth. After climbing Kala Pattar you descend one more time to Dingboche, and over the next two days retrace your steps to Lukla to relax and celebrate.

Day 1: Arrive to Kathmandu

We will meet you at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel. Later you will attend briefing with your guide to prepare you for the challenges to come.

Day 2: Flight to Lukla – Trek to Phakding

• Elevation: 1300m to 2800m to 2656m
• Distance: fly 136km, trek 6km
• Time: fly 45 mins, trek 3-4 hours

The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes 45 minutes and is adventure for itself, with grand views of the Everest region (from the left plane side) ending with a chilling landing on a steep mountain runway. After meeting with your group, we will start our trek by heading up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well marked path to Phakding.

Day 3: Trek to Namche Bazaar

• Elevation: 2656m to 3450m
• Distance: 10km
• Time: 5-6 hours

Departing Phakding, we will twice cross the river on high suspension bridges. Behind Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, thru which we then take a steep hike to Namche. On the clear weather, you can see the first glimpse of Mount Everest. Namche Bazaar is the major trading village of whole region, and it’s a perfect place to indulge few last Western commodities, including automat coffee and some delicious brownies!

Day 4: Acclimatization in Namche

• Elevation: 3450m to 3880m to 3450m

Namche lies between two ridges and has lots of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. Today we will trek up to the Everest View Hotel at 3880m for our first view of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest. This hike will really help with your acclimatization.

Day 5: Trek to Dole

• Elevation: 3450m to 4084m
• Distance: 11km
• Time: 6-7 hours

After short climb to the ridge, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of Everest and Lhotse. Shortly after, we will follow the main path for some time, reaching the crossroads above the Dudh Koshi. Leding further, the trail to Everest goes down the hill, but it will not be our path, as we turn off here to climb cross the Mon La before reaching Phortse Tenga. From Phortse Tenga, the path leads steeply to Dole, coming through the forest.

 Day 6: Trek to Machermo

• Elevation: 4084m to 4410m
• Distance: 5km
• Time: 3-4 hours

From Dole we will climb along the side of the valley. Fantasic views of Cho Oyu can be observed from here, as well as Kantega and Thamserku. Today trek is short and we will arrive at Machermo at lunch time.

Day 7: Acclimatisation in Machermo

• Elevation: 4410m

Today we approach 4500m, so will stay at Machermo for an extra day for acclimatization.

Day 8: Trek tp Gokyo

• Elevation: 4410m to 4750m
• Distance: 8km
• Time: 5-6 hours

Today we are heading for the lakes at Gokyo, following the path to Pangka and then descend  by following one of the rivers flowing down the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. After climbing the glacier to reach the valley, we will pass the first of the sacred lakes. Shortly after, we will arrive at the site of the second lake, crossing the path across the glacier to Cho La – our route to Lobuche and Everest later in the trek. The third lake is known as Dudh Pokhari and walking by the side of it, you can enjoy splendid views of the summits of Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected on its emerald surface.

 Day 9: Ascent of Gokyo Ri & Trek to Tragnag

• Elevation: 4750m to 5483m to 4690m
• Distance: 8km
• Time: 2-3 hours to ascend Gokyo Ri, 3-4 hours to Tragnag

Gokyo Ri stands proudly on the northern side of the lake and we leave camp at dawn, with path leading up the steep hillside. Summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly arise in front of us as we summit Gokyo Ri. After lunch we descend to the second lake and drop down onto the Ngozumpa Glacier. The path leading over the glacier is marked by cairns and it is pretty well defined. We climb off the glacier and follow a shallow valley to Tragnag.

Day 10: Trek to Dzongla via Cho La Pass

• Elevation: 4690m to 5340m to 4830m
• Distance: 10km
• Time: 7-8 hours

With early start today we cross Cho La Pass, from where we make descent to Dzongla. Making way up the valley, we will cross the ridge and old lateral moraine, before the start of climb to the pass. The descent from the pass leads across a small glacier (often snow covered) which is fairly straightforward. Along the way there are excellent views of Ama Dablam and Cholatse as we descend.

 Day 11: Trek to Lobuche

• Elevation: 4830m to 4928m
• Distance: 8km
• Time: 3-4 hours

Grass covered slopes make way to Lobuche above the lake Tshola Tsho, to join the main Everest trail from Pheriche and Tengboche. The trail becomes flat and leads through the valley on the west side of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche.

Day 12: Trek to Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep

• Elevation: 4928m to 5364m to 5164m
• Distance: 13km
• Time: 6-7 hours

Today we go across Khumbu Glacier to reach our next stop, Everest Base Camp. Path offers magnificent views of the nearby mountains. Before we reach Everest Base Camp, we will stop for lunch at Gorak. It takes several hours to reach Base Camp, as the path leads over the Khumbu Glacier.

Day 13: Ascent of Kala Pattar & Trek to Dingboche

• Elevation: 5164m to 5554m to 4410m
• Distance: 15km
• Time: 2-3 hours to ascend Kala Pattar, 5-6 hours to Dingboche

Early morning start is necessary to reach the top of Kala Pattar (5554m), known as  one of the best viewpoints in the Himalaya. After lunch we descend to Dingboche for the night.

Day 14: Trek to Namche

• Elevation: 4410m to 3450m
• Distance: 19km
• Time: 8-10 hours

From Dingboche we descend again and follow the river, across the forest back to Tengboche. From Tengboche we descend over the Dudh Koshi before making our way back to Namche.

Day 15: Trek to Lukla

• Elevation: 3450m to 2800m
• Distance: 16km
• Time: 6-8 hours

The last day of trekking follows the Dudh Koshi valley into Lukla. Usually, there is a farewell party in Lukla for climbers, guides and porters, celebrating another successful trek. You should try traditional Sherpa dances and taste chang, which is a bit like beer but served hot.

Day 16: Fly to Kathmandu

After an early breakfast, we will head to the airstrip for our return journey to Kathmandu. You stay overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Depart Kathmandu

We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Kathmandu Airport for your departing flight.