Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp Trek

Overview:

Take part in of the best treks in Nepal, with Narba Treks’ 17 days Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek. This amazing trek in the Everest region combines two of the most popular treks, the Gokyo Lake trek, and the Everest Base Camp trek! During this trek, you’ll be able to visit the pristine lakes of Gokyo, see that legendary 360 Himalayan view from atop Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft), and explore around Everest Base Camp. As a special treat you’ll also be able to witness a spectacular sunrise view from atop Kala Pattar (5,550m/18,204ft), the highest point of the trek!

Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal + trip preparation:

Upon your arrival for the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek, Narba Treks will be waiting on you at the airport in Kathmandu. After a short meet & greet we’ll transfer you to your booked hotel in Kathmandu. While we prepare your required permits to trek in the Everest region, you’ll be enjoying a wonderful guided sightseeing trip throughout the Kathmandu Valley! Enjoying the sights and learning more of the unique culture only found in Nepal is a great way to start of your trekking package. During this tour of Kathmandu we plan to visit Kathmandu’s old Palace or Durbar Square, the Monkey Temple of Swayambunath, the mythical Pashupatinath Temple and the famous Boudhanath Stupa.

In the late afternoon we’ll meet up with your trekking team and go over the itinerary for the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek. It important to make sure that your gear is on order and you have all essential equipment as we’ll be trekking for 14 days in the Himalayas! Luckily Thamel, the main hub in Kathmandu has literally hundreds of trekking gear shops who also offer rental services. Should you require any additional items to bring with on the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek, than Narba Treks team will be happy to assist! Having made sure that you are all set for the trek, we prepare to leave for the national airport the next morning.

Fly to Lukla + trek to Gokyo:

On day 3 of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek we leave Kathmandu and fly to one of the world’s highest located airports at Lukla. Located on the side of a giant hill, arriving in Lukla quickly gives a surreal feeling of the Himalayas welcoming you! The first stop of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek is at Phakding. Located at a lower elevation this first day of trekking in the Everest region is quite easy going. Following the raging Dudh Khosi River the trail leads to a suspension bridge that takes us straight in to Phakding village, your first Himalayan overnight in Nepal! The next morning the trail goes more and more upwards passed Monjo village and officially entering the Everest or Sagarmatha National Park. After a steep climb the forest disappears and incredible trans-Himalayan views open up as we make way for Namche Bazaar, the largest Sherpa village of the region!

Namche Bazaar is an absolutely amazing place and certainly one of the highlights of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek. As we’ll be ascending more and more the coming days, Narba Treks, makes no compromises in your safety during the trek. Hence we’ll be holding an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar to prevent any chances of getting the dreaded acute mountain sickness syndrome. To get more used to the upcoming higher elevations we’ll be holding a scenic acclimatization hike up to the famous Everest View Hotel. Here your first views of Mt Everest and its neighboring peaks can be seen. While still far ahead we’ll be eventually reaching at the base of this legendary mountain!

We leave Namche Bazaar at day 6 of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek, and make way for the pristine Gokyo Lakes. Spending two days trekking through exceptional Himalayan landscapes lets us reach the 4 th and biggest lake of Gokyo. Here a picturesque village awaits our arrival. During the trek to Gokyo amazing views of the Ngozumpa Glacier as well as Mt Thamserku and Mt Ama Dablam can be seen. But the best views of the Himalayas will be coming from the top of Gokyo Ri. This hilltop viewpoint offers incredible 360 Himalayan views, with Gokyo Lake just below! These include views of Mt Everest, Makalu, and Cho Oyu as well as the Ngozumba Glacier. To make this hike we’ll be spending an extra day in Gokyo. Furthermore, you’ll also have the option to hike to Gokyo’s 5 th lake.

Cross the Cho La pass + visit Everest Base Camp.

Arguably one of the most strenuous parts of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek will be the crossing of the Cho La pass. The top of the pass measures 5,420m/17,782ft above sea level and allows for access back on the Everest Base Camp trail. To cross the Cho La Pass we trek from Gokyo to Thagnak and make the crossing the next day early in the morning. Incredible views of Mt Cholatse, Mt Ama Dablam, and the Chola Tsho Lake can be seen from atop the Cho La pass. Descending down now towards Dzongla and an elevation of 4,830m/15,847ft the first part of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek is over!

From Dzongla another day of trekking through rugged Himalayan trails leads us to Lobuche, where we officially rejoin the classical Everest Base Camp trekking trail. It takes just a few hours from Lobuche to reach Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) the last village before Everest Base Camp. We leave the heavy bags at the guesthouse in Gorakshep and prepare to hike up to Everest Base Camp along the longest glacier in Nepal, the Khumbu Glacier. This is it, one of the main highlights of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek! Feel the sense of accomplishment as you stand at Everest Base Camp! But that’s not all, Narba Treks has a special sunrise view over the Himalayas in store for you the next morning! The climb up to Kala Pattar takes place the next day in the early hours. We’ll be heading up to 5,550m/18,204ft, making this part the highest point of the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek!Enjoy the amazing sceneries from atop the hill as from here on we’ll be making our way back to Lukla with another 3 days of trekking.

Concluding the 17 days Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek, by flying back to Kathmandu Narba Treks does offer a shuttle service for your international departure. Book today this special combination of the two best treks in Everest, and see the incredible Himalayas up-close with the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek!

Short itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 02: Trip preparation + sightseeing

Day 03: Kathmandu fly to Lukla trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

Day 05: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day

Day 06:  Trek to Phorse village (3,810m/12,496ft)

Day 07:  Trek to Machhermo (4,470m/14,663ft)

Day 08:  Trek to Gokyo (4,800m/15,744ft)

Day 09:  Explore the Gokyo Valley + climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft)

Day 10: Trek to Thangnak (4,700m/15,420ft)

Day 11: Trek to Dzongla (4,830m/15,847ft) via the Cho La pass (5,420m/17,782ft)

Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4,928m/16,164ft)

Day 13: Trek to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) + visit Everest Base Camp (5,320m/17,450ft)

Day 14: Hike up to Kala Pattar (5,550m/18,204ft) + trek to Pheriche (4,358m/14,295ft)

Day 15: Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,283ft)

Day 16: Trek back to Lukla (2,652m/8,700ft)

Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

Detailed itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

• Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in the Kathmandu
• Our representative will pick-up you from the airport and transfer you to your hotel
• Hotel check-in and take a few minutes rest
• Stroll around the Thamel Bazaar
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

Day 02: Trip preparation + sightseeing

• Hotel breakfast
• Meet up with your trekking guide for your trip preparation
• Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu:
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • Swayambunath Monkey Temple
  • Boudhanath Buddhist Temple
  • Pashupatinath Hindu Temple
• Head back to your hotel
• Overnight stay at your hotel in Kathmandu

Day 03: Kathmandu fly to Lukla trek to Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Transfer to the domestic airport
• Scenic short flight to Lukla from Kathmandu
• Trek about ¾ hours to reach to Phakding
• Dinner and stay overnight in the guesthouse of Phakding

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Trek through Rhododendron and pine forests with views of the riverside
• Stop at Monjo for permits check
• Cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers
• Pass by Jorsalle village
• Head further on until Namche Bazaar
• Dinner and stay overnight at the guesthouse in Namche Bazaar

Day 05: Namche Bazaar acclimatization day

• Morning breakfast
• Explore the busy market place of Namche Bazaar
• Visit the Hillary Statue
• Hike towards Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel
• Enjoy your first views of the mighty Mt Everest
• Hike back to Namche Bazaar
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Namche Bazaar

Day 06: Trek to Phorse village (3,810m/12,496ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Ascend up into the Dudh Khosi Valley
• Incredible views of Mt Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and Everest during the ascend
• After descending down the forest take the left leading trail
• Continue on to Mong
• Descend to Phorse village
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Phorse

Day 07:  Trek to Machhermo (4,470m/14,663ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Follow the trail to Dole village
• Ascend the juniper forest hill
• A bit further uphill is Machhermo
• Amazing views of Mt Thamserku along the way
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Machhermo

Day 08:  Trek to Gokyo (4,800m/15,744ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Make your way to the ridge
• See some nice views of Mt Kangtega
• Continue through a narrow valley leading into a wide valley
• Head down to the Dudh Khosi River
• Climb up to the Ngozumpa Glacier
• Visit the 1 st Gokyo Lake
• Continue on the trail and visit the 2 nd Gokyo Lake
• The trail follows the 2 nd lake until reaching the 4 th and Gokyo
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Gokyo

Day 09:  Explore the Gokyo Valley + climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,570ft)

• Morning breakfast
• Morning hike up Gokyo Ri Hill
• Amazing views of Mt Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu and of the Ngozumba Glacier
• Afternoon hike up to the 5 th Lake (optional)
• Make your way back to Gokyo and enjoy the last views
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Gokyo

Day 10: Trek to Thangnak (4,700m/15,420ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Make your way crossing the Gajungkhang Glacier
• Continue on to the village of Thangnak
• See some of the last views of Gokyo
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Thangnak

Day 11: Trek to Dzongla (4,830m/15,847ft) via the Cho La pass (5,420m/17,782ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Ascend the Cho La Pass
• See incredible views of Mt Cholatse, Mt Ama Dablam, and the Chola Tsho Lake
• Descend carefully down narrow crevasses
• Make your way further down the trail passing giant boulders
• Arrive at Dzongla village
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Dzongla

Day 12: Trek to Lobuche (4,928m/16,164ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Cross the Chola Khola River and head to the Chola Tsho Lake
• Descend down passing the memorial site
• Continue on with incredible views of the Awi Peak
• A bit further downhill is Lobuche
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Dzongla

Day 13: Trek to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft) + visit Everest Base Camp (5,320m/17,450ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Follow the trail along the Khumbu Glacier
• A bit further is Gorakshep
• Guesthouse check-in
• Hike to Everest Base Camp
• Enjoy the views from Base Camp and the Khumbu Glacier
• Make your way back down to Gorakshep
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Gorakshep

Day 14: Hike up to Kala Pattar (5,550m/18,204ft) + trek to Pheriche (4,358m/14,295ft)

• Early wake-up call (3.30am)
• Take the trail during the dark hours up the Kala Pattar Hill
• Witness a stunning sunrise view over the Himalayas with the best views of Mt Everest
• Hike back to Gorakshep for breakfast + check out
• Retrace your steps back to Lobuche
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Lobuche

Day 15: Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,283ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Take the trail leading to Tengboche
• Visit the Tengboche Monastery
• Continue down back to Namche Bazaar
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Namche Bazaar

Day 16: Trek back to Lukla (2,652m/8,700ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Make your way back passed Jorsalle and Monjo
• Descend further back to Phakding
• Continue on back to Lukla ascending slowly
• Guesthouse check-in
• Optional celebration party with our Narba Treks team
• Dinner and overnight stay at the guesthouse in Lukla

Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

• Morning breakfast and departure
• Fly back to Kathmandu
• Transfer back to your booked hotel in Kathmandu
• Evening farewell dinner to celebrate your successful Gokyo Lake trek with Everest Base Camp
• Stay overnight in your hotel at Kathmandu
• End of the trip

Trip highlights:

• Guided sightseeing of 4 cultural landmarks in Kathmandu
• Enjoy a spectacular two-way flight from and to Kathmandu-Lukla
• Trek throughout the western Everest region
• Visit and stay overnight at traditional Sherpa villages, such as Namche Bazaar
• Visit the Holy Lakes of Gokyo
• See the mighty Ngozumpa & Khumbu Glaciers up-close
• Enjoy views of Mt Everest, Cho-Oyu, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lobuche, Makalu, etc.
• Hike up Gokyo Ri for a stunning 360 Himalayan view
• Visit Everest Base Camp
• See a stunning sunrise view from atop Kala Pattar

Package Inclusion

• Three times meal while trekking (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
• Guide and Porters salaries, their insurance, food, and accommodation.
• Basic share accommodation during the trek.
• Ground transport (pick up and drop airport).
• Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) Permit.
• Both-way flight ticket Kathmandu-Lukla- Kathmandu.

Package Exclusion

• International flight and Nepali visas charge.
• Food and hotel while in Kathmandu.
•  Personal insurance for members (you should do your insurance from your own country up to 5000m to cover heli recue).
• Personal sleeping bags and jackets.
• Rescue operation or emergency evacuation.
• Personal expenditure.
• Alcohol and soft drinks (coke, mineral water, boiled water, etc).
•  Tips to the trekking crew.

How difficult is the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek?

The Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek is one of the more moderate to harder treks in Nepal. While there are some steep ascends during the trek, the hardest will be the crossing of the Cho La Pass at an elevation of 5,420m/17,782ft. It is best to do some fitness or stamina training before undergoing the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek, to best enjoy it.

Is this the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek family friendly?

The Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek, has been done by many families. It is however up to you to descide if your family can handle the trek. In any case Narba Treks are experts in the field and will help you reach the end of the trek with the entire family!

Can I use Wi-Fi during the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek?

Yes during the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek you can use Wi-Fi in the guesthouses. Do note that connectivity might be limited and is not free. The cost depends on the elevation, the higher we go the more it will cost.

When is the best time for the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek?

As many other treks in Nepal, the best time for the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek is either during the spring (March to May) or the autumn/fall (end-September to start-November) seasons. While the spring season offers warmer nights and days, the autumn/fall season has those clear blue skies during the day. We do recommend to book any trip/trek in Nepal during these two seasons for the best experience!

Is the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek dangerous?

No the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek is not dangerous. Our guides are with you every step of the way and know the routes inside out. There is a chance to get acute mountain sickness but only if you do not follow the fixed itinerary for the Gokyo Lake with Everest Base Camp trek.