Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Valley Trek – 19 Days

As you fly from your home country to Nepal, your adventure to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Valley Trek starts. At the Tribhuvan International Airport, our representatives will be waiting for you with a placard displaying your name in their hands. Once you complete your airport check-in formalities, you’ll get outside the arrival hall, and our representatives will greet you. Then, our representatives will transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Once you’ve had a chance to refresh, you’ll receive a briefing on the trek and itinerary, followed by a gear check. You’ll also be introduced to your crew members and fellow trekkers joining you on the trip. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening, where you can taste an authentic Nepali dinner. Stay overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.

Good morning, from the land of the Himalayas, Nepal. We’ll get a hearty morning meal along with a hot cup of tea as we wake up. You can look after your backpack and do all the necessary preparation for the trek. If you need any last-minute shopping or paperwork, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to help. We’ll have your lunch at around 10-11:00 AM and then make our way towards Ramechhap.

The road heads east out of Kathmandu Valley, passing Bhaktapur and heading towards Banepa and Dhulikhel via Araniko Highway. Beyond Dhulikhel, the highway begins to wind along green terraced hillsides and descends toward Dolalghat, where the Indrawati and Sunkoshi rivers meet. From here, the drive follows the river valleys and passes through Panchkal and reaches Ramechhap. Our day’s overnight stay is at the Freedom resort or in a similar standard resort near the airport.

Early in the morning, we’ll wake up, have our morning meal, and get prepared for the Lukla flight. As per our scheduled time, we’ll move to the Manthali airport from our hotel. Within minutes of takeoff, the airplane leaves the low hills of Ramechhap and enters the Himalayan region. The views of green valleys, winding rivers, terraced farmlands, and snow-capped peaks will appeal to your eyes. Within 15-20 minutes, you’ll land at the gateway of the Everest region, Lukla.

As we take a break at Lukla and know that we are finally on the trekking route to our dream destination, we’ll begin our walk. The trek begins by passing through prayer flags and Mani stones as it descends through Lukla. We’ll pass through villages of Chaurikharka, Thado Koshi, and Ghat, and chortens (stupas) and Mani walls before getting to the day’s destination, Phakding. Moreover, your overnight stay and meals are at the lodge in Phakding.

Have your breakfast at the Phakding while enjoying the crisp air and scenery of the Everest region. After the morning meal, pack your backpack and make your way towards Namche Bazaar. The trek begins with a gentle walk through pine forests, crossing several small suspension bridges. As you reach Monjo, you’ll officially enter the Sagarmatha National Park, where permits are checked.

After checking in at the national park, the route then descends to Jorsalle, the last village before the long climb to Namche. One of the trek’s highlights is crossing the Hillary Bridge, the highest suspension bridge on the route, swaying high above the Dudh Koshi gorge. After crossing the bridge, we will follow the escalating path towards Namche Bazaar. The path rewards us with views of Thamserku Mountain, Everest, Lhotse, and other mountains and peaks. The day’s overnight stay will be at the lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar serves as the major trade centre for trade between locals and neighbouring Tibetans. Namche is also popular as the capital of Sherpa land, and it is wise to take a rest at Namche on this day. For proper acclimatization with the changing altitude, we arrange a day hike to the small Khumjung village and Everest View Hotel. A popular side trip from Namche Bazaar is the hike to Everest View Hotel. The trail is mostly uphill and takes about two hours. It’s worth the effort because the views are incredible the whole way. When you reach the hotel, you can sit on the terrace, enjoy a drink or a meal, and look straight at Mt. Everest.

Everest View Hotel is famous for a reason. It’s the highest luxury hotel in the world and has been welcoming visitors since 1971. It took years to build it because every piece of material had to be carried up by porters or flown in by helicopter. The hotel sits on a ridge above Namche and gives you a clear view of Everest, along with other beautiful peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. All of them rise sharply into the sky, creating one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Himalayas.

Later, we will visit Khumjung village, situated beneath the sacred peak of Khumbila. There, you can explore the Khumjung monastery and the Khumjung school. After exploring two prominent places of the Khumbu valley, you’ll descend to Namche. The day’s overnight and dinner are at the lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Leaving Namche, we will follow the main Everest trail passing through the Buddhist stupa and Kyangjoma. Walking along the lower slopes of Kyangjoma, we will enter a birch forest and move further through the grassy slopes to Mongla.

Midway, we will reach Mongla (3,975 meters), a small settlement located on a ridge. It’s known for its spiritual significance as the birthplace of Lama Sangwa Dorje, the saint who founded the famous Tengboche Monastery. There, you can also have a short lunch break. After lunch, we’ll continue our walk that drops steeply through pine and birch forests toward Phortse Tenga, the day’s overnight and dinner point.

Leaving the Phortse Tenga, we will climb high above the valley to the ridge, which greets us with mesmerizing views of Kantega Peak, Thamserku Peak, and Ama Dablam Mountain. Walking along the tree lines, we will walk past yak kharka at Tongba (4,015 meters) and Gyele (4,050 meters) to Dole (4,200 meters). We may have lunch at Dole and then continue our journey to Machhermo, which takes about 3 hours.

Following the steep, narrow trail ascending uphill, we will reach the top of the ridge. We will walk past Lhabarma (4,220 meters) and reach Luza (4,360 meters). Passing through scrub, we will climb along the side of the valley to reach Machhermo (4,470 meters). This area is known as the native land of the mythical ape-man, the Yeti. Locals believe the Yeti was seen for the first time in Machhermo in 1974.Few teahouses are available in Machhermo for accommodation. We’ll settle into one of the teahouses for our dinner and overnight stay.

Machhermo, at an elevation of 4,470 meters, is a key acclimatization stop on the Gokyo Valley trek. On the day, we can go for a day hike to the ridge above Machhermo, a viewpoint of Cho Oyu, Kantega, Thamserku, and the Ngozumpa Glacier valley. The hike to the viewpoint is ideal for the “climb high, sleep low” principle of acclimatization.

If you prefer, we can go for a hike to Machhermo Ri Viewpoint (about 5,000 meters). The hike to the Macchermo Ri is longer, but it is one of the most stunning vantage points on the Gokyo route. The viewpoint offers stunning views of Ngozumpa Glacier stretching toward Gokyo and distant views of Everest. Moreover, we can explore the Machhermo village. The day’s overnight will be at the same tea house we spent the night before.

Get up, freshen up, and have your morning meal. After a hearty breakfast, we will pack our belongings and make our way towards today’s destination with the fresh energy of yesterday’s acclimatization. The trek begins with a gradual climb, walking through alpine pastures with grazing yaks. On the route, the view of Mount Cho Oyu, Kangtega, and Thamserku will accompany you. The route then leads us to Pangka village (4,480 meters), which greets us with a spectacular view of Mount Everest.

From Pangka, the pathway ascends a rocky path along the edge of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier of Nepal. Soon, the first shimmering Gokyo Lake (Longpongo, 4,690 meters) comes into view, which adds to your excitement. A further short walk leads you to the second Gokyo Lake, Taujung Tsho (4,740 meters). The trail continues gently uphill, and the third Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhar, 4,750 meters) comes into view. The Gokyo village sits on the eastern side of this Gokyo Lake, where you’ll settle for the day’s overnight stay and dinner.

The tenth day is one of the most remarkable days on the journey to Gokyo Valley and the Everest Base Camp Trek. On the day, you should begin your walk before dawn to climb Gokyo Ri. The day’s trek starts with a steep climb up Gokyo Ri (5,360 meters), a vantage point that offers one of the finest views in the Himalayas. After 3-4 hours of ascent from Gokyo Valley via a steep and zigzag section, we’ll reach the summit of Gokyo Ri.

As we step foot on the summit, we’ll feel the cold wind and be mesmerized by the first rays of sunlight over the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Similarly, the turquoise chain of Gokyo Lakes and the Ngozumpa Glacier will mesmerize us with their majesty. After witnessing the beauty, we’ll take a moment to capture photos, appreciate our victory, and then descend back to Gokyo Valley after the ascent of Gokyo Ri.

As we get to Gokyo, we’ll have our hearty breakfast and take a short rest. Afterward, we make our way towards the day’s destination. The afternoon trek involves crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal, where the route weaves through rocky moraines, ice ridges, and small meltwater streams. After about two to three hours of glacier walking, the path takes us into the small settlement of Dragnag (4,700 meters), where we stay overnight.

The eleventh day is one of the challenging parts of the trek. So, we prepare ourselves with a nutritious breakfast at the teahouse and wear warm clothes. The day begins in the quiet darkness before dawn, as an early walk ensures safe passage over the Cho La pass before the weather becomes harsh. The climb to Cho La is steep and rocky that takes us through frozen streams, boulder fields, and snow-covered slopes.

By the time we reach the Cho La Pass, it will be sunrise. As the sun rises, the icy walls of the surrounding peaks glow in golden light. Similarly, the sight of Mount Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Lobuche, and distant Everest will reward you from the top of Cho La. After soaking ourselves into the top, we’ll make our descent, which is equally demanding.

The trek descends over loose scree and icy sections, where trekking poles and careful steps are essential. Walking through crevasses, we will reach Dzongla village, which greets us with views of Cholatse. Our day’s overnight stay and dinner will be at the teahouse of Dzongla.

As usual, the day starts with a warm cup of tea and a hearty morning meal. After breakfast, we’ll begin trekking towards Lobuche, the day’s destination. Leaving Dzongla, the route gently showcases the open hillsides with sweeping views of Ama Dablam, Cholatse, and Lobuche Peak. As the walkway turns eastward, the Khumbu Glacier begins to dominate the horizon, signaling the approach toward Everest Base Camp.

As we get to Lobuche, we face a small collection of lodges. At nearly 5,000 meters, the air feels thin, but the relatively short and moderate walk brings us relief at Lobuche. As we reach the ultimate destination, Everest Base Camp, on another day of the itinerary, it is crucial to take proper rest and acclimate well. So, we’ll have dinner and an early bed in the teahouse of Lobuche.

Today’s trek will be one of the toughest and longest days as we will go all the way to Everest Base Camp from Lobuche and return to Gorakshep for an overnight stay. The first part of the walk from Lobuche to Gorakshep is relatively easier than the second part from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp. As we reach Gorakshep, we’ll have lunch, then leave our baggage and make our way towards EBC. The path stretches through a levelled route from Gorakshep to the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials.

As the path winds along the edge of the Khumbu Glacier, the scenery grows ever more stunning. Although levelled, the path is tricky as it is made slippery by the glaciers. Also, the challenges are added by the increased altitude and presence of thin air. Walking past the rocky dunes and moraines, we will reach Everest Base Camp. We will enjoy the views of Nuptse, Khumbutse, and other peaks and mountains from the base of Mount Everest. Due to altitude problems, it isn’t easy to spend the night at the Base Camp of Everest, so we will return to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.

This is going to be a long trek. We will wake up at around 4:00 AM, have tea, and then head through moraines and boulders to Kalapattar, the highest point of the trek. Expect the challenges of low temperature and cold wind. In the freezing early morning air, we walk steadily uphill to the vantage point. But once we get to the top, every struggle feels worthy. As the sun rises, Everest glows golden above the Khumbu Icefall along with other Himalayan peaks in their majesty.

After spending time on the Kala Patthar and congratulating ourselves on the completion of our trek’s one of the highest points, we’ll descend back to Gorakshep. There, we’ll have breakfast and start descending, leaving the barren, high-altitude desert and getting into the Greener Valley. However, the path follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier before easing into lower altitudes. By the time we reach Pheriche, the atmosphere feels almost rejuvenating. Moreover, the day’s accommodation point is at Pheriche.

After following the easy descending trail through rhododendron forest to Dudhkoshi River, we will walk past tapered gorges and once again follow the trail through a forest area that is rich in Himalayan wildlife. Once we arrive at Sanasa, we will enjoy the view of Amadablam Mountain. Walking through the forested edge beyond Kyangjuma, we will reach Namche. Enjoy the views of Everest, Tengboche, and other peaks and mountains. Stay overnight at Namche.

Day sixteenth marks the completion of the Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lake Trek. After breakfast at Namche, we make our final descent towards Lukla, where our journey began 13 days earlier. We retrace our steps through forests of pine, juniper, and rhododendron. We’ll walk alongside the Dudh Koshi River, listening to the sound of rushing waters. The trail crosses several suspension bridges and the villages of Phakding, Monjo, Benkar, and Tokto. The day’s accommodation point is at the lodge in Lukla.

We will catch an early morning flight from Lukla to Ramechhap, saying goodbye to the Khumbu region. As soon as we get off the plane, we will start our drive to Kathmandu. We might take a break in the middle for Breakfast/Lunch, depending on time. Once we reach Kathmandu, our representative will drop you off at your hotel. Check into your hotel and get ready to enjoy the celebration meal in the evening with the Dream Himalaya Adventure team, as we have completed the trek. Stay overnight in a hotel in Kathmandu.

In the morning, after breakfast, get ready for the guided city tours, which last about 3 hours. During the city tour, you can enjoy the Kathmandu valley’s two heritage sites: Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa. In the afternoons and evenings, you’ll have free time to shop for your loved ones, family members, and friends.

Please note that, due to the climate conditions, flight delays in Lukla are a common experience. Also, we might lag behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. Under such conditions, we will catch a flight from Lukla to Ramechhap on this day. The day’s overnight stay will be at the Kathmandu hotel.

The nineteenth day marks the official end of your trek in Nepal. We hope you had a great trekking experience with us. Please let us know about your flight schedule so that we can pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the airport to say goodbye.
We look forward to having you on future journeys. Safe journey.