Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek
5/5 based on 37 reviews
Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
5/5 based on 37 reviews
Trip Duration
19 Days
Group Sizes
1 - 16 People
Difficulty
Easy
Max. Altitude
5555m
Activities
Meals
Accommodation
Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek is one of the most beautiful treks of the Everest region and of Nepal as a whole. This trek is for those looking for a less traveled trail with even more stunning scenery.
The Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek is also famous by other names mainly Gokyo Ri Trek, Everest Gokyo Lake Trek, or Gokyo Valley Trek via Everest Base Camp.
There are two ways to approach the emerald-green lake of Gokyo. The first way is the clockwise approach that takes straight towards Gokyo Lake by heading west from Namche Bazaar.
The second route that we will be taking is a counterclockwise approach in which we head northeast by walking towards Everest Base Camp first, then hiking towards Gokyo Lake. We have chosen the second approach because the length is shorter and the difficulty is lower than the first route. Following this route also enable you to reach the Everest Base Camp, and climb Kala Patthar from where you will have the closest view of Mount Everest.
Regarding Gokyo Village, it is the valley that has the treasure of the Gokyo chain of turquoise lakes and Gokyo Ri. Gokyo Lake is the name given to a series of six spectacular glacial lakes. The lakes lie at an altitude of 4,700m to 5,000m at the foot of Gokyo Ri, making them some of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
Gokyo Lake is also a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists of Nepal. The Gokyo Lake site is worshiped by devotees as the residence of Nag Devta (Snake God). Additionally, there is a temple of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva on the eastern side of the lake. During the festival of Janai Purnima, hundreds of devotees visit lakes to bathe in the holy waters of those lakes.
Through our 19-day program of Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek, you will also be able to climb Gokyo Ri where you will observe the four highest peaks of the world: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. Additionally, the route before reaching Gokyo village goes around the mighty Chola Pass with a zigzag slope surrounded by snow and rocks. The section near the top is very steep but we will be rewarded with a wonderful view of Mount Everest and its sister mountains.
Overall, the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek is an extraordinary approach to the remote parts of Nepal where you can feel the silence, calm, and peace along with the same amplitude of thrill and excitement.
Our journey begins with a dramatic flight to Lukla where most trekkers set off into the Everest region. It will take two days to reach the mountain town of Namche Bazaar where we will stop to get used to the altitude. Then we proceed through the towns of Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche to reach Gorakshep. We then head to Everest Base Camp and climb Kala Patthar.
The second part of the trip will lead us through the settlements of Dzongla, and Dragnag after crossing Chola Pass. Then we head to Gokyo village and trek to Gokyo Ri which marks the culminating approach of our Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek. We then return to Namche, Lukla, and take a flight back to Kathmandu.
We will transfer you to our hotel in Kathmandu upon your arrival at the International airport. After checking in at the hotel, you can take shower and relax. In the afternoon, you can freely roam around the streets of the capital and get a taste of Nepali culture for the first time.
In the evening, our agent will meet you at the hotel and will briefly tell you about the trip ahead.
Today is a rest day in Kathmandu. After breakfast, you can spend time wandering around the city. Boudhanath Temple and Swayambhunath, are the most important Buddhist temples in the world, and Pashupatinath Temple, which hosts cremation ceremonies, are among the places you can see. You can also go to Thamel to shop for outdoor products.
We leave our hotel in the morning, go to the airport, and fly to Lukla, enjoying the magnificent view of the Himalayas. When we arrive in Lukla, we meet our local team and start walking towards Phakding.
We follow the Dudh Koshi River flowing through the Himalayas, crossing hanging bridges along the way to Phakding. The mani stones and rocks carved with Buddhist inscriptions will give us the company along the trail. First, we will indulge in a gradual descent to Thado Koshi for about 2 hours. Then, we make the gradual uphill walk towards Phakding, which will take another 2 hours.
After breakfast, we will begin our hiking along the Dudh Koshi River traversing via Toktak and Benkar villages. Shortly we will arrive at Monjo known as the gateway for the Sagarmatha National Park. After having our permits checked, we will move forward towards Jorsalle. After a final steep climb, we will reach Namche Bazaar where we can catch the first glimpse of Mount Everest.
Today will be an acclimatization day. We will have breakfast and head to the highest point in the Khumbu area, namely Everest View Hotel 3,960 m above sea level, where we can have coffee or tea. From here, in good weather, we can see for the first time the top pyramid of Everest itself, as well as the entire panorama of the surrounding giants.
After enjoying the panorama, we will go down to our lodge for lunch and rest.
The trek today is easy and very scenic. After breakfast, we will descend and cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and reach Phunki Thenga. Then we will have a steep climb to reach Tengboche village famous for the monastery of the same name.
In the monastery, we can observe the humble monastic life, as well as treat ourselves to the energy of this extraordinary place.
After breakfast, we will walk over stone steps leading through rhododendrons, birches, and conifers. We will eventually arrive at Deboche where we will rest for a while. Then we will hike to Pangboche famous for the old monastery. Shortly a few hours walk and we will be at Dingboche where we will spend another day for rest and acclimatization. We will have remarkable views of Island Peak, Peak 38, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam from the village.
Today is another acclimatization day for us necessary to acclimate our bodies to higher altitudes. Stay calm, enjoy the view, drink plenty of fluids, and prepare for the next day’s hike. Engage in short hikes in Dingboche.
We can hike from Imja Khola to Chhukung or Nangkar Tshang Peak, a small summer settlement from where spectacular views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and the grooved ice walls surrounding the Amphu Lapcha pass can be seen.
After breakfast we head to the next stop on our itinerary- the village of Lobuche. Our trek begins along the valley walking completely flat, then we will reach the Dughla area, where we will stop for a short time to breathe in the rarefied air. Then passing the village of Pheriche, we will shortly arrive at Lobuche where we will have dinner and a good night’s rest.
Today is the day we reach Everest Base Camp! We leave early and in the dynamics of short ascents and descents, we reach the shelters of Gorakshep (the old base camp). We will stop for rest, accommodation, and lunch, and then continue our way along the periphery of the Khumbu Icefall until reaching the base camp itself.
We will be able to see Pumori, Changtse, Nuptse, and Everest itself! Rewarded, captivated, and delighted, we return for lunch and a well-deserved rest, satisfied and overjoyed with what we have achieved so far!
We will get up in the dark and head towards the nearby summit of Kala Patthar to meet one of the most amazing sunrise. At the top, we will be rewarded with unearthly views of the entire Everest circuit, with the sun rising just behind the summit!
The feeling of how we can grasp all these giants with our hands and enjoy them with kindness and humility is unexplainable. We will now descend to Gorakshep for a hot breakfast and descend to Lobuche where we will rest for the night and have our dinner.
Today is a short hike towards the small village of Dzongla. Leaving Lobuche, we will hike following the trail alongside the massive Khumbu glacier. After about half an hour, we will arrive at an intersection and we will take right towards Dzongla.
Hiking along the rocky terrain with the constant view of Ama Dablam, we will be at Dzongla within 3 to 4 hours. Make sure to rest well after an exhausting hike to Kala Patthar. The next day we will be crossing the Cho La Pass.
After breakfast, we will leave Dzongla and hike to cross a boulder and climb the Chola Pass resting at 5420 m above sea level. We will have to be extra careful while climbing the Chola Pass as there are some steep sections we have to tackle.
From the tip of the Pass, we have some incredible views of Ama Dablam and surrounding peaks. It’s time to descend to Dragnag where we will be staying for the night.
After breakfast, we will leave Dragnag and trek towards Gokyo walking alongside the massive Ngozumpa Glacier. We will gradually ascend over the alpine rocky terrain with the amazing view of Cho Oyu upfront. We will continue our climb till we arrive at the serene Gokyo village nestled at the foot of Gokyo Ri.
We will check in at one of the basic but beautiful lodges of the village where we will enjoy our hot dinner with incredible views of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Pumori, Nuptse, Ama Dablam upfront.
We will ascend early to climb GokyoRi, a straight but steep climb and tiring due to the altitude. But the past few days at high altitude will aid us to deal with the high altitude. The climb takes just over two hours and the reward is one of the best panoramas in Khumbu.
Four peaks at 8,000 meters can be seen from the rocky peak: Everest (8848 m), Cho Oyo (8153 m), Lhotse (8511 m), and Makalu (8481 m). The Gokyo Lakes themselves are also in front of you, and you will also be able to glimpse the longest glacier in Nepal. After spending some time at the top, we will descend to Machhermo where we will rest recalling the success we have just achieved.
We will undertake the downhill hike from today onwards. Leaving after breakfast, we will hike down through the alpine meadows which slowly turn into a dense vegetation of rhododendron and pine. Shortly, the familiar path decorated with colorful Mani Walls and prayer flags comes into view indicating we have arrived at Nacmhe where we will rest for the night.
Final 6 to 7 hours hike in Nepal. We return to our small airport village of Lukla. Last night at the gates of the Himalayas!
We get up early, have breakfast, and head to the airport to enjoy the dreaded take-off from Lukla. Flight to Kathmandu, where we will be met and accommodated at the hotel. We have a free afternoon for shopping and relaxation. Or for more adventures around the tourist part of Kathmandu.
Day to depart from the country of the highest peaks and welcome your dear Motherland. We will drive you to the Kathmandu airport for your scheduled flight back home.
You can cutomize this trip as per your requirements if met the proper guidelines.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times at Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek. During these two seasons, you will be able to avoid harsh weather conditions and unpredictable climates.
In spring, the forests are filled with bright azalea flowers, temperatures are warm and the weather is clearer so you can experience beautiful mountain views. Likewise, fall is the best time of year for clear days, fresh mountain views, and lush green environments.
Besides, you can also make winter trips to Gokyo lakes if properly guided and guaranteed to be safe. Therefore, for regular hikers, autumn and spring are the best seasons for trekking in Gokyo lakes.
Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek starts from Lukla town at 2,860 meters and when we arrive at Everest Base Camp, we will be at an altitude of 5,364 meters.
The sacred Gokyo village lies at 16.5 km from Everest Base Camp at elevations between 4700 to 5000 m above sea level. The round trip of Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek needs 19 days to complete including 15 days of actual trek days.
Therefore, we will walk an average of 15 to 20 km each day with approximately 5 to 8 hours of hiking every day.
On our 19-day journey, we will walk for 15 days passing through several villages and hiking for 5 to 8 hours. However, the walking duration will not always be 6 to 8 hours each day, some day you will hike for as little as 3 to 4 hours, and some day you will walk for even 8 hours.
The least you will walk is for 3 to 4 hours on day 3 and day 12 when you hike from Lukla to Phakding and trek from Lobuche to Dzongla respectively.
The most you will walk is 7 to 8 hours on day 10 and day 11 when you trek to Everest Base Camp and descend to Gorakshep climb Kala Patthar and go back to Lobuche respectively.
The Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek is moderately difficult without requiring any hard technical skills. The trails are clearly marked, and easy to navigate, and there are teahouses and hotels along the way. The altitude will be approximately 3,000 meters from the start, a path will generally ascend each day with two rest days in between at Namche and Dingboche.
Although the path is not that hard but at some sections it gets steeper. For example, the last parts of the path leading to Namche Bazaar or Tengboche are quite steep and a bit tiring. Likewise, reaching Kala Patthar, crossing the Chola Pass and ascending Gokyo Ri can be a bit steep and tiring. However, any fit, trained, and healthy individual with a certain hiking background can complete this trek.
Past hiking and climbing experience will be a big plus for this trek, but if you don’t have experience, it’s not a big obstacle for participating in this trek. But keep in mind the hiking trail includes uphill and downhill sections on the rugged terrain of the high Himalayas.
At times, the trails are also physically demanding and challenging. So, regular, jogging cardiovascular exercise a few weeks before your trip will help you build your stamina and boost your confidence to walk at high altitudes.
Although people of different ages and health levels can make the Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek, you will feel much more comfortable if you are in good shape to make the trip. You don’t have to be a good athlete to join this trek, but you should train well before your trip and make sure you have enough endurance to get there.
You can regularly practice running, jogging, walking, cycling, or swimming. You can also join a gym for a trained exercise routine.
Incredible tour of Kathmandu, a thrilling flight over the Himalayas, and landing at one of the most unusual airports in the world. Then hiking through the virgin forests, the deepest gorges, and authentic Tibetan settlements, behind which are rocks, and glaciers, passes. Next, reach the Everest base camp and tour the fabulous heavenly lakes on the world’s most popular mountain route. All these adventures are included in our 19-day Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek.
In addition, you will walk on the thick snow, see bottomless abysses, and cross the turbulent streams surrounded by giant peaks. You will rest under the clear blue sky, onto which huge stars like grapes appear at night. Prayer flags in the wind and the rarefied, aroma-filled air of the highlands will spin your head and make your thoughts work clearly. This trek will crystallize your soul and push you to heights that you seem to have never known or even imagined.
It is a perfect trip that cleanses your chakras and awakens your soul.
If you have time, desire, and energy, you can blend this trek with the Three High Passes trek of Everest. Already in our trek, you will cross one high Pass of Everest: the Chola Pass. Why not include two more: Renjo La Pass and Kongma La Pass?
Alternately, you can take the clockwise approach to Lake Gokyo skipping your visit to Everest Base Camp. Or, you can leave the trek to Lake Gokyo and only undertake 14 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek.
The symptoms derived from altitude sickness are one of the most important problems you can encounter in Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Trek. Generally from 3000 meters above sea level, hikers begin to feel the first mild symptoms, which translate into excessive fatigue, slight headache, general malaise, and slight difficulty breathing during the activity.
All of these symptoms are relatively normal and occur regularly. However, if the symptoms do not disappear and intensify, you must descend immediately to approximately the height where you last felt well.
And please respect the acclimatization days, and never climb more than 700 meters on the same day. Ascend gently and progressively, making frequent stops along the way. Drink plenty of water, at least 4 to 5 liters daily. Avoid alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and of course smoking.
Our travel package includes airport transfer to and from the hotel in Kathmandu and a flight from Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu. We accommodate you in a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights with breakfast. While during the trek, full meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and tea or coffee) based on your preference will be provided. During the trek, you can have eggs with potatoes, pasta, pizza, momo, or the traditional dish dal bhat (oil-free unsalted rice and lentils).
You can charge all your electric devices including mobile, camera, GPS, etc in the plugs available in the rooms of the lodge. For communication, you can purchase NTC or NCELL SIMS in Kathmandu, Lukla, or Namche.
Regarding the internet, you can use the same SIMS for activating different data packages. You can access the internet through these networks till Pangboche. Another option for internet usage is purchasing a prepaid card from Everest Link. It offers an internet connection throughout the Khumbu Valley.
You can also use the WIFI services provided by the lodges at the cost of NPR 500 – NPR 1000 per connection.
Sagarmatha National Park entrance permit and a Khumbu –Pasang Lamu village municipality permit are a must for completing this trek. The national park permit costs USD 30 per person and the village municipality permit costs USD 20 per person.
No, anyone can go for this trek till they are physically fit and able to walk for 6 to 8 hours a day. It does not require any special experience or equipment. The route is designed in such a way that you will be able to walk the entire route.
Yes, we strongly suggest you take our suitable travel insurance before you participate in this trip. Insurance for trekking above 5000 m with the option of emergency evacuation by helicopter is required. Such insurance costs from $80 to $180 (depending on the insurance company and your citizenship).
On the classic route, there are better overnight conditions and very beautiful nature around. The route through the Gokyo lakes is more difficult due to the greater number of overnight stays at altitude. There is a higher chance of experiencing the symptoms of altitude sickness, and the overnight conditions are slightly worse, but the nature around more than pays for all the everyday nuances.
Yes, we have seen families trekking to the base camp with children aged 12-17. If your child loves hiking, and mountains and wants to update his/her Instagram and TikTok profile, they will like this hike.
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