Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes- 15 Days

Discovery World Trekking provides complimentary airport-to-hotel transfer on arrival and hotel-to-airport transfer during departure for all guests coming for the Everest Base Camp Trek via the Gokyo Lakes. Our representative will be at the Tribhuvan International Airport holding a pamphlet with your name. As a welcome gesture, they will present you with a garland or a Khada and then take you to your hotel. We provide this service so you do not face difficulties in a foreign country.

 

Trek start

You will arrive at Kathmandu at least one day before the trek departure date by 3 pm. This will provide you time to join the last-minute preparation sessions. On the trek departure date, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport for a flight to Lukla.  The flight will last around forty minutes. After landing in Lukla, you will trek to Phakding on the first day.

 

Accommodation

Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes includes 14-night lodge stays at the best possible accommodation in the Everest region.

You will be staying five nights at Lukla, Phakding, and Namche (3 Nights) in rooms with a private attached bathroom and nine nights in standard rooms at Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo (2 Nights), Thangnak, Dzongla, Lobuche, Gorakshep, Pheriche (twin sharing room). Hot showers and Wi-Fi will be available during the trek but come with an extra cost.

Your stay in Kathmandu before or after the trek is not included in the package. Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels fitting all budgets. You can choose one that suits you. 

Meals

Since you will be trekking in some of the highest regions in the world, you will need lots of carbohydrates, proteins, and other minerals. We will provide you with nutritious food suited for the trek. However, you will have fewer choices than in cities. We will provide you all meals on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner / main course) in the trek region, including 15 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 14 dinners.

The menu consists of local, Asian, and Western cuisine, but it becomes shorter as we head up. 

Since we will be trekking at high altitudes, we recommend you drink lots of liquids like green tea, lemon tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup (must) along with fresh vegetables.

We do not recommend you eat non-veg items in trekking regions as they may not be hygienic. Similarly, we advise you to avoid dairy items, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, and hot chocolates.

This package does not cover (alcoholic, hot ( tea, coffee), and cold drinks) in tea houses/ lodges or cafes. Only standard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner with seasonal fruits) are included in the package.

 

Luggage

Your package covers a weight limit of 9 kg per person. We assign one porter for two trekkers. The maximum weight we allow our porters to carry is 18 kg. However, for an extra charge, we can arrange for more porters if required. We also expect you to carry a backpack with your essentials and valuables. Carry only the essentials. You can leave your excess luggage at your hotel or the Discovery World Trekking store for free.

 

Typical day

Each day comes with a unique trekking experience, climbing, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and exploring the local villages. Our guides will share information about the places you will be visiting. Our porters will carry most of your luggage. However, you may need your bag pack for your valuables and essentials. 

A typical day starts with an early morning breakfast, then we set off on that day’s trek at around 7 to 8 AM, depending on the duration and trail condition. After trekking for three to four hours, it is lunchtime. We will rest for an hour after lunch and then continue on our path. The afternoon walk is generally shorter and should last two or three hours.

Once we reach our overnight destination, we snack on the extra dietary food and explore nearby places until dinner. After dinner, we will have time for socialization. Your trek leader will also brief you about the next day's plan.

Before going to bed, you can entertain yourself by playing Monopoly, or cards, watching mountaineering documentaries, or reading books. If you choose to learn common Nepali words, our crew will happily teach you.

 

Electricity and water

All the lodges on the way to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lake have electricity, and you can recharge your camera/cell phone there. However, you might need to pay for this service.

During the trek, you can buy packed mineral water from local lodges and en-route shops or fill your bottle with boiled water at an extra cost. DWT provides water purification pills to make water drinkable. We strongly advise you not to drink water from local rivers, taps, or wells, as the water might not be potable.   

You shouldn't drink water from rivers, taps, or wells up in trek regions as it might not be drinkable as it seems.

 

Communication

Internet service will be available at the lodges/hotels for a small charge. But once we reach high altitudes, communication will be through the phone.

Depending on the kind of network, you might get signals but not strong enough at high altitudes. However, you can easily purchase a local sim card for good connections. We will communicate with our valuable clients through our trek leader at least once daily to ensure everyone is safe and feels right. 

You can get Wi-Fi service on all lodges/hotels on your path, but you may have to pay for the service.

 

Tipping

Tipping is at travelers' discretion and should reflect on the quality of the service provided. Nepali culture accepts tips, and it is a way to show gratitude for good service. We advise you to tip at the end of the trek, and it is better to tip collectively.

Trek End

On the fifteenth day early morning, we will take you to Lukla for a flight back to Kathmandu. The feeling of trek accomplishment and the end of the trails will probably relax you throughout the flight. In about forty minutes, you will land in Kathmandu. You are free to spend time in Kathmandu as you want. Later in the evening, we will organize a farewell dinner in Kathmandu.

 

Feedback

After completing the Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes, after the farewell dinner, you can provide us with your feedback. It helps us better serve trekkers like you in the future. If you are happy with our service, we encourage you to leave your comments on travel portals.

 

Useful Info

Since Lukla airport gets very busy during trek seasons and there are chances of flights getting postponed, we advise you to add two extra days for the trek. This will ensure you will not miss your international flight back home. You can reserve a helicopter, but that will cost from USD 500 to 1,000. 

Please note that the above itinerary is a general guide. In rare cases, we might need to adjust the itinerary for circumstances beyond your control, such as landslides, bad weather, etc.

Trip extension

If you want to stay a couple of days extra in Nepal after finishing your trip, you have various options. You can explore Kathmandu and neighboring areas, take a jungle safari in Chitwan, or visit Pokhara. Similarly, you can paraglide, raft, or canoe.

 

Departure

On the day you depart, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope you will be back in Nepal for more treks.

 

Weather is the determining factor for successful treks to Everest Base Camp. Unfortunately, weather predictions are not reliable, and weather changes fast at high altitudes.

But even then, trekking professionals, thrill-seekers, and locals travel to Everest Base Camp throughout the year. For most of us, the best season is spring or autumn, as the sky is clear and you can get great views of mountain ranges. 

Discovery World Trekking conducts EBC treks throughout the year. 

Trekking becomes challenging during winter because of snow and rainfall during the monsoon, but still, some trekkers find this exciting. 

January to February
This time is the coldest, especially from early January to early February. During this period, there is heavy snowfall in the mountain, which can result in frigid temperatures. If you are allergic to colds, you should not trek during these months. However, if you decide to take on the challenge, DWT will conduct safe and secure treks during these seasons as well. 

Temperature: 15°C to -15°C

March to April
This is one of the best seasons to hike in the Everest Base Camp due to favorable weather. You will see stunning views of the Himalayan ranges and their glaciers. From March, the weather starts to warm up, and flora and fauna dormant throughout the winter come back to life. Temperatures start increasing from mid-March, and with clear skies, snow mountains look gorgeous. 

Temperature: 18 °C to -12 °C 

 

May to June
It is also a perfect time for trekking - right before the rainy season begins. Nepal starts its rainfall from the end of June till mid-August. The temperature during this season is quite warm, and the trek is more comfortable.

Temperature: 25°C to -5°C 

July to August
The rainfall season hits its peak during this period at altitudes below 3500 meters. Due to heavy rainfall, Luka- Kathmandu or Kathmandu - Lukla flights may get canceled, but trekkers still trek to Everest Base Camp in these months. Monsoon rain also provides spectacular views of the waterfall and the trails are uncrowded. The trek is quite challenging but not impossible. 

Temperature: 27°C to 5°C

September to October
It is also one of the perfect seasons for the EBC Trek, and a large number of trekkers visit EBC during these months. The monsoon gradually ends, and with favorable temperature a perfect trekking climate emerges. During this time, the skies are clear, the mountains shine in their glory, and you will find Nepalis celebrating their main festivals. We highly recommend you trek during this time.

Temperature: 20°C to 5°C

November to December
From November, winter slowly begins, and the trekking regions start to receive snowfall. Nights get colder. However, trekking should not be difficult during November, and many trekkers trek during this time attracted by the clear skies that allow great mountain views. December is quite cold, and the paths are full of snow.

Temperature: 18°C to - 10°C

Trek difficulty

This trip grade is challenging but rewarding. The trek takes place at high altitudes, and you must be able to walk at a decent pace along a route with several ups and downs. However, if you are normally fit, you can complete this trek. No previous experience is required. You might need to physically prepare yourself by engaging in stamina-building exercises such as jogging, swimming, etc. Remember that the fitter you are, the more you can enjoy the trek. If you are not in great shape, you might need to prepare earlier. If you have serious conditions such as heart, lung, or blood diseases, you must consult your doctor, before booking the trek. 

Trek safety 

Discovery World Trekking guarantees safe, secure, and enjoyable treks. Our trek packages have acclimatization days allocated. We carry all essential items for the trip, including first aid kits. Moreover, our guides have extensive first-aid training. We check your blood oxygen saturation levels in high altitudes. In case of severe sickness, our trek leader will decide whether to continue the trek or descend immediately. 

In an emergency, we will deploy a helicopter to bring you back from high elevations. Moreover, we will travel as a group so that everyone is safe.

DWT team

During the Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes, our well-trained and experienced guides/sherpas will be alongside you to make your journey safe, comfortable, and memorable. Our porters will carry your luggage, which is capped at 9 kg per person. If you need, we can also allocate one porter per person for an extra charge.

Our crew members are from remote high Himalayas, and their physical endurance at high altitudes is remarkable. Each staff member is valuable to us, and in addition to good pay, we take care of their insurance, clothing, food, and lodging throughout the expedition/trekking. All our guides and porters receive medical care when ill or injured. 

We ensure that all our team members are happy as we believe only happy people can make others happy.

Our team leaders have: 

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid Training 
• Trekking Guide Training Certificate
• Fluency in speaking English and one major language
• Conservation and Biodiversity Training
• Rock Climbing experience

Visa

All foreigners except Indians require a visa to enter Nepal. Most citizens can get an on-arrival Visa at the Tribhuvan International Airport. You can get more information about visas here - https://www.immigration.gov.np/ 

The visa application will require a passport valid for at least six months and a passport-size photo. The visa fee is USD 50 for 30 days, which you can pay in cash on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. 

Citizens from China and the SAARC countries will receive a free visa. Citizens from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan may not receive an on-arrival visa, so they will have to contact the Nepalese embassy.

Trek booking

Discovery World Trekking is a government-authorized trek and tour company. We are also members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Therefore, you can confidently book our services.  

We require a 10 percent advance payment for booking confirmation. After booking we need other necessary documents like a passport copy, passport-size photos, travel insurance policy, and arrival and departure flight details. Please send these documents to us within a week of booking. You can pay using bank transfer, western union, and online payment directly from our website. You can pay the remaining trip cost in cash, bank transfer, or using a credit card after arriving in Nepal. We will also email you payment information.

You can book this EBC trek here.

Currency exchange 

Nepali Rupees (NPR/Rs) is the local currency. (1 USD = ~ Rs.130 NPR). You can exchange most foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all over Thamel.  

These money exchanges visibly display the exchange rate. We advise you to bring cash and exchange it to avoid hassles like a lengthy process and high bank commission rates. 

You can withdraw cash (in Rupees only) from one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu and Thamel itself. Most ATMs open round the clock. You can withdraw 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing fee using a foreign card. If you use the money exchange facility at banks and financial institutions, they charge a service fee of four percent or more.

The trekking areas do not have banks and money exchange services, so you should exchange money in Kathmandu. The Everest region markets do not accept foreign currencies.

Extra personal expenses

This package covers most of the things during the trek but not all of them. You should pay for meals and accommodations in Kathmandu. There are all kinds of accommodations available based on what you can afford. Similarly, you will need extra money for visa processing, travel insurance policy purchases, beverages (including alcoholic, hot (tea, coffee) or cold drinks, tips for crew, souvenirs, etc.

We recommend you bring major currencies and exchange them in Kathmandu. Trek region markets only accept Nepali Rupees.

Travel Insurance

This trip grade is difficult as it takes place at high altitudes, and there are chances of altitude sickness or other unforeseen events due to sudden climate changes.

Travel insurance is compulsory for the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes. All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy document to Discovery World Trekking. 

Your insurance policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation - including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 6000m). 

We can recommend insurance companies to help you based on our client's experiences, but we do not sell insurance. DWT retains its right to refuse trekkers in case of insufficient, improper, or absence of travel insurance policy.

Trekkers are kindly requested to send their detailed insurance information once they book the trekking. It will help us arrange a quick and effective rescue operation in case of emergencies.

Last-minute booking

If you are not able to book in advance, Discovery World Trekking provides last-minute bookings. To take advantage of last-minute booking, you need to make 100% payment 24 hours before the trip departure date.

However, please be aware that we do our best to operate a trek at any time, but in case of last-minute booking, we cannot be held responsible for delays due to things beyond our control, such as weather or lodge availability

For more information, contact us at 977- 9840055491 (Paul).

Group & private trek

We organize groups as well as private treks. Group discounts are available based on your team size. The bigger your team is, the more discount you will get. However, if Discovery World Trekking assembles the group, you will not be eligible for discounts. We can handle all group sizes. Each group will have a group leader, a porter for every two trekkers, and an assistant guide for a group of 12 or more.

 

Ecotourism

As a responsible trek and tour company, we understand the importance of ecology. If we do not preserve the trek regions today, no one will come to these regions in the future. Hence, we partner with Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize ecological tours that balance the expectations of the trekkers and the locals.

 

Quick Notes:

Though our trek package has fixed departure dates, please check your dates, and if they do not suit you, let us know. We will organize the trek at your convenience. 

We look forward to taking you to the Everest Base Camp through the stunning Gokyo Lakes region.