Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes Trek

Meet our representative upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel and check in. Attend a traditional Nepali welcome dinner in the evening.

An early morning flight from Kathmandu will whisk you to Lukla (2,860m). The trek starts from Lukla's airstrip along well-paved footpaths. There are numerous teahouses along the way as well as a scattering of green conifers.

Phakding, located at the elevation of 2,610 meters, is a pretty village comprising approximately 30 houses. It is roughly a three-hour walk away from Lukla and is spread out on both sides of the Dudh Kosi River.

Head for Monjo, a quaint Sherpa settlement that acts as an entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. Show your permits at the national park office in Monjo. There is a tough, uphill climb of around 600 metres before you reach Namche Bazaar. Halfway up the hill, you will get your first glimpse of Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse.

The journey takes around five hours to complete.As you approach Namche Bazaar, the peaks of Thamserku (6,648m) and Kwangde (6,224m) become visible.

As the unofficial capital of the Khumbu region, Namche Bazaar is a tourist hotspot and is famous for its bakeries and Sunday street market. In addition to guest houses, this town has restaurants, shops, banks and currency exchange centres.

Stay in Namche and allow your body to acclimatise. You can even hike to the surrounding villages if you want to. The optional hikes that we have for today include trips to Khumjung, where you can visit the local school and hospital; Thame, home to some of the greatest Sherpa mountaineers including Tenzing Norgay; or the airstrip at Shyanboche (3,720m), above which you can see the famous Everest View Hotel. Please let us know if you are interested in any of the above options.

The trail runs up and down the hills to reach Tyangboche, a Sherpa village built around the leading Tibetan monastery of the region. You can enter into the monastery if you want to and listen to monks chanting their mantras. Enjoy amazing views of Mount Lhotse, Mount Everest and Mount Amadablam.

Hike through forests and along the Imja Khola Valley to reach Pangboche, home to the oldest monastery in the region. The journey from Pangboche to Dingboche is mostly uphill. Call it a day on reaching Dingboche.

Spend yet another day acclimatising to the increasing elevation. You can visit a lesser-known highlight of the Khumbu region, Nangkartshang Peak, for magnificent views of Mount Makalu, Island Peak and Peak 38.

The land becomes barren and vegetation sparse as the elevation rises. The trail can get rocky at places and it is important to watch your step. Your day ends on reaching Lobuche, one of the last overnight stops for those heading for the base camp.

Travel along the Khumbu Glacier to reach the tiny settlement of Gorakhshep, where you can have your lunch. Continue your journey after the lunch to reach Everest Base Camp, one of the highlights of your jounrney.

Enjoy unforgettable views of the Himalayas and see Mount Khubutse, Mount Pumori, Mount Changtse and the Khumbu Icefall before it is time to return back to your accommodation.

Head for the top of Kala Patthar, which offers a 360-degree view of Everest and other mountains in the Himalayas. See Mount Pumori (7,169m), Mount Everest (8,848m) and Lhotse (8,516m) as well as Changtse and Nuptse (7,861m) among other peaks in the Himalayas.

Return to Lobuche and continue your journey to Cho La Pass, staying overnight at Dzong La. The walk to Cho La and Gokyo offers spectacular views of Amadablam, Makalu, Baruntse, Cho Oyu, Cholatse and Tawoche mountains.

Start with a gentle climb towards the Cho La Pass. The trail travels through a glacier marked with cairns. The trail moves downhill to reach Thangnak once you have crossed the Cho La.

Continue your journey to the lakes of Gokyo, which pour down to the western division of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Hike past three of the lakes. On the east bank of the third lake, Dudh Pokhari, lies the community of Gokyo.

A two-hour hike from the settlement will take you to the fourth lake, known as Thonak Tsho, located at an elevation of 4,840m. Continue to the last of the five lakes that together form the Gokyo Lakes, Ngozumpa Tsho (4,980m).

There is a small hill adorned with prayer flags on the periphery of the moraine to the east of the lake. Enjoy stunning views of the Ngozumpa Glacier as well as Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse and Mount Makalu .

Climb Gokyo Ri, also known as Gokyo Peak, located at an elevation of 5,357 meters. Take in the views from the top before making your way down for breakfast. Retrace your steps down to Dole.

Hike down to Namche Bazaar (3,790m). There is an uphill portion of about one hour en route to Mong La (4,000 meters). After that, the journey is mostly downhill all the way to Namche.

Cross a suspension bridge to reach Monjo. Continue to Phakding, enjoying beautiful views of Sherpa villages, snow-capped mountains, lush hills and deep forests. Follow the trail along the Dudh Kosi River to reach Lukla, the final destination of the day.

Catch your flight back to Kathmandu. Check into your hotel in the city on arrival.

Check out of your hotel. You can explore Kathmandu on your own if you want to before it is time for departure. We will drop you off at the airport for your journey home.