Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek

After breakfast, we begin our guided tour to several historic, antique and spiritual site in Kathmandu which are protected by UNESCO world heritage sites. Today, we explore quaint Durbar Square, Pashupatinath (Hindu Temple), Swayambhunath (2,000 years old monkey temple) and Boudhanath (largest Buddhist stupa). After sightseeing of UNESCO designated world heritage sites, we drive back to hotel and get our trekking gears checked by our trekking leader and discuss about the trip Alpine Kailash’s office.

Activity & Duration

3-4 hours

Highest Altitude

2651m (Kathmandu)

Meals

Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to domestic airport to catch Trans Himalayan flight and dramatic landing at Lukla: the entrance gate to Khumbu region. You will meet your local porters and start walking downhill to the quaint settlement of Cheplung. The trail further joins side route of Dudh Koshi River valley and climbs up to Ghat (2,530m/8,350ft). Another few hours of gentle climb takes you to Phading.

Highest Altitude

3438m (Phakding)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, the trail follows the forested route of pine alongside Dudh Koshi River, crosses suspension bridges and traverses several Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumao and Monjo before reaching the small village of Jorsale: the entrance gate to the Sagarmatha National Park and permit checkpoint. Here you will be glimpse of glistening Thamserku (6,618m/22,714ft). The trail follows the riverbed to the junction of Bhote Khoshi and Dudh Koshi River. It further ascends the forested ridge crossing Tenzing – Hilary suspension bridge: with incredible view of Everest and Nuptse. Further, three hour climb through the dense forest of Pine leads us to Namche Bazaar- the administrative hub of Khumbu region.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

3438m (Namche Bazaar)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we halt at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. This is a first scheduled acclimatization day for our trek. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) expert suggests at least 24 hours of resting period before starting another alpine journey. Stay active: Walk, Climb, and Hike throughout the day and sleep low.
Only Namche in Khumbu region offers ATMs, cyber cafes, bakeries, restaurant and luxury hotels. You can also explore colorful market every Friday and Saturday morning. You can also visit Sagarmath National Park visitor’s center that exhibits the information of Sherpa culture and local floral and faunal species.
Hike to the village of Khumjung (3,780m) allows you to immerse deep into the Sherpa culture, tradition and lifestyle than Namche. Start hiking early in the morning so you can visit Everest View Hotel (3,880m). During the hike you get the view of Everest, Thamserku, Kangtega and Ama-Dblam. Retrace back to your hotel in Namche Bazaar.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we ascend over the Khumjung hill ridge and drop down to the east side of village that leads us to Dudh Khoshi from where the trail winds north. There are two route that leads us to Phortse Thange and our guide takes you via the best route. We explore Mohang: believed to be the birthplace of the re-incarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet. According to local myth, he introduced Buddhism in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The trail drops down in a series of steep switchback to Dudh Koshi River bank.

Activity & Duration

5-6 hours

Highest Altitude

3680m (Phortse Thange)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Phortse Thanga, we climb uphill through thorny alpine scrub to Machhermo. We walk through the forested cluster of rhododendron and pass waterfall before entering into the village of Tongba. We climb further to cross the village of Dhole, Labarma and Luza until we reach the warm village of Macchermo. The trail route to Machhermo maximally follows the Dhudh Koshi River.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours

Highest Altitude

4470m (Machhermo)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Machhermo, the trail climbs up to the ridge that offers the first glimpse of Cho-Oyu peak north face plus Kangtega and Themserku. The valley opens up as we cross Pangkha and then drops down to the riverbed before making steep climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier.
We cross a metal bridge that crosses the edge of frozen Longponga Tsho (4,690m/15,383ft) – the first of Dudh Koshi sacred lakes. Further half an hour strenuous walk takes you to the summer village of Gokyo village that is perched on the side of the moraine overlooking Dudh Pokhari (third lake nestled at the foot of Gokyo Ri).

Activity & Duration

/4-5 hours

Highest Altitude

4800m

This is a second scheduled acclimatization halt of the trek. Today, we have two exploration option. We will climb up to Gokyo Ri, a ridge soaring above the Gokyo village. Gokyo Ri offers the best view of four of the seven highest peaks in Nepal: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. We retrace back to Gokyo and if time and energy permits, we visit third, fourth and fifth lake of Gokyo.
Overnight in Gokyo Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we start our day climbing Gokyo Ri. Though the ridge seems small, it takes 2 hours of steep climb to reach the summit. The summit exhibits the grand view of largest glacier in the Himalayas – Nogzumpa – flowing down and three out of seven highest peak in the world i.e. Everest, Lhotse and Cho-Oyu.
After lunch, we head out to Ngozumpa glacier. We have to cross over it to reah Thagnak, the foothill of Chola Pass. Ngozumpa Glacier is prone to unstable situation like rock fall, crevasses so it is important to follow the guide instruction. It is beautiful glacier moving constantly but you don’t feel the movement.
We walk for 1 ½ hours to cross the glacier and join flat walk to Thagnak.

Activity & Duration

4-5 hours

Highest Altitude

4750m

Meals

lunch

Today’s journey is going to be the longest and toughest day of the trip. The Cho La Pass trail is not challenging but steep section and glaciers make it difficult. We suggest you to be get careful with the steep and vertical rocks glazed by ice might obscure your walking. From Phedi, the trail rises through a ravine and rocky trail.
The trail further climbs up to the Chola Pass (5,545m) that serves the daunting view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse (7,879m), Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cholatse and more peaks. We walk over the crevasses before reaching down to Dzongla.

Activity & Duration

7-8 hours

Highest Altitude

5367m (Dzongla)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Dzongla – Lobuche trekking route is short but have long time to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. We drop down from Dzongla and join the grassy trail to enjoy the great view of Lobuche Peak. The trail follows the wide river bed that leads us to Lobuche.

Activity & Duration

2-3 hours

Highest Altitude

4940m (Lobuche)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we trek alongside of Khumbu Glacier that takes around 3 hours to reach Gorak Shep via rocky moraine. We will be surrounded by the gigantic Himalaya peaks like Everest, Nuptse, Lingtren, Khumbutse and Pumori above us. After lunch at Gorak Shep, we begin our trek to Everest Base Camp. The trail to Base Camp is through the rocky dunes, moraines and streams. We can see many tents of mountaineers and trekkers that stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings. We follow our step back to Gorak Shep for good night sleep.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours

Highest Altitude

5545m (Gorak Shep)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, we start early as we ascend the small peak of Kala Patthar (black rock) at 5,545m. It takes two hours of steep climb over this ridge but the payback is incredibly rewarding. From Kalapatthar, we get to admire the best view of magnificent Khumbu glacier and closest view of world’s highest peak – Mt. Everest. We retrace our step back to Gorak Shep and further climb down to Pheriche (4,243m) via Lobuje.
Note: The climbing of Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp totally depends on the weather and your body fitness and acclimatization. Both are long and arduous due to high elevation.

Activity & Duration

7-8 hours

Highest Altitude

5545m (Pheriche)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

We trek down through the forested route of rhododendron and juniper trees. This route is ancient and traditional Everest Highway. We cross the suspension bridge decorated with prayer flag over the Dudh Khosi River and climb down rapidly through Dudh Koshi gorge surrounded with pine forest. Crossing colorful pheasants and mountain goats, we reach the village of Sansa. Here you can enjoy the best view of Ama-Dablma, Thamserku and Nuptse mountains. Walking through forested route and winding trail, we finally reach Namche Bazaar.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

It’s the last day of our Everest trekking. We retrace our step southward with final climb up to airstrip at Lukla. When you arrive at Lukla, you will have comfortable nights with hot shower and warm sleep.

Activity & Duration

6-7 hours

Highest Altitude

2860m (Lukla)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we take a short flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (approximately 45 minutes). We drive back to our hotel and enjoy some leisure time during the afternoon for further city exploration or shopping. Located to the south of Kathmandu, Pata Durbar is worth visiting. It is full of ancient monuments and statues of past kings.
In evening, you will enjoy the farewell organized by Alpine Kailash to celebrate the completion of our journey.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure