Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base camp via the awesome Cho-La Pass. One of the best treks in Nepal.

This trek combines the delightful Gokyo Lakes trek with the ever popular Everest Base Camp trek. A truly spectacular journey through the heart of the Sherpa homeland known as Khumbu.

The ultimate challenge is the trek across Cho La Pass (5,420m), which takes 18-21 days and covers both the Gokyo Lake area and  Everest Base Camp. There are some short and interesting "climbs" of Gokyo Ri, Chukkung Ri and Kalapatthar for the classic views of icefalls and glaciers of Mahalangur Himalayan range which comprises of five major 8000+ m. peaks - Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar and Makalu.

Gokyo & Kalapathar via Cho La pass itinerary, one of Nepal's most famous treks to the Khumbu Mountains & Sherpa country. After a magnificent mountain flight to Lukla we follow the Dudh Kosi valley to Namche Bazaar. The trail to Gokyo is a gradual ascent up the valley passing through patches of birch and rhododendron forest where the elusive musk deer can sometimes be seen. Through small yak-grazing settlements we reach the Gokyo lakes where we will climb Gokyo-Ri (5480m) and enjoy stunning summit views including Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo.

After the delights of the resort village of Gokyo, we cross the Ngozumpo Glacier through a maze of ever changing ice seracs and small glacial lakes making our way to Dragnag and the challenging crossing of the Cho-La pass. Once over the pass, we make our way carefully down the mountain to Dzongla. The views of Ama Dablam and Taweche are spectacular throughout this section of the trek and the magnificent face of Cholatse is awe inspiring from the pleasant valley.

After the Zhongla ascent, we continue towards Gorak Shep from where we will visit Everest Base Camp and make the ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m) from where we enjoy an impressive close-up views of Everest. From our view point here we are able to make out the various climbing routes that have been made to the summit.

Our return route takes us back down the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche where we will make the decision on which way we will trek to our next objective Chhukung-Ri (5,600m). We can take the easier route via Dhugla and Dingboche, or take the higher and even more spectacular route over the Kongma-La pass (5540m). The decision will be made by the trek leader based on group fitness.

From the village of Chhukung we will make our way down the glacial moraines to Dingboche and Pheriche to Tengboche, a magnificent location with a large and beautiful monastery. Here we will rest and savour the incredible scenery which includes magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam (6856m), Kantega (6809m), Kwangde (6194m), Nuptse (7879m), Lhotse (8511m) and many more...

Group members carry a daypack only and walk at their own pace. Walking hours will be about 5-7hr a day. This 17 day Everest trek has everything: the incredible mountain views from Chukung, Kala Pathar and Gokyo Ri. Popularly known as "The Ultimate Trek," it includes all that the Khumbu has to offer including the fascinating villages and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and the culture and hospitality of the Sherpa people who will surely win your hearts.

After starting with a flight to Lukla 2,805m.we trek up to Gokyo and then veer off the main trail to cross the Cho La pass 5,422m. to the Khumbu Glacier . To top off this unique trek we climb Gokyo Ri 5,488m for a panoramic view of the greatest mountain scenery in the world - including five 8000 m. giants and myriad other peaks of the Khumbu Himal.

Moderate to rigorous trekking from 2,805m. To 4,940m. With one (possibly two) pass crossing of 5,422m. And day hikes up to 5610m. Accommodation is in comfortable lodges run by Sherpa families. The trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu and includes all meals, the services of experienced and qualified  English speaking Sherpa guide and porters to carry luggage. Clients carry daypack only and walk at their own pace.

Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu.
Height: 1350m
Meet with our representative at the airport. Drive to hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu.
Half day sight seeing around Kathmandu. O/N hotel (B)

Day 03: Fly early morning Kathmandu–Lukla and trek to Phakdhing
Duration: 40 minute flight and around 4 hrs walking
Height: 2850m-2610m (B.L.D)

Days 04 Phakdhing - Namche Bazaar
Duration: 6hrs
Height: 3450m
Crossing several suspension bridges over the Dudkosi river, we walk via Jorsalle and climb steeply up to Namche Bazaar with the first views of Everest approx. half way along the climb. We walk up through pine forest and alpine scenery and arrive at the busy Sherpa "capital" of Namche bazaar. It has bakeries, email service, banks, money exchange, equipment shops, food shops, SPCC office and a Sherpa Culture Museum. (B.L.D)

Day 05: Namche Bazaar
Duration: All day
Height: 3450m
An acclimatization day. This day can used for resting or exploring the surrounding villages. We will visit Khunde and Khumjung, (the first Hillary school was built here) and we will have morning coffee at the Everest View Hotel situated on a ridge high above Namche Bazaar.

Namche over night. (B.L.D)

Day 06: Namche - Dole
Duration:5-7hrs
Height: 4040m
A steady ascent after Namche walking gradually along with great views of the high mountains. After Sanasa, climb to Mong La, 4010m followed by a downhill walk to Phortse Tenga. It is beautiful walk through the Pine and Birch trees where we may encounter Musk deer on the way up to Dole above tree line. (B.L.D)

Day 07: Dole - Machharmo
Duration: 4 hrs
Height: 4420m
Walking along the Alpine meadow with Yaks and alpine birds and flowers with Cho Oyu (8153m) views to the north. This is a short walk, but altitude wise it is necessary stop at Machharmo for further acclimatisation. (B.L.D)

Day 08: Machharmo - Gokyo
Duration: 4hrs
Height: 4790m
Walk north in to Dhudkosi valley via Fanga and after passing though striking country, we encounter the first lake, followed by the second and third lakes where we reach the resort of Gokyo where we will spend the next couple of days (B.L.D)

Day 09: Gokyo
Duration: all day
Height: 4790m
This is the day for exploring around the area. Wake up early morning to hike up to the3 summit of Gokyo-Ri (5483m) for 360 views including Everest, Cho-Oyu and Makalu. Late morning back to Gokyo and explore for fifth lake and Nagjumba Glacier than back to Gokyo over night. (B.L.D)

Day 10: Gokyo - Dragnag
Duration: 4 hrs
Height: 4700m
Leaving Gokyo following the same path down to the first lake where we turn east over the Ngozumpo Glacier and short walk to Dragnag where we over night. (B.L.D)

Day 11: Dragnag- Cho La - Dzongla
Duration: 9hrs
Height: 4830m
This is one of the hardest days of the  trek. After an early start we take a packed lunch and along and climb steeply upwards to the pass. The Cho-La pass always has ice and sometimes deep snow, so we need to tread carefully here as this is a serious mountaineering endeavor. Once across the pass, we climb steeply down to the valley floor for some easy walking between magnificent mountain scenery. At the end of the valley, we climb briefly up to Dzonglha where we will spend the night. (B.L.D)

Day 12: Dzongla – Lobuche
Duration: 5 hrs
Height: 4910m 
From Dzongla we trek downwards towards Lobuche we will get one of the best views of Nuptse and the terrifying upper reaches of Lhotse. Pheriche and Dhugla are visible to the south with good views of the surrounding mountains. Now we walk along the Khumbu valley to Lobuche. (B.L.D)

Day 13: Lobuche – EBC- Ghorakshep
Duration: 9hrs
Height: 5190m
Walking in the Khumbu valley alongside of Khumbu Glacier and after Ghorakshep walking along the glacier itself, we make our way slowly to Everest Base Camp where we will spend a little time taking in just where we are before returning to Gorak Shep. (B.L.D)

Day 14: Gharak Shep– Kalapathar (5550) - Dingboche
Duration: 7hrs
Height: 4410m
Wake up early morning and walk up to Kalapatter for Sun rise Views of Everest, Nupse, Lohtse, Pumori just above and Khumbutse and beautiful views of Khumbu Glaciar and back down to Lodge and walk down to Dingboche via Lobuche and Dhugla. Alternatively, we will cut across the mountains from Lobuche via the Kongma-La (5540m) depending upon group fitness.  (B.L.D)

Day 15: Dingboche or Chhukung  to Chhukung-Ri (5600m) - Dingboche
Duration: All day
Height: 4410m
After breakfast start trek with just daypack gradually up hill to Chhukung (4700m) and steep climb up to Chhukung-Ri for 360 views of Himalayas, then walk down to Dhingboche for over night. From Chhukung it is also possible to walk up the glacier to Imja-Tse (Island Peak) basecamp which makes a good side trip time permitting. (B.L.D)

Day 16: Dingboche -Tengboche
Duration: 6hrs
Height: 3860m
Leaving behind 360 views of high Himalayan ranges, we head slowly down to Debuche via Pangboche and climb gently up to Tengboche monastery. This World Heritage site can be visited for self-purification. The original Gompa was built in 1916 but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934. Disaster struck again as the replacement building was burnt to the ground in 1989. The new monastery was finished in 1994 and has a library and cultural center plus a school, which educates about 30 young monks. This Gompa in part of Nyingmapa or Red Hat sect. (B.L.D)

Day 17: Tengboche – Namche Bazar
Duration: 6hrs
Height: Early morning good view of Mt Everest from just above the lodge and down hill trek goes to Phunki Tenga from where we climb back Namche via Khumjung and Sansa and then down to Namche Bazar for the good lodges and overnight stop. (B.L.D)

Day 18: Namche Bazar – Phakdhing
Duration: 6hrs
Height: 2610m.  Down hill through the Pine forest leaving behind Everest and crossing several bridges over the Dudkosi river to greener vegetation and cultivation through the Sherpa villages. (B.L.D)

Day 19: Phakdhing - Lukla
Duration: 4hrs
Height: 2850m
Walking along the Dudkosi river and staying high, passing through a couple of villages, we arrive back at Lukla. (B.L.D)

Day 20: Lukla - Kathmandu
Duration: 40 minute
Height: 1350m
Early morning flight to Kathmandu and drive to Hotel. (If we are lucky enough to get one of the first flights out, we will enjoy breakfast back in our Kathmandu hotel). (B)

Day 21: Free day in Kathmandu for shopping etc. (B)

Day 22: Final departure to your homecountry. (B)

Full Service Cost Includes:

• International/Domestic Airport Pick up and drop off by our private vehicle
• Kathmandu hotel room on Bed and Breakfast (B) basis
• All land transfer as per above itinerary
• Sagarmatha National Park entry permits fees
• Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit fees.
• Accommodation and 3 meals a day while on the trek
• Fully escorted trek with English speaking license holder local Sherpa trekking Guide & porovided each 2 persons 1 Porter
• Domestic air fare from Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu
• All program according to itineraries on full board.
• Wages, equipment, insurance and other facilities to staffs

Full Service Cost excludes:

• Nepal entry visa fee per person US$ 40 only.
• Kathmandu Hotel Lunch and Dinner (L, D)
• Travel Insurance (this is a mandatory condition of booking)
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• Medical evacuation in case of emergency
• Personal spending money and All bar bills,
• Items of personal nature i.e. Soft/hard drinks, tips etc.