Gokyo and Everest Base Camp Trek (No Chola Pass) - 18 days

Fly into Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and make your way to the airport's terminal after the immigration process. Third Rock Adventures' guide will be waiting for you holding a placard with your name printed on it. After a warm welcome, he will drive you to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink while checking in. You can rest for a while before attending a trip briefing. Later in the day, you will meet your trekking guide, who will brief you about your upcoming trek. You can go over your final packing list with him and buy or rent gear from Thamel if needed.

Overnight in Kathmandu

You will catch your flight to Lukla from either Kathmandu Airport or the Manthali Airport in Ramechhap District. Flights to Lukla during the busy peak seasons (spring and autumn) are rerouted to Manthali Airport because of the congestion at the domestic airport in Kathmandu. It takes around 4 or 5 hours to reach Manthali by road. Since Lukla flights are scheduled early in the morning, you will have to start your journey at around 2 a.m. if you are flying from Manthali.

The flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla is filled with great views and hair-raising thrills. The airport, which is built on the bluff of a rocky hill, is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the world. Only pilots who are specially trained to fly on this type of terrain are allowed to fly in this zone. The airport has a narrow runway with a slight tilt. Once you arrive at the airport, you will get your stuff, have some refreshments at one of the teahouses in Lukla, or begin your trek right away. The trail goes past the settlement and down to the Dudh Koshi River.

After the chaos of Kathmandu, the peaceful vibe of the mountains acts like a balm and soothes your senses. The first day of trekking will take you to Phakding, a picturesque village nestled in the Dudh Koshi River Valley. You will spend your first night in Khumbu at a teahouse or lodge run by a Sherpa family.

Overnight in Phakding.
 

Your trek starts right after breakfast. Walk alongside the river and hike past stunning Buddhist art on stone (mani wall) and prayer wheels. There will be miniature Buddhist stupas (chortens) and prayer flags en route, protecting the trail from bad spirits. Your permits will be checked at the army checkpoint at the gate of the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Around midday, you will stop at a village en route for lunch.

The walk to Namche is pretty tedious and tiring. The trail goes uphill, and there are plenty of switchbacks. You will also be crossing a lot of suspension bridges. After crossing the Hillary Bridge (the highest bridge in the Khumbu Region), you will arrive in Namche Bazaar. If the weather is clear, you can get a glimpse of Mount Everest from the trail close to Namche.

Namche Bazaar is a large Sherpa town carved out on the side of a steep mountain face. The town stands like a natural amphitheater and offers gorgeous views of Tamserku, Khumbila, Kantega, and Kongde Ri. It is the most well-facilitated place in the region, with shops, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, spas, and banks lining its streets. If you are low on supplies (snacks, toilet paper rolls, medicines, etc.), you can get them from Namche. The busy town is also a trading hub for Sherpa villagers living close to Namche and Tibetans living close to the Nepal-Tibet border.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar
 

This is an acclimatization day to help your body adapt to the thin air. Your guide will take you on an acclimatization hike to Hotel Everest View, which, as its name suggests, offers incredible views of Mount Everest and other mountains. As the hotel is situated far above Namche, you need to climb up a hill to reach it. You head out of town and follow a steep staircase that goes up a hill. Pause for a while at the Tenzing Norgay Memorial and take in the stunning views.

Later, hike up past the grazing pastures of yaks and climb up a stone staircase to reach the Hotel Everest View. From the hotel's patio, you can enjoy picture-perfect views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kantega, Changtse, and Khumbutse. After soaking in the views and taking photographs, you can descend to Namche and explore the town or treat yourself to some excellent coffee and baked goods at one of the town's cafes. There are some museums and art galleries (Sagarmatha Next) that are worth visiting if you are keen to learn about the Sherpa culture and the history of the Everest Trail.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar
 

You head out of Namche by taking a steep path out of the town. Once you leave Namche, the trail evens out, and you walk on the side of a hill. The views open up, and you can see the beautiful shape of Ama Dablam rising in the distance. On the other side, rear the snowy spires of Lhotse, Nuptse, and Mount Everest. At Kyanjuma, you can stop for rest and refreshment. After walking for some time, you come to an intersection on the trail. Those heading to EBC take the lower trail, while those heading to Gokyo take the upper trail. You choose the one heading upward.

It's an upward climb on a long staircase built on the side of a rocky cliff. The path has steep drops, and railings are installed on the exposed side for safety. It's a tough climb. Later, you walk on the side of a hill and reach the sparsely populated village of Mongla. After a brief rest at one of the teahouses, you cross the Mongla Pass and head down to the Dudh Koshi River. The descent is steep and a bit dangerous, but no technical skill is required. After reaching the river, you cross it via a small bridge and walk up to Phortse Thanga. You check into a lodge and call it a day after a hearty dinner.

Overnight in Phortse Thanga

Today you take a steep climb out of Phortse Thanga through a dense forest of pine and rhododendrons. You can stop for lunch and a brief rest at Dole. From Dole, you take an upward trail to Machhermo. 
If you are making this trek during the spring, the trail will be covered with rhododendron flowers. This part of the trail is less crowded as it veers away from the busier EBC route. The trail goes along exposed ridges with sweeping views of the valley. You will come across waterfalls and brooks, and the mountains look amazing.

After a stiff climb, you will come to another small village, Luza. Macchermo lies close to Luza, and you will reach your destination after a short walk. After arriving at Machhermo, you head to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Machhermo.

Leaving Macchermo, you will follow the trail to Gokyo. The trail goes up gently, and it's an easy hike for the most part. As you approach the first Gokyo Lakes, the trail gets rockier and steeper. You will be climbing stone staircases built on the sides of narrow canyons. The landscape is dry and bereft of trees. After climbing the steps, you will come to an open valley and the first of the Gokyo Lakes.

Depending on the season, you can see Brahminy ducks swimming in the lake's calm waters. Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world, rears up on the horizon. Walk past a rocky field and come to the second lake. After walking for some time, you can see the Gokyo village spread below, beside the emerald Gokyo Tsho, or Dudh Pokhari, the source of the Dudh Koshi River.

Gokyo is one of the most scenic villages in the Khumbu region, and you will spend two nights here. This beautiful lake is part of the largest freshwater lake system in the world. Beside the lake runs the longest glacier in the Himalayas, Ngozumpa Glacier. Surrounded by jagged 7000 and 8000-meter mountains, Gokyo Lake is by far one of the most picturesque spots in the world. After reaching the village, head to a teahouse and have a sumptuous meal.

Overnight in Gokyo.
 

The hike to Gokyo Ri is one of the highlights of this trip. You can make the hike before sunrise or later in the day after breakfast. The trail to Gokyo Ri goes up by the side of Gokyo Village. The path is steep, and there are loose rocks, which might make your climb difficult. Take time to rest and catch your breath at regular intervals.

After reaching the top of Gokyo Ri, you can savor the fascinating views of Gokyo Lake, Ngozumpa Glacier (the longest glacier in the Himalayas), and four of the 14 tallest mountains in the world – Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu. At sunrise, the views look magical, with the sun throwing its shimmering light on the dark water of the lake and the white and gray mountains.

Head down to the village after enjoying the views. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the Ngozumpa Glacier and the lakeside.

Overnight in Gokyo.

While trekkers normally cross over the Cho La Pass to rejoin the Everest Base Camp trail, you will skip the difficult mountain crossing and retrace your steps back to Phortse. The route is less crowded, and only a few trekkers choose to walk on this route. You can enjoy your walk in peace while savoring the dramatic views of the mountains.

The village of Phortse is a Sherpa heritage village and one of the oldest Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu Region. Since it lies way off the commercialized EBC trail, it has retained its traditional ambiance. With fewer tourists making their way here, the villagers of Phortse have been able to preserve their traditional occupations.

Overnight in Phortse.

You have another long day of trekking ahead of you today. Leaving Phortse, you take the trail that winds above the village. It's a tiring climb, but the views are incredible. The trail hugs the side of a hill with a sheer drop-off. Walk slowly and carefully, as the path is narrow. Soon you will come across another ancient village, Pangboche.

The village of Pangboche has the oldest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu Region. This picturesque village is also one of the highest permanent settlements in the world. You can spend some time at the village before carrying on your hike to Dingboche via Shomare. Although there are no steep ascents or descents, the cold and thin air make the walk difficult. Along the way, you will see a change in the landscape as you leave behind the tree line. The trees will be replaced by stubby grasses and shrubs. The mountains appear closer and look more dramatic.

Once you reach Dingboche, you head to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Dingboche. 

An extra day in Dingboche will let your body acclimatize to the thin air. After crossing Dingboche, you will be hitting the 5000-meter mark, which means the oxygen content in the atmosphere will further decrease. To prepare your body for the tough hike ahead, our guide will take you on an acclimatization hike to Nagarjuna Hill, which lies just behind the village. It's an uphill scramble on a steep path. But don't worry; the path is non-technical, and you don't need special climbing skills to get up.

There's a small stupa at the halfway point from where you can enjoy sweeping views of Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kantega, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and other giants. After enjoying the views, you can hike down the hill and head back to the teahouse. You can explore the village or spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Dingboche.

Leaving Dingboche, you start your hike with a stiff climb out of the village. After the ascent, you will come across a flat portion with breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains. Then you make a quick descent to a glacial stream and cross it to reach the village of Thughla.

You stop for lunch at a teahouse before continuing your hike. After leaving Thughla, you will come across the Thughla Pass, decorated with memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives on Mount Everest. It is a grim reminder of how dangerous the mountain environment is.

Take a slow descent and walk on a mostly flat trail till you reach Lobuche. Made up of a cluster of lodges, Lobuche remains cold throughout the year.

Overnight in Lobuche.

You make your start early and head towards Gorak Shep. The path is rocky and sandy as the trail goes alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Watch out for loose rocks and sediments as you walk on the highest trekking destinations on the planet. After a couple of hours of walking, you will reach Gorak Shep. The place is not a real settlement but a cluster of teahouses built to serve the trekkers and mountaineers walking on this route. The houses are constructed on the bed of a dried lake.

After leaving your stuff at a lodge, you will head towards Everest Base Camp. The hike is difficult as there is a significant drop in the amount of oxygen in the air. Make your way slowly through the large boulders and moonlike craters filled with water. You can stop at intervals to catch your breath. It's important that you do not overexert yourself at this altitude.

The arid landscape filled with soaring mountains, glacial moraines, ice seracs, and pools of glacial water will make you feel as though you have stepped onto another planet. The Everest Base Camp for trekkers is a large rock where 'Everest Base Camp' is painted with red paint. The real EBC, where mountaineers set up camp, lies a few kilometers away, close to the Khumbu Icefall.

After reaching the EBC rock, you can take pictures and soak in the majestic views. You can view the Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Icefall, the massive face of Nuptse, and other peaks. Although you can enjoy views of Mount Everest from the trail, this grand mountain is too massive to be seen from its base camp. After celebrating with your teammates, you hike back to Gorak Shep. Enjoy the warmth of the lodge and replenish your energy with a nutritious meal.

Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Wake up while it's still dark and hike towards Kala Patthar, the most popular lookout point in the Everest region. The route goes up to the top of the brown hill. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy one of the most amazing sights in the world.

Mount Everest rears behind Nuptse, while the ice fields of the Khumbu Icefall and Western Cwm can be seen spreading down below the mountains. Pumori, a 7000-meter peak, towers close to you, and you can enjoy close-up views of Lhotse, Taboche, Cho Oyu, Lingtren, Chumbu, Khumbutse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and many other giants. These snow-covered mountains look amazing as the first light of the sun falls on them. The play of colors (from golden to reddish pink) on the snow-white summits looks magical.

After enjoying this wonderful sunrise view, you hike down to Gorak Shep and continue towards Pheriche after breakfast. You will follow the same route to Lobuche, alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Cross the Thughla Pass and make your way down to Pheriche. The village of Pheriche lies just below Dingboche. On reaching Pheriche, you can head to a teahouse, have a warm meal, and get a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in Pheriche.

Today is a long and hard day. You will leave Pheriche and retrace your steps back to Namche. Some steep ascents and descents en route to the Imja Khola Canyon could be tiring. But the verdant scenery and wildlife sightings make this another beautiful day on the trail. Once you arrive in Namche, you can enjoy a hot shower and a delicious dinner. 

Overnight in Namche. 

Leaving Namche, you will make the long descent to Lukla. Soak in the scenic views for one last time. On reaching Lukla, you will head to a teahouse and take a rest. Later in the evening, you can celebrate the success of your trek with the local crew. There will be local rice beer (chyang) and merry-making (singing and dancing). Before retiring for the night you can tip the crew and thank them for their services.

Overnight in Lukla.

You will bid goodbye to the local crew and fly to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, you can rest at your hotel or explore the city on your own. You can walk around Thamel or Ason Bazaar and shop for souvenirs.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

It is time to say your final goodbyes. Our vehicle will drop you off at the international airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure. If you feel you can explore more of Nepal, then please let us know. We have a range of itineraries to pick from. Our travel consultant will help you plan yet another memorable holiday. We also have an array of Bhutan and Tibet itineraries.