Overview
There is an alternative route that allows you to explore Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp without crossing Cho La Pass. You start trekking from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, then continuing on to Phortse Thanga, Dole, Machhermo and finally reaching Gokyo village which is situated on the banks of the pristine Gokyo Lakes. Subsequently, you’ll climb the Gokyo Ri for the stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas.
After Gokyo, you can retrace your steps back to Phortse Thanga and continue on to Photse village, Pangboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep. From Gorakshep, you trek further to your journey to Everest Base Camp, located at an altitude of 5364 meters and enjoy the spectacular views of the Khumbu icefall and surrounding peaks. After enjoying the views from Everest Base Camp then return to Gorakshep for a night stay.
Next morning climb Kala Patthar peak, a popular viewpoint located at an altitude of 5545 m. It is renowned for offering one of the most incredible panoramic views of Mount Everest, as well as the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
After visiting Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, you can trek back to Lukla via Tengboche monastery which is the most important center of Buddhism in the region. The return of the trek from Gorakshep to Lukla is almost downhill. After the completion of the trek at Lukla, you can celebrate the last night in the Himalayas. The next day you take the thrilling and scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Trip highlights
Detailed Itinerary
As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks in Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. As per your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel. Overnight in Hotel.
Today after the breakfast we will proceed for sightseeing tour in and around the Kathmandu valley. The Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath temple and Boudhanath temple are the major sight-seeing areas around the Kathmandu valley. These all are listed in a world heritage sites. The Durbar Square shows us the regal life of ancient periods. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages. Swoyambhunath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is the Buddhist temple which is very popular around the globe. Swoyambhunath is also known as money temple stands on the hilltop west of the Kathmandu valley. It can also be known as the viewpoint of Kathmandu valley. Boudhanath temple is the biggest Chhorten ever made around the world. Overnight in Hotel.
We take a stunning early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, Gateway to the Everest region, perched above the Dudh Kosi or River of Milk so named because of the pale milky appearance of the glacier melt-water. We are now in the region of the legendary Sherpas and you will notice the difference in the faces of the people you meet here and those from the Kathmandu valley.
After lunch we trek north down towards Phakding along a meandering trail which is lined with mani stone walls, made with hundreds of stone tablets and giant carved boulders, brilliantly decorated with brightly colored paints. The Buddhists believe these to be sacred and so as a sign of respect to the local culture we pass them in a clockwise direction. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.) which takes about five and half hours. We head onwards and upwards as the trail starts to rise through a forest of rhododendron, magnolia and giant fir-trees. Our target this evening is Namche Bazaar, a delightful mountain village and the Sherpa capital, but first we must ascend Namche Hill; walking at a gentle but steady pace we finally arrive at the town that is itself an important meeting and trading point for the local people. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today is a rest and acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Namche is a colourful village with many wonderful and interesting shops and vendors, fabulous food, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. An early hike above town, before the clouds move in, reward climbers with a spectacular Himalayan sunrise and views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse (the 4th highest peak in the world), and the beautiful Ama Dablam. On the way down, we can visit the Sherpa Museum that houses an exhibit on traditional Sherpa lifestyle and a fabulous photography display by a local Nepalese naturalist. One room highlights the Sherpa traditions and in another, Sherpa high altitude climbers are presented.
It is important to note that acclimatization is extremely important and that by using these acclimatization days correctly we greatly improve our chances of reaching our goal of Kalapatar, which lies at an altitude of 5545m. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The trails easy in the begging up to Kyangjuma & climb steeply out of the valley through rhododendron forests, which give way to fragrant stands of juniper and large conifers as the elevation increases. This trek is especially beautiful in spring when the rhododendrons are blooming. The trails pass many Kharkas, summer settlements used when Sherpas bring herds of yaks to graze in these high pastures. The route passes through the settlement s of Tongba (3950m) and Gyele (3960m) to Dole where there’re few hotels. The views of Khumbila and Tawache (6542m) are incredible throughout the day!! Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We continue our uphill trek and pass through Dole. Throughout today’s journey we will be walking alongside the Dudh Koshi River. Approximately, it will take 4 - 5 hours to reach Machhermo from Dole. The small and thorny bushes give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements, where yaks are taken to these places to graze in the summer. Ahead of you are magnificent views of Cho Oyu, while back down the valley are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We ascend on a hill and enjoy views of the Dudh Koshi valley and Kangtega, Thamserku and Cho-Oyu mountains. Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through a Chorten and reaches Phangga. We descend to the river bank before climbing up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozamba Glacier on a steep trail. We pass through Longpongo, Raboche Tsho and Dudh Pokhari before reaching Gokyo. On the trail next to the first lake, we see what is believed to be the footprints of a Lama (Buddhist priest). We explore Dudh Pokhari before calling it a night. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Gokyo is one of the trade centers, where the Sherpa people run lodges to provide the best services to the trekkers. Gokyo itself is located by the side of Ngozumpa glacier, the biggest glacier of Nepal. We can spend this day taking a rest in the Gokyo valley and hike to the 5th lake. If we want to, we can climb a hill, also called the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint, which is located at the edge of the 5th lake. From here we get magnificent views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu mountains. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We trek down on the same trail through Phorste Thanga then a short climb to Phorste. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Perhaps today is the most interesting trekking because you will not lose altitude like on other days and you will enjoy views of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Lhotse & other peaks; the route continues through pastures to Pheriche. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
On this day, you will reach the Everest Base Camp. 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. 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. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The day starts with a hike up to Kalapattar (5545m), the best viewpoint to witness Mount Everest, in all its glory and the spectacular Himalayan range. We then trek back to Gorekshep, for breakfast and then descend to Dingbuche. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Easy walk along the Imja Khola, short climb to Tengboche, descend Pungki Thanka and complete steep to Kyangjuma, and easier trail to Namche. Overnight in tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Take the downhill trail to Lukla. We will follow the descending trail and walk through rocks and boulders to the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River. On reaching Lukla, you head to a local teahouse where you will stay overnight. In the evening, you celebrate the completion of your trip with your trekking crew.
There will be singing, dancing, and endless local brew rounds with the porters, guide, and assistant guides. This is an excellent time to thank the local crew for helping you realize your EBC dream. Offer them tips before retiring for the night and bidding goodbye to most of them. Overnight in teahouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You successfully conclude the trek and proceed for flight to Kathmandu. We will enjoy our last view of the high mountains while flying back to the Kathmandu from Lukla. The snow-capped mountains will be worth to watch. After 25 minutes of flight, our representative will be waiting for you at domestic airport to take you back to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure; feel free to relax or explore the local markets. Overnight in Hotel.
You can explore around the Heritage sites in the city, stroll down the streets of Thamel for local cultural experience, visit nearby monasteries, relax at a nearby spa centers or do some souvenir haunting in the local bazaar. Overnight in Hotel.
As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or any other destinations. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.
Or inform us if you want to stay longer for short tours such as Jungle Safari at National Parks, Mountain Biking, Rafting, a Tibet tour, a Tour to Bhutan or India Tour. We will be happy to assist you.
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Trip facts
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Trip duration : 19 days -
Grade : Moderate to fairly challenging -
Activity : Cultural sightseeing tour and trekking -
Trek Type : Tea House -
Accomodation : Hotel & lodge (tea house) -
Max Altitude : 5545m
Gallery
Extension Tours
Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
