EVEREST BASE CAMP AND GOKYO LAKES

Experience the ultimate Himalayan adventure with the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo trek, merging two iconic routes into one unforgettable trek.This trek combines diverse elements, offering both spectacular natural beauty and vibrant cultural insights. As you journey through traditional Sherpa villages, you’ll have the chance to appreciate their rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality.The culmination at Everest Base Camp offers an awe-inspiring spectacle of the formidable Khumbu Icefall and surrounding Himalayan giants. The Gokyo Valley, renowned for its pristine turquoise lakes and the strenuous ascent of Gokyo Ri, presents unparalleled panoramic vistas encompassing Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. This trek is an ideal endeavor for those seeking a demanding yet profoundly rewarding expedition, encapsulating some of the most sublime and majestic landscapes in the Himalayas.

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More About Nepal

Kathmandu, Lukla, Phakding, Namche, Everest View Hotel, Tengboche, Dingboche, Nagerjun, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, Gorak Shep, Kalapattar, Dzongla, Dragnak, Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Ri, Dole, Namche, Lukla, Kathmandu

18 Days

FROM: £

DURATION: 18 Days

GROUP SIZE: 10 people max

DIFFICULTY: 4

MAX ELEVATION: 5,550m

DAY 1-2

Kathmandu

After arriving at Kathmandu airport, a member of our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, where you will spend your first night.
This afternoon, you will have time to shop in Kathmandu if you need to pick up any last-minute items.
In the evening, you will join us for a welcome dinner and meet your guide for the first time. During dinner, your guide will review the route you will be embarking on.
Those staying an extra night will have an included tour of the UNESCO sites.

DAY 2-3

Lukla > Monjo: 2,652m/8,700ft - 12.5km / 4 to 5 hours

Today, you will fly to Lukla Airport, famously known as the most dangerous airports in the world! You'll start your day early with a bus ride to either Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
Upon arrival, you'll meet the rest of the team, including additional porters and guides, and enjoy some tea and coffee together.
From there, we'll pass through the National Luminary Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate, marking the beginning of our trekking route.
We'll stop for lunch in Phakding and then continue on to Monjo, where we'll spend the night.

Monjo > Namche Bazar: 3,440m /11,286ft - 7.5km/ 4 to 6 hours

Today, after breakfast, we'll depart around 8 am for another day of trekking. Our destination is Namche Bazaar, renowned for being home to the highest pub in the world!
The trail today will be a bit more undulating as we enter the stunning Sagarmatha National Park.

DAY 3-4

DAY 4-5

Namche Acclimatisation

Today, you will wake up at a leisurely time and then head to the Everest View Hotel for your acclimatisation day. This will take a couple of hours. You will stop there for coffee and enjoy the wonderful views.
The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore Namche Bazaar.

DAY 5-6

Today, we will hike to Debouche. Along the way, we will pass through Tengbouche, which is home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region.
After visiting Tengbouche, we will descend into Debouche, where we will spend the night.

Namche > Debouche: 3.820m/12,660ft - 12km / 6 hours

DAY 6-7

Debouche > Dingbouche: 4,410m / 14,468ft - 10km/ 5 to 6 hours

After breakfast, we will embark on today’s trek from Debouche to Dingbouche.
Our route will take us through Pangbouche, where we will pause for a coffee break or lunch.
As we continue our ascent, you may begin to feel the effects of the altitude, which is completely normal.
Upon reaching Dingbouche, we will settle in and spend the next two nights here, allowing time to acclimatise and enjoy the surroundings.

DAY 7-8

Dingbouche Acclimatisation

Today, we will stay in Dingbouche, enjoying a slightly more leisurely morning. We will then hike up to Nangkartshang Peak for acclimatisation.
This ascent should take around two to three hours (5,100m) and will offer incredible views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains.
In the afternoon, feel free to explore the coffee shops and other local shops in Dingbouche.

DAY 9-10

Lobuche > Gorak Shep > Everest Base Camp: 4,210m/13,809ft - 12km / 7 hours

Today is the big day!
We will start by walking from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, which will take around 3-4 hours.
After filling up with a good lunch, we'll continue on to Everest Base Camp. We'll take a ridge walk towards the camp, moving slowly and carefully—there's no need to rush.
Congratulations! We've made it to Everest Base Camp.
We'll stop to take photos to commemorate your incredible achievement. This is a moment to be really proud of.
Then, we'll head back towards Gorak Shep for the night. It's been a long day, and you may feel tired, hungry, and possibly experience altitude sickness, but this is very normal. You'll sleep well tonight!

DAY 11-12

Dzongla > Chola Pass (5,420 m/17,782 ft) > Dragnak (4,700 m/15,415 ft) - 7 hours

Prepare for a challenging yet rewarding day. We start early, tackling a climb to Chola Pass.
Navigating high-altitude terrain, we must be cautious of unstable paths and rockfalls. After crossing Chola Pass at 5,420 meters, we descend a rugged, slippery trail to Dragnak, which takes about three hours.

DAY 13-14

Gokyo Ri > Dole: 5,483 m/19,083 ft - 4,200 m/13,775 ft - 6-7 hours

We start early today, hiking up to Gokyo Ri for spectacular views of the Gokyo Lakes and surrounding mountains. Gokyo Ri, at 5,483 metres, is one of the best viewpoints in the Everest region.
From the top, you’ll see breathtaking scenes of peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho-Oyu. The lakes below shine like blue gems amid the snow.
After taking in the views, we descend to Dole, where we will spend the night at a tea house.

DAY 15-16

Namche > Lukla: 2,800m/9,184ft - 20km / 6-7 hours

Today is our last day of trekking—a bittersweet moment. The trek is around 20km and involves both uphill and downhill sections. We will encourage each other with much needed morale along the way, passing back over the infamous Hillary Bridge.
Once we reach Lukla, enjoy your time shopping and celebrating!

DAY 8-9

Dingbouche > Lobuche: 4,910m/16,105ft - 12km / 5-6 hours

Today's walk will take us from Dingbouche to Lobuche. Initially, the trek will be relatively easy and flat with a few undulations.
We will stop for lunch or coffee before ascending a steep hill. At the top, we will visit the Everest Memorial Ground, which honours those who lost their lives trying to climb Everest.
From there, we will continue gradually until we reach Lobuche, where we will spend the night.

DAY 10-11

Kalapattar > Dzongla: 4,830 m/15,840 ft - 6-7 hours

Today is a highlight of our trek. We set out early to reach Kalapattar, a renowned viewpoint in the Everest region known for its stunning sunrise and panoramic mountain views, including the towering Mount Everest.
At Kalapattar, we'll witness the sun’s golden rays illuminating Everest and its neighboring peaks, offering an unforgettable spectacle.
After enjoying the views, we descend to Dzongla for the night, where we’ll stay at a local guesthouse and reflect on the day’s incredible experiences.

DAY 12-13

Dragnak > Gokyo Lakes: 4,790 m/15,710 ft - 2–3 hours

This morning, we trek to the Gokyo Valley.
In about 3-4 hours, we'll arrive at the picturesque Gokyo Lakes, framed by the stunning Himalayan mountains.
We will spend the night at a tea house in Gokyo.

DAY 14-15

Dole > Namche: 3,440 m/11,285 ft - 6 hours

Leaving Dole, we descend towards Namche Bazaar. Our route begins with a downhill trek to Phorte Thangna, followed by an ascent to Mungla Danda.
We then make our way down to Lausaha and rejoin the main trail to Everest Base Camp at Namche.
Tonight, we stay at a tea house in Namche.

DAY 16-17

Namche > Lukla

Today we will wake up early for our flight back to either Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
If we arrive in Ramechhap, we will have a roughly 4-hour bus journey back to your hotel. Relax and enjoy a very well-earned shower!
Tonight, we will celebrate with evening drinks and dinner.
Tomorrow, you will catch your international flight home.

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JAN

FEB

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MAY

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JUL

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SEP

The optimal time to embark on a trek to Everest Base Camp is during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons, specifically from late March to early May and late September to early November. These periods offer the most favourable weather conditions, characterised by clear skies, stable temperatures, and relatively dry trails, ensuring both safety and spectacular vistas.

The spring season, in particular, coincides with the climbing season for summiting Everest, providing trekkers the unique opportunity to witness the flurry of expeditions preparing for their ascent. Meanwhile, the autumn season offers stunning, crisp views of the surrounding peaks following the summer monsoon’s departure.

Trekkers are advised to avoid the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall, which can cause landslides and obscure the magnificent landscapes, and the winter season, when temperatures can plummet to perilous levels and heavy snowfall can make the journey treacherous. Thus, timing one's trek within these optimal windows not only maximises the visual splendour and safety of the expedition but also aligns with the peak activity periods on the mountain, enriching the overall experience.

OCT

NOV

DEC

Physical Fitness for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Preparing physically for Kilimanjaro is essential, as the trek is demanding and requires stamina, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Begin regular exercise at least three to six months prior to the climb. Focus on activities such as hiking, running, cycling, and strength training. Building endurance with long hikes, ideally with a weighted backpack, will help simulate the conditions you'll face on the mountain. Incorporate hill training to prepare for the varying inclines and descents. Additionally, core and leg strength exercises, such as squats, lunges, and planks, will enhance your stability and overall fitness, ensuring you're ready for the rigours of the trek. Please note that we are not fitness experts and everyone is different, you will need to adjust this training plan to suit your body.

Suggested Training Plan for Climbing Kilimanjaro

Around 6 Months Before the Climb

Months 1-2:

Cardio:
- Frequency: 2 times per week
- Activities: Gentle jogging, brisk walking, or cycling
- Duration: 20-30 minutes

Strength Training:
- Frequency: 1 time per week
- Exercises: Bodyweight squats, lunges, and step-ups

Months 3-4:

Cardio:
- Frequency: 3 times per week
- Activities: Jogging, brisk walking, or cycling
- Duration: 30-40 minutes

Strength Training:
- Frequency: 1-2 times per week
- Exercises: Squats, lunges, step-ups, planks, and push-ups
- Repetitions: 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps

Hiking:
- Frequency: 3 time per month
- Duration: Half-day or full-day hike on varied terrain

Months 5-6:

Cardio:
- Frequency: 3 times per week
- Activities: Jogging, brisk walking, or cycling
- Duration: 40-50 minutes

Strength Training:
- Frequency: 2 times per week
- Exercises: Squats, lunges, step-ups, planks, push-ups, with weights if comfortable

Hiking:
- 1 times per week
- Duration: Full-day hike on varied terrain

General Tips

Flexibility: Incorporate gentle stretching to prevent injury
Rest: Ensure you have at least one full rest day per week.
Listen to Your Body: Adjust the intensity based on how you feel, and ensure you recover well between sessions.