Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Cho La Pass

Welcome to Nepal and Desire Adventures. Your arrival, at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, will be met and greeted by one of the company representatives. After the meet and greet, you will be driven to your hotel in Kathmandu, in a private vehicle. This company representative will also help you check into the hotel, once you reach the hotel. Spend some time at leisure and then get ready for the meeting in the afternoon, which will be conducted at our office. In the meeting, you will be introduced to your tour guide and fellow travelers and briefed regarding the trip. After the meeting, around the afternoon,back to the hotel and get ready for next morning.

Accommodation: Tourist-standard hotel (twin/double room), Kathmandu.

Early in the morning, around 1-2am you will be driven to the domestic terminal of the Manthali Airport in Ramechhap (in a sharing minivan), it will takes 4-5hr drive to Ramechhap. Once you reached at Ramechhap,you will board a plane and fly to Lukla. After enjoying the aerial view for about 15-18 minutes, your plane will land on the airstrip of the Tenzing Hillary Airport, in Lukla. In Lukla, you will be introduced to your private porter and other team members. Enjoy your breakfast, while the luggage is prepared for the porters. After breakfast, your ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass begins with a short climb to the Pasang Lhamo Memorial Gate, through the alleyways of Lukla. Enjoy friendly passages of Lukla decorated with colorful flags, chortens and shops run by local people. From the gate, you will drop down through the forest managed by community people to the bridge across the Thado Koshi River, past Thalsharoa, Cheplung and Thado Koshigaon. Enjoying the mind blogging view of Kusum Khangkaru, you will cross the bridge, to climb around the ridge to continue to Ghat. Crossing Ghat, you will enter a complex of Mani walls, chortens and boulders, decorated with Tibetan mantras and prayer wheels. Leaving the complex behind, you will now climb to Chhuthawa and continue to the village of Phakding, through the forest. After reaching Phakding, you will check into the lodge and spend the remaining time at leisure. The leisure time can be spent exploring the settlement and monasteries near Phakding under your own steam.   

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Phakding

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy full breakfast in Phakding and get ready to continue to Namche. You will cross the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and following the west bank of the river, you will continue on a winding trail, through the forest of pine to Toktok. From Toktok, you will continue downhill through the forest of pine and a few small waterfalls to Benkar. From Benkar, you will continue north to another bridge, cut across to the east bank of the river and enjoy a pleasant walk through the forest of rhododendron and magnolia to Chumoa. From Chumoa, you will continue to the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After the national park check in formalities at Monjo, you will continue on a descending trail to the suspension bridge, past Kani and huge granite bluffs carved with Tibetan prayers. You will cross the bridge and continue to Jorsale. From Jorsale, continuing on a gravel and boulder river bank trail that passes through the forest, you will hike to Larja Bridge. Enjoy the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River, before crossing the bridge. After crossing the bridge, you will first hike to the viewpoint that presents the first view of the Mt. Everest. You will enjoy the view for some time and continue on a steeply ascending switchbacks, through the forest of pine to Mislung. The forest ends and the steeply ascending trail levels out from Mislung. The walk from Mislung to Namche is on a level path. After reaching Namche, you will check into the lodge and spend the evening at leisure. You can take a stroll around the Namche Bazaar and enjoy bakeries and internet cafes, before dinner.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Namche Bazaar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Although, altitude sickness can occur at heights over about 2,500m above sea level, the more severe symptoms start to occur above the altitude of 3,600m. Therefore, Namche is the best and first acclimatization station for every trekker, trekking the Khumbu region. To boost the process of adaptation your private guide will take you for an acclimatization hike, after breakfast in Namche.

The most popular acclimatization trek around Namche is a circuit through Shyangboche, Khunde, and Khumjung. You will start on a trail above Namche Gompa to climb the ridge on a steep zigzagging path that will take you to the village of Zarok. From Zarok, you will continue to climb to the airport in Shyangboche, past the turn off to Thame. Walking past the runway you will continue ahead, towards Khunde, through the sandy gully between juniper scrubs. You will further continue to the top of the ridge in Khunde to enjoy carved boulders, chortens, juniper and rhododendron. From the ridge, you will hike down to the edge of Khunde that greets you with two beautiful man-made structures: Kani and Boudhanath –style chorten.  The view of Khumbila, Ama Dablam and Thamserku is as pretty as a picture. You will now hike to Khunde Tsamkhang and taking the side trail, continue over to the left of the ridge to the Hillary Memorial Viewpoint to enjoy 360-degree view of Khunde, Namche, Ama Dablam and Pachermo Peak. After enjoying the view, you will walk up to the ridge to witness the memorial chortens to Edmund Hillary, his wife and daughter. From Khunde, you will head east through the potato fields to the largest village in Khumbu, ‘Khumjung’. In Khumjung, you will visit Hillary School, established by Sir Edmund Hillary; witness the longest Mani wall in the Khumbu region and explore gompa that puts Yeti’s Skull at display. After exploring Khumjung, you will hike back to Namche, picking up the path behind the Hillary School.

(Hiking to Thame is another good option for acclimatization hike. Thame is a secluded village, located beneath the mountain wall of Kongde RI, in Namche VDC, west of Namche. Hiking to Thame is more ambitious than the circuit through Shyangboche, Khunde and Khumjung.)   

Once you are back to Namche, the remaining time is spent at leisure. Explore the attractions in Namche on your own to best utilize the leisure time.    

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Namche Bazaar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast in Namche, before starting off for your day’s trek to Tengboche. You will leave Namche either taking an undemanding path via Chhorkung, or the steeper, but a very picturesque trail via Khumjung. Both the trails meet at Sanasa junction. From Sanasa, you will climb down on a gently descending trail to Leushyasa, enjoying the imposing view of Ama Dablam. From Leushyasa, a steep descend on stone steps will take you to Phunki Tenga. You will cross the bridge and go past some water driven prayer wheels, before the steeply climbing, through the forest of rhododendron to Tengboche. A beautiful Kani and a pair of chortens welcome you to Tengboche. On reaching Tengboche, you will check into the lodge, have lunch and go for a tour of the Tengboche Monastery and the Eco Center; taking in the highlights with your private guide. Enjoy the exquisite view of the panorama of Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku that provides perfect background to the Monastery Complex and the settlement of Tengboche. You will get back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay, after exploring these attractions in Tengboche.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Tengboche.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If you like, before breakfast, you can join the monks for morning prayers at the Tengboche monastery. After breakfast, leaving Tengboche, you will gently continue down to the bridge at Chaturje, through the forest of conifer and rhododendron; past Deboche and Milingo. A big chorten greets you on the other side of the bridge. From the Chorten, you will continue north on a gradually ascending trail to Chuto; past a turn off to Pangboche, Somare and Orsho. Crossing the bridge at Chuto, you will climb along the bank of the Imja River for about half-an-hour to finally reach the settlement of Dingboche. Dingboche welcomes you with the finest view of the Island Peak, Peak 38 and Lhotse. At Dingboche, you will check into the lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Exploring the settlement of Dingboche is recommended to best utilize the leisure time.  

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Dingboche.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Acclimatization in Dingboche is highly suggested, before gaining further altitude. Therefore, after breakfast, you will go for an acclimatization hike, either to Nangkar Tshang Gompa and a viewpoint above it, or to Chhukung with your private guide.

If you are looking for a short acclimatization hike, your guide will take you to Nangkar Tshang Gompa. It’s an hour long hike to the ridge north of Dingboche. Along the way, you will be accompanied by chortens and prayer flags. Your guide will also help you with the details, as you explore a number of retreats built around the meditation cave of Sange Dorje. After exploring the monastery, you will hike to viewpoint above the monastery to enjoy the magnificent view of Cholatse, Taboche, Chhukung, Makalu as well as a lake at the foot of Ama Dablam.

However, if you are up for a longer acclimatization hike, your guide will take you to Chhukung, in the upper Imja Valley and climb Chhukung RI to help you adapt to the thinning air, lowering oxygen level, while witnessing the most stunning views of Ama Dablam, Baruntse and Makalu.

After any of these acclimatization hikes, you will get back to the lodge in Dingboche for dinner and overnight rest.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Dingboche.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy full breakfast in Dingboche, before leaving for Lobuche. Leaving Dingboche, you will slowly climb along the ridge, past Dusa to a junction, where the trail you are walking merges with the Pheriche trail. From the junction, you will run down to the glacial stream and cut across the stream to climb to Dughla. From Dughla, you will continue directly up the rough terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, before turning left to the cluster of memorials to the lost climbers and Sherpas. Enjoying the soaring view of Pumori, you will continue to the trail junction, from where a challenging scale over loose moraine will finally take you to Lobuche. In Lobuche you will check into the lodge and spend the remaining time either resting, or hiking up the ridges east of Lobuche to enjoy the view of the Khumbu Glacier with Nuptse and Lhotse. Hiking to the Italian Pyramid, north of Lobuche, is another good option to utilize the leisure hours. After the hike, you will come back to the lodge for dinner and accommodation.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Lobuche.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in Lobuche, you will start your day’s walk leaving Lobuche. You will continue on a rocky trail, squeezed between the glacial moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and the mountain walls. After a few vertical climbs, you will reach the Lobuche Pass. The walk ahead is across the terminal moraine of the Changri Shar Glacier (for about 45 minutes), before reaching Gorak Shep, nestled at the bottom of Kala Patthar. Once at Gorak Shep, you will check into the lodge, leave your luggage, have breakfast and continue to the base camp of Mt. Everest; following the new moraine route. Colorful prayer flags wedged between the rocks, below the Khumbu Icefall, mark the arrival of the base camp of Mt. Everest. You will spend some time capturing the views in your camera and making lifetime memories; before retracing your path to Gorak Shep for overnight stay and dinner.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Gorak Shep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Kala Patthar is the best vantage point in the Everest region to enjoy the view of Mt. Everest. The sunrise view over the Himalayan giants from Kala Patthar is also ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ view. Therefore, to witness this view, you will start this day 2 hours before the break of dawn. You will hike to the summit of Kala Patthar, before sunrise. The top greets you with fluttering colorful prayer flags wedged between the rocks. Gradually, breaking the dawn the sun sheds its first light on Himalayan giants, revealing the world’s highest mountain, the Mt. Everest with its sibling peaks: Pumori, Lingtren, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Taboche, Cholatse and other small peaks. Looking down from the summit of Kala Patthar, you can spot the views of frozen river of the Khumbu glacier, the base camp of Mt. Everest and Gorak Shep. Spend some time enjoying the view and hike down to Gorak Shep for breakfast. After breakfast, you will retrace your path to Lobuche. From Lobuche, you will trek downhill, following the trail alongside the Khumbu Glacier, to the trail junction. From the junction, choosing the trail on your right and enjoying the distant view of stupa and the tombstones, you will continue around the edge of the ridge to enter the wide side valley; enjoying the pleasing views of Ama Dablam, Pheriche, Taboche and Cholatse Tsho. From the valley, you will briefly ascend and then descend to continue to the village of Dzongla. After reaching Dzongla, you will check into the lodge before dinner and a night of rest.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Dzongla.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It is very important to cross the pass before noon; therefore, trekking today begins at the crack of dawn. Breakfast will also be served in the early hours. Carrying packed lunch, the journey begins, leaving Dzongla. From Dzongla, the trail runs over the crest to the flat valley floor and continues to the cliff. From the cliff, you will continue to the moraine on a rocky path. After reaching the moraine, following the slippery path along the glacier you will advance towards the pass. Soon leaving the glacier, a steep hike up on a rocky slope will take you to the Chola Pass (5,420m). The top of the pass, marked by colorful prayer flag, greets you with once-in-a-lifetime view of Cholatse and Ama Dablam, Ngozumba Glacier, Pharilapche and Kyajo RI. You will spend some time enjoying the view and capturing the best ones in your camera. Now following the zigzagging trail on rock and scree slope, you will hike down to the base of the cliff from the Chola Pass. Small stone cairns will help you track your trail. From the base of the cliff, you will continue on a rough terrain, full of rocks and boulders, to climb the ridge, up the valley. Enjoying the last view of the Chola Pass, perfectly located between the two peaks, you will continue down the ridge, into the valley, on a desolate landscape for about one and a half hour to reach Thaknak around the afternoon. Once at Thaknak, you will check into the lodge. The remaining time is spent at leisure.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Thaknak.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast in Thaknak. Leaving Thaknak, the trek starts on a trail between the glacial moraine and the mountain wall that continues to the frozen lake, situated around the lateral moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Taking the trail above the lake, you will climb down to the inner side of the moraine, to cut across to the opposite moraine of the glacier. The walk across the glacier is on ever changing rock and scree slopes, which is very challenging. As you reach the opposite moraine, you will climb out of the moraine to continue to Gokyo; beautifully located on the eastern shore of Gokyo Tsho and at the foot of Gokyo Ri. Once at Gokyo, you will check into the loge, have lunch and climb Gokyo RI. Gokyo RI (5,360m) is a peak located north of Gokyo Tsho. Crossing the stream at the north end of the Gokyo, you will climb for about 2 hours to reach the summit of the peak (Gokyo Ri) that greets you with prayer flags and unparalleled panoramic views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse and Taboche and Ngozumpa Glacier, Gokyo and the very beautiful jade-green Gokyo Tsho; presenting you wonderful photographic opportunities. You will spend some time relishing and capturing the views, before hiking down to the lodge in Gokyo. Spend the remaining time at leisure.  

(While in Gokyo, you also have an option of hiking up to the fifth lake, that is, the Ngozumba Tsho or the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint, instead of climbing Gokyo RI.)

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Gokyo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy full breakfast in Gokyo. Following a shallow incline trail passing the Gokyo Tsho, you will continue to the second lake (Taujung Tsho). From the second lake, the trek ahead, to the first lake (Longponga Tsho) is on a lichen-covered boulder. Leaving the lake, the trail enters a rock cleft, from where, you will continue down on stone steps to the village of Phangga; located at the end of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Following the ridge, you will continue to a cluster of chortens, built on the hilltop. From the top, a steep descend down the scrubby slope will bring you to Machhermo. You will continue out of Machhermo on small sand dunes to Luza. From Luza, a gentle descend, past a large chorten will take you to Lhabarma. From Lhabarma, you will hike downhill and following the hillside covered in tundra grasses and scrub juniper, you will continue to Dole; located at the opening of the Phule River.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Dole.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Enjoy your breakfast in Dole. The trek continues past the traditional stone houses, a series of waterfall and big boulders on a narrow trail to Tongba. Henceforward, you will continue through the forest of pine and rhododendron to Phortse Thanga. From Phortse Thanga, a steep ascent through the forest of pine on switchbacks for about 1.5 hour will take you to the stupa and the birthplace of the saint, Lama Sange Dorje, who first introduced Buddhism to Khumbu. From the stupa, you will head towards Mong La. Now outlining the ridge, you will continue to the trail junction at Sanasa. Enjoy the houses of Tengboche on the ridge below the towering Ama Dablam and the fenced fields of Phortse that stretches across the flat-topped ridge, below Taboche and Cholatse, as you advance to the trail junction. From the junction, you will continue to Namche via Chhorkung. In Namche, you will check into the lodge, before dinner and a night of rest. 

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Namche Bazaar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner   

Enjoy your breakfast in Namche. Leaving the town of Namche, you will first continue to Mislung on a flat trail. Entering the forest of pine, you will now continue on a steeply descending zigzag trail to the suspension bridge, floating above the Dudh Koshi River. Crossing the bridge, you will continue on a level path to Jorsalle, before rising to Monjo. After the national park check out formalities at Monjo, you will retrace your path down to Phakding, crossing several suspension bridges. A gradual ascent, past a number of Sherpa villages, will finally take you to Lukla, where you will spend the remaining time celebrating your success with your team members; after checking into the hotel.

Accommodation: Lodge (twin room), Lukla.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast in Lukla, before flying to Ramechhap. Once the plane arrives at the airport in Lukla, bidding farewell to your friends in Khumbu and the Khumbu itself, you will board the plane and fly back to Ramechhap. From the airport in Ramechhap, a sharing minivan will transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening, we will meet for the farewell dinner (hosted by the company). While having dinner, we will also discuss your trip and the feedback. You will be guided to your hotel for a well-earned night of rest, after the farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Tourist-standard hotel (twin/double room), Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Your Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Lake and Chola Pass has come to an end. To perfectly end the trip, you will be transferred to the Tribhuvan International Airport (in a private vehicle), as per your flight schedule, to help you catch your international flight back home, or your next destination. Hope you enjoyed your vacation with Desire Adventures. 

Meals: Breakfast