Gokyo zum Everest Base Camp Trek

Manthali to Lukla Flight

The airport in Manthali, Ramechhap is about 4 to 5 hours away from Kathmandu. Wake up at 2:30 am and take an escorted shuttle to Manthali airport on a shared tourist vehicle. Board a 20-minute flight to Lukla. Manthali to Lukla flight is relevant during peak trekking months.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight

Wake up at 5/6 am. Our staff will escort you to the airport’s domestic terminal in Kathmandu. Board a 35-minute flight to Lukla. Kathmandu to Lukla flight is relevant during the off-season of trekking.

Prepare your luggage for the trek the day before the flight. You will be arriving at the Tenzing Hillary Airport early in the morning. Breakfast in Lukla. Porters will meet group in Lukla and are assigned to carry luggage. For every two clients, one porter is assigned.

Today we trek to Phakding. The trail is straightforward. We head out of Lukla and follow the Dudh Koshi River with a downhill. The route connects to the Namche Bazaar trail, just above Chaurikharka (2,713 m). Continuing, we come across the small village of Ghat. After a brisk hike, we arrive at Phakding.

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing the majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar (considered the Gateway to Everest) is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange services, internet cafes, and bakeries. Namche is the biggest town along the Everest trail.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included

We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. We will trek a short distance to a museum that is celebrated for its exhibits of the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. We will also hike up the Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas including Mt Everest.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

The trail climbs steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forest, and juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases making the trekking very pristine in spring. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. The views of Khumbu La and Tawache are magnificent throughout the day.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

We climb a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho Oyu and descend to a river and again climb steeply to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpz glacier. We will reach Machherma by early noon.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

The trek today takes us to one of our main destinations, Gokyo (4,790 m). We will make this camp our base for 2 nights as we will have a couple of sightseeing and hiking trips around Gokyo.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

Early in the morning, we have a steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri at an elevation of 5,483m. There are ample rewards for those who attempt this trip – you get stunning views of the super Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa glacier, and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, including the giants Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang. This day we have for acclimatization and afternoon back to the camp.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

Trek to the foot of Cho La pass. Accommodation in Thangna will be very basic and in a dormitory-based room because of its remoteness.

Overnight stay at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

We start before sunrise at 4:00 or 5:00 am to reach the pass by 9:00 am – 10:00 am to dodge bad weather conditions of the noontime. We cross over at an altitude of 5,300 m where we could be exposed to strong winds if we cross too late. We start to climb steeply which is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent views, then we descend to the Dzongla at noon. Accommodation in Dzongla will be very basic and in the dormitory-style room because of its remoteness.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included

A rather easier and shorter trekking route will take us to Lobuche after 4 hours of trekking.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

This is a difficult day to walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp at 5,365 m the closest you can get to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment. There will likely be a team there about to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from the Base Camp is spectacular. We return back to Gorak shep for the night.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. Most of the morning on this day is spent climbing Mt. Kala Patthar, a small peak (by the Himalayan standards) at 5,555 m. The ascent is demanding but the climber gets the most magnificent mountain panorama: Everest, the highest point on the planet at 29,028ft (8,848 m), towers directly ahead, and on all sides loom the other giants, Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep, a tiny hamlet at 5,180 m then trek down to Pheriche.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included

Leaving the mountains behind us, our descent takes us through Pangboche and Tengboche before continuing to the town of Namche Bazaar. We arrive back in Namche in the afternoon.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

This is our last day of trekking as we return to Lukla where the trek began. We enjoy this time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. The afternoon is free, so you can wander about, relax and enjoy a hot shower! In the evening, have a few celebratory drinks and dance with your teak mates.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included

Flight to Manthali

The flight from Lukla to Manthali is 20 minutes. After that, it is about a 4 to 6-hour drive to Kathmandu. You’ll be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu on a shared tourist vehicle. This is relevant for the peak trekking season from March to November.

Flight to Kathmandu

The flight to Lukla takes about 35 minutes. After arriving at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Kathmandu via a shared tourist vehicle. This is relevant for the months outside peak trekking months.

If you would like to spend more time in Nepal, we offer trips to the popular destinations in Nepal. Pokhara tour, Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu Cultural Heritage Tours, etc., are some of our popular Nepal trips. In addition, we also provide outbound tours to Tibet, India, or Bhutan.

Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast Included

The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you at Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

Breakfast Included