Gokyo Valley - Everest Base Camp Trekking

"beautiful, scenic Gokyo valley to Everest base camp crossing high Cho-la pass"

Trek at Glance

Mode of accommodation: Hotels in Kathmandu- local nice lodge on treks.

Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous walks.

Area of Trekking: North Mid-East around Khumbu, Everest region.

Highest elevation gain: Kala Patthar Hilltop 5,643 m and Everest Base Camp 5,364 m with Gokyo-Ri 5,357 m and Cho-la Pass 5,367 m.                   

Daily Walks: Minimum 4 hrs to a maximum of 7 hrs.

Trekking duration: 13 Nights and 14 Days (with flight both ways)

Total Trip: 17 Nights and 18 Days (arrival to final departure)

Best Seasons for Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trekking

The best time is from March to May, where most of the days are fine and clear for views and walks, with longer sunlight hours but cold in the morning and night time above 3,000 m onward.

Late afternoon can get overcast with snow and rain on higher hills sometimes, next to good times is from mid-September to early December around autumn/fall and pre-winter seasons with crystal clear fine day for excellent views of peaks and pleasant trek with bright starry nights.

From October to December onward, days are much shorter with sun-light hours due to autumn and pre-winter season, expect snow on trails sometimes on higher areas of Khumbu valley.

People and Culture

Everest and whole of Khumbu region are populated by Sherpa people famously known as Highlanders of Himalaya and Everest, interwoven with strong Buddhism religion and culture of Tibetan origin with an interesting ancient custom which you can notice along the walks with religious monuments of Stupa and series of prayer wheels and stone slate walls.

Besides incredible views of high mountains and landscapes, where trekkers will have a great opportunity to witness Sherpa fascinating cultures and traditional farm life and visiting impressive monasteries of great interest.

Introduction

Introducing marvelous and most beautiful adventure, Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trekking, one can enjoy the best on both sides of scenic Khumbu within the Everest region facing breath-taking views and exploring local Sherpa culture.

Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trekking take you around picturesque Gokyo enriched with great beauty of emerald-colored lakes and snow-capped peaks that reflect on serene ponds and then climb to Gokyo Ri, to catch stunning sunrise over an array of the mountain range.

Wonderful walks begin after flying from Kathmandu to Lukla then, on scenic trails following Dudh Kosi River upstream right up to its glacial source at Gokyo valley fed from Ngozumba glacier, where trek first reaches famed Namche Bazaar, the main large village and nearly a size of the town.

Here, we will take a rest day for acclimatization exploring high viewpoint hills. Then, on the way to our first destination as the walk takes you to high steep climb with ever-present scenery of majestic mountain range.

Walking into lovely woodland of rhododendron, pines and fir trees as trek progress heading higher where green vegetation and tree lines disappear for dwarf bushes of juniper and rhododendron. The walk takes you closer to our destination around Gokyo Valley.

After spending nice pleasant overnights at Dole and Machhermo, then finally at beautiful Gokyo and its simmering lakes with amazing pictures of mountains to marvel, enjoying a wonderful moment at Gokyo with a climb to scenic hilltop Gokyo Ri, with an awesome panorama of the high mountain range.

Spending glorious time at the magnificent valley of Gokyo adventure continues crossing high Cho-la pass to reach another side of Khumbu valley on the route towards world number one beneath towering Mt. Everest at base camp. Enjoy the time of your life at base camp enclosed within giant peaks of Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori and close to massive Khumbu Icefall and glaciers, our next adventure reaches you on top Kala Patthar.

Stand on the highest spot of the journey at 5, 643 m / 18,514 ft offers a tremendous panorama of the mountain range with closest views of Mt. Everest surrounded by series of peaks, after a great experience return trek takes you back at Lukla.

Finally, our spectacular and scenic adventure completes at Lukla with a sweeping short flight to Kathmandu, after an enjoyable, memorable time and experience on Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp Trekking.

Short Outline Itinerary:

Day 01:      Main arrival in Kathmandu 1,320 m via various airlines.

Day 02:      In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour and trek preparation.

Day 03:      Fly to Lukla 2,820 m, trek to Phakding 2,652 m - 04 hrs.

Day 04:      Trek to Namche Bazaar 3, 440 m - 06 hrs.

Day 05:      Rest Day at Namche Bazaar.

Day 06:      Trek to Dole 4,100 m - 06 hrs.

Day 07:      Trek to Machhermo 4,470 m - 04 hrs.

Day 08:      Trek to Gokyo Lake 4,800 m - 04 hrs.

Day 09:      At Gokyo climb of Gokyo-Ri and walk to Thagnak 4,750 m - 04 hrs.

Day 10:      Cross Cho-la Pass 5, 367 m to Dzongla 4,830 m - 07 hrs.

Day 11:      Trek to Lobuche 4, 928 m - 05 hrs.

Day 12:      Trek to Gorakshep 5,180 m and to Everest Base Camp 5, 364 m - 06 hrs.

Day 13      Hike to Kalapathar 5, 643 m / 18,514 ft. trek to Pangboche 3,900 m-06 hrs.

Day 14:      Trek to Namche Bazaar - 06 hrs.

Day 15:      Trek to Lukla -06 hrs. walks.

Day 16:      Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.

Day 17:      Spare and contingency day in Kathmandu.

Day 18:      International departure to respective countries homeward bound.

Trip Extension in Kathmandu

While in Kathmandu with more time, you can extend for other adventure sports activities rafting, mountain biking, Para-gliding or just relax and enjoy with individual activities or with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.

Important Information flying to Lukla and back to Kathmandu

At present, most flight to Lukla and back operates from Manthali a small town with an airstrip located in the district of Ramechhap. Kathmandu's domestic airport has been changed by the Nepal Government Civil Aviation Authority.

The changes started from April and October 2019 onward, flights to Lukla resumes from Manthali town airport which is the main headquarter of Ramechhap district Province No-3 of Nepal.

The drive from Kathmandu to reach Manthali airstrip takes approx 5 hrs which is about 154 km approx., 500 miles distance from the capital Kathmandu. The drive takes you on B.P Highway (a newly built tarmac road).

Please Note:

There has been little bit confusion regarding the height of Kala Patthar Hilltop. Previously, the elevation was somewhere in between 5,545 m and 5,550 m. But, according to the research conducted by Dr. Luis A, Ruedas who is the assistant professor in reputed Portland State University on 6th December 2006, the elevation of Kala Pathar was found to be 5, 643 m which equals to 18,514 ft.

This fact was deducted after taking an average from 48 different readings. Also, to confirm this fact, another similar research was conducted again in 2008 and at this time, the height of Kala Patthar was found to be 5,644.5 m. Kala Patthar rocky hill is distinct from other surrounding peaks as it is marked with Buddhist prayer flags.