Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes

Day 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive early at Kathmandu International Airport and be transferred by Trek Climb Ski Nepal staff to your hotel accommodation. Welcome by your trip leader and issue of down clothing, sleeping bag and kit bag. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner and drinks hosted by your expedition leader and guides.

Radisson Hotel (or equivalent) in Kathmandu

Dinner

1350m (Kathmandu)

Day 2

Kathmandu

After a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel, we set off on a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu’s cultural highlights. We begin at Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu site, where sadhus, pilgrims and rituals line the banks of the Bagmati River.

Next is the serene Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas. Surrounded by prayer flags and spinning wheels, it’s a peaceful contrast to the bustle of the city.

We finish at Durbar Square, the historic heart of Kathmandu, home to centuries-old temples, courtyards and royal palaces.

After the tour, the afternoon is at leisure, with our team available to assist anyone needing last-minute gear or supplies. The evening is free to relax, explore or enjoy one of the city’s many great restaurants.

Radisson Hotel (or equivalent) in Kathmandu

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

1350m (Kathmandu)

Day 3

To Lukla and Phakding

Our staff will meet you very early this morning and you’ll travel by private vehicle to Ramechhap Airport (approximately 5 hours). Any luggage or personal possessions you won’t need during your Everest Base Camp Trek will be able to be stored (free of charge) at your hotel. They will be waiting for you when you return. From Ramechhap you’ll enjoy an incredible mountain flight to Lukla (2800m). Here your Everest Base Camp Trek truly begins! You’ll enjoy a hearty Sherpa breakfast at Namaste Lodge then commence your trek to Phakding.

Kongde Peak Guest House, Phakding

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

2600m (Phakding)

Day 4

Namche Bazaar

Today is a longer day on the trail so we start early for Namche Bazaar. After crossing the final suspension bridge above the Dudh Kosi (river), we begin up the famous Namche hill. If the weather is clear you’ll get your first view of Mt Everest en route. It’s a solid “up” to Namche but the rewards are great. Here we’ll spend 2 nights at the Namche Hotel which is home to the finest food, hot showers and hospitality in the Khumbu. Our hosts Ang Maya and Dorje Sherpa have been looking after us for years and our time at the Namche Hotel is a real highlight. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Namche Hotel

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

3440m (Namche Bazaar)

Day 5

NAMCHE BAZAAR

Today is an important acclimatisation day for us in and around Namche Bazaar given we’ve now crossed the 3000m mark. We’ll set off for an early morning walk up to the Hotel Everest View for stunning traditional views of Mt Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. An hour or so here at 3800m will really help us with our acclimatisation to come. We’ll also visit the Namche Bazaar Monastery and receive a blessing from the buddhist Lama. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the local markets, bakeries and shops in Namche which is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Namche Hotel

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

3440m (Namche Bazaar)

Day 6

Khumjung

Today we separate from the traditional Everest Base Camp trail as we trek up to Khumjung. Khumjung is home to the Sir Edmund Hillary School which is well worth a visit. The local monastery is home to the famous Yeti’s head which can be viewed for a small donation. Khumjung is beautifully located in a small valley and from here, Ama Dablam dominates the skyline to the east. The small village of Khunde is a short walk to the west and is a pleasant way to round out the day after lunch. Overnight in Khumjung (3780m)s.

Sherpa Altitude Lodge

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

3780m (Khumjung)

Day 7

DOLE

We aim for an early start today as we weave our way out of Khumjung en route to Dole. The trail begins with a constant up to the small hillside village of Mong at 3973m. There are beautiful views in all directions from Mong and it’s the ideal place for morning tea. From here we begin a long descent down to the river and we arrive at Phortse Tenga which sits at around 3650m. Depending on how we’re travelling timewise, we may stop for lunch at Phortse Tenga or opt to continue on to Dole. We arrive at Dole with plenty of time to enjoy lunch and rest up before a short afternoon acclimatisation walk. Overnight at Dole.

Dole Resort

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4200m (Dole)

Day 8

machhermo

The valley opens up today as we gradually ascend from Dole to Machhermo. The world’s 6th highest mountain – Cho Oyu at 8201m – now comes into clear view to the north and will stay in our sights all the way to Gokyo. Machhermo at 4410m is home to medical centre staffed by a western doctor and they regularly conduct seminars to passing trekkers on how to prevent altitude illness. Another enjoyable acclimatisation walk after lunch to the ridge-line above Machhermo provides us with stunning views of Cho Oyu. Overnight at Machhermo (4410m).

Yeti Lodge

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4410m (Machhermo)

Day 9

gokyo

This would have to be one of this authors favourite trekking days. The gradually ascending trail heads out of Machhermo though fields, tiny villages and small yak pastures. The scenery all day is nothing short of breathtaking with Cho Oyu constantly looming above. At the end of the valley we reach the mouth of the Ngozumpa glacier – the longest glacier in Nepal. Here we climb a short but steep staircase and emerge at the beginning of another valley and right beside First Lake of the sacred Gokyo Lakes. With the Gokyo Lakes coming into view on your left, the Ngozumpa glacier on your right and Cho Oyu towering above, trekking in Nepal doesn’t get better than this. We stay in Gokyo tonight and begin preparations for our climb of Gokyo Ri tomorrow morning. Overnight at Gokyo.

Gokyo Resort

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4790m (Gokyo)

Day 10

gokyo RI

It’s not every morning we’re up at 4 a.m. but today it’s well worth it. We begin our ascent of Gokyo Ri (5350m) in the dark and by torchlight. As we get higher the sun rises and we begin to appreciate where we are. Across the valley standing tall above everything else is Mt Everest. Makalu is not far away and Cho Oyu continues to tower above us.  Gokyo Ri is an unforgettable highlight of the Everest Circuit Trek and this is a day you’ll tell friends about for years. We don’t rush to leave the summit of Gokyo Ri, especially when the weather is good. We finally head back down to Gokyo and enjoy a well-deserved breakfast. Today is a day to relax by the beautiful Gokyo Lakes and take it all in. Overnight at Gokyo.

Gokyo Resort

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4790m (Gokyo)

Day 11

dragnag

We say farewell to Gokyo today and backtrack a short distance past the sacred Gokyo Lakes. We then climb briefly to the top of the short ridge-line above the Ngozumpa glacier. After a quick rest, we descend down onto the Ngozumpa glacier itself. The trail weaves in and around the seracs and many small glacial lakes. It’s a surreal experience crossing the longest glacier in the Himalaya. We complete the glacier crossing and arrive in a beautiful field and the small village of Dragnag. We make it here in plenty of time to relax, unwind and enjoy the afternoon sun. Today is an easy day and everybody is happy to rest. Overnight in Dragnag (4700m)

Hotel Khumbi-La

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4700m (Dragnag)

Day 12

dzongla

Today is the biggest day on our Everest Circuit Trek itinerary. We’re up at around 4.30 a.m. for a hearty breakfast. Nobody will feel much like eating but we need to fuel up for the big day ahead. We wind our way up the valley and away from Dragnag. It’s a slow gradual up and we don’t need to rush. We pass by yak pastures and numerous small huts but there are no permanent settlements here. We descend then cross a field of boulders and then begin the steep up to the Cho La pass at 5420m. Slow and steady is the order of the day and we are elated when we finally reach the top. The views are spectacular as we step onto the glacier and begin our march down the snow and ice covered trail to Dzongla. Overnight at Dzongla.

Maison Sherpa Lodge

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4830m (Dzongla)

Day 13

lobuche

A much easier trekking day today is just reward on the back of our efforts yesterday. We leave Dzongla with Ama Dablam dominating our view to the east. The trail hugs the hillside and slowly winds to the north. After an hour or so we merge with the main Everest Base Camp trekking route, right opposite the Memorials. The Memorial Cairns pay tribute to the many local and western mountaineers that have lost their lives on the mountains in this region and are a sobering reminder of the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering. We pay our respects and then continue gradually alongside the mighty Khumbu glacier to Lobuche. Overnight at Lobuche.

Himalayan Eco Lodge

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4910m (Lobuche)

Day 14

gorak shep

From Lobuche, we trek alongside the incredible Khumbu glacier on our way to Gorak Shep (5140m). We stay overnight at Gorak Shep, which is actually a frozen lakebed covered with sand. Our goal for today is to arrive at Gorak Shep in plenty of time for lunch. Then, weather permitting, at around 3.30 pm we’ll ascend Kala Pattar to witness a spectacular sunset over Mt Everest and Nuptse. This is another special highlight of your Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes trek not to be missed. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Snowland Inn

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

5140m (Gorak Shep)

Day 15

everest base camp

Today we’ll have a slightly later start and everyone will relish the opportunity to sleep in. After breakfast, you’ll receive a pack lunch and we’ll set-off for Everest Base Camp. At a nice casual pace, the trip takes us around 3 hours and you’ll have plenty of time for photos along the way. You’ll marvel at the stunning (and deadly) Khumbu Icefall and feel an overwhelming sense of achievement having reached Everest Base Camp. After the obligatory high-fives, we’ll trek back to Gorak Shep for a big dinner and a final night above 5000m. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

Snowland Inn

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

5140m (Gorak Shep)

Day 16

dingboche

A well-earned cruisy trekking day downhill all the way to Dingboche (4410m). From Dingboche we enjoy views of Makalu, Lhotse and Island Peak to the north and Ama Dablam looms large directly above. Dingboche has become a vibrant Sherpa community and you’ll find plenty of interesting shops to keep you busy. Overnight at Dingboche.

Bright Star Lodge

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4410m (Dingboche)

Day 17

pangboche

From Dingboche to Pangboche (3910m) where the views of Ama Dablam don’t get any better. A visit to the Pangboche Monastery is well worth it. Overnight at Pangboche (3910m).

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4910m (Lobuche)

Day 18

namche bazaar

Today we trek through Deboche which is located in the midst of beautiful rhododendron forests. From Deboche we continue on past Tengboche and we spend some time exploring the famous monastery, the cultural centre and of course the local bakery. From Tengboche, we enjoy the long descent down to the river before climbing one last time up to the small village Sanasa. From Sanasa we continue on to Khumjung, or depending on how the group is feeling, we may elect to continue on a little further to Namche Bazaar. Both Namche Bazaar and Khumjung are great places to unwind after a long day and to begin reflecting on our journey to date. Overnight at Khumjung or Namche Bazaar.

Namche Hotel

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

3440m (Namche Bazaar)

Day 19

phakding

Today is a fantastic downhill day and an early start gets us out before the yak trains start kicking up the dust. With our acclimatised bodies we power on down the Namche hill and motor alongside the Dudh Kosi river. We notice all the fresh and clean people passing us preparing to head up the Namche Hill and beyond. It feels like only yesterday that that was us. It’s a great day to cruise and the magnitude of our achievement over the past two and a half weeks is beginning to resonate. We enjoy a final day walking with our Sherpa guides and porters that have become our friends. Overnight in Phakding.

Kongde Peak Guest House

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

2600m (Phakding)

Day 20

lukla

Today we trek back to Lukla and enjoy a great celebration to the end of our trip with all our guides and porters. We stay at Namaste Lodge and our hosts – Kami Sherpa and his family – will have the food, drinks and music flowing all night. Our final night parties at Namaste Lodge have become the stuff of legend! Overnight at Lukla.

Namaste Lodge

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

2800m (Lukla)

Day 21

Return to kathmandu

Fly from Lukla to Ramechhap and then return to Kathmandu by private vehicle. Give the hot showers a solid workout and enjoy a great final day and evening in Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Radisson Hotel (or equivalent)

Breakfast and lunch

1350m (Kathmandu)

Day 22

kathmandu

Trip concludes and all guests will be conveyed to Kathmandu International Airport to meet their respective international flights.

Radisson Hotel (or equivalent)

Breakfast

1350m (Kathmandu)