Everest Basecamp Trek - Express Via Gokyo Lake

Welcome to Nepal and the experience of a lifetime.

You will be met at the airport by a True Summit Adventures team member and taken to our team hotel, the Hyatt Regency in Bouda, one of the original and best five star hotels in Kathmandu. 

Designed in traditional Newari-style architecture and set within 37 acres of landscaped gardens, the hotel offers an oasis of calm in bustling Kathmandu. At the same time, it's located close to historic attractions, temples, restaurants, and the outdoor shops, should you need to make any last minute purchases.

Popular with the climbing community, it's possible to see famous alpinists at the breakfast counter, on the charming terrace, relaxing by the pool, or hitting the gym.

In the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner where you will meet our Nepali partners, the guides and of course, the other adventurers who will be making this bucket list trek with you.

This morning we explore the cultural treasures within Kathmandu, including Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya (Monkey Temple), Bouddha Stupa, and Pashupatinath Hindu temple.

We then stop for lunch at the Roadhouse restaurant, which overlooks the Boudda Stupa.

In the afternoon, we visit the climbing shops of the Thamel neighbourhood for any last minute purchases before returning to the Hyatt Regency for dinner.

Following breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the airport to board the one hour helicopter flight to the world famous Lukla airport, the launchpad to the Everest region.

We use helicopter transfers both from and to Kathmandu for their safety and convenience as fixed wing flights now depart from Ramechapp airport, a 5 hour drive from Kathmandu.

After lunch in Lukla, we begin our trek to Everest Basecamp with a gentle hike to Phakding, a quaint Sherpa village situated beside the Dudh Kosi River.

On the trek your main bag will be carried by one of our super human Sherpa porters and accommodation is in the famous 'teahouses' which provide basic yet warm and cosy lodgings. 

We always book the best tea house option in each village, but please note that facilities become more Spartan the higher up we go.

Trekking time: 2-3 hrs

Today the trek starts to gain altitude and we cross the famous bridges suspended high above the valley. Not for the feint hearted, but exhilarating none the less!

Our destination is the mythical Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar, nestled high in the Himalayan foothills. 

Approaching the town, which can only be reached on foot or by helicopter, you will likely feel a sense of wonder at this truly unique mountain community.

Here you can stroll through the market, visit the barber shop, enjoy a cappuccino and slice of marble cake at the world famous Sherpa Barista Cafe, or even drink a pint of Guinness at the world's highest Irish pub.

Namche is home to many outfitters, so if you are not 100% happy with your trekking shoes there's still a chance to buy a new pair.

Trekking time: 6-8 hrs

Today we take a pause in the expedition to allow ourselves to acclimatise to the increasing altitude. But it's not all sitting around drinking tea!

We will hike for two hours to the famous Everest View Hotel at 3,888m for an epic lunch accompanied by incredible views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks, Lhotse, Nuptse and the mighty Ama Dablam.

After lunch we take the short walk to the small but charming village of Khumjung where we can visit the monastery, chat with the locals, buy souvenirs and drink more tea, before heading back to Namche.

Trekking time: 5hrs

Hopefully everyone is feeling good after there 'rest' day in Namche Bazaar as today is a long day of trekking over varied terrain.

The path also diverges from the classic basecamp trek route as we head out towards Gokyo. 

The day starts by climbing the Khumjung hill and descending to the east of Namche down a huge valley leading to the Dudh Koshi. Afterwards we visit Mohang, the birthplace of the re-incarnated Lama of Rongbuk Monastery of Tibet who is believed to have introduced Buddhism to the Khumbu region of Nepal

We end the day by following the path of the river to Tenga, before passing through birch and rhododendron forest to our destination of Dole.

Trekking time: 7-9 hrs

Our adventure through this beautiful landscape continues and today sees the valley vegetation continue to thin as we hike upwards and northwards away from Dole along the ridge with incredible views of the high mountains around us.

We then climb up to the small hamlet of Luza where we stop for lunch before descending slightly to rejoin the river. From here, the incline becomes steeper, taking us onto the moraine of the Ngozumba Glacier.

Continuing on eventually brings us to Machhermo, one of the last settlements of any significance before Gokyo, where we spend the night. More Sherpa hospitality awaits and as always, lots of ginger and lemon tea.

By this point your guides will no doubt have introduced you to our favorite trek game - Perudo, or "Liar's Dice." Be careful of Kami Fura, one of the best players in Nepal!

Trekking Time: 3-5 hrs

Seeing the turquoise splendor of the world's highest freshwater lakes, is undoubtedly a highlight of this trek.

Leaving the village behind we start by following the ridge upwards, where we enjoy incredible views to Kangtaiga and up towards Cho Oyu (8,153m).

We then descend to the riverbank before ascending the terminal moraine of the Ngazumpa Glacier. The trail then levels out as it follows the valley to the first lake, Longpongo, at 4,690m.

The insane views continue as we reach the Taujung Tsho lake, before following the western edge of the glacier to Gokyo Tsho lake's eastern shore, where we have lunch at our teahouse in the village.

We then spend the rest of the day exploring Gokyo village and the third lake, Dudh Pokhari.

Trekking Time: 3-5 hrs

Today we spend a second night in Gokyo as the expedition pauses again to allow our bodies to acclimatise to the ever increasing altitude.

We have different options depending on conditions and how everyone is feeling. Plan A is to climb Gokyo Ri (5,630m), the mountain that stands above Gokyo village and lends it its name. From here we get incredible views of the Himalayan giants Makalu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, and Pumori, as well as Gokyo's lakes and the Nogzumpa Glacier.

Otherwise there is the opportunity to rest or we can hike to more lakes lakes – Thonak Tsho and Ngozumba Tsho or we can climb the so called, Scoundrel’s Viewpoint, located at the edge of Ngozumba Tsho.

Trekking Time: 4-5 hrs

Today we will get up close to the Ngazumpa Glacier as we make the short trek to Thagnak. 

Glaciers are most stable at night and during the early morning we so we will aim to leave Gokyo promptly to get the best conditions while crossing the glacier.

Its only a short trek to Thagnak, but there is a chance for a short hike in the afternoon for anyone with the energy.

Trekking Time: 3 hrs

Today is undoubtedly one of the hardest day of the trek as we tackle the famous Chola La Pass at 5368m. One of the highest and best known passes in the Himalaya's, reaching the top requires patience and endurance as we navigate steep terrain and a glacier traverse.

But the views from the top are spectacular with Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Lobuche East and Baruntse looming over us.

We then descend to Dzongla Village and rejoin the main trekking route which takes us into Lobuche village, one of the main staging posts for 8000m ascents of Everest and Lhotse. Expect to meet climbers from all over the world in the famous bakery where the marble cake is to die for.

Trekking time: 7-9 hrs

An amazing day in your life as today we reach the ultimate goal of our expedition together, the famed Everest Basecamp; scene of so much triumph and tragedy in the last 100 years or so.

We start by following the rising trail along the western bank of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche Pass, reaching a junction point of the Changri Nup, Changri Shar and Khumbu glaciers, where we follow the trail to Gorakshep the last village on the basecamp trek and one of the highest permanently occupied settlements on Earth.

After a lunch break in Gorakshep it is two more hours hiking before we reach Everest Basecamp. Here we stop for photos at the notorious rock that lies at the entrance to the camp or something more inventive! In 2023, two members staged a tennis match at the Basecamp with rackets and balls brought from Kathmandu.

After taking in the incredible scenes around us we then return to Gorakshep for the night and a celebratory dinner, perhaps even a local beer.

Trekking time: 8-10 hrs

Almost Finished! Our last day of trekking sees us make our down way from Gorakshep, via Lobuche village to Pheriche. 

Pheriche is well known in the climbing community for its excellent teahouses and for being the staging post for some of the great Everest ascents of recent times by superstar alpinists like David Goettler and Kilian Jornet.

The views of Ama Dablam here are out of this world. There is time for one last look back to Everest and Lhotse before boarding the helicopters that will take us back to Kathmandu via Lukla.

Once back in Kathmandu we return to the Hyatt Regency for massages and hot showers before the celebrations begin in earnest.

In the evening we will meet for a celebratory dinner and much story telling about our incredible time together in the Everest Region.

Trekking Time: 4 hrs

Sadly all things must come to an end and today we say our goodbyes.

True Summit team members will be on hand to take you to the airport.

If you have time then we recommend you visit Badia National Park in Western lowland Nepal where you will have the chance to sea Asian elephants, rhino's, freshwater dolphins, leopards and if you are lucky, the increasingly rare Bengal tiger.

One of the best things you can do in Nepal and a beautiful 3 day accompaniment to your time in the high Himalayas.