Pur. View of Mount Everest from Gokyo valley

EBC and Gokyo Lakes

Name: EBC and Gokyo Lakes
Brand: Follow Alice
SKU: 829782795
Price: 2290 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Trips/Everest Base Camp

17 days

A challenging trek that takes you from lush valleys where the water roars right to the base of Mt Everest and the creaking Khumbu Glacier. Along the journey you stay in Sherpa villages and learn all about this people and their fascinating Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

We meet you at Tribhuvan Airport and drive you to the B&B in Thamel, a vibey district of Kathmandu. We have dinner together, get to know each other, and talk about the upcoming trek. There's also time to rent any missing trekking gear from one of the many outfitters in Thamel. Then catch up on your sleep, as we start hiking tomorrow!

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) in Kathmandu

Day 2: Travel to Ramechhap

Today we drive southeast for about five hours to reach the prettily placed town of Ramechhap. Set among farms and mountains, it's a lovely place to explore on foot. We come here so that tomorrow we can hop on a short, 15-minute flight from Ramechhap Airport (officially Mathali Airport) to Lukla, where the EBC trek begins.

Flower of Canna Yellow King Humbert, also known as canna lily, in tropical part of Nepal near Ramechhap

Day 3: Trek to Phakding (3-4 hr)

This morning we take an exhilarating, short plane ride to reach the high mountainside town of Lukla (2,860 m). We then immediately begin our trek, heading to the village of Phakding (2,610 m) on a trail that takes us across energetic rivers, past picturesque green villages and through thickly forested mountains.

Pur. Surke village near Dhud Kosi river en route to Phakding, Everest Base Camp

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (5-6 hr)

Today's hike involves a big jump in elevation. We head up the Dudh Khosi river valley towards Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the largest town in Khumbu region and an important trading hub. Namche sits high on a mountain, overlooking the confluence of two rivers, and it offers our first breaktaking view of the mountain Ama Dablam.

Day 5: Acclimatisation day

This is an important rest day, as our bodies need time to acclimatise to the high altitude. We explore some of Namche Bazaar's attractions like the Sherpa Museum and Namche Monastery. We can also take a day hike if you like to the attractive valley village of Khumjung, which has small fields neatly separated by low dry-stone walls.

Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (5 hr)

Today we trek further up the valley to the little town of Tengboche (3,867 m). The trail takes us along forest paths, through small traditional villages, across narrow suspension bridges, and into the shadows of magnificent snow-capped peaks. In Tengboche we can visit the largest Buddhist monastery in all of Khumbu region.

Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (6 hr)

There's another big jump in elevation on the cards today as we trek up and out of the valley to reach our overnight stop of Dingboche (4,260 m), a small, treeless and utilitarian valley village. But while the village isn't much to look at, the surrounding mountains loom large and are magnificent! Dingboche has an average temperature of just 1° C.

Trek route, looking back, from Dingboche to Chhukung, Nepal

Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (5-6 hr)

We wind our way up a wide valley to reach the tiny village of Lobuche (4,940 m). The terrain is barren and forbidding, and the settlements grow ever smaller and more modest the higher into the Himalayas we climb. Lobuche is particularly busy in spring when porters pass through, transporting supplies to Everest Base Camp.

Pur. Lobuche village Everest Base Camp Three Peaks Nepal

Day 9: Everest Base Camp! (9 hr)

Today we hike to Everest Base Camp! It's hard going to reach the site, which at the base of Everest sits 5,364 m above sea level. For most of the year the camp is empty, marked only by wind-battered prayer flags. But in May it's a hive of moutnaineering activity! Afte celebrating the win, we trek down to Gorakshep (5,164 m) for the night.

Day 10: Trek to Dzongla (7 hr)

In the morning we hike up Kala Patthar (5,643 m), which means ‘black rock’, to enjoy a great view of Mt Everest. It's a short but tough climb, and Kala Patthar is our highest elevation for the entire trek. We then hike to the village of Dzongla (4,830 m) for the night. It's another small and remote settlement in the vein of blink and you might miss it!

A Sherpa porter on the Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 11: Cross Cho Pass (8 hr)

The trek route today takes us all the way up and over Cho La (or Cho Pass in English) which at 5,420 m offers incredible panoramic views! The going is steep, and the ground can be rocky, loose and icy, with large boulders along the way. This is arguably the wildest, most formidable part of the entire EBC route. We then hike down to Tagnag (4,500 m) for the night.

Pur. A man standing on a rock in front of Chola lake and Tabuche foothills. Everest Base Camp 3 Passes Trek, Nepal (1)

Day 12: Trek to Gokyo (5 hr)

Today we trek to the tiny village of Gokyo (4,750 m) by the beautiful Gokyo Lakes. This is the world's highest freshwater lake system, and an important wetland for migratory birds. In late spring and summer the lakes are surrounded by green banks, in autumn they see red shrubs, and in winter the shores are blanketed in snow.

Day 13: Hike up Gokyo Peak (5 hr)

Today we summit Gokyo Peak (5,357 m). From here we can see four of the world’s 14 peaks reaching above 8,000 metres, as well as Ngozumpa Glacier, Nepal's longest glacier. Next we trek to the village of Machhermo, where we spend the night. The hike there takes us along the contour paths of a steep, boulder-strewn valley.

Pur. Panoramic view on Ngozumpa glacier, Gokyo lakes and Gokyo village from summit of Gokyo Ri.

Day 14: Trek to Namche Bazaar (5 hr)

Our hike down to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) takes us along a very pretty part of the Everest Base Camp route, and we pass through a handful picturesque mountainside villages like Dole along the way. We should reach Namche in good time, so you might decide to visit any of the sites we weren’t able to fit in on the outgoing trek.

Pur. Glaciers and moraines near Pangboche and Imja Khola river, EBC trek, Nepal

Day 15: Trek to Lukla (5 hr)

We're on familiar turf with today's trek, hiking the same route as Days 1 and 2 in reverse. Having built up you trekking muscles over so many days, as well as descending into more oxygen-rich air, you might feel like you have the strength of a star athlete today. We overnight in Lukla (2,860 m), ready for our Kathmandu flight tomorrow.

Day 16: Fly to Ramechhap

Today we say goodbye to Khumbu and fly to Ramechhap, then drive to Kathmandu. While it's a sad day in many ways, our hotel in Kathmandu is ready to comfort us with hot baths and plush towels. At dinner tonight we'll relive the adventures of the past two weeks. Those with the energy can explore Thamel a bit, perhaps taking a tuk-tuk ride around the district.

Day 17: Departure day

It's time to part ways today, and we drive you to Tribhuvan Airport for your flights home. But there's no forgetting the adventure we shared – such memories never fade!

Inclusions

Domestic flights

Airport transfers

Some meals before and after trek

All meals on trek

Experienced, English-speaking trek guide

Porter

All taxes and permits

Group medical supplies

Group route map

International airfares

Nepali visa

Traveller's insurance

Trek guide and porter tips

Snacks, mineral water, cool drinks and alcohol

Wi-Fi on the trek

Charging of tech items on the trek

Any luggage in excess of 15 kg on domestic flights

Gallery

Nepal lady prayer flags Between pangboche and Pheriche way to Everest BC

Ours. Dez and Bren group shot EBC trek trail Ama Dablam

FAQs

Do I need vaccinations to travel to Nepal?

No, there are no mandatory vaccines for visitors to Nepal.

How do I get to the start of the Everest Base Camp trek?

The Everest Base Camp trek starts in Lukla. This is a small village on the side of a mountain that can only be accessed via plane or by hiking there. There are no roads or trains leading there. Most people catch a small plane from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight lasts just 25 to 30 minutes. And the scenery as you fly over the mountains is breathtaking!

How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek?

The good news is that trekking to Everest Base Camp requires no mountaineering experience or technique. A fact that makes it wonderfully open to many, including, most probably, you. That said, it's a tough, multiday, high-altitude trek. Each day you're trekking for around five to eight hours, often over rugged, uneven terrain. It's not for the fainthearted, and requires grit and determination. But it's superbly rewarding!

Learn more details and what to expect in How hard is Everest Base Camp?

Is the Everest Base Camp trek dangerous?

Yes and no. Any high-altitude trek involves a level of risk. There's the chance you sprain an ankle, develop altitude sickness, or are pushed off a cliff by a fellow hiker tired of your dad-style jokes. But at the same time, trekkers who take the necessary precautions and act sensibly can undertake the trek without much concern.

One of the main things, in our opinion, is to do the trek with a qualified lead guide who knows the trail intimately and will look after you. These guys and gals know the warning signs of altitude sickness and how to respond and treat them.

Learn more about this important topic in How hard is Everest Base Camp?

Must I have traveller's insurance to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Absolutely! We don't think you should ever do a high-altitude trek without traveller's insurance. Also, the Government of Nepal won't grant you a trek permit without proof of insurance.

Learn more about the traveller's insurance (and other precautions) we recommend in Everest Base Camp trek cost.

What exactly is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is the body reacting badly to being made to go too high too quickly. The higher we climb, the fewer oxygen molecules we breathe in per breath. Our bodies find it hard to function properly with less oxygen, and need adequate time to adapt. Symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, vertigo, headaches and sleeplessness. Severe altitude sickness can be fatal.

Anything above 3,000 m can lead to altitude sickness, and we climb well above 5,000 m on the Everest Base Camp trek! So this is something to be taken seriously.

Please read more about the sickness and how to try prevent it in How hard is Everest Base Camp?

What is the currency of Nepal?

Nepal's currency is the Nepali rupee, abbreviated to Rs or NPR. Note that the NPR is a closed currency; you cannot get your hands on it outside of Nepal. Fortunately you can exchange major currencies for NPR at Kathmandu Airport, or you can draw some of the local currency from an ATM.

What is the distance of the Everest Base Camp trek?

The Everest Base Camp route is a roughly 150 km (93 miles) roundtrip. That at least is the route walked by Follow Alice, which includes a detour to the beautiful Gokyo Lakes. We prefer this route as your return journey isn't the same as the outward journey, so you experience more of the region. The itinerary we follow takes two weeks to complete. The traditional Everest Base Camp route, which takes the most direct route there and back, is 130 km (80 miles).

What trekking gear do I need for Everest Base Camp?

Those trekking to Everest Base Camp must bring hardy, worn-in hiking boots, a winter jacket made with a quality insulating material like down, thermal under-garments, a four-season sleeping bag, trekking poles, and a daypack. You should also bring a duffel bag for the bulk of your belongings, which a porter and yak transport for you.

For a comprehensive list of what to pack, please read Everest Base Camp packing list.

When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Peak seasons for Everest Base Camp (EBC) are late September to November, and March to May. These months see little rain, aren't as cold as others, and tend to have good visibility. But given its increased popularity in recent years, the EBC trek route can be quite crowded during peak seasons; as many as 500 individuals can set out on the trek route each day! This is another reason why it's a good idea to do a quieter detour like we do by trekking home via Gokyo Lakes.

Learn more about the different months and their conditions in Best time to trek Everest Base Camp.