Detailed Itinerary

Our Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and Cho La trek includes 17 days of trekking in the high Himalaya and 4 days in the vibrant city of Kathmandu to give a total of 22 days in Nepal.

The trekking itinerary includes acclimatisation days and gradual height gain to ensure that the effects of altitude are minimised and to give you the greatest chance of a successful trek.

DAY 1: Arrive Kathmandu

We will meet you at Kathmandu Airport and transfer you to your Kathmandu Hotel. If time permits you will meet your guide and have some time to relax and explore Kathmandu.

Overnight: Kathmandu Deluxe Hotel

DAY 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour

Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, a vibrant, exciting and culturally fascinating city. Your local guide will help you discover the sights, sounds and smells of Kathmandu during an exciting full day tour of Kathmandu.

Overnight: Kathmandu Deluxe Hotel

DAY 3: Flight to Lukla (2804m) and trek to Phakding (2610m)

An early start and private transfer to the airport and then a spectacular 30 minute flight over foothills of the Himalaya to your hoping off point of Lukla has to be one of the most spectacular starts to any walk. You will meet your porters in Lukla and then after all the build up it is great to be on the trail and on your way to base camp. A three hour walk brings you to your first overnight tea house in the village of Phakding.

Overnight: Phakding Guesthouse

DAY 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3535m)

The green slopes around Phakding are intensively terraced and farmed and offer a fascinating insight into the village life of the Sherpa people. The snow capped mountains tower around you as you crisscross the valley bottom on nerve jangling suspension bridges on your way to Namche Bazaar and a final sustained climb brings the welcome sight of the village.

Overnight: Namche Bazaar Guesthouse

DAY 5: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day

Regular acclimatisation days are crucial to a successful trek to in the Everest region and minimising the effects of altitude and also offer a great excuse to explore the Sherpa villages in the area. Generally you will trek to Khumjung and the Everest View Hotel but other options are available. You will also have time to wander around the important market town of Namche Bazaar and enjoy the delicious pastries at the German Bakery.

Overnight: Namche Bazaar

DAY 6: Namche Bazaar to Phortse Drengka (3675m)

Your day starts with a steep climb and passes numerous Chortens and buddist paintings as you climb to the top of the ridge at 3973m. You then descend steeply to the Dubh Kosi and your overnight accommodation. Today is a fairly short day to aid acclimatisation.

Overnight: Phortse Drengka

DAY 7: Phortse Drengka to Machherma (4470m)

The climb to Dole through the rhododendron, juniper and conifer forests makes for a particularly beautiful mornings walk. After lunch at Dole you continue to climb and the landscape gets increasingly barren as you gain altitude. Machhermo is your overnight stop and home to a very credible yeti sighting so tread carefully.

Overnight: Machhermo Guesthouse

DAY 8: Machherma to Gokyo (4790m)

Three to four hours of trekking through the magnificent scenery of the high Himalaya bring you to the small village of Gokyo. It is important to keep a close eye out for the symtoms of AMS as you have gained significant height over the last couple of days.

Overnight: Gokyo Guesthouse 

DAY 9: Climb Gokyo Ri (5483m)

You rise before the dawn for the steep and strenuous climb of Gokyo Ri which is arguably the best viewpoint in the Everest Region. There are spectacular views of the stunning Goyko Valley, massive Ngozumpa Glacier and four 8000m peaks including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho-Oyo. Back in time for a hearty lunch and relaxed afternoon of acclimatization.

Overnight: Gokyo Guesthouse

DAY 10: Trekking in the Upper Gokyo Valley (4998m).

To aid acclimatisation and explore this mountain paradise fully you will enjoy a challenging trek to the fourth and fifth Gokyo Lakes which are close to Cho-Oyo base camp.

Overnight: Gokyo Guesthouse

DAY 11: Trek to Thangna (4700m)

A relatively short days trek to the foot of the Cho La Pass at Thangna (Dragna) means that you will be fully acclimatised and fighting fit for the Cho La crossing the following day.

Overnight: Thankga Guesthouse

DAY 12: Cho La (5330m) Crossing and descent to Dzongla (4830m)

This is probably the most challenging day of your trek and the conditions can be very hard going depending on the time of year and recent weather conditions. Whatever the conditions you will enjoy a huge sense of achievement on reaching Dzongla.

Overnight: Dzongla Guesthouse

DAY 13: Trek to Lobuche (4930m)

From Dzongla you continue to descend to Duglha which nestes at the base of the Khumbu Glacier moraine. After lunch in this spectacular location you climb steeply to Lobuche and the mighty Khumbu Glacier slowly reveals itself to you. Lobuche is a cold and desolate settlement and has a real frontier feeling.

Overnight: Lobuche Guesthouse

DAY 14: Everest Base Camp (5364m).

An early start from Lobuche means you should reach Ghorak Shep by mid morning and you will then continue on to Everest Base Camp.

From Ghorak Shep the round trip to Everest Base Camp takes about six challenging hours as the ground is very rough and path ever changing as the glacier moves. Despite what others may say the round trip to EBC is worth every minute and it is a simply awe inspiring place The sight of the Khumbu Ice Fall is one you will not forget in a hurry.

Overnight: Ghorak Shep Guesthouse

DAY 15: Climb Kala Pattar (5545m – Everest Viewpoint) and descend to Pheriche (4280m)

An very early morning start for the climb to the summit of Kala Pattar will give you the best view of Everest and in the thin air you really do feel as if you could reach out and touch it. It is definitely a moment to treasure. You return to Ghorak Shep for breakfast and then begin the surprisingly quick descent, reaching Periche that afternoon.

Overnight: Pheriche Guesthouse

DAY 16: Pheriche to Tengboche (3867m)

As you continue to descend the air feels positively thick and you really do feel great. A lovely day of walking brings you to the village of Tengboche for your overnight stop. Tengboche is the largest and most active monastery in Nepal. If time permits you will visit the monastery and witness a prayer ceremony.

Overnight: Tengboche Guesthouse

DAY 17: Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3750m)

A cracking day of walking through Rhododrendron forests on the steep sided slopes that descend to the churning Dubh Kosi brings you back to the hussle and bustle of Namche.

Overnight: Namche Bazaar Guesthouse

DAY 18: Namche Bazaar to Phakding (2610m)

A relaxed descent to Phakding for your penultimate nights stay in a Nepalese Tea House.

Overnight: Phakding Guesthouse

DAY 19: Phakding to Lukla

The relatively short three hour trek to Lukla allows you to reflect on the challenges and highlights of your trek and all too soon you find yourself among the hustle and bustle of Lukla and the relative luxury that it offers. You will say goodbye to your porters and enjoy the comforts available and perhaps even enjoy a celebration with your fellow trekkers.

Overnight: Lukla Guesthouse

DAY 20: Fly Back to Kathmandu

The early morning is the best time for flying back to Kathmandu and after a short transfer to your hotel you can enjoy a day of rest and relaxation as well as that treat you have been craving for two weeks.

Overnight: Kathmandu Deluxe Hotel

DAY 21: Spare Day in Kathmandu

Flights from Lukla are occasionally disrupted due to bad weather so it is important to have a spare day in case of delays and there is plenty to do in Kathmandu.

Overnight: Kathmandu Deluxe Hotel

DAY 22: Onward Travel

We will transfer you back the airport for your flight home or maybe you would like to tailor this trip by adding on one of our extensions such as Chitwan National Park?