Everest Base Camp, Cho-La Pass & Gokyo Trek

15 Days

Why Book with Us?

  • Nepal Government certified
  • Respect guest time value
  • Voluntary community work
  • Responsible tourism
  • Professional Team building
  • Multi Country Program

  • See scattered lakes at the laps of Everest.
  • Great views of mountains that are over 8,000 meters, making them the highest peaks not just in Nepal but the entire planet.
  • Reach the beautiful high-altitude valley of Gokyo and also see the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal.
  • Have spectacular views of Mount Everest from the top of Gokyo Peak.
  • Reach the de facto destination in the Himalayas - the Everest Base Camp.
This program from High Venture Plus takes you on a challenging but rewarding journey to the Valley of Gokyo. This trip to Everest Region will also let you cross the high-altitude mountain pass of Cho-La, an all-time popular destination in the Himalayas. This challenging high-altitude trekking will take you through diverse landscapes of Khumbu - but you won’t stop there. You’ll in fact, reach the most popular destination in all of the Himalayas - the Everest Base Camp.
  
The regular trek starts with a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and takes you through popular places like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche (with its monastery), Gorak Shep, and the vantage point of Kalapatthar. The average walking distance is more than seven hours, making it one of the most challenging treks in Nepal but by far, the most rewarding one.

Route Map

Everest Base Camp, Cho-La Pass & Gokyo Trek Route Map

Itinerary

  • After breakfast, take an early morning flight to Lukla, from where you will trek to Phakding, traveling through beautiful forests and scenic routes.
  • Start from Phakding today and trek towards the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. It’s probably the largest town in the mountains of Nepal before you venture higher.
  • Relax and rejuvenate in the town of Namche. Here you will find several modern amenities that can be possibly found in a remote town - including  bakeries, high-speed Internet connectivity, cafes serving espresso, and pizza. Take a short hike around to acclimatize in the altitude.
  • After breakfast, begin your trek from Namche to Tengboche. It’s a leisurely walk just under six hours with plenty of scenic landscapes and views of the highest mountains. Stay overnight at Tengboche that houses the iconic Tengboche Monastery.
  • Begin early through the descending trail across mani walls and chortens. Arrive at Pangboche with a looming view of Mt. Ama Dablam. Trek further across the landscape via several settlements and arrive at Dingboche for the night.
  • Utilize the day by acclimatizing in Dingboche. This is the second and the last time you will acclimatize during this trek. While you can enjoy the morning with the grand views, you should take hikes around the higher grounds, which will help your body get in tune with the altitude. Return to Dingboche for the overnight stay.
  • Today you will travel around four to five hours. After breakfast, you will start from Dingboche and continue along the mountainous terrain. The views are always great ahead, but take note of the pass of Kongma-La - and don’t forget the camera. Arrive at Lobuche for the night.
  • Leaving Lobuche, you will head towards Gorakshep. It is the place where you will sleep tonight but it is also the day when you will visit Everest Base Camp before coming to Gorakshep.
  • Today the total walking distance is above 12 kilometers, and the duration is about eight hours with a number of rests in between. At first we will trek to Kalapatthar - a vantage point from where we will enjoy the great panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. After a pleasurable time at Kalapatthar, we will trek down to Zongla for the overnight stay.
  • The trek from Zongla to Thaknak takes around eight hours. As it’s a long day of trek today, we will begin early after a quick breakfast. First we will cross icy routes to arrive at Cho-La, a popular pass in the Everest region. Enjoy the views here and trek down to Cho-La glacier and leaving the icy routes behind, we’ll trek down to Thakna via Phedi. Stay overnight at Thaknak in a lodge or a guesthouse.
  • Leaving behind Thaknak after breakfast, we will trek along the diverse landscape to Gokyo. The comparatively easier path will take you along Dudh-Koshi River up to Gokyo Valley. Here, take a break and ascend up to a glacial area. Stay overnight at Gokyo Valley probably in a lodge.
  • Gokyo, as the region is known for its lakes, is actually not one or two lakes but a system of high-altitude glacial lakes. To have a view of most of these lakes, we will trek up to Gokyo-Ri. This is a viewpoint and a peak, from where we can have pristine views of turquoise lakes down on every side. We will see majestic mountains too. After a break here, we will descend along the route to arrive at Machhermo for the night.
  • The trek from Machhermo to Namche is scenic with all its alpine forests and beautiful landscape, but do not forget to watch your steps. The cold weather will gradually warm you up as afternoon hours begin. The five-hour trek today will seem to pass instantly as the thought of rest in Namche will comfort you.
  • It’s a seven-hour trek today. Gradually descending to Lukla, you will remember the difficult terrain that you trekked this week; but you will also remember that you did it! The thought of an airstrip at Lukla will cheer you up as tomorrow you will be flying back to Kathmandu.
  • Go to the airport early in the morning. Catch a flight to Kathmandu, and relax the rest of the day as you wish.

What's Included?

  • For accommodation in Kathmandu, the Hotel will be a 3 star Hotel and the room will be on twin sharing basis which includes breakfast. The package for Kathmandu’s hotel is for 2 nights.
  • Similarly, for accommodation in Pokhara, the Hotel will be a 3 star Hotel where the room will be on twin sharing basis, 2 nights.
  • Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS) card.
  • We further make arrangements of the best teahouses or lodge as far as possible in twin sharing basis throughout the trek journey.
  • Regarding the guide, we provide you with a professional very helpful and friendly trekking guide who can speak fluently in English.
  • The other assistant will also be provided if you are going in a group of two or more where the package will include their food, dally payment, transportation, and accommodation, along with covering up their insurance.
  • A down jacket, duffle bag and a sleeping bag will also be provided during the trek.
  • For transportation, we have roadways where we arrange tourist bus for solo travellers and private vehicle for group.
  • A T-shirt, trekking map and a certificate of achievement after completion of the trek will also be provided.
  • We also provide you with first aid kit.
  • The package also includes all the official and governmental charges.

What's not Included?

  • Visa arrangements and charges to Nepal (Obtain airport 15 days $25 – 30 days $ 40 -90 days $ 100 )
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and seasonal fruit will be provided during the trekking. ( About 250- 300 $ entire trekking )
  • All kinds of soft and hard drinks.
  • National and International plane fares.
  • Luggage charges (especially if they go excessive)
  • Travel insurance ( 30 $)
  • For extra accommodation in Kathmandu (if it exceeds more days than mentioned in the itinerary) whatever the cause might be early arrival, late departure or early return from the trek.
  • Along with accommodation, the same condition applies for food as well. You need to pay on your own for Breakfast, lunch and dinner for extra days even if it will be after returning back from the trek earlier than the mentioned date.
  • Personal expenses like phone recharge, laundry, hot shower, bottled water, extra porters, extra snacks, etc.Tips for guides and porters are also excluded as it is not a compulsion but it is expected that you tip them.

Trek Info

Here are some of the Trekking accessories that you require for the easy and convenient journey-

In general you will need four sleeping bags (we could provide you one for the trek), a duffel or a trekking bag of 70-80 liters (we can provide one), down jacket (this too we can provide one if needed for the trek) and a normal travel bag of 25-30 liters.

For clothing, you will require the following-

Upper body- For this-shirts, waterproof jacket, fleece jacket or pullover, water proof jacketare needed. Wind proof jacket are optional but preferred. For T-shirts, baggy cotton T-shirts are the best especially for warm days in lower altitudes. Moreover, we recommend synthetic T-shirts as they quickly absorb the moisture. Then, for the waterproof jacket, we recommend you to have nylon which is light.

Lower body- For this, you need hiking shorts, trekking pants, soft shell and hard shell pants, cotton pants or jeans. For hiking shorts, buy the fabric which dries quickly. For trekking pants, go for the ones which have zipper in the middle of the knees so that you can take off the bottom part when necessary. Forsoft shell pants, buy a synthetic fiber. Then, for hard shell, buy a waterproof one. Full zipper from top to bottom is preferred for both soft and hard shell pants. For extra wearable, have a pair of jeans or cotton pants.

Inner wears- Regarding inner wears, you need lightweight underwear which is preferably made up of synthetic. For women, own synthetic sports bras. You could also have swimsuit if you would like to.

Footwear- For this, you need a trekking boot, gaiters and sandals. For Trekking boots, get a hard sole lug-cleated boots for good performance for every kind of landscape. We then recommend you to have a pair as it helps keep your feet dry quickly and keeping dust, rocks and snow out of your shoes. We also suggest you to have a pair of sandals as it helps while you are in the lodge. Then, for socks, you require 4 pairs of synthetic and 3 pairs of woolen socks.

Hand wears- The hand essentials are gloves, mittens and hand warmers. For warm weather, buy synthetic or thin woolen gloves. For cold weather, buy a woolen or fleece gloves. While for mittens, Gore-Tex mittens are the best. Regarding hand warmers, it’s completely your choice whether you want to have or not.

Face protection- For protecting the face against the snowfalls, heavy wind, direct sun, etc. we recommend you to have a cap or a hat, a synthetic woolen hat, a lightweightedbalaclava, glacier glasses having 100% UV protected lens with side shields and hard-sided storage, headlamp, ear muffs, neck warmer, etc. Ear muffs and neck warmers are not necessary but are up to your choice.

First Aid Kit- Though the trekking guides will be carrying a first aid kit box, we suggest you to have one as well. So, for this, you will need to have basic emergency equipment. You can discuss with us regarding what all to take along with you.

Personal care- The personal care products that you will require while trekking are tooth brush, tooth paste (biodegradable is preferred), towel, soap, hand wash, sanitizers, wet wipes, deodorants, crèmes, etc. along with your other needs.

Miscellaneous but important- These include valid passport, passport size photos, airline ticket (and its copy), luggage locks, thick garbage bags, water bottle, small bag for travel documents, passport, wallet/purse, etc., pocket knife, sunscreen lotion (SPF 40 recommended) and lip balm of at least SPF 20.

Extras- The extras include trekking poles, snacks, books, games, chargers, binoculars, batteries, camera, guide book, extra glasses (if you wear), notebook/pen, sleeping bag liner, hydration bladder with drinking tube, pee bottle for men and pee funnel for women, thermos, etc.

Note- Tight fitting clothes especially made out of fabrics like lycra, especially to women can be offensive to the local villagers. So, make sure that you pack something to wear on top of them if you want to pack them.

FAQs

The ideal time to trek in Nepal whether it is either in Autumn- from September to November or in Spring- from March to May. These two seasons are considered to be the best time due to good weather and moderate temperate suitable for trekking.
In regard to the difficulty of trekking in Nepal, it depends upon the mountain range. Not all the trekking routes are that difficult to climb but there are places where you can find trekking most challenging as well.
In order to be fit for trekking, you need to start walking more and possibly go for hiking or even short distance trekking before you trek for long distance like this. You can go for hiking in your own place nearby before coming to Nepal as well.
The documents that you will require for trekking in Nepal will be your passport which should be valid at least till next 6 months, a copy of your insurance, 2 or more passport sized photographs, flight tickets of course along with emergency contact number in case of any emergency.
Yes, travel insurance is necessary and while getting the insurance, make sure that the company covers the altitude that you are trekking at. And the other thing, it is even better if you get the insurance from your own country.
For altitude sickness, as it is quite common problems in higher altitude, we provide you with some of the guideline regarding what you can do at your own level if it is not much. But if the sickness continues to get worse then you should immediately get down to lower region. In case of emergency, our guides will take care of it as they are well trained with using first aid and have basic knowledge of physical injuries or some other problems. But if the injury, altitude sickness or any other problem arises then the rescue team will be contacted. For this reason, you insurance helps a lot.
Yes, you need to have a trekking guide if you are a new trekker as you may not know about so many things like mountaineering or altitude sickness or even about the topography, weather, etc. And most importantly you will be able to know about the place that you are travelling; the exact location and can also have a company. But if you have travelled and especially trekked a lot of places in Nepal trekked earlier as well for many times and think you don’t need a guide then you may proceed. But for this also, make sure that you have the permission from the local and government authorities as trekking guide is mostly compulsory in many parts of the Himalayan region.
This however is not a compulsion in many of the trekking routes but it is better if you take a porter along with you as you can enjoy your travelling experience without having to carry a lot of loads- your backpack. And the other reason the local people will get a work to earn for their daily requirements and as the people in High Himalayas don’t have riches and live a simple normal life, it will perhaps be a great help.
The permits that you need for the trek will be done by our company and need not worry about it. But however, for your information, you will need to have a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card- this is a basic permit for trekking in Nepal along with the necessary permits of where exactly you are trekking if needed. You can also have FIT (Free Individual Trekker) if you are a solo trekker. But this is not valid for the restricted areas where you cannot go forward for solo trekking. The other necessities will be Valid passport with at least six month remaining before it expire, a valid Nepal visa, e-copy of passport sized photo. The other necessities will be done by the company itself.
Yes, you can solo trek or travel in Nepal. However, for trekking in higher altitudes where the regions are known as Restricted Areas, there you are not allowed to go alone as you will have to buy at least two permits. But the interesting thing is that in most of the areas you also need to carry a guide along with you. So, if you can manage to trek with your guide paying for his permit and being with him throughout the trek, then you possibly might be able to trek in that way. Otherwise, you can get along with someone who also wants to trek solo and go together instead.
The foods are usually served in the teahouses which will be plain but good and hygienic as they cook the vegetables nicely. They even soak iodine in water before cooking the vegetables so that you can get good and healthy food. Whereas if you are camping then you can get local foods that you can cook it. Since in higher altitudes, you won’t find refrigerators and frequent power cut; you will have to be vegetarian during the trek even if you are not. Then, regarding water facilities, bottled water is available up to the most of the Base Camp itself which will cost around US$1-4. But however, you should not drink water from the tap or streams.
For souvenirs, you can get good hand knitted woolen goods, hats, cashmere shawls, pashminas, Buddhist memorabilia, carved masks, puppets, wood carvings, jewelry, etc. as these are the things which are frequently bought by the tourists. You can get the souvenirs mostly at Thamel area when you are in Kathmandu. So, for all of the extra expenses including souvenirs, food and drinks other than what the Hotel/ Teahouse provides you, or perhaps some clothing or equipment for yourself then we recommend you to have around US$200-350 along with you. Besides that, you can withdraw money from ATMs while in Kathmandu as well.
Yes, you can buy trekking equipment in Kathmandu and it may even cost a little less amount but the quality of the product can’t be guaranteed. So, for this reason, we recommend you to bring the very necessary equipment like the trekking shoes along with you. But for other additional needs, you can buy it in Kathmandu itself.
You need to carry warm as well as cool clothing as there might be hotter in some of the places along the way or even in Kathmandu during summer season. Then, you have to have a sleeping bag as you might need it at times if the teahouses are unavailable or so in some places. The other things we recommend are small portion of snacks like chocolate bars, water proof wearable, cap, lotion, sunglasses, hand sanitizers, water bottle, first aid kit, etc. along with your daily necessities.
We don’t think you will need Ice axe or Crampons during trekking even in the Himalayas as the trails are marked nicely until and unless you go to trekking in the winter. Then, you will need them as there will be much more snowfall and will also be easy for you while trekking. In other season, instead of Crampons, we recommend you to have Micro spikes as they are not heavy and you can carry it easily. Plus, Micro spikes are comparatively less expensive as well. And regarding the Ice axe, we will provide you with one if it is really necessary though it’s not that necessary, as we will know more about the size and shape along with light weighted one.

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