Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake

Your day begins by hiking the route through pine forests till Benkar valley. Crossing and re-crossing quite a lot of suspension bridges including the famous Hillary suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, you will keep moving ahead passing the villages of Chumoa and Monjo. Rewarded with glistening glimpses of Mt. Thamserku and Nuptse, you will again cross another suspension bridge passing by Jorsale village. A steep ascent from here brings you to Namche Bazaar, a real paradise for mountaineers, the gateway to the Everest region of Khumbu, and the prime heartland of Sherpa village. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Staying active even during the rest day, also known as acclimatization is highly recommended this day. Walking, climbing and hiking throughout the day and sleeping low is the best way to get properly acclimatized. You may hike up to Syangboche airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest placed hotels in the world. You have other options to hike up to Khumjung, Thame or Khunde villages or explore Namche Bazaar itself. Here you may observe the traditional Sherpa life, visit the Khumjung Hillary School, visit the mountaineering museum and spend some time interacting with the fun-loving Sherpas or simply enjoy the flora and fauna of the neighborhood at an altitude as high as this. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

After a hefty breakfast, you will begin the day with an abrupt climb up to Khumjung where the trails levels and becomes quite flat and easy. Dropping down to Dudh Koshi River and walking the flat terrain for about an hour will get you to Sanasa. This is a place where solo travelers may get confused as the junction at Sanasa trifurcates, straight one towards Tengboche, the left trail leading to Khumjung, and the right path upwards towards Mong La and Gokyo. You will embark on the track leading to Mong La, which is indeed a steep climb for about 30 minutes. The views of Mt. Khumbila and Taboche from the chorten on the top of a ridge are magnificent. Walking across yak paddocks and descending gradually along rhododendron, juniper, and vast conifer forests, you will arrive one more time at Dudh Koshi River. Finally, you will arrive Phortse Thanga after crossing the river and passing a water-controlled grain mill beyond the Imja Khola. Overnight in Phortse Thanga.

The day’s hike is majorly an uphill climb today and you will be walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River throughout most segments of the trail. A steep climb after breakfast through a rhododendron forest for about an hour will bring you to Tongba village, which is enveloped by stunning valleys on all sides and the views are awe-inspiring. A short drop down to Dole village will get you stopping for your lunch. Hiking back up to the ridge passing through Lhabarma village with some excellent camping spots, you will pass a chorten ahead of Luza village before eventually reaching Machhermo. Machhermo has fantastic views of serene mountains and high valleys. Overnight in Machhermo.

You will begin this day with an abrupt climb to the crest above Machhermo where excellent views of Kantegga at the back and Cho Oyu in the front can be cherished with immense pleasure. The path becomes more gradual and the valley broadens as the trail passes through Pangkha; this path continues till Nilibuk. You will approach the Ngozumba Glacier, then cross the iron bridge over a small stream to finally reach the first glacial lake in Gokyo known as Longpongo. Proceeding towards the second lake Taboche Tsho, the path becomes flat but an increase in altitude is likely to slow your pace. This lake with its sparkling turquoise water shimmering in the sun is a spectacular sight to capture. Dudh Pokhari, the third lake is further ahead on the trail and it is here that the Gokyo village lies in tranquility. Overnight in Gokyo village.

Today is the day reserved for getting acclimatized to the higher elevations in the days ahead. You will, for this purpose, hike up to Gokyo Ri, a small peak above the village. Views of the entire Khumbu region at its magnificent best can be glimpsed from this peak. You will reach the fourth lake, Thonak Tsho after which you will retrace your footsteps back to the third lake. You can, however, opt to hike further ahead to the fifth lake, Ngozumba Tsho if you consider it worthwhile and your feet allows you. You will be rewarded with the most captivating views of the Ngozumba Glacier from this point. It is here that your heart will be overwhelmed as you are bound to be encompassed by panoramic mountains such as Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Taboche, Makalu, Changtse, Nuptse, Kantega, Cholatse, Pumori, Lhotse, and the mightiest of all, the Mt. Everest. Overnight in Gokyo village.

After yet another day of acclimatization in Gokyo village, you are now ready to face the challenge of newer heights sauntering on meandering trails through a portion of the Ngozumba Glacier to the mountain on the other side. You will encounter lots of cairns on the trek route across the glacier as you walk along. Today’s hike to Thagnak is short yet quite exciting as you will traverse along the edge of the mountain, climb off the glacier to approach a small settlement to spend the night. Overnight in Thagnak.

You will have an early breakfast and leave early to avoid the bad weather conditions during noon time. Depending on the snow conditions, it is uncertain as for how long it will take to reach the saddle of the Cho La Pass from Thagnak. One of the harshest days of the entire trip, you will embark on the steep glacial walk with the high elevations and the snow causing problems to cross the pass. It is equally challenging and one should take extra precaution while walking the vertical trails because the rocks glazed by the ice could make the path slippery and prone to accidental falls. Walking across a frozen lake, you will reach the top of the pass which looks beautified by the fluttering prayer flags. After savoring a moment of peace on the top, you will descend on the other side of the valley through some crevasses to reach Dzongla village. The village provides exceptional views of Ama Dablam, Lobuche, and Cholatse mountain peaks throughout the entire day. Overnight in Dzongla.

After breakfast in Dzongla, you will lace up for a very short hike today traversing high on flanks of the Awi Peak above Chola village across the Cholatse Lake. Dropping down from Dzongla through a grassy patch of trail, it is a brief ascend that awards you with spectacular views of Lobuche and the astounding Nuptse soaring above Khumbu Glacier. The track flattens out following the valley towards the western part of the Khumbu Glacier to arrive at the busy connecting trail from Tengboche to Lobuche. Overnight in Lobuche.

Today is the big rewarding day yet one of the most difficult days requiring extra attention due to the thin air at high altitudes. Following the rocky path along the barren Khumbu moraine, you will arrive at the last village of Gorak Shep, from where it is a straight walk across the Indian army mountaineers’ memorials passing through rocky dunes, moraines, and streams finally leading you to the Everest Base Camp. The view of the dreaded Khumbu Icefall, the most dangerous section of an Everest ascent, from the base camp is spectacular. You will return to Gorak Shep after spending some moments capturing photographs at the base camp. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Today is another challenging yet a rewarding day of the trek where you will make a pre-dawn departure amidst cold temperatures to savor the most beautiful sunrise views of the Himalayan chain from Kala Patthar, the black rock. Though the ascent is demanding, you will experience one of the best moments of your life with 360 degree up-close and tantalizing views of Mt. Everest. After spending some stunning moments at this historic locality, you will make a quick downhill descent to
Gorak Shep, where you will have a sumptuous breakfast. After breakfast, you will pave your way on an easy trail to Pheriche village. Overnight in Pheriche.

After breakfast today, you will begin the easy, downhill hike through the hills covered by rhododendron and juniper trees. Crossing the Dudh Koshi River, the downhill trail leads you to Deboche, Pangboche and Tengboche villages. A stretched decline from here leads back to Phunki Tenga before the climb to Sanasa from where views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Nuptse peaks are impressive. Passing through twisting trails through a forest and the walk along the broader path to Namche is considerably more relaxed. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Today is your last trekking day; the major portion of the trail is flat with few descends and brief ascends. Passing Phakding and Cheplung villages, the trail declines steeply until it cuts up to the airstrip in Chauri Kharka. Crossing the Dudh Koshi several times, it is a final ascent of about one hour from Cheplung to reach Lukla. The final evening in the mountains is a perfect opportunity to spend a few moments with your trekking mates. Have a few celebratory drinks and dance around tonight because the porters who accompanied you on the trek won’t travel to Kathmandu with you; they will stay behind. Overnight in Lukla.

Boarding on an early morning flight to Kathmandu, you will carry back nostalgic moments of the glimpses of the astounding snow-capped mountains and the wonderful memories of the Himalayan sojourn. On arrival at Kathmandu, you will be guided to your hotel room where you may relax for a few hours or simply freshen up and wander around Thamel for some souvenir shopping. Overnight in Kathmandu.