Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Ri (avoiding Chola Pass) - 15 days

Your trip starts early in the morning, and if you're trekking in peak seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), most probably, flights from Kathmandu to Lukla might be rerouted to Manthali Airport. For an early morning Lukla flight, we will pick you up at your hotel around 12:30 am and then take you on a 5-hour drive to Manthali Airport. The subsequent flight from Manthali to Lukla takes approximately 20 minutes.

You can book a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla and bypass the long drive to Manthali. However, it will cost you approximately 550 USD extra, assuming you share the helicopter expenses with four others.

If trekking during other months (December, January, February, June, July, and August), you will fly to Lukla directly from Kathmandu. After breakfast, we'll take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for a picturesque 40-minute flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.

After landing at the Tenzing Hillary Airport, the trekking trails start. Since this will be your first day on the trek, the trek will be short and give you time to acclimatize. The path will take you through Chaurikharka Village, down to Dudhkoshi, and then to Phakding, the destination for the day. You can use your extra time exploring places in Phakding, Rimishung Monastery, in particular.

The trek starts from Phakding, and you will cross the Dudh Koshi river via a sturdy suspension bridge. As you trek forward, you might come across local wildlife, such as yaks, that might share the path with you. 

As you progress, the path leads into Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO-listed natural reserve renowned for its rare wildlife, such as snow leopards, red pandas, Impeyan pheasant, bearded vultures, and snowcocks. To continue your trek, you'll need to register your trekking permits at the checkpoint in Monjo. Following this, a steep climb up to Namche Bazaar awaits. From the Sagarmatha National Park, you can catch glimpses of the majestic Mount Everest looming in the distance.

Upon reaching Namche Bazaar, the main trading town in the Khumbu region, you can rest for a while and then explore this town. This town has all kinds of shops, wifi linked hotels, restaurants, and even an Irish pub!

You have already gained substantial height. So, it's time for acclimatization at Namche. You can use this day to explore the local market: the souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes. If you are curious about the local Sherpas, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and view the cultural artifacts. Consider visiting the Tenzing Norgay memorial, built to honor Tenzing Norgay, one of the first persons to summit Mt. Everest. 

We also recommend you visit the Khunde Hospital, a medical clinic established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1966, or embark on a one-hour climb to the Everest View Hotel, just above Namche. From here, you can get stunning views of the great peaks of Khumbu, including Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. Additionally, the Everest National Park Center offers a free exhibit on the history and culture of the Khumbu region.

The journey begins with an ascent up the uphill trail from the Dudh Koshi valley. The path elevates through a flight of stairs and then winds through a forested terrain toward Phortse Village. You will travel an uneven route that heads west toward the Gokyo valley. As you make your way, you might catch views of Himalayan Thar, Himalayan pheasant (Danphe), and musk deer. 

Just before Kyanjuma, the path descends and then continues toward Sansa village. Eventually, you will reach the final leg of your journey, crossing over into the Gokyo Valley. The route provides stunning views of the Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawache, and Khumbila mountains. The path dips briefly towards the Dudhkoshi Khola before continuing to Phortse village. From Phortse, you will travel out of the valley through a forest and past the yak pastures to arrive at Dole.

The trek begins from Dole, and you will reach Lopharma in half an hour. After Lopharma, the route passes through forests teeming with wild animals like mountain goats, pheasants, and musk deer taking you to Luza. From Luza, the path gradually descends to Machhermo, and the trek will last about one and a half hours. From Machhermo, you can enjoy the incredible views of Taboche, Cholatse, and Kajyori. 

You will leave Machherma and start your trek to stunning Gokyo Lakes. As you trek, you can take in breathtaking views of the Kangtega, Thamserku, and Cho-Oyu peaks. Gradually, the valley will widen at Phangga village, but be prepared for the challenging terrain ahead. A brief descent will lead you to a riverbank, from where you'll begin the ascent towards the Ngozuma glacier - the largest glacier in the Everest region. Then, you will pass by Longpongo and Raboche Tsho before arriving at Gokyo Lake, also known as Dudh Pokhari.

This is the second day we have allocated for acclimatization. You will embark on an early morning trek from Gokyo village to reach the summit of Gokyo Ri, or Gokyo Peak, located on the western edge of the Ngozumpa glacier, just above Gokyo village. From the top of the peak, you can soak up the stunning panoramic views of the highest mountains in the region, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After taking in the spectacular sights, you will head back to Gokyo village and take some time to explore the nearby Gokyo lakes. Gokyo lakes are a group of six major lakes that form the world’s highest freshwater lake system.

After breakfast, you will return to Phorse Village/ Phortse Thanga taking the same path you took to Gokyo. The return trip will be much easier as you will be mostly descending. We will stop at Dole for lunch, and after resting for about an hour, we will descend to Phorse, passing by pine and rhododendron forests. The trek will be rather long and may take around six hours. 

After a hearty breakfast, you will bid goodbye to Phortse and head toward Pheriche. Initially, the trail descends as it passes through a forest, eventually crossing the Imja Khola River. Then, the route ascends, providing magnificent views of Ama Dablam 22,493 ft (6,856 m) as it reaches the Pangboche Village. You will trek further following the Lobuche Khola and reach Pheriche.  

Today's trek will last for about six hours. Initially, you will head out of Dingboche village towards a ridge with a monastery and continue through a grassland plateau enjoying breathtaking views of Tawoche, Cholatse mountains, and Pheriche village, nestled in the valley below. When we reach Thukla, we will stop briefly to witness a chaotic jumble of rocks. From Thukla, the path ascends through a rugged high-altitude region and passes by a memorial dedicated to fallen climbers. You will continue trekking until you arrive at Lobuche, which once served as a summer yak-grazing post.

On this day, you will reach the Base reach Everest Base Camp summit. The journey begins by trekking through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier until you reach the picturesque Gorak Shep Village, nestled amidst snow-capped mountains. After reaching Gorak Shep, you will leave your belongings at Gorak Shep and head to Everest Base Camp (EBC). 

At the EBC, you will be awed by the breathtaking views. You should capture the panoramic view with your camera. Most trekkers get emotionally overwhelmed by their success after reaching EBC. After enjoying the views from the EBC, you will return to Gorak Shep, witnessing the views of the world's highest glacier - the Khumbu Glacier. 

At Gorak Shep, you will rise very early and hike to Kala Patthar, from where you will witness the sunrise over Mt. Everest and other surrounding peaks. The sight is truly awe-inspiring and unmatched by any other. After enjoying the views from Kala Patthar, you will trek back to Gorak Shep for breakfast. You will then rest for a while before continuing your journey to Pheriche, your destination for the day.

Following a restful night's sleep in Pheriche, you will rise early, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and commence your trek towards Namche Bazaar. The trail winds through vibrant rhododendron and juniper forests, crossing the Imja Khola bridge en route to Tengboche. After passing through Tengboche, you will trek through forests teeming with high-altitude wildlife such as musk deer, mountain goats, and, even snow leopards, finally arriving at Namche Bazaar.

It will be your last day on the trails, as you trek from Namche and head back to Lukla. The trek will also be the longest trek day. However, as you will be descending, it should be easier. On the way, you will cross Mongo and Phakding villages. As you trek forward, the tall mountains, especially Mount Everest, fade from the background. The last leg of the route from Phakding to Lukla is moderately uphill and requires some effort. You will spend your last night in the trek region at Lukla. 

At the end of your trek, you will depart from Lukla, your flight destination will either be Manthali or Kathmandu, contingent on the prevailing trekking season. Probably, you'll take a 20-minute flight to Manthali, with a subsequent 5-hour drive to Kathmandu if your trek falls in March, April, May, September, October, or November. During other months - December, January, February, June, July, and August - you'll fly directly to Kathmandu.

You have the option to take a helicopter to Kathmandu from Lukla. However, it will cost you around 550 USD extra on a five-people sharing basis. 

As you return to Kathmandu, the chances are you will be reflecting on your journey to Everest Base Camp and excited that you will soon be able to meet your loved ones back home. Later in the day, Discovery World Trekking will arrange a farewell dinner for you in Kathmandu.

Your trip starts early in the morning, and if you're trekking in peak seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), most probably, flights from Kathmandu to Lukla might be rerouted to Manthali Airport. For an early morning Lukla flight, we will pick you up at your hotel around 12:30 am and then take you on a 5-hour drive to Manthali Airport. The subsequent flight from Manthali to Lukla takes approximately 20 minutes.

You can book a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla and bypass the long drive to Manthali. However, it will cost you approximately 550 USD extra, assuming you share the helicopter expenses with four others.

If trekking during other months (December, January, February, June, July, and August), you will fly to Lukla directly from Kathmandu. After breakfast, we'll take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for a picturesque 40-minute flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.

After landing at the Tenzing Hillary Airport, the trekking trails start. Since this will be your first day on the trek, the trek will be short and give you time to acclimatize. The path will take you through Chaurikharka Village, down to Dudhkoshi, and then to Phakding, the destination for the day. You can use your extra time exploring places in Phakding, Rimishung Monastery, in particular.

The trek starts from Phakding, and you will cross the Dudh Koshi river via a sturdy suspension bridge. As you trek forward, you might come across local wildlife, such as yaks, that might share the path with you. 

As you progress, the path leads into Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO-listed natural reserve renowned for its rare wildlife, such as snow leopards, red pandas, Impeyan pheasant, bearded vultures, and snowcocks. To continue your trek, you'll need to register your trekking permits at the checkpoint in Monjo. Following this, a steep climb up to Namche Bazaar awaits. From the Sagarmatha National Park, you can catch glimpses of the majestic Mount Everest looming in the distance.

Upon reaching Namche Bazaar, the main trading town in the Khumbu region, you can rest for a while and then explore this town. This town has all kinds of shops, wifi linked hotels, restaurants, and even an Irish pub!

You have already gained substantial height. So, it's time for acclimatization at Namche. You can use this day to explore the local market: the souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes. If you are curious about the local Sherpas, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and view the cultural artifacts. Consider visiting the Tenzing Norgay memorial, built to honor Tenzing Norgay, one of the first persons to summit Mt. Everest. 

We also recommend you visit the Khunde Hospital, a medical clinic established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1966, or embark on a one-hour climb to the Everest View Hotel, just above Namche. From here, you can get stunning views of the great peaks of Khumbu, including Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. Additionally, the Everest National Park Center offers a free exhibit on the history and culture of the Khumbu region.

The journey begins with an ascent up the uphill trail from the Dudh Koshi valley. The path elevates through a flight of stairs and then winds through a forested terrain toward Phortse Village. You will travel an uneven route that heads west toward the Gokyo valley. As you make your way, you might catch views of Himalayan Thar, Himalayan pheasant (Danphe), and musk deer. 

Just before Kyanjuma, the path descends and then continues toward Sansa village. Eventually, you will reach the final leg of your journey, crossing over into the Gokyo Valley. The route provides stunning views of the Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawache, and Khumbila mountains. The path dips briefly towards the Dudhkoshi Khola before continuing to Phortse village. From Phortse, you will travel out of the valley through a forest and past the yak pastures to arrive at Dole.

The trek begins from Dole, and you will reach Lopharma in half an hour. After Lopharma, the route passes through forests teeming with wild animals like mountain goats, pheasants, and musk deer taking you to Luza. From Luza, the path gradually descends to Machhermo, and the trek will last about one and a half hours. From Machhermo, you can enjoy the incredible views of Taboche, Cholatse, and Kajyori. 

You will leave Machherma and start your trek to stunning Gokyo Lakes. As you trek, you can take in breathtaking views of the Kangtega, Thamserku, and Cho-Oyu peaks. Gradually, the valley will widen at Phangga village, but be prepared for the challenging terrain ahead. A brief descent will lead you to a riverbank, from where you'll begin the ascent towards the Ngozuma glacier - the largest glacier in the Everest region. Then, you will pass by Longpongo and Raboche Tsho before arriving at Gokyo Lake, also known as Dudh Pokhari.

This is the second day we have allocated for acclimatization. You will embark on an early morning trek from Gokyo village to reach the summit of Gokyo Ri, or Gokyo Peak, located on the western edge of the Ngozumpa glacier, just above Gokyo village. From the top of the peak, you can soak up the stunning panoramic views of the highest mountains in the region, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After taking in the spectacular sights, you will head back to Gokyo village and take some time to explore the nearby Gokyo lakes. Gokyo lakes are a group of six major lakes that form the world’s highest freshwater lake system.

After breakfast, you will return to Phorse Village/ Phortse Thanga taking the same path you took to Gokyo. The return trip will be much easier as you will be mostly descending. We will stop at Dole for lunch, and after resting for about an hour, we will descend to Phorse, passing by pine and rhododendron forests. The trek will be rather long and may take around six hours. 

After a hearty breakfast, you will bid goodbye to Phortse and head toward Pheriche. Initially, the trail descends as it passes through a forest, eventually crossing the Imja Khola River. Then, the route ascends, providing magnificent views of Ama Dablam 22,493 ft (6,856 m) as it reaches the Pangboche Village. You will trek further following the Lobuche Khola and reach Pheriche.  

Today's trek will last for about six hours. Initially, you will head out of Dingboche village towards a ridge with a monastery and continue through a grassland plateau enjoying breathtaking views of Tawoche, Cholatse mountains, and Pheriche village, nestled in the valley below. When we reach Thukla, we will stop briefly to witness a chaotic jumble of rocks. From Thukla, the path ascends through a rugged high-altitude region and passes by a memorial dedicated to fallen climbers. You will continue trekking until you arrive at Lobuche, which once served as a summer yak-grazing post.

On this day, you will reach the Base reach Everest Base Camp summit. The journey begins by trekking through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier until you reach the picturesque Gorak Shep Village, nestled amidst snow-capped mountains. After reaching Gorak Shep, you will leave your belongings at Gorak Shep and head to Everest Base Camp (EBC). 

At the EBC, you will be awed by the breathtaking views. You should capture the panoramic view with your camera. Most trekkers get emotionally overwhelmed by their success after reaching EBC. After enjoying the views from the EBC, you will return to Gorak Shep, witnessing the views of the world's highest glacier - the Khumbu Glacier. 

At Gorak Shep, you will rise very early and hike to Kala Patthar, from where you will witness the sunrise over Mt. Everest and other surrounding peaks. The sight is truly awe-inspiring and unmatched by any other. After enjoying the views from Kala Patthar, you will trek back to Gorak Shep for breakfast. You will then rest for a while before continuing your journey to Pheriche, your destination for the day.

Following a restful night's sleep in Pheriche, you will rise early, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and commence your trek towards Namche Bazaar. The trail winds through vibrant rhododendron and juniper forests, crossing the Imja Khola bridge en route to Tengboche. After passing through Tengboche, you will trek through forests teeming with high-altitude wildlife such as musk deer, mountain goats, and, even snow leopards, finally arriving at Namche Bazaar.

It will be your last day on the trails, as you trek from Namche and head back to Lukla. The trek will also be the longest trek day. However, as you will be descending, it should be easier. On the way, you will cross Mongo and Phakding villages. As you trek forward, the tall mountains, especially Mount Everest, fade from the background. The last leg of the route from Phakding to Lukla is moderately uphill and requires some effort. You will spend your last night in the trek region at Lukla. 

At the end of your trek, you will depart from Lukla, your flight destination will either be Manthali or Kathmandu, contingent on the prevailing trekking season. Probably, you'll take a 20-minute flight to Manthali, with a subsequent 5-hour drive to Kathmandu if your trek falls in March, April, May, September, October, or November. During other months - December, January, February, June, July, and August - you'll fly directly to Kathmandu.

You have the option to take a helicopter to Kathmandu from Lukla. However, it will cost you around 550 USD extra on a five-people sharing basis. 

As you return to Kathmandu, the chances are you will be reflecting on your journey to Everest Base Camp and excited that you will soon be able to meet your loved ones back home. Later in the day, Discovery World Trekking will arrange a farewell dinner for you in Kathmandu.