● Explore the turquoise lakes and mountain scenery of Gokyo Valley.
● Enjoy an optional ascent of Gokyo Ri for panoramic Himalayan views.
● Cross the spectacular Cho La Pass.
● Reach Everest Base Camp at approximately 5,364 metres.
● Visit Kala Patthar for close views of Everest, conditions permitting.
● Experience Sherpa culture and mountain hospitality.
● Discover Namche Bazaar and traditional Khumbu villages.
● Follow a scenic circuit through both the Gokyo and Everest valleys.
The Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes combines the classic Everest adventure with the beautiful landscapes of the Gokyo Valley. This circuit takes you through traditional Sherpa settlements, peaceful alpine valleys and glacier trails before joining the main route to Everest Base Camp.
Your journey begins with a mountain flight to Lukla, followed by a trek along the Dudh Koshi River to Namche Bazaar. After an acclimatisation day, the trail continues through Mong La, Dole and Machhermo to Gokyo, where turquoise lakes sit beneath towering Himalayan peaks.
From Gokyo, continue to Thagnak and cross the challenging Cho La Pass to Dzongla. The adventure then leads through Lobuche and Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp. A visit to Kala Patthar, when health and weather permit, offers memorable views of Everest before the return journey through Pheriche, Namche and Lukla.
Designed for fit hikers with previous trekking experience, this compact itinerary combines mountain adventure with personal attention from our local team. Daily plans remain flexible according to acclimatisation, weather and trail conditions.
Begin your adventure with a mountain flight to Lukla. Meet the trekking crew and follow the Dudh Koshi Valley through small villages, prayer walls and suspension bridges to Phakding.
Flights may operate from Kathmandu or Ramechhap. The required airport transfer will be arranged according to your confirmed flight schedule.
Walking: Approximately 3–4 hours
Overnight: Phakding, 2,610 m
Follow the river through Monjo and enter Sagarmatha National Park. Cross suspension bridges before making the steady uphill climb to Namche Bazaar, the main trading centre of the Khumbu region.
Walking: Approximately 6–7 hours
Overnight: Namche Bazaar, 3,440 m
Spend the day adjusting to the altitude. Depending on your condition, take a gentle hike towards the Everest View area or nearby Sherpa villages. Return to Namche for rest and time to explore its shops and cafés.
Optional walking: Approximately 3–5 hours
Overnight: Namche Bazaar, 3,440 m
Leave the main Everest trail and head towards the Gokyo Valley. Walk along scenic hillsides before climbing to Mong La. This intermediate overnight stop breaks up the ascent towards Dole.
Walking: Approximately 4–5 hours
Overnight: Mong La, approximately 3,975 m
Descend towards Phortse Thanga, then climb through forest and open mountain slopes to Dole. Enjoy changing scenery as the trail enters the higher alpine valley.
Walking: Approximately 4–5 hours
Overnight: Dole, approximately 4,200 m
Continue through alpine pastures and small settlements towards Machhermo. This shorter walking day provides time to rest and prepare for the higher sections ahead.
Walking: Approximately 3–4 hours
Overnight: Machhermo, approximately 4,470 m
Follow the upper valley past the first glacial lakes before reaching Gokyo village beside the third lake. Spend the afternoon resting and enjoying the lakeside scenery.
Walking: Approximately 4–5 hours
Well-acclimatised guests may make an early ascent of Gokyo Ri before returning to Gokyo and continuing to Thagnak. Follow your guide across the currently usable Ngozumpa Glacier trail.
Gokyo Ri is optional in this compact itinerary. Your guide may omit the climb according to your health, energy level and conditions.
Walking: Approximately 6–8 hours with Gokyo Ri, or 3–4 hours without
Overnight: Thagnak, approximately 4,700 m
Start early for one of the most demanding days of the journey. Climb towards Cho La Pass, cross the high mountain terrain and descend to Dzongla.
Snow and ice may require traction equipment and additional precautions. The crossing proceeds only when your guide considers the conditions suitable.
Walking: Approximately 7–9 hours, sometimes longer
Cho La Pass: Approximately 5,420 m
Overnight: Dzongla, approximately 4,830 m
Enjoy a shorter walk through the upper valley and join the main Everest Base Camp trail. Arrive in Lobuche with time to rest after the pass crossing.
Walking: Approximately 3–4 hours
Overnight: Lobuche, approximately 4,910 m
Walk across rocky glacier-side terrain to Gorak Shep. After a break, continue to Everest Base Camp and enjoy the surrounding Khumbu Glacier landscape before returning to your lodge.
Walking: Approximately 7–9 hours
Everest Base Camp: Approximately 5,364 m
Overnight: Gorak Shep, approximately 5,164 m
If health and weather allow, make an early climb to Kala Patthar for impressive views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Return to Gorak Shep, then descend through Lobuche towards Pheriche.
Walking: Approximately 7–9 hours
Kala Patthar viewpoint: Approximately 5,550 m
Overnight: Pheriche, approximately 4,240 m
Return through Pangboche and the Tengboche area, passing villages, forest trails and mountain viewpoints. The route includes several uphill sections before reaching Namche.
Walking: Approximately 7–9 hours
Overnight: Namche Bazaar, 3,440 m
Descend towards the Dudh Koshi River and retrace the trail through Monjo and Phakding. Complete the final climb to Lukla and enjoy your last evening in the mountains.
Walking: Approximately 6–8 hours
Overnight: Lukla, approximately 2,860 m
Take your return flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap. If landing in Ramechhap, continue by road to Kathmandu.
Mountain flights depend on weather conditions, so additional time should be allowed before your international departure. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the Himalaya Kingdom Treks & Tours team to celebrate the completion of your Himalayan adventure.
Trip finishes: Kathmandu
Evening: Farewell dinner
Walking times and elevations are approximate. The itinerary may change according to health, weather, accommodation availability and trail conditions.
● Round-trip Lukla flights on the confirmed flight route.
● Ground transfers for the scheduled domestic flights, including Ramechhap transfers when required.
● Fourteen nights in standard mountain teahouses, normally on a twin-sharing basis.
● Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek.
● One farewell dinner in Kathmandu on the final day.
● One cup of tea or coffee with each included meal.
● Services of a government-licensed trekking guide.
● Porter support, normally one porter for two guests, with an agreed baggage limit.
● Guide and porter wages, meals, accommodation and applicable staff insurance.
● Sagarmatha National Park entry and Khumbu local entry charges.
● Other mandatory route permits or registrations required at the time of travel.
● Sleeping bag and duffel bag on loan, if requested.
● Guide-carried basic first-aid kit and pulse oximeter.
● Pre-trek briefing and trekking coordination.
● Assistance arranging emergency services when necessary.
● Applicable company service charges and taxes as stated in your quotation.
● International flights and Nepal visa fees.
● Kathmandu accommodation and international airport transfers unless included in your quotation.
● Kathmandu sightseeing, meals and personal expenses, except for the included farewell dinner.
● Travel insurance, medical treatment and rescue or evacuation costs.
● Personal trekking clothing, boots and equipment.
● Traction equipment unless specifically included.
● Bottled drinks, alcohol, additional beverages and snacks.
● Hot showers, Wi-Fi, device charging and laundry.
● Tips for guides and porters.
● Single-room supplements where available.
● Additional expenses caused by flight delays, illness, early return or itinerary changes.
● Helicopter flights and optional upgrades.
It is more demanding than the classic Everest Base Camp route because it includes the Gokyo Valley, glacier trails and Cho La Pass. Good fitness and previous hiking experience are recommended.
No. The 15 days cover the programme from the outbound Lukla flight to the return to Kathmandu. Kathmandu arrival, hotel stays and international departure are arranged separately. A farewell dinner in Kathmandu on Day 15 is included.
No. Both depend on health, acclimatisation, weather and available time. Your guide may omit either excursion if an easier day or earlier descent is needed.
The itinerary follows the main approach lakes and includes a stay beside the third lake. Excursions to the fourth and fifth lakes require additional time and are not included.
Guests without multi-day hiking experience should discuss suitability with us before booking. A longer itinerary or the classic Everest Base Camp trek may be more suitable.
Your guide will assess whether to wait, retreat or follow an alternative route. Changes can affect the duration, cost and destinations reached.
Yes. We can arrange additional acclimatisation days, private departures, Kathmandu hotels and cultural tours according to your needs.
