Mt. Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek Wellness Tour

Arrive in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Our representative will meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel. You will be briefed on the trek by your trek leader.

In the morning, we have a walking tour of Ason (an old spice market) and walk through the busy streets of Kathmandu or Drive To Manthali in the afternoon, to catch the flight to Lukla the following day.

Note: You can pay an extra $450 for a seat on a direct helicopter flight from Kathmandu.

We fly to Lukla, 2,800m and start our trek. We aim to trek towards Monjo – for 5 hours if our flight lands in the morning; otherwise, we stay at the village of Phakding. 3 hours of trek.

We follow the Dudh Koshi River, crossing a suspension bridge on the Kyashar Khola, and pass through Jorsalle, the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We have about one hour of trekking in a combination of flat, some short steep ascents, and descends to a high suspension bridge. There is a steep ascent of 2 hours after the bridge to Namche Bazaar. We stay in a lodge at the top of Namche Bazaar, 3441 meters. 3-4 hours hike.

We rise early and climb for views of Mt. Everest and other peaks, with time to look through the Sherpa museum and cultural centre. The private museum and cultural centre are within the compound where we stay. This lodge owner is a conservationist and a photographer. You can buy scenic posters and postcards made by him.

We trek to the village of Thame. You will encounter very few trekkers on the trail as this is away from the main route to Everest base camp (EBC). Instead, the course takes you through some small villages, and forested areas, with Mount Kongde towering on the opposite side of the valley. We will stay in a lodge owned by Apa Sherpa, who holds the world record of 22 successful Everest. 5 hours of trek.

We retrace our steps to the ‘fork’ on the trail and begin climbing towards the Shyangboche airstrip, where we stop for lunch. Then, we trek to the village of Khumjung (3,790m) via Khunde village. We will visit the hospital in Khunde village and the school at Khumjung, built by Sir Edmund Hillary. The villages of Khunde and Khumjung lie below the protector deity mountain Khumbila. Khumjung 3790 meters. 5 hours of trek.

We will begin our day by enjoying outstanding views of Thamserku, Kantenga, and Ama Dablam at Khumjung. Then, we have a reasonably strenuous ascent to the Mong La pass. It is an enchanting place on the spur of Mt. Khumbila, the protector deity. An ancient Chorten stands at the centre of the settlement at Mong La. We stop at the top to admire the grandest views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys.

We make our way down to Phortse Tenga for lunch. We have a steep ascend before the trail contours high above the valley, enjoying excellent views of Kantega, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam (6856m). About an hour’s walk from Phortse Bridge, you’ll get your first views of Mount Cho Oyo (8153m) at the head of the valley. Next, we will be trekking beyond the tree line and pass some impressive waterfalls on the way to the yak herding settlements of Tongba (4015m) and Gyele (4050m). It is a short distance to Dole from here.

It is not unusual to spot Danfe Monal (Impeyan pheasants – our national bird), Himalayan Tahr (mountain goats), and the shy musk deer on the trail. Dole 4,000 meters. 6 hours trek.

Trek to Machermo 4410 meters. You will appreciate the term ‘short walking day.’ We begin today with a climb out of the small Dole Valley before ascending gradually up the Dudh Koshi Valley, high above the raging river. Though the walk is relatively easy, you’ll start to feel the effects of altitude on even the slightest hill.

The barren alpine scenery contrasts with the snowy white peaks and the deep blue skies with only small scrub juniper clusters. You will arrive at Luza after a couple of hours. You will reach the lodge at Machhermo soon enough. We have an option of taking an excursion across the rocky rubble at the base of Kyajo Ri, 6168 meters, and Machermo Peak, 6073 meters.

Locals say that this is where the Yeti was spotted last in 1974 when it killed three yaks and injured a Sherpa girl when she tried to fight it off.

Gokyo (4,794 meters). We will see fabulous views of Mount Kangtega, Thamserku, down the valley, and Cho Oyu on the northern part early on today’s trail. The valley becomes more expansive as the track reaches Phangna 4480 meters After a gentle walk. Phangna is where an avalanche killed 40 people after incessant and unseasonal snowfall in 1995. We descend to the river bank before climbing up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumba Glacier. It is a steep climb on the moraine. The trail levels out after crossing an iron bridge as it follows the valley past the first lake, Longpongo, at 4,690m. You might get enchanted by the sparkling water of Taboche Tsho – the second lake. The third lake is a little further away, and surging steam links these two lakes. The settlement of Gokyo is by the third lake. Mount Cho-Oyu is in the backdrop, setting an amazing spectacular sight at this junction. 4-5 hour hike.

Climb Gokyo Ri 5,364 and descend to Na 4,390 meters. We get up early for a couple of hours, climbing up to Gokyo Peak. It has one of the best panoramas in the Khumbu region. It is a straightforward but steep ascend, which can be taxing because of the altitude. We will get views of fours peaks above 8,000 meters in length – Everest (8848m), Cho-Oyo (8153m), Lhotse (8511m), and Makalu (8481m) – and numerous other towering peaks, including Gyachung Kang 7922 meter is to the east of Mount Cho-Oyo, Cholatse 6440 meter, Taboche 6542 meter, and Kangchung 6103 meter. You will also get a bird’s eye view of the Gokyo Lakes. You can see the substantial Ngozumpa Glacier site snaking its way down the valley far beneath the viewpoint. We will return to Gokyo for a late breakfast and retrace our steps back to the mouth of the glacier. We continue down the valley back to Machhermo and slightly further on to Na. You will be surprised at how easily and quickly the return journey is—a total trekking time of approximately 4 hours.

Phortse (3,542 meters). Today we go to Phortse, and not many trekkers stop or trek via this village. Instead, we retrace our steps to Phortse Tenka, followed by a 45-minute climb to reach the village of Phortse. It is where winter ice climbing courses take place at the Khumbu climbing school. There is an indoor climbing centre in Phortse that was inaugurated in 2019.

In the afternoon, we can walk around Phortse’s outskirts to spot musk deers and the Impeyan Pheasants. But, of course, the dramatic mountain views need not be mentioned.

We will be walking on an exposed ridge before descending to Imja Khola on an exposed path. You might spot a Himalayan Tahr perched precariously on the rocks above the trail. Next, we will trek to the main trail and gradually climb to the village of Pangboche. We stop here for lunch or proceed on to Shomare if we arrive a bit too early.
We continue on the trail above the Imja river before descending to cross it and climb up old glacial moraines to Dingboche’s settlement.

The peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, Amadablam, and other towering peaks dominate the skyline at Dingboche.

Lobuche (4,939 meters) We have a short 20-minute uphill walk to a Stupa with stunning 360-degree views of Mount Makalu 8481 meters, Lhotse 8501, and other ‘smaller mountains (in the Himalayan context). We have an undulating hike for two to two and a half hours with Mount Taboche 6542 meters and Cholatse 6440 meters on our left before crossing the Khumbu river to stop for lunch at Thuglha 4620 meters.

We have a steep climb of 45 minutes to the top of Thuglha, where there are numerous memorial “Chortens” in honour of those who perished on Mount Everest. The final stretch of a gentle uphill trek to Lobuche 4900 meters takes about 90 minutes. Overnight lodge (5-6 hours walking).

Today is the day for most people to achieve this bucket list wish of being at Everest base camp. We start by hiking on undulating terrain for about 45 minutes before ascending to Gorakshep-La pass. Then, we spend the next two and a half hours walking next to a lateral moraine in a series of ups and downs. Don’t forget to stop and look up at the awe-inspiring vista of Himalayan Peaks around you while sipping your water – rehydration is essential at all times.

We arrive at Gorakshep 5180 meters about three and a half hours after leaving Lobuche. Some trekkers have a fast and early lunch to continue to EBC. Our staff will bring packed lunch for you to eat at EBC or whenever you feel hungry. It would help if you were attentive as the trail is narrow and slippery in some places. Stand on the ‘safer’ side of the path when allowing other trekkers to pass through. It takes about two hours to reach EBC. We will stop to observe, absorb, contemplate, and of course, take lots of photos for remembrance at EBC. and overnight lodge at Gorakshep (5,120m)

The return journey back to Gorakshep should take about 90 minutes. Most of us will be very tired after this long day of hiking, an adrenaline-filled day of adventure. You will probably have dinner early and go to bed soon after.

Kalapathar means Black Rock is a viewpoint 200-meters higher than EBC with a terrific 360-degree view of Everest, Nuptse, Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori, to name a few mountains. It takes a slow but steady uphill climb of 2 hours to reach the top. Then, it takes about 60-75 minutes to return to Gorakshep. For some trekkers, Everest base camp is the ultimate goal, giving Kalapathar a miss.

We head on the same trail to Thuglha. If you have climbed Kalapathar, we stop for lunch at Lobuche. If you have decided to give Kalapathar a miss, then you hike to Thugla for lunch (we had lunch here two days ago on the way up). We take the right path at the fork just past Thuglha. It is mostly downhill to Pheriche, a windswept valley. You will be amazed at how much ground you can cover on the way down with noticeably more oxygen in the atmosphere. The hike from Thuglha takes about two hours to reach Pheriche, 4250 meters. The trek for today can vary between 7-10 hours.

Tall Himalayan Peaks still surround us despite being on the way down. You will discover that it is much easier to appreciate them on the way down while covering more ground. However, do stop for photos and drink plenty of fluid.

We will be trekking on the main trail to and from EBC from Pangboche, which we had avoided by coming through Khumjung and Phortse. We will stop at Thyangboche to see the Monastery and have lunch there.

We have a steep descent of 650 meters to Phunki Tenga, where The Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola meet. Then, we have a steep climb of 90 minutes to Kyangjuma for the day’s final leg.

We can enjoy the after with a hot beverage and delicious confectioneries from their bakery. The owners are cheerful and amiable. 3650 meters. 6 hours trek.

We have a flattish start to the day for 90 minutes to Namche Bazaar. Then, we trek past Namche on a steep downhill to the high suspension bridge. We leave the Sagarmatha National park this morning and have lunch at Monjo. We walk for two more hours after lunch to Phakding, where we stop for the night. Overnight Lodge.

We have a three-hour trek to Lukla. Try remembering your thoughts at the beginning (if you can remember these parts) and now at the end and compare. We will celebrate last night’s party with our support crew! Overnight Lodging.

Fly to Manthali and drive back to Kathmandu for 4 hours. Your afternoon will be free to relax or buy gifts for your family and friends.

Note: You can pay an extra $450 for a seat on a direct helicopter flight to Kathmandu.

Free day in case of bad weather affects either the beginning or the trek’s end.

International departure. You will leave for the airport three hours before your flight time.

A Responsible promise

Despite the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves at the moment, we don’t want you to give up your holiday – and we want you to be able to book your trip without any worries.

To provide additional security for your booking, we have introduced a new rebooking and cancellation policy so that you can easily rebook or cancel your trip free of charge if the worst comes to the worst.

Free Cancellation With the Responsible Promise 100% Money-Back Guarantee

For new bookings made between May 10th 2021, and December 31st 2022, you may cancel your complete package (activities, hotels, tours, excl. flight) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure and get 100% of your money back. However, to stay flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.

Full flexibility on your booking

Stay flexible with our new rebooking service until shortly before your departure. For new bookings made between my 10thh and December 31stt, 2021, you may rebook your package (activities, hotels, tours) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure (subject to availability). Rebooking is only allowed once, and you must inform us 30 days before your planned departure. Any additional costs incurred due to changes in your schedule or upgrades, such as additional fees in high season or upgrades to your accommodation, will still apply. To remain flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.

Trek FAQ

Am I too young or old?

Most of our clients have completed their treks from 3 years old to some in their 70s with almost no exercise or training.

Do you offer hotel/airport pick-up?

We offer hotel and airport pick-up. As you continue with your booking, there will be an option to input flight details or hotel names.

Do I need a Visa?

A visa for Nepal can be acquired on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border, and Kerung on the Nepal-China border.

A visa can also be obtained outside of Nepal at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.

For more information, go to the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.

What should I bring on a Trek?

Being adequately equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip, please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.

Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.

If you have more questions, please check this article to reference equipment to pack or contact us.

Is this trip safe for solo/female/LGBT+/minority/POC travelers?
You are safe as long as you are respectful of the culture, do not show affection in public, and dress decently (this won’t pose too much problem as you will be covered up in layers to stay warm).

Here are some helpful articles:
Am I too old to go trekking?
Arriving at Kathmandu airport.
Should I bring cash or ATM cards?
What to pack for a trek?
Do I need to train for a trek?
What is a typical day on a trek like?
What is the food like on the trek?
The Benefits of using trekking poles.
What do I need to know about high altitudes?
High altitude myths.
How to trek safely?
For more articles, you can go to our blogs.