About the Trip
‘enjoy an adventure on both scenic sides of high Khumbu valley within Everest’
Highlights:
- “Enjoy super panorama of high Himalayan mountain range at close distance
- Grand views of world four highest peaks, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyu
- Breathtaking scenery from the highest point of the trek at scenic Gokyo-Ri hilltop
- Beautiful Khumbu villages adorned with age-old Buddhism culture and heritage
- From green alpine woods to arid, barren mountainous terrain at Gokyo valley”
Trek Previews:
Accommodation Mode: Hotels in Kathmandu / with local lodge on treks
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous walks.
Area of Trekking: Nepal Mid-East Himalaya around the Khumbu region.
Highest altitude: At Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m and Kalapathar 5,643 m, Everest
Base Camp 5,365 m and Cho-la Pass at 5, 367 m high.
Trek duration: 13 nights and 14 days (With flights both ways)
Total Trip: 17 nights and 18 days (Main arrival to final departures)
Best Seasons for Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Lake via Cho-La Pass Trekking.
- Nearly all months of the year, but the best time spring season from March to May months and autumn to pre-winter, September to early December months.
- During springtime when wildflowers are in full blooming season with various species rhododendron from tall trees to bushes, makes the green hills alive with spectacular wild-flower.
- Trek will be more enjoyable in spring with longer sunlight hours to enjoy the walks and views of the high mountain range, chances of snowfall on higher areas sometimes.
- Next good time in autumn/fall to pre-winter months from September to November and early December, although much cold but days are bright and clear for views and pleasant walks. Days are fine but short sunlight hours can expect snow on route trek sometimes, especially while crossing over Cho-La Pass.
Introduction:
Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Lake via Cho-La Pass Trekking. A combination that blends with both the most beautiful places of high Khumbu Valley with Gokyo Lake and Everest base camp area.
The two great regions of Everest separated by high Cho-La Pass, also spelled Tsho which means a lake or a pond located close to Tshola or Chola peaks, a great opportunity for trekkers to enjoy and experience high altitude adventure.
Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Lake via Cho-La Pass Trekking, where few groups of adventurers and trekkers often dares to traverse from one beautiful region to other scenic areas.
The first part of the journey leads to the magnificent Gokyo valley and its turquoise-colored lakes, an adventure in the close shadow of the world highest towering peaks Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Cho-Oyu.
Adventure that separates you from the main route of Namche Bazaar to Everest base camp for some days, as the trail diverts towards high Gokyo valley to enter Dudh Kosi River gorge around Phortse Tenga and Dole a small settlement with few nice lodges for travelers.
An exciting walk following the Dudh Kosi River upstream right up to its glacial source of Ngozumpa glacier, located within scenic Gokyo valley. As our adventure enters into a wide-open valley from Dole onward to reach at Gokyo and its beautiful emerald-colored lakes.
At Gokyo enjoy marvelous moments with acclimatizing hike to Gokyo-Ri hilltop for an incredible panorama of the world’s four highest mountain range with Mt. Everest, 4th high Lhotse, 5th highest Makalu, and the 6th high Mt. Cho-Oyu.
Enjoying spectacular time around scenic Gokyo valley and its glacial lakes, next adventure takes you to cross over a high Cho-La pass, a steep climb to reach on top Cho-la pass marked with stone cairn and Buddhist prayer flags.
Marvel beautiful scenery of high snow mountains that surrounds the pass with Nirekha, Lobuche, and Cholatse peaks, from the pass a long descend takes you at the bottom of Cho-La on route to Everest base camp.
From here onward within the northeastern side of high Khumbu valley with small temporary settlements of Lobuche and Gorakshep that provides lodge and food facilities for trekkers on route to Everest base camp and Kalapathar Hill.
Adventure heads towards our last final highlights at Everest base camp right beneath world number one Mt. Everest and close to the massive Khumbu Ice Fall and glaciers.
During high peak times in spring season this place is flooded with many mountaineering expeditions tented camps, enjoy a great wonderful experience at Everest base camp, and then our next journey takes you on top Kalapathar a rocky hill as well the highest point of the adventure.
Kalapathar at 5,643 meters high, located just above from the lodge at Gorakshep and in front of Mt. Pumori with closest views of Mt. Everest at mere distance, the mountain scenery from the top of Kalapathar is breathtaking.
On completing all our major highlights and then on downhill on the main trails to Lukla for last overnight stop around high Khumbu and Everest region, where next early morning scenic short flight reaches you at Kathmandu, after a most wonderful adventure and experience on Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Lake via Cho-La Pass Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,820 m walk to Phakding village 2,645 m- 04 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m- 06 hrs.
Day 05: At Namche for acclimatization and short scenic hike to the viewpoint.
Day 06: Trek to Dole 4,100 m - 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Machhermo 4,450 m - 04 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Gokyo Lake 4, 800 m - 04 hrs.
Day 09: Hike to Gokyo-Ri afternoon walk to Thagnak 4, 830 m - 04 hrs.
Day 10: Cross Cho-la Pass 5, 367 m to Dzongla 4,830 m - 08 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Lobuche 4,960 m - 05 hrs.
Day 12: To Mt. Everest Base Camp 5,365 m via Gorakshep 5,180 m-06 hrs.
Day 13: Climb Kalapathar 5, 643 trek to Pangboche 3,900 m - 6 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Namche Bazaar via Tengboche - 06 hrs.
Day 15: Last day walk to Lukla - 06 hrs.
Day 16: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 17: In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
Day 18: Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Day to Day Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
On arrival at Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, received by our staff for a short transfer to your hotels.
Where hotels are located within the hub of Kathmandu around the Thamel area, an exciting and interesting location, on reaching your respective hotel check into your rooms and get refreshed.
Meet a hotel lobby where our guide/leader will brief you with full information on the treks, local cultures, and other necessary details to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable.
The evening group dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant along with local folk programs to entertainment you while enjoying delicious meals.
Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
In Kathmandu for a guided full-day sightseeing tour around interesting old monuments world heritage sites.
Where tour takes you to visit old Durbar Square (palace courtyard), ancient Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath, and the world largest dome/stupa of Bouddhanath with the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.
After an enjoyable and fascinating tour back to the hotel with time for trek preparation for next morning departure to Lukla.
Fly to Lukla 2,820 m walk to Phakding village 2,645 m - 04 hrs.
Start early after breakfast departure for Lukla, drive to Kathmandu domestic airport, short scenic flight in a small aircraft (Dornier / Twin Otter or similar airplane), as the plane lifts off higher enjoy fantastic views of the Himalayan range of peaks with Everest, Lhotse as plane lands at a small airstrip in Lukla.
Lukla a busy town and gateway to Everest base camp and other various destinations within the high Khumbu area, in Lukla with time to get organized checking your baggage and then leaving the bigger bags for porters or pack animals to carry.
From Lukla a short walk of few hours following a pleasant path through nice lovely Sherpa villages along the bank of Dudh Kosi River to reach the first overnight stop of the trek at Phakding village after an enjoyable walk.
Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.
After first overnight in Phakding village continues to walk on a nice trail with a short up and down crossing bridge to reach Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, a lovely village facing Tharmasarku peaks.
From Monjo and past Sagarmatha National Park (listed in world heritage site) follow Dudh Kosi River within a cool forest of tall pine and rhododendron trees and then climb on winding uphill to Namche Bazaar for an overnight stop.
At Namche for acclimatization and short scenic hike to the viewpoint.
At Namche for another extra day for leisure hike and acclimatization before heading much higher altitude.
Morning hike to view-point hill for beautiful scenery offer views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Amadablam includes an array of peaks, at Namche visit the museum and optional hike with the climb to Everest View Hotel (the first luxury hotel within the Khumbu area). Namche is also famous for its colorful market held once a week on Saturday.
Trek to Dole 4,100 m - 06 hrs.
From Namche on a winding scenic trail with views of Everest and a range of peaks then our walk diverts on leaving the main trail of Everest Base Camp. As our route leads to a steep climb to reach a scenic hilltop at Mong, facing super views of snow-clad peaks.
After enjoying beautiful scenery descend to Phortse-Tenga, a popular small place for a lunch stop and other refreshments, located by the Dudh Kosi River, afternoon on gradual up within the cool shade of a forest to reach at Dole for an overnight stop in one of its nice cozy lodge.
Trek to Machhermo 4,450 m - 04 hrs.
Morning a short climb to a high ridge top on leaving the deep gorge of Dudh Kosi and Dole small settlement, as the walk enters an exposed wide valley to reach a nice small settlement at Luza, after a refreshing break walk of few hours to reach at Machhermo for lunch and overnight stop, with afternoon free for short leisure hike for excellent views of Mt. Cho-Oyu and other towering peaks.
Trek to Gokyo Lake 4, 800 m - 04 hrs.
Today another short day to reach the main highlight of the adventure at Gokyo Lake and its scenic hidden valley, morning walk with short steep up and then on a nice pleasant path, where tree lines fade for short juniper and rhododendron bush to reach a small place at Pangka.
From here short climb on a rocky area within the ablation of glacial valley to reach at Gokyo first lake, and then second and finally reaching at third main lakes where all nice lodge and guest-house located.
Afternoon enjoy lunch with surroundings scenery of high towering Mt. Cho-Oyu and Gyachung Khan with many other high peaks.
Hike to Gokyo-Ri afternoon walk to Thagnak 4, 830 m - 04 hrs.
Early morning few hour hike with a steep climb to reach on top Gokyo-Ri, one of the highest point of the adventure at 5, 357 m high. Where you can catch striking sunrise views over the world highest mountains with Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyo with a series of smaller peaks.
Enjoy a glorious panorama of Gokyo valley and the lakes with Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier within Nepal, and reputed to be the largest in the whole Himalayas as well the main source of Dudh Kosi River.
From the top descend back to your lodge for late breakfast and lunch, with a short walk to reach at Thagnak for overnight stop, located on the foot of Cho-La Pass.
Cross Cho-la Pass 5, 367 m to Dzongla 4,830 m - 08 hrs.
Early morning start from Thagnak a small settlement with few simple lodge, where walk takes you to steep climb over rocky path facing grand views of beautiful landscapes with close views Ngozumpa glacier down below.
Finally, reach on top Cho-La Pass, exact it spells as Tsho, which means a pond or a lake, formed from the glaciers of nearby towering Cholatse peaks, the pass marked with rocks and Buddhist prayer flags.
Enjoy a refreshing stop overlooking grand views of surrounding high peaks and then head downhill to reach on the base of Cho-la Pass at a small valley of Dzongla, a place with few simple lodge for overnight stop.
Cross Cho-la Pass 5, 367 m to Dzongla 4,830 m - 08 hrs.
Early morning start from Thagnak a small settlement with few simple lodge, where walk takes you to steep climb over rocky path facing grand views of beautiful landscapes with close views Ngozumpa glacier down below.
Finally, reac
on top Cho-La Pass, exact it spells as Tsho, which means a pond or a lake, formed from the glaciers of nearby towering Cholatse peaks, the pass marked with rocks and Buddhist prayer flags.
Enjoy a refreshing stop overlooking grand views of surrounding high peaks and then head downhill to reach on the base of Cho-la Pass at a small valley of Dzongla, a place with few simple lodge for overnight stop.
Trek to Lobuche 4,960 m - 05 hrs.
After a tough climb and descend from Cho-La Pass that separates the Gokyo valley and Everest base camp area, with overnight at Dzongla, today an easy walk to Lobuche.
Morning short climb to a ridge near Thugla pass, where the main route of Dingboche and Pheriche trail joins, from here on an easy walk to reach Lobuche for an overnight stop with close views of Nuptse peak, Lobuche with several good lodges.
To Mt. Everest Base Camp 5,380 m via Gorakshep 5,180 m- 06 hrs.
Today walk leads to our main major highlight of the adventure, the morning starts on a nice gradual path towards a wide valley with a short climb to reach a wide-open field at Gorakshep, a place with few lodges. Gorakshep was an original Everest base camp earlier till the mid-1970.
After a short rest walk continues over moraine and rocks to reach Everest base camp, where you will be close to massive Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers.
Enjoy the exciting moments at Everest Base camp beneath Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest, surrounded by a series of giant peaks. On high season base camp is crowded with Everest expedition tented camps.
After a marvelous time at Everest base camp, return to Gorakshep for overnight in one of its nice lodge.
Climb Kalapathar 5,643 m trek to Pangboche 3,900 m - 06 hrs.
Morning as early head for Kalapathar Hilltop with a steep climb close to the lofty peak of Pumori, the highest spot of the adventure at 5,643 m offers a panorama of high Mountain range with close views of Mt. Everest.
After a marvelous moment descend to Gorakshep and continue to walk to Lobuche and then at Thugla, with downhill to flat windy valley of Pheriche.
Walking for an hour on the scenic valley to reach Pheriche with many good lodges after the possible lunch stop, walk to the end of a valley then descend to a river with a climb to a high ridge, and then downhill to reach at Pangboche village for an overnight stop.
Trek to Namche Bazaar via Tengboche - 06 hrs.
From Pangboche back on the trail with an hour climb to Tengboche and enjoy the last panorama of the wide snow mountain range, a beautiful place Tengboche with an impressive monastery surrounds within green alpine forest in the backdrop of high snow-capped peaks.
With time here for a tour of the monastery, after an interesting time at Tengboche downhill to Imjatse River, and then a short steep climb to Shanasa villages, from here on a nice pleasant path to Namche Bazaar for overnight.
Last day walk to Lukla - 06 hrs.
The last day's walk of the adventure starts the morning on the long downhill to a river to reach the exit gate of Sagarmatha National Park and then follow Dudh Kosi River to Phakding village.
After Ghat and Tade-Kosi last climb for an hour to Lukla for the last overnight stop around Everest and Khumbu.
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Early morning short walk to Lukla airport named after late Tenzing and Hillary the first summiteers of Mt. Everest, and then board in a small aircraft for a short scenic flight to Kathmandu, during air enjoy a panorama of the Himalayan peaks with Everest.
On reaching at Kathmandu airport, transfer back to your hotel, with time in the afternoon for individual activities and shopping.
In Kathmandu spare and reserve as a contingency day.
A spare and contingency day in Kathmandu in case of flight delay at Lukla or in the beginning from Kathmandu to reach Lukla, where weather can be unfavorable sometimes even in the best time of the year.
If all goes well as our standard itinerary, enjoy this free day or joining in for another exciting tour around Kathmandu at places of great interest.
Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Last and final day in Nepal in the country of amazing Himalaya blended with colorful culture, as per your time for international flight our staff, guide transfer you to the airport for final departures home-ward after a memorable experience and adventure on Everest Base Camp - Gokyo Lake via Cho-La Pass Trekking.
