Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be greeted by the invigorating scent of the Himalayan air. Once transferred to your hotel, you'll have the opportunity to unwind or venture out to explore the vibrant streets of Kathmandu. Here, the juxtaposition of ancient architecture and lively markets offers a captivating glimpse into Nepalese culture. It's the perfect way to start your adventure in this enchanting country.

After an early morning start, our guide will pick us up from the hotel and accompany us to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport. The scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla lasts approximately 35 minutes, providing ample time to marvel at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Upon landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, we will be greeted by our porter, who will assist with our luggage.

Embarking on our trek, we'll begin with a relatively gentle hike, passing by a Kani (ceremonial gatehouse) before descending and ascending above Kyangma village, home to a prominent monastery and school. Continuing onwards, we'll traverse through Cheplung village, where the trail winds through a community forest, offering glimpses of the Dudh Koshi River. Crossing a suspension bridge, we'll ascend across the ridge to Ghat, passing by a school and a series of religious structures including Mani walls, Chortens, and prayer wheels. A short stroll from Ghat leads us to the quaint village of Phakding.

Today, you begin your 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek, so wake up early, freshen up, and wait for your leader in the lobby. They will soon pick you up and drive you to the airport, where you'll catch a flight to Lukla. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is a picturesque one, filled with mesmerizing views of the Himalayas and green hills. The ride is nerve-racking but fun, as you land at one of the most thrilling airports in the world.

After landing, you'll gather your luggage, meet with the rest of the crew, and have breakfast. Once a farming village, Lukla has become a trekkers' town with many cafes, accommodations, and shops. After a hearty meal, you'll move north, passing several businesses and giant yaks. The trail takes you through a vast and well-traveled path with some suspension bridges and cobbled steps.

Phakding is situated at a lower elevation than Lukla, so the trails are mainly downhill today. You'll walk down the streets of Lukla and reach a ticket office to get your local permit before exiting the town. Moving downhill through stone stairs and terraced hillsides, you'll reach the Dudh Koshi River and cross it using a suspension bridge. You'll continue the trek through a beautiful forest and pass several prayer flags.

After several ups and downs, the trail makes a slight descent and arrives at Phakding. This beautiful village offers several side trips, such as visiting the nearby monastery or walking along the riverside.

With a 45-minute flight and a 3-hour trek ahead, we'll start early in the morning, at 07:30 hours, and drive to Tribhuvan International Airport to board a helicopter flight to Lukla. It is an exhilarating mountain flight of 45 minutes, during which you can enjoy exceptional views of the Himalayas and the villages and valleys below. Upon arrival in Lukla, you'll meet the guide, porters, and Sherpa staff. We'll stop in Lukla for about an hour for refreshments and to reorganize our kit bags for the porters. After a short tour of Lukla village, we'll set out on a trek of about 3 hours to Phakding, where we'll lodge for the night.

Your first acclimatization day is held here at Namche Bazaar, an ideal place to rest before climbing to a higher altitude. This bustling town offers many areas for side trips, making it perfect for staying active rather than sitting idle. After breakfast, you get ready to go on a hike. This acclimatization day is dedicated to adjusting to the altitude. Namche Bazaar, buzzing with cafes, bakeries, restaurants, hotels equipped with wifi, souvenir and gear shops, ATMs, and government offices, is perfect for this purpose. If you're lucky, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant Haat Bazar, a weekly market every Friday evening and Saturday.

Despite being called a rest day, acclimatization means walking around and getting familiar with the current elevation. Today, you'll circle Namche Bazaar by hiking to Khunde, Khumjung, and the Everest View Hotel, the world's highest hotel, located only 400 meters above Namche, about an hour's hike.

You start by heading out of the town, taking steep stairs that quickly rise above Namche, offering marvelous mountain views. As you walk further, you reach a viewpoint where you can see the majestic Mount Everest and Lhotse. Continuing on a steep trail for half an hour, you reach a ledge where the terrain flattens out.

Following the path, you'll cross small villages, bridges, and prayer flags to reach Khunde and Khumjung. These two beautiful villages, close to each other, are surrounded by stunning landscapes. Here, you can visit the Khunde Hospital, Khumjung Hillary School, and Khumjung Monastery.

After exploring these areas, you head back, retracing your steps to Syangboche, and undertake a steep climb to Everest View Hotel for lunch. This superb hotel, nestled between treelines, offers a close view of Mount Everest. You enjoy your meal and hot drinks while soaking in the majestic peaks and valleys. After spending some time here, you head back down to Namche Bazaar for the night.

Throughout the day, you’ll see many peaks like Kangtega, Kwangde, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and more. Once back in Namche, you can roam around the town, which is the last stop with wifi and cafes. Enjoy your time here and go to bed early, as you have a hectic day ahead.

Guides will lead us to the Tourist Visitor Center near Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, where relics from Everest's first climbers, Sherpa culture, and local flora and fauna await discovery. Other options include visits to traditional Sherpa settlements, the Hillary School, yak farms, and Buddhist monasteries.

We start with a gentle two-hour ascent to Everest View Point, offering breathtaking vistas of Everest, Nuptse, and other peaks. Then, we explore the Sagarmatha National Park Museum and the Sherpa House Museum, delving into the region's cultural and natural heritage before returning to Namche Bazaar.

After lunch, our trek takes us to Khumjung, with stunning views of the Dudhkoshi Valley and the Himalayas. Passing by the Everest View Hotel, we savor a moment of luxury amidst the world's highest peaks. Descending to Khumjung village, we visit the monastery and embrace the serenity of this Sherpa community.

Diverging from the classic Everest Base Camp route, this trail leads us on a journey through a rugged landscape, characterized by rocky terrain and steep ascents and descents. As we navigate through the valley, we're surrounded by the vibrant hues and fragrant aromas of rhododendron, juniper, and towering conifer forests, heightening our senses with each step.

After roughly two hours of trekking, our path leads us to the breathtaking Mong La Pass, situated at an elevation of 3957 meters (12,982 feet). From this vantage point, we're treated to awe-inspiring vistas of towering peaks such as the majestic Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m / 22,349ft) and the formidable Mt. Khumbila (5,761m / 18,901ft), painting a picture of sublime natural beauty.

Continuing our journey, we traverse through Yak Kharka, where yaks graze peacefully in the high-altitude pastures, and various Sherpa villages dot the landscape, offering glimpses into the rich cultural heritage of the region. Along the way, the magnificent Khumbu La Pass and the imposing Taboche peak accompany us, providing a dramatic backdrop to our trekking adventure and reach the village of Phortse Tenga.

We will follow the trail ascending steeply to a crest with spectacular views of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku. We then walk through Pangka and continue on a pathway until we reach the moraine of the longest glacier in Nepal, Nzogumpa Glacier. We will reach the access point of the first Gokyo Lake, the smallest of the five major Gokyo lakes. The Gokyo village is a short walk from the third Gokyo lake and is one of Nepal's highest settlements. 

Trekking to Lobuche (4,910m) in about 5-6 hours, the trail joins the classic Everest Base Camp route. The path is surrounded by towering peaks and memorials to climbers who've perished on Everest.

flight from Lukla to Kathmandu or Ramechhap