Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Ri

  • 17 Days
  • Age 18+
  • Year-round

Fly up to the Mount Everest region, inhabited by the hardy Sherpa people, and trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar, the best view spot for the great mountain. Then over the Cho La pass to Gokyo and another spectacular high view point. Max altitude 18200 feet / 5550 meters. Terrain: High forests & fields, turning to alpine Difficulty: moderate trekking with some difficult days.

 

Day 1

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, the high-mountain airstrip that serves the Everest region. Trek north (but down) to Phakding at 2600 m. for altitude acclimatization..

Day 2

Trek north along the Dudh Kosi, the "Milk River," named for its many rapids, and enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. After lunch there's a steep climb of a couple of hours to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa "capital," set in a horseshoe valley at 3340 m.

Day 3

Trek to Khumjung, an old and attractive Sherpa town at 3780 m. for altitude acclimatization and return to Namche for a second night.

Day 4

Trek to fabled Thayangboche monastery (3860 m.), set in a high "saddle" ridge with views of Mount Everest and a great power place.

Day 5

Sit in on morning worship with the lamas and take an audience with the reincarnate abbot if he is in residence and receiving visitors. Then trek o Dingboche, (arguably) the highest permanent agricultural settlement in the world

Day 6

Trek up the Chukkung Valley for spectacular views, then back to Dingboche and on to Pheriche.

Day 7

Trek up along the Khumbu glacier to Lobuje

Day 8

Follow the glacier north and climb Kala Pattar, a 17,500-foot "hill" with spectacular views of Everest. Overnight at the base of Kala Pattar.

Day 9

Trek up the glacier to Base Camp, then back to Lobuje..

Day 10

Another early start to cross the Cho La pass. The morning starts with a scrabble over a scree field which gives way to open rock and possibly some ice and snow. The pass at 17,777 feet is closed in and has no great views; but the ascent and descent are beautiful. Stay at Dragnag on the other side of the pass.

Day 11

A short day on to Gokyo, a small, seasonal village set at the side of a pretty lake. In the afternoon rest or explore the lake area - you have another climb tomorrow!

Day 12

Start again early in the morning to climb Gokyo Ri (17,984 feet) for more unbelievable views of Everest and now also Makalu, third highest peak in the world. This really feels like the top of the world! Back to Gokyo for another night.

Day 13

A day of descent through a mixture of open land and, in the afternoon, forest. Stay in Dole which has more great views and is a very photogenic town.

Day 14

A long day of downhill walking brings you to Kongde.

Day 15

Trek back to Namche Bazaar and then down to Monjo.

Day 16

Trek back to Lukla.

Fly to Kathmandu in the morning.

"What a great combination of high spots in the Everest region! It was really challenging to climb to 5000 metres three times in four days, but so spectacular. My guide Nhono was wonderful, and you took care of all the arrangements and details. Thank you! I'll be back."

James Mattinson - Friends in High Places guest