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Everest Base Camp by Gokyo

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Trip Overview

Level 14/20 15 days of trekking with 9 days above 4000m. Regular stages of 4 to 7 hours, except for the day trip to and from Everest Base Camp (8 to 10 hours). This region is particularly cold.

In 15 days of trekking, this program allows for a complete exploration of the Khumbu region and its most prestigious peaks: Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Tawoche, Cholatse, Kangtega, Thamserku… What a list of prestigious names! These giants are within easy reach, and the route ascends through the Gokyo Valley and its turquoise lakes at the foot of Cho Oyu. After the easy ascent of Gokyo Ri, a viewpoint overlooking Cho Oyu, you cross the Cho La pass at 5420m to descend into the valley leading to Everest Base Camp, the ultimate northern point where you can experience the world of expeditions. We will limit ourselves to climbing Kala Pattar, a unique viewpoint overlooking Everest, before descending to Dingboche and the Imja Khola valley. Then we descend to Namche, the capital of Sherpa country, and to Lukla, the point of departure for the flight back to the capital.

Highlights

  • Unique panoramic views of Everest from the summit of Kala Patthar
  • A trek through the Gokyo Valley and its turquoise lakes
  • Interaction with the Sherpas
  • A truly high-mountain atmosphere

Itinerary

1 Arrival in Kathmandu.
After your visa and customs formalities, baggage claim and you will be met at the airport exit by a representative from the agency. Transfer to the hotel.
2 Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2850m).
A 40-minute flight in a Twin Otter from Kathmandu to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu region. We meet our local staff at the airport exit, and after a brief introduction and the distribution of loads among the porters, the trek begins. Trek to Phakding (2600m). 3 hours. The trail crosses Lukla along the main street lined with lodges and shops, and at the edge of the village, begins a steep descent towards a river with Kusum Kanguru (6367m) as a backdrop. The path then climbs slightly, skirting a ridge to reach Ghat on the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, the "milk river" due to its whitish color. The trail then follows a series of typical Nepalese ascents and descents before finally arriving in Phakding.
3 Trek Phakding – Namche Bazar (3440m). 6am
The trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley, climbing through cultivated fields to Benkar with its enormous carved boulder in the middle of the path. The trail then continues its ascent through a wooded area of ​​rhododendrons, magnolias, and fir trees. Soon, Mount Thamserku comes into view, and we enter Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale. Crossing a suspension bridge high above the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi rivers, the trail continues a long and steep climb to a ridge offering views of the Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse peaks. The trail continues its ascent through the forest to Namche, a protected settlement nestled in a natural amphitheater.
4. Acclimatization around Namche Bazaar (3440m). 4 hours
Given the significant altitude gain and the fact that the following days will take us even higher, this day is dedicated to acclimatization. Optional activities include either rest and strolling through the bazaar with its shops reminiscent of Thamel, or a hike in the hills to visit the villages of Shyangboche and its small airstrip, as well as the Kunde hospital.
5 Trek Namche Bazar – Dole (4100m).
The trail leaves Namche via Chorkung, and at the top of the climb, the panorama unfolds: Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Tawoche, Kangtega, Thamserku… We pass through the Tibetan village of Kyangjuma, then Sanasa, and the trail traverses the mountainside to the Mohon La pass (3973m). From this high point, the path descends to Phortse Thangkha, near the river at 3500m. From this village, the trail climbs steeply out of the valley through forests of rhododendrons, then junipers and conifers as the altitude increases. This section of the trek is particularly beautiful during the spring bloom. Passing through the villages of Tongba and Gyele, we arrive in Dole.
6 Trek Dole – Machermo (4410m).
The trail continues its slow ascent, always on the right bank of the Dudh Kosi, passing Lhabarma at 4220m and Luza at 4360m, amidst juniper trees and pastures. The path continues to climb along the valley, high above the river, crossing sandy spurs before arriving at Machermo.
7 Trek Machermo – Gokyo Lakes (4750m). 5am
Leaving Machermo, the trail climbs a ridge offering a superb view of the valley below and Cho Oyu (8153m). The valley then widens at Pangka at 4390m and descends to the riverbank before ascending the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The climb up the moraine is steep alongside the stream to the first lake at 4650m. A gentle uphill slope then follows the valley to a second lake at 4690m, and finally across a rocky outcrop before arriving at Gokyo: pastures enclosed by stone walls on the shores of a large lake, a place reminiscent of an abandoned summer resort.
8 Ascent of Gokyo Ri (5280m) – Gokyo Lakes (4750m). 4/5h
To enjoy the superb panorama, we undertake the 2-hour climb up this slope, and at the summit, the reward is the view of Cho Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cholatse, and Tawoche. We then descend to the lake and stroll around Gokyo.
9 Trek Gokyo Lakes – Dragnag (4700m). 3h30
The trail descends along the left bank of the stream to reach the Ngozumpa Glacier, which we cross at its terminus. This short stage leads to the foot of the Cho La pass. In this less frequented region, the lodges are more basic.
10 Trek Dragnak – Cho La (5420m) – Dzongla (4830m). 7/8h
Today's plan is to cross the pass that leads down into the Khumbu Valley. The path to the pass is very rocky and sometimes difficult to find; you have to follow the cairns. This section can sometimes be snow-covered. The pass is a narrow gully squeezed between the sharp peaks of Lobuche and Cholatse. From the summit, we are in a high-mountain environment. The beginning of the descent is a bit tricky and often icy. The descent towards the alpine pastures is long, traversing rocky slabs.
11 Trek Dzongla – Lobuche (4930m). 5am
The path descends along a balcony trail through alpine meadows, with Lake ChoLa Tsho visible on our right. The trail then veers north, climbing back up through pastures at the foot of Awa Peak. It reaches a junction with the path coming from Pheriche, descends, and follows the west bank of the valley leading to Lobuche. The sunset over nearby Nuptse will remain an unforgettable memory. 0m). 5h
12 Trek Lobuche – Everest Base Camp (5360m) – Gorakshep (5160m). 7/8h
The trail begins along the west bank of the wide Khumbu Valley, climbing steadily through pastures alongside the glacial moraine. The ascent then becomes steeper and more challenging as it traverses several lateral moraines. The path curves, and Pumori (7161m), the "girl's mountain," appears in its distinctive conical shape. The trail then descends slightly onto a flat, sandy expanse leading to Gorakshep. 2 hours. The route to base camp follows the Khumbu Glacier, sometimes on the moraine, sometimes on the glacier itself. The route is long (2 hours) but magnificent, leading to the inhospitable Everest Base Camp: a place as mythical as it is uncomfortable, where summiters remain for several weeks. Views of the Icefall, a massive serac, and the route to the South Col. Return to Gorakshep via the same route.
13 Ascent of Kala Pattar (5543m) – Dingboche (4400m). 5/6h
The ascent of Kala Pattar is the highlight of the trek. It's a steep climb up grassy slopes west of Gorakshep to a promontory at the foot of Pumori, from where the entire south face of Everest is visible, as well as the Lho La pass (between Tibet and Nepal), Changtse, and most of the west ridge. We take the same route back down to Lobuche, then on to Duglha. From the bridge, the trail climbs straight up the hill to a higher path, high above the valley floor, through the Dusa yak pastures to a chorten in the Imja Khola valley. From here, the view is superb, with Island Peak and Makalu in the distance. From the chorten, the path descends to Dingboche.
14 Trek Dingboche – Thengboche (3860m) 4/5h
The path descends along the Imja Khola, then crosses the Khumbu Khola on a bridge and rejoins the track used on the ascent, passing through Pangboche, then Devuche and Thengboche with its monastery. Another opportunity to admire the surrounding mountains.
15 Trek Tengboche – Namche (3440m) 5h
After another early start to enjoy the sunrise over the surrounding peaks, we begin the descent through the forest to the Phunki Thangkha footbridge. From there, the trail climbs back up to Teshinga and Sanasa. For the more adventurous, there's the option of a detour via Khumjung and down to Namche.
16 Trek Namche – Lukla (2850m) 6h
The route follows the same path as the outward journey, with a steep descent to the confluence bridge. From there, it's along the left bank of the Dudh Kosi to Jorsale, where we show our permits at the checkpoint. The descent continues to Monjo, crosses the Monjo Khola on a bridge, and then the path continues to the right bank of the Dudh Kosi before Benkar. Before Phakding, the path crosses back to the left bank and continues downhill to Ghat and Cheplung. From this village, the path climbs steeply to the entrance of Lukla.
17 Flight Lukla – Kathmandu
Early in the morning, we head to the airport for a 40-minute return flight on a Twin Otter to the capital. Planes come and go, bringing in new trekkers, supplying hotels, and taking trekkers back down. Back to the hustle and bustle of the capital, we transfer to the hotel for a nice hot shower.
18 Kathmandu Valley
Today we set off to explore the Kathmandu Valley, starting with the charming city of Bhaktapur, "the city of devotees," the jewel of the valley with its countless temples and scenes of rural life. After lunch, we return to Kathmandu, visiting the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, where all Hindus are cremated. Then we continue to the enormous Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath, where Tibetan pilgrims tirelessly circle the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and reciting their rosaries. What an atmosphere! Overnight at the hotel
19 Departure from Kathmandu
Depending on flight times, it will be possible to do some last-minute shopping before heading to the airport for the return flight.

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