Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lake

As you arrive in Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, an Eagle Eye Treks and Expedition’s(EETE) representative will be there to welcome you. And will accompany you to transfer to your hotel. The evening will be for a welcome dinner with the EETE Team in one of the typical Nepali restaurants of Thamel.

Take your breakfast and get ready for a guided full-day sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley. The sightseeing program is focused on introducing some highlights of UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu, such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, also known as “Monkey Temple”, Pashupatinath –temple of Lord Shiva, and Bouddhanath; a Buddhist place. After sightseeing evening will be for trek briefing and preparation of things as needed.

Early morning, flight to Lukla (2,810 m) takes 35-40 minutes approx. Thereafter, you will trek to Phakding (3 hours approx.), passing several Sherpa villages via Dudh Koshi.

Take breakfast and get ready to trek to Namche Bazaar. This day is a bit challenging for us. Our route ascends via Dudh Koshi river through Sagarmatha National Park where we can experience some wildlife. With 7 hours long walk, finally, we will be at Namche Bazar; which is also known as Sherpa Capital.

A trading place between the highland and low land people and the administrative centre of the Khumbu region. Last place to check your equipment and hire any additional gears for your trek. Overnight at a teahouse.

An acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar. Today you will also visit the local museum and the surrounding village. The efficient way to acclimatise is to do a strenuous walk up to a high altitude, then back down to your hotel. O/N.

An easy trekking day. After breakfast, we slowly step up to Kyanjuma Village, passing a beautiful stupa with a nice view of Everest and Lhotse in the background. After reaching Kyanjuma, we turn off the main trail and begin climbing to the Mong La, marked by a chorten on the top of a ridge at 3972m.

This ridge descends from Khumbila, the abode of the patron god of all Sherpas. From the ridge, the trail descends in a series of switchbacks towards the Dudh Kosi.

At Phortse Tenga, the trail starts to climb steeply out of the valley, and we enter the rhododendron forests, which give way to juniper and conifers higher up the valley. We pass through many kharkas, summer settlements used by the Sherpas to graze their yaks, before coming to Dole (4040m), where we have magnificent views of Khumbila and Tawoche. (approx 7hrs)(O/N).

From Dole, the trail is steep in places as it passes through Lhabarma and Luza along the side of the valley, high above the river through scrub junipers, until we cross the sandy spurs to Machhermo (4,410m).

It was here in 1974 that a yeti was reported to have attacked a sherpa and killed three yaks! We should get to Marchhermo by lunchtime and in the afternoon, there is time for an acclimatisation walk up onto the ridge behind the lodge for amazing views of Thamserku. (approx.4hrs)(O/N).

Our day starts with climbing a ridge for an excellent view down the valley to Kangtaiga and also up towards Cho Oyu (8153m). The valley now widens as the trail passes through Pangkha then descends to the riverbank before beginning the steep climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier. Here we pass the first of the lakes at Gokyo, where a family of Brahminy ducks reside and then follow the level trail to the summerhouses and walled meadows of Gokyo.

You can find a small settlement of lodges on the shores of a blue lake. In the afternoon, we will walk up the hill behind camp to take in the magnificent views of the Ngozumpo Glacier. Overnight at the teahouse.

We start trekking this day earlier than the previous day. Today we ascend up a small peak called Gokyo Ri, which just above wonderful Gokyo Village. As we step forward to Thangnak, the views come even closer and seem more fantastic. We can view four of the seven highest peaks in the Nepal Himalaya: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. Stretching out for miles below us is the longest glacier in Nepal - the Ngozumpo glacier, which tumbles down from the slopes of Cho Oyu.

One of the best all-around views in Nepal, the climb is well worth the effort. We return to Gokyo for lunch. Midafternoon, we retrace our steps to the second lake and climb to the crest of the moraine overlooking the Ngozumpo glacier. The route across the glacier is well marked with cairns and takes us to the eastern side of the Gokyo Valley. Overnight at Tangnak (4700m), the foot of the Cho La Pass.

Day to pass Cho La (5330 m). With the early start, we climb up from Tangnak and approach a large boulder field. Beyond this ancient moraine, the climb to the pass is steep in places, involving some easy scrambling. The upper part of the route can be snow-covered, particularly after November. The challenging pass offers some stunning views, including an unusual aspect of Ama Dablam.

The descent from the pass involves the crossing of a small glacier (usually snow-covered), which is fairly straightforward. We descend steeply to the grazing pastures below, the trail becoming more defined as we approach Dzongla (4830m), where we stay tonight in a very small basic lodge.

On the day to leave Dzongla, we continue our descent on an easy trail. A short ascent brings us to the foot of Awi Peak, which we contour round on a wonderful high trail with great views of Chalotse and Tawoche across the valley.

After then we descend to catch the main trail again just below Lobuche. Overnight at Lobuche (4,930m), from where the sunset on Nuptse is absolutely stunning.

We are now surrounded by giant Himalayan peaks; Everest, Nuptse, Lingtren, Khumbutse and Pumori tower above us. Today is very long and hard as we visit Everest Base Camp. The trail from Labuche climbs steadily by the side of the Khumbu Glacier, and after crossing glacier rubble, we arrive at Gorak Shep (5180m), a summer yak-herder settlement situated at the foot of Kala Pattar.

After a short break and snack, we set off for Base Camp. The trail heads along the crest of the moraine at first and then drops onto the Khumbu Glacier itself, where we get magnificent close-up views of the great Khumbu Icefall as it tumbles down from Everest. In the spring season, we will see expedition teams as they prepare for an ascent. We retrace our steps to Gorak Shep for the night.

This day, you will make the steady climb to the lofty summit of Kalapathar(5550 m). Most people who are fit and have acclimatised without problems, generally at least half the group, can make this ascent.

Kalapathar is a viewpoint for breathtaking views, far better than Base Camp itself. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and more peaks can be viewed from there. After that, descend from the peak and continue our trek to Dingboche. Overnight at a teahouse.

We start our day with breakfast, and after that we descend through Imja valley, passing the Sherpa village of Somare and Pangboche, where we find the greener landscape and pass through alpine meadows to Pangboche.

We come back to the tree line, we walk through the bridge and the Rhododendron forests before reaching Tangboche. There is one of the papular monastery in this region, the monastery opens every day in the morning and evening, so you can walk inside the monastery to see the monks doing their ritual things. Overnight will be in one of the teahouses at Tengboche.

Setting destination Monjo, Today we descend down to Phungithanga, follow the trail high above the Dudhkoshi River. Along the way, we have the last view of the mountain Ama Dablam, Khangeta, and the Tengboche monastery.

Crossing Namche bazaar the path descends steeply down to the Dudh Kosi river, crossing a high bridge through Jorsale, takes us at overnight place, Monju.

The last day of our trek, the route passes through the same village before getting to Lukla. Lukla, the place to say goodbye to our porters. We will have dinner with our crews in Lukla this day.

Today we take a short early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, your guide will help you to transfer to your hotel. You will have a free time for shopping around Thamel. The evening will be for farewell dinner with EETE team.

Day to fly back home, say Namaste for memories that will last a lifetime. An EETE representative will accompany you to get Airport for your departure or onward for the next program.