Gokyo Lake and Everest Base Camp

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Kathmandu

  

  Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our representative and then transferred to the hotel. Our representative will collect 2 passport-sized photos and a copy of your passport in order to arrange the trekking permit. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• day 2

  Kathmandu

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Morning: visit of Kathmandu and Swayambhunath. Visit of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, one of the oldest cities in the world, also known as Kantipur. You can discover temples with characteristic architecture, stone sculptures, ancient monasteries, and other historical monuments. You will visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who receives the devotion of believers from the balcony. The Kasthamandap temple, from which Kathmandu gets its name and said to be built from the wood of a single tree, as well as Durbar Square with its multitude of temples dominated by the Hanuman Dhoka palace, former residence of the Nepalese royalty. Swayambhunath: located 4 km from Kathmandu, this Buddhist stupa is said to be 2000 years old, one of the oldest and most prestigious Buddhist chaityas. The Chaitya (stupa) that makes up the main structure consists of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth, supporting a noble conical spire whose top is made of gilded copper. The all-seeing eyes of Buddha are painted on each side of the spire. It is located on a hill that is a true mosaic of small chaityas and pagodas. In the afternoon: meeting with the guide and preparation of equipment for the trek. Night at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• day 3

  Kathmandu to Manthali, to Lukla (by plane), then trek to Phakding (3 hours).

  

  Takeaway breakfast. Very early in the morning, at around 2 a.m., drive to Manthali (4-hour drive) to catch a flight to Lukla. The flight from Manthali to Lukla takes about 25 minutes. A spectacular arrival on a runway in the middle of the mountains brings us to the village of Lukla (2,900 meters). After meeting the team, the trek begins. You climb up the Dudh Kosi valley on a well-marked trail to reach Phakding (2,656 m). Overnight in a lodge in Phakding.

• day 4

  Trek to Namche (5 to 6 hours)

  

  We cross and recross rivers on suspension bridges to reach Namche. Behind Monjo is the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. The park was created to safeguard the fragile mountain environment. The climb to Namche is quite steep; along the way, you may get your first glimpse of Everest if the weather permits. Namche is the main trading village of the Khumbu and has a lively Sunday market, a meeting place for Hindu merchants from the plains and yak caravans from Tibet that have crossed the Nangpa La glacier. You then arrive at Namche Bazaar. Night in a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

• day 5

  Namche (acclimatization day)

  

  Breakfast at the lodge. Namche is nestled between two ridges, in the midst of the immense peaks of the Khumbu, and offers many lodges, tea stands, and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend the day and gently acclimatize to the altitude before continuing on to Tengboche. To help you acclimatize, you can visit the Khunde hospital, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary, or walk for an hour to reach the Everest View Hotel, above Namche, to admire the sunset over Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. The view is also impressive from the national park and the museum located just above the town. Overnight in a lodge in Namche.

• day 6

  Trek to Dole (5 to 6 hours of trekking)

  

  Breakfast in the lodge. The trek now leaves the main Everest route and heads northwest into the Dudh Kosi valley towards Dole (4200 m). As you cross one of the first ridges, you should be able to capture some magnificent photos of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Overnight in a lodge in Dole.

• day 7

  Trek to Machhermo (5 to 6 hours of trekking)

  

  Breakfast at the lodge. A fairly intense day of walking will have you gain 500 meters in altitude towards Machhermo. Keep your eyes open to spot yaks during the summer months. Once again, you will be dazzled by the most beautiful views of Cho Oyu and the surrounding peaks during your walk. Try to keep your head up to appreciate all the beauty of the place! Overnight at a lodge in Machhermo.

• day 8

  Trek to Gokyo (5 to 6 hours of trekking)

  

  After a good night's sleep, head towards the lakes: you won't be able to miss these lakes with their sublime turquoise waters, in stark contrast with the region's landscape. After the first lake, you will reach the village of Gokyo, where you will stop for the night. Night in a lodge in Gokyo.

• day 9

  Gokyo (acclimatization day)

  

  Your second day of acclimatization will take place in Machhermo. Take advantage of this time to enjoy the view of the Ngozumpa glacier, the largest glacier in the Himalayas. Night in a lodge in Gokyo.

• day 10

  Gokyo Ri and trek to Dragnag (5 to 6 hours of walking)

  

  An early start before dawn is necessary for the Gokyo Ri summit. Just below 5000 meters, the summit offers magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather! Descend later in the morning and cross the Ngozumpa glacier before heading to Dragnag (4700 m) for the night. Night in a lodge in Dragnag.

• day 11

  Cho La Pass - Dzongla (6 to 7 hours of trekking)

  

  Be prepared for a long day of walking through one of the "three passes": the Cho La. Take your time to tackle this rocky trail on the pass, reaching an altitude of 5,420 meters at its highest point. From there, you will cross the glacier to the other side of the Cho La and descend towards Dzongla (4,830 m). Night in a lodge in Dzongla.

• day 12

  Walk to Lobuche (classic route) (4 to 5 hours of trek)

  

  Return to the main route to Everest via Pheriche and Tengboche, where you will discover the largest monastery in the region. The trek from Pheriche to Lobuche passes by many monuments in honor of the sherpas and climbers who died attempting to climb Everest. Night in a lodge at Lobuche (4910 m).

• day 13

  Trek to Gorak Shep (3 to 4 hours)

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. To reach your next destination, Kala Pattar, you follow the Khumbu glacier. The trail offers a superb view of the surrounding mountains, especially at the point where the path is forced to cross a glacier. You stop for lunch at the base camp: Gora Shep (5184 m). Later in the afternoon, you will head towards the summit of one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar (5554 meters). As the day draws to a close, you return to the base camp at Gora Shep and go to bed early to be ready for your trek to Everest base camp the next day. Night in a lodge at Gorak Shep.

• day 14

  Trek to Everest Base Camp (6 hours)

  

  Breakfast in the lodge. A very early breakfast, then the start of the walk towards Everest Base Camp (5357 m). This takes several hours, as the trail zigzags among ice blocks and crevasses of the Khumbu glacier. On the way back, you can take a higher path for a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefalls and the route towards the South Col. You return to Gorak Shep or Lobuche. Overnight at the hotel in Lobuche.

• day 15

  Trek to Zongla (5 to 6 hours)

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. The day's hike is mainly downhill. You resume the path towards Dughla and descend towards Pheriche. You then arrive at the Himalayan Rescue Association, a rescue post for hikers that is worth a short visit. After lunch, you cross the Khumba Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche (3985 m). Overnight in a lodge in Pangboche.

• day 16

  Trek to Pangboche (5 to 6 hours)

  

  Breakfast at the hotel The day's hike is mainly downhill. You get back on the trail towards Dughla and descend to Pheriche. You then arrive at the Himalayan Rescue Association, a rescue post for hikers that is worth a short visit. After lunch, you cross the Khumba Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche (3985 m). Overnight in a lodge in Pangboche.

• day 17

  Trek to Namche (6 to 7 hours)

  

  Breakfast at the lodge. From Namche, you continue following the river and, after crossing it, you climb up through birch and rhododendron forests towards Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku are some of the Himalayan giants you will be able to admire. You then descend towards the bridge over the Dudh Kosi. At Phunki Tenga, you will have the opportunity to see the water-powered prayer wheels before continuing your journey to Namche (3450 m). Night in Namche.

• day 18

  Trek to Lukla (7 to 8 hours)

  

  Breakfast at the lodge. Our final day of trekking follows the Dudh Kosi valley to Lukla (2900 m). This last evening in the mountains is the perfect opportunity for a farewell party with the Sherpa guides and porters. You can taste chang (rice beer), try a few Sherpa dance steps, and thus end the trek on a joyful note. Overnight in a lodge in Lukla.

• day 19

  Lukla to Manthali (by plane) to Kathmandu (by road)

  

  Breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, walk to Lukla airport for the return flight to Manthali. Upon arrival in Manthali, drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• day 20

  Departure from Kathmandu

  

  Breakfast at the hotel and free time until departure time Then, transfer to the airport for your return flight.