Everest Base Camp trek with Gokyo Lakes
Alternative Everest Base Camp itinerary
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Kathmandu
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Lukla
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Namche Bazaar
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Namche Bazaar
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Phortse Tenga
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Dole
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Machermo
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Machermo
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Gokyo Lakes
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Dragnag
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Dzongla
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Gorak Shep
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Everest Base Camp
A trek to Everest base camp is as much a pilgrimage as a straightforward trek, but there’s much more to the region than ‘just’ Mt Everest... -
Pheriche
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Phortse Tenga
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Monjo
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Lukla
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Kathmandu
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If you're trekking in Nepal for the first time, chances are the classic Everest Base Camp trek is on your radar. But for anyone with the time (and fitness), I often recommend this as a fine alternative.
The trek follows the Everest base camp trail for the first couple of days to Sanasa, a half day walk beyond Namche Bazaar. From here, while the masses plod towards Everest, Gokyo trekkers skip up the Dudh Kosi valley. Forested at lower levels, the valley becomes increasingly forbidding as it passes herders’ camps and yak pastures and enters a realm of moraine and ice circled by looming peaks.
After about eight days of hard walking you’ll arrive at the Sherpa village of Gokyo with its end-of-the-world feel. Along the way, you’ll ascend Gokyo Ri for stunning views of Everest before crossing the typically snow-covered Cho La Pass. The trail then descends through a breathtaking valley, arriving at Lobuche and continuing to EBC. To top it off, a climb up Kala Pattar provides iconic views of Everest before you return to Lukla via the classic EBC trails.
Do note, however: this route is even more demanding than the already formidable EBC trek – it demands respect, preparation and proper acclimatisation. In this route we have 15 days of walking, with an extra three days for acclimatisation, rest and contingency.
Key information
| Destinations | Everest Base Camp, Kathmandu, Gokyo Lakes, Kala Patthar, Cho La Pass, Namche Bazaar |
|---|---|
| Activity | Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking & Trekking, Active |
| Physical Level | Strenuous |
 Season |
December - May |
Featured tours
Suggested itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu
Day 1 in Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where you'll be met and receive a private transfer into central Kathmandu and to the KGH Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. Get a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening enjoy dinner in one of the many choices of cafes & restaurants in the city.
Lukla - Trek to Phakding
Day 2 in Lukla
Take a private transfer to the airport for a 40 min flight to Lukla. Meet your porter team, then trek a short downhill descent to the river valley. Walk 3-4 hours to the village of Phakding (2610m) and stay overnight in a typical trekking lodge. The distance is around 10km with approx 650m descent/390m ascent.
Trek to Namche Bazaar
Day 3 in Namche Bazaar
Begin by following the trail alongside the river and through pine forests to Jorsale. As you cross the river you will hopefully glimpse Everest's summit over the Nuptse ridge. It's then a climb of 2-3 hrs as the trail heads up to the Sherpa capital. Walking time approx. 5-6hrs, altitude 3440m. The distance is 10km with 1150m ascent and 400m descent.
Acclimatization in Namche
Day 4 in Namche Bazaar
At 3440m, now is a good time for an acclimatisation day to let your body adjust. Namche is a fascinating place to explore with several souvenir shops, cafes, and bars. Take an acclimatisation walk up to the Museum of Sherpa Culture, then near the museum there’s an excellent Everest viewpoint and magnificent views of the iconic peak of Ama Dablam.
Trek to Phortse Tenga
Day 5 in Phortse Tenga
You’ll have a relatively short day in order to further help you acclimatise. From now, the trekking becomes increasingly higher altitude. It’s a stiff climb out of Namche, with the reward of spectacular views as the trail then eases off a bit, before rising steadily to cross the Mon La (approx. 3900m) and then descending to Phortse Tenga (3860m). Around 3-4hrs walking.
Trek to Dole
Day 6 in Dole
You’ll gain height as you head up a side valley and go off the main Everest Base Camp trail. Once again, it’s relatively short walk today to aid the acclimatisation process by not over exerting or gaining height too quickly, as you gradually ascend to Dole (4060m). Walking time around 4hrs.
Trek to Machermo
Day 7 in Machermo
Heading further up the Gokyo Valley, you begin today’s walk on a reasonably level trail. It’s worth exploring Machermo (4460m) tomorrow, which will be another necessary acclimatisation day. Today is a shorter day of around 4hrs, covering some 5km with 570m ascent and 200m descent.
Acclimatisation Day - Machermo
Day 8 in Machermo
Today is another acclimatisation day, before you overnight any higher. It's good practice to go a little higher and then come back down to allow the body the best chance of acclimatising. This isn't necessarily a rest day, so you can walk up to the ridge line above the village for views of the surrounding peaks.
Trek to Gokyo Lakes
Day 9 in Gokyo Lakes
There's some up and down at the start, as you walk alongside the Ngozumba Glacier. Pass one of the lakes and a little further you'll pass the route you'll take tomorrow across the glacier. Continue steadily up the valley to Gokyo (4790m), with its sacred turquoise lakes. It's around 7km and the walking takes between 4-5hrs, ascending 575m and descending 200m.
Gokyo Ri and Trek to Dragnag
Day 10 in Dragnag
Gokyo Ri (5360m), aside from its higher altitude, is not technical. You'll leave just after dawn, and there's around 600m of ascent and descent. Return to the lodge for breakfast and then down to one of the lakes to take the trail to reach Dragnag (4700m). Walking distance (excluding Gokyo Ri) is around 6km with 430m ascent and 520m ascent, 4hrs walking.
The Cho La Crossing to Dzongla
Day 11 in Dzongla
The Cho La pass involves crossing a boulder field and old moraine. At times it’s very steep and some scrambling is required. It’s recommended to have a walking ice axe and in-step crampons with you for this (not mountaineering crampons). Enjoy the views and then head down and on to Dzongla (4830m). It's around 9hrs, 9km distance, and 930m ascent/840m descent.
Trek to Gorak Shep
Day 12 in Gorak Shep
You continue descending and drop down to join the main EBC trail at Lobuche. From here you walk steadily uphill alongside the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and onto Gorak Shep (5140m). It's around 12km walking distance, quite a long day of 7-8hrs walking and with around 870m ascent and 550m descent.
Walk to Everest Base Camp - Then Back to Gorak Shep
Day 13 in Everest Base Camp
The round trip sounds easy, just under 7km with under 200m ascent and descent, but it takes approximately 6 hours to get to EBC and back at this altitude. You’ll have a good hour to appreciate EBC itself. You won’t see the summit of Everest, but there are some impressive views of the Khumbu Icefall and the west shoulder of Everest.
View from Kala Patar and Walking to Pheriche
Day 14 in Pheriche
It takes around 2 hours to follow the trail to Kala Patar (5500m) and for the classic view of Everest, the most impressive view on this trip. Returning to Gorak Shep you walk back to Lobuche and onto Pheriche (4270m) to stay the night, where there is a clinic staffed by western doctors ( main trekking season). Distance over 16km takes 7-8hrs with 500m ascent and 1400m descent.
Trek to Phortse
Day 15 in Phortse Tenga
You're essentially heading down today, and the walk to Phortse takes around 6-7 hrs to complete the 14km distance with around 450m ascent and 1300m descent.
Trek to Monjo
Day 16 in Monjo
You’ll have a long descent down to the river and then up a zig zagging trail to the Mon La. There is a slight deviation off the main EBC trail, which you then rejoin and descend to Namche. Then it’s a couple of hours of mostly downhill to Monjo. Distance is around 14km with 650m ascent and 1350m descent, 6-7hrs walking.
Back Up to Lukla
Day 17 in Lukla
At first you continue to head down the valley, passing through Phakding and then climb back up to Lukla. The distance is around 13.5km with about 670m ascent and 580m descent and takes about 5hrs of walking.
Fly to Kathmandu
Day 18 in Kathmandu
You will take off from Lukla for the short flight to Kathmandu. You may wish to consider additional contingency plans, whether it be for any delays/cancellations that can and do occur for flights to/from Lukla, or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.
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