Adventure AsiaAI-assisted
Nepal16 days

Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake — 16 Days

Twin summits of the Khumbu: Everest Base Camp at 5,364m and Gokyo Lake at 4,750m, with Cho La Pass and Kala Patthar

This 16-day trek combines the two most prominent high-altitude routes in Nepal's Khumbu region. The itinerary ascends to Everest Base Camp at the foot of the world's highest peak, then loops north through the Gokyo Lakes basin — a less-trafficked arc that rises to 4,750 meters at the emerald waters of Dudh Pokhari, crosses the technically demanding Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters, and descends via Kala Patthar, a 5,545-meter viewpoint overlooking the Khumbu Icefall. The trek passes through Sherpa villages, rhododendron and birch forests, and traverses Nepal's longest glacier. All lodges provide full board meals, and a contingency day in Kathmandu is included to buffer weather-dependent flight disruptions to the mountain airstrip at Lukla.

Highlights

  • 35-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla — the sole gateway to the Khumbu region
  • Sagarmatha National Park entrance near Namche Bazaar (3,440m) — first views of Mount Everest on the main trail
  • Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar — visit Khunde Hospital (built by Sir Edmund Hillary), the Everest View Hotel, and the National Park Museum
  • Trek through rhododendron and birch forests draped in mosses and lichens to Dole and Machhermo
  • Ngozumpa Glacier — Nepal's longest glacier — with views of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku
  • Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhari) at 4,750 meters — emerald green waters with Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang reflected on clear mornings
  • Cho La Pass at 5,420 meters — rocky scramble with views across the Rolwaling Valley, Ama Dablam, and Cholatse's north face
  • Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters — sunset vantage point with close views of Mount Everest and the Khumbu Icefall
  • Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters — ice pinnacles and active expedition camps on the Khumbu Glacier
  • Tengboche Monastery descent — panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and surrounding peaks
  • Suspension bridge crossings above the Dudh Kosi River valley

Day by day

1Arrival in Kathmanduinternational airport · hotel in Kathmandu
You'll be met at the international airport and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Check in and settle in for the night.
2Flight to Lukla & Trek to PhakdingLukla · Phakding · Kathmandu · Dudh Kosi valley · Chaunrikharka
Early-morning departure from Kathmandu for the 35-minute flight to Lukla, a small airstrip perched above the Dudh Kosi valley. On arrival, meet the trekking crew and sort through gear before beginning the trek. The route descends to Chaunrikharka, then follows the Dudh Kosi valley northward to Phakding (2,610m). The day's walk is relatively gentle, allowing time to acclimatize to the altitude and settle into trekking rhythm. Overnight at a lodge in Phakding on a full board basis.
3Trek to Namche Bazaar via Sagarmatha National ParkNamche Bazaar · Sagarmatha National Park · Phakding · Dudh Kosi
A 5–6 hour trek of approximately 10 kilometers climbs steeply from Phakding. The route crosses and recrosses the Dudh Kosi on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo lies the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, established to protect the fragile mountain environment. On clear days, Mount Everest becomes visible in the distance as the trail approaches Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the main trading settlement in the Khumbu region. The village sits between two ridges and hosts a busy Saturday market where Hindu traders from the lowlands meet Tibetan yak caravans crossing the glaciated Nangpa La. Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
4Namche Bazaar Acclimatization DayKhunde Hospital · Everest View Hotel · National Park Centre and Museum
Namche sits at 3,440 meters, set between two ridges beneath the Khumbu's giant peaks. This rest day allows your body to adjust before ascending toward Gokyo. The village has abundant lodges, tea shops, and souvenir stalls—ideal for a slower pace. Several acclimatization walks are worth considering. Khunde Hospital, established by Sir Edmund Hillary, offers insight into high-altitude medicine. A one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel rewards with sunset views across Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. The National Park Centre and Museum, positioned above the village, provides context on local ecology and mountaineering heritage. Overnight accommodation at the lodge is on a full board basis.
5Trek Namche to Dole Through Rhododendron ForestNamche to Dole · Dole
A spectacular 5–6 hour trek covering 11 kilometers north from Namche reveals expansive views of Everest and Lhotse from a ridge crest near the start. The main trail passes high above the Dudh Kosi, where traders sell Tibetan handicrafts at a busy crossroads. Here the route branches away from the Everest trail, climbing to cross Mon La before descending to Phortse Tenga. From Phortse Tenga, the path climbs steeply through rhododendron and birch forest, where hanging mosses and lichens drape the branches in soft detail. You arrive at Dole (4,084m) in the late afternoon. Overnight stay is at a lodge with full board meals included.
6Trek from Dole to MachhermoDole to Machhermo · rhododendron forests and summer settlements · a lodge in Machhermo
A steady 4–5 hour trek climbs along the valley's side, following a 6 kilometer route to Machhermo at 4,410 meters. As altitude increases, rhododendron forests gradually give way to scrub juniper. The trail passes several summer settlements where yak herds are brought to graze during the warmer months. Throughout the ascent, Cho Oyu commands attention ahead, while the distinctive peaks of Kantega and Thamserku mark the skyline behind. Arrival at Machhermo comes by midday. The evening is spent at a lodge in the village, with full board meals included.
7Trek to Gokyo LakePangka · Ngozumpa Glacier · Gokyo Lakes · Dudh Pokhari · Gokyo settlement
A 4–5 hour trek of 7 kilometers descends through scenic terrain toward Pangka before turning to follow one of the rivers that drain the west side of the Ngozumpa Glacier. A steep rocky climb into the valley passes the first of the Gokyo Lakes. The route continues to the second lake and crosses into the glacier basin—this section marks the junction for the Cho La Pass route used later in the trek. The third lake, Dudh Pokhari, sits at 4,750 meters on the eastern shore near Gokyo settlement. On clear mornings, Cho Oyu and Gyachung Kang are reflected in its emerald green waters. Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
8Glacier Crossing to TragnagTragnag · Gokyo · Ngozumpa Glacier
A 3-hour trek descends from Gokyo to the second lake before dropping onto the Ngozumpa Glacier. The route across the glacier is marked by cairns and is generally well-defined, climbing off onto a small hillock at Tragnag (4,690m). The ascent to camp follows a shallow valley to a small kharka (mountain pasture settlement). Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
9Ascent of Cho La Pass to DzonglaCho La Pass · Dzongla
A 7–8 hour trek of approximately 8 kilometers crosses into the Lobuche watershed. The route climbs through a valley, crosses a ridge, and ascends an old lateral moraine before a rocky scramble to Cho La Pass (5,420m). From the pass, views extend west across the Rolwaling Valley and southeast to Ama Dablam. The descent crosses a small glacier, revealing views of Ama Dablam and the forbidding north face of Cholatse. The trail leads down to pastures and reaches Dzongla (4,830m). Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
10Dzongla to Gorakshep and Kala Patthar SunsetGorakshep · Kala Patthar · grassy slopes above Tshola Tsho lake · Khumbu Glacier
A 6–7 hour trek of 11 kilometers begins by contouring grassy slopes above Tshola Tsho lake, where the route joins the main Everest trail descending from Pheriche and Thyangboche. The path flattens as it follows the valley along the west side of the Khumbu Glacier, leading toward Lobuche. Superb views of surrounding mountains emerge where the trail rises to cross tributary glaciers. From Lobuche, the route continues beside the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep, situated at 5,164 meters. In the afternoon, as light begins to fade over Everest, ascend to Kala Patthar (5,545m), one of the finest viewpoints in the Khumbu. The walk back to Gorakshep allows time for reflection before an early night, preparing for the trek to Everest Base Camp the following day. Overnight stay at lodge in Gorakshep with full board.
11Everest Base Camp and Descent to PhericheEverest Base Camp · Pheriche · Khumbu Glacier · Everest Base Camp to Pheriche
An early start launches a 7–8 hour trek across the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). The route weaves among translucent ice pinnacles and past crevasses, often passing active expedition camps. At Base Camp, views ascend into the Khumbu Icefall. On the return, a higher route provides views of the icefall and the South Col route. From Base Camp, the trek descends past Lobuche to Duglha and Pheriche (4,320m). The Himalayan Rescue Association's trekkers' aid post is located here. Downhill terrain dominates the descent. Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
12Descent to Namche via Tengboche MonasteryNamche · Tengboche Monastery · Phunki Tenga
A 6-hour trek of 19 kilometers follows the river before ascending through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche and its monastery. From this vantage, views encompass Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku. The descent to Phunki Tenga crosses a bridge over the Dudh Kosi, where water-driven prayer wheels rotate. The final push returns to Namche (3,440m). Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
13Trek to LuklaLukla · Dudh Kosi
A 6–7 hour trek of 18 kilometers descends along the Dudh Kosi back to Lukla (2,860m), reversing the opening ascent. Lodge accommodation with full board meals.
14Flight to KathmanduKathmandu · Lukla
The 35-minute return flight carries the group from Lukla back to Kathmandu. The afternoon and evening are unscheduled, allowing for rest, shopping, or informal exploration. Hotel overnight stay with full board meals.
15Contingency Day in KathmanduKathmandu
A buffer day built into the itinerary to account for weather-dependent flight disruptions on the Lukla–Kathmandu sector, which frequently experiences cancellations due to cloud cover and poor visibility. This day can be used for personal activities, shopping, or visits to monument sites within the Kathmandu Valley. Hotel overnight stay with full board meals.
16Kathmandu Airport DepartureKathmandu Airport
Our airport representative assists with your hotel checkout and escorts you to the airport for your international departure from Nepal.

Where you go

Map: Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lake — 16 Days route
Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
  1. 1Lukla
  2. 2Phakding
  3. 3Kathmandu
  4. 4Dudh Kosi valley
  5. 5Chaunrikharka
  6. 6Namche Bazaar
  7. 7Sagarmatha National Park
  8. 8Phakding
  9. 9Dudh Kosi
  10. 10Khunde Hospital
  11. 11National Park Centre and Museum
  12. 12Namche to Dole
  13. 13Dole
  14. 14Dole to Machhermo
  15. 15Pangka
  16. 16Ngozumpa Glacier
  17. 17Gokyo Lakes
  18. 18Dudh Pokhari
  19. 19Tragnag
  20. 20Gokyo
  21. 21Ngozumpa Glacier
  22. 22Cho La Pass
  23. 23Dzongla
  24. 24Gorakshep
  25. 25Kala Patthar
  26. 26Khumbu Glacier
  27. 27Pheriche
  28. 28Khumbu Glacier
  29. 29Namche
  30. 30Tengboche Monastery
  31. 31Phunki Tenga
  32. 32Lukla
  33. 33Dudh Kosi
  34. 34Kathmandu
  35. 35Lukla
  36. 36Kathmandu

Activities: TREKING, HIKING

Customise this tripAsk an advisor